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The funeral had been planned
for Sunday. It was Saturday, a week after her death. Ash wasn't coping well.
His sleeping and eating patterns weren't normal, and they definitely weren't
healthy. He spent most of his time looking at old photo's of him and his mom,
in his room, occasionally coming down for something to eat. He didn't cry,
because he wanted to be strong. He wanted to turn back into the person he was
when he was on his journey. Strong and ambitious, not letting anything or
anyone get in his way. he wanted to somehow switch out of this life and lead
another one. But he knew that nothing he thought of was possible. He was here
and this was now, and he couldn't change what had happened. He didn't have any
sort of connection with his Pokémon at that time. Not even Pikachu. He just
didn't have time for them. He tried to force himself to train them, but he
couldn't do it. And he knew that Brock and Misty were helping him out by
letting them out of their Poké balls and letting them have a stretch and
something to eat each day. Throughout that week, Misty had been with him most
of the time. She would talk with him, make him feel more comfortable, try to
make him smile… He was more grateful to her for that than he could be for
anything else. They were becoming closer, and he couldn't help but remember his
mother's dying wish. "Believe me Ash, I can tell when two people are in
love, and you two have a sort of connection. Think about it Ash, and when the
time is right, tell her". He had so much on his mind, he just wanted to get
it out.
The next day was the
funeral, and the weather outside matched everybody's moods. It was cold, rainy,
stormy and windy. The sky was a dark grey, and thunder rumbled in the distance.
Ash didn't even want to go, he didn't feel well. But he knew it was the last
chance he had to say goodbye. He also wanted to say a eulogy, if he could
manage. He dressed in a suit and tie, and walked with a similarly dressed
Brock, and Misty, who wore a black dress and long black coat, into the church
where the funeral would be held. Pikachu wore a black bow-tie and had an
distressed look on its small face. Ash stood at the church doors as people
filed in. They shook his hand and told him how sorry they were. Even Gary was
there, and he hugged Ash in a friendly embrace as he walked in, letting him
know that he was very sorry. Ash was pleased that he had come from his journey
to be here, and hoped they could be friends again. Jessie and James even turned
up. They hugged Ash and told him that it should have been them that something
bad happened to, not him. He wasn't surprised. Now he definitely knew they were
good people.
After everyone had sat down,
the session started. Ash hadn't cried yet, but tears came to him as the song
that had been chosen was played. It was 'There you'll be' by Faith Hill, and he
shuddered and let his tears flow as he felt the impact the words had on him.
The mass seemed to go by quickly, and he didn't even notice the tall, dark
haired man in the back, who was wearing a trench coat and had a hat over his
face, watching. When the priest asked if anybody wanted to say anything, Ash
got up. He quietly asked Misty if she would go with him, and she nodded. She
stood next to him as he talked.
"My mom was definitely an
inspirational women. She brought me up all on her own since I was about 4, when
my father left. She never had any doubts about it. And even though sometimes
things were tough, she never gave up on me. I never thought anything like this
would happen to her. She has been so kind to everyone she met. I frequently ask
myself why this happened. She did nothing to deserve it. But I know I can't
change what future God has in store for us. I can't change the fact that my
mom, the person that knows me better than I know myself, who has taken care of
me since I was born, just died. I wish it never happened. I wish I could erase
it, but I can't. I ugh…don't know what I'll do without her. And ummm…" he began
to quiver as he spoke. He didn't even know what he was saying. Words just
poured out of his mouth sub-consciously. "…I'm sorry", he blurted out, and
walked back to his seat,
accompanied by the
sympathetic looks of the people around him. Misty smiled weakly at him, her
face saying that he did good. He didn't really even know what he said, he was
very
confused. When the funeral
ended, and he coffin was buried, Ash stood alone in front of where the
gravestone was planted. He had wanted some time alone. He touched the soft,
marble stone, and read the words on the plaque. 'You filled us with courage,
joy and love. You deserved everything but to die. We will always love you'. He
sniffed.
He didn't even notice a
person come up behind him until he put a hand on his shoulder. Ash slowly
turned around, and almost fainted at what he saw.
"Dad?"
Luke Ketchum nodded. He was
the tall, dark haired man who sat in the back of the church. He had taken off
his trench coat. He was about 6 foot tall, with spiky jet black hair and deep
brown eyes. Anyone who looked at the two next to each other would be able to
tell that they were closely related. He was the one where Ash got all of his
looks from.
Ash gulped. "Oh my gosh…"
His father leant down to
him, and Ash jumped into his arms. His father held him and Ash cried the rest
of the tears he had left out. When Ash had finished, he pulled back out of his
dad's arms.
"Dad, what are you doing
here? Where have you been all this time?"
"I heard about Deliah. I
couldn't believe it when I read in the newspaper that she had died. I didn't
know anything about it… I didn't even get to say goodbye…" He stared at the
floor.
Ash stared at him with an
emotionless face.
His father knew what he
wanted to know. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a badge, placing it
into his son's hand. Ash looked down, and almost fainted again. In his hand he
held the official badge of the Pokémon Master. His father was the Pokémon
Master. He looked up at him with disbelief.
"That's where I've been all
that time, Ash. Earning that title. I am not allowed to reveal who I am to
anyone. You can't say a thing. My identity is such a huge secret I've had to
change my name. I'm Lucas Sullivan now, except for when I'm training at my
official place. I've wanted to come home for so long to see you, but I haven't
been able to. People are looking everywhere for me. Trying to get the scoop on
what type of Pokémon I use, and how they can beat me."
"I…I don't know what to
say", Ash stuttered out. "The Pokémon Master…"
"I had to come back this
time. I knew this would be tough for you. Just as tough as it is for me. Your
mother knew about who I am. I thought that now you were the only one left, you
should know too."
"I don't know what I'll do
without her…"
"I know it's going to be
hard. But you're strong. I've been watching you. I saw you when you first
competed in the Indigo League, and when you beat the Orange League. TV serves a
good purpose. I'm very proud of you son. I can't even express in words how
proud I am that you have gotten so far."
Ash smiled slowly. He had
been wanting to know where his dad was since he had left on his journey when
Ash was 4. He thought he had abandoned him, but knew because of the money he
sent every week that this wasn't the case. Ash didn't know what to say at all.
And he was surprised at that because he had thought so many times about what he
would say if this ever happened. He was deep in thought when his father's
beeper went off.
"Oh, I'm sorry Ash. My time is up."
Ash frowned, but he knew he
had to let his father go. He hugged his dad. "I'll miss you. And I'll see ya at
the next Indigo League. You better train your Pokémon harder", Ash smiled.
"I love you Ash. And I'll
definitely see you soon, the way you're going. You'll be following in my
footsteps. I know you can do it."
They let go, and Mr. Ketchum
walked back the way he had come. Ash waved slowly, and then frowned. A few
minutes later, Misty came over with Pikachu.
"Ash are you alright?"
Ash nodded as Pikachu jumped
into his arms. Misty told him that it was time to go. Ash took one more look at
the gravestone. "I love you mom. Goodbye", he said, and the three of them
walked off to find Brock.
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Hey, here are the words to
the song I used for the funeral just in case you wanted to know them. I know
some people hate me putting songs in, but some like it, so I thought I'd just
put them I an authors note. Thankies 2 ZAPDOS for finding the words for me. (I
know it's more of a song for romance, like in Pearl Harbour, but the words fit
this situation…) This song is soooo sad…
When I think back on these times
And the dreams we left behind
I'll be glad 'cause I was blessed
To get, to have you in my life
When I look back on these days
I'll look and see your face
You were right there for me
In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky
In my heart there will always be a place for you, for all my life.
I'll keep a part of you with me
And everywhere I am, there you'll be
And everywhere I am, there you'll be
Well you showed me how it feels
To feel the sky within my reach
And I always will remember all the strength you gave to me
Your love made me make it through
Oh, I owe so much to you
You were right there for me
In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky
In my heart there will always be a place for you, for all my life
I'll keep a part of you with me
And everywhere I am, there you'll be
'Cause I always saw in you my light, my strength
And I want to thank you now
For all the ways you were right there for me
You were right there for me
For always
In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky
In my heart there will always be a place for you, for all my life
I'll keep a part of you with me
And everywhere I am, there you'll be
And everywhere I am, there you'll be
There you'll be
Ciao! Luv Sarah.