Chapter 33
To think they'd be back in Pallet Town together like this. When Leaf had gone home to Silver's apartment, a letter from Ash was there for her too, and just like Gary's it said he didn't make it.
After Gary talked to his grandfather, the gist of what he got is that Ash and a few other soldiers have been missing for weeks. They are presumed dead because the area they were headed towards was bombed by the enemy. Since that area is very dangerous, no one has gone to check for bodies. It is just accepted as honorable deaths for the soldiers, so Ash's belongings were shipped back to Delia.
Gary had gone to Misty's college she worked at to tell her of the funeral service in Pallet Town, but he was told she resigned. She must have somehow gotten the memo because he sees her at the funeral.
Since there is no body, there's a big picture of Ash's army photo. On a table, there are a bunch of other framed photos where Gary spots the championship picture Delia had given them. The boy closes his eyes as more tears fall. He thought he had cried enough already, but it seems like he still has more in him.
He sighs. This is not how he wanted to come back to Pallet Town. Well, he never wanted to come back, but after somewhat making up with Ash and Leaf, he expected them to come back here together...alive!
As for Leaf, she's avoided her parents during the whole service. It's still too awkward to face them, but she's glad she left Ava back in Johto with Silver. Now she can properly mourn her old friend. Although Leaf arrived with Gary, she can't stand to be near him or anyone who reminds her of Ash. It's too painful. All she did was give Mrs. Ketchum a hug, and Leaf doesn't want to get near her again.
Leaf notices Misty in the corner of her eye. The two women haven't talked since the day they ran into each other on the street over 2 years ago. However, seeing the redhead now makes Leaf wish she had made more of an effort to hang out with Misty before Ash's…
When Misty didn't hear back from Ash, she accepted the job in Cerulean City and moved back home. Eventually, she decided to go to Pallet Town to visit her nephew as well as ask Mrs. Ketchum about Ash since he never responded to her letter. She wanted to know he was okay, but all she saw when she arrived was a mourning woman with Professor Oak. That was all Misty needed to see to know that the love of her life is gone, and she never got to hear his voice again.
She never got to apologize to him for everything or tell him how she feels in person. He must still be angry at her, which is why he never responded. He writes monthly letters to his mother, so she knows he got hers! Misty cried for a week straight until she solidified her heart again. But now that she is at his funeral with fellow mourners and seeing all these pictures of Ash, some with her in them, she finds herself crying again.
Delia doesn't deserve this. Now the woman is all alone, but Misty won't let her be alone. The redhead owes it to Ash to look after his mother for him. She'll visit often, which also gives her the opportunity to see her nephew. It's the least she can do for the man she loves.
Once the funeral ends, the only people left are Delia, Professor Oak, Gary, Leaf, and Misty. Tracey had left with Daisy because Jacob was being fussy, but Misty reassured her brother-in-law that she'd look out for Mrs. Ketchum. The 5 sit silently in the front row. No one knows what to say, and no one wants to say anything.
Eventually, Gary gives a sad hysteric chuckle as he covers his face with one of his hands. "I can't be here anymore." He says. "Sorry, Mrs. K." he then rushes out of the building as more tears drip down his face. Gary doesn't know where he's going, but he just wants to get away. Everything is just too painful, especially staying in that depressing funeral home.
Professor Oak apologizes for his grandson's behavior; however, no one says anything. They just continue to solemnly sit before Leaf now says, "I'll go check on him. I'm sorry, Mrs. Ketchum." She then hugs the distraught mother tightly before leaving. Leaf too can't be in there anymore. It just hurts too much. She finds herself briskly walking anywhere at this point. As long as she's far away from all that pain, she doesn't care where she's going.
Before she knows it, she hears a familiar voice, "Couldn't do it anymore too, huh?" comes the sad laugh. Leaf looks up to see Gary leaning against a pole as he's sitting on the ground.
She gives him a tearful smile as she joins him. "Yeah. Let's go back to Ava tomorrow."
He nods while putting an arm around her shoulders as they silently cry together. Once their tears slow down a little, Leaf is aware of her surroundings. This is the park. The park where she first met Ash and then Gary. The park where they made so many memories. It's their park. Her subconscious must've had her walk here without even realizing it.
Gary's too because he was trying to avoid anything that would remind him of Ash. This is the last basketball court he's ever stepped on, and here he is back on it after 8 years. He holds Leaf closer while looking up at the 7ft hoop above him where he also sees the stars. Being in cities since he left, he hasn't seen a sky as clear as this small town's in years.
Flashback
"I should go home soon." a 14 year old Ash says as he sits up in the grass while his friends remain laying down. They had spent the whole evening playing basketball at the park, but Leaf wanted to watch the sunset and then look at the stars once night fell.
"You'll be fine, Ash. Stop being such a paranoid momma's boy." Gary rolls his eyes because Ash always dips out early.
"Leave Ash alone, Gary." Leaf punches the auburn haired boy. Since it is night time, the park is empty, which allows the friends to enjoy the peacefulness of the night.
"I mean, I guess I can stay for a little longer." Ash mutters while laying back down.
"Good! Your mom is too nice for you to get in trouble anyway, Ashy Boy."
"Didn't I tell you to stop teasing him?" Leaf narrows her eyes at Gary who innocently shrugs.
"Fine, but if I get in trouble, you owe me, Gary." Ash pouts.
Gary snickers. "I'll buy you ice cream for a week."
"Deal."
"What about me?" pipes the girl.
"Nah. It's a bro thing." Gary says, which earns him a hit from her. "I'm kidding! Of course you're invited, Greeny." he laughs and Ash finds himself laughing at his friends' antics too.
The three then resume their attention on the stars above. "This is like the only good thing about Pallet Town." Leaf mutters.
"Yeah. The stars are way brighter here than in Viridian City." agrees Gary.
"I think the best thing about this town is you guys." Ash grins at the sky. "You guys are my best friends, and I met you right here in Pallet Town. That's the best thing!"
The other two grin widely too. "You're right, Ashy Boy." Gary says.
"A shooting star!" Leaf exclaims while pointing to the sky.
"I saw it!" confirms Gary.
"Me too!" Ash excitedly includes.
"We have to make a wish now!" the girl quickly tells them while sitting up to look at her friends. Ash and Gary look at each other first before nodding and sitting up too.
"I'm gonna wish for us to be friends forever!" Ash proudly announces.
"One, you're not supposed to say what you're wishing for, Ashy Boy. And two, that's a dumb wish because we're already gonna be friends forever. Don't waste it." Gary tells him knowingly.
Of course this earns him a hit from Leaf, but Ash just continues grinning while he says, "Well, that's all I want, so I just want to make sure I'll always have it."
Leaf smiles back at him. "Same, Ash! I like that wish too!"
Gary rolls his eyes, but it's true. The Oak boy already has money and fame. What more can he want than to always be friends with these two, especially since they'll be entering high school in the fall. "Okay, Ashy Boy. I'm also going to wish for the same thing."
"Friends forever!" Ash happily shouts into the air.
"Friends forever!" Leaf and Gary chime in.
Flashback Over
With his attention still on the sky above them, Gary says, "Hey, Leaf?"
The woman has stopped crying although she is sniffling a bit as she snuggles up next to him. "Hm?"
"Move in with me? Uh, I mean since Ava should grow up with both her parents. It's more stable. I'll give you a room-"
"Sure, Gary."
He looks at the top of her head in confusion since he expected to have to explain himself more. "You're right. She deserves it. It's what Ash would've wanted." Saying his name makes her voice crack, so Gary holds her closer as he buries his nose in her hair.
"We'll get through this, Leaf." He takes a shaky breath while he tries to convince himself of his words. "We'll get through this together."