Back in Pallet Town with the Hoenn League having closed, I lay back on the hill with Kiki, Ash and Pikachu, gazing upwards at the sky as we both relaxed. Ash had done great, but once again hadn't quite been able to beat the other tough trainers out there, but that hadn't put him down, he was already preparing to go on another journey. The Battle Frontier called to him.
"Ash, I've decided to travel around Kanto again. I'm going to be focusing on my aura training." I said and he turned his head to look at me.
"Really? You won't come with us to do that?" He asked me and I shook my head.
"No. After what Sam said, and what Gary and I saw back at the dorms…I wouldn't want to put any of you in danger. So I'm taking my Pokémon and we're going to train hard until I can be sure that I'm able to protect myself, and all of you." I explained to him as Pikachu lifted his head.
"Pika?" He asked slowly and I giggled.
"Of course I'll be careful Pikachu. It takes more than a bunch of scary punks to take me down. Besides, I have Charizard with me all the time."
"It's just…won't you get lonely?" Ash asked me. "I mean, you've gone off on your own before, but this time it sounds like you won't be back for a very long time. What if you get hurt and there's no one there to help you?"
"I'll be fine Ash. There's nothing to be afraid of. I'll just travel, train, swap in and out of my Pokémon and soon, we'll be strong enough to handle anything." I told him, laying back down on the grass. "There's a lot of places I want to see again, and people I want to visit. The safari, Cinnabar Island, it's been a while. I'll be glad to see everyone again."
"Well, if that's what you want, then you should go for it Ruby. Don't let anybody stop you." Ash said determinedly clenching a fist as he lay back. "Just remember to keep in touch, okay?"
"You got it genius. Just try not to do anything too stupid whilst you're off battling these brains, okay? I might not be there to whack some sense into. Right Pikachu?"
"Pikachu!" He answered, turning over then jumped onto Ash's chest, facing me. "Pika, Pikachu Pi!" I smiled and reached out a hand, rubbing his cheek in his soft spot which made him squeal softly, smiling his cute little smile as Kiki yawned and stretched, rolling over in the sun.
I'd made my peace with my parents, telling them that I don't care what anyone says. That they had raised me and they are my mom and dad in my eyes. Sam had disappeared after I had ran away, however I could still feel him out there, watching over me.
Kiki was now a pet rather than a battling Pokémon. He preferred loving company and cuddles rather than any kind of training, so we kept him at home where mom spoiled him with marshmallows and I had to take him out on my morning runs just to keep him in shape.
Life was the same as ever in this beautiful home town of mine, where the sky was always blue, the town was always quiet but close, where you could look across a street and greet a friend and where the market was always warm with conversation.
And I was here with my best friend in the whole wide world, which made everything better. Looking to Ash beside me, I saw that he and Pikachu had dozed off, making me chuckle before I turned back to the sky and clouds, taking a deep breath.
Whatever was coming for me…I'm ready.
Thanks so much everyone! I decided that you'd all waited long enough for this story, so I went ahead and posted it all as quickly as I could. Let me know in the reviews or PM me with ideas for Ruby's next adventure or what kind of Pokemon you'd like her to catch, I'll see y'all soon!
