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Happy NYE! I thought I would kick this out before 2021. Yes, this is the epilogue!
Enjoy :)
Part 17 (Epilogue)
The return of Ash, Misty, and River Ketchum shocked the world. There were press conferences and photoshoots. Paparazzi began following the family everywhere. It became more insane than it had been eight years earlier at the peak of their careers.
At first, the world could hardly believe that they travelled forward in time. People tried to explain away their story, saying that they had been in hiding for all of these years or that they were once again kidnapped by Team Rocket. However, eventually, their story became widely believed because of their lack of aging -particularly River who remains a five-year-old when she should be thirteen.
Of course, the world also shocked Ash and Misty. They had to confront the fact that they could not return to their own time because it would create a paradox. Consequently, their family and friends had all aged eight years more than them.
For Ash, it was difficult to see his mother's gray hair. Eight years earlier, it had only a few streaks that shined in the sun. Now, every strand is gray or silver. Her absolute delight at his return quelled these feelings for he knew how lucky she must feel to have him back. Even the phone call he made twenty years earlier when he told her that he was alive after being missing for over a year couldn't compare to the call in which he had to explain to her that he never really died and that he time travelled into the future.
For Misty, it was hard to accept that her son was nearly a man. She didn't know how to have a seventeen-year-old son, and she struggled missing her sweet little boy. However, when he was lying in the hospital bed in Fuschia City, she feared that he would never recover and that she would miss not just eight years, but a lifetime with him. Fortunately, he received excellent care there and she felt blessed to have the opportunity to continue being his mother.
Phoenix received excellent care at the Fuschia City Hospital for nearly a month before he was discharged with very strict orders. He was given a strict diet and ordered to remain in a wheelchair for another month so that he wouldn't strain himself. Each day he felt stronger and more confident with his family, friends, and Pokemon by his side.
At the end of the month in the hospital, Ash and Misty's friends decided that there should be a proper 'Welcome Back' party for their entire family. People and Pokemon from all over the world who were friends with the Ketchums gathered at the Oak Laboratory to celebrate their return. Phoenix recognizes many people who had traveled with his father as well as Elite members and regional champions.
"Look," Phoenix points to a middle aged man with large circular glasses, "that's dad's friend Max. He is a famous software engineer."
"I think I met him once," Ferra responds thoughtfully, "when we were like seven. I remember because he fixed my PokeNav.
"Yeah, I think I remember that too," Phoenix agrees with her.
"And that's Goh!" Ferra points to a tan man with black hair, "He came around a lot when we were kids. He's from Vermillion City. He has so many awesome Pokemon!"
"Oh yeah! He showed me a Galarian Ponyta one time," Phoenix recalls, "it was so neat and different than Kanto's Ponytas!"
The young couple sit at one of the many tables underneath a large tent in the lab's garden. They watch casually as guests come and go. They see Ash and Misty reacquaint themselves with their friends who are all brimming with happiness to see them. They recognize people who their parents knew from their teenage years like Mallow and Lily from Alola and Clemont and Bonnie from Kalos and many more!
In the middle of the tables, there is a dance floor created with a removable stage. Phoenix smiles at the sight before him. Quinn and River dance with Raichu to a pop song together in a silly fashion. Quinn has taken to her old friend again regardless of their age difference. He smiles at his gran who sits on the outskirts watching her granddaughter gleefully with Professor Oak Senior.
"There's Austin. He took forever to get ready," Ferra points at their other friend who enters from the other side of the stage.
He looks nervous, but he walks up to Quinn to talk to her. River spies her parents and runs away to join them with Raichu on her heels as a slower song changes the pace of the dance. Austin and Quinn link hands and he wraps his arm around her waist. Phoenix and Ferra strain to hear their conversation, but their efforts are futile. They watch as Austin leans into her neck and whispers in her ear.
"The kids has some game after all," Phoenix's eye brows raise.
"What do you know about game, Phoenix?" Ferra asks, humor sparking in her eyes.
He rolls his eyes jokingly at her.
"What is he saying?" Ferra asks, looking closely at the pair.
They are confused to see fresh tears rolling down Quinn's cheeks.
"What could he possibly have done?" Phoenix groans, shaking his head, preparing to wheel himself over there.
"Wait," Ferra insists, holding onto his chair.
Through Quinn's tears, she smiles at his words and nods. They watch the pair dance in circles in a deep conversation before he suddenly steps away from her. They look at each other lovingly and Austin kisses her softly on the cheek before he turns to walk away from her. She stands alone on the dance floor with a sad smile on her face.
"What the hell?" Phoenix asks, feeling very confused.
"Where is he going?" Ferra asks as Austin walks away from Quinn and the party.
"I don't know, let's catch up to him," Phoenix says, allowing Ferra to help him push his wheels through the grass.
"Austin, wait up!" Phoenix shouts while gaining ground.
Austin stops walking and turns around, a small, sad smile graces his face.
"Hey you guys," he responds half-heartedly.
"Where are you going?" Ferra asks him, curiously.
"It's time for me to go home," Austin shares, letting loose a deep breath.
"Like, to Viridian City?" Phoenix asks, remembering their first conversation, "we can walk with you after the party."
Austin smiles in appreciation, "I would love nothing more, but it's not that simple."
"Why not?" Ferra asks, wondering why their friend is acting so cryptic.
"Because my ride is waiting," Austin points to the edge of the forest where the small green fairy floats patiently.
"Celebii?" Phoenix asks, wondering what he's implying.
"Yeah," Austin nods, finally revealing his true self with his friends, "it's best I don't look too much older when I return. I've already spent nearly a year in this time. My parents are probably going to kill me."
"You were supposed to explain everything to us," Phoenix insists desperately, "you can't just leave!"
"Listen, I did tell a few lies here and there, I admit. Like Kuro wasn't my first Pokemon, I've had Joule since I was three. And I have a bunch of other Pokemon back home," Austin shares, "but I promise I have been a genuine friend. So the truth is, I am from Viridian City but also Viridian City fifteen years in the future. I came back in time to help you find your family, Phoenix. The truth is I really am a big fan of Ash Ketchum, and I'm also a big fan of Phoenix Ketchum too. It's been a lot of fun hanging out with you, I mean it."
Phoenix is bewildered by the information, but he knows he shouldn't be surprised after all of the wacky things that have happened in the last few weeks.
"Will we ever see you again?" Ferra asks hopefully.
"Yes, of course," Austin nods his head and smiles, "in a few months. You'll see me again."
"Bii bi," Celebii approaches, forming a large green portal behind Austin.
"Thank you, Celebii," Austin says, turning towards the portal and preparing to leave, "I'm coming."
"Tell me one thing," Phoenix requests suddenly, causing Austin to pause.
Austin turns back to Phoenix and the two friends lock gazes. Phoenix's cerulean irises meet Austin's hazel ones.
"What's your name?" Phoenix asks boldly, "Your real name?"
Austin smirks, knowing he has been caught.
As he backs up towards the portal, he smirks and says, "Ion. My name is Ion."
Then he is consumed by the portal and disappears to another time. The portal shrinks, leaving Celebii giggling to itself in present time. Ferra laughs softly at the wondrous little fairy. It dives towards them, touching their arms gently before flying back off into the forest.
"Ion," Phoenix ponders, staring in the direction in which the portal had been, "that's a different name. No wonder he is so strange."
"He's gone just like that." Ferra says sadly. "I know I always called him weird, but he was a part of our little group, like a little, annoying brother."
"He said he would be back in a few months," Phoenix says, wrapping his arm around Ferra's waist, forcing himself to smile though it is always sad to say goodbye to a friend.
"I know," she nods, "but it will be different without him."
"Come on," Phoenix motions with his head that they should return to the party, "we can't just sit around and wait. We might as well enjoy the party."
"Of course," Ferra nods, "but I wonder what he said to Quinn."
"She looks fine to me," Phoenix says, pointing to his friend smiling as she dances along to the music with River once again.
"Yeah," Ferra agrees, "I wonder what he said to her."
"I don't know," Phoenix shrugs his shoulders, "but she looks happy now."
Ferra helps push Phoenix through the grass and back to the party area where they notice Ash and Misty standing in the middle of the dance floor.
"Can I get everyone's attention!" Ash calls out loudly. River runs up to them and Ash picks her up.
Gary hands him a microphone.
"Thanks, old man," Ash grins at his old friend. Gary aged 8 more years than him and Ash won't let him forget it.
"No problem, kid," Gary retorts, not allowing Ash to have the last word.
"Speaking of kids," Ash grins and winks, turning back to the microphone, "Mist and I would like to thank you for being here. For us it has been a huge change to live eight years in the future, but we are grateful to Phoenix and his friends for finding a way to save our lives. Thank you, son."
The crowd of friends cheers in happiness. Phoenix notices that his parents' eyes glimmer with joy.
"Now, one thing that didn't change was that eight years ago we found out that we were expecting our third child. We're excited to share that our second son, Ion Ketchum, will arrive in about five months."
The crowd roars at the news, but Phoenix's mouth falls open in astonishment at his father's words. Ferra's hand clasps over her mouth covering a surprised laugh. They look at each other, grinning wildly, and shake their heads.
"Is everything alright, Phoen?" Ash asks, approaching them with Misty, "I hope you aren't mad we didn't tell you first. We just had a check up since travelling through time and we thought this was the perfect moment with everyone here.
"No, no," Phoenix shakes his head, unable to keep himself from grinning, "that is awesome."
"I'm glad you think so, sweetie," Misty says, brushing his growing, messy hair out of his eyes.
"Why Ion, though?" Phoenix asks in curiosity.
"When we found out it is a boy, I just felt this electricity about him," Misty explains, "so we thought we would give him a name that fit that feeling. Like Phoenix fits you because you always get back up again and River fits her because she is very go with the flow."
"We didn't want to name him after the various electric gym leaders we know, like Surge or Wattson," Ash laughs "Ion just came to us one day."
Phoenix and Ferra share a grin, and he says, "I think I know what his middle name should be."
FIfteen Years Later
Ion steps onto the lush grass of the Cerulean Forest floor and takes a deep breath of the fresh forest air. He closes his eyes hearing Pidgeys tweeting in the trees.
Looking out at the lake in front of him, he thinks about the events that took place at this very spot fifteen years before. He smiles about the adventure that he had lived for the last year of his life.
"I've been waiting a long time to see you again, Austin," a deep, jovial voice calls from behind him.
Ion grins at the sound of that name, and turns around to face the man.
"Well, I told you you'd see me in a few months, Phoenix," Ion points out playfully, "I never said I'd be the same age."
Though he had grown up with his brother being eighteen years older than him, to Ion, it almost seems surreal to see his brother at the age of 32 after spending a year with him as a teenager. His once messy auburn hair is shaved short and tidy, and his face is adorned with a thick beard. He had grown tall in his early twenties; even taller than their father. On his head sits the iconic red and white league hat that all Ketchums tend to wear at some point or another. A red jacket rests on his shoulders and hangs down to where it meets his black jeans.
"There's one thing that I've been waiting to say to you for a long time, Ion," Phoenix says seriously, "but I had to wait until you finished this journey."
Ion waits expectantly, wondering what his brother could have to say after all of that.
"Thank you," Phoenix says earnestly, "I couldn't have done it without you or Joule."
Ion doesn't respond immediately, but simply nods and smiles up at his brother, "you know, you were a lot more fun when you were seventeen."
Phoenix slaps him in the back of the head playfully which makes them both laugh.
"You got a little taller, but I thought maybe you would also grow up a little in the year you were there," Phoenix jokes.
"No, not really," Ion shrugs his shoulders, "but you sure did."
"A lot happened that year," Phoenix nods his head, remembering all of the events of the first year of his journey, "it is definitely one to remember."
"I'll never forget it," Ion shakes his head, also reminiscing.
"You were only gone for about an hour of our time," Phoenix says, looking at the clock on his phone, "We figured you might have missed home a little, so Ferra made dinner for everyone. Mom and dad picked up gran and are already there waiting. Even River said she might stop by if she isn't too busy at the gym."
"Please tell me Ferra didn't make that stone soup again that Uncle Brock taught her," Ion groans at the thought of the tasteless broth and undercooked vegetables.
"No, she made spaghetti and meat sauce on the side because my children are unbearably picky," Phoenix sighs and rolls his eyes jokingly, "and mom helped her."
"Good," Ion states with a sparkle in his eye, "because I'm picky too!"
Phoenix shakes his head at his silly younger brother.
"Come on, kid, let's go shave that nasty yellow fur off your head before anyone else has to see it," Phoenix chuckles and ruffles his hair, remembering a time when he thought the color was natural, "you look like a Pikachu coughed up a hairball on your head."
"I kind of like it like this!" Ion exclaims, smoothing it back jokingly, "I might keep it blonde!"
"I will not allow you to ridicule the Ketchum name," Phoenix shakes his head, "it's going."
They laugh together as they start walking through the break in the trees down a worn path that leads out of the forest.
"Do you think mom and dad will be mad?" Ion asks, referring to his year long adventure in the past.
"Livid," Phoenix grins, laughing heartily, wrapping an arm around his brother's shoulder to squeeze him tightly in a side hug.
That's a wrap!
Thanks for joining me for this wild ride!
I'd like to dedicate the character of Austin/Ion to Tigercat111 who inspired me to make something more of him when originally he was just going to be a random new friend. It definitely added to the plot. Thanks! See you around!
In case you missed a few things...
*Austin/Ion would not have existed if Phoenix never saved his parents, and Phoenix could not have saved the day without Austin and Joule's help. Austin/Ion wouldn't have gone into the past without future Phoenix. The entire thing is a wibbly wobbly timey wimey paradox mess!
*Austin/Ion came across as a little wacky and strange because he was constantly acting and hiding his identity.
*Future Phoenix is the brother that Austin refers to multiple times.
*Salamence belongs to future Phoenix
*Joule is the daughter of Ash's Raichu given to Austin/Ion as a Pichu.
*Kuro is Charvo and Mari's son. This is why Kuro is paler and is described to have a bony spine. Also why Kuro was so affectionate with Mari and so competitive with Charvo. Charvo is a made up name, but Kuro means 'ninth son' in Japanese and Mari is a cognate for Mary meaning 'mother'. So having three Charmander evolutions in one story doesn't seem so farfetched now, eh?
Best wishes for you in 2021!
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Furny