Author's note: So, this is the end of the story. Since no one reviewed the last few chapters, I guess either no one liked them or no one read them. I guess it doesn't matter. I don't write just for reviews, I do it because I like it.

I do hope though that someone liked this story. I am going to start a sequel soon. Hope somebody gets a chance to read it!

I'm a little annoyed because the little things that I put up on Microsoft word to show a gap in time or a change of scene don't work. Ah well. I'm sure it's not illegible.

Night was falling as Professor Oak was cycling along a Pallet Town lane. He stopped outside the Ketchum house and knocked on the door. In a moment a pretty, middle-aged lady opened the door.

"Hi Professor, come on in. How are you?"

"I'm fine, thank you Delia. Have you heard the news?"

"News?"

"About the Pokémon League that Ash is at. Come on, let's have a look and see if the news is on the television".

"Oh!" Delia, suddenly worried, led the way to the living room where Mr Mime was sleeping on a chair.

Professor Oak turned on the television and it flared to life. The newsreader was halfway through his report.

"The plan seems to have been conceived by Giovanni, the now-revealed master mind behind Team Rocket".

"Team Rocket!" Professor Oak sat down next to Delia, whose forehead was creased in worry.

"Giovanni was the leader of the Viridian City Gym, and he was the favourite to win the Pokémon League. But it was all a front. He was in reality the greatest gangster ever known. He fled with dozens of Team Rocket operatives into an airship", the reporter continued, "Immediately after, Ash Ketchum, Misty Waterflower and Brock Slate, young trainers, disappeared with their Pokémon".

"Oh no!" Delia held her head in her hands and looked away.

"Shortly afterwards", the man went on, "Giovanni's helicopter was discovered crashed at the foot of the Viridian Mountains. He is missing and presumed dead. It seems League contender Ash Ketchum and his friends pursued him to the Viridian Gym and there was a conflict here".

Delia was sobbing. Professor Oak gently placed a hand on her shoulder, knowing that there was nothing he could do to comfort her.

"Thankfully, the youngsters survived and managed to retrieve the stolen Pokémon. After being interviewed by the police and officially thanked by the League, young Ash said he most wanted to go home, and so was granted use of three League Fearow Taxis…"

They were both silent for a moment. Delia didn't dare to hope it was true. She couldn't have her hopes raised and then dashed again…

There was a knock on the door.

Instantly, Delia leapt to her feet and raced to the door, startling Oak and Mr Mine. She threw open the door and gasped.

"Hi Mom", Ash smiled wearily.

He was smothered by a huge hug. Behind him, Pikachu, Misty and Brock looked at each other and smiled. Togepi clapped enthusiastically.

"Ash, don't you ever do that to me again!" Delia sobbed, "I thought I'd lost you!"

Ash managed to mumble, "No Mom. Sorry Mom".

She let him go after what seemed like an age and kissed him on the cheek, "Oh, for a moment I was so worried then! Come on in, all of you".

She practically dragged Ash into the living room, and his friends followed.

"Ah, hi there Ash", Professor Oak smiled, "I had a feeling you might pull through".

"Thanks, Professor", Ash grinned, feeling exhausted. He sat down on the sofa, and Misty sat next to him. Pikachu leapt onto his lap. Delia sat on another chair, Brock on another, while Professor Oak stood by the television, stooping to turn it off.

"Ash, what happened today?" his mother demanded to know.

"Well, it's a sort of a long story…"

"We have a long time. Explain yourself, Mister!"

And so Ash recounted the day's events, feeling fatigue creep over him as he did so. He was aware that Misty was holding his hand after a while, and he squeezed it reassuringly.

"So what happened to your friends from Team Rocket?" Delia asked.

Ash smiled, realizing that was what they were now. Friends.

"They were given an official pardon for their past crimes and allowed to go free. They said they'd keep in touch with us".

"I guess this just goes to show that when it's crunch time, even they can come through", Brock said.

"Yeah, it sure does", Ash smiled, "I hope I'll see them again soon…"

"I think I'll go make a coffee for everyone. You all certainly look like you could use one", Oak said suddenly, "Come on, Brock. I could use a hand".

Brock's eyes met with Oak's and they exchanged a glance. Brock nodded knowingly and they headed for the kitchen.

When they were out of earshot, Delia turned to her son, "So…Ash…um…"

"Yeah, Mom?"

She looked slightly embarrassed, "You and Misty…um…"

Misty and Ash looked at their joined hands, then back at Delia, "Um…yeah", Ash began, "You see, Mom…err…"

Delia clapped her hands together, "Oh, that is so sweet! I can't believe you two are finally together!"

Misty blushed, "Thanks, Mrs Ketchum".

"You don't mind, do you Mom?" Ash asked.

"Oh no, of course not! I'm so pleased for you two".

She hugged them both warmly. Ash and Misty smiled at each other. Everything was going to be all right.

Wandering the streets of Viridian City at night were three figures. They shuffled along the dark alleys and the street lights silently.

"Well, we did it", James said after a while.

"Did what?" Jessie asked.

"We helped protect the world from devastation".

"We sure did, Jimmy", Meowth murmured, "And now the boss is dead and Team Rocket's gone for good".

"Won't Team Rocket get a new leader?" James wondered.

"You should know Giovanni was the backbone of Team Rocket", Jessie pointed out, "Without him, it's history. The other members would just fight to be leader, and there'd be nothing left by the end of it".

"I suppose you're right", James grinned, "This is our chance for the big break! We can make an honest living and be decent citizens".

"That's right", Meowth clasped his paws together, "From now on, there'll be no more swiping Pokémon for any of us, no more running away from the police all of the time!"

"Ahah!" Jessie smiled, "Come on, guys. Let's go fulfil our dreams!"

The ex-Team Rocket members headed off towards what they hoped would be lasting peace.

"So, what's happening to the Pokémon League now?" Professor Oak asked as he entered the room with Brock, carrying a tray of coffee cups.

"It's been postponed for now", Ash said, "With a member gone, namely Giovanni, and with all the hustle of returning the correct Pokémon to the correct people, it will take them at least a month before they can sort it all out".

"Ah", Oak replied, "That means you and your friends can have a rest for a while. And I don't think anyone deserves it more".

Ash smiled, "Thanks, Professor".

"Your friends are all welcome to stay here for as long as they wish", Delia offered.

"Thanks", Brock said, "But I better go home to my family for now. At least, until the Pokémon League continues, and then I'll help Ash through", he gave Ash a thumbs up sign.

"Heh, okay", Ash turned to look at Misty, "What about you, Mist?"

She paused, and looked uncertain, "I really don't want to go back to my sisters…is that alright with you, Mrs Ketchum?"

"Of course, dear. You can stay in Ash's room. Isn't that right, Ash?"

"It sure is", Ash looked at Misty and smiled sweetly.

"Pika pika!" Pikachu jumped on Ash's shoulder and perched there happily.

Ash smiled, exhausted but pleased. He was surrounded by the ones he cared about and loved, and they loved him back. What more could he want?

Deep in the caves of the Viridian Mountains, all was quiet save for water dripping off the cave ceilings, and heavy, laboured breathing.

Slumped against the rock was a man. His suit was torn and ragged, his flesh bleeding and ripped. He held his hand in his head, and he was breathing heavily. By his side was a Persian, which looked unscathed save for a few scratches. The Persian rubbed up against his leg, reassuringly.

He stoked its head with one hand, and looked up. It would not end like this. He would not lie here forever, doomed to a slow and undignified death. He would rise up again and strike back.

Slowly, and with great pain, Giovanni managed to stand up. He resisted screaming in agony. Crawling here in the first place had eaten away most of his remaining energy, but he managed to snarl;

"I'll kill you, Ash Ketchum!"