Dusk knew her plan was full proof yet dangerous. She also knew it would cost her life but she wasn't going to let her mother die, not after knowing what she had gone through.
Ash was trying to delay reaching Spear Pillar as much as he could, like trying to oversleep, burning the breakfast twice, eating at slow pace and even trying to pretend to have lost his clothes. He only hustled up when Dawn threatened to leave him behind.
Dusk could obviously see behind her father's intentions. Even Dawn could.
They couldn't blame him.
As they teleported there, Ash quickly enveloped Dawn's hand in his, his expression now stoic. Dawn shuddered, it just reminded her of their first meeting. He looked ...so cold and unapproachable, like a stubborn kid who disliked hearing no. But, after staying with him for such a long time, Dawn could see how he was trying to hide all his pain behind that expression.
"Ash, don't be a crybaby," Dawn teased to lighten the mood, however, Ash's grip on her hands just tightened, making her gulp at the force. Ash noticed Dawn stiffening and loosened his grip, blinking away his tears.
Dusk simply looked away, a small smile forming on her lips. She would make sure her mother keeps the promise she made. Of never disappearing again. Then her Dad would smile again, feel happy again.
"We don't have to do this!" Ash suddenly blurted out, his choked voice reverberating through the cave. Dawn looked at him, her eyes growing soft when she saw him trembling.
"Ash.."
He stopped her and pulled her in a hug, his arms tight around her petite body. Dawn wrapped her arms around him too, running circles on his back to calm him down. Dusk quickly levitated and hugged her parents too.
"Idiot!" Ash whispered, and for a moment was unable to say anything.
"I will be over there, momma, papa," Dusk whispered as she broke the hug, going to far end of the room to give her parents some time alone and also to rethink her course of actions.
"Come on Ash, we have to do this," Dawn whispered back once she found her will to speak.
"If you vanish, if you die, what will I do?" He asked, his grip getting tighter. He let go of his tears and didn't even care how unmanly he sounded.
"You will make it, you will!"
Her words fell on deaf ears as he let out a muffled cry.
Dawn didn't know what to do. She cursed herself for everything. If she wouldn't have arrived at Victiny Academy, then Drake would have been alive, Suicuine would have been happy, her relationship with her mother would have been okay, Naruto would have chosen someone else for team Alpha and Ash..wouldn't have been so heartbroken.
Ash pressed his forehead against hers and Dawn looked up to see his face, for the last time.
That chocolate brown eyes held the same pain as the day of the festival when he confessed everything. Dawn bit her lip, her eyes looking away. What else could she possibly do?
"You lied, you promised that you would divide the pain," Ash spoke up, breaking her thoughts,"But, you're leaving. You're leaving me all alone. Why? Why don't you keep your promise?"
"There are some promises which are meant to be broken, I'm sorry," Dawn softly told, finally allowing her tears to escape.
"Don't you dare! A sorry isn't going to fix everything! Why to make promises you can't keep!" He pushed her away, proceeding to pulling at his hair,"It's all my fault! I'm cursed! I know I'm cursed!"
He pushed her away again when she tried to hug him but Dawn didn't give up. Despite everything, she wanted to stay with him, till eternity.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered again and again,"I'm just so sorry."
"I knew I was cursed!" Ash finally gave up on pushing her away,"My parents died because of me! Now you're going away too! Its all my fault!"
Dawn quickly kissed his forehead as she tried to calm him down,"It was not your fault. It is not your fault. Don't think that.."
"But!"
"No, Ash. Don't think that! It is my inability to make it through the end. I'm sorry. If you keep blaming yourself, I would never be able to rest in peace, I can never forgive myself for causing you so much pain."
Ash hugged her again, like a child and this time, Dawn softly spoke,"I want you to move on, have a nice life. Don't have any affairs which you will regret later. Make sure you eat healthy, don't get so depressed, after all, you should be glad that you can finally get rid of me, stupid Hybrid. Make sure you still practice your abilities, you have to learn to summon Lucario, for me."
"Don't go, Dawn," he was begging her now, desperate.
"I know you can take care of yourself. Make sure you go back to our time and start afresh. And please," Dawn begged him too,"Don't make it harder for me. Don't request me to stay."
"Please, Dawn.."
"Please Ash. Please."
"I was glad, I met you. I will do everything you asked me to do, but," Ash slowly lifted her head and kissed her slowly on the lips,"Don't tell me to move on. I can't do that."
"You have to!" Dawn begged again.
"No!" He screamed,"You can't expect me to follow everything you say when you can't fucking accept my one request!"
"I just can't do what you're telling me to do!"
"And I can't do it either!"
"Atleast promise me that you will try," Dawn pleaded, sounding desperate.
"No promises!"
"Ash!"
"Why don't you understand dammit!" Ash gripped her arms and shook her,"WHY DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND DAMMIT! I LOVE YOU, I'VE GIVEN YOU MY EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING I HAVE! I JUST CAN'T MOVE ON BECAUSE YOU WANT ME TO! I JUST CAN'T GIVE ANYONE ELSE THE SAME THING I HAVE FOR YOU!"
Dawn choked on her own tears as she was unable to say anything,"Don't make it hard for me, please Ash."
"You're making it hard for me," Ash released her as he hit the wall repeatedly,"How can you just expect me to move on? Don't you trust me yet? Do you still think I'm the Playboy I was before?"
"No, that's not it."
"Then what?"
"I want you to move on because," Dawn looked at him directly in the eye,"Because I love you. I want you to be happy."
"I WON'T BE HAPPY IF YOU LEAVE!''
''IT'S NOT THAT I WANT TO RUSH IN THERE AND DIE," Dawn looked away, flinching when Ash put a hand on her cheek and wiped away her tears with his thumb. Her tears appeared again as she spoke up,"But I've no choice. Life is not fair."
"Da-"
"I won't die," She turned to look at him again, smiling softly,"As long as you remember me, I won't die." She turned away then laughed, though her laugh lacked the normal, cheerful tone,"You can go see Salvia if you miss me that much."
She stumbled when she felt Ash hugging her from behind. He rested his chin on the crook of her neck, still weeping and cursing,"Stupid! Stupid!"
"Come on," Dawn twirled and poked his nose playfully,"Tell me that you won't forget me. But also promise that you'll be okay."
He kissed her lips and pressed his forehead against hers,"If you die, Dusk will.."
"Just tell me that you will love me, always," she interrupted him mid sentence,"I will always look after you, always. Even when I'm not with you. Even if you think, I'm gone. I've finally got a chance to haunt you, right. I will be like a ghost, hovering over you and doing things when you sleep. Like tickling you and...and...shit...I just don't know what I'm saying anymore.."
Ash just bit his lip and then kissed her trembling lips. Dawn hugged him tight, trying to get as close as she could. He didn't kiss her passionately, he didn't kiss her like a beast, he kissed her softly, like one would kiss a newly born child. He kissed her forehead and then hugged her back too, not wanting to let go.
"I love you," he whispered, cupping her face with his hand and wiping away her tears with his thumb again. She did the same and then took a deep breath, clearing her throat and tried to smile, for him.
"And I love you more." She quickly tapped his nose, giggling a little which was quickly lined with fresh tears forming again as she spoke again,"I've tagged you, you're mine forever."
Ash held back his sob, tapping her nose too,"And you're mine."
.
Ash could feel something.. an ominous and threatening aura around him. He couldn't understand whether it was due to his inability to concentrate because of Dawn or because of his doubts. Whatever it was, it was not good.
Dusk was walking hand in hand with Dawn, her eyes fixed on the road in front of her. Ash gulped as he watched the kid deep in thought.
Soon, they found a large, done shaped gate hovering over them and Ash instinctively shot an Aura sphere in front of him while shielding Dawn and Dusk.
"Ash?"
"We have visitors," Ash said as he took a battle stance. Dawn wrapped the bag containing the two orbs around Dusk's back and told her to take shelter. Dusk nodded and moved out of her parents way.
Ash told out loud,"Two mages. One can use fear magic, that is show you nightmares and leave you paralysed and the other can use, I don't know, but his aura is unsettling, as if he is repairing himself even before the battle has started, which means he can heal himself and can also use lava magic. Both are males. Age, about 20. They belong to team Regulus."
"How can you figure out these things so fast? And even without seeing them?" Dawn asked in awe.
"Apparently, Future Me had given me some power boosters when we fought," Ash's face again became grim,"But, for one time use only."
"I see," Dawn whispered. Suddenly an overwhelming feeling came over her and she touched her abdomen, air knocked out of her lungs. Ash noticed this and quickly ran over to the girl who was kneeling on her knees,"You okay, Dawn?"
"Yeah," Dawn breathed out,"It is his magic. Fear magic."
"Leave that mage to me, can you handle that Lava boy?" He asked, helping her to get up. She brushed off the dirt on her skirt, asking,"Are you okay? We both have messed up pasts, we can be easily targeted with those."
Ash looked at her and bit his lip, words failing to come from his mouth,"Nothing can affect me."
Dawn, now irritated, bashed out,"We aren't gods; we are not invincible!"
Ash just put a hand on her cheek, smiling a little,"Trust me, for the last time."
"You are not planning to die, right?" Dawn feebly asked, her eyes going down to stare at his feet. Ash shook his head, saying,"Trust me. I will find a way of having you back."
Dawn grabbed his hand which was on her face as she breathed out,"Future me told.. Told me that once I put back the sphere, what doesn't belong in this world will go back. So, you will be gone, in our time, without any memories of me."
"WHAT ARE YOU ..."
"You will forget me, even if you don't want too," Dawn finished as she laid a small kiss on his cheeks,"Thank you, Ash."
Ash was about to say something but his lips were sealed. He didn't know why he could not speak or even move. Forgetting Dawn? Was she serious? There was no way he would forget her.
"Stupid, Ice Wielder..." He muttered as he looked up to see her pushing out of the way on incoming lava balls.
He skidded back a few steps, quickly getting on his feet to fight the incoming enemy.
Another lava ball aimed at him and he quickly countered it with his own aura sphere. Dawn hurled a few ice balls towards the source of the lava balls, lunging in that direction, saying,"You're a coward! Just show yourself already!"
Ash was about to aide her when he felt himself surrounded by various figures which soon took form of his friends. He watched as they materialized into Gary, Drew, May, Misty, Leaf and Paul. Another two figures appeared which took the form of Dawn and Dusk.
"That's a cheap trick, you bastard!" Ash shouted, trying to locate who was creating that mirages.
"I know," a voice echoed in the area.
Dusk was watching her father surrounded by all people. She focused her attention on her lookalike, and channeled energy to it, making the lookalike move in her direction.
She opened her eyes of Justice as the figure was at a close distance, making the lookalike stumble and fall on the ground.
Gulping, she unwrapped the bag around herself and placed it on her lookalike, taking out the fire and earth orb.
Her father was avoiding unison attacks made my his former comrades lookalikes and gulped. She knew her father was strong and she had to prove she was a brave couple's child.
Her attention turned towards the room in the far corner as she ran towards it, orbs tightly placed in her grip.
.
Dawn quickly made a sword of ice and lunged towards the man, who shoot out lava from his palms, effectively melting the sword.
Dawn cursed as she quickly fired ice balls in quick succession, trying to counter the man's lava balls. She felt temperature around her rising, as she quickly shot a large chunk of ice in the man's direction, momentarily stopping his attacks.
Channeling her magic in her palms, she quickly summoned her spirit,"Gate of the tailbeasts, open! Ninetails!"
A majestic white portal opened above her as a snow white, large beast leaped out from it, its tails swaying.
"You called me, Mistress," the beast bowed.
Dawn quickly formed two swords in her hands as she breathed out,"Attack him whenever you get the chance. Don't get hurt, okay? Stay safe."
"Your wish is my command," the beast spoke as she began charging up her power.
Dawn saw the man closing the distance between them.
I think he is tired or storing magic for his power for one large shot. And he is experienced in physical combat too.
The man lunged his arms, aiming for her stomach as Dawn blocked it with the sword on her right hand, and swung her sword in left arm only to be blocked by his other arm. Dawn saw her swords melting as it connected to his skin and she pushed him, trying to buy enough time for preparing two more swords.
"Twin Blades Assassin!" She shouted, channeling magic in her swords to prevent it from melting. She again rushed towards the man, trying to make contact.
The man moved sideways to avoid her incoming attacks, making her groan.
Dawn smirked as she backed him into the wall, as she lunged the two swords together, aiming for his neck. The man quickly jumped up, making Dawn shout out,"NineTails, now! Beast Ice Bomb!"
The white haired man watched with wide eyes as he saw the incoming attack and braced himself, groaning in pain when the attack collided.
"Alright!" Dawn cheered loudly,"We got him."
"Not so fast!" The man shouted, the ice around him melting. Dawn's eyes widened as she watched the ice melting due to magic seeping through his entire body.
"You!" The man groaned, his purple eyes now filled with hate,"You made me use my reservoir for healing myself. You made me lose my concentration I had been gathering for my attack. You will pay."
Dawn bit her lip as she felt sweat rolling from her face. The temperature was getting extremely hot and Dawn knew she couldn't last longer.
The man aimed lava balls in her direction again as she and ninetails began running around to avoid getting hit. Dawn watched as the man was healing his wounds though his attacks were getting weak in power.
He can only heal external wounds and not reabsorb all magic he is spending.
"Ice Floor!" Dawn shouted as she slammed her fists on the ground, making the walls as well as the floor slippery and frozen.
The man stumbled a little then as he began surging magic in his feet, the area around it began melting.
"He can't move freely, Mistress,"I will create an opening and you will attack."
"Nice plan. Lets get on with it!" Dawn said as she formed two swords again, this time, making them as sharp as she could,"I will eliminate him."
.
Dusk gulped as she pushed open the door, her eyesight blinded momentarily by the bright light seeping from it, making her reflexively cover her eyes to block out the light.
She noticed a large, tree like structure, where each branch carried a distinctive leaf colour, resembling a rainbow. Dusk noticed two round holes in the tree and was sure she had to put the orbs in there.
She took a deep breath as she inserted the orbs and took a step back.
It was as if she was waiting for something to happen.
"Did I put it wrong?" She asked herself as she tried to extend her arms to swap the position. She was about to touch it when a sharp, stinging pain shoot across her chest and she fell on the ground, panting.
The leafs from the tree began glowing as all of it assembled together, forming letters.
Dusk sat up, still holding her chest, her fist gripping her locket sharply.
She looked up, and slowly began reading.
"Oh Heavens, thy power has been disturbed,
Let me counter its spreading despair and..."
.
Ash knew Dusk had escaped. He could feel it but didn't follow her, knowing his daughter would end up in trouble if he began looking for her. Moreover, he could fight freely when there was no distraction. Dusk would be safe.
He noticed how the mage was maintaining his distance from him and manipulating the images to attack him. Ash felt a grass vine making its way through the ground to avoid Drew's vines and in mid air, shot an aura sphere to neutralize Gary's shadow ball.
A small curse escaped his lips as he felt fire making its way from above him and shielded his face with his arms, groaning in pain at the impact. Damn May was strong and the ten years gap wasn't making it easy either.
"So, you've figured it out huh?" Ash's head snapped up to meet the eyes of the man smirking at him.
"I wouldn't be so cocky if I were you," Ash gave him a smirk of his own, wiping away the dirt on his face.
"You're all alone here," the man said, raising his voice,"What can you possibly do?"
Ash smirk was now replaced with a grin as he felt three familiar Aura's and cracked his knuckles, saying,"Alone? Are you sure?"
"What do you-" the man's smirk was now replaced with a annoying glare as he watched three figures making its way toward him and standing beside Ash.
"So? Ashy-boy is still cocky huh?"
Ash didn't have to look around to say who had entered. He gave a dramatic sigh,"Sure took you long enough, Gary, May and Drew."
The now-grown up members shrugged at him as Drew flipped his hair, saying,"May was busy eating."
The said girl made an annoyed noise, yelling,"You don't have to be a jerk all the times, Drew."
"So, where is Dawn?" May asked again, completely ignoring the enemy in front of them.
"Fighting some Lava Creep," Ash shrugged again.
"And Dusk?" It was Drew who asked.
"Somewhere around here. She ran off to take shelte-" Ash's speech was cut short by a fireball thrown in his direction as he yelled at the enemy,"Come on! Give us time to catch up!"
"Stop ignoring me! I'm your enemy! What the hell!" The man groaned and Ash was sure that he would end up in tears soon. Sighing, Ash pointed at the Fear Utilising Mage,"Shall we finish him first?"
May was the first to speak up,"Well, I and Drew will keep him here. Gary, go back up Dawn."
Ash spoke up too,"I'm going with Gary too."
"Gotcha!" Drew smirked and extended his arms to get into battle stance,"Team Alpha back in action."
"Thanks guys,"Ash said sincerely and dashed in the direction where Dawn had gone, Gary following him behind.
"Is it me or is the cave really shaking," Ash said between breaths, catching Gary's attention. Gary sighed as he quickly stopped, saying,"Wait. This is... I think..."
"Dawn didn't place the orbs," Ash's surprised words shocked Gary,"I can still feel her fighting with that man. This Aura.."
"Its Dusk's, right?" Gary said apologetically as he placed a hand on Ash's shoulder who was so shocked that he couldn't speak.
"But.. When I tried touching those, I was electrocuted," Ash slumped on the ground, holding his head in despair,"How can Dusk..?"
"Probably because she isn't human either."
"Who is there?" Gary took a battle stance, facing the source of new incoming voice. Ash quickly got up too, and looked around, feeling Dawn coming to where he was. He couldn't help but feel proud that Dawn singlehandedly dealt with him.
"I'm no one, I'm no body. Just a failure who couldn't find happiness," the mysterious voice called out again,"But that little brat is ruining all my plans, my dream to find happiness in the dream world."
"That's sick," Ash barked out, angry and utterly disgusted,"Stealing peoples reality for one's own benefit! You know how much it hurts the others?"
"Everyone just cares for their own sake. Would it make you angry if someone else dies if it keeps your family safe?" The voice gave a mysterious laugh,"No one wants to suffer. Is it wrong for me to look for happiness?"
Gary placed an assuring hand on Ash's shoulder to calm him down as he said,"But destroying others happiness to find one's own, are you kidding me. You are a failure, searching for happiness when you yourself are the key."
"I don't have time to waste on you all," the man growled again,"Right now, that kid deserves some attention."
"You bastard," Ash cursed, charging toward the source of sound with Aura sphere's in both hands,"Lay a hand on her and I'll kill you." His hands passed through thin air as he fell on ground,"Shit, he escaped."
"That must be the boss," Gary spoke up,"When we were coming, the outside was filled with dark Mages and others are busy fighting them. We came for your assistance. Right now, we gotta save your daughter."
"Right," Ash said, his body already emitting a purplish aura,"That man..."
"There is no saving Dusk now," Dawn slowly muttered, getting their attention.
"When did you get here?"
"Just now but I know Dusk can't be saved now. Once she has put the orbs, we can't do anything," Dawn slumped down on the ground as she clutched her hair, trembling with tears,"How could I? How can I allow her to die in my place?"
"Dawn.." Ash hugged her again, tears running from his eyes too,"It kills a parent to see their child die in front of them, I... Its so pathetic... I'm so pathetic.."
""Dawn.." Gary patted the blunette's hairs as he crouched down to their level,"Dusk is your kid, so of course she will put others before her. She is Ash's kid so of course she is reckless. But.. Sitting here and crying won't help. We gotta go and stop the boss, otherwise Dusk's efforts would be useless. She deserves to see her parents, doesn't she?"
"Gary," Dawn clutched the man's shirt as she weeped,"I want to remember Dusk, till eternity. If she dies today, she will be erased from our memory. I want to keep her alive in my thoughts, the fights, the bickering, her grown up and sloppy comments, everything..."
"Shhh," Gary hugged the girl too as Ash was crying his heart out too, fighting his own emotions,"It will be alright. I believe that she will never die from your memories. If it had been Asuza, my and Leaf's son, I would've been the same as you two, broken and pathetic. I'm not in your place but I can definitely imagine how painful it is to lose someone close. But if we don't move right now, she will be seriously hurt by Cyrus, that man who started project."
"You're right," Ash wiped his tears as he got up,"We took an oath to keep her safe until future Ash and Dawn arrives. Once the orbs has been placed, and Dusk completes her enchantment, we will be forced into our world, till then, we have to be strong."
"I know," Dawn got up too,"We have just a couple of minutes left Ash. Just a..."
"Then lets move!" Gary pushed them a little forward,"Lets do what we have to do."
.
"Just one more line," Dusk muttered to herself as she struggled to keep her eyes open,"This is taking a toll on my body. I feel so tired and sleepy, I am really going to die."
She heard footsteps coming her way and heard a man crack a laugh. She knew if she doesn't complete it soon, she will be killed by that man's approaching attack.
Trying not to think of anything else, she began reading her last line, however her eyes were drooping close and she could hardly see. She felt strong waves of magic coming her way and gulped.
'I'm helpless, I can't use my magic... Mom.. Dad..."
Unknown to her, the locket around her neck shone brightly and absorbed the incoming attack.
The blue haired man gritted his teeth,"That Ash and Dawn probably put a spell on this locket to save their kid. But, this time there is no holding back."
Dusk gripped her locket tightly as a few tears escaped her eyes, she was afraid, so afraid that she couldn't even turn behind to face Cyrus.
Looking up, she again began reading.
"Oh Almighty!"
Cyrus gritted his teeth when he felt the locket absorbing his magic again. He cursed more,"I will not fail!"
"I accept my fate."
Dusk could feel the locket beginning to lose power but she didn't stop. Cyrus smirked as with another final stroke, the locket's magic was neutralized with his own,"Tsk. You've run out of options girl. Its over."
"With my life"
"Its not," Dawn said as she made an ice wall between Cyrus and Dusk, separating them. Ash began attacking Cyrus along with Gary with barrages of Aura and Shadow balls. Cyrus, momentarily distracted, laughed again,"I will fail, no doubt but think about your loss too, Ketchum."
"Stop fooling around," Ash punched him hard on the chin, his rage already taking over,"You are taking something precious away from me. I'll protect the two women I love the most, I promise I will."
"But you've already failed once," Cyrus gave a sick laugh.
"Its not over until I give up," Ash kicked him again as Gary skillfully trapped Cyrus in his cage of shadows, paralysing him.
"All those sacrifices," Cyrus shook his head again,"Manipulating Haruna and Sasori, manipulating the Ketchum Clan to sow seeds of hatred and destroying them to erase the strongest Clan in the continent, getting Drake and his brother killed, all seems a waste."
"You were behind all this?" Gary's words echoed in the silent room,"You were responsible for Ash and Dawn's cursed pasts. You're sick, so sick. You've been planning this for so long, who knows how many lives you've ruined!"
"Bastard!" Ash punched Cyrus again,"You made me miserable my whole life, stole away Dawn's identity, killed Dusk's future, just give me a reason to allow you to live!"
"You can't kill me," Cyrus laughed again,"That is how you all are, soft hearted and value others life. That is the reason why you all won't understand my idea of a new world!"
"Who cares for a new world when we can make our present one worthwhile!"
Dawn gripped the heavily breathing girl in her arms and pulled her to her chest,"Don't speak dear. You'll be in more pain."
"No, momma!" Dusk smiled a little as she wiped away Dawn's tears,"Don't cry. Here," Dusk handed Dawn her locket,"Now you won't forget me."
Dusk's words stuck a chord in her and Dawn weeped again, holding the girl to her chest,"Why idiot! Why! Why did you've to be the bait!"
"Dusk," Ash hugged her too,"I..."
"Just stay happy," Dusk weakly said,"That's why I did everything."
"I won't... We can't.. Dammit Ash!" Dawn said between her tears,"Do something and save her! Heal her! Do anything!"
"No, Papa, Momma," Dusk smiled again as she held her parents hands, laying a soft kidd on their intertwined hands"Back in your time, have a happy life, together."
Closing her eyes, Dusk slowly recited the last part.
"Keep others alive with hope."
"No! NO!" Ash hugged the small girl who was still in Dawn's arms,"Wake up! Wake up!"
"Dusk... Dusk..." Dawn screamed again and again,"Please... Please..."
"You both are disappearing.." Gary slowly pointed out, but soon looked away, his heart breaking at the scene.
"No! Don't force us to leave you dammit!" Ash screamed again, holding Dusk closer as his body was giving a blue light,"You can't do that!"
"Dusk..." Dawn, who was glowing brightly in the white light began saying but stopped when she saw a blue spirit in the periphery as she slowly whispered out,'Suicuine' before completely disappearing.
"Ash," Dawn held his hand as soon as they felt they were back,"We are back."
"Dusk.." Ash wiped his tears as he gripped Dawn's hands furthur,"She.."
The blunette hid her face in Ash's chest as she weeped,"The locket is disappearing too.."
"Will we really forget her?" Ash hugged her tightly, his head buried in Dawn's hair,"I don't want to..."
"Dusk telepathically told me that she," Dawn choked on another sob,"That she loved us. She is happy that we are her parents. But in reality, I'm happy that we are her parents and she is our child..."
"How will future Ash and Dawn take the situation?" Ash slowly asked to which Dawn replied,"They must be the same, like us, crying over the loss..."
"My heart hurts so much Dawn.." Ash pulled her closer again,"So much.."
"Wait!" Dawn slowly pushed Ash and stared at the locket in her hands as it began materializing again,"This locket.."
"Does it mean..?"
"I think..."
Ash hugged Dawn again and this time they kissed at the new possibility,"Dusk is alive."
Still in embrace, Dawn slowly spoke up,"I think Future us saved her or maybe.."
"Maybe?"
"Suicuine saved her."
"What?"
"You know why only Dusk could touch the orbs beside me? Because like me, she inherited a part of Suicuine making her a demon herself. Maybe Suicuine was there to give her life force like it did with me. Maybe thats why Suicuine was there when Dusk was born. Its just a huge possibility, we don't know for sure but the fact that we can still remember her is a proof that she is okay."
Ash nodded,"You're right. But its gonna be tough, walking into my house after all what happened."
Dawn placed a finger on his lips and smiled genuinely,"Just think of the happy memories. Think about the happy times. I know this place brings a lot of bitter memories but can't we overwrite those painful ones with new ones?"
"You're right," Ash slowly said as he stared at the house in front of him,"Past is insignificant. We can't change it but we can live in our present and make our beautiful a happy one."
"Damn, Ash," Dawn punched him slightly,"You are sounding so smitten, so not cool."
"Hey!" Ash mock glared at her,"You're.."
"But I can't say that I don't love it ," Dawn slyly admitted,"So, you can keep saying all that to your heart's content."
Ash was happy. Happy because Dawn was with him, because he knew Dusk was safe. Happy because he was finally free from the shackles of his past. Happy because the bet turned into love. He was just happy to be with her. She was impatient, like a raging storm. He had given up on everything but then she arrived, watering his hopeless heart again, teaching him to dream and live again. It didn't matter how much they hated each other in the beginning, or how they wanted to kill each other for everything. He knew now he couldn't live without her. He was happy because he was in love.
"Dawn?"
"Hmm?"
"Lets get stronger so that when the future comes, we don't have to rely on our past selves."
"Yeah..."
.
"And this is how, the arrogant boy changed into a lovely jerk," Dawn spoke to herself while patting her belly.
Ash grunted as he laid his ear on Dawn's belly then groaned,"See, Dusk is laughing at me!" Dawn giggled at his behaviour and pulled his cheeks,"Really?"
Ash got up then cupped his hands in shape of a microphone then placed it on Dawn's belly, saying,"Don't listen to your Momma, okay Dusk. I was always sweet and that's why she fell in love with me!"
"Oi!" Dawn shoved him out of bed,"Don't tell her lies!"
"Hey!" Ash rubbed his forehead as he got up,"That hurts!"
They laughed for a while and once the laughter died down, Ash sat beside Dawn and placed his head on her shoulder,"Do you think she will have brown iris and black hair?"
"I know she will," Dawn rubbed her belly again, the bump standing out,"This time, I will make sure nothing happens to her."
"Its strange that no one noticed how we were gone though I don't blame them. We arrived at the exact time when we vanished."
Ash's words made Dawn nod her head as she spoke up again,"I'm glad we were able to locate Cyrus this time. I can't believe it took five years. I am happy my mother and I made up and she agreed for our marriage. And now, I'm already seven months pregnant."
"Our story is unique, right?"
Dawn kissed Ash slowly on his lips and placed her head on his chest, inhaling his deep scent. Even after staying together for five long years, she couldn't get enough of him. His scent, his cockiness, his kisses, it always made her heart race.
Dawn intertwined her fingers with his and giggled,"The story of us may not be perfect, but I love it. Thanks for everything Ash."
"Hey, Dawn?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you."
"I love you too," Dawn slowly tapped his nose,"I've tagged you now. You're mine forever."
"I know."
.
Done! Finally done!
I would have uploaded it a lot sooner but I was there, watching some anime and literally couldn't make time to complete it! Let me tell you, after watching the romance animes, I'm fully psyched to write another pearlshipping story but it will take a while, since I have to plan everything out. I always do this, start a story then go with the flow. This time, I want to plan and write! So, stay tuned.
Thanks everyone for the 150+ reviews. You all are great! Thanks a ton! And since many of you guessed the foreshadowing correctly, you all get virtual chocolate pies,🍝🍴
And twilight sparkle! Thanks for your continuous support and love! I'm happy that you admire me so much! Your reviews always makes me smile :) and for the dedicated poems, I feel honoured, really honoured. :)
And so, hope to see you all in my new story!
Sayonara!
~ darkestlightofhope
.
"Hey Dawn?"
"What?"
"After Dusk, can we have more babies?"
"Huh?"
"Like, we can create a small army of Mages! With my intelligence and my looks! Won't it be great?"
"Wait, WHAT? I'm not a baby producing factory dummy!"
"Then a dozen would be enough!"
"ASH!"