No More Lonely Nights (Epilogue)

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Disclaimer: Pokemon or the characters of this fic don't, in any way, belong to me. The song, No More Lonely Nights, is a solo single by Sir Paul McCartney and all rights rest with EMI/Parlophone and MPL Communications.

The sun began its westward journey as Ash Ketchum poured himself a cup of coffee from the small electronic jug on the main desk-table. He had to wonder sometimes, did he love coffee or did the coffee love him? He never found the answer, never bothered to think about it. But this elixir, which was first discovered in Arabia, gave him something he thought he would never have: clarity. Coffee awakens the senses of the human body, and is pretty much harmless. No damages to the system at all.

Ash sighed. She still hadn't come back. Her rehearsals were supposed to be over quite some time back, where was she? Was something wrong? Was she in trouble? Countless negative thoughts cluttered his ever-optimistic mind and he began to wonder if the coffee was doing this. Fearing for his sanity, he set the coffee mug down and headed to the bathroom. He rinsed his mouth, washing away the leftover taste of the caffeine.

It had been two months. Two whole, long months since that incident. Since the incident which changed their lives. The incident had done so many things to them that Ash had to wonder, was the incident to be taken in a good light or bad one?

Two freaking months since the suicide attempt. Ash shuddered at the thought of it as he stepped out of the bathroom after having observed his face for 10 minutes. He still remembered the weeks that led to it and that day vividly, as if it were yesterday. No matter how hard he tried, he could never really forget it. It had made such an impact on his life and now, he was having a hard time cope up with it.

So, after sighing once more, Ash put on his trademark cap and went out of his bedroom and into the shared living room of the deluxe suite the gang was living in. Once outside, he found Bonnie, Dedenne and his best pal Pikachu glued to the TV, watching some sappy chick flick. Clemont, on the other hand, was quietly sitting in one of the single-seat sofas, with a pen and notepad in hand.

"What's up?" Clemont asked as he saw Ash come out of his room.

"Nothing really," the trainer replied. "It's just that...Serena's been gone for quite some time, y'know. Her performance rehearsals should have gotten over by now."

Clemont nodded, understanding the anxiety Ash was having for his girlfriend. After the entire shit they had been through, Clemont was glad that nothing serious had happened to Serena or Ash.

"So, what're you thinking about?" the inventor asked as he turned his gaze back to the empty page of the notebook in his hand.

"Serena."

'That's pretty obvious, Ash."

"I just...should I give her a call? Kinda want to confirm if things are alright," Ash said as he hastily pulled out his PokeDex, which was a brand new model he had purchased recently. It was capable of all the things possible, video calling, calling, navigation, internet, 4G LTE enabled, etc.

"You might disturb her rehearsals." Clemont tried to pacify his friend's growing worry, but even after all these assurances, the Lumiose City gym leader couldn't help but wonder whom he was fooling. Himself or Ash? "She'll be fine, Ash."

"As say, Clemont."Ash said half-heartedly as he turned to go towards the balcony. Some fresh air would certainly do him good, he thought. The floor their suite was situated in was the 23rd. Add to the fact that the suite's balcony was facing the west direction, so vividly beautiful sunsets were a common sight here.

The sun was halfway gone by the time Ash stepped out to enjoy its view. The last rays of the star were dimming fast, Ash noticed. The sight simply looked beautiful. No one could see the glorious sun during the daytime properly. But now, it looked so...vulnerable, as if it knew that it too had to go sometime, as if it too had weaknesses. The sky towards the west had turned orange-ish, as if the sun was giving its last goodbye for today.

'She loves sunsets,' Ash thought as he found his mind drifting back to Serena again. He couldn't help but think about her. He closed his eyes, tried to clear his mind, but still he found himself thinking about her.

He groaned silently. At the moment, Ash feared that he would have a heart attack if he kept up like this, but he couldn't help it. After all that had happened, he knew that Serena needed his attention and love more than ever.

The aftermath of the attempt had been...disastrous, to say the least. After their 'confession', Clemont and Bonnie had come back from their sabbatical. The Doctor had come back to check on a few things. Fortunately, no sedative had been administered to Serena that day. And then, Bonnie began.

No one knew that the littlest one of the gang was so full of sadness. At that moment, guilt and anger mixed together and formed something disastrous. Serena had cried, Bonnie had cried.

In those ten minutes, the little girl made known what she had been through to her sister, to her brother and to Ash. But then again, the reason for anger towards loved ones is because they are loved ones. Serena knew this, and the whole scolding had ended in one sappy hug.

Clemont didn't speak, even if he did, Ash didn't remember it. But it was okay. Serena knew that the inventor cared a lot about her and he knew that Serena knew. Silence is, sometimes, the best method of communication. Later that day, Alexa had called to make sure if everything was okay. Turns out, she couldn't make it due to a previous appointment, but it was all well.

Then later that night, her mother arrived. Boy, was that something! Ash didn't even want to think about it, but he was glad that in the end it turned out well.

Ash looked at the sunset again, it was fading fast. He sighed, she still hadn't come back. He had to do something quick. Suddenly, he heard something. A...song. Someone was singing. With a confused gaze, Ash looked down towards the street below, and indeed someone was singing. A street performer, hoping to earn a few easy bucks, was out there with an acoustic guitar, singing. But what was he singing? Ash strained his ears and focused his entire energy on listening and some seconds later, he heard the words properly.

I can't wait another day, until I call you,

You've only got my heart on a string and everything's a flutter.

Ash stared confusedly at the performer for a few seconds before the gears of his brain went into motion. He knew this song, he had heard it before. And then, his brain was flooded by memories of his childhood.

His mother was a big fan of Paul McCartney, and an even bigger fan of The Beatles. Ash remembered the day when she had pulled out the album from her old collection. She had been excited and happy, he had been too. This was probably his favourite McCartney song.

And as the singer continued, Ash found himself gaining a newfound confidence, which confused even him. Then something clicked in his mind. Without a second thought, he quickly turned around and entered the living room.

Clemont glanced up confusedly at him. "What's the hurry?"

"I got something to take care of." Ash replied as he put on his socks and shoes

"Serena?"

"Serena."

Clemont smiled at his friend. "Try to be back soon."

"'Kay." Ash was halfway out the door. "Pikachu, wanna come along?"

"Pika Pikachu."

"You sure, buddy?"

"Cha!"

"Alright, I'll be back soon." And he was out.

Bonnie sighed as she stroked Pikachu's head. "Lovebirds."

-(break)-(break)-(break)-

Ash practically ran all the way to the theatre the gang had rented for Serena's rehearsals. She was growing as a Performer day by day and her performance ideas were also getting elaborate. She needed a space of her own and a bit of privacy to work out her rehearsals. The gang agreed.

The sun had vanished by now and darkness had begun its descent. Ash stopped for a second to refill his lungs, before he resumed running. The theatre wasn't far now, in fact, Ash could see the small black building. With a determine resolve, Ash sped up. All those years of hard training were finally coming to use.

And as if time had just flown by, Ash found himself in front of the building, contemplation whether to go right in or knock the big main door. But then, he thought, why not do something different? He then proceeded to look over the building, thinking about what to do and then, he got the answer.

He quickly went round the building and located the back staircase that led to the terrace. He then hastily began climbing it, not pausing for a second, and soon he found himself on the small terrace.

The building was a bit old – fashioned, and was evident from the fact that there was a window/vent sticking out from the centre of the establishment, which provided a clear view of what was happening inside. Without a second thought, Ash quickly went to it and he soon found himself glancing at the happenings below.

He spotted Pancham and Braixen on the small stage, which was situated on the south-facing side of the building. Pancham, as always, was proudly donning the sunglasses its trainer had given it. Braixen was right next to it, doing some sort of routine.

And in front of them, was the girl Ash sought. She didn't have her hat on, which gave Ash a fair view, and was instructing her Pokémon. She looked peaceful, calm and happy.

Ash let time pass by as he took a good, long look at her. The single glance put to rest all the negative thoughts and worries which had cluttered his mind. But then, he noticed, that she was...clapping...no, more like keeping time. Confused, Ash looked around from his perch and noticed that her PokeDex was plugged into a dock. The raven-haired trainer strained his hearing and he heard snatches of an instrumental classical song. So, she was using musical accompaniment, impressive.

But then again, Ash had always been a playful and mischievous boy. He quickly pulled out his own PokeDex and outstretched it towards Serena's. Their PokeDex were registered with each others' signal and the tablets also had considerable range. If Ash was right, and he knew he was, his PokeDex would establish a secure connection with hers.

Within seconds, Ash got the prompt that read 'Connection Established'. Smiling, Ash thought about what he could do. Then, an amazing thought came to his mind. He quickly pulled out his music library and went through the long list of artists.

"Aha!" He exclaimed happily as his fingers tapped 'Paul McCartney'. Scrolling down the album list, he found what he was looking for. He selected the song and then tapped 'Play with P-Beam'.

The song began to play and Ash promptly turned his head back to the small window, looking at the events playing inside. The song began to play on Serena's PokeDex.

"What the hell?" Serena muttered out as she turned to her PokeDex. "I didn't change it."

Braixen and Pancham looked confusedly at their trainer, awaiting her next command. Then, Serena walked over to her tab and she saw the reason: 'PD 2013-902 Connected'.

And then things became clear. "Ash!" She called out and almost instinctively, she looked up at the small window on the roof. He smiled and waved down at her, she sighed and did the same, before turning back to her Pokémon.

"Alright, you two, it's time for rest," she took out her PokeBalls and held it up towards them. "You both have done great work today, I'm really proud of you all." Braixen and Pancham smiled before returning to their PokeBalls for some well deserved rest.

She glanced proudly at her two PokeBalls before looking up. She smiled at Ash before she motioned him to join her downstairs. He understood and with the greatest speed, he ran down.

"Hey!" He called as he came in through the front door. Serena had paused the song by now. "What's up?"

She giggled and then replied. "I should ask you. What're you here for?"

"Just came to check up on my girlfriend. Nothing strange," he smiled back. "Your Pokémon are doing very nice, you know. You'll surely win your next showcase."

"You sure?" she asked innocently as her eyes lit up.

"A thousand percent."

"I hope you're right." She replied with uncertainty. Then her face fell a bit. "What's wrong?" Ash immediately asked.

"Nothing," she shrugged. "It's just that...I hear that the contestants are supposed to be very good and highly competitive, you know. I just don't know if I'll be able to even give them a fight, much less win."

"Hey, don't doubt yourself!" Ash replied as he placed his hands on her shoulders and gave an assuring and comforting squeeze. "Your performance will be great, trust me."

Serena stared at him for a moment before kissing his cheek. "Thanks, Ash."

"What for?" He smiled.

"For everything. For being with...me." She replied.

"I cherish every moment with you." His reply seemed so sincere, that Serena felt her knees weaken, but she willed herself to stand, for him. "Besides, I got worried about you, so I came down here."

Serena smiled at Ash. "You're a great guy, Ash. Every girl should have someone like you."

"Great?" He asked humbly. "Nah. I'm just a normal guy trying to be the best for his girl. Besides, if every girl had me, we wouldn't remain original would be. I'm great with you."

The blonde performer looked at him and his sincere smile and eyes. He was so bloody great.

"How do you stick with me?" She asked innocently.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, how are you with me even after everything I've done? How do you live with the fact that two months ago, I attempted suicide?" She whimpered slightly. Ash looked at her, surprised. He never knew that she still had that guilt with her. He thought that it was all over. Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around her.

"The past is the past, Serena. I wouldn't be with anyone other than you. Things will get better. You will get better. That whole thing is behind us, is behind you. Even if it takes a couple of years or decades, I will do everything to turn your tears to laughter."

Ash felt her nodding. "I'll be strong." She let out.

The couple separated and Serena wiped away the tears that had sprung to her eyes. "I say it again, Ash, I'm lucky to have you."

"So am I."

The couple looked at each other in comfortable silence before an idea suddenly sprung to Ash's mind. "Say, Serena, you wanna dance?" He grinned.

"Dance?"

"Yep." He took out his PokeDex and hit 'Play', and then the music on Serena's tablet resumed. He let out his hand. "May I have a dance, fair lady?"

Serena giggled, before she took a hold of his hand. "Sure."

May I never miss the thrill of being near you,

And if it takes a couple of years,

To turn your tears to laughter,

I will do...what I feel...to be right!

No more lonely nights, no more lonely nights!

You're my guiding light,

Day or night, I'm always there.

And I won't go away...until you tell me so,

No I'll never go away!

Meanwhile...

"Bro, shouldn't we give them a call?"

"Nope. The tracker app I installed on their tabs say that both of them are in the theatre. No need to disturb them."

Emperor SS: So, I felt that 'Don't Let Me Down' deserved a final ending. It was such a great story for me, and for you guys also, I'm sure. This was my most successful story and an Epilogue was the best way of giving it the final goodbye. Anyways, I hope you all liked it. Please don't forget to give me your precious reviews!