Midsummer Dreams

By Trish.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon or Puck. Puck's characterisation is completely my own. I own Callie, Flory, Poppy and the storyline. Many apologies to William Shakespeare especially for the last bit!

A/N: This final chapter is dedicated to three people - Jenn, Mia and Vickie. To say thank you for all their support and inspiration throughout this entire story. Thank you for putting up with my favourite phrase - "This chapter sucks" ^_~ . You know I'm always going to say that…. Theme song for this chapter - "(Good Riddance) Time Of Your Life" by Green Day.

Chapter Twelve: Time Of Your Life

"It's something unpredictable

But in the end is right.

I hope you had the time of your life."

Green Day.

Stunned silence once again filled the room after Flory's last statement, "I hope you will understand." His parents sat down rather abruptly on the nearest chairs, shock and disbelief written all over their features.

Flory slowly approached his parents arm in arm with Erina, uncertain of his welcome. He would not blame them one bit if they refused to talk to him. After all, his decision had turned their world upside down and effectively split their family apart forever.

"Mom? Dad?" he said softly. His mother, Hermia looked up at him in tears. "I'm sorry. But I have to do this."

His father, Lysander shook his head and smiled weakly. "No need to apologise, Flory. What you decide to do with your life is your decision and yours alone. Your mother and I can only do one of two things - either support you or disown you. And you know that we'd never dream of doing the latter."

Flory smiled with relief. His parents were going to support him no matter what.

"We just hope that you are making the right decision," Hermia spoke up as she wiped her eyes with a tissue. "I guess, also we're trying to understand what is it about this world that prompted you to arrive at this conclusion."

"I know this is the right decision for me, Mom," Flory affirmed. "And as for the other question, the answer is standing right beside me." He gave Erina a gentle squeeze. "There's a saying that 'Home is where the heart is.' As far as I'm concerned, I am home…."

Lysander and Hermia looked at their only son, then at each other and smiled. "Well, then. What are you waiting for?" Lysander joked and pushed his son to stand in front of Lord Oberon and Queen Titania.

Erina waited to the side with his parents as Flory stood before his monarchs.

"Now are you absolutely positive you want this, Florian?" Lord Oberon questioned as he scrutinised the young Fae's face. "Because once this spell takes effect it can never be reversed."

Flory took a deep breath and looked his king straight in the eyes. "I am" he stated in a firm voice.

Oberon began the incantation. "Oh spirits of creation and light. Grant me the powers to change this young life. From Fae to Human he wishes to become. His magical powers to be reduced to none. His decision was made for all the right reasons. Love knows no bounds nor any seasons. Watch over Florian as he assumes a mortal life. Grant him health and happiness for the rest of his life."

Flory was surrounded by a shower of sparkles which gradually dissipated.

"Florian Stratford," Oberon said with a smile. "You are now officially Human."

Before Flory could reply he was engulfed in a family hug by his parents and his younger sister, Bianca. His parents then stepped back a bit and smiled through their tears. "We just want you to know that we're very proud of you, Flory," his father stated. "It takes a huge amount of courage to do what you've just done. Most Faes and humans would not be able to go through with such a decision."

"Thanks," Flory replied. He turned to see Erina standing just off to one side, and gathered her to him in a warm embrace. She sniffled a little into his shirt as he dropped a little kiss on her forehead. When she had regained her composure he led her over to his family. "Erina, I'd like you to meet my parents, Hermia and Lysander. Mom and Dad, this is Erina."

"Nice to meet you," Erina shook hands with them.

"And this is my little sister Bianca," Flory said indicating a pretty young girl with her brown hair in plaits and dark brown eyes.

Erina offered her hand to Bianca. "Hi there."

Bianca returned the handshake. "So you're gonna be my big sister?" She eyed the human girl up and down. "I guess you'll do." Erina's eyes widened.

"Bianca! Shut up," Flory admonished his sibling as his face reddened.

Puck, Callie and their parents Helena and Demetrius watched from the side as Flory's parents began to engage in conversation with their son's girlfriend.

Callie nudged her brother playfully. "Don't you have someone to introduce to Mom and Dad?"

Puck blushed slightly under his parents' questioning gaze. "Uh yeah. Hey Arrow! Could you come over here please?" he called out to the brunette who was standing with her friends.

Arrow started to make her way over. She was about a foot away when she suddenly tripped and fell with a startled squeak into his arms.

Puck helped her regain her balance before doing the introductions. "Mom, Dad. This is my girlfriend Arrow."

Arrow waved and smiled sheepishly. "Hi there."

Bianca smirked and called out, "Geez, Puck. Trust you to find the mortal equivalent of yourself!"

Arrow glared at the young girl. "Well, you little missy aren't exactly the picture of grace either!" she growled.

Bianca just stuck her tongue out in response.

Helena clasped her hands together in delight. "Oh, my little baby boy is growing up so fast! He's found himself a girlfriend. Aww….how sweet!"

"Mooom," Puck whined.

"And such a perfect match she is too," his mother continued to gush, oblivious to her son's protests. "She's just as a big a klutz as you are, honey!"

"Mom!"

Demetrius clapped a friendly hand on Puck's shoulders. "Well done m'boy. You've found yourself a real catch. She's a looker and a spirited one too." He grinned at his daughter standing next to him. "Now all we need to do is get Cal here hooked up."

Callie rolled her eyes. "Dad! Now don't you start this matchmaking business!"

Arrow smiled. When it came to parents, there was no difference between the Fae and mortal worlds.

***************

The decision was made to spend the rest of the day sight-seeing as the visitors from the Fae Realm were in no hurry to go home. In fact they had decided to stay until the end of the Convention. For they were even more eager to discover what was so wonderful about this world that made one of their own renounce his birthright.

Besides, as Demetrius had said, it was about time they all had a holiday…..

An hour later the assorted group of Humans, Faes and Pokémon were strolling down the main shopping avenue. They were getting along famously with the exception of Arrow and Bianca who were constantly bickering.

"Oh, this is fun!" Helena trilled happily to her children. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed that two of the older girls in the group had stopped outside a dress boutique. She wandered over. "Are you looking for something?"

"Yeah," Trish answered. "We're looking for a new outfit to wear for…" That was as far as she got. For Helena had raised her hand and uttered a spell, which caused a bright glow to surround both Trish and Jenn.

"Mom! No!" Callie cried out. Too late….

"For work…" Trish finished in dismay as she gazed down at her new attire. Jenn was just speechless. For Fae's are not known for conservative dressing, and both were now wearing the latest in Fae fashions. Their 'dresses' were made of a fine sheer material, had a very high split and left little to the imagination. The two young women went slightly red as a couple of men wolf-whistled in the distance.

"Drake!" Trish hissed at her gawking boyfriend. The Orange Crew Leader snapped out of his stupor and hurried over, removing his vest as he did so. The dark-haired girl took it gratefully and slipped it over her 'outfit', then Drake wrapped his arms around her.

Jenn looked to Gary with the same idea but he was never one for wearing a vest or jacket of any sort. "What am I gonna do?" she wailed.

Ash handed her his sports jacket. "Here you go."

"Thanks, Ash," Jenn said, greatly relieved. She put the jacket on and glared at Gary. "Now why can't you be like that?"

Gary just grinned. "That's our Ashy Boy for you. Sir 'Help-A-Lot' - always going off to help some damsel in distress."

Misty added, "You don't have be a damsel for Ash to help. Anybody or anything can be in distress and he's off like a shot."

Jenn rubbed her arms and eyed Drake's muscular form which was accentuated by the black t-shirt he wore.

"Grrr, Drake. Very grr.." she purred appreciatively.

Drake and Trish just laughed while Gary looked absolutely horrified. "JENN! Since when do you start going after your best friend's boyfriend?? And you're supposed to be my girlfriend!"

Jenn giggled and gave the incensed Trainer a kiss on the lips. "I'm only kidding. You're the only one I'm interested in."

Gary turned to Trish. "Aren't you angry about this?"

The Australian girl smiled. "Relax, Gary. Jenn just likes looking that's all. She's always been like that. There's no harm in looking as long as you don't touch."

"Yeah…but.."

A mischievous glint came into Trish's eyes. "Aww…come on Gary. You can't talk. Just the other day I overheard you talking with Drake and saying that you admired the size of Prima's 'melons'."

Gary reddened. "Er….hehe…forgot about that…."

"Talk about a selective memory," the dark-haired girl rolled her eyes. "Callie can we get out of these 'clothes' now please?"

Callie nodded and the two girls handed Drake and Ash back their jackets. Callie evoked the incantation and much to Trish and Jenn's relief they were back to their normal clothes.

Jenn looked at her boyfriend with raised eyebrows. "Melons?!?"

Gary decided that it was high time the subject was changed. He clapped a hand down on Ash's shoulder. "Saaaaay, Ash. We'd better get going, we have a lot of planning to do before the final dance tonight!"

The Grand Master looked puzzled. "But Gary…that's all been taken care of…" he trailed off when he saw the desperate look in his best friend's eyes. "Ah…you're quite right, we have a lot of planning to do. I..uh… remember telling you that Poppy shredded the plans with her teeth, didn't I….ow!" Ash winced as a little shock emanated from his jacket pocket.

"We sure do. So let's go!" And before anyone could say anything else, Gary dragged his friend off and did not stop until they rounded the corner.

Ash wrested his arm from Gary's grasp. "You would have to drag me into this…," he sighed.

Pikachu echoed her trainer's sigh with a "Pikkaaaa".

Gary shrugged. "Well that's what friends are for right? Sharing."

A small yellow head poked out of Ash's pocket and stared up with angry brown eyes. "Pichu!"

Ash looked down with a smile. "I'm sorry about that lie Poppy…I know you didn't do anything of the sort."

"Pi." The baby sounded miffed.

"Blame your Uncle Gary. He made me do it."

Poppy scrambled out of her trainer's pocket and leapt onto Gary Oak. "PICHU!" she squeaked and gave the Viridian Gym Leader a sharp jolt.

"Ouch!" Gary yelped and glared at his friend. "Why did you tell her to do that for?," he demanded.

Ash smirked, "What was it that you said a minute ago Gary? Friendship is all about sharing?"

"Oh, Shut up."

**************

Misty watched as the last of the revellers departed from the Ballroom. Now the only ones left were her usual gang of Ash, Brock, Tracey, Gary, Jessie and James. Ash's parents and her sisters were also there, talking to Gary's girlfriend Jenn, Trish and Drake. Listening in to their conversation were Karlie, Veronica, Arrow and Erina. A little off to the left were the Faes - Puck, Flory, Callie, Lord Oberon and Queen Titania etc, all engaged in an animated discussion. Now and then one of them would glance over in Misty's direction and smile for some reason. The young woman gathered that Puck must have said something rather cheeky, as Callie promptly thumped him on the arm.

Various Pokémon belonging to the assembled group of friends were running around freely. The Cerulean Gym leader noticed that Ash's Bulbasaur and Chikorita had stationed themselves at opposite ends of the dance floor and various other Grass, and some Flying Pokémon had positioned themselves so that the dance floor was ringed by the creatures. She wondered what they were up to. Probably nothing very good.

She smiled as Ash came up to where she was sitting at one of the tables. "The last dance was a real success, wasn't it?"

"It was," the Pokémon Grand Master agreed with a lopsided grin. "But the night is not yet over…."

Misty gave her boyfriend a puzzled look. "What do you mean?" She did not notice Ash give a prearranged signal to Gary who nodded silently. As the dark-haired man led her onto the dance floor she noticed the others went to join the Pokémon around the edges.

When they came to the centre of the floor, Ash stopped and faced the slender redhead.

"Ash. What are we doing…." Misty began but he silenced her with a finger to her lips, then placed a small box in her hand. She carefully opened it to reveal a beautiful diamond ring glistening on its bed of black velvet.

Misty gasped as joyous tears came to her eyes as the man she had loved since she was ten years old got down on one knee.

"Remember that sonnet that I recited for you two years ago?" he said seriously. "Love is not love. Which alters when it alteration finds. Or bends with the remover to remove. Oh, no! It is an ever fixed mark. That looks on tempests and is never shaken.' Well, we may have had some rocky moments in our relationship over the years - but I have never stopped loving you." He paused then smiled. "Will you marry me?"

Misty managed to squeak out a "Yes" and the next minute she was in his arms, in a passionate kiss. They barely noticed the loud cheers coming from their friends around the dance floor. They broke apart and Ash slipped the ring on her left hand and gave a thumbs up to Brock. That was the cue for him to go over to the DJ's section and slip in a certain CD.

Ash grinned at his now fianceé and bowed formally, "Shall we dance?". As the soft strains of "When I Fall In Love" began to play over the speakers the couple began to dance. The Flying Pokémon then created a gentle breeze into which their Grass compatriots fired leaves and flower petals. The Faes sent showers of sparkles which, combined with the leaves and petals floating around the pair - made a truly magical effect.

Meowth and Pikachu stood side by side, both bawling with happiness. "I always knew that Pikapi and Pikachupi were meant to get married," the electric mouse sniffled.

"Yeah," the Scratch Cat agreed wiping his face with his paw. "It's about bloody time too!"

******************

The next night….

Arrow walked out onto the balcony of her hotel room and leaned on the railing. If there was ever a time when she wished that tomorrow would never come it was now. For tomorrow Puck would have to leave her and there was no way of knowing if and when he would be coming back.

Puck…there was no guy like him in the entire world. No one else could make her feel special like he did, and no one was more understanding of what it was like to be a natural klutz. No one else was so perfect for her….

She felt like crying at the thought of him leaving, but that was such an un-Arrow thing for her to do so she didn't. She would keep up a stoic front and no one would know that inside she was grieving.

Her friends would be there for her, but not one of them would be able to understand what she was going through. While they did have their problems with long distance relationships, at least they'd still be able to keep in touch. Puck was going to another world, another dimension - and technology had not extended that far yet.

Erina might have been the one that understood best. However, since Flory had renounced his Fae-hood, she now had a 'normal' boyfriend like the others.

Arrow gazed up at the sky. "Give me my Puck; and, when he shall die. Take him and cut him out in little stars. And he will make the face of heaven so fine. That all the world will fall in love with night. And pay no worship to the garish sun. Oh, I have bought the mansion of a love. But not possess'd it, and, though I am sold. Not yet enjoy'd."

She had only gone back inside for a few minutes when she heard a yelp of pain come from the balcony and a swear word or two in the ancient language of the Faes. She ran to the door and poked her head around to see Puck standing there rubbing his foot.

He looked at her with a sheepish grin. "I, uh, teleported into the chair."

No sooner had he entered the room than she pulled him into a deep kiss which lasted until both of them ran out of air.

"I thought you were out with Flory," the brunette asked him.

"I was," Puck confirmed. "But I had to see you. And I wanted to give you something to remember me by."

Arrow's eyes lit up.

"Close your eyes," he instructed.

She did so and felt something slipped onto her hand. She opened her eyes to find a beautiful silver ring in a delicate and intricate design on her finger. "Oh….it's beautiful…" she breathed.

"That's not all." He then presented to her a long stemmed white rose. "This is the type of roses we have in the Fae World. They're eternal roses which never wilt or die. Finally…" and he produced a small round orb which glowed with a mystical light.

"What's this?"

Puck grinned. "Well, I gave you the world before so I thought I'd add to your collection by giving you a mini Moon."

Arrow carefully put the gifts to one side before she tackled her boyfriend enthusiastically onto the sofa. "Oh…THANK YOU, THANK YOU!" she squealed while showering him with kisses.

"You're welcome," Puck gasped.

"And there is noooooooo way in the world that I am ever going to forget you. Ever!"

"Really?

"Really. Now shut up and kiss me…."

***************

Arrow had done as she said, she was putting on her bravest face as the Faes (along with William Shakespeare) prepared to leave. She was not going to cry. Nothing, not even the sympathetic glances of her friends was going to affect her.

Puck walked over to her and wrapped her in a tight embrace. "I promise I'll come back to you, Mia," he whispered into her hair. They shared one last deep passionate kiss, and the pain-filled look in his eyes almost made her break down. "Wait for me?" he asked her seriously.

"Yes."

He walked over to the rest of the Faes, then Oberon and Titania began the incantation. The group were enveloped in a bright light and disappeared.

It was too much for Arrow. She turned her head and rested it on Trish's shoulder, and the older girl pulled her into a comforting hug.

Erina wrapped her arms around Flory as he bit his lower lip and stared at the spot where his family had been. He fought back tears and hugged her even tighter, grateful for her support.

Later that night, a restless Arrow went walking in the hotel gardens. She had declined her friends' invitation to join them for one last gathering before they all had to depart in the morning. She didn't think that she would be able to handle seeing all of the couples together, it would only make her feel worse….

She rounded the corner and was startled to see Flory sitting on a garden bench, gazing up at the night sky. "Flory," she called out softly. "What are you doing out here by yourself? I thought you would be with Riny…."

The former Fae smiled and motioned for her to sit down. "For the same reason you're probably out here…I just needed some time to myself after what happened."

"You're not having second thoughts are you?"

Flory chuckled. "It's a bit too late for that," he said dryly. "No….I know I made the right decision. It's just that it will take some time getting used to being a human."

"You'll be just fine."

"Thanks." He paused and then looked wistfully up at the stars. "And it's going to be hard not seeing my family again or Callie and Puck…"

"Why did Puck have to go back?" Arrow asked. "I know he explained that Oberon needed him, but I need him too.."

"Puck's always been Lord Oberon's right-hand Fae. He may be a klutz but he's really very good and loyal. Oberon's come to depend on him a lot," Flory explained. "I think Oberon's heard these rumours that someone may be trying to stir up trouble against him, so he needs Puck there."

Arrow nodded and Flory noticed that her eyes glistened with unshed tears. He fished a cassette tape out of his pocket and handed it to her. "Oh, almost forgot. He asked me to give you this…"

She took it with a sad smile. "Thanks…"

He patted her hand reassuringly. "If Puck said he'd come back to you, he will. I've never known him to break a promise, ever."

*****************

At the Indigo Plateau International Airport the next day…

Arrow clutched her backpack as she waited in the departure lounge with her friends. Some of them had already boarded their flights, Erina and Flory had left as well as Karlie and Tracey. She chuckled at the memory of Kaz dragging a semi-reluctant Tracey through the gates. They were still handcuffed as Kaz couldn't find the key to unlock them - the only spare key she had was at her home in England. Arrow suspected that Tracey didn't really mind going home with Kaz, he just didn't want to admit it yet….

She cast her mind back to the events of the last two weeks. It had been fun, the most enjoyable two weeks of her life so far. Spending time with her friends, the whole Musical Beds fiasco with Riny ending up with Rudy, Rudy turning into a Muk, Brock's crestfallen face at the news that Cerulean had beaten Pewter in their little competition…..and most of all Puck.

"Ready to go?" Trish's voice broke into her thoughts. Arrow looked up and nodded. She was going to spend the rest of her summer holidays with Trish in Sydney. She was looking forward to it and from the mischievous glint in her friend's eyes she was willing to bet that there would be plenty of things in store to help take her mind off Puck's absence.

"Ready and raring to go," she piped up. "Watch out Sydney - here I come!"

Trish chuckled. "Luckily I forewarned everybody so there should be a mass exodus from the city about now…"

Arrow stuck her tongue out at her friend. "Triiiiiiiiiiiiish. You're mean," she whined.

The older girl just grinned. "Come on."

Once on the plane, Arrow settled back in her seat beside Trish and closed her eyes. Puck would be coming back one day, of that she was certain. And all she needed to do to remember him was to close her eyes and dream - the dreams of this Midsummer…..

****************

Epilogue: Puck walks out onto the fanfic stage and a lone spotlight shines down…

If we shadows have offended

Think but this and all is mended

That you have but slumber'd here

While this work of fanfiction did appear.

And this witty and loopy theme

No more yielding than a dream.

Gentles do not reprehend

If you will pardon, we will mend.

And, as I am an honest Puck…FLORY STOP LAUGHING!

If we have unearned luck

Now to 'scape the author's wrath

We will make amends ere long….with a sequel!

Else the Puck a liar call……Flory I'm warning you!

So, good night unto you all.

Give me your reviews if we be friends:

(Flory shoves Puck out of the way) And FLORY shall restore amends!

That's it Flory, c'mere!

(scuffling noises break out….curtain falls on the scene)

The End.

Teaser: (Written by Mia)

The leaves on the tall Palm trees shuddered in fear as the invisible light streamed past them. To ordinary observers it was just a normal wind casting itself on the Orange Islands, but to the trained eye they could tell the trees were moving in order....like something was moving them.....like something was hopping from tree to tree.

The sky ripped violently apart, leaving black dusty blood behind. Out of the wound came a sinister figure jeering at the small Island shore. His dark green eyes set off a dirty face that was scrunched up. "I....sense Fae" he hissed. His wild red hair took no notice to the beating wind. Suddenly he noticed a group of figures heading towards the beach...a small smile crawled over his face as he spotted one person in particular and delved into her psyche. His eyes lit up with a torturous flame that it would burn you and he smiled looking at the green eyed girl. "I sense...Puck".

------Midsummer Nights....coming soon

Author's Note: 'Good night unto you all…' Truer words have never been spoken as this marks the end of "Midsummer Dreams". And today November 21st (hey I live in Australia we're one day ahead) marks my one year anniversary of being at FF.Net. What better way to mark the occasion than with a piece of my own work? And in 12 more days it will be my 27th birthday on December 3rd…Feel free to donate any fics (grins)

I thought the theme song for this Chapter "(Good Riddance) Time of Your Life" was rather apt for it embodies all the emotions I have felt while writing this series. It's been quite a roller coaster ride - I've felt like trashing it at times, I've worried that it just doesn't work. But it's also been heaps of fun - and it seems to have worked out.

As threatened I will be back with a sequel. Ash & Co, Puck, Flory, Callie and Poppy will be back - as will all the authors who appeared in Midsummer Dreams. Plus there will be some new authors who will appear - as will a brand new original character……

If anything I hope that you take away some appreciation for Shakespeare…take a closer look at his writings….

"I hope you had the time of your life." I certainly did in writing this.

Good night unto you all until we meet again….