Author's Blab: Welcome to the shocking, extra-long conclusion of The Master of Ages Saga!!! This one's longer because of the epilogue, so prepare yourself for a long read. In case you're one of those people who don't read in sequence, I won't even attempt to summarize what happened in the last 5 episodes. It's too goddamn much!!! Read them, damn you. But I hope I did a kickass job. Now that I'm done, read on, and when you're finished, I'd appreciate your opinions in the review box at the very bottom of this page. Who knows, if I get enough reviews, it might inspire me to make a sequel. Oh, and a warning about the ending, which might be a little surprising and controversial. Thanx for reading!!!
CHAPTER 21: EYE OF THE STORM
"Good. Red still hasn't arrived."
Near Mt. Silver, our heroes reunited, with the tragic exception of Misty, who was in the hands of the dark entity, Red. Everyone stood before the valley leading to the infamous Silver Cave, filled with terrifyingly powerful and dangerous wild pokemon. It was the perfect natural defense for the stronghold base that stood atop the massive mountain. Ash, Brock, Duplica, Jesse, James, Professor Oak, and Kid, surveyed the area. Kid stood at the edge of a small cliff on one side of the valley. She had led them there, and wanted to talk to everyone and make perfectly clear what was going on.
Ash asked her respectfully, "Kid, whatever you have to say, do so fast! I want to rescue Misty. Even if I do get back to my timeline, it means nothing if I don't save her!"
The wind had blown an ominous wind as Kid turned towards the small band and started talking, "All of you listen and listen well. The enemy we're facing is one of powers far greater than any which you have known. I've battled him once before, and he defeated me without effort. Since then I've grown in power, but I still can't match his magnitude."
Ash interjected, "Kid, who are you?"
"I'm from the same mirror dimension as Red As to who I am...You tell me, Ash."
"Huh?"
"Look into my eyes, Ash. Look at my face. Don't you know who I am?"
He came up to her and looked at her, taking in every detail and glint. She looked back blankly, awaiting Ash's answer. Ignoring her black hair, piece by piece, all the details came into place, her rosy face, her perfect nose, her delicate lips, and most of all, her glimmering azure eyes.
"You...remind me of...M..Misty?"
"Yes. Yes!!! I am the Misty from his dimension."
Every last one of our heroes facefaulted and stared in shock at the recent revelation of Kid's words.
"I gained emotions and feelings just like him. I eventually became tired of saying "TM11 teaches Bubblebeam" all the time, and out of that, I became infused with a soul. Over time, Red became the ultimate champion, and I became his secret love. Love was forbidden in our world, and was kept private, even among our kind. Red came to this world with me, the both of us hoping we could live in freedom, but somehow, his soul became corrupted in the dimensional warp. I don't want him dead, and I don't want you to lose your Misty. We have to find a way to save both of them, Ash, before they wreak havoc on the world!"
Professor Oak interjected, "This is all too much for an old man. But I'm in!"
Brock and Duplica looked at each other and held hands, "We're in this...together. No matter what!"
Jesse, holding back years of selfish pride, yelled, "What're we waiting for?! Let's do it before I have second thoughts!"
James, happy to see a glimmer of the old Jesse back, shouted, "You heard her!!! Let's do this!!!"
Satoshi jumped out of his pokeball and stood before Ash, "Ash, Chronine didn't just bring you here with just the purpose of saving your own existence. Him, being the guardian of time, anticipated the catastrophe of Red's arrival, and picked you out of all of human history to confront him in battle. Only you, with the help of your friends, can stop him. Only you as the Master of Ages can stop him. Lead us with your courage, Ash!"
Ash looked towards the stronghold base, "Well, what're we waiting for!!!"
"PIKA!!!"
Everyone huddled as Ash laid out the plan, "Kid, you're able to sense Red's mind. What's he up to?"
"I've known his plans for a while. He plans on eradicating all life from this world by unleashing the power of the Wind Father and the Water Mother."
"The who?" Ash asked.
Professor Oak quickly answered, "Ancient pokemon gods, responsible for the creation of all pokemonkind. Legend had it, their physical union cleansed the earth of angels and demons alike, making it possible for the first people and pokemon to exist. If Red does what he intends on doing with Misty, he might end humanity and pokemonkind altogether, if the legend holds true..."
Kid chimed in, "Ash, pay attention. This is where it gets complex. Misty is being used as the body for the Water Mother. She has a physical form in this world, but Red doesn't, the same as I. I'm an illusion as well. In order for Red to become the Wind Father and unite in body with Misty, he needs to take a physical form. Red needs to inhabit a young body, one similar to his essence."
Jesse joined in the conversation, "Ash...no. Your younger version is in that base."
Kid chimed,"Exactly! Red's heading this way to possess younger Ash. We have no time to waste!"
"Right, guys!!! We have to divide up into teams. Professor Oak can get direct clearance from Gary inside. Jesse and James can go with him. Brock and Duplica, we'll have to sneak in somehow. Kid, if you have the same powers as Red, then I'll have to ask you a favor. You have to go inside, find and guard my body from Red."
Kid protested, "Ash, no!!! Alone I don't stand a chance against him and his Dark Pikachu!!!"
"Maybe, but you can stall him at least. The more time we have, the better. Right?"
"You're right, Ash. I'll leave now," Kid said as she phased into darkness and headed into the Silver Base.
Everyone looked on as Ash took charge of the situation, "Like I was saying, Jesse, James and Professor Oak can get in through the front since you can get clearance. Once you guys get in, find your way to the time machine and that tank that was holding my younger self and Pikachu prisoner. Get ready to release them and start up the time machine. Make sure to send them back the night I was supposed to start my journey. Got it?"
James said, "We can do that, but how are you guys gonna get in?"
"That's a good question," Duplica shrugged.
Jesse, familiar with the base suggested, "The only way you can sneak in, if I remember correctly, is inside Silver Cave. You can scale up the waterfall leading into the underbelly of the base, where the time machine is at. But it's impossible to get past the wild pokemon!"
Ash looked at the nearby cave, "Hmm, I guess we have no choice. Me, Brock, and Duplica will go through Silver Cave. We'll meet you inside, and if Red and Misty get there before we do, help Kid in fighting him and make sure he doesn't possess my younger body. Enough talk. Let's go!!!"
"Good luck!!!" James said as he ran with Jesse and Professor Oak into their sports car, while Brock called Steelix and motioned Ash and Duplica to get on for the ride. The car screeched its wheels on the pavement and headed for the lab, while Steelix slithered down the valley headed for Silver Cave. Brock made a wise choice, for Steelix was intimidating enough to keep wild pokemon from attacking the party. It kept slithering, going into the dank cave, with nothing visible, except for a stream of light shining from the distant ceiling. It seemed like the opening that Jesse mentioned, but now what?
"Pikachu, light this cave up with your Flash!!!"
"Chu!" the small yellow mouse as it glowed electricity from its cheeks. The horrid cave lit up, and much to their fright, Steelix was surrounded by all sides by menacing wild pokemon. Ursarings, Golducks, Misdreavus, Larvitars, all of extremely high levels. They were attracted to the powerful glimmer of radiation coming from Pikachu's cheeks. Ash, Brock and Duplica shivered and were in absolute fear for their lives.
"Maybe Flash wasn't such a good idea..." Ash said.
"Who's there?!" Gary's voice barked from the gate intercom.
"Don't yell at me, you twink! It's me!"
"Me who?"
"GRRR...Jesse from Team Rocket. I'm here to check on little Ash and his Pikachu!"
"Strange. I didn't get a call from Giovanni..."
James fumed, "We're here on official Team Rocket business. We fund you, so don't you dare question our authority to have a surprise inspection!"
"Hmm...I don't know."
Professor Oak, seeing his grandson acting pompous, added his authority as well, "Gary, it's your grandfather. I'm here with them too."
"Gramps, what're you doing here?"
"You still owe me my prized Poliwag paddle-style golf clubs. It's your fault I didn't compete in the PGA this year, and now I'm reclaiming what's mine. I ran into these two on the way. Now, are you letting us in, or do we have to talk to May?!"
Gary shuddered at the mention of his vindictive sister's name, and quickly opened the electronic gate, "Alright!!! Alright!!! Come in, sheesh!!!"
The three walked into the massive lab. Jesse walked ahead, while James followed quickly after her, but Professor Oak was stopped and reverently greeted by an employee from the pokegenics lab.
"Great to finally meet you, Professor Oak!!! My name's Tracey!!! I don't know if you're aware of this, but I'm dating your granddaughter, May. We just heard you through the intercom. I believe you want to know the progress of her experiments on time travel. She's testing out the machine just as we speak!!! Wanna see!!!"
"Actually, yes...uhh..."
"Great!!! Right this way!!!" Tracey cheered as he pulled Professor Oak towards the elevator.
"Rather enthusiastic young fellow," Oak thought as he was pulled.
Ash and friends shuddered in fright as the numerous monstrous pokemon snarled and advanced slowly towards them. Duplica huddled into Brock, while he held her tightly and snugly, protective of his newfound love. Pausing and thinking for a moment, Ash wanted to avoid confrontation and whispered to Satoshi in the air.
"Satoshi, come out now. I would throw your pokeball, but I don't want to provoke these pokemon."
In a flash of ether, Satoshi materialized out of his pokeball and hovered above all of them. The wild pokemon quickly focused their attention to the floating dog, and quickly changed their faces from ones of anger to to ones of curiosity.
"Satoshi, tell them about our situation. Maybe you can convince them to stay away," Ash said.
"I'll do better than that. Woof. Woooof..Watch...Woof...Dawg."
With those yelps and barks, the wild pokemon reacted violently. Ash and friends shivered even more and held onto Steelix firmly.
Satoshi said, "Don't be afraid. I've convinced them to help us!!!"
"What?"
Much to their surprise, the wild pokemon quickly walked in lockstep to a nearby lake. Steelix followed them and was quickly recalled back. The three heroes were quickly grabbed by Golducks and led to the edge. Surprisingly, the Golducks got in the water and pointed to their back with their webbed feet.
"Get on!" Satoshi barked, "They're taking us up the waterfall leading to the lab."
"ALRIGHT!!!" they yelled simultaneously as each of them grasped onto a Golduck, with Pikachu and Satoshi clasping onto Ash's backpack. In an instant, they sped up the lake and, in an exhilarating flurry of water, scaled the cascading torrent of the waterfall. Saturated, they landed smoothly onto the edge of another small pond. Shaking off the water, they climbed off the Golducks back, while they bid their farewells and ran off into the darkness. Ash opened his eyes and instantly glimpsed above himself.
"We're here, you guys! Brock, call your Steelix again and make a staircase!"
"You got it, Ash."
While Brock ran to the ceiling opening to make a staircase with Steelix, Duplica poked Ash's shoulder.
"Ash, I don't have enough time to talk to you in length, but now that you'll be leaving, I need you to do me a favor. Please..."
"Yeah, anything you want, Duplica," Ash said in a low tone.
Duplica pulled out something from one of her pockets. It was a shiny, rose-colored envelope, with a small heart sticker holding it closed, "Ash...when Satoshi let me see into your mind, I saw the one time I was with you guys. I loved the fact that Ditto learned to fully transform, and that I kept the Imite House in your timeline, but...Brock wasn't in my life, and I swore to myself long ago that I would do whatever it would take to keep him in my life, no matter what. Please, take this with you when you go back to your timeline. Give it to the younger Brock. Tell him I love him. Please."
Ash looked at her sadly, seeing the immense pang of sorrow in her eyes, "Duplica, you're one of the bravest people I know. You helped me, even if it meant jeopardizing your relationship with Brock. I'll always remember you for that, and I'll be sure to send your love to him."
With those words, he took her letter, putting it into his jacket.
"Come on, you guys! What're you waiting for!!!" Brock yelled, already having scaled Steelix.
"Let's go!!!" Ash said, motioning to a happy Duplica, her smile reminding him of his own love.
"Grampa! You're here!" May said, hugging her grandfather, while Jesse stood in front of the time machine, quickly programming the machine, setting the location for Pallet Town, 1 Pallet Drive, and punching in the day when Ash started his pokemon journey, with the time designated for 3AM. The kid was still asleep when Giovanni's grunts took him and brought him here, she thought, and it only be fitting he be put back into the bed from when he was kidnapped. And for Pikachu, they would have to sneak him and his pokeball back to Oak's lab. But how?
Gary quickly took notice of Jesse and yelled, "Hey, what're ya doing?!"
"I'm sending that kid and his Pikachu back to where they belong."
"But Mr. Giovanni said...?!"
"Giovanni's dead kid, and so is his crazy plan to take over human history!" James chimed in.
May stopped hugging her grandpa, "What are you doing? Hey, we were hired to take Ash as a time specimen. We can't send him back! We can't..."
"Is that all that I am to you, May? Just a specimen. I thought I meant more to you than that." Ash said, with his friends joining him, "Kid, you can come out now. We're here!"
She quickly materialized from the darkness, "I was wondering what took you. Come on, we should hurry. I feel Red's presence along with Misty's. They're in the building!"
"I'm done. The wormhole is opening, Ash," Jesse said, "Crack that stasis cell open, grab your younger self and Pikachu and let's get going!"
"Right," Ash said as he ran with Brock and Duplica toward the stasis cell. He was about to command Pikachu to use Stonecutter, until a strange, blue mist came out and struck him nastily, sending him back.
"Hi, lover...long time no see..."
CHAPTER 22: APOCALYPTA
Pikachu, Brock, and Duplica ran worriedly towards Ash, who was picking himself up, keeping an eye on his assailant. The blue mist quickly moved before him, slowly morphing into the mirage of a mystical being. She was perfectly blue, even her face was icy. The girl wore draping, priestess-like dress, suggestive of a water nymph, with an extremely exposed cleavage draped in transparent cloths. Her eyes opened, piercing into Ash's gaze.
"No...Misty!!! It's me, Ash!!!"
Without warning, a black mist quickly formed next to her. Red's familiar form materialized with celerity, and quickly joined the levitating goddess, standing in front of the stasis cell, which held the kidnapped, younger Ash and the younger Pikachu.
"HAHAHAHAAAA!!! She answers not to that name anymore, father. Address her now as the Water Mother, your new queen, and my delicious mate!!!"
"Red, No!!! Stop your madness!!!" Kid called out, catching his attention, "Why are you doing this? You know in your heart of hearts you don't want this!!! I know you lost your title as leader of our world, but destroying another world just to become king and leader of it won't bring your title back."
Red hesitated and stood in fear and talked to Kid, "M..Misty, I...I wish....things would be the way they used to be, but darkness has enveloped my soul. I lost and I can't bear the shame of going back to our world."
Kid answered back, "Red, I loved you, not because of your title, but because you had real love in your heart, for me and our pokemon. Please come back with me...We can share our love on the Cerulean Cape like old times" She teleported to Red, grabbing his hand with pleading eyes. Red looked into her eyes as everyone in the room stood in suspense.
Red, all of a sudden, twitched and said several contradictory things, as if his soul was possessed,"NNOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! Kid save me!!! It's taken over me!!! GRRRRRRR!!!! You'll never get him back, water tramp!!! You'll have to defeat me!!!"
Ash's attention was cut when Satoshi quickly telepathically talked to him, "Red is possessed by darkness. Quick, while he's distracted, command Pikachu to crack the stasis cell open!!!"
"Pikachu, crack the stasis cell with Stonecutter!!!"
"KAAAACCCHUUUUUUUUU!!!!"
Both Misty the Water Mother, Kid, and Red were taken by surprise as Pikachu ripped open the stasis cell. Brock and Duplica quickly ran to grab younger Ash and Pikachu, but the possessed Misty quickly blew them away with a magical, icy gust. Red was still struggling with the darkness in him, and Kid took the opportunity to grab Ash and Pikachu, teleporting them in front of the time machine. Misty the Water Mother, seeing her master twitching in confusion, attempted to get to younger Ash and Pikachu back, but was stopped by older Ash.
"MISTY NO!!!"
"Uhh?! Get outta my way, you disgusting liar!!!"
"Liar?! Don't you remember, Misty?! It's me, Ash!!! You're not a Water Mother!!! Red's using you to take over the world and kill all life on the planet!!! Please snap out of it!!!"
"You're lying!!! Red loves me enough to stay with me!!! You just want to go back to your timeline and forget all about me!!!" possessed Misty cried, her tears forming into droplets of ice as they slid down her face.
"Misty..."
A cautious Brock and Duplica ran to Kid, each grabbing the sleeping younger manifestations of Ash and Pikachu, and running towards the wormhole.
"Come on, you guys. Get in there!!!" Jesse yelled, "Duplica, put little Ash back on his bed and take this pokeball and recall little Pikachu back in it and wait for us. We'll be joining you soon."
Those words the last thing they heard, Brock and Duplica quickly ran into the wormhole, the echos of Red yelling and Ash pleading with the possessed Misty reverberating in their heads as they sped backwards into the darkness of space-time. Briefly disoriented, they found themselves on a carpeted floor, both slowly opening their eyes in the room that they found themselves in. It was a small room, with tons of adorable pokemon dolls and toys. Both of them smiled as they saw they were in the right place. 1 Pallet Drive. Pallet Town, 3AM, on the very morning the day Ash started his journey.
"We're here,"Brock let out gently, careful not to wake the slumbering Ash on his back.
"I hope everyone's okay back in our time," Duplica whispered while grabbing the pokeball Jesse gave her and recalled the sleeping Pikachu, "Brock, put Ash back into his bed! Careful!"
"Umm, which one, Duplica?! There's a bunk bed here!"
"Well, I'm guessing the one that looks like it's been slept in. Use common sense, Brock!"
"Right, Brock said as he climbed up the small stairs and put little Ash on the top bunk, pulling the covers on him, and careful not to shake too much as he climbed down.
"Duplica, what about Pikachu? Isn't he supposed to be picked up by Ash tomorrow?"
Keeping that in mind, Duplica quietly opened the room's window and slipped her sultry body through, gaining Brock's attention, "Duplica, where're you going?"
"I remember where Oak's lab is. I can sneak in and put Pikachu where he belongs."
"But how would you know where to put him?! That place is huge!"
"I'll figure it out. I'll be back," Duplica whispered as she kissed him and scaled down Ash's house and ran off into the dark roads of Pallet, with Pikachu's pokeball in hand, running in the direction of Oak's lab.
"Good luck," Brock whispered, seeing her off into the night.
"Gary, May, whatever you've done under Giovanni's employ has wreaked havoc in the history of the world!!! I thought you were raised better than that!!! I demand as your grandfather for the both of you to destroy the research you've done on time travel. And Tracey, if you want to get on my good side, you help them or else!!!"
May protested, "But Grampa!!!"
"DO IT!!!" Professor Oak roared.
With thundering words of authority, the elder Oak intimidated all of them into rushing into their archives, and the three of them quickly ransacked their files and threw them into a nearby shredder. Oak hid behind a corner, watching the faceoff between Ash, Misty, Red, and Kid. Jesse and James readied themselves in case they were about to be attacked. Suddenly the two of them were knocked down by a strange force. The mysterious creature pounced in front of them, in full view of the ex-Rocket execs. Pikachu quickly took notice and sped its way to their protection, seeing Ash was still busy pleading with the possessed Misty.
"MEOWTH?!"
The salivating, Persian stood in front of his old friends now turned enemies. Gazing upon them with the most dreadful glare, Persian got back on it hind legs and spoke, "If it were only so simple to turn back the clock of time and relive the past, James. And Jesse, why try to redeem yourself now? Your heart is hopeless. And as for you, Pikachu, prepare to breathe your final breath. Taste your last drops of life, rat. HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!"
Ash and Kid turned their eyes toward the maniacal laugther coming from Persian-Meowth. Red and Misty were strangely comforted by the evil bellow and regained their evil essences. Oak stood back in horror as Persian-Meowth started glowing brightly. Its form started changing, and slowly it morphed in front of their eyes. Misty and Red made an evil smile as they welcomed their new ally.
"SIAM!!! Si...Siam...." roared what used to be Persian-Meowth. Everyone stared in utter disbelief, while the brand new evolution stood before them, "Heheheheeh...hahahahaha!!!"
Red snarled in arrogance, "Well now, I guess our imminent battle has just gotten interesting. Hah!" With those words, Red and Misty phased into shadows and sped into the swirling wormhole, with Siam following.
"PIKACHU, FOLLOW THEM!!! DON'T LET HIM GET TO MY BODY!!!" Ash yelled as he and Kid jumped in chase into the wormhole.
"Jesse, do something!!! You can't let that thing get to little Ash!" James said, barely standing on his feet.
"I got it! James, push those two yellow buttons on the left quickly!!!" Jesse said, still on the ground.
James desperately took a few weak steps and before collapsing hard on the floor, pressed the buttons.
"What did I just do, Jess?!"
"Finally, I see the end of this wormhole, and my new body!!!" Red boasted as he sped toward the end of the wormhole, seeing an enlarged image of Ash's room in Pallet. Younger Ash slumbered away peaceably in his bed, dreaming of which pokemon he was going to choose tomorrow, completely unaware of the monumental danger that was coming toward him. But he was quite safe. Little did Red know he was in for a surprise. Red's gaseous essence slammed hard against the end of the wormhole, unable to cross into the Ash's bedroom.
"GRRRR!!! WHAT'S THIS??!!" Red growled as he pounded incessantly against the transparent wormhole exit. Misty the Water Mother quickly stopped in front of her master, "What's wrong, my lord?!"
"WE CAN'T GO THROUGH!!! GRRRR!!!!!"
"You froze the slipstream in wormhole, James. It's a failsafe device May installed to study particle movement. Nothing can get in or out. But now it's up to Ash and his friends to defeat those weirdos...and all we can do is watch on the monitor."
"And cheer them on. This'll be fun!" James smiled, his old silly persona coming through again.
"RIGHT!!!" Jesse smiled, remembering how much she enjoyed James playfulness.
They grabbed a nearby monitor used to check in on wormhole activity, seeing Ash and friends finally arriving at the end of the wormhole, with Red, Misty, and Siam attempting to break through. Professor Oak quickly ran to the two and kneeled down, curious as to what they were looking at so intently.
"Come on, Ash! Show 'em whatcha got!!!" Jesse and James cheered, while Oak gave them a weird look.
"You two certainly are cheerful under such dire circumstances..." Oak said with a big sweatdrop.
"That's our job!" Jesse and James said simultaneously with glee.
"Hey!!! Stay away from my body!!!" Ash yelled as he raced across the twilight environment of the slipstream. Strange dark colors swirled around them, as Ash, Kid, and Pikachu approached Red, Misty, and Siam, slowly turning their wicked gazes at them.
"Water Mother!!! Whoever or whatever you are, let Misty's body go!!! I love her and I want her back!!!"
"Red, if you want a fight, I'll give you a fight!!! Love or no love!!!"
"Pi-pika pika kapi chu kapi!!! (Stay away from my master, or you'll have to answer to me!!!)"
Their three adversaries levitated toward them, finally landing directly in front of them.
"You'll pay for breaking my heart, Ash. Your crimes against the younger and older Misty will not go unpunished. I am the Water Mother, redeemer of all who have been scorned. Prepare to battle!!!"
"I've beaten you before back in our dimension, and have controlled your heart, even making you shirk your gym duties for what you believed was our love. Now, taste my steel, water wench!!! Call out your pokemon!!!"
"Little rat...how you cling to your pathetic trainer. I pity you. But no matter. Prepare yourself now, rat, as I shall teach you the true pain of friendship!!! Your little flesh shall adorn my newly evolved claws!!! ROAR!!!"
The heavy winds of the slipstream blew across them all, each pondering their next move. Ash grabbed Satoshi's pokeball and threw it onto the dark floor, unleashing the small Watchdawg before him. They linked minds and quickly assessed their situation.
"Satoshi, Misty's possessed by the Water Mother, and wants to fight me, and I though it best to call you! How do we save her?"
"I don't know how to break this to you, Ash, but she's right about your crimes."
"Huh?"
"Think about it. All the time you spent with the younger Misty, all the fighting, all the name-calling, all the secrecy. Have you ever stopped to think about what it all meant? You may be a grown-up now, but you're still thinking like a kid. Think deep and hard, Ash. Understand what she means...and then you hold the key to saving her."
"Go Jynx!!!" Kid said as she threw her pokeball, "Red, no matter what, you'll alway be the little boy I knew who defeated me so long ago. The one I fell in love with when I grew up. Whoever you are that stole his heart, face me now!!!
Red calmed down like a child, "No!!! We can't go back to the way things were. WE CAN'T!!!"
Pikachu, charged his electric sacs, as he and Siam, formerly known as Persian-Meowth, circled like dueling fencers, staring each other down, their minds sharper than freshly cut razor blades. Ash and Watchdawg stood before Misty, who was gathering strong energies in her hands, summoning a fierce attack ready to be unleashed. And Red held out his hand, and little by little, two long ears started morphing out of his arms. It morphed slowly, until the mass jumped out before him and opened its glowing red eyes.
"Chu..." it said.
Kid trembled in fear as she uttered the monster's fearsome name, "Dark Pikachu...No..."
"HAHAHAHAHAHHAHHHHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!"
CHAPTER 23: BATTLE OF TIME
The slipstream howled its haunting winds as our heroes faced off against their dark adversaries.
Without warning, Misty shot out a powerful, chilling breeze of ice, "Powder Snow!!!"
Ash was taken totally by surprise, but Satoshi quickly formed his Aura defense, blocking her powerful ice magic, "Huh?!!! How did she do that?!!!...!!!!"
Satoshi quickly answered, "Ash be careful! The Water Mother doesn't need pokemon to battle. She is what blessed pokemon with their magical abilities. She knows all forms of water and ice attacks and can summon them at will!!!"
"Then we have to fight her!!! Satoshi, use Howl Attack!!! But please try not to hurt Misty!!!"
"HOOWWWLLLL!!!"
Red, gloating at seeing Ash heartbroken in his fight against the Water Mother, focused his attention towards the Misty from his dimension, and called his attack, "Dark Pikachu, cripple her Jynx with Body Slam!!!"
Kid reacted, "Jynx, use Ice Shield!!!"
Dark Pikachu darted and used its Body Slam, surprisingly cracking through the Ice Shield, ramming hard into Kid's Jynx, sending it reeling back in pain, "Jynx, quickly before its too late, Ice Punch!!!"
Jynx thrust her fist into an icy ball and rocked a slowed Dark Pikachu on the chin, knocking it on a critical spot, flying into the air and falling in front of Red, though surprisingly Dark Pikachu got up and prepared for another attack.
"Impressive, Misty. You've gotten better than the last time we fought in our video game world. But your efforts are futile to say the least. Pikachu, summon your Dark Energy. Recover!!!" Causing shock and chill in Kid's heart, Pikachu regained whatever HP it lost and struck back into its fighting pose.
Kid gasped while Red kept laughing, "Whatsamatter, Misty? Shocked?! Not by a longshot! HAHAAHAAA!!!!"
Siam unleashed a stringy ball from its mouth, shooting it at Pikachu, "Hairball Attack!!!" The shining ball headed toward Pikachu, while Pikachu summoned its Agility and easily dodged the explosive ball. But with unprecedented speed, Siam quickly appeared next to a surprised Pikachu and rammed his knee hard into Pikachu's gut, sending it flying back in piercing pain. Pikachu landed on its little feet, as a little blood trickled from its mouth. In its mind and heart, he wanted the command of his trainer, but he saw he was busy trying to save Misty from the twisted wiles of the Water Mother.
"Aww, the little rat yearns for his master! Soon you'll be dead, with your master at your side!!!"
Pikachu, seething with fiery rage, turned back his gaze to Siam, boiling with anger, the courage building up in his little soul. He couldn't take the threat on his master's life lightly. Taking Siam, completely by surprise, Pikachu vanished into thin air, moving close to the speed of sound. The surprised Siam was quickly torn on the chin by Pikachu, who had used its miniscule body like a hard fist, Body Slamming straight into Siam's jaw, cracking a bit of the jawbone, sending Siam flying on its back. It quickly jumped back on its feet, licking the blood from it lips and feeling the giant pain from its cracked jaw.
"GRRRRR!!!! WHY YOU WORTHLESS RAT!!! I'LL GRIND YOUR BONES!!!!"
"PIKAPI-CHU-CHU-KAPI-KAPI-CHUCHU-PI!!! (THE MORE YOU THREATEN MY MASTER, THE MORE BONES I CRACK!!!)
The Water Mother, still holding Misty's body hostage, was blocking Satoshi's Howl Attack with Acid Armor. A thin veil of poisonous liquid held back the sound waves Satoshi was unleashing. This gave Ash time to think about what Satoshi meant about his crimes and how they might hold the key to victory and bring Misty back. The memory of when he first met Misty came back into his mind. It flooded into his mind like no other. In an instant, he remembered his wet face when he was fished out of the water by Misty, their first fight in the pokemon center, and their quibbles over her bike. It snapped into his mind like a lightbulb.
"The bike!!! That's it!!! Satoshi, can you link my mind with Misty's?"
"Wooof!!!"
"Huh? AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
In a flash, the Water Mother shrieked in pain as Satoshi used its mystic abilities to cram Ash's astral projection into Misty's brain, already inhabited by the Water Mother. Ash's body fell to the ground along with Misty's, while Kid and Pikachu noticed, but were reassured by the Satoshi, "They're okay, you two!!! Focus on your battles!!!"
Kid's Jynx was too exhausted, sweating profusely while Red's Dark Pikachu still brimmed with powerful electric and dark energies, readying itself for its final attack, "Pikachu, use our specialty finishing move, nice and sweet. Soul Bolt!!!" The smoky evil-looking Pikachu instantly shot a gigantic, bright, purplish bolt, smashing loud into Jynx, fainting it instantaneously, while Kid recalled it and snatched another pokeball from her waist.
"Go, Quagsire!!!"
Her pokemon materialized before her, and her pick couldn't been any better. Quagsire was both a water and ground pokemon, immune to electric attacks. She had in her hands a powerful pokemon, strong on attack and defense, and an even match against Red's Dark Pikachu.
"Impressive, Misty. You've grown in power since we last frolicked on Cerulean Cape in our dimension. Yet you're more suited to your romantic daydreams than for pokemon battles!!! Hah!!!"
"No matter how much you insult me, I know in my heart the real Red would never say such things. He loved me, and respected me as a powerful trainer. Whoever you are, I'll release Red from your grasp, even if it means my death!!! Quagsire, Slam Attack!!!"
"Pikachu, show this girl how dead her love is. Black Fist attack!!!"
Quagsire attempted to use its tail to Slam Dark Pikachu, but it proved too fast for it, and rammed his little clenched paw in its Black Fist attack. Though Quagsire was hit, its defenses were rather high, and quickly retaliated with it Slam, knocking Dark Pikachu away while it recovered from the attack. Dark Pikachu fell back and readied itself for another command from his wicked master.
Siam unleashed one of its most powerful attacks, Fury Slasher. Unsheathing its razor-thin claws, it quickly ripped away and launched at Pikachu. The little mouse, reminded of its previous battle with Persian-Meowth devised a plan, taking a cue from his master, already a proven tactician. It dodged Siam's attack continuously, but near the very end, let one of Siam's claw tear a cut on its shoulder. Pikachu made a fake wince in pain, and slowed down in anticipation of Siam's next attack. Like Pikachu predicted, Siam tackled him furiously and knocked him down. Bracing himself, Pikachu played possum, anticipating Siam's next move.
The monstrous cat pokemon grabbed Pikachu with its mouth, ready to mangle the seemingly limp Pikachu as it had done before in their last fight. Murmuring with the mouse in its mouth in arrogance and conceit, Siam purred, "Any last words, rat!!!"
"Pika...(Fry....)"
"KAAAAACHHHHHHHHHHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
His pride became his downfall, for Siam held death in his mouth, for Pikachu summoned and unleashed the very attack Satoshi had taught him the night they arrived in this alternate future, Electrolysis. The streams of electricity coarsed through Siam's cells, ripping through every atom possible. Time stood still for Pikachu as Siam's jaw unhinged slowly, releasing him from Siam's fangs. The little mouse fell on its feet tired and stood back, looking at the petrified Siam. One leg finally crumpled, then the next, and in a loud thud, Siam fell face flat on the ground, bleeding immensely from its nose and mouth.
Pikachu stepped forward tired, facing what used to be Meowth, "Pika-chu pi (I'm sorry, Meowth.)"
"Why...why do you apologize for victory, rat...?" Siam purred, inching ever closer to death.
"Kapi-cha-pika-cha-pi (You're dying. I never killed before.)" Pikachu said, holding back tears.
"Don't apologize. You fought well...and one of us had to die. I was once in the company of friends who loved me...but I took them for granted...and look at how I turned out. I... know of your time displacement. I was a part of it with Jesse. Promise me....Pi...Pikachu...promise me you'll keep us from becoming...what we.. became...in this...world."
With those words, Meowth reached out his paw, sheathing back its claws. Pikachu reached for it grasping on a toe. With his hand, he felt Meowth's pulse die down slowly, until he felt nothing. He held Meowth's paw firmly, remembering the Meowth he used to know, wetting his paw with his tears...alone.
"I'm back!" Duplica said, fumbling back into the window, "It was easy to put Pikachu back. The lab's pokeball handler was easy to find."
"I can't even put my hand through, Duplica!!!" Brock said, punching his gloved fist on the surface of the wormhole, "While you were gone, the wormhole froze somehow. How are we gonna get back???!!!"
"Be quiet. Don't raise your voice like that!" Duplica whispered while pointing her index finger in Ash's direction. The little kid was squirming in his bed, and startled them when he started talking in his sleep, "Raising...Bulbasaur...That'd be really...simple...It's perfect...for beginners..." Brock and Duplica sweatdropped and kept in absolute silence while little Ash continued babbling in his sleep.
"Is this supposed to happen?!" Brock whispered to Duplica.
"Shhhhh!!!"
Little Ash nudged his head against the shelf above his head, causing his pokeball-shaped alarm clock to slip into his hand. He sat up in his sleep, "Choose it or lose it!...ahh..." The little alarm clock fell down on the floor, breaking on impact.
"Umm, is this supposed to happen, Brock? Won't he be late for his pokemon journey if his alarm broke?"
"Aw, man. Now what?!"
"Huh?"Ash's consciousness awoke, inside Misty's mind. Strangely enough, he noticed he was in his old clothes and had reverted back to his old age, except his league cap was still missing. Everything seemed hazy and heavily foggy. He got up on his feet and started walking, intruding upon a path in what seemed like a heavy forest leading somewhere. Pushing his way past a thick brush, he found himself in front of what seemed like a river, covered in mist. But there was something more. His attention was quickly drawn by someone fishing closeby.
"It can't be....Misty?"
He couldn't have been mistaken, for her redhead and skimpy clothing gave her away, even if her back was facing toward him. Yet the vision seemed strange, for her old red bike was there, and she was patiently awaiting a bite. It dawned on Ash what he was seeing. This was how it was before he came into her life. He quickly raced to her and called her name.
"Misty!"
"Huh? Who are you? Whaddya want? Can't you see I'm fishing?"
"It's me, Ash! Don't you recognize me!"
"I'm afraid I don't. Please leave and quit bothering me."
Ash, wondering what to do next, grabbed Misty's bike, catching her attention.
"Hey, what're you doing? Hey, that's my bike!!!"
Mustering all the strength in his arms, he rolled the bike into the river, intensely angering Misty.
"WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR, YOU SLIMY LITTLE WORM???!!!" Misty said, quickly pouncing on Ash and pounding on his small frame with her fists. Ash took every hit he could take, until Misty finally drew some blood from Ash's nose and lip. A frightened Misty took notice of what she had done and withdrew herself, falling back gasping in horror of her own violence. Ash sat upright, brushing away some of the blood from his busted lip and nose. Misty quickly crept close to him, looking with concern, shedding small tears as she gently spoke.
"Are you okay...I'm...I'm sorry...I got so angry...I don't know what came over me."
"Don't cry. I'm sorry. It was my fault for destroying your bike. I...I just wanted your attention."
"Why? Why did you want my attention?" Misty said, grabbing Ash's hand, covered with blood.
"Cause...cause I...I love you."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Ash and Misty streamed back into consciousness. Misty held her mind while she convulsed, using the power of Ash's loving words to thrust the Water Mother out of her heart. The Water Mother goddess lost her grip on Misty's body, and came out finally, being driven out like the misguided deity that she was.
Misty lifted herself and called the only word in her heart, "Ash?"
"Misty?!" Ash called back, his heart jumping in the highest joy. They ran to each other and hugged for what seemed like minutes, even if it was really only a few seconds, crying in each others arms. Pikachu lifted his reddened eyes in Ash's direction, seeing he was with Misty.
"Cha!!! (Misty!!!)" Pikachu shouted as he ran towards his master, jumping into his arms and crying along with them as well.
"Guys, I'm glad you're safe, but we don't have much time!!! Misty, here's your pokeballs. We have to help Kid!!!"
"Kid?! The girl Rocket Kid?!" Misty shouted in surprise.
"Yes, she's on our side! Long story, come on!" Ash said, grabbing her hand and pulling her to the action, while Pikachu followed them.
Kid's Quagsire was at a loss. It was tired out, but fortunately, Red's Dark Pikachu was out of power points for its fearsome Dark Energy recover move, having used it several times against Quagsire. Red, ever the impatient adversary, called Dark Pikachu's Black Fist once again. The shadowy mouse phased in front of Quagsire, delivering a haymaker of a hit, making it twirl around before fainting on the ground. She recalled Quagsire, seeing her last hope against Red dashed to infinitesimal bits.
"You lose, Misty..." Red sneered in a low tone, taking small steps toward her, with Dark Pikachu following close to him, "Prepare to pay the ultimate penalty for challenging the Leader!!!"
"HOLD IT!!!" Ash yelled, standing with his arms crossed, with Misty standing next to him, and Pikachu on his back, awaiting his master's orders, "RED, YOU'VE LOST!!! THE WATER MOTHER'S GONE, AND IF YOU WANT KID, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO GO THROUGH US!!!"
"THAT'S RIGHT!!!" Misty yelled.
"PIKA!!! (BRING IT ON!!!)"
CHAPTER 24: MASTER'S AWAKENING
Moaning and wincing in pain, Kid was pulled away by Misty, as Ash, Pikachu and Satoshi faced off against Red and his Dark Pikachu. They stood before each other, plotting their next move. The slipstream winds blew through Ash's wild strands, while Red turned his league cap around, much like Ash did when he was younger before he would unleash his warriors, his pokemon.
"GO, MY DARK PIKACHU!!!"
"PIKACHU, I CHOOSE YOU!!!"
Misty and Kid looked on while Ash's Pikachu stood in place awaiting Red's first move.
Red shouted, "Pikachu, use Black Fist!!!"
"Get ready, Pikachu," Ash spoke to his yellow friend, "On my call..."
Dark Pikachu rapidly appeared in front of Pikachu, summoning the full brunt of his Black Fist. Pikachu, instinctively dodged it.
"Agility and Electric Tail!!!"
Pikachu cranked up his agility and swiftly caught Dark Pikachu off guard, whipping his Electric Tail full strength on his opponent's back, swatting him on the ground. But, with the force of a monster, Dark Pikachu quickly recovered and uppercutted Pikachu, sending it flying through the air, yet Pikachu gracefully landed on his feet, though racking with pain, but awaiting Ash's next command.
"Pikachu, Reflect!!! Shield yourself!!!" Ash yelled, while whispering to Satoshi, "Satoshi, how can we save Red? What is it that's making him so evil?"
"Wooof. The Dark Pikachu! It is the source of Red's evil!!! You have to defeat it!!!"
"Right!!! Pikachu, Thundershock!!!"
His little sacs pulsed with lightning, unleashing a small bolt in Dark Pikachu's direction. It easily absorbed the small bolt, giggling sinisterly and it starting summoning an immense concentration of dark energies.
Satoshi barked frantically, "Ash, Dark Pikachu's preparing for its ultimate attack!!! Quickly, call Pikachu back or it will certainly die!!!"
"No, Satoshi!!! It's now or never. Pikachu, on my call!!!" Ash said, awaiting Red's command and whispering to Satoshi yet again, "Satoshi, whatever Dark Pikachu's about to throw, ready your Aura shield"
"Woooof. Got it!!!"
Red snickering, "Prepare to die, every last one of you!!! PIKACHU, DARK THUNDER!!!"
Almost simultaneously, Ash, with all the courage in his soul, called out, "PIKACHU, FLASH!!!"
Timing it perfectly, Ash's Pikachu flashed its cheeks brightly in Dark Pikachu's eyes, severely stinging its eyes with the whitening gleam. Dark Pikachu was blinded, completely unable to aim its deadly megabolt, and crying in the pain of its overloaded electric sacs.
"PIKACHU, QUICK ATTACK NOW!!!"
Using its alarming speed, the rodent warrior slammed hard against Dark Pikachu, making him face his master, who quickly changed from a face of conceited glee, to that of pure, astronomical terror. The tables were turned and there was no turning back.
"NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!"
From the impact of Pikachu's Quick Attack, Dark Pikachu unleashed the overflowing dark energies in Red's direction. Kid watched in fright as she saw her love, Red, shocked and electrocuted by his own evil pokemon's ultimate attack.
"GGGRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!"
"RED, NO!!!"Kid yelled, running away from Misty, towards Red, finally sliding next to him, holding up his limp body.
"CHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Dark Pikachu, yelled, quickly losing its link with the one it had possessed. Little by little, the small dark mouse morphed into a strong gas. Misty and Pikachu ran to Ash, while the creature convulsed. With an otherworldly roar, the monster glowed into a fiery explosion, blinding everyone as they all hit the dirt, huddling together. The explosion quickly dissipated, as our heroes slowly opened their eyes. All that stood before them was a small, glimmering purple ball.
"What's that?" Misty asked.
"I don't know..."Ash whispered.
"Pika? (Huh?)"
Satoshi floated swiftly toward the little ball, "It's the dark essence that controlled Red. It's been condensed into this ball. Don't be afraid. Come Ash, Misty, Pikachu and look at this.
Kid held Red in her arms, crying intensely, oblivious to her comrades.
"Grab the ball, Ash. Do not be afraid. You've earned it. With your heart, bring back those who have fallen." Satoshi said to his master.
He slowly clutched the ball, giving him an odd, tingling sensation as he touched. Kid continued crying, until she noticed the body in her arms starting to squirm slightly. She took notice, her hopes soaring like doves as Red's colorless form regained the life and love it once had.
"M...Mmm...hi...Misty..."
"Red, you're alive!!!"
"Of...course I am...Where are we?! What happened?!"
"Long story, Red, I'm...I'm just happy to see you again. I love you, Red."
"Same here, Mist. I love you too."
Our three heroes looked on, seeing Red kissing who they knew as Kid, passionately on the lips.
"Ash, why...why did he just call her "Misty"?" Misty asked.
"Remember when you said you liked me no matter what timeline I was in?"
"Yeah...?!"
"Well, you didn't know how right you were."
"They did it!!! They defeated them!!!" Professor Oak cheered, but cheered alone. Jesse and James were not without sorrow, for Meowth had perished in his fight against Pikachu. They tried to understand and accept the downfall of their old friend, and knew Pikachu had no choice. But they reassured themselves that when Ash returns to his timeline, fate would reunite them with the old Meowth, the Meowth they loved so much yet lost so long ago.
"Jess, stop crying and release the slipstream freeze so Brock and Duplica can make it back. I feel your pain too, but we'll see the old Meowth again, when we return Ash to his timeline. He'll prevent us from ever becoming what we became, and I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Right! Wait!!! Look!!!" Jesse said, looking at the slipstream monitor.
Pikachu tugged at Ash's leg, "Pikapi pika!!! (Ash, look!!!)
Ash looked at what Pikachu had pointed its little claw at. The dead body of Siam was glowing, and shining. The strange dark ball Ash held in his hands, its powers reflected the heart of the trainer, and Ash's goodness was so overpowering, even life itself was returning to all who had lost it. After the glow subsided, all that was left was the small form of a Meowth, the old Meowth they once knew. Its twisted evolution was gone.
"Pikacha!!! (Meowth's back!!!)"
"Our old Meowth's returned!!! Come on Jess, let's go meet him!!!" James cheered.
Smiling with magnificent joy, Jesse unfroze the slipstream and ran in, James following, while Professor Oak stayed back, seeing the loving reunions occuring on the monitor.
"Meowth!!! Meowth!!! It's us!!!"
"Huh? Jesse?! James?! What happened?!" Meowth spoke, a little woozy from the magic of the dark ball.
"Oh, don't ask any questions, and promise us you'll never evolve again!!!"
"Uhh, okay?!" little Meowth said, happy in the arms of his old partners in crime.
Back in Ash's room in Pallet, Brock kept punching the surface of the wormhole, until he fell in, "WHOA!!!" Duplica followed him and quickly took notice of all her friends in the slipstream.
"Guys, what happened?!"Duplica asked
"The ultimate battle, guys. You missed it." Ash smiled.
"Yeah, but the good guys one as you can see," Misty laughed, holding onto Ash's arm.
"Is everything back in place?" Ash asked Duplica.
"Yup, you're back in bed and Pikachu back in Oak's lab, but your alarm broke, and Brock was trying to fix it but wasn't able too"
"Don't worry, Duplica. That's supposed to happen." Ash reassured her.
"Well that's a relief. I was about leave a wakeup call on your answering machine!" Brock laughed.
Everyone laughed in victory and started making their way out of the slipstream, but not before taking a look at the transparent end of the wormhole. Ash slumbered away in the peace of the night, wondering which pokemon he was going to pick for his pokemon journey. Little did he know his journey would mean all the difference in the world, to a small Pikachu, to a band of rogue pokemon thieves, to a girl-crazy romantic of a gym leader, and most of all, to the heart of a lost, redheaded girl.
Back in Chronine's dimension, all the Watchdawgs rejoiced in seeing all had gone well in Ash's mission. Howls echoed throughout the hallways of the Crossroads of Time, as Chronine looked upon his mystical hourglass, seeing him and his friends rejoicing in the good of their hearts.
"Ash is truly a hero. He's restored the history of the world back to normal and defeated the dark evils that threatened us all. Let it be told, one day he shall be known as The Master of Ages, the ultimate pokemon master. Every trainer shall revere him and follow his loving and courageous example for aeons to come. But now it is time to close this chapter of history. Now it is time for the Master to come home..."
The ground shook. The entire world was shaking. Ash and Pikachu were returned back to the night before they started their journey together, and the timeline was forcing itself back to normal.
"Satoshi, what's going on?!" Ash asked while everyone gasped in terror, bracing themselves in the lab.
"Time and history are changing back. This reality is about to cease to exist. Quickly Ash and Pikachu. Say your goodbyes and send your love, for we have to leave soon." With those words, the little Watchdawg gathered all his energy, and summoned a wormhole leading back home, to his timeline. Darkness enveloped the air, while everyone stood shaking with faces of sadness, seeing their newfound friend and his Pikachu about to leave.
"Promise us, Ash! Promise us you'll protect us from our darker tendencies! Defeat us in battle every chance you get!" James shouted with a smile.
"Don't forget us, Ash!!! Do so and you better get ready to prepare for trouble!!!" Jesse grinned.
"Pikachu, remember what I told you. You'll be my friend, no matter what I do!!!" Meowth yelled.
Ash nodded his head and reassured them with his tears as the execs of Team Rocket disappeared into the darkness, as the changing timeline was slowly erasing our heroes from existence one by one. Brock and Duplica came up to Ash and hugged him.
"Ash, even if we've known you for only a short time, you've become the best friend we've ever had. Promise us you'll help make our lives as happy in your timeline as you have in ours," Brock spoke.
"And please Ash, keep the promise you made me,"Duplica said as she waved. Leaving those words, Brock and Duplica phased into the darkness, holding hands before they were swallowed by the nonexistence.
Misty stood next to Ash as the others quickly phased into the darkness. Ash saw Professor Oak, his old rival Gary, his first crush May, and his brief traveling partner Tracey vanish into the darkness as well. He wanted to say goodbye as well, but he knew in his heart he would see them again, even May.
Red and Kid ran up to Ash and Misty, thanking them for their exploits.
"Thank you, Ash. You've taught me how love can even overpower failure. But remember, you are my father. Never forget that. I'm only a video game character. Guard the essence you hold in your hand, for it wields powers so strong, they corrupted my weak soul. Only someone of your heart can hold it."
"Thank you...for everything," Kid said, holding Red up as they phased back into the darkness.
"Goodbye, Ash..." was all he heard as they disappeared into the darkness of nonexistence. All that was left was Misty, still standing next to him.. Drawing upon all his courage, he grabbed Pikachu, who quickly ran to his shoulder and pounced into his backpack. The gusts of the changing timeline were coming ever closer, and Ash and Misty were alone, and didn't want to say goodbye.
"Ash..." Misty whispered, holding back her tears, "...did you really mean what you said when you were in my mind?"
Ash said blushingly with sadness,"...Every...every word of it..."
"Ash...before you go, I want you to know...you've...made me the happiest girl in the world. When you go back to me, the younger me, promise me...promise you'll make her as happy as you made me. Love her like you loved me...."
Misty quickly grabbed three pokeballs and gave them to Ash, "Give these to her and promise me you'll help her become her best, too." Misty said, breaking down into tears, "I don't wanna go..."
"Don't cry! Please, don't cry..." Ash said, hugging her tightly, "It's hard enough saying goodbye. I don't know when I'll ever see you again..."
"You'll see me again in 5 years...Wait for me. I'll be waiting for you."
"I love you, Misty!"
"I love you, Ash!"
Those words echoing, they quickly embraced and pressed lips together in their most heartfelt kiss, one that would echo in Ash's heart for the rest of his life. Their hearts beat as one, pounding intensely in their souls. Releasing their kiss, their faces touched, while their tears mixed together. As she disappeared, she gazed into Ash' saddened eyes, slowly fazing into darkness, as Ash and Pikachu were slowly being pulled back through time, hearing a faint voice as they slipped into the darkness of time.
"Don't forget...me..."
EPILOGUE: THE FAREWELL
His body had dwindled. Whatever maturity he gained, he had lost. Slowly, his body was reverting back, the effects of the sands of time taking a toll on his and Pikachu's bodies. He fell into a deep sleep along with Pikachu. Blackness swirled in their mind, dreaming of the events that unfolded in their recent adventures.
"Don't forget...me"
"Don't...forget...me...."
"I'll be waiting for you...."
"Waaah!"
"Ash, are you okay?!"
His eyes opened, and slowly came back into focus. It was night, a small fire roared next to him, flickering away, reflecting off the face of the person in front of him. Gently, she came into focus. First came her sea-green eyes, then her milky-pink skin, and then came her hair, wrapped up in the old pigtail he had missed for so long, and finally, her Togepi in her arms. She was tending to him, wetting a moist cloth over his fevered head.
"Mmm...Misty?"
"You seem surprised..."
"What happened?"
"Don't you remember? You got knocked out by that explosion in that pokemon battle you had with that Super Nerd. But...we were wondering how you got into those strange clothes?"
"Huh?" Ash murmered, looking down at his attire. What he thought may've been a dream came back to haunt him, for he was still in the same clothes Satoshi gave him on his last adventure. They fit loosely over him, for he had shrunken back to the body of a 12-year old.
He gasped, "Where's Pikachu? And Satoshi?"
Misty answered"Pikachu's sleeping over there, but...who's Satoshi? You're scaring me, Ash"
"He must've returned me to the moment I left..."Ash whispered, "Where's Brock?"
"Did I hear my name?" Brock said, coming back from the other side of the fire, "Great to have you back, Ash. Dinner's ready!"
Ash. overjoyed to see the two, bowed his head and started breaking down into tears. Misty crept closer, putting one of her hands on his shoulder, while Brock ran close, kneeling down next to him with the concern of a brother.
Misty spoke, "Ash, what's wrong?"
"Yeah, Ash. We're your best friends. Tell us." Brock said, looking down.
"A lot. It'll take all night to explain, and you probably won't believe me."
"We trust you, Ash. Whatever you tell us, we'll take it to heart." Brock said.
"Please, Ash. We're here for you, no matter what." Misty gently spoke.
The night was long, and Ash grabbed Pikachu and cradled him into his arms. The fire lit his gentle face as he told the most amazing story to his longtime friends, Misty and Brock. Their faces stood in disbelief as Ash unfolded the heavy, emotionally charged details of his exploits in the alternate future. They ate, though their appetites were squelched by the tale of the terrifying journey he had just undertaken. The hours passed fleetingly, for they couldn't believe what they just heard, but found themselves wanting to believe him, for he was their friend, and the last thing Ash would do is lie to them. Pikachu awoke, seeing the faces of Misty and Brock, quickly darting away from Ash and jumping into Misty's arms. She smiled at first, but quickly turned her stare back to Ash, still in shock of what he had revealed.
"And so that's what happened. I know it's hard to believe, but...I brought something, for the both of you. Take them, and believe me."
Ash reached into his coat pocket, pulling out the small envelope Duplica gave to him to give to younger Brock, "Brock, take this. It was given to me by Duplica. She wanted you to have it." Brock took the envelope, quivering as he grabbed it.
Misty looked on until Ash called her attention, "Misty...this was given to me, from the Misty in the alternate future I was in. She wanted you to have these." Misty took the pokeballs Ash was given, with a blank expression on her face, hiding her disbelief and shock. Ash got up and called Pikachu. It ran to its master, happy to see him after their dangerous quest.
"Have time with your gifts. If you need me, I'll be taking a shower in the nearby pond. Please, try to believe me," Ash said, grabbing some fresh clothes from his backpack and pacing with Pikachu to the pond.
"If you don't mind, Misty, I'll read whatever's in this envelope in private" Brock whispered.
"Yeah, I'll go then. It's better if I open these pokeballs away from here. I'll be back." Misty said, quickly grabbing her red backpack and running off into a nearby grove. She kept walking rapidly, stopping to sit on a small stump, with a small stream leading to the pond where Ash was bathing. Grabbing the three pokeballs, she threw them simultaneously next to the stream, each of the revealing a pokemon. A Dratini, Broluga, and Tadwart appeared before her, with the moonlight shining on them. Because they were thrown back in time, they had devolved back. Though Broluga and Tadwart were pokemon Misty was unfamiliar with, she smiled lovingly and ran to hug them, but quickly took notice of an envelope in Tadwart's mouth.
"What's this?!" she thought to herself as she grabbed the mail the small Tadwart held. She fumbled in opening the letter, with curiosity and fear inspiring her as she slowly read the letter inside.
Dear Misty,
If you're reading this, then Ash has made it back to his time safely. By now, he might've told you about all the strange adventures he had in the future, and you and Brock are probably in disbelief. Well, this is just to reassure you that what happened was for real. Be proud of him, Misty. In the short time that I've known him, he touched my heart in ways no one ever did, and I don't want to let go. But he wanted to return to you because in his heart, he wanted to see you again and live his life with you the way it was meant to be lived. The night that I'm writing this, I'm forcing him to go out on a date with me. Well, actually, he owes me a date. I'm just gonna remind him. Anyway, take care of these pokemon. Promise me you'll become the best you can be with them.
Love,
Misty
PS Please...tell Ash, no matter what happens...I'll love him always.
"It's in my handwriting," Misty thought to herself, "I wrote his five years from now..." In that letter, she saw a haunting reflection of her soul. For so long, she kept her feelings secret. She denied them for so long, her own immaturity the perfect cover. She remembered her adventures in the Orange League, when she had her small crush on the charming Danny, then when she was wooed by Rudy, and even considered staying there with him on Trovita, leaving Ash once and for all. Why didn't she? Rudy obviously cared for her and showered her with attention and affection, something the Ash she knew would never do. But why? Why did she want to be with him? Crying, she recalled all her new pokemon and followed the small stream. She had to know the answer.
Brock opened his letter, fearful of what he was about, reluctantly glancing at first, but his attention caught quickly by some alluring photos accompanying them.
Dear Brock,
You must be wondering why in the world I'm sending you these sexy pics. Just a taste of what you're missing. Now that I've got your attention, I wanted to confess something. In my timeline, we were a perfect team, but from what Ash tells me, we don't end up together in your world. I just wanted to tell you that...I care deeply for you, and...if you're interested...I'll be waiting for you at the Imite House. Look me up.
Duplica
"Duplica...I didn't know..." Brock whispered under his breath, "She's beautiful." Brock was flattered by the pictures, but slowly, he gained in his heart an uncovered infatuation. He remembered when he first met her, saying she maybe was a bit young for him, but, little by little, his heart became attached to the idea. He crept into his sleeping bag, staring into the starry night sky, fostering memories of her deep inside.
"Maybe I will look you up..."he said, drifting back into sleep.
With the moonlight shining upon the pond, Ash rested in middle, his face half-submerged in the cool waters. Weary, he shrugged his shoulders back and forth, feeling the ache of his small muscles, until he heard a splash behind him, but didn't look back. The sound of water rushed toward him. He thought it was Pikachu, until he heard a whisper directly behind him.
"Ash."
"Huh? Misty? What're you doing here?"
"Umm...we need to talk. There are things you haven't told me..."
"I've told you everything. Now leave me alone, please."
"Ash...you can't lie to me. You never told me how you convinced the older Misty to join you."
"Like I said. I beat you in a pokemon battle and you wanted to come along. That's all."
"What's this about a date then? One of the pokemon you gave me had this letter, and she mentioned a date. Now...tell me, what happened between you two..."
"No...I can't tell you..."
"Look at me, Ash! I'm your friend! Tell me!" Misty yelled, grabbing Ash and turning him around, facing her. Ash was totally taken aback, for before him, Misty was completely nude, gaining Ash's absolute attention.
"Wahh!!! Misty, why are you naked?!"
"Because... I wanna know the truth, and the only way I could think of getting it is for the both of us to be like this. Naked. Trust me, Ash. Face me."
Ash started shedding tears, for he knew he couldn't hide his feelings, and swiftly swam to her, grabbing her by the shoulders while she blushed, "The truth is...I...I...we fell in love...in the future, and I'm trying to accept the fact that it's gone. I just can't. Look at me. I'm 12 again. I could understand falling in love when I was 17, but not now. Look at the two of us. Could you ever say you love me, Misty, at your age?"
With those words, Misty started crying uncontrollably, realizing the truth of Ash's words, getting up and running away from him, grabbing her clothes and dressing up in some nearby bushes. Ash gave chase along with Pikachu, making their way back to the campsite. She sped and curled up into her sleeping bag, wetting her pillow immensely with her tears. Ash came to her, touching her shoulder, but receiving an icy shrug from Misty.
"Go away!!! Leave me alone!!!" Misty cried and sniffled, muffled by her pillow.
Ash quickly ran back to his own sleeping bag, and cried just as much on his own pillow, thinking of how much he cared for Misty, and finally revealing so in the pond. Their tears brought them to sleep as the night ebbed away. Pikachu was unable to sleep, feeling sad for both Ash and Misty, having fallen witness to their moment. Though racked with sadness, Ash found himself dreaming and reuniting with an old friend.
"Ash!"
"Huh!"
"It's me!"
"Satoshi!"
It was his friend's voice, though he wasn't the small Watchdawg anymore.
"You evolved into a Chronine!"
"Yes! I gained enough experience points during our adventure, though you seem sad."
"Yeah"
"It's the girl, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I...I don't know how to feel."
"Ash...I wanted to thank you for helping me evolve and encouraging me to fight even when the odds seemed impossible. And I thank you with this truth. Love comes and goes, but friendship is eternal. True love grows from true friendship. You and Misty have that true friendship. Live your youth, and let it grow. I'll always remember you, Ash."
Chronine hugged Ash and disappeared.
"Goodbye."
Early morning crept, the sweet sun shining its rays on the grassy horizon. Brock was the first to get up, packing his things and getting ready to tell his friends of a major decision he decided upon last night. Misty was the second to get up, remembering her painful sleep, staring at Ash longingly and sadly, her heart broken by what he said to her last night. She clutched her red backpack, quickly fixing herself up, until Brock interrupted her.
"Misty, I needed to tell the both of you something. After yesterday, I've thought a lot about what Ash told me about Duplica. I've come to a tough decision...I want to journey back to the Imite House, and I want to leave. If you want, you guys can meet me there when you continue on your journey together."
"I'll miss you, Brock, but we'll see each other again."
"Please, tell him when he wakes up."
"Yeah, goodbye Brock. Send Duplica our best," Misty said, hugging Brock as he left into the darkness of the woods. Before he left, he took a look down at the sleeping Ash, saying to him, "Thanks. Thanks for pointing me the right way. Goodbye, my friend."
Misty saw him disappear into the woods, heading for Frontier City. They had journeyed to the outlands of Johto, and in the end, she was all alone with Ash. She ran up to a small hill closeby and sat there, looking towards the distant horizon, the rolling grassy plains leading into the unknown province of Scion. Ash wanted to journey there, but Misty quickly found herself crying again, for in her heart, she knew she had to go on her own journey as well, and follow her own path, and maybe become the pokemon master she had become in the alternate future. She sat there, awaiting for Ash to wake up and come to her, and bid her final farewell.
Ash awoke with Pikachu, shaking their heads and cleaning themselves up. As he put on his prized league cap, they quickly took notice that they were alone and worriedly searched around, relieved to see Misty on the nearby hill, with the dawn's rays glimmering on her as she looked at the slowly rising sun. Ash hurriedly gathered his things and scrambled up the hill, making noisy, crunching footsteps as he came behind her. She closed her eyes, knowing he was behind her.
"Misty..."
"Ash...hi,"
"Hi...where's Brock?"
"He...he left."
"Huh?"
"He gives you his goodbye. He wanted to go back the Imite House...alone."
"Oh...I guess he wants to see Duplica..."
"Yeah...Ash, but he said to visit him one day."
"That'd be great. Well, I'll miss him, but...we should go, Misty. Scion's several miles ahead, and if we're gonna get there..."
"Ash, please stop and listen! I...I...I have to leave to. This has to be goodbye."
Ash started shedding tears along with Pikachu, "Goodbye? But...why?"
"I've followed you for so long...now I have to follow my own path, become the best I can be. Before I go, I just wanted to say, you...you'll never know how much you've meant to me..."
Ash protested, "But why? Why are you? Please, don't go!"
She got up with tears streaming down her face, holding a crying Togepi in her arms, "You're not making this easy on me! Can't you see how much I'm hurting?"
"But I never paid you back for your bike?! I still owe you?!"
"You...you don't owe me anymore. You paid me already...with yourself."
Ash was choking on his own tears, wondering what to say next, until finally bowing his head, putting his hand on his head, removing his most prized accessory, his league cap. Misty was stunned and touched beyond words by what he was doing, gasping as he took off the cap and put it on her head, making it ever harder to say goodbye.
"I'm...not the kind not to repay a debt. This is...for your bike. Think of me...when you're out there fighting a gym leader...and know that...wherever you are, I'm with you."
At that very moment, Ash grabbed Pikachu and ran down the plain, not wanting to look back, his heart racking with the ultimate sadness. He had started his journey from the very first day with her, her presence was the only thing next to Pikachu that he could count on. Over the course of his adventures, he gained feelings for her, until finally he was forced to deal with them. At that very moment, he realized his journey would've been meaningless without her. He stopped in one spot, looking at the rising sun, pausing and looking down, crying...crying until he heard a call in the distance.
"Ash!!! Ash!!!"
"Misty?!" he said, turning back to look at her, the sun glimmering her across her face and body.
"Ash...come with me!!!"
Their hearts soaring, they ran to each other, for he saw in her the greatest friend, a true friend, and she saw in him the very same. He had made an incredible sacrifice for her, putting his league cap on her head, showing he had wanted to be with her always, no matter what. They let go of Pikachu and Togepi, and hugged powerfully, finally falling onto the yellowed plains together as the sun rose, their silhouettes adorning the tall grass as their faces came ever closer, finally locking in their most heartfelt kiss. She froze in his arms at first, finally sinking into and falling limp from the passion of his lips. She moaned in passion as he held her tightly, holding her back and waist as he continued, finally breaking away from her lips and brushing away her tears. They sat back up, where he sat behind her, looking towards the dawn. Pikachu and Togepi joined them, their sorrow fastly turning into happiness as they saw their trainers loving each other like never before.
"One day, we'll be able to understand how we feel," Misty whispered lovingly.
"Yeah, one day, we can be like this...always," Ash said as she reclined into his chest as they watched the sunrise, the dawning of a brand new chapter in their lives.
"I guess this means you're buying dinner..."
"What?! But I gave you my league cap already!"
"That's good for starters, but you've gotta learn how to treat a girl!"
"But we're not even official yet!"
"I think that kiss said plenty!"
"Did not! Did too! Did not! Did too!" was all that was heard throughout the day, as the sands of time smiled down upon them in blessing.
THE END