Back with Ash in the hospital room next to Serena's.
Ash: Let go of me!
He starts crying and his voice starts croaking as he says his next words.
Ash: I need to see her.
Jessica clearly saw how much he cared about Serena.
Jessica: It won't help for you to be in there. You have to keep calm. If not for any other reason, Then for her, Okay?
Ash tried to calm himself down with a deep breath. He stopped pushing to get up, And sat still. He was doing it for Serena and tried to keep that thought. Jessica loosened her grip on him as she felt him calming down. Ash had nodded his head. But noise could still be heard coming from Serena's room.
Doctor: Alright, Here - the -.
It made Ash all the more nervous. He'd been clinching onto the edge of the bed with a deadly grip. His hands were red. Jessica hadn't quite let go of him, In case he were to dash for the door. More noises came from the room. It sounded like skidding and then the doctor yelled again.
Doctor: Clear!
Ash heard the doctor's word clearly. It sent him into mental panic. He'd heard that only used in movies or shows, But he understood what it meant. It must've meant Serena's heart had stopped and this was their attempt to revive her. This moment was everything. If she was gone and they failed to bring her back, What would his life be like? He'd seen some of the possibilities that Givvenna had shown him, But those were for if he lost to Joldaen. He begins to imagine everything within an instant. What would it would if she lives..., What it would be if she's gone... He can see himself. Older, But the same. He's on his front porch. Standing right beside him, Serena. Still as beautiful as ever, Also noticeably older. She was holding something dearly in her arms. It was a small pink blanket. And inside of it, A child. It was their baby girl. And standing in front of the proud parents was a boy. The boy was looking back at them as they did the same. He had Raven black hair with ocean blue eyes. Clearly, He was their son. He also had a backpack and looked ready for an adventure. Ash felt the emotions of his older self. Proudness, Sadness, And happiness all at once. These were the combined emotions Ash felt as he was seeing his son off for an adventure of his own.
Boy: Well, I'm off to get my first Pokemon.
Older Serena: I'm sure you'll be as great as your father, Honey.
Older Ash: I look forward to your challenge.
The boy smiled with excitement from his dad's words. He loved hearing that the champion himself already expected the boy to get far enough to challenge him. The boy ran up to his parents and gave them both one last hug, One arm around each of them. His arms were only wrapping around their legs. They each tried returning it with a hand on his back. He then backed away trying to regain himself. He looked his baby sister.
Boy: And maybe she'll be a great performer like you, Mom. She could be the next queen of the region.
Older Serena: Haha, Maybe.
Older Ash: If that's what she wants to do, I'm sure she'll be great at it.
After a nod, The boy lifted up his arm and waved his hand back and forth through the air signaling a goodbye. Ash and Serena did the same, Of course Serena being cautious to hold her daughter safely as she did. Ash's older self looked over to Serena and saw tears running down her cheeks. He slid his left hand up to her face and wiped them away. It could only make her smile more. He put his left arm around her waist and turned back to look at their son. Both Ash and Serena said their goodbyes.
Older Ash: Goodbye, Son.
Older Serena: Goodbye, We love you.
Son: Goodbye, I love you too.
And just like that the boy started turning as he continued his wave goodbye. Once he finished his turn he started moving forward and didn't look back. He was ready to start his own journey. Suddenly, Ash flashed back to reality. He was looking down and listening to the noise from the other room. He'd heard a jolting noise which made him shake at the sound. The doctor spoke again.
Doctor: No luck! Again, Clear!
These words frightened Ash. He was trying to accept reality, Serena was gone. She was ripped from his life because of a selfless act. Sure, It was to save everyone in the world, But he truly felt that it was just to save him. He felt that maybe if he hadn't gotten into a position where Joldaen could get him, Or maybe if he could've held on throughout the pain of he and Greninja's bond. If he were stronger, Maybe Joldaen wouldn't have noticed, Or he wouldn't have been trapped there on his knees, Motionless. Just maybe if something was different..., Serena wouldn't have had to defend him and she wouldn't be lost to him. The size of the attacks Joldaen had though, They were massive enough to do this. He started trying to imagine his life without Serena in it. There was one problem though. His mind was blank. He literally couldn't imagine his life without her. It wasn't even an expression. He had no idea what his life was going to be like now. Surely enough, He wouldn't want to travel with anyone more than he did with her. There was Clemont and Bonnie, But he felt little more about them than he did about some of his older companions. He didn't want to just meet new friends and never see his old ones again. He figured that he'd probably go see all of his old friends again. That he'd hang out with them for a while, But after that, Then what? He wants to continue his dream, But if it meant he'd keep finding more people to care about and possibly lose... He didn't want that. He didn't want to ever have to feel this feeling again. It's like he'd been stabbed in the heart. Maybe he'd never feel quite as strongly about anyone as he did Serena. He felt that no one would ever replace her. So he couldn't possibly get hurt this bad again, But nevertheless he didn't want to care about more people, Which he already knew that he would if he got to know them. That was something that he had always done. But if he was going to become a Pokemon Master, He needed to keep traveling. So he decided there that if he couldn't travel with Serena, He was going to stop going to new regions. He had no idea of what he would do now. After meeting old friends he'd go home and help his mom with anything she needed, He guessed. It sounded so dull and unlike him to do that, But he figured his mom could help give him the advice he needed. Suddenly he heard another jolt and snapped back to reality again. He still heard the subtle, Consistent whining. There were more muffled words, But they were much more quiet. Ash couldn't hear them, But with the whining still going, It didn't seem like the words he wanted to hear. Suddenly the whining stopped. Ash perked his head up at the hope that something amazing just happened. Jessica was right in front of him though and saw his hope gleaming in his eyes. She was quick to inform him of her past experiences.
Jessica: I'm sorry, That usually means they've already pulled the plug.
Ash's hope was instantly crushed. How could she be so blatant about it? He felt no true sympathy in her voice and saw none in her face. She didn't even give him the best possible answer. She could've at least tried giving him hope, But instead she crushed what was left of it. He lived by his motto "Don't give up until it's over.", But now after hearing that, He figured it was over. He began crying again. This time it was real. All hope had vanished and he felt like no one else really cared. Jessica wasn't holding him anymore. She grabbed his torn up shirt with the shredded backside and gave it to him. Ash wiped his face and tears with it and then put it on slowly. Just as he put it on, The nurse that had originally allowed him to follow them as they moved Serena to her room had come in. She kept an expressionless face. Maybe, It was to not upset him more? She held a clipboard in her hands, But only glanced at it. She had to have seen his crying. Suddenly, She started smiling at him.
Ash(thoughts): What's up with these nurses? Do they enjoy my pain or something?
Nurse: I have good news, The girl... She's going to be fine.
Ash was shocked. He didn't care, He was as happy as he could be. He jumped up and briefly hugged the nurse to her surprise.
Ash: Can I see her now?
Nurse: Sure, Haha. But she's unconscious still. She needs rest. I imagine she'll be up in the morning for you to talk to her. But you can go ahead and stay in there as long as you like.
Ash: Thank you.
He immediately took off out of the door and went straight for Serena's room. He wasn't bothered anymore by Jessica's words. He didn't care enough about them. He didn't care about his back either. He stopped noticing the pain again because he was so eager to see Serena. He opened the door to her room. He walked in. There she was, She was lying in the bed asleep. She had to have been exhausted from the day she'd had. Apart from being so banged up, She actually looked very peaceful and still beautiful as always. It made Ash relaxed to finally see her and know that she's okay. But he felt bad that he'd ever even tried to imagine life without her. She was his best friend, And maybe more now. First, He walked over by her bedside and looked down at her face.
Ash(thoughts): She did this to herself..., For me.
Ash: Thank you.
It was just a whisper, But he figured she can't hear him anyways. He decided to stay in there for the night, So he looked around through some cabinets and found a couple blankets. He took one and was about to sit in the chair that was provided in the room, But he wanted to do one more thing. He walked right back beside her bedside.
Ash: Goodnight.
He then leaned over and kissed her forehead. After that, He went straight back to his seat. But what he didn't see was that after he turned away from Serena, She smiled. He continued to sit down and pull the blanket over himself, While at the same time being careful not to lean too much on his back, So he could be as comfortable as he could get. He then stared over at Serena for a few minutes until he fell asleep. A short while later, The rest of them showed up at the hospital. Turner ran in first, Behind him was Amelia, And behind her was Bonnie pulling on her brothers arm to keep up. They all ran inside and Turner quickly went to ask a lady behind a desk about the whereabouts of his friends.
Turner: Hi, We're here to see someone. Actually, two people. A boy was carrying a girl. They made it here, Right?
Lady: Yes, It was surprising to of had anyone come in during the night. Luckily, We hadn't decided to close during night hours. They're in room M-28, That'll be on the second floor.
Turner gave a quick nod.
Turner: Thank you. Alright, Let's go.
They quickly went searching for the room. After a few minutes of walking, Amelia pointed out the number on the door to her left. Sure enough, That was it, M-28. Clemont's just catching his breath as Turner walks up to the door. Everyone was holding their breath without even realizing it. Turner eased the door open and they all walked inside. They found Ash sleeping in a chair with a blanket over him and on the other side of the room in the hospital bed was Serena, Who was also sleeping. It had surprised them to see that they were both sleeping already.
Amelia: Well, It is pretty late.
Turner: Yeah, I guess it's been a pretty stressful day too.
Bonnie: At least they're both alright.
Clemont: That should be the closure you needed. Wow, It's making me sleepy just looking at them.
Bonnie: Are you sure that you aren't just tired from running?
Clemont: Honestly, That might be part of it.
The four laughed, But stayed quiet while doing so, So they wouldn't wake them up.
Turner: Alright, Well let's go home for the night. We can meet up again in the morning and head straight back here together.
Amelia: Oh yeah, You can go stay at at your own home again tonight.
Turner smiled at Amelia.
Turner: Yep, I'll be sure to tell Ms. Lisa the good news as I grab some stuff to take back to my house. Of course, That includes my Pokemon. I don't normally like leaving them, But I figured it could be too dangerous to bring them.
Bonnie suddenly gasped, Leaving everyone else wondering what she did that for.
Clemont: What is it Bonnie?
Bonnie: Pikachu. He must be terrified at Ash not being back yet.
Clemont: Oh yeah, Well we probably should head back then.
Turner: Should we wake Ash so he can get to a bed?
Amelia gave him a look and then shook her head. Turner understood, She thought it'd be best that Ash stayed because of what happened earlier. He agreed with it. He figured Ash probably wouldn't leave anyway, Not after seeing that.
Amelia: Come on, Let's just go. I want you to walk me home.
Amelia grabbed Turner's hand and started pulling him out of the room. It'd been a little surprising to him, Because he almost forgot that she was his girlfriend now, And he wanted to do something like that for her. Although he's done it before, It never meant quite as much to either of them as this time did. After that, They walked out of the room and Clemont and Bonnie followed them.
Bonnie: Clemont, You're the only guy left around here that's single. Why won't you let me find you a girl?
Clemont: Bonnie, Please don't start this again.
Bonnie: Fine.
To be continued...
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Okay, so I know I've said before that it would be two parts, but I've updated the last chapter to say three. So yes, one more part is due. I did that because of word count equality and that I just start writing and get into my own stories, so I end up making it longer than I first expected. Anyhow, hope you wonderful people enjoyed it. Thanks so much for supporting the story. It's been my developmental story, so I've been getting better at my stories and descriptions through this. However, I've been keeping this story a little toned down from my other. The changes would be too drastic and my writing style would change entirely.
Word count(including these): 2,627