Chapter 26

For The Man Who Has Everything

Unknown Location

Ash suddenly jolts up, awake. He had just woken up feeling confused. Ash looked around the room. It was a beautiful sunny day outside and the sun was beaming through the window. With the light, Ash could see the room clearly. It looked like his childhood room but more mature. Ash saw his achievements on the side. Ash got out of bed and walked to the window. He looked outside and saw the scenery. It was a quiet town that was covered with trees and the pokemon ranch was in sight. Ash loved being home. But for some reason, he couldn't remember what happened the day before. Did something happened? Was it important? Before he could think anymore, Someone woke up in Ash's bed.

"Morning Sweetie." Ash turned around and saw Harleen in his bed. "You're up early."

"Yeah, I just woke up suddenly for some reason." Ash said. Harleen pulled the covers on the bed over and gestured Ash back into bed.

"Come back to bed. You haven't given me my morning kiss yet." Harleen said. Ash walked back over to the bed and get back into it. Ash wrapped his arms around Harleen and pulled her in close. Harleen gave a big smile as she went in for her kiss. They made out for 10 minutes before they stopped and just looked at each other. "What should we do today?"

"Why don't we just stay in bed for the whole day. I feel like we've been on the go for ages and haven't had a chance to slow down." Ash said.

"That does sound nice but you know we can't do that." Harleen said. Ash looked confused. Why couldn't they stay in bed? As he was thinking, there was a knock on the bedroom door. Ash looked at the door.

"Whose that?" Ash asked. The door opened and Pikachu came running in and jumped on the bed. The door then opened wider and a young girl with jet black hair with green and red highlights came running in.

"Mummy, Daddy, you're awake." The girl said as she jumped on the bed and landed between Ash and Harley. They both smiled when they saw her.

"Now Emily, is that how you greet someone in the morning?" Harleen jokingly asked.

"Oh, good morning." Emily said.

"Good morning Emily. What are you doing up so early?" Ash asked.

"You sent me to bed early last night so thats why I'm up now." Emily said. Ash scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. He forgot about that excuse to spend some alone time with Harleen.

"Oh yeah." Ash said.

"So Ash, what are we actually doing today?" Harleen asked. Ash started to think before he came up with something.

"How about we take a day trip to Saffron City and eat at Brock's new restaurant?" Ash asked. Both the girls faces lit up.

"That sounds perfect." Emily said.

"We better get ready and have breakfast before we leave." Harleen said. She then sniffed the air and caught an aroma. "It smells like that breakfast is nearly ready. Come on everyone, get a move on." Everyone got off of the bed. Emily ran out the room and back into her own room. Harleen went in the bathroom and started to run the water. Ash looked at Pikachu.

"Hey buddy, head down to the kitchen and keep mum company. We'll be down soon." Ash said. Pikachu nodded and ran out of the room. Ash then head towards the bathroom and closed the door behind him.

Kitchen

As Ash and Harleen were coming down the stairs, they heard breakfast cooking. They entered the kitchen and they saw a woman at the oven, frying bacon. She turned around with the pan and Delia was revealed.

"Oh, hello you two. I hope you too slept well." Delia said.

"We did mum." Ash said as him and Harleen sat down at the table.

"Thats great to hear. Are you two excited about tomorrow?" Delia asked. Harleen had an ecstatic look on her face.

"It's all I'm thinking about right now." Harleen said. She got up from the chair and draped her arms around Ash. "Tomorrow we'll be joined together and be Ash and Harleen Ketchum." WHAT? They are engaged? Ash looked at his hand and saw an engagement ring on his finger. As Ash was looking at his finger, Emily came running into the kitchen.

"Hi Grandma, is breakfast ready yet?" Emily asked.

"It sure is. Everyone grab your seat and lets eat." Delia said. Harleen went back to her seat, Delia placed four plates full of food on the table and Emily got in her seat. She then looked at Pikachu.

"Come on Pikachu, come sit with me." Emily said.

"Pika." Pikachu said. He ran over and jumped up on Emily's lap. He made himself comfortable and everyone started eating.

"So what are you doing today?" Delia asked.

"We're going to Brock's new restaurant in Saffron City." Ash said.

"The openings today?" Delia asked in shock. "That doesn't seem possible with everything going on. Do you mind if i come along as well?"

"That sounds like a great idea. With Ash staying at Brocks tonight, I can use the company walking back home." Harleen said. Ash saw how Harleen and his mum were interacting with each other and smiled at the scene. Both the ladies saw his face. "What are you thinking about right now?" Ash looked at Harleen.

"I'm just thinking about how perfect life is right now." Ash said. Harleen smiled at this and grabbed his hand.

"I love you..."

"Ash." Ash jerked his body and looked around the kitchen. A distant voice was heard. It seemed familiar. Why did Ash feel a wave of deja vu? Before Ash could think any further, Emily tugged on his shirt which caught his attention.

"Dad, can we go to the lake before we see Brock today?" Emily asked. Ash was still shooking about that voice that came out of nowhere. He thought that the fresh air would do him good.

"Sure we can sweetie. Lets finish our breakfast then we can head out." Ash said. Emily smiled and went back to eating her breakfast. Harleen leaned over to Ash.

"You will always be my sweetie." Harleen said as she kissed him on the cheek. Ash looked at her and gave her a quick peck on the lips. Then everyone went back to eating their breakfast.

Pallet Town

Ash and Emily were making their way to the lake to spend time with each other before heading to Saffron City. Ash told Harleen and his mum that they'll be back within the hour. Ash was looking at the scenery around him, like he hasn't seen his home for a long time now. Ash then looked at Emily and saw how happy she was just running around. For some reason, Ash felt so relaxed, like not having to worry about anything. Ash then got interrupted by two travellers who looked starstruck.

"I don't believe it. You're Ash Ketchum." Traveller 1 said.

"You're right, it is." Traveller 2 said.

"How do you know me?" Ash asked. Ash was feeling uneasy about them knowing him.

"Who doesn't know the Pokemon Master." Traveller 1 said.

"Yeah, you defeated all the elite four and champions with just your Pikachu." Traveller 2 said.

"We're massive fans of yours." Traveller 1 said. Emily sprung up into the conversation and gave a suggestion.

"How about you face my daddy in a battle? That be really cool." Emily said.

"That sounds like a great idea." Ash said grabbing a pokeball. But the travellers started to back away.

"Um, no thank you. We really don't want to hurt our pokemon in a one sided battle." Traveller 1 said.

"Yeah, but it was nice to meet you." Traveller 2 said. Then both travellers walked away and disappeared. Ash looked confused as he put away the pokeball.

"Why didn't they want to battle?" Ash asked. Emily was about to give some devastating news to Ash.

"Daddy, you haven't had a battle for over 5 years now." Emily said. Five years? Why didn't people want to battle him?

"Five years? Why haven't I had a battle in all that time?" Ash asked. Emily came up to Ash. She talked but her voice didn't come out, someone else did.

"Ash, we need your help." Ash spun around and looked for who said that. But it sounded like the whole earth said. Why did it sound familiar?

"I know that voice." Ash said. Ash closed his eyes and started to remember what happened. How he got here.

Fortress Of Solitude

Ash had just arrived at Supermans secret hideout, the Fortress Of Solitude. He was with Batman and Diana to celebrate Supermans birthday. Diana had a present in her hands while Ash and Batman was carrying nothing.

"Did you two not get Superman a present?" Diana asked. She was hoping that they did get him something. Ash did have something for and it was something that he thought would connect to this world and Ash's home world.

"Of course." Ash said. Ash pulled out a green sphere that was in a shape of a pokeball. The other two were concerned with what it was made of. "Its a decoration piece thats made out of a inactive kryptonite."

"How do you know it's not active?" Diana asked.

"I asked Clemont and Sophocles to read the radiation to see if it was dangerous. Luckily, this had only died out and is completely harmless." Ash said. Diana thought it was a nice gift. But now she wondered what Batman got Superman.

"What did you get him Bruce?" Diana asked. Batman pulled out a envelope. Diana looked dissatisfied with the gift. "Really Bruce? Birthday card?"

"No, cash." Batman said. "What do you get for the man who has everything?" But Ash had a something to ask.

"Since when are you two on a first name basis?" Ash asked. The heroes reached to the main part of the Fortress and stopped when they saw something. It was Superman but he was standing still. And there was a dark plant wrapped round his body. "Superman, What's wrong?" Someone started laughing behind Superman and they revealed themselves to be Mongol.

"Isn't this some reunion, Ash Ketchum." Mongol said. Ash immediately got into a fighting stance.

"Mongol." Ash said.

"What did you do to Superman?" Diana asked.

"I gave him the best birthday present. This plant on him is able to give anyone it's attached to the thing they most desire through hallucination. Rendering him completely useless since he's never getting out of it." Mongol said. Diana put her present down and looked at Batman.

"Me and Ash will keep Mongol busy. Get Superman back to the real world." Diana said as she jumped into action and punched Mongol in the face. Mongol gets knocked back and Diana continues the assault. Ash looked at Batman.

"Be quick, me and Diana won't be able to hold him off for long." Ash said as he jumps into action. As Ash approached the fight, Mongol grabs hold of Diana and throws her to one side. Ash forms a aura sphere and threw it at Mongol. It hit Mongol and this caught Mongols attention.

"So, you decided to join." Mongol said. Ash jumps to attack again but Mongol catches him in mid air and pins him down to the ground. "But I'd rather fight you when everyone else is out of the way." Mongol reached for something behind him and pulls out another black plant. "So enjoy your dream world while you can." Mongol pressed the plant onto Ash and it wraps around him. Ash felt the effects and his senses start to dim. The last thing he remembers is Diana calling him.

"ASH!"

Ash's Dream World

Ash memories finished and was back into his dream world. He knew everything was too good to be true. But why couldn't it be true? He has been through so much and it's just now he finally knew how Harleen felt when she said she didn't want them to be in the hero business forever. Ash like helping out others but he would much prefer the quiet life, being with Harleen and raising a family together.

"Dad, what's happening?" Emily asked. Ash only just noticed that the earth was rumbling and cracks were showing. It looks like his dream was about to end. He looked at Emily and had to do something he never wanted to do, say goodbye to his daughter. Ash knelt down to be eye level with Emily.

"I'm afraid I need to go now." Ash said. But Emily thought he meant something else.

"Are we going to Brock's restaurant now?" Emily asked.

"No, I'm going on a journey somewhere and you won't see me for a long time." Ash said. Emily looked depressed with what she heard.

"Why? Did I do something wrong?" Emily asked. Ash was tearing up, he hated doing this.

"No it wasn't you." Ash said.

"What about mum?" Emily asked.

"Emily, I love you and your mum. I wish I didn't have to go but I have to. I know this world isn't real and Harleen is waiting for me in the real world." Ash said.

"Am I not real?" Emily asked. Ash let his tears roll down as he hugged Emily.

"You're real to me Emily and you have no idea how much I want this to be real so I can watch you grow up and see all the great things you are capable of." Ash said. Ash looked to the side and saw the earth was about to break a part. "It's time. Goodbye Emily."

"I love you Dad." Emily said. This broke Ash's heart.

"I love you too Emily." That was the last thing Ash said before the whole world broke a part.

Fortress Of Solitude

Ash's vision was blurry but his senses were slowly coming back. Ash was hearing faint knocking sounds which were getting louder and louder. The first thing Ash saw was the far wall of the Fortress. Is he back in the real world? Ash looked down and saw the dark plant was no longer on him. What happened to it? Ash looked around and saw a motionless Batman with the plant on him. Ash was free yet Bruce was trapped in his own dream world. Ash ran over to Batman and started pulling at the plant. Ash had a good grip around the plant but it wasn't moving at all. Ash tried to get it off a few more time before Diana came in, looking bruised. Ash couldn't believe what had happened to her.

"Ash, leave this to me. Help Superman with Mongol." Diana said. Ash looked behind him and stared at the space that Diana just came from. Down there was the dictator that trapped Ash in that fake world where he had to say goodbye to his daughter. Ash had fire in his eyes. Mongol was going down.

"He's going to pay for what he's done." Ash said as he walked towards the fight. Ash pulled out a pokeball. "No holding back this time." Superman gets knocked back against the wall and moves out of the way in time to miss a punch from Mongol.

"You're already starting to look tired. Why don't I put another plant on you so you can rest." Mongol said. Superman gritted his teeth.

"You are a monster Mongol and I am going to make sure your put away for a long time." Superman said as he layered Mongol. Mongol raised his arm to block the laser. The laser ended and Mongol looked at the scorch mark on his arm.

"I was hoping for more. It's almost like you weren't holding back on War World." Mongol said.

"But I was." Mongol looked to the side and was met with a shadow ball. The force of the ball knocked Mongol through a wall. Superman looked over and saw Ash standing next to Mewtwo.

"Ash, you're awake." Superman said. Ash and Mewtwo came towards Superman.

"You doing ok?" Ash asked.

"After what he put us through, we won't be fine for a while." Superman said. Mewtwo offered a solution.

"If you want, afterwards I can erase your memories." Mewtwo said. Ash and Superman looked at Mewtwo. Was he serious?

"So you can alter memories. Thats interesting." Mongol said as he came through the wall. Heroes got into their fighting stance.

"We've been through this before. Why do you want to do this again?" Ash asked.

"Your dogs saved you last time. If they didn't, I would of crushed your windpipe with my bare hands." Mongol said.

"I will beat you down until you say uncle." Ash said. Mongol smirked at his reply.

"Game on." Mongol said as he charged forward and took Ash off the floor. Mongol tackled Ash against a wall and started to punch his face deeper into the wall. After a couple of hits, Superman grabbed Mongols wrist and threw him into the air. Superman followed and hit him a few times while in mid air. Mongol saw an opening and slammed Superman into the ground. Mongol was about to land on Superman before he stopped in mid air. He looked at Mewtwo and saw him flick his wrist and send him against a wall. Mongol immediately got up and charged towards Mewtwo. Mewtwo used psychic again and stopped Mongol in his tracks.

"My mind is more powerful then yours." Mewtwo said.

"We'll see about that." Mongol said. What happened next shocked Mewtwo. Mongol was slowly walking towards him. He shouldn't be able to do that. Mewtwo concentrated harder. It slowed Mongol down a little but was still advancing towards him. Mongol was in front of Mewtwo and was about to hit him.

"Hey ugly." Mongol looked over and a aura sphere exploded upon contact on him. Mongol was blasted to the other of the room. Mewtwo looked over and saw Ash running up to him. "That was close."

"He's getting stronger as this battle progresses. We need to find a way to stop him soon." Mewtwo said. "My psychic won't be able to hold him for long."

"I might have an idea. If me and Superman go to... WATCH OUT!" Ash shouted as he threw himself in front of Mewtwo and blocked a assault from Mongol. Ash was knocked into Mewtwo and both crashed into a wall. Ash and Mewtwo land on the floor and struggled to get up. Ash then felt himself getting picked up from the floor and was face to face with Mongol.

"You have gotten a lot more stronger then before. I might take you back to War World and make you the top fighter in the matches." Mongol said.

"I'd rather die." Ash said.

"As you wish." Mongol said as he reeled back his fist, ready to finish Ash.

"Mongol." Ash and Mongol looked up and saw Wonder Woman holding the dark plant. "Next time, get a better gift." Wonder Woman said as she threw the plant and it landed on Mongol. He let go of Ash and tried to get the plant off, but it was too late. The plant was latched on and had taken over Mongol. Mongol then just stood still and had a smile on his face. Ash and the rest of the heroes gathered around Mongol.

"I wonder what he's dreaming about?" Ash asked.

"Whatever it is, it can't be good." Batman said.

"We better get him locked up before he wakes up, if he ever does." Superman said. Arrangements made and Mongol got transported to a maximum security prison. The heroes celebrated the rest of Superman's before but Ash had to do something, something that some of the leaguers might not like.

"Hey guys." Ash said. The Leaguers looked at him. "I need to talk to you about something."

Ash and Harleens Place

Ash went back home after the get together. Ash was in the main room with Mewtwo at the side of the room. He was really nervous right now since he didn't know what was going to happen next. Ash heard the door and Harleen came through the door.

"Sweetie, I heard what happened. Are you okay?" Harleen asked. Harleen ran into Ash and hugged him tight. Ash returned the hug.

"I'm fine. Just some bruises." Ash said. Harleen backed up and looked at Ash.

"Seriously, trouble seems to find you wherever you go. I thought you'd be safe, out of the way with everyone else. Have you seen Brock and Dawn yet? Did they give you the all clear? Do you need..." Harleen was saying everything so fast, she wasn't taking a breath. Ash had to cut in.

"Harleen. I promise, everything is fine." Ash said. Harleen finally slowed herself down and composed herself. In case Harleen started up again, Ash wanted to do something. "During that whole ordeal, I went somewhere and it put some things in my life into perspective."

"What like?" Harleen asked. But Ash had something planned.

"Look for yourself." Ash said. He then looked at Mewtwo. "Mewtwo." Mewtwo nodded and his eyes glowed blue. The room was turning into an outside scene now. Somewhere Harleen hasn't seen before. They were up on a hill, over looking a small village. Harleen wanted to know where they were.

"Ash, where are we?" Harleen asked.

"This is where I grew up. This is Pallet Town." Ash said. Harleen couldn't believe it. She was looking at a part of the Pokemon world and it looked so much better then she thought. Ash came up next to her and pointed out the different buildings. "Over there was the Professors Ranch. There was the river me and Gary used to go fishing. And right over there, is my house." Harleen took a few steps forward, stiil looking at her boyfriends old world.

"Ash, it's so beautiful here. So much nature. This is where I wanted to raise our family. If only we..." Harleen turned round and stopped after what she saw. It was Ash, down on one knee, with an engagement ring.

"Harleen. Before I came to this world, All I ever thought about was being a Pokemon Master, not thinking about anything else. But since I came here, you helped me through the hardest time of my life and I can never thank you enough for that. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I want to be with you forever. Harley Quinn, will you marry me?" Ash asked. Ash was so nervous since he didn't know what she would say. Harleen was starting to tear up.

"Is this a joke?" Harleen asked. Ash chuckled at her response.

"No, this isn't a joke. This is the real thing. I want us to be together forever, in this life and the next." Ash said. Harleen stood there, saying nothing and Ash was starting to worry. "What do you say?"

"What do you think you idiot. Yes, I will marry you." Harleen said as she went down to Ash's level and shared a heart felt kiss with him. They broke the kiss and Ash put the ring on her finger. "You have no idea how happy I am, sweetie."

"I got more to tell you." Ash said. Harleen wanted to know what it is. "I made a deal with Superman and the others. We be active members of the Justice League. But as soon as were married, our hero works ends. We'll be a normal family."

"You did this for me?" Harleen asked.

"I did this for us. For now on, it's us against the world." Ash said. Harleen couldn't believe what he had done.

"I love you Ash Ketchum." Harleen said.

"I love you Harley Quinn." Ash said. They both shared another kiss. They broke the kiss and got up from the ground. Ash looked at Mewtwo. "Ok, you can take it down now."

"Not yet, there's someone that wants to see you." Mewtwo said. Ash and Harleen were wondering what he was on about.

"Mummy, Daddy." Ash recognised the voice and immediately turned round. Running up the hill was Emily Ketchum. Ash couldn't believe it, his daughter was alive again.

"Emily." Ash said as he picked up Emily and gave her a hug. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you."

"I've missed you Daddy." Emily said. Harleen still didn't know what was going on.

"Ash, who is she?" Harleen asked. Ash looked at Harleen.

"Harleen, this is Emily, our daughter." Ash said. Did Harleen just hear that right? Her daughter? Harleen looked at Emily.

"Mummy." Emily said. She jumped out of Ash's arms and ran to hug Harleen "I love you Mummy." Harleen still just stood there for a while. She then looked at Ash and gave the most loving smile.

"She's our daughter." Harleen said. Ash was happy about this. Harleen bent down and hugged her daughter. Ash knew this was a illusion but hoped this will be real one day. Ash looked at Mewtwo and mouthed 'thank you' to him. Mewtwo nodded. Ash walked over and joined in on the hug. They were like this for a while. Hoping that one day, this will be real.

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