The Wedding Day

-Disclaimer- I don't own the Pokemon franchise and I never will. You know the rest.

A/N - Sandy Island is fictional and is a creation of mine. Also, in part 1, I referred to May as "Terra". At the time I wrote that part, May's dub name wasn't known, and Terra was one of the possible names people were guessing at. I didn't change it because I've posted this story in too many places.

Part 4

Three o'clock found Ash, Misty, and Lapras landing on the beach of one of the Seafoam Islands. Ash had chosen to land in a secluded cove, blocked off from the rest of the island by a thick forest. Two well-maintained paths extended into the forest in opposite directions. Ash and Misty got off Lapras, and Ash thanked it, petted it, and recalled it.

"That way," said Ash, pointing to the left-hand path, "leads to another beach like this one, only bigger. That's where the ceremony and reception will be. But for now, we go this way." He pointed to the right-hand path. "We need to change first."

Misty had never been to this particular island, and was curious as to where Ash was taking her. The path they were walking along was short, and a brief walk later, they emerged into a large clearing. On the other side of it, directly ahead of them, a paved road wound its way through the forest. In front of them was a gravel parking lot for the two medium-sized log cabins that were on each side of them. A smaller log building sat just beyond the cabins. The words "Sandy Island Cabins Office" were painted on a sign next to it.

"What is this place?" asked Misty, quite impressed so far with the island and the "getaway" feel it had.

Ash smirked. "Well, as you can see from the sign, it's called Sandy Island. It's one of the Seafoam Islands."

Misty made a face. "I pieced that together."

Ash chuckled and continued, "I don't know if you noticed the beach back there, but this island is known particularly for the extremely fine sand on its beaches. The government, in cooperation with the Pokemon League, take great pride in keeping this island in particular as unspoiled as possible, so there are restrictions on who gets to come here for a vacation and how many at once. It seemed like a perfect spot for the wedding, so here we are."

"Now you've got me curious, Ash, I wanna go back and see the beach!" Misty felt a little guilty that she hadn't noticed the sand before. She was too caught up with Ash and wondering what he had in store for the wedding. As a Water Pokemon Gym Leader, she took pride in always noticing and admiring things like beautiful beaches.

Ash shook his head. "No." He then winked at her and grinned mischeviously. "We'll have plenty of time for that AFTER the wedding."

"What do you mean?" This was yet another thing for Misty to be curious about.

"You'll find out later. Right now we need to get ready." Ash indicated the four cabins, and explained that the one on their left was hers and her sisters were staying in the one just ahead of that. The one across the parking lot from the Sensational Sisters would house Brock, and the cabin just to Ash's right was his. "For now, anyway," quipped the young Pokemon Master.

"Go on in and get freshened up," said Ash. "You'll find everything you need in there. I have to do the same." With that the two lovers went into their respective cabins.

Misty opened the green wooden door and felt for a light switch, not really knowing what she would find. Locating the switch and turning it on, she saw an immaculately clean interior. It looked pretty much like your average log cabin, but there was something...professional about it. On the wall opposite where she was standing, a TV on a hardwood stand stared back at her. In front of it was an overstuffed green couch. A large green rectangular rug covered most of the floor. To her left was a medium-sized oak table with two carved wooden chairs, and just ahead of that, in the far left corner, was a small kitchen. Opposite the kitchen, to Misty's right, were two doors that led to the bedroom and bathroom. Exploring the bedroom, Misty found a (surprise, surprise) oak dresser opposite a king-sized bed with a green and blue comforter and sheets. Turning to the small walk-in closet in the room, she gasped slightly when she saw her wedding dress on a hanger, and wondered how Ash got it there. She checked her watch and realized that it was now four o'clock. The young Gym Leader hurried across to the bathroom to shower, she could waste no more time.

***

A short distance away, at a beach not far from the one Ash and Misty landed at, and significantly larger, several people buzzed around excitedly, making last-minute checks and making sure everything was in place. Lawn chairs had been arranged in rows on the beach, with an aisle down the middle for the bride and groom to walk through. A podium sat at the end of the aisle for the man who was presiding over the wedding. His back would be to the ocean as he conducted the ceremony. Jessie, James, and Meowth were busily putting the finishing touches on the buffet table for the reception. They'd exchanged their regular Team Rocket uniforms for a very professional-looking suit and dress. Even Meowth sported a black bowtie as he searched in their nearby balloon for the rest of the paper plates.

It wasn't long before everything was done. The audience gradually settled into their seats to await the bride and groom. As had been arranged, Brock and Daisy left the group to alert Ash and Misty respectively that it was time.

***

Soothing classical music played from a large stereo system that was set up near the buffet table as Ash and Misty met at the back of the aisle and linked arms. Misty looked over the scene in front of her, loving every bit of how Ash had set things up. Misty had always had a bit of tomboy in her, so she didn't want a fancy, super-formal wedding dress. Still, Ash looked appreciatively at what she was wearing. Somehow, in the moderately expensive yet simple knee-length aqua blue skirt, matching blazer, and white blouse that she was wearing, she looked more stunning to Ash than in any of the fanciest wedding dresses they'd looked at. Part of that might have had to do with her hair. Ash had always told her she looked beautiful with her hair down, so that's what she had chosen to do. There were a few clips in her hair to keep random strands from blowing around her ears and face, but she looked great. Since Misty wasn't going super-formal, Ash declined the thought of a tuxedo as well. Instead he was wearing a brand new forest green suit over a matching necktie and white dress shirt. He'd even somehow managed to do two things that he never thought were possible: slick back his unruly, spiky hair and find green dress shoes.

The music continued to play as the bride and groom slowly walked up the aisle, arm in arm. The audience, made up of most of the people Ash, Misty, and Brock had met on their travels, watched appreciatively. A few of their more familiar friends, like May, Duplica, Sakura, and Richie, even waved discreetly. Delia Ketchum waited anxiously in the front row, left side, alongside Professors Elm and Westwood. (Ash had suggested inviting Professor Ivy a few weeks previously, but abandoned the idea when Brock, who had overheard, ended up turning blue and curling up in the fetal position under a tree, mumbling something about how people should know by now not to mention her name.)

Presently, when they reached the podium, Misty got her first good look at the man behind it. She had previously been too busy scanning the crowd and acknowledging various people's waves. Now she was pleasantly startled when a familiar gray-haired face looked up from his notes at her. "Professor Oak! I didn't know you could do this!" she whispered.

"It came up in conversation when I was in the Orange Islands with Ash," whispered the professor in response. "I always renew my license, but this is the first time I've had the chance to use it. I was honored when Ash insisted on me marrying you two off." Suddenly realizing that their whispering had attracted the attention of the crowd, he sweatdropped and raised his voice to begin his speech. After talking for a few minutes about how much everyone here loves Ash and Misty, is proud of their accomplishments already at the young age of 20, and is happy about their decision, he said, "Before I go ahead with the vows, Ash has requested something. Brock, Daisy, go ahead."

Brock and Daisy, sitting in the front row on opposite sides, both reached under their respective seats and drew out small bags containing Pokeballs. Brock fished one Pokeball out of his bag and handed it to Daisy, who also gave one to Brock. Daisy then walked the few feet to the shore with it. One by one, she opened each Pokeball and released the Pokemon inside. Misty stared as her Starmie (not her original Starmie, the one that travelled with her as a Staryu), Kingdra, Corsola, Luvdisc, and Politoed, followed by Ash's Lapras, materialized and sat or floated in the water, watching the proceedings.

Brock walked to the area on the left side of the podium, and one by one opened the five Pokeballs that were in his bag. Misty continued staring as first her Togetic, then Ash's Charizard, Meganium, Swellow, and Donphan materialized to watch. Pikachu didn't join them, it had a reserved seat in the front row. Brock then crossed to the other side of the podium, where there was more room, and released his own six Pokemon: Onix, Forretress, Graveler, Marshtomp, Crobat, and Ludicolo.

Ash turned to Misty and smiled. "I thought it would be nice if our Pokemon saw this too. I wanted ALL of them to see it but there just wasn't enough room."

Misty smiled and slowly nodded. "I love you, Ash Ketchum."

Ash laughed quietly. "Hey, wait for the vows." Some of the audience in the first few rows who had heard that laughed too.

As the loving bride and groom repeated their vows, they could think of nothing else but the awesome experiences they'd enjoyed together over the years, the unforgettable friends they'd made, and now their future life together as husband and wife.

Coming to the end of the vows, Professor Oak said, "By the power invested in me through the government of Kanto, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may..." he broke off as the two young lovers in front of him went one step ahead, "...continue kissing the bride."

When the long, sweet kiss finally ended, the professor had Ash and Misty face the crowd. "I hereby present," he announced, "Mr. and Mrs. Ash and Misty Ketchum." The audience applauded heartily, and soon the reception began.

"I can't wait for the food, I'm starving!" Ash joked as the audience filed past the newlyweds to shake hands and offer their congratulations.

Misty rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Some things never change."

---THE END---