"That was close. Too close for comfort!", Brock sighed out. Everyone was now resting, out of breath for that experience. Misty and Vanessa slowly went towards Ash, and saw that he was covered in slashes and bites. "Its okay, really.", Ash assured the girls. They didn't buy it one bit. "You keep this up Ash, you'll have scars on your scars.", Vanessa told him. "Hey, we're here! We made it!", Brock yelled out. The others turned to his direction, and saw that they were now in the volcano! Hot magma was underneath them, the solid rock ground the only thing to walk on. They looked around and saw that the portal they were looking for was right the middle of the volcano! A long, very narrow bridge was the only entrance to it. "Well, we've done it! Time to go home!", Misty said. Everyone agreed with her. They walked towards the bridge, being careful not to slip and fall. Brock made it first, then Misty and Vanessa. Pikachu and Togepi were still inside of Brock's backpack, which he was carrying. Suddenly, the volcano was rumbling and the lava beneath them was boiling! "ITS GOING TO BLOW!!!", Brock shouted out. Ash was halfway there, the wounds from his body slowing him down. The rocks from above started to break loose, falling all around Ash. The others urged him to hurry up. Try as he might, he could not quicken his pace. Suddenly, the bridge started to break apart! Ash saw this, and quickly retreated back. He barley made it when the bridge was gone completely. It was about 35 feet from where Ash was, all the way to where the others were. "GO ON!! SAVE YOURSELVES!!!", Ash shouted out over the rising rumblings of the volcano. He threw his backpack to Brock, so he could save his Pokemon. He looked around to find a way out, but it was no use. The only exit was sealed up and the raptors were on the other side. He was now standing, waiting to see his friends go to safety.
Neither of them wanted to leave Ash, but they couldn't find any way to save him. Vanessa then did a bold move. She slowly walked towards the portal, then turned around and made a humongous running leap across the chasm! She made it, with some inches to spare. She went to Ash's side, and stayed there. "What are you doing?!", Ash demanded. Vanessa just gazed into his eyes, and hugged him tight. "I refuse to leave you, Ash. I love you, and you are the only one I have left. I will be with you till the end.", she whispered to him. She kissed him passionately all of a sudden, kissing him full on the lips. She then broke it after a few minutes, and buried her face into his chest. He was moved by this, but still tried to persuade her to go and save herself. She refused, and just held Ash tight. He saw that it was no use, but then thought about what she said. "Thank you, Vanessa.", he said to her. He then embraced her, holding her tightly. They now just stood there, waiting for the end. Misty saw this tender moment, then made up her mind. She leaped across the chasm and went towards Ash. She also embraced him, hugging him tightly. "I love you too, Ash. Without you, I would just be a shadow. Nothing would ever matter to me.", she told him. Ash was now amazed by these two girls. She buried her face into his chest as well, both girls showing that they really loved him. He smiled and welcomed their embrace. He then turned to Brock and yelled out, "Go Brock!! Get out of here and tell everyone on what happened!". Brock didn't want to leave, but he saw no other alternative. "Please Brock! Make this my last wish!", Ash yelled out again. Brock hesitated for a moment, then quickly went through the portal. It closed up. The volcano was now ready to erupt, ready to explode! Ash held the girls tightly, tears streaming down their eyes. "Don't worry. At least, we will die with no regrets.", Ash calmly said to the two. They looked at him, smiling and tears of joy now coming down their faces. "Yeah. We will die with no regrets.", they both said together. Holding each other tight, they stayed together when the volcano erupted in all its fury!
Brock was now in traveling through the portal, very sad that Ash and the others died. When he landed back outside the portal, he found himself in a cave. He looked around and saw a small speck of light at the end of the long tunnel. "So long guys. Rest in peace.", Brock whispered as he started to walk towards the light. Pikachu and Togepi emerged from his pack. They had sensed that the danger was gone. Pikachu came out and asked Brock on what had happened. It saw the look on Brock's face and knew that something was wrong. Brock told the two Pokemon the news. They were heartbroken. Brock tried to reassure them, saying that they had at least died with no regrets. That calmed them down a little, but not by much. The three now started towards the light again. Fifteen minutes later, they emerged from the dark tomb. They found themselves on a high hill, which was overlooking Olivine City, the city that Ash wanted to go to. "Well, better call everyone and tell them what happened.", Brock said sadly. He started downhill, Pikachu and Togepi slowly following. Brock didn't make it ten steps down when he ran into Team Rocket. "Hey, kid! Where are the twerps?!", Jessy demanded over a bullhorn. Brock was now very irritated by this. "NOT NOW!!!", he shouted out. He threw a PokeBall from his pack, and out emerged Onix! "Onix, send them flying with Slam attack!", Brock ordered Onix. The giant rock-snake Pokemon heaved its tail, and slammed the balloon with great force! The balloon popped and Team Rocket was blown away. "Come on. We got a wish to fulfill.", Brock said to Pikachu as he recalled Onix.
Reaching the Pokemon Center, Brock started to call everyone that knew Ash. It was long and terrible labor for him. After all, no one ever believed his story. Brock asked everyone to come to Ecruteak City, where it all began. A few weeks later, all of Ash's friends arrived at the site Brock told them to go. "So, why are we here, Brock?", Ash's mom asked him. Brock led everyone to the site that started it all. Few moments, he lead them to the spot where the hole was. It was still there. Brock was about to jump in, when something incredible happened. Ash came in front of them, as a ghost! Everyone freaked out, thinking that it was a hallucination. "Its all right, everybody. Its really me.", the apparition assured them. Then, Misty and Vanessa appeared as well. They were spirits as well, being very close to Ash. "Ash, is that… really you? And you too, Misty?", Professor Oak asked nervously. Ash and Misty nodded in agreement. Ash introduced Vanessa to them. "Listen, all of you. Do not go down there. It is very dangerous.", Misty warned them. Vanessa added, "Down there is a portal, which will take you to where we were. In the time and land of the dinosaurs.". Everyone was amazed by this, but still had their doubts. Ash knew of this and that's when he said, "Believe it or not, that is what happened. So please, do not let anyone near here.". Ash's mom started to cry, now saddened that her son was now gone. Ash went over to her and gently whispered, "Its okay Mom. At least I didn't die alone and with regrets.". She looked at her son, and saw through his eyes that he was telling the truth. Suddenly, they began to fade. "No! Ash, please! Don't go!", Ash's mom pleaded. He smiled at her and said, "I have to go. Sorry Mom.". Misty and Vanessa went to Ash and held him close. It was the same embrace as that when they were in the volcano. Soon, the trio disappeared.
From that day forward, no one who knew Ash ever forgot about him. The hole was sealed up, making sure that no one ever broke in to it. Brock, Pikachu, Togepi, and all the others had to live with the fact that their best friends were gone. "Guys, you were a good friend and trainer. May you rest in peace.", Brock whispered up to the sky. It was clear and breezy, very good weather. Brock continued his quest to become a Pokemon Breeder. Pikachu and Togepi were with him all the way. The world shall dearly miss its heroes.
THE END