Chapter 37: After My Darkest Hours.
The final chapter of this story, it will be an epilogue chapter set two years after the story.
It had been two years since the final defeat of the Shadow Lords, Ash had been traveling on his own, with Salvia staying at the palace. He was walking through the streets of Arrowroot Town, noticing how different things were since the last time he was in the town when he had the final confrontation with the leader of the Shadow Lords, "wow things are different, it looks much livelier," Ash complimented the appearance of the town.
With Ash walking through the streets of the town, he looked up to see a brunette standing in his way, her arms crossed, "so big brother, you finally showed your face in this town," Hilda greeted her adopted brother with a smirk.
"Hey Hilda," Ash waved at the woman with joy. He quickly noticed the displeased expression of Hilda and started scratching his head, "so how have things been little sis?" Ash tried to defuse the situation that he was in.
"Things have been good, but Salvia has missed you," the Unova native replied to Ash's enquiry.
Ash looked at his friend and was shocked to see a rather obvious bulge, "so you put on a bit of weight?"
Anger by the comment Hilda clenched her fists, "I am pregnant you idiot!" She snapped at the trainer.
"Sorry, I just thought you were having one too many late night snacks," Ash responded to Hilda's angry reply, "so who's the father? N?" Ash started teasing the brunette.
"I hate you," Hilda looked away, but she also knew that Ash was having a joke with her, "Hilbert is obviously the father, but I am still a few months away from giving birth," Hilda explained to Ash. The young man walked up to her and hugged her, "I missed you bro," Hilda confessed with tears rolling down her face.
"I missed you as well, I am also sorry for being away for that long, but I did write some letters to Salvia," Ash apologised to his adopted sister, the two walked through the town together as they were making their way to the palace, the looked around to find more improvements on the town being made. It was livelier and more people seem to be around.
"Salvia has worked very hard to bring this town back from the brink and now it is a major attraction for people to visit," Hilda explained the work of the princess. Glancing out the corner of her eye Hilda noticed a proud smile stretching across Ash's face, "so what have you been doing this last year?"
"Looking around, trying to rebuild myself as a person," Ash answered the brunette's question. The two friends stopped at the gates of the palace, Ash stared at the palace and was amazed at the reconstruction of the major building, "wow, when I last saw the palace, it was still a mess," Ash commented on the status of the buildings reconstruction.
"Yeah a mess you made," Hilda reminded Ash of the last fight against the Shadow Lords.
As the two were conversing about the reconstruction of the town a woman with long blue hair, wearing a pink dress emerged from the palace, she seemed displeased with Ash, "seeya later big brother," Hilda left Ash almost in a hurry.
"Hey get back here!" Ash yelled out, but the demand it fell on deaf ears and Hilda was gone, leaving Ash to fend for himself to face the fury of the royal coming his way.
"So, you finally come back after a year," Salvia clenched her fists in anger, she charged at the young man and raised her left fist in the air. Ash closed his eyes fearing that Salvia was going to hit him, but was immediately surprised to feel Salvia's arms wrapping around him, "I missed you my love," Salvia emotionally greeted Ash.
"Sorry for not returning to you earlier," Ash apologised, he returned Salvia's embrace and rested his hand on her head, petting it gently.
The couple pulled back and grinned at each other, it had now been apparent that they were separated for almost over a year, "so did you find anything in your travels?" The princess asked with her curiosity starting to get the best of her.
"How about we talk about it later tonight?" Ash suggested, winking at his girlfriend with a sly smirk.
"Oh come on Ash, don't leave me hanging, I want to know what you have seen," Salvia tried her hardest to talk Ash into telling her about his travels. Ash remained quiet and pet his girlfriend on the head, Salvia crossed her arms and started to pout after the lack of information, she was deep down inside happy that Ash had finally returned, "please Ash, maybe a photo."
"Nope, not until our date tonight," Ash playfully informed the young royal, he walked into the palace gardens to inspect the rebuilt palace.
Salvia watched her boyfriend enter the building, moving her long blue hair aside, tears started to roll down her face, "he is back home," happily the princess whispered to herself. The first thing she noticed was the different attitude Ash seem to be displaying, instead of the brooding nature he had in the fight against the Shadow Lords.
"Hey come inside!" Ash called for Salvia with a cheeky smile.
"Alright!" She called back. After rushing back into the palace, Salvia closed the door and stood at Ash's side. Tilting her head Salvia peered out to the side, "what do you think?" She asked about the presentation of the palace.
"Well it looks better than the last time I saw it," a hint of sarcasm emerged from Ash's lips, he examined the interior and let out a short whistle, "looks much nicer than it did almost two years ago."
"Yeah, that is because you destroyed almost sixty percent of the palace two years ago," Salvia elbowed Ash to remind him of his actions years ago, he scratched his head ashamed of his overuse of power.
"Sorry about that, I guess I did overdo it," Ash submitted to his girlfriend's teasing.
"No it's fine, as long as we saved the Sinnoh region and prevented a war, I can manage with a little renovation of the palace," Salvia told Ash as she showed her own form of sarcasm, she walked ahead of Ash, she looked back and winked at the trainer, "besides, I did say you were going to pay us back for the destruction of the palace," Salvia reminded the raven haired man of his debt to the royal family.
In shock Ash stepped back with his mouth agape, "I-I….I thought you were joking," Ash stammered in disbelief.
"I was joking, there is no way I can expect you to pay us back for the destruction of the palace, besides…" Salvia stopped mid-sentence and started walking up the stairwell, "what kind of girlfriend would I be if I continued to hold a grudge on something like that?" Salvia asked Ash as she prepared to walk up the stairs to her room, "what kind of princess would I be, if I make you pay for that? You saved the Sinnoh region and my life, I am way more grateful to you than you could ever imagine," she confessed her gratitude to Ash.
Later that night Ash was waiting at the entrance way of the main foyer, he was wearing a suit and feeling nervous, it was his first date with Salvia in nearly a year and a half, "oh man, I am so nervous, spending time with Salvia has been something I want to do," Ash whispered to himself, showing a hint of regret at length of time he had been away.
"Are you ready?" Salvia's voice echoed through the main foyer, she was walking down the repaired stairwell, wearing an elegant red dress, her blue hair tied up in a ponytail, upon reaching Ash she stopped and spun around to show off her attire, "so what do you think?"
Ash gulped at the elegant appearance of the princess, he remained calm and remained a little nervous, "let's go," he escorted the princess out, he peered over his shoulder and started to blush at the sight of the princess walking next to him on the way out of the palace, she seemed disappointed that raven haired man didn't answer her questioned, he took a deep breath, "you look amazing," Ash handed down his compliment.
Happy to hear Ash compliment her, she grabbed his arm and clung to him, refusing to let go of him, "I have waited for you to say that," Salvia admitted her desire for Ash's approval. The couple walked out of the palace grounds and onto the streets of the bustling town. Ash and Salvia walked around the town until they reached a small café, "we can go there," the blunette pointed at the café with great excitement.
"But it isn't a fancy one, I really wanted to take you to a…." Ash started complaining but before he could finish, Salvia pressed her finger on his lips and shook her head in disagreement.
"I don't care, I just appreciate the time I have with you," Salvia informed Ash, he chuckled at the royal and finally gave into her insistence. Entering the café, they noticed the different variety of cakes and drinks that were on offer. Salvia was amazed at the selection, she ran up to the front counter, her eyes fixed on a large strawberry cheesecake, "Ash, let's get this one!"
Ash walked up to the counter and looked at the cake that Salvia wanted, "alright," Ash replied, he turned his attention to the female attendant while holding his wallet, "can we get two slices of that cheesecake," Ash requested favourably, but before the woman could put in the price, Ash felt Salvia tugging at his right arm, she was shaking her head, "what is it?"
"Buy the whole thing," Salvia chimed in her suggestion.
"T-t….the whole thing?" Ash stuttered in disbelief in what his girlfriend was suggesting, she nodded leaving Ash to drop his wallet in despair, "the whole thing," Ash muttered repeatedly.
Ash and Salvia walked up to the table, they waited for the order to arrive Salvia placed her elbows of the table and rested her head in her hands, "so Ash, tell me about this new region."
"Very little to say, I was only there for a short time," Ash explained to his girlfriend about the brief visit to the region. The large strawberry cheesecake was placed on the table by the waitress. Ash smirked at the princess, knowing about her limits in eating, "are you certain you can keep up?" Ash jokingly asked the princess.
"When last I travelled with you, I picked up some nasty habits from you, like eating greater amounts in one sitting," Salvia answered while placing the first wedge of cheesecake on her plate, "can you keep up with me Ash?" confidently she asked her boyfriend.
"Challenge accepted," Ash replied to Salvia challenge, he grabbed his first slice, they looked up and smiled at each other.
"Go," the couple called for the start of the race. The first slice of cheesecake disappeared very quickly.
Ash was surprised at the princess' ability to keep up with him on the first slice, they each grabbed their second slice, "I have always wanted to come here with you, they make the best cakes in town, even the palace cooks cannot get close to the quality of this café," Salvia explained her reason for wanting to come to the café and what she really liked about.
"Yeah the cheesecake is really nice," the young man replied, eating another portion of the cheesecake.
After eating the entire cheesecake Ash and Salvia exited the café, the streetlights were on and the people were still out doing their shopping, "wow Salvia, I cannot believe you can eat so much," Ash sounded his amazement at the achievement in eating over half the cheesecake.
Scratching her cheek Salvia showed a hint of awkwardness in beating Ash in eating, "well it is your fault," Salvia accused Ash of her new found eating habit.
"My fault? It isn't like I taught you how to eat like me," Ash snapped back in response to Salvia's comment, he turned away and crossed his arms.
Salvia stood in front of Ash and titled her head, "no need to worry, it isn't like you have a one up on me," Salvia showed a hint of overconfidence, but she noticed the smirk running across her boyfriend's face, it soon became apparent that Ash knew something that she had seemingly forgotten, "what are you smirking for?"
"I bet you still talk in your sleep," Ash answered playfully. Salvia ignored the response, she knew she was caught, as even the guards had noted her sleep talking habit, "what's the matter Salvia? Do you still talk in your sleep?" Ash pressed the matter, trying his best to get Salvia to confess to her habit.
"It isn't like I do it that often," Salvia stepped right into Ash's trap, she immediately noticed Ash's smile broadening, "okay, I lose that one, but the next time I will not be losing."
"Okay, what do you have in mind princess?" Ash enquired smugly.
"I challenge you to a pokemon battle, oh and wait I want to battle you at the Sinnoh League," Salvia challenged Ash to a battle at the Sinnoh League. Ash stood still, he didn't know what to say, the last real battle he had was at the Kalos League against Paul which ended in his defeat, Ash seemed a little uncertain as his confidence was a little low in pokemon battling since the loss of his partner pokemon, it was something that Salvia noticed in their last journey, "I am busy, but if you win that battle I promise to travel to the new region with you," Salvia tried to get Ash to agree with the conditions of the battle.
"But, I am not certain of that," Ash lamented his last battle, "you were there the last time I battled, I lost badly against Paul," he reminded the princess of his previous failures. Salvia raised Ash's head to stare at him eye to eye. Ash wasn't expecting to see the confidence in the princess, she had already beaten him in eating a cheesecake.
"It will be fine, I am challenging you because I feel like it can only be me that makes you confident in being a trainer again," the blue haired royal explained her reasoning to Ash, she continued to convince him to battle against her at the Sinnoh League.
"Alright I will battle you at the Sinnoh League," Ash agreed with Salvia's challenge.
Before Ash could start walking away, Salvia embraced Ash tightly, "good, now, time to bring your confidence as a trainer back," Salvia declared her intentions to the trainer.
(8 months later)
Ash and Salvia were standing in the middle of the stadium, the cheering crowd watching both trainers preparing to call their final pokemon to battle, Ash now feeling very confident in his ability to battle yet again, but also noticed how much fun Salvia was having, her smile was never going to vanish from her face, they each threw out their pokeballs to call out the two pokemon inside.
"Gardevoir, let's go!" Salvia called for her strongest pokemon to take the field.
"Lucario, I choose you!" Ash announced his final and strongest member of his team. Ash revealed his bracelet while Salvia did the same thing, "Lucario, Mega-evolve!" Ash instructed his pokemon, he pressed the button releasing a burst of energy, the energy surrounded the aura pokemon before exploding in every direction revealing a more powerful pokemon.
"Gardevoir Mega-Evolve!" Salvia pressed the gem on her wrist, a burst of light surrounded the psychic type pokemon.
After the energy dissipate the two mega-evolved pokemon stood ready, awaiting the commands of their respective trainers.
"Gardevoir start things off with Psychic," Salvia unleashed her mega-evolved pokemon with a confident command.
"Lucario, use Protect to defend!" Ash replied to Salvia's command. Forming a powerful barrier a burst of invisible energy flew over the green barrier, after the attack ended the barrier vanished leaving the aura pokemon defenceless.
"Gardvevoir use Moonblast," Salvia called for another attack. Clapping her arms together a pink sphere formed, Gardevoir threw the orb at the fighting pokemon.
"Lucario, use Metal Claw to defend," Ash called his pokemon to defend against the massive attack. Lucario charged in sliding the orb apart, he closed the distance between himself and Gardevoir, "hit it with Metal Claw," Ash quickly followed through with the defensive call.
"Grass Knot," the princess whispered the next attack.
A root lifted out of the ground, Ash was quick to notice this, "stop the attack, use Bone Ruse to leap over it," Ash called for another defensive move, lowering his steel claws and quickly forming a blue bone staff the aura pokemon dug it in, but was caught off guard when Salvia called for another Grass Knot, the bone staff dissipate preventing Ash from using his game plan.
"Now use Psychic," Salvia ordered her pokemon to follow through.
"Use Aura Sphere to push yourself back," Ash replied with his own command, he watched his pokemon forming a sphere, pushing it forward and propelling the him back to evade the attack in mid-air. A smile ran across his face feeling like he was regaining his confidence in his battling, 'never thought Salvia would be this good,' he thought to himself.
"I am only getting warmed up!" Salvia informed Ash as the crowd started to reach a fever pitch, "Gardevoir while Lucario is still in the air, use Moonblast," the princess ordered her pokemon to unleash another vicious attack.
Ash gritted his teeth unable to do much against the princess' powerful pokemon, "Lucario use Bone Rush to deflect the attack," Ash called for his pokemon to defend himself. A pink sphere was catapulted at the fighting type pokemon who instantly formed another bone staff, this time he was spinning it around to knock the attack away.
Lucario landed after reflecting the attack away, the two pokemon had hardly taken a hit as the trainers were countering each other's calls with perfection, the crowd grew excited by the way the final was heading and the fact that both trainers seemed like they were having fun.
"Use Aura Sphere," Ash impatiently announced his next attack.
Salvia looked on in shock at the rash call from her boyfriend, she knew that Ash made a mistake, "Moonblast now," Salvia ordered the embrace pokemon to unleash a powerful counter attack.
The two combatant trainers watched their attacks collide in the middle of the battlefield, raising parts of the battle field into the air, a glint in Ash's eye appeared, he nodded at his pokemon, the aura pokemon rushed towards the column of smoke and dust, "Lucario use the boulders to close the distance!" Ash yelled out his instructions
Salvia tried her best to find out where the fighting type pokemon was, but couldn't see because of the thick column that obscured her vision, "Gardevoir we wait until Lucario re-appears," the blunette informed her pokemon. The two waited paitiently for Ash to make another mistake and for the opposing pokemon to emerge from the dust.
"Lucario attack now with Aura Sphere," Ash commanded his partner to attack the opposing pokemon.
"Attack from within, clever," Salvia complimented Ash on the plan to attack, 'I cannot evade it, but,' Salvia started to come up with a plan to counter Ash's attack. The blue sphere emerged from the smoke as Salvia whispered her command this time calling for psychic, "throw it back at Lucario," Salvia ordered her pokemon. With the sphere caught in a psychic bind, the attack was thrown back in the dust cloud, with no result Salvia was shocked to see that Lucario had appeared in front of her pokemon, slashing down with a set of metal claws, sending the embrace pokemon skidding backwards, 'so Aura Sphere was a decoy.'
"Thunderbolt now," Salvia order her pokemon to make another counter attack, a devastating blast of electricity surged towards Lucario, knocking it back towards Ash and dealing immense damage at the same time.
Both pokemon struggled to get back to their feet after taking powerful blows, the two trainers knew that their pokemon didn't have much left to fight on with, the next command was going to be the last of the battle, during the small intermission, Salvia noticed a small yellow spark emerging from the body of Lucario.
"Lucario attack now with Metal Claw," Ash ordered his pokemon to make the final attack of the battle against Salvia's pokemon.
"End this battle with Psychic!" Salvia issued the final command of the battle.
Lucario charged in for the final strike while Gardevoir's eyes started to glow blue a powerful wave of energy flowed out from the embrace pokemon, "Lucario jump up now," Ash tried to order his pokemon in desperation.
"It might not work Ash," Salvia reminded Ash with a concerned expression.
Before Lucario could leap into the air he froze with obvious sparks circling around the aura pokemon, terminating the steel type attack and allowing for Salvia's psychic type pokemon to land the critical blow that was needed to end the battle against Ash's team. "Lucario, no!" Ash yelled out in shock, his pokemon beaten in battle along with Salvia being given the battle against him.
"I-I…..I won," Salvia froze in shock, amazed that she had beaten Ash in battle.
The crowd erupted in celebration, the princess had defeated Ash in battle, something not many people expected, as they already knew that Ash was an experienced trainer, but nothing was going to change the fact that Salvia had beaten Ash in the final battle of the Sinnoh League and the fact that she was now the champion.
Ash fell back looking at the sky, a broad smile crossing his face, 'normally, losing would bring me down, but this time I don't mind it,' Ash thought to himself, he sat up, seeing that Salvia was frozen in place, she didn't know how to react, 'Thank you Salvia, you reignited my passion for pokemon training again, you're right, you brought my confidence back,' Ash reminded himself of the promise that Salvia made to him.
Ash recalled his fallen pokemon and started walking to his girlfriend, 'I won,' Salvia repeatedly reminded herself of her victory against Ash.
Ash stopped in front of the princess, "thank you for relighting the fire in me, I really needed it," Ash extended his hand out to Salvia.
Salvia snapped out of her shock and extended her hand out, she almost grabbed his hand to shake it but Ash pulled back, "I have something else in mind," Ash whispered, he pulled out a small container, he kneeled down in front of the royal, catching her off guard and silencing the crowd, they watched in awe. Ash opened the case and smiled at the princess, "Salvia, will you marry me?"
Hesitant with her reply, Salvia was amazed that Ash had finally popped the question on her, she started to cry out of joy, "yes….yes, I will," Salvia accepted the request, Ash placed the ring on her finger and stood up, Salvia jumped on Ash placed her arms over his shoulders, "I love you Ash," Salvia expressed her love for Ash, with tears of joy.
Ash and Salvia moved closer to each other kissing in front of the massive audience, they started to cheer on the engaged couple, they pulled back and ignored the crowd looking at each other with love, "Salvia, I love you," Ash mouthed his love to Salvia, only for her to hear it.
(4 months later)
Ash was sitting in a room, he was suited up and ready to walk down the aisle, he was nervous since he was denied once, but he questioned whether he was truly ready to start a new chapter in his life. Ash jolted up upon hearing someone knocking on the door, "yo Ash, it's almost time," Brock's voice called to his best friend.
"Thanks Brock," Ash replied, he opened the door and noticed tears rolling down his friend's face, "what's the matter? Shouldn't you be saving the tears for the ceremony?" Ash asked his friend with a playful grin.
"I never thought my best friend would beat me at getting married," Brock confessed while burying his head in his arms.
"Come on, I cannot let the people wait," Ash helped his best friend down the hallway.
Moments later Ash walked down the walkway, it was surrounded by friends and family, he noticed his friends from past adventures, their eyes fixed on Ash who was showing a hint of nervousness in his walk, 'oh man, this is it,' Ash thought focusing on the alter at the front.
Ash reached the alter and turned to the entrance of the hall, on cue the music started playing, the crowd grew silent and the doors flung open, entering the hall was a woman wearing a white dress with a long trail being held up by the bridesmaid, she was holding a bouquet of gracidea flowers.
After reaching the alter Ash lifted up the veil and stared into Salvia's glistening blue eyes, he took her hands, awaiting for the ceremony to begin, Ash felt his heart racing as the crowd grew silent with anticipation.
"Dearly beloved we are gathered her to celebrate the union between Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town and Princess Salvia," the priest announced to the excited crowd, explaining everything on the sheet with the crowd watching, waiting for the couple to take the vows, "the bonds between these two will continue to grow and with the vows their bond will never be broken," the priest grabbed a sheet of paper and turned to Ash.
"Wait, those vows aren't the ones I want to use," Ash interrupted the priest much to his disgust, "I want to make a promise without it being tied down to something scripted," Ash informed the priest calmly.
"But these ones have been prepared," the priest objected, but Ash ignored the complaint of the holy figure.
Ash turned to Salvia again and tightened his grip slightly, taking a deep breath Ash kept his eyes glued on the princess, "Salvia, I promise to support you in the path you take, to be there when you need me the most, to pick you up when you are feeling down, to love you unconditionally, that I promise. I promise to be at your side for the rest of our journey together," Ash expressed his promise, sliding the ring onto her finger.
"I also have my vows as well," Salvia responded, the priest threw the paper into the air in response, not happy with the fact that Ash and Salvia weren't following the script, "I sorry sir, but there is no script now," Salvia apologised to the minister, she grabbed the ring and kept her focus on Ash, "I promise to follow you on whatever journey you may follow, to keep you from falling and to support you in your ambitions, when you fall into darkness I promise to give you my light, I promise to love you unconditionally and stay at your side throughout the rest of our journey," Salvia made her promise, slipping the golden ring on his finger.
"Alright with the vows exchanged, I now declare you husband and wife," the holy figure announced, "you may kiss the bride," he instructed the trainer to seal the ceremony with a kiss.
Ash leaned in and gently kissed Salvia with the crowd watching the end of the wedding, after pulling back from the short kiss Ash stared at Salvia and smiled at her, "thank you for saving me," Ash gratefully whispered.
Six hours had passed since the party, Ash and Salvia entered the carriage heading to the port, with Salvia throwing the bouquet which was caught by Ash's former travelling companion May, Ash then took one last look back, he noticed a woman with long blue hair staring at them, she was smiling at him and Salvia, she turned away and started walking away, 'Dawn, you were at the wedding as well,' Ash thought to himself as the spirit of the blunette vanished for the final time.
The carriage rode off with the princess and Ash inside, heading to the port that would take them to their next journey together, their honeymoon which they could savour for the longest time possible, "I cannot wait to see this region," Salvia fell onto Ash's shoulder and hummed gently, "Dawn was watching I know it, she wouldn't miss out on our wedding for anything," Salvia stated much to Ash's pleasure, he wrapped his arm around Salvia as the married couple rode off onto their next adventure together.
The End.
I have been a little busy, but I have tried pretty hard to get some of the chapters written, also I will be doing different franchises with my own unique stories, please be on the lookout for Gundam Storm and my Yugioh Story the Duelists of Legend, meanwhile I will be working on the remaining pokemon stories as well as one last AshXSalvia.