A/N: Sorry this took so long! This chapter is not even that long either. I've been really busy with my new second job. Once the summer hits, I'll probably have more time on my hands, however. Until then, expect a sporadic schedule. The next chapter isn't meant to be that long either, so I might be able to get that out soonish. At least I'll have a bit more motivation because getting past this one battle was so tedious. I'm also split among several different writing projects at the moment (such as my second novel...even though the first isn't published yet...oh well).

Anyway, hoping that next time won't be so far away.

Sarah

Chapter Four: The End of the Road

Misty observed the start of the last battle, so nervous that she had no desire to watch. However, she knew she couldn't look away. She wanted it to be over already. Pikachu's cheeks emitted sparks. Another bolt of lightning shot across the sky. Her one comfort was the knowledge that Pikachu would get Ash through this. He always did.

"Here it is folks. The final battle to decide the match—Pikachu versus Dragonite. Both trainers have fought hard, and after this battle, we will find out if we have a new champion."

"Let's go, Pikachu. Quick Attack!"

Pikachu sped towards Dragonite. The dragon looked at him, baffled, no doubt still confused as a result of her own attack. This side effect of Outrage could be something in Ash's favor. Pikachu rushed to Dragonite as Ash called out his first command.

"Quick Attack!"

"Wing Attack!"

Dragonite looked back at Lance in confusion before flapping her wings. She beat them too hard and ended up hitting herself with the them. She shook her head, perhaps in an attempt to rid the confusion. Pikachu took the opening. He slammed into Dragonite's body, throwing it off balance.

"Pikachu, Iron tail!"

Pikachu's tail glowed white before he whipped it into Dragonite. The dragon Pokemon staggered once more. She balanced herself, the confusion disappearing from her face. Ash knew it was best to go on the defensive for now.

"Pikachu, Agility!"

Pikachu raced around the arena, speeding past Dragonite. He ran around in circles trying to confuse her once again. He sprinted back and forth, and Ash knew that all of the conditioning that he had his Pokemon do before the last league was paying off. The electric mouse had never been faster.

Unfortunately, however, Dragonite was a cunning battler. She picked up on the pattern that Pikachu was running, and used that to her advantage. She stuck her tail out when she knew he was coming. Pikachu rushed into the yellow tail. She whipped it to the side, sending Pikachu sailing through the air. He slammed against the ground, skidding across the dirt.

"Pikachu, you can do it, buddy!" Ash shouted as Pikachu sat up and shook his head.

"Dragonite, Hyper Beam!"

Dragonite's mouth opened and a ball of orange light formed. Ash and Pikachu both looked panicked. Neither had much time to react. Once the energy was collected, she sent the attack straight at Pikachu.

"Pikachu!" Ash shouted as the attack hit, sending a cloud of white dust in the air. He couldn't see if his Pokemon was okay.

"This match could very well be over now, folks. Dragonite has launched its most powerful attack. It's not likely that an opponent would come out of—wait what's that?"

Ash turned his attention to the sky. Above the cloud of dust was a mouse-shaped outline. Pikachu appeared, having dodge the attack. Ash felt utter bliss seeing that his Pokemon was okay and that he still had a shot at this. Pikachu landed on top of Dragonite's head, holding on to her antennae for dear life.

"Looks like Pikachu used its tail as a springboard, and Dragonite now has a new hat. Well we did say that this battle would be interesting."

Dragonite tried to shake Pikachu off, but as much as she could. She was too exhausted to get the mouse to release his grip on her. Ash knew that he had little time to finish this match once and for all as he commanded Pikachu to use a Thunder attack. Pikachu's cheeks sparked before a massive bolt of lightning came down from the sky and enveloped the two Pokemon.

Once the attack subsided, Dragonite finally shook Pikachu off. He landed on the ground in front of Dragonite, panting, exhausted from the match. Dragonite was breathing heavily as well, each one waiting for the other to fall.

Dragonite closed her eyes as she began to sway. In a final cry, she crashed to the ground. Ash held his breath, as she remained there, motionless.

"Dragonite is unable to battle," the official exclaimed, raising his flag, "The match goes to the challenger Ash Ketchum."

Ash stood, rooted, gaping at the arena in front of him. He did it. The crowd erupted in a roar of applause and cheers. The announcer was screaming. There was a new champion. Ash was a Pokemon master. Lance called back Dragonite. Pikachu turned around and ran toward Ash. He came back to reality in time to catch his buddy in his arms.

Misty knew that she couldn't wait any longer to go down to him. She sprinted down the stairs, slowing down only to ensure that she didn't do a face plant. She climbed over the rail on the edge of the arena wall and jumped down the three feet to the arena floor. She shouted Ash's name. He turned to catch a glimpse of her before she threw her arms around his shoulders, her eyes glistening with fresh tears.

He held her close to him, shutting his eyes, taking in the moment. He had done right by her. He was so grateful for the woman in his arms. She had pushed him back into training. It was because of her that he had managed to become a Pokemon master. She had helped him achieve his greatest of dreams.

After the broke away, Ash put a hand in his pocket. He would keep his promise, one that he wasn't even sure if she remembered. He would make all of her dreams come true as well. He fished around for it. After discovering that the first pocket was empty, he moved on to the other one.

No. Oh no. No. No. No. That one was empty as well. He searched around on the ground in his immediate area. Not there, either. He must have left it back in the room. He'd have to wait to ask her. Cursing to himself, he knew that he missed his best opportunity. Now he wouldn't be sure when the right time to ask her.

"Everything okay Ash?" Misty asked, slight concern in her voice.

"Yes, everything is perfect," he replied, not wanting to let on that something was amiss.

She looked at him, skeptical at first. Something was off about him. He just became Champion and yet, he should have been happier, she'd decided. Why was he lying to her? Not able to come up with a logical explanation, Misty had to conclude that he might have been in shock. She had to work to keep grounded as well. It was too much to believe. Her brain kept wondering if it were all a dream.

Inside he was slightly panicked. Was the ring in his room? Did he drop it maybe? He wanted it now for piece of mind. He had no idea of when he would be able to make it up there to check. Not that it mattered as much as he wanted to ask as soon as possible. He had made the smartest decision in his life and saved to pay for the insurance on the ring. It was a small comfort in the moment that he felt like a complete idiot.

"Ash?" called a voice from behind them, interrupting the pair.

Lance was standing before Ash and Misty, his arm extended. Hesitant, Ash stretched his arm out as well. Their hands met in a handshake. Ash was surprised to see that Lance was beaming at him. He had expected him to feel disappointed from losing his place as Champion.

"Congratulations," he said, as they broke apart. "You're now Champion. I know I should be sad about losing, but on the contraire, I feel elated to witness the rise of a young and powerful trainer."

"Thank you, sir," Ash managed to get out before the emotion took over his body and a tear flowed down his cheek.

"And to be honest," Lance leaned over and whispered, "I was hoping that I'd retire soon anyway. I haven't traveled in so long."

Ash chuckled at the comment. He was the opposite. Taking a glance at Misty from the corner of his eye, he knew that he was done with traveling around for now—unless those journeys included the red head next to him. He would follow her to the end of the earth if required. She was all that he wanted now. She was his future.

"So Ash," Lance shouted over the roar of the crowd. "We have some official business to take care of. Come with me."

Ash turned to Misty. She nodded at him. Pikachu perched on his shoulder, he tailed Lance as the two men headed towards the exit of the arena. Ash took one last look at the crowd jumping and chanting his name. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. His legs carried him through the threshold as he left the cheers behind.

Lance took them down a long hallway and up an elevator to the top of the building adjoining the arena. This was the headquarters for the Champion and the Elite Four. They walked in silence. Ash wanted to say something, but was unsure of what he would actually say.

"This is the Hall of Champions," Lance explained as they entered an elongated room. The lights came on in succession, until the whole room was bathed an orange glow. "Here is where we record all of the champions and their Pokemon. I haven't been in this room for a very long time."

"It's an honor, sir," Ash said.

"You don't need to call me, sir." Lance chuckled. "We're equals now."

Equals. Ash was equal to the very best that ever was. He was a Pokemon Master. This wasn't just a dream, though part of his brain was still experiencing surrealism. He couldn't stop grinning as he placed his pokeballs on the machine to put them all into history. Even Pikachu reluctantly went inside his ball for the brief minute. Ash was so proud of his little buddy. He clung to him a bit tighter when he came out again.

"Well now that the immediate business is done," Lance said, his smile still present. "We can get on with the press conference and celebrations."

"Press conference?" Ash asked. He would have to talk to reporters?

"Of course," Lance replied. "I went through the same thing, though it was many years ago. I'm sure a confident guy like yourself will do fine."

"Yeah sure," Ash replied, not as confident. He recalled all of the run-ins he had had with the press over the past couple of years, especially in the beginning stages of dating Misty. The tabloids could be brutal. He could only imagine how they would be now that he was Champion and with her. Perhaps they should get a place away from the gym so she could get away from all of that. There was a sinking feeling in his stomach at the thought of the press with their wedding. That was of course, depending on Misty agreeing to marry him first. She could always say no, though he couldn't think of a reason why. Oh why did he have to forget the ring? He needed to ask her later, and not a month later (which was how long it took to get that ring made).

"Ready Ash?" Lance asked as they exited the room.

"Yeah, sure."

"There'll probably be a party tonight, too," he said as they headed down the hall and toward the elevator. "Our staff really knows how to throw a shindig. That was Misty, the gym leader of Cerulean, correct?"

"Yes, what about her?"

"Are you together?"

"Is that a problem?" Ash asked, his voice shooting up an octave. "I mean we've been a couple for a couple of years now, but if that's a problem—"

"No, not at all," Lance said, realizing the source of Ash's anxiety. "We have no problems with a member of the league dating someone who runs a gym, especially when you've been together for a while."

"Okay good," he sighed.

"And if it were?" Lance asked. "What would you do then?"

"I'd give up being Champion," Ash said without a second thought.

"Just like that?"

"Some things are more important," Ash said as they got off the elevator, a few floors down. The conference room was down the hall, just above the lobby. "We are talking about the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with."

"Well in that case, I expect an invitation to the wedding."