When the world was just seconds away from being encompassed by a living forest of death, Pikachu and the others managed to eradicatd Dark and the bulb, the source of the Darkmon's power and the Forest of No Light. But, instead of celebrating and cheers, there was nothing but grim silence as they attended to one of their dearest and closest friends...

Caught in the blast of white light, the sea otter Pokemon was floating on a white, empty plane with nothing in sight, just a plain white plane of an endless space.

"Where am I?", Oshawott asked to himself. He looked around but saw no one and it was of pindrop silence. "I ended Dark's life and was this the effects of the curse? I am still alive, right? Am I though?", Oshawott fidgetting his paws while trying to find a way out.

"Pikachu? Snivy? Ryder? Somebody, could anybody hear me?", Oshawott tried calling out, hoping somebody heard him but there was no one around as the eyes can see. "Well, I guess... I'll have to wait. But when until when though? Days, months or even years? Does time even flow in this place?"

He began running in a direction but it seemed endless. Then, he slammed and striked the ground with his Razor Shell but was ineffective. Whatever this plane was, it appeared to be inescapable.

"No, I know the others will come for me. I'm still alive, I know I am. It has to be all a fluke, this curse of Dark.", Oshawott convinced himself that there was still hope.

"Why do you seem so hopeful?", a voice asked the otter which startled him. As he turned around, he could see a familiar figure in a distance so he ran towards him but was not getting any closer. However, the figure started approaching him, the closer he came, Oshawott was even surprised to see himself; the figure was Oshawott or it looked like it.

"Who are you, why have you taken my form?", Oshawott pointed his blade at his doppleganger. "What do you think? No... Better yet, why do you think you are here?", this reflective figure retorted.

Oshawott was confused with these enigmatic questions until he suddenly felt exhausted and collasped to the ground. The figure told him that he knew the answer already, just that he refused to believe it.

"Are you implying that I am...?", the figure slowly turned around as Oshawott called out to him. He then found himself falling as he continued calling out to himself.

"Wait, how do I get out of here? Hey answer me? Does that mean that I cannot return to my home, my friends? I still had so much left to accomplish. I wonder if the others are looking for me. Am... I... no longer... needed...?", Oshawott lost conciousness as his body descended continuously in an endless fall.

Everyone gathered around the unconscious otter, the grass snake Pokemon tried to wake him up while others continued calling out to him, hoping for a tiny hint of response.

"Is Oshawott alright? He's just sleeping, right?", Axew asked Dragonite. Dragonite nervously nodded while replying that, "He just had a hard knock... on his head after finishing that 'Dark' creep and must be exhausted."

The others wished that were true but things didn't seem very bright right now. Snivy along with Pikachu, refused to give up on him and did everything they can to help him regain consciousness.

"Come on, wake up! Wake up, Oshawott. Stop messing around, you goofball. Get up now!", Snivy shouted as she shook his body.

"Hey man, get up now. You did great, you stopped Dark. We need you to be okay. Brother?", Pikachu called out to him.

Then, Snivy felt him moving as Oshawott opened his eyes slowly and saw everyone around him. "Snivy, Pikachu, everyone, you are all here?", Oshawott said while showing a tiny smile.

"You had us worried there, man. We know that you may be a bigshot for finishing off Dark but no time to be passing out after saving the world.", Krokodile replied. Everyone was relieved to see Oshawott back but the otter felt so weak and becoming drained.

Snivy noticed Oshawott began breathing heavily and Pikachu tried keeping him awake, calling out brother repeatedly.

"Oshawott, are you alright?", Snivy checked on him but Oshawott hardly could give a reply as he weakly said, "I feel so tired... I don't know why, Snivy, please... Am I going to?"

Snivy immediately cut him off before saying the unthinkable while grabbing his paws tightly, reassuring that he will be okay. "It will be okay, I know you will."

"Snivy, Pikachu and everyone...", Oshawott then lost consciousness which Snivy called out to him again with Pikachu and everyone was worried.

"Oshawott?! Oshawott, come on, don't close your eyes, please just hold on! Just hold on, don't give up on us!" Snivy shouted and began dropping tears.

There was then no time to waste as she asked Krokodile to carry Oshawott and informed everyone to return to their trainers at the Pokemon Center posthaste.

Meanwhile, at the center...

Ash, Iris, Dawn and Cilas were all catching their breaths after holding off the Darkmon attacks. As they were close from being overwhelmed, the Darkmon slowly disappeared instantly into black dust as the skies above them became a clear view of an orange sunset.

"They are slowly vanishing... Does that mean?", Iris confirmed their surroundings. It was clear to say that the long fought battle with the darkmon was over and their pokemon sucessfully eliminated the Darkmon's source of power. Hank, a helpful agent nodded to confirming that Ash's gang and his pokemon partners really outdone themselves by saving the world no less.

"I knew Pikachu and the others could do it! They must be on the way as we speak.", Ash confidently claims. But, Dawn was still worried whether the pokemon were alright, especially Buneary and Scarlet, she prayed for their safe return. They all comforted her to not lose hope, and assured that they will return, now that the Darkmon were no more.

In a distance, cries from pokemon could be heard. They took a closer look and it was Buneary wrapping her baby Scarlet along with Piplup and Quilava, calling to their trainers. At long last, some pokemon reunited with their trainers after venturing in that dark forest for days. Tears were shed and joyous faces can be seen.

"This little Pichu, could it be...", Dawn asked, hoping that it was who she thinks it is. Buneary nodded and she cuddled them gently cheefully. The others were all happy to finally meet their new member into the family.

"Congratulations, Buneary. She is just adorable.", Iris wishes Dawn and Buneary with excitement.

"What a sensational and heartwarming blend of emotions.", Cilan expresses. Hank bent down and gave Buneary a thumbs up as he says, "You did good. No words can express your bravery to save a fellow mate and the world."

Ash now had more confidence that his pokemon friends will be returning soon. Then, more calls could be heard as a larger group was calling out.

"Pikachu, Pignite, Quilava and Scraggy! You all did it and I could not be any more happier to see you all back.", Ash hugged all of them. Pikachu was given the tightest embrace of all, seeing his best partner was alright.

"Hey, Axew, Emolga and Dragonite, you are all safe. Thank goodness!", Iris too gave each of them a hug, after missing them for so long.

"Pansage, my partner. Glad to see you again.", Cilan says as Pansage climbed onto his shoulder.

It was great to see many returning but Ash knew that some still have not return yet.

"I am happy to see you all back but where are the others? Are they still in the forest?" Ash asks and Cilan guessed, "You mean, Oshawott, Snivy and Krokodile, right?" "Pachirisu too.", Dawn added and Hank continued, "Ryder, I hope you are safe too."

Then the pokemon were also reminded about a sad occurence as their faces turned frowned. Ash asks what was with the long faces since that everything will be fine. The pokemon then tried telling the trainers and the Pokemon staff members something but was cut short as a third group was on the way over here.

"There they are!", Dawn pointed out. But, they too them carried a worried look as they saw the condition of who was being carried back unconscious by Krokodile, accompanied with Snivy, Ryder and Pachirisu with a teary look.

They recognized Oshawott, looking pale and weak. Ash immediately ran and checked on the third group and especially the otter pokemon. From everyone's perspective, Oshawott looked so lifeless, with no response and they could only hear weak cries from him.

"Oshawott, buddy. Are you okay? Please say something. Tell us you are okay.", Oshawott could see glimspe of Ash calling him. Oshawott shed a tear as he weakly tried to extend his paw but he dropped his paw before being able to reach.

Wasting no time, everyone rushed to seek emergency in the Pokemon center. Everyone was confused to what was happening to Oshawott and of his fate.

Recalling events ended...

Everyone took a moment to calm down after remembering the events taking place. Oshawott was smiling as he was about say something until Pikachu interupted him.

"Why? Why did you do it, brother? You didn't need to die. It should have been me!", Pikachu asked. Oshawott was speechless for a moment as Pikachu pursued him for an answer.

"This is my fault. I should have sacrificed myself to stop Dark. It should have been me! It should have been me!", Pikachu slammed his paws the ground while crying out regretfully while Buneary and Piplup grabbed hold of him to stop hurting himself.

"No, i-it had to be me...", Oshawott weakly replied. Pikachu immediately stopped and Oshawott continued, "I wanted to atone for my mistakes, the reason you ended up in the Forest of No Light was because of me."

Pikachu reluctantly denied that statement, "No, it wasn't your fault. It was an accident, everyone and I know that." Oshawott shook his head as he admitted that even if everyone else thought so, he himself believed it to be his fault.

Pikachu felt silent and wondered why it had to go down like this. He just cannot shake the awful feeling that his closest friend had to give up his life so that he could live. "No, Oshawott. I could have..."

Oshawott could barely move in his position, he still reached out to the mouse Pokemon and held onto his shoulder firmly. "Pikachu, I chose this because I made a promise to Buneary that I would bring you back safe and sound. And I al-lways keep my promises."

Still even hearing that from Oshawott, Pikachu felt that they could have done things differently.

"Besides, you have your wife and daughter to look after. Brother, I would want you all to be together as a family so that little Scarlet wouldn't have to grow up without a father.", Oshawott explained with a relieved expression.

This was a lot to take in for everyone in the room. Ash could tell that their conversation carried a lot of emotions. Piplup came closer to give Pikachu a pat on the shoulder. "Oshawott, you are very brave and selfless. Proud to have you as a dear friend and brother.", Pikachu and Piplup said.

The sky was already dark with the moon hanging above. They should have been having a party to celebrate the end to Darkmon's reign but it had to turn out like this of grieving over their friend whose time could be up any moment.

Buneary with Scarlet in her arms, thanked Oshawott but refused to give up on him. "Oshawott, thank you for saving Pikachu and protecting Scarlet. But, there is still time to help you. I'm sure you will pull through this, Arceus willing."

"Everyone, thank you so much. But I'm not sure if I could make it through this. But I will try.", Oshawott said weakly.

"So what does that mean?! You would just leave us like that?!", Snivy asked as she carried a serious look after hearing that. The others understood the sudden change in atmosphere, not everyone was ready to accept Oshawott leaving especially Snivy who was her best friend.

"S-snivy, I... I didn't mean that. I don't want to leave you guys either. But...", Oshawott replies. Snivy came forward with an angry look on her face, she could not stand Oshawott giving up on himself even in the face of inevitable passing.

"You are strong, Oshawott. You have done so much and you always had confidence but where did it go now? Why are you fine with this, okay on leaving us?", Snivy questioned her best friend which Oshawott understood the reasons of her intentions.

Oshawott then began crying as he knew how much everyone meant to him and the pain of leaving everyone behind especially Snivy whom he spent most time training and getting along well with. But he knew, he would have regretted if he had not made the sacrifice. Pikachu, Piplup and Buneary also began shedding some tears, just thinking about it.

"Snivy, I'm sorry. I wouldn't want to leave you all either, believe me. But, even I don't know whether I am okay or not or whether I will see the rising sun tomorrow.", Oshawott answered while uncertain of his chances of survival.

The others caught a glismpe of Snivy's tears streaming from her face. They knew she was taking this loss the hardest.

Oshawott then took his scalpchop and passed it over to Snivy. The scalpchop, a part of Oshawott which had carried a bright shine through each battle and tough times. Not every Oshawott would entrust a scalpchop to another pokemon or trainer unless they meant the world to them.

"Snivy, p-please take this. My most treasured part of me, please carry it with you. It would be like taking me wherever you go and I will be there in spirit.", Snivy reluctantly took the scalpchop and grasped it tightly.

Oshawott took a deep breath as he wishes them good luck and that he will never forget and always miss them whenever his time come.

"Thank you everyone, for everything, from the start of our journey, good times and laughs we had and shared. Please take my hand as I pass my will to you all.", Oshawott smiled as he extended his paw.

Pikachu, Piplup, Buneary and Ash touched and held onto his paw gently except for one. Snivy who was still reluctant to accept him passing away, refused to reached his paw. Everyone else insisted that she did the same so that nobody would have any regrets or unfinished sayings.

Oshawott extended his paw to Snivy as he called her to reach for him. "Snivy, p-please take my hand.", as he reached for her but Snivy tried looking away, from the reality of things. But it was too late...

In Oshawott's mind, before everything went hazy, he thought to himself, "I'm sorry everyone. Snivy... I will be h-home, a little late..."

In that instant, Oshawott suddenly dropped his paw and stopped moving as his breathing stopped. That was when the electrocardiogram machine produced a loud flaring sound as the screen showed there was no pulse.

Everyone then shook Oshawott, trying to wake him up and Snivy cried knowing that Oshawott left without reaching for his paw and that she missed wishing him a proper farewell.

"Oshawott!!!", Everyone yelled and burst into tears as the Nurse Joy and the other pokemon came into the room and checked on the situation whether there was still something that they could do to save him. All the other pokemon, their friends also started crying and blamed themselves for being so helpless to save him.

Snivy who collasped on to her knees which a dread look on her face, immediately ran out of the room as Pikachu and Buneary called her to wait and not to leave.

As she ran across the hallways, she had some flashes of images of the times when she and Oshawott had on their adventures, training, having meals and telling stories. She closed her eyes and shook her face, telling herself that it was not true that Oshawott just died.

"Oshawott! Oshawott! Come back!!! Don't leave!!!", Snivy still holding onto his scalpchop, yelled in defiance into the night skies outside the pokemon center. Her cried filled the skies as she called out to her best friend, yearning for him to come back to her for hours into the air.