A Joyous Day
-Four Months Later-
On the outskirts of Pallet Town, just before the Route 21 Waterfront, a massive crowd of Gym Leaders, Champions, family and friends of Ash and May sat on white chairs before a ceremonial arch, strung with white curtains and flowers lining its edges. Standing on the grass behind it were the entire collective of Ash and May's Pokemon, chatting amongst themselves, excited for the marriage of their trainers.
As live music played to keep the audience waiting, Ash's Groomsmen of Paul, Ritchie, Meowth, Alex, Kiawe and Gladion (all sporting black tuxedos) patiently awaited for the man of the hour to arrive so the ceremony could begin. Yet, they had not seen him all morning.
"Where the hell is Ash?" Paul said, tugging at his collar. "I'm sweating my ass off in this thing."
"I feel ya, Paul," The Champion of Galar said with his arm in a black sling, trying to roll his shoulder. "I'm starting to chafe in this thing."
"Meowth ought to know where Ash is," Kiawe said. "He is the Best 'Mon after all."
"He'll be here!" Meowth exclaimed, pointing a finger up at Kiawe, agitated by his pun. "Man's just got a schedule he needs to keep up wit'!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Gladion said, looking down at the feline Pokemon with whom he sported a matching tux with.
"Well, knowing Ash, I'm sure he's got some surprises for us," Ritchie said. "Even though its his special day."
From the crowd, Alexa sporting a red dress, with her black and gold hair tied up, fidgeted in her seat. At her side was Ross, who wore a black tux and red bowtie to complement the teen's dress. Next to her sat Red, with his arm wrapped around Delia, who held Manaphy in her lap.
"What is Ash doing!?" Alexa said, looking beyond the sea of Gym Leaders, Elite 4, Champions and friends that sat behind her. "He better not have gotten cold feet! I would never forgive him if he did that to May!"
"He'll be here," Ross said with certainty. "He loves that girl too much to do something like that."
"Papa love Mama!" Manaphy exclaimed, as Delia bounced the Sea Prince in her lap. "Weeee!"
"That's right," Delia chimed in. "Ash loves May with all his heart. He's been so excited for this day."
"Nerves could always be at play, though," Red added, before leaning over to his wife. "I sure remember feeling nervous the day we got married."
"We were so young back then. But I remember it like it was yesterday!" Delia said, nuzzling up to her husband.
"So do I," Blue said, taking a seat in the row of chairs behind the couple, between Gym Leaders Blaine and Sabrina. Sporting a tan suit of his own, with his orange hair combed back, he reminisced on the day he was Red's Best Man. "I definitely thought old Red here was going to piss himself from the nerves!" This made the trio of adults break out into laughter.
"Ash might be my Co-Champion of Arceus," Alexa said, throwing her hands behind her head. "But if he keeps me waiting much longer, I'm gonna have to teach him a lesson!"
However just as Alexa uttered these words, two shadows passed by overhead. Touching down before the ceremonial arch on the back of his Garchomp was Ash. At his side was Lance on the back of his Dragonite. The spiky haired Champion returned his Pokemon and took a seat in the front row of the audience next to Cynthia and his cousin, Clair. Behind Lance sat Professors Kukui and Burnet, trying to settle down their four children of varying ages before the ceremony began. Saying hello to his groomsmen, Ash and his tux-clad entourage made their way towards the end of the aisle so the ceremony could begin.
"There he is!" Alexa exclaimed as she and Ross rose up from their seats. "Bye mom! We'll see you after the wedding!"
"Good luck, honey!" Delia said to her daughter, as her and Ross darted off to be a part of the ceremony.
With Ash now present and the ceremony about to begin. As a pair of Toxtricitys strummed on their bodies, with a Rillaboom on the drums a melodic tune rang over the audience; an upbeat thematic song of Ecruteak City. Stepping in front of a microphone was a tattooed man, sporting a black suit and diamond Pokeball-designed necklace. With his brown hair in a buzzcut, this artist performing the live music was none other than Post Malone. As a thanks for saving the Multiverse, he agreed to perform live at Ash and May's wedding. As Ash and May's Venusaurs on either side kicked up a petal storm, the man began singing.
"You and me, we come from different worlds.
You like to laugh at me when I look at other girls.
Sometimes you're crazy and you wonder why.
I'm such a baby 'cause the Sobbles make me cry!"
With pink petals raining down from above Ash began his solitary trek down the aisle, rhythmically moving to the beat of the music. As he shimmied his shoulder, he was ecstatic to finally be able to marry the woman of his dreams.
"But there's nothin' I can do!
I've been lookin' for a girl like you!"
Following behind Ash was his groomsmen, linked arm in arm with May's bridesmaids who all carried bouquets of flowers. Taking the lead were Meowth and May's Skitty, followed by the pairs of Paul and Dawn, Alexa and Ross, Kiawe and Mallow, Alex Peters (by himself, but dancing with a red rose between his teeth, schmoozing the crowd around him), Gladion and Lillie, and finally Ritchie and Zoey. As the Champion of Galar made his way down the aisle, he took the rose out of his mouth, holding it in his uninjured left hand and cast it out into the crowd, having it caught by Nessa, who blushed as she took in the scent of the flower. With a grinning Professor Oak standing underneath the arch officiating the ceremony, with Darkrai and Mewtwo positioned behind him, the men split off to the right of him, while the women broke off to the left.
"But there's nothin' I can do!
I only wanna be with you!
You can call me your fool.
I only wanna be with you!
Put on a little Roxie, sittin' on a fence.
I say that line is great, you asked me what it meant by.
Said I shot a man named Gray, took his wife to Ballonlea!
Shе inherited a million bucks and when shе died, it came to me!"
Ash gazed out on the crowd of faces before him, all of whom helped him in his final battle against Giovanni. At one point in his life, he felt like he had nobody he could trust. And yet, the smiling faces before him were all people so ready to stand and defend their world and beyond. Had it not been for their effort, Ash may not have had his special day. As he looked on he saw the faces of Harrison, Gary and Brock, friends whom he had reconnected with, and probably would not have saved the day without. Gazing to his right, he saw the likes of Alexa and Dawn, two women whom he had many cherished memories with, who also gave it their all to be a part of his team. Suddenly, Ash felt two hands clasp on his shoulders. Appearing at his sides were the smiling faces of Paul and Ritchie, with Ross and Alex grinning as well.
"Thank you guys," Ash said, with a smile on his face. "For everything." Each gave the groom a nod, happy for this new journey he was about to take.
Then gazing out onto the band's stage, the Amped Toxtricity was seen playing a guitar solo on its chest. Moving his head around towards the arch, he saw his trusty Darkrai and Mewtwo, beaming at their trainer. Both entered his mind wishing him a 'Congratulations.'
"Sometimes I wonder if it will ever end.
You get so mad at me when I go out with my friends.
Sometimes you're crazy and you wonder why
I'm such a baby, yeah, the Sobbles make me cry!
But there's nothin' I can do
I only wanna be with you!
You can call me your fool
I only wanna be with you-ouu!"
As Post Malone held out that final note, a gust of pink petals blew in the breeze across the aisle, obscuring the other side for a brief moment. Suddenly, the traditional wedding song of "Here Comes the Bride" began to play on a piano as all four of the Tapu Guardians flew ahead, raining sparkles down onto the audience. Suddenly, Lugia flew overhead and out above the ocean, dispersing the petals in the aisle with a gust of wind. Standing at the end of the aisle was May in a lace wedding dress with a white veil over her head. At her side was the Petalburg City Gym Leader, Norman, who took her arm and began walking with her down the long aisle. Everyone within the audience rose up from their seats, applauding the coordinator as she made her way towards Ash.
Reaching the end of the aisle, Norman held his daughter's hands, before pulling her into a hug and kissing her cheek (she was his favorite child after all.) Then turning to Ash, who held out his hand for a handshake, he wrapped his arms around the 22 year old, raising him high into the air in a tight hug. While Norman could be intimidating at times, he couldn't think of a better fit for his daughter than the man who she was about to marry. Setting Ash back onto his feet, Norman ruffled his hair before making his way to the front row of white chairs, taking a seat next to his wife (May's mother) Caroline, who was currently dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief as her only daughter was about to be wed.
Ash couldn't help but marvel at the bride before him, as he pulled her veil up and over her head, seeing her smiling face for the first time that day. Staring off into her sapphire eyes, he thought about if this woman had not changed his life for the better, he could still be in the darkest period of his life. He was so thankful that this was the woman he was about to spend the rest of his life with.
"Dearly beloved; Ladies and Gents from all across the Pokemon World," The Pokemon Professor of Pallet Town said. "We are gathered on this day to celebrate the matrimony of young Ash and May! A beautiful couple, who along with their friends, rose up to save our world from a great evil! With the great Arceus blessing us on this day, we may bear witness to the unity of these two lovely folks, whose love has Bellosom-ed before our very eyes!" The Professor said, sneaking a Pokemon Pun in as he officiated the ceremony. "I take it your Pokemon have the rings?"
"Nyah," Skitty said, handing over a golden wedding band to May with its tail.
"That's right!" Meowth said, handing a diamond ring from its suit-coat pocket to Ash, before quickly turning away to hide the tears of joy welling in its eyes (making the audience break into an 'Awww.')
"Now Ash," Professor Oak said, as the young man took his bride's hand. "Do you take May as your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I sure do," Ash said with a grin, as he slid the ring on her finger.
"And May," Professor Oak began to say, as she took Ash's left hand. "Do you take Ash as your beloved husband?"
"I do," The Master Coordinator said, with tears welling in her eyes.
"Then by the power vested in me by the Region of Kanto, I now pronounce you husband and wife! Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum!" Oak exclaimed, sending the audience into an uproar. "You may now kiss the-" But before Oak could say bride, the newly married couple crashed into each other, passionately locking their lips. As May wrapped her arms around Ash's neck, he placed his hands onto her waist, pulling her in close while leaning into his new wife as they shared their first kiss as a wedded couple. The audience was all on their feet, applauding, whooping and hollering. While the happy couple had their fair share of applause from Contests and Tournaments, these were cheers of them coming together as one; celebrating their love for each other on this special day.
Author's Note: All rights for the song "Only Wanna Be With You (Pokemon 25 Version)" go to Post Malone, Darius Rucker, Capitol Records and the Pokemon Company. I may have made a few edits to make it more fitting to the Pokemon Universe \_(ツ)/. With the P25 Music Event making Post Malone a Canon Character (at least in my head) it was only right to have a bit of a musical crossover to celebrate the marriage of Ash and May.
-Later that Evening-
Following the wedding ceremony, all of the guests would go on through Pallet Town and into Viridian City at a Country Club where Ash and May's reception would be held. As many of their companions danced into the night (with Scott and Alex busting out some serious moves, frequently challenging the wedding goers with dance battles,) the duo of Alexa and Ross stepped out into the night air to walk about the property in the fresh September evening.
Still wearing her red dress with her hair in a bun, Alexa and her companion made their way to a white gazebo next to a lake, which had the moonlight reflecting off of it. In her right hand she carried her heels, while carrying a red purse in her left hand. In Ross's right hand, he carried his portable Pokemon Box which housed all his Pokeballs.
"That was an awesome wedding," She said, placing her elbows on the railing, looking out onto the water. "Actually, it was my first one I've ever been to."
"Same here," The blonde boy said, running his fingers through his hair. Alexa, however, detected a hint of sorrow in his voice.
"You alright? You sure looked like you were having fun dancing off against Alex out there," Alexa said, looking at the teen.
"I am. I had a blast. Even though the man basically has one arm, he was going crazy out on the dance floor to the Electrike Boogie," He responded with a chuckle. "Most fun I've had in ages… The last five months have been."
Alexa suddenly caught on to where he was going. "Ross… can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"What… am I to you?" Alexa asked hesitantly.
The boy went silent, as he came up to her and rested on the gazebo railing at her side. "Well… you're my best friend… But deep down… I like you so much more than that. Even with my past and all that, you still saw me for being a regular old teen. Not some child of a Rocket Admin or a Shiny Collector. Just… Ross. Out of everybody I've met while I was here, I feel like you and I just clicked. Ever since our first battle together, I could tell you were someone really special. And you are. Both you and your brother saved the Multiverse, and that's kind of a big deal."
"I gotcha, Alexa said with a smile. "It's funny… helped my bro stand up against Giovanni and I still feel kinda lost with everything sometimes. My Pokemon and I are itching to hit the road and go on our first journey as a team, but it feels like we have so many different Regions to choose from that I don't even know where to start. Plus, I don't even think I've found a true rival yet…"
"Well, who says you have to have one?" Ross asked.
"I don't know," Alexa said. "It's just something that Ash had said to me a while back. When he had his meeting with Arceus, he said how you could be the strongest trainer in the world, but with no one to challenge and push you to give it your all, who are you really doing it for? I feel like I owe it to my team to have that person who can push us to be our best."
"Well that sounds pretty bodacious," Ross replied.
"If I asked you to be my rival… and go on a journey with me… would you?" Alexa asked. Ross went silent, as he hung his head low. "I'm sorry! That was a really pushy question-"
"I would in a heartbeat. But... I just can't right now."
"I thought you might say that…" Alexa said as her face shifted to one of discontent. "But I get it. You had your time here. And now it's time you go back."
Tears began to well in Alexa's eyes at the thought of one of her closest friends departing for his home world. Noticing this, Ross placed a hand on hers. "I've already said my goodbyes to everyone else, but saying goodbye to you is the hardest," Ross said, looking into the teen's blue eyes, not wanting to go. "But once my Pokemon and I have taken out the Team Rocket in my Kanto, I'll be right back here with the people I love." He reached out, placing a hand on Alexa's cheek. "That's a promise."
"Okay," Alexa whispered, leaning into Ross's hand. While she felt a great sadness from her friend's near departure, she did not want to hold him back from the duty he had to fulfill.
"Before I go, there's something I want you to have. So you can take it on your journey," Ross said, pulling away and reaching into his pocket. Pulling out an item wrapped in a cloth, he reached out and placed the object into Alexa's hands, curling her own fingers over it. "So my Mom and Team Rocket can't get it. And maybe it'll bring you some luck on your Pokemon journey."
Alexa opened her hand seeing Ross's Shiny Charm in her palm, soon rolling the blue star in her fingers. Tears began to roll down her face, but she felt a hand placed on her chin that soon put her at a slight ease. Her head was tilted up, which made her look into the eyes of Ross, the boy whom she had grown to admire. "Ross… No," Alexa softly cried, as she soon realized her best friend was about to travel back to his home universe in a matter of minutes. "Let me come-"
"This isn't goodbye, Alexa," The boy said, moving his hand up to her cheek. "I have to go home and face my version of Team Rocket. Before, I was just running away from facing my mom. But now I see it's time to change that. It's time to be the hero that you taught me to be. Once things get figured out, I'll come back here. For good. Then we can start our journey together... Is that okay?"
Alexa smiled, looking into his eyes. "Sounds like a plan."
The two then embraced in a tight hug, before pulling apart with smiles on their faces. Then, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, Alexa pulled Ross in and planted a kiss on his lips, wrapping her free hand around him, grabbing locks of his wavy blonde hair. Caught off guard at first, he quickly sank into it, sharing a passionate kiss with his closest friend from this region. The two then pulled apart, each taking in a breath of the cold air, content with the first kiss that they had shared.
"I'll see you when you get back."
Ross smiled, as a tear of his own rolled down from his eye. Walking backwards out of the gazebo, he pulled out a blue Beast Ball containing his Shiny Guzzlord whom he met on the battlefield at the Tree of Beginning. "Lord Guzz, come on out!" Bursting from the blue pokeball was the gargantuan Ultra Beast, who let out a human-like scream. With twinkling gold stars around it, the white and orange Guzzlord looked down at the two trainers and then let out a cry of joy.
"Lord Guzz, huh?" Alexa says. "Catchy name."
"I thought so too. Took me long enough to come up with a good one," Ross said, staring up at the largest of all his Pokemon. "Lord Guzz, it's time I go home."
"Take care of Ross for me!" Alexa said waving goodbye. Guzzlord took his trainer into its clawed hand, before placing him atop its head. Using its Warp Ride abilities to open a blue wormhole above the two.
"See you later Alexa!" Ross called, as he slowly entered the wormhole with his Ultra Beast to return to his home dimension.
"Goodbye Ross! Until we meet again!" The girl said, waving goodbye, now standing alone in the dark. "Goodbye..." She softly whispered.
Alexa, who was now quietly standing by herself, pulled a Pokeball out of her purse. Tossing it, she threw out her partner Lucario, who had white bandaging wrapped over its eyes. Due to Giovanni's Perrserker at the Final Battle, Lucario had its eyes permanently damaged, but could still sense living beings by tracing their Aura and emotions.
'I sense much sadness within you Alexa...' Her Pokemon said in a calming voice. 'I assume Ross has returned to his home. For I cannot feel his spirit on this plane of existence anymore.'
"Yeah... I just had the greatest night of my life..." Alexa said, reminiscing her time spent with Ross. Soon her voice cracked out: "But I could really use a hug." Lucario nodded, as he stepped forwards. The trainer and Pokemon both shared a tight embrace with one another, as the Aura Pokemon began to console its trainer. "Lucario, I am so sorry for what happened to your eyes. I really messed up, and I should have been more careful and-"
'Alexa, we have already discussed this. Many times,' Lucario stated. 'We knew the risk going into that battle. And we did come out as different people and Pokemon than when we went in. But because of you, Ash and Delia have Red back. And now, so do you. That is truly a magnificent act in itself. As Arceus said, our destinies will play out for ourselves in due time. Together, I know we shall overcome any obstacles.'
"Thanks Lucario," Alexa said with a determined smile.
'Let us return to the others,' Lucario said. 'I am sure they are expecting us.'
"Yeah," Alexa said, beginning to walk back to the main venue with her partner Pokemon at her side. "Maybe we'll get an idea on where we should go for our journey."
After the departure of Ross, Alexa and Lucario returned to the site of the wedding reception. As the festivities had gone late into the night, many of the guests had left to return to their homes or hotel rooms. While Paul and Dawn, and Ritchie and Zoey slow-danced as the only ones on the floor, the Champion of Galar sat slumped over at a table catching some rest with Scott hung back in the chair at his side, also passed out from exhaustion. At the table next to the passed out Alex Peters, Ash, May, Delia and Red all sat with one another, chatting amongst themselves. In May's lap sat a sleeping Manaphy, worn out from all the festivities it had partaken in on this day.
Approaching the table, Alexa and Lucario were invited over to sit with them. Stealing two chairs from Alex and Scott's mostly vacant table, the Pokemon and trainer joined them.
"Having fun, sis?" Ash asked the teen, noticing she carried a great sadness with her.
"Best day of my life," Alexa responded. "And it's not even my wedding."
The table lightly chuckled at this remark. "How do you think Ash and I feel? Crazy to think after all this time, Ash and I would end up together at the end of all this," May said, taking a sip from a glass of champagne.
"As soon as I beat Giovanni I knew we had to hop on the wedding planning!" Ash exclaimed, as he called in many favors to help him plan the wedding in four-months time. "I wasn't going to let some other prophecy come around to keep me from marrying the woman of my dreams!"
"It's funny," Alexa said. "You two used to be travelling buddies at ten years old… twelve years later and now you've tied the knot."
Ash and May shared a glance with each other, before sharing a glance with Delia and Red. They were fully aware that one of the people Alexa had been closest to had just departed for his home realm, leaving the teen without anyone to travel with as she was about to begin her journey.
"Any thoughts on where you're going to start your journey?" May asked.
"No idea… The world seems so big that I don't even know where to start," Alexa responded. "Besides, Lucario and I are looking for someone to be our rival… to push us to get stronger. I feel like I'm stuck in such a rut, ya know?"
"Well, I'd do it," Ash said, crossing his arms. "But, I did just get married. I think it's time I take a break and settle down for a while. 'Til the next tournament comes around at least."
"That's right Ketchum," May said with a smile. "Until then, you're all mine!" This earned a chuckle from the group.
Red with a grin of his own took a sip of his drink, locking eyes with Alexa who was seated directly across from him. As soon as the table's laughter died down he spoke in a low voice. "I'll do it." All the trainers seated at the table went silent, looking at the former Champion of the Kanto Region. Alexa's jaw dropped at the thought. Regarded as one of the greatest trainers of all time, this was a man known for his amazing battle strategy and rigor that he put into every fight. After being away for so long, it only made sense that he would be itching to see his home region again.
"Are you... serious Red?..." The teen said, unable to find the proper words. "You... as my rival?"
"That would be SWEET!" Alexa cheered, jumping from her seat. Lucario smiled, as it could feel its trainer's joy coming back to her.
"I feel like I owe it to ya," Red said leaning back in his chair. "Without you, I wouldn't be here today with all you beautiful people that are around me. Plus, your spunky personality has really helped me acclimate to normal life again, what with me being gone for so long. If me being your rival will help you get stronger, then it's the least I can do for you!"
"I think that sounds like a wonderful idea," Delia said with a soft smile to her daughter and husband.
"I'll only do it on one condition though," The man said, before turning to Delia. "If my darling wife joins me on my journey to re-collect the Kanto Gym Badges!" He said, holding out his right hand to the woman at his side.
Delia blushed, taking Red's hand. "I would be honored to. We'd just have to ask Professor Oak to watch the house for us while we're gone."
"Well," Ash said, kicking his feet up onto the table. "Let me raise the stakes for you guys even more. When the next Indigo League Tourney rolls around, the winner gets to challenge the current Champion of the Kanto Region. And, hmmm, I wonder who that is?"
"Uh, Lance?" Alexa said, stating (what she thought) was the obvious.
"Nope," Ash said with a wink, which earned a stunned look on his sister's face learning he was no longer the Champion. "Lance was getting tired of pulling double duty as the Kanto and Johto Champion, and offered me a challenge for the Title of Kanto's Champ as a wedding present."
"That's why he was almost late to the ceremony," May said, fully aware of Lance's challenge which took place the morning before their wedding.
"Ash!" Alexa shouted, preparing to lunge forwards to pummel her brother. "What if you were late!"
"Well… I wasn't," Ash said, as May burst into a fit of laughter. "But I did beat him." Once again, the people went silent, learning they had been talking to Ash, Kanto's current Pokemon Champion this entire time.
"So that means…" Alexa said in some shock.
"I have to kick my son's ass to get my old title back," Red said, cracking a smile, which made the table erupt into laughter.
"Hey!" Alexa and Ash both shouted. Alexa then rose out of her chair.
"Red," Alexa said, jutting her hand out in front of the famed trainer. "You're gonna have to beat me first! Cause I'm also coming for that Title! You're on!" Red rose up from his chair as well and shook the girl's hand.
"Lucario!" Alexa said, turning to her partner, who also had a grin on his face. "We're traveling through the Kanto Region first! We're gonna collect all the gym badges, and then I'm going to beat Ash to become the Champion of the Kanto Region!"