The Time Has Come
Rui was in her grandfather's house. She was crying on the bed she slept on. Plusle and Minun were by her side trying to comfort her. Despite their attempts, nothing was working. She wept in her pillow as time went by.
Wes walked up the stairs to the bed. He peered passed the stairs to the crying girl. Wes sat on the step and sighed. "So you're going to cry there all night?" Wes asked not even bothering to turn around and look at her.
"It's just not fair," Rui said with her face in her pillow.
"So they aren't going to get credit for something they did," Wes said with a shrug. "Big deal, they don't even care about credit. They said it themselves."
"It's not just that," Rui said. "It's the idea that we'll… forget them. You heard it, once they go back, we won't remember them." She took her face from her pillow and looked at Wes wiping the tears from her eyes. "I know they can't stay here, but I don't want them to forget us." She looked away. "Wes, am I just being selfish to want them to stay?"
Wes was silent for a while. He answered honestly. "It's human nature to be selfish." Wes replied. "Just deal with it. We aren't going to remember them. There's no point in getting emotional."
"Are you saying you won't miss them?" Rui asked in a not surprising tone.
"I said there's no point getting emotional," Wes repeated. "How can we miss what we can't remember?" He quenched his fist angrily. "What irritates me is the fact that the two of us will receive credit for something that we only played a part in. I don't like taking credit that I didn't do,"
Rui looked over at him. She could see the hurt in his face. She knew once she saw his face that he did care. All he said was his own way of saying it wasn't fair, or that he didn't want to forget Terry or Ash. He wants to remember them and all that they helped him accomplish.
Rui got up from her bed and ran over to Wes. She embraced him with his back facing her. She began to cry in his back sadly. Wes did not action to stop her. He just looked down with a saddened expression.
Espeon and Umbreon looked up at them sadly. Minun and Plusle walked over to them and looked up at the two. The four Pokemon were clearly saddened by their own trainers' sadness. Their ears were down, and their facial expressions full of sadness. They wanted to comfort them, but they knew that they had to let them be.
Terry had followed Pichu to a small cave in Agate. She walked in seeing Pichu on a small rock; its back was towards Terry. It did not want to face her.
Terry gently place Chu on the ground and walked over to Pichu. "Pichu," She started. "I will have to go back to my time." She turned her head. "I'm sorry, but you will have to stay here." Pichu was silent. It did not say a thing. "Please understand that you have to stay here. Pichu still said nothing. "Pichu…" Terry advanced again.
Pichu called out quietly. Terry stopped trying to understand what Pichu was saying. "Pichu…" Terry advanced one more step and reached to Pichu.
Pichu called out angrily and let out a small jolt of electricity at Terry's hand. Terry squealed in pain and pulled her hand back. She looked at Pichu shocked that it actually attack her. Pichu called out without turning to Terry, possibly another warning.
Terry backed off looking at Pichu's back. Tears began to form in her eyes. She turned around sadly and walked over to Chu. Terry knelt down, picked Chu up, and began to walk away. As she did, she said one last thing to Pichu. "I want you to know, you may forget me, but I will always remember you Pichu. Goodbye, my friend." She walked off.
Chu looked at the young Pokemon as Terry and she began to leave the cave. She then wiggled her way out of Terry's arms and limped over to Pichu. She called out to it trying to talk sense into it. She spoke in a kind of harsh tone. The tone seemed harsh enough to get her point across.
Roughly translated, Chu was saying to Pichu that it should try and remember that it was Terry who had cared for it and made it stronger, and that it was Pichu who cared for Terry while Chu was away. It maybe that Pichu would forget her, but Terry will remember how Pichu helped her through her time of need for companionship. Terry will always remember Pichu's friendship.
For a while Pichu was silent. After a few seconds, Terry could see tears dropping from Pichu's face. Terry advanced towards Pichu again. This time, Pichu turned teary eyed.
"Pichu," Terry started. Pichu then called out and ran to Terry. It leaped right into Terry's arms. Terry embraced the little Pokemon tightly. "I'm never going to forget you Pichu," Terry said with tears coming down her cheeks. "I promise you,"
With those words, Pichu began to glow. Terry continued hugging Pichu and crying not minding the glowing at all, and seemed to not be surprised by this. Pichu began to change shape. It was evolving. Within a matter of seconds, Pichu had evolved into a small Pikachu.
Terry actually predicted this outcome. Because of the friendship the two shared, Pichu had evolved into a small Pikachu. The newly evolved Pikachu shed its tears again. These tears however were tears of joy. If it was anyone, the Pikachu was glad it was Terry's friendship that helped it evolve. Chu watched the two hug knowing it was probably the last time they would see each other.
Ash and Pikachu had left the celebration. They were no longer in a festival mood now that they knew the truth. Ash looked around at all the people who had helped him through out the entire Orre experience. He would always remember these kind people, but they will not remember him. It was a cruel thing to live with. They now stood looking at the Agate Relic in the cool night. The stars were out, and the moon shown brightly.
"I'm going to miss them all," Ash said to Pikachu. "But they won't even know me." Pikachu called out sadly. "And what about Rui and Wes? Rui's one of the kindest people I ever met. Wes… we finally manage to get him to become friends with us and he has to forget us just like that." Pikachu called out knowingly. It did not want to forget either.
Ash heard someone walking up to him. He turned to see Grovyle standing there looking at them with a twig in its mouth.
"Hey Grovyle," Ash greeted. "Did you hear about what Celebi said?" Grovyle nodded. Ash looked down. "If we go back, will you miss everyone?" Ash asked. "I know that you're pretty much a loner Grovyle, but still, I can't help but feel you made some friends." Grovyle shrugged. "Will you miss them?"
Grovyle stood there for a moment. It nodded once agreeing with what Ash said. It would indeed miss them all.
"Even if they forget you," Ash asked. Grovyle nodded once again agreeing. This made Ash cheer up a little. "You're right, I'll still remember. Even though it will make me sad they won't remember us, we'll have our memories."
Ash heard some other approaching. He could see Cubone and Yanma walk behind Grovyle looking at Ash.
"Guys," Ash said. Cubone ran to Ash and Yanma flew. Ash knelt down and pet the two Pokemon. "I'm really going to miss you two. But you guys have to stay here in your own time. You understand right?" They nodded agreeing with him sadly. "I'm going to miss you two. You helped me through a lot of tough battles."
Ash looked at Cubone. "You aren't alone Cubone, you'll have all your friends here." He then looked at Yanma. "I'm grateful I was able to save you. Live the rest of your life long and well." Both Pokemon called out agreeing tears beginning to form.
Ash looked up at the stars and smiled. His four Pokemon did the same. "I will always cherish the time we spent together. I'm glad I came to Orre, not only because I helped save it, but because I met you guys, Rui, Wes, and everyone of Orre." The Pokemon called out agreeing with him. Ash smiled at his Pokemon. "You guys, take care." Cubone and Yanma called out agreeing. They had cheered up too.
It was midnight. The party was still going on, but Ash, Pikachu, and Terry were no longer apart of it. Celebi float above the Relic, the only place where everyone was not. Behind the two of them stood Team Rocket.
Is it okay to leave like this?" Ash asked Terry. "We didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to Rui, Wes and everyone else that helped."
"What would be the point?" Terry asked sadly.
"I know," Ash said sadly. "But still, it would not seem right to at least say goodbye to Rui and Wes."
Terry looked down. "It's not that I don't want to say goodbye to everyone. It's just that… I don't think I can handle it."
"You think it would be too sad," Ash asked. Terry nodded agreeing with it.
Ash turned to Team Rocket and took out a Poke Ball. He handed it to Billy. "This is your Rhyhorn, fully purified."
"Oh thank you," James thanked.
"The boss would have our heads if we didn't return that Rhyhorn." Jessie stated.
"Just make sure you don't bother us when we get back to our time," Terry said to them.
"We promise," all four members agreed.
"Wobbuffet," Wobbuffet popped out agreeing.
Ash and Terry turned their back on them. "At least until we regroup," Jessie snickered to the others.
"You're still going to try and take Pikachu," Billy asked the others in whisper.
"Of course," Jessie stated. "When the going gets tough, Team Rocket gets going."
"We will never give up until Pikachu is ours," James said.
"No matter how many times we blast off, we always come back stronger then ever." Meowth stated.
"Team Rocket will never give up," the three said at once.
"Wobba," Wobbuffet called out.
Billy looked at the group with inspired eyes. "So cool," He said admiring the group's fortitude.
Terry and Ash got out their Poke Balls. Ash let out Grovyle, and Terry let out Dodrio and Chu. "We're about to leave guys," Ash said. "Back to our own time we go. I hope you're all ready." The group nodded. Ash looked up at Celebi. "We're ready Celebi," Ash called. Celebi nodded. Celebi stood on the Relic and prepared to shine.
"So you're going to leave without saying goodbye," They heard a familiar voice ask. Celebi stopped glowing and everyone turned to see Rui and Wes. Near them were their Pokemon Plusle, Minun, and Wes' Pokemon including Espeon, Umbreon, Skarmory, Gyarados, Metagross, and Hariyama. Next to those Pokemon including some of the other Pokemon that were Shadow Pokemon, but have been purified. Those Pokemon included Meganium, Feraligatr, and Typhlosion. Others were some of the others Wes snagged through out the journey.
"We,' Ash tried to explain.
"Don't bother," Wes interrupted in an understanding voice. "We understand,"
"But at least say goodbye to us," Rui said. "Not for us, but for you guys."
"You'll still remember us, so give us a proper goodbye." Wes said. After all, you helped us save all these Pokemon. You deserve to be thanked, not for recognition, but because…" Wes paused. He could not figure out the right words to say, so he said this. "…because you're our friends."
Ash and Terry teary eyed smiled. "Celebi," Ash said without turning to it. "Please give us a minute," Celebi nodded.
Terry ran over to Rui and gave her a big hug. "Goodbye Rui," Terry said holding back her tears.
Rui hugged her back. "You're like a little sister to me," Rui said tears coming down her face. "Just do me a little favor. Don't ever change the way you are now. You're a very good person. Don't ever change for anyone."
"I won't," Terry assured. "And if anyone makes me, I'll beat the stuffing out of them."
"You do that," Rui said letting her go. She cleaned the tears from her face and smiled.
Terry turned to Wes. Wes walked to her and handed her a handkerchief without looking at her. "Stop blubbering. You're stronger then that brat." Wes said. Terry took it as a compliment. She smiled and cleaned up her face. She looked up at Wes and offered to return the handkerchief. "Keep it," Wes said. He didn't bother to say anything sarcastic.
"I'm going to miss you too you jerk," Terry said with a smile.
"You too midget," Wes said looking at her through the corner of his eye. She gave him a big hug, and he didn't even bother to push her away for say anything rude. He just stood there taking it.
When terry was done, it was Ash's turn. He walked over to Rui. "You really are the strongest of us all Rui." Ash said. "You went through all this and showed a lot of courage. And despite you thinking yourself as our weakest link, you still pulled through in the end. You're a strong person, and great friend."
When ash was finished, Rui with tears beginning to form again gave him a big hug. "You always did know how to cheer me up," Rui said. "It's been fun having you with us Ash. I'm going to miss both you and Terry." She let him go.
Ash turned to Wes. Both he and Wes faced each other. They smiled at each other with respect. No words to say goodbye were really needed. They only wished each other luck.
"You're a strong trainer Ash." Wes said. "You're the strongest I ever met. Train tough and battle hard."
"I will," Ash assured. "You better do the same Wes. If I see you in the future I'll expect you to be a lot stronger."
The two shook hands out of respect. "Goodbye Pokemon Trainer Ash." Wes said.
"You too Pokemon Snagger Wes." Ash bid farewell.
Pikachu and Grovyle walked over to Plusle, Minun, Espeon and Umbreon. Plusle and Minun cheerily called out to the two. Pikachu called out in reply and Grovyle nodded. Espeon and Umbreon reached their paws out. Grovyle shook Umbreon's hand while Pikachu shook Espeon's in imitation of their trainers. They respected each others abilities as warriors as much as their trainers.
The Pokemon behind called out to them in gratitude for all Ash and Terry did for them. They were now free from their locked up emotions and all thanks the two time travelers. Ash and Terry would never forget this experience. They both felt proud for what they did. One could feel the sadness and slight joy in the air. Even Team Rocket shed their tears as they saw their enemies say goodbye. Celebi looked at the friends exchange goodbyes sadly. It wished there was something it could do.
Ash and Terry along with their Pokemon and Team Rocket had finally finished their goodbyes. They walked over to the Relic and looked up at Celebi. "We're ready," Ash assured. Celebi nodded. Once again it began to glow a green light.
The group was lifted up by a green light. It was Celebi's Psychic powers. The time travelers floated off in the air. They were no more then fifteen feet high when they looked down. They saw Rui and Wes wave at them bidding them goodbye. They also saw all the Pokemon call out waving goodbye. All there friends were there bidding them goodbye.
Ash and Terry waved back at them. The two then noticed some others at the very back of the group of Pokemon. It was Tyranitar fully purified and roaring at them gratefully with kinder eyes. On its head was the newly evolved small Pikachu waving at them near the Tyranitar's feet was Cubone and Furret waving back at them. Hovering over Tyranitar bidding them goodbye was Yanma. They called to the time travelers with gratitude and care. Terry and Ash waved back at them.
Ash looked at Terry and Pikachu. Both of them had tears coming down their faces. Ash looked over at Rui and Wes. Rui looked down hiding her tears. She was obviously crying. He then noticed Wes who put his shades over his eyes. Ash did not know why he would put them on at night. It did not take him long to know the truth. Wes was hiding his own tears.
Ash called out to his friends one last time. "Wes," Wes looked up at Ash. "I don't believe you'll forget us. So I challenge you to a Pokemon Battle five years from now. On this day five years from today at noon be at the Outskirts. I'll be waiting to battle you."
Wes looked down and removed his shades. He wiped his eyes and looked up with a sly grin. "I never turn down a challenge," Wes called. "So believe me, losing my memory of you guys won't keep me from a battle. You got me Ketchum?"
"You bet," Ash called. "You better be stronger."
"You better be there," Wes called back.
Ash's call cheered everyone's moods. Everyone smiled somehow knowing that that battle will happen. Ash and his group looked down at the ground group until they vanished, out of sight into a green light. A bright light covered the group and into a green abyss they all vanished.
To be continued…
Next chapter is the last chapter. I hope you don't think this chapter was too sappy. Please Review.
