Chapter 24 – Goodbye's the saddest word
TERROR AT THE LEAGUE! Pokémon Liberation extremists attack Kalos league
Last night the Nation watched in horror as Team Plasma attacked the Victory Stadium in La Victorie City during the final of the Kalos league, leaving three trainers dead. A mysterious airship known only as the Plasma Frigate descended upon the stadium after which Plasma footsoliders or "grunts" as they are known attacked the escaping crowd, stealing Pokéballs and capturing Pokémon. Three trainers were killed in a struggle to protect their precious partners…
KIDS DEFEATING VILLIANS? 8th major villainous team attack this year hit Kalos as Pokémon theft and attacks on trainers continue, poses question has law enforcement been left to 10 year old Trainers!
The Kalos Powerplant. The Pokéball factory. Castelia City. The Unova League. An attempt to destroy all Pokémon and now the Kalos league, the question has to be asked, has the government left law enforcement to Pokémon Trainers. These attacks come alongside an increase number of reports of trainers having their Pokémon stolen by terrorist organisations such as Team Rocket in Johto and Team Skull in Alola. It seems that Shinobu's lacklustre response to these incidents and it's consistent insistence on civil rights and due process has meant the Pokémon trainer, most of whom are aged 10 to 18, and their Pokémon are left to defend themselves from and even stop these criminals. This is not new. Just two years ago when all that stood between all that stood between Team Galactic and the destruction of Sinnoh was a 14 year old boy and his Pikachu…
NO CONFIDENCE IN INCOMPETENTS! Tabuu replaces Shinobu
Within two hours of the attacks on La Victorie City, the National Parliament issued a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Vanessa Shinobu and her government for her failure to adequately respond to and prevent attacks by villainous teams throughout the Nation. She has been replaced by The Unovan Dracaena Tabuu. A formal indictment for public office offences including; Negligence of the public office, failure to exercise appropriate authority and indifference to suffering against Shinobu and several prominat members of her cabinet including the deputy Meyer Kotetsu have also been drawn up. Tabuu, expected to make a public statement later today, has been an outspoken critic of Shinobu and has called for tougher laws to deal with the threat of villainous teams…
[Pokémon]
Goodbye's the saddest word I'll ever hear. Goodbye's the last time I will hold you near. Someday you'll say that word and I will cry. It'll break my heart to hear you say goodbye
Celine Dion
[Pokémon]
Castelia City – 3 days after the attack on the Kalos league…
News and talk of the attack on the league and it's political aftermath was everywhere; in every newspaper and magazine, on every TV show and in the conversations of passers by. The police and army had eventually managed to make Team Plasma retreat, arresting some members and freeing some stolen Pokémon but the majority had managed to escape in the Frigate.
Ash, Cameron, Jimmy and Ritchie had decided to go there separate ways and return home. As Jimmy had pointed out it was the best course of action they had. The Kalos League was effectively over, and with Team Plasma and Team Draconian after his Ashachu, Nova and Hikari, the sensible thing to do was to put as much distance between them and the villians as possible.
On top of that, Cameron had received an urgent phone call from his father telling him that he wanted Cameron and Hirosaki back at the house as soon as possible. So, the four trainers and their Pokémon had traveled to Castelia City, where they were to split up. Ash and Jimmy were to board a ship bound for the Johto region, Ritchie had decided to challenge the Unova League and Cameron was to sail to Virbank City's and walk to his home in Aspertia City.
It was sunset. The pink and orange of the sky was reflected in the waters around Unity pier. Ash, Jimmy, Cameron, Ritchie, Pikachu, Ashachu, Lucario, Hunter, Typhlosion and Nova were standing outside the gangplank that lead onto a gigantic Ocean Liner to say their goodbyes. Sparky, Ember, Axew, Zoroark, Sniveon, Snivy and Sylveon were out their Pokéballs too.
"It was great to see you again Ash," said Ritchie offering Ash his hand. "It was great to battle with you again. I'm gonna get stronger and the next time we'll win."
"Lookin' forward to it," Ash replied as he took his hand. "Take care Ritchie."
"You too!"
At the same time Pikachu and Sparky said their farewells by shaking tails and exchanging an assortment of "Pikas." Zoroark and Ember were exchanging a flirty farewell to the great irritation of Axew.
"Nice meetin' ya cutie." Zoroark grinned and scratched the now much smaller fox behind the ears making him smile.
"And you foxy," said Ember looking up and down his body. "I have to say. I really like the evolution. Hehe. You'd better watch out. All the foxes are gonna a piece of you."
Zoroark chucked while Axew scowled. "It's a shame our trainers have to go so soon. I would like to have gotten to know you better." Zoroark winked at Ember making Axew thump his tail irritably in the ground.
"Me too," said Ember blushing. "Maybe our paths will cross again someday."
"I'd like that," replied Zorua.
"I wouldn't," muttered Axew.
Ritchie shook hands and said goodbye to Cameron before turning and running back up the pier waving for his two Pokémon to follow.
"Well I guess this is goodbye." Ember jumped up and licked Zoroark on the check, before following Sparky and his trainer. As they reached the end of the dock he turned and shouted back, "I'll miss ya. Take good care of him for me Axew…"
"Bye Cutie." Zoroark waved and Axew continued to scowl.
That just left Ash, Cameron, Jimmy and their Pokémon standing on the quayside.
"Umm. If you two want a moment alone. I'll get on," Jimmy said. "Just don't leave it too long Ash. The ships leaving in a few minute."
Ash smiled at him. "Yeah. Thanks Jimmy."
Jimmy gave him a thumbs up before he, Typhlosion and Nova who was sitting on Typhlosion's head joined the queue of people and Pokémon ascending the gangplank.
Ash and Cameron looked at each. For a moment they were silent, neither really knowing what to say. How exactly do you just separate after becoming so close…
"Ash…I…Umm." Cameron tried to say something but the words stuck in his throat. So instead he just threw his arms around Ash and hugged him tightly, a single tear falling down his cheek. Ash hugged back, closing his eyes. The simple hug seemed to say more than words could.
"Pi Pikachu." Pikachu held out his paw to Lucario for a sort of paw bump. Lucario caught on and knelt down to bump Pikachu's paws as if in promise to battle again some day.
"Lu-Lucarr."
Axew, Snivy, Sniveon, Sylveon, Axew and Zoroark barked and chattered their farewells to each other, leaving just two Pokémon to say goodbye to each other; Ashachu and Hunter.
"Ashachu," Hunter asked. Sniveon, who had been standing by Ashachu's side, walked away to give them some space.
Ashachu gave his friend a weak smile. "Well…I guess this is goodbye. But we did have fun right?"
Hunter didn't reply. He and Ashachu had both been dreading this moment from when Cameron had got the call from his dad. They had spent their entire lives by each other's side, a pair of inseparable best friends, closer to each other than they were to their parents in a way. And now it was coming to an end…
Worse still, Hunter had not yet, despite promising himself, told Ashachu how he felt. This was his last opportunity.
"Yeah. It was the best," Hunter finally said after a moment.
Ashachu smiled at him, his eyes wet. Like Cameron, he threw himself on his best and friend and hugged him tightly. "Ohh Hunter. This is so unfair. Y-You're my best friend in the whole world. I-I love you bud. I wish we could be together forever."
This was too much for Hunter. His heart shattered. He hugged Ashachu back and started to cry, breaking down into uncontrollable sobs. "You're my best friend too, Lightning butt. I-I don't know how I'll be able to live without and… Since this is my last chance to say it… I love you."
"Pika." Ashachu looked up at him, tilting his head slightly. "Hunter."
"I love you Ashachu," Hunter repeated. "And I don't just mean you're my best friend. I'm in love with you and I want you to be my boyfriend… There I said it."
"Hunter." Ashachu wasn't sure what to say. He had suspected that Hunter felt this way but was still unsure how he felt about it. Part of him did love Hunter back, while another part wasn't sure if he was ready for a mate. "Hunter… I-I…."
Hunter suddenly tilted his head back with his paws and pressed his maw against his. And before Ashachu knew it they were kissing, deeply and passionately. Ashachu closed his eyes, as he felt Hunter press his tongue against his, his strong yet soft paw pulling him closer. Ashachu kissed back and for one blissful moment they were together, two souls joined as one.
Then they were apart again, staring into each other's eyes. The ships foghorn sounded indicating that it was nearly time to go.
"I'm sorry," Hunter mumbled. "I love you Ashachu. And I'll always be with you. In here." He put a paw on Ashachu's heart. "I-I have to go." He turned around and ran away, burying his face in his paws and sobbing very hard.
"Hunter… Wait," Ashachu said feebly.
Cameron looked up from the hug and shouted "Hunter..."
"I'll go," Lucario mumbled, seeing Ash and Cameron were still having their moment.
The fog horn blew twice more indicating that it really was time to go. Ash and Cameron finally broke apart.
"Ash one thing," said Cameron beaming at him. "Thank you so much man."
"No. Thank you," Ash replied.
The two exchanged a fist bump. Then Ash, with Pikachu and Ashachu on his shoulders and Axew, Zoroark, Snivy, Sniveon and Sylveon by his sides walked up the gangplank and onto the Ocean Liner, the Riyardh. A few minutes later the ship started it's engines and sailed out into the sunset…
A/N: I know. Short chapter. But honestly I think it's cute and sad enough to stand alone despite it's length.