"Pikachu." ["This way."]

The rain had now slowed to a drizzle, and the light from the horse Pokemon's fiery mane illuminated the path through the forest that led back to the campsite. Pikachu, who was sitting atop the Rapidash's broad back, clung tightly to the horse's neck as the Rapidash began galloping in the direction Pikachu had indicated. Suddenly, a huge purple bat with four wings swooped down out of the darkness, startling the horse and its rider. Pikachu held on for dear life as the Rapidash reared up and swung its fiery hooves at Crobat.

"Pika! Pika! Pikachu!" ["Stop, Rapidash! It's Crobat! He's a friend!"]

The bat Pokémon dodged the horse's massive hooves and flew over to Pikachu. "Cro! Bat!" ["Brock is hurt! He needs help!"]

"Pika?" ["Where is he, Crobat?"]

"Crobat." ["Follow me."] The Pokémon flew up into the sky, and Pikachu and Rapidash followed until they came to the crumpled form lying in the mud underneath the smoldering tree.

Pikachu leapt off of Rapidash's back and scampered over to where Brock lay. "Pika?" ["Brock, are you okay?"]

Crobat took another ultrasound reading of Brock's vital signs. "Crobat." ["He's still alive, but he needs help."]

Pikachu dashed over to where Rapidash stood. "Pikachu." ["Rapidash, please help Brock."]

The horse neighed softly in assent, then made its way over to the boy's still form. It gently touched Brock's head with its muzzle, then Pikachu and Crobat watched in awe as the horse's entire body began to glow as bright as the sun. The brilliant golden aura then enveloped Brock.

"Rapidash," the horse Pokémon said as the golden glow faded away. ["He will recover now."]

"Oh man…what happened?" Brock lifted his head and spat out a mouthful of mud. "How did I get down here?"

"Pika!" the little Pokémon said happily as it and Crobat gave Brock a big hug.

"Pikachu? What are you doing here? Where did you go?" Brock then looked up at the huge Rapidash standing over him. "And who's your friend?"

"Pikachu! Chu!" ["Rapidash will help Ash! Come on!"]

The Rapidash knelt down, indicating that Brock should mount it. The boy got atop the horse and Pikachu leapt up behind him.

"Whoa!" Brock cried as the horse took off with lightning speed in the direction of the camp while Crobat struggled to keep up.

---

Misty lay with her head pillowed on Ash's chest, hoping that perhaps his failing body would draw some strength from hers.

Please don't die, Ash…please don't die…Misty whispered silently to herself every time Ash's chest slowly rose and fell, which was becoming less and less often.

"Professor, Ash's heart is beating kind of funny."

"Funny? How so, Misty?"

"It beats real fast, then slows down, then stops for a moment. Then it starts beating fast again. And Ash is wheezing so much now that I can barely hear it."

It won't be long now, thought Professor Oak. Oh, Ash. Forgive me. I'm so sorry that I couldn't help you. I've spent all these years doctoring sick Pokémon, and my medical knowledge didn't do you a damn bit of good. Some brilliant scientist I am.

But he could still do one thing more for Ash. Professor Oak reached into his pocket and handed a crumpled envelope to Misty.

"What's this, Professor?"

"Ash told me to give this to you. He had been saving up his money to replace the bike he destroyed when you first met."

A huge lump formed in Misty's throat as she saw the dollar bills neatly folded inside.

Oh, Ash. All these years I gave you a hard time about ruining my bike and all this time you were trying to replace it.

"And he told me to tell you that he was sorry that he wasn't able to get all the money he wanted."

"Oh, Professor Oak…I don't care about the bike anymore. All I care about is Ash. But I was too dense to realize it until now." Misty threw down the envelope.

"There's another thing, Misty. Ash said that he wanted you to take care of Totodile and Cyndaquil for him."

Misty gulped back the lump in her throat and nodded.

There was a faint sigh from the direction of Ash's head and the boy's chest stopped moving.

"Ash…?" With a trembling hand, Misty reached out and touched the boy's shoulder.

"Aw, it's just a kid. Oh! And a Pokémon! Oh, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm okay."

"Not you! Look what you've done to that poor little thing! Is it breathing?"

"Ash…please breathe," Misty pleaded, tears welling in her eyes.

"Hey, what happened to your bike?"

"What happened to my bike? You happened to my bike, you little loser!"

Misty laid her head on the boy's chest. Silence.

"I've never known anyone like him."

Misty pressed her ear as hard as she could against Ash's chest desperately searching for the faint heartbeat that had been present a few minutes ago. But there was none.

"Leave me alone!"

"Hey, I'm just trying to help you, Ash!"

"Well, I don't want your help!"

"You big baby!"

"Just get out!"

Misty sat up and shook Ash roughly. "Come on, Ash, breathe! Please breathe."

"Come on, Ash. Let's dance!"

"Sure!"

Professor Oak reached for the girl's arm. "Misty, it's not going to… "

Misty snatched her arm away. "No, Professor…this is just like when we were at Shamuti Island and Ash nearly drowned." She shook Ash roughly once more. "Come on, Ash. You can do it….breathe."

"You think people change when they get kissed?"

"Guess we'll have to find out."

Professor Oak put his hand on Misty's shoulder. "Misty, it's too late. Let him go."

Misty shook her head wildly. "No! It's not too late, Professor! It…it can't be too late! Come on, Ash…breathe!"

"You and I will be married someday, too."

Professor Oak's hand tightened on Misty's shoulder. "Misty, stop. He's gone."

Misty stifled a sob and slowly released her grip on Ash's shoulders. "Oh, Professor…" she said in a choked whisper, "He's so still."

"He's at peace now, Misty."

With a loud wail, Misty threw herself atop Ash's body and began crying uncontrollably. "Oh, Ash…I loved you so much…I didn't care about the bike…!"

To be continued…

Author's Note:

Misty's flashbacks: Ash and Misty's first meeting – "Pokémon, I Choose You!"; Ash and Misty's second meeting – "Pokémon Emergency!"; Misty's thoughts concerning Ash – "Ash Catches A Pokémon"; Misty tries to help Ash get over his loss at the Pokémon League Championship – "Friends To The End"; Misty asks Ash to dance at the festival – "The Ghost of Maiden's Peak"; Misty and Ash discuss kissing - "Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon?"; Misty's hopes for the future - "The Heartbreak of Brock"