Chapter 25: Something I Wanted To Tell You
My last chapter for this story, and hopefully, my best yet! Okay, more chitchat later. For now, let's wrap this all up!
Ash and May were both awake, dressed, and had breakfast in their stomachs before the sun rose. Everyone else was still asleep, but would be awake shortly. In a couple of hours, the group would be split back into what it was before this whole adventure had begun. Because of that, everyone had some time left to be together before it was time to say goodbye.
Neither of them had seen each other this morning, and that was how they'd wanted it for the time being. Both had surprises in mind for each other, and it wouldn't be a surprise if the other were to know.
May's destination was just on the outskirts of town, about a half hour's walk from the Pokémon center. She'd been reading her guidebook for information about the Sevii islands, and through interactions with the locals, she knew exactly which island. The guidebook went on to indicate that there was a renowned berry patch nearby, and that's where May was headed.
Sure enough, the shaded cove was just filled with bushes and trees loaded with all sorts of berries. Better yet, there were no other people or Pokémon in the area. Having made several pokéblocks before, May knew what kinds of berries would blend best with others. Nonetheless, she picked at least one of each kind of berry that grew in the cove.
Of course, merely picking the berries was not enough. Even with breakfast consumed, May still couldn't resist the temptation to eat some berries. Some were sweet, and some were sour, but they were all nutritious.
Satisfied with her haul, she began heading back the way she came. The pack that rested on her hips was full to bursting, so she smiled, knowing exactly what to do with them. Meanwhile, the sun began shining on the ground, so May had to hurry with her task.
Once she reached the Pokémon center, she proceeded to the room that had the berry blender in it. She then placed berries in the blender in the combination that would yield the best results. After ten minutes, all of the berries had been made into pokéblocks. May pulled out both her pokéblock case and a small linen sack. Keeping only a few of the blocks for herself, May placed the remaining majority into the sack (along with the note she wrote when she first woke up this morning), which she then placed back into her pack. She then went to the lobby to greet her companions.
Concurrently, Ash was also on a quest of his own. His hat was on his head, his wallet was in his pocket, and Pikachu was on his shoulder.
Wait, did I just count Pikachu as an accessory?
Ash smirked at his blunder before reminding himself of his intended destination. In fact, it was the very place he'd spent yesterday afternoon at with May. The mall.
When he got there, the main building's doors had just been unlocked to begin the day, and a few stores were already open. Ash checked the store directory to confirm the location of the particular shop he wanted to visit.
A sigh of relief escaped Ash's mouth as he came to the jewelry store and found it to have just opened for business. He went in to take a look around. He decided that the gift he wanted to give May would be something meaningful, but not making any kind of exaggerations. He certainly didn't want to give her the wrong idea!
Ash browsed through the necklaces carefully, both hanging on racks, and in the display cases. He ruled out rings – that would be going too far. Conversely, a bracelet didn't look like it would go far enough. Hence, his final decision. The question was, what would she like that would also send across the desired message?
Browsing took a bit longer than he first thought. The first necklace he examined was a simple bead necklace – cheap and boring, not to mention, not packed with enough emotion. Then there was a gold necklace – WHOA! I am NOT paying that much!
Finally, the perfect gift caught his eye. It was clearly a necklace, but wasn't at all like the others he'd previously looked at. This one was made of a rope-like material (hemp rope, to be specific) which had small silver beads tied into it at repeating segments. The two ends were connected by a silver charm that was shaped into the outline of a heart.
Perfect. Just perfect, Ash thought as he checked the price (VERY reasonable!). Without delay, he purchased the necklace and took it in its corresponding jewel box. Once he and Pikachu got outside, Ash took out the folded note he'd written earlier out of his pocket and placed it inside the box along with the necklace. Now that he was satisfied, he turned and headed back out the mall towards the Pokémon center.
Later that morning, everybody gathered at the docks, where May, Drew, and Max all purchased tickets back to their previous lands of adventure. May and Drew would return to Olivine City on the same ferry, while Max would then take the ferry bound for the port in Dewford Town. Ash, Brock, and Dawn would all take a plane ride to the airport outside Pastoria City. It was time for the grand parting.
Everybody's hearts were heavy at this moment. Although they'd been together for not quite a week, it was still time they'd spent together. Time that would not be thrown aside so easily. Of course, there was no way around the inevitability that today would split them off to their own destinies once again.
Max was the first to leave. With eyes clearly reflecting his sorrow, he shook hands with his friends, hugged May, then gathered his baggage and boarded the ferry bound for Dewford Town. As the ship began moving away from the dock, Max stood at the railing, waving farewell to the people on the dock who were waving back at him. He headed to his own cabin and slowly dozed off. He'd be back in Hoenn before he woke.
Meanwhile, the ship heading to Olivine City began loading passengers. For four particular people, this was the moment they'd been dreading. Goodbyes were never easy for them, and this proved to be no exception.
A teary-eyed Dawn took Drew into a passionate embrace before making him promise to call her as often as he could. Reluctantly, they broke apart and Drew began walking towards Ash, May, and Brock.
"C'mon, May…" Drew said, taking May's hand and starting to lead her to the loading ramp into the ship. May resisted.
"Actually…I have something I want to do first, Drew…" she said, gently pulling her hand away from Drew's.
"Okay, but make it quick. I'll be waiting on the deck for you," he said before boarding. May walked the few feet back to where Ash and Brock stood. She faced Brock.
"Um…could…could you give me and Ash a moment, Brock?" she asked as sweetly as she could.
"Uh…okay," Brock said, then slowly walked about thirty feet from the two. May now turned to face Ash and Pikachu, who was on his usual perch. The look in her face told the little mouse he wasn't wanted around, either, so he hopped off Ash's shoulder to join Brock.
Ash guessed why Pikachu took off, and he was also glad to be alone with the girl standing before him. He gulped before beginning to speak.
"So, uh, I guess you're ready to go back to Johto and pick up where you left of, huh?"
"Mm-hm. And you're ready for the trials of Sinnoh again?"
"Yup."
There was a bit of a very awkward silence between the two that lasted a moment before Ash spoke again.
"Um…Good luck with all your contests, I guess. I'll be rooting for you!"
"Aw, thanks, Ash. I hope you do well in your challenges, too! That reminds me…" May said as she opened her pack and fished out the sack she'd prepared earlier. She held it out to Ash.
"Take this. I think you might find it helpful!" she said with a small smile.
Ash took the sack, and, removing his own pack, placed it inside. He then pulled out his own gift.
"I kinda got you something too. Kinda just so that you'll have something to remember me by," he said as May took it out of his hands. She saw the package was shaped like a box, but didn't know what it was. Of course, it was implied she shouldn't do so until she was en route to Johto.
"Ash, that's so sweet of you! Thank you!" she said with a smile. Her face then dimmed some.
"Do you think…you can keep in touch with me?" she asked.
"Of course, May. If you'll keep in contact with me as well."
"You know I will, Ashy."
Ash walked forward and wrapped his arms around May's body, and she lifted her arms and hugged him around his torso. Tears began streaming down May's cheeks and onto the shoulder on which her head rested. Ash, too, was also unable to stop the flow of waterworks from his eyes. Slowly, May pulled back slightly.
Ash then felt something warm and soft on his cheek, and immediately blushed as he realized that May was kissing him. For a few seconds, he was in heaven. Then, May pulled away reluctantly.
"I gotta go. Bye, Ash!" May said, trying to smile.
"Bye, May! I hope to see you again soon!" Ash replied, also forcing a smile.
May grinned at him, before turning and heading over to Brock and Pikachu to say her farewells. Meanwhile, Ash blushed as he rubbed the spot where May had smooched him.
A short while later, the ship raised its ramp and began moving. From the deck, May and Drew waved their sayonaras to their companions on the docks. Brock and Ash watched the ship as it got smaller and smaller, eventually disappearing on the horizon.
Ash looked around, then seemed alarmed.
"Hey, Brock? Where's Dawn?"
Brock had an embarrassed look on his face. "Oh, um…I think I saw her heading back to the Pokémon center after Drew got on board. That was about when you were talking to May."
Ash nodded. "Let's get going, then. Our plane leaves in a few minutes, and I don't wanna miss it."
With one last look at the sea, the two of them headed back into the town to find Dawn and rush to the airport to secure their seats on the next plane bound for the Sinnoh region.
The ship cruised along the waves at high speeds. It was moving so fast that the passengers now had to remain inside their cabins for almost the entire journey to Olivine. Inside one such cabin was a boy and a girl.
The green-haired boy was snoozing on his bed. Across the room, the brunette girl couldn't find any sleep. Her departure was still to recent for her mind to give her any peace. Thoughts nearly drove her mad, until she remembered the small box in her pack. Grabbing it and pulling out the box, May slowly lifted up the lid.
A piece of paper fell out. May set down the box as she unfolded the paper and read the note on it.
My Dear May, (I'm dear to him! May thought excitedly)
I dunno what to write, so I'll just start by saying what a wonderful feeling it's been to be back with you. I am pleased to see how much you've grown as a coordinator, as well as a person. You've always been my friend, even as I traveled through Sinnoh, and you still are. And you always will be. I hope you like this gift, and that you'll remember me every time you look at it. Well, I just wanna say that…wow, this is hard even to write. Maybe I can tell you later. I HOPE I can tell you later! But good luck in Johto! Go win that Grand Festival for me!
(Something that looked like "Love" had been poorly crossed out) Sincerely, Ash (May smiled at the crossed-out word)
PS: Aw, what the heck. May, I love you! This is something I wanted to tell you before you left for the contests in Johto, but it took me being separated from you for me to realize that.
May almost swooned as she read the postscript. He does love me!!! May felt her heart pounding in her chest. She wanted to shout and jump for joy, but that would wake Drew, so instead, she let out a long, happy sigh. Folding up the letter, she placed it in her pack. She then held up the necklace and immediately fell in love with it. Awww… May sighed again. She then placed it over her head and let it hang from her neck. The charm hung above where her cleavage would be, and she smiled as she looked at herself in the mirror.
Ash's ears had finally adjusted to the changes in atmospheric pressure as the plane he and his traveling companions were on finished its ascent into the sky. Beside him, Dawn, Brock, and Pikachu were all fast asleep, apparently not as sensitive to air pressure as Ash. He sighed, but then decided now would be a good time to see what May got him.
Carefully getting out of his seat, Ash opened the overhead compartment and pulled out his pack. He found the sack easily, and placed it on his lap as he sat down again. Slowly, he opened the bag. As the cloth fell flat, Ash saw that it was loaded with several colorful pokéblocks, plus a small, folded note, which he began reading.
Hiya, Ash!
Um, since I didn't know what all to get you, I decided to make this a personalized gift. It is my hope that you are able to use these pokéblocks to win some battles. I know battling is your thing but…ah! I don't even know what to write! Well, I guess I just want to say good luck, and here's hoping you make it to the top!
Actually, that's not all I wanna write. Ash…I wasn't entirely asleep that one day in the hospital. I heard what you said to me. I was deeply touched by all that. But the truth is, I'M the one who's lucky to have a friend like you. Seriously, you've saved my life more times than I can count!
I also got this, since the pokéblocks won't be around forever. I've had this with me for a long time, but I'm giving it to you so you can remember me and all the good times we've had together.
It saddens me to see you leaving once again, so I hope you'll stay in touch with me more this time around, okay? I'll let you know if anything major happens! Good luck with the Sinnoh league!
-May
P.S.: Um…one more thing. It's kinda hard to write, Ash, but this is from the heart, and it's something I wanted to tell you before we parted paths. Ash…I love you. I have since the day I first saw you in Littleroot town all those long months ago. Please don't ever let our bond be cast aside! My heart is yours always… ()
Ash blushed as he saw a reddish sort of oval following the text in the postscript. He then smiled as he realized it was May's lipstick that left a mark when she kissed the paper there, though she undoubtedly meant to have it on Ash's lips.
Smiling, Ash pocketed the letter then pushed aside some of the colored blocks and found a photograph. He almost gasped as he realized the day this picture was taken.
In it, he and May stood back-to-back, each smiling and holding half of a contest ribbon. Ash fondly recalled that contest, where he and May tied. Since there was only one ribbon for the two of them, he had his Sceptile slice it in half. In fact, even to this day, Ash still carried his half of that ribbon, and he knew she still carried hers.
Ash also put the photo in his pocket with the note in it, and he closed up the sack. Right now, he could have shouted his zeal from a mountaintop. However, a plane's interior is not a true mountaintop, and nobody would be happy if he woke them from their slumber. In lieu of that, he merely smiled and squirmed in his seat, unable to control himself. Today, he had his heart intertwined with its counterpoint in another. And it was the best feeling in the world.
THE END
Wow. Almost one month to the day since I started writing this. And now, it's done…I don't know if I should be happy or sad that it's gotten to this point. Anyway, now that this fanfic has reached its conclusion, I guess I'll reflect on it to feel better.
This being my first fiction on FF, I feel extremely proud of this work. Ultimately, it turned out even better than I had originally imagined. Interestingly, I did some research to try and get caught up on the anime after unintentionally taking a hiatus from it (as some of you hinted, I sorta screwed up some personalities…sorry!), but I hope the characters were believable enough to seem real. Also, virtually none of the plot was set in stone as I began. In each chapter, I would jot down the first good idea that came to me, and before long, boom, there's a chapter! Of course, I'm the kind of writer who just writes his mind. Looks pretty good.
I do, however, feel disappointed in how I showed off my villains. Namely, I didn't elaborate on the Rocketshipping theme as much as I thought I would, but then again, getting the Contest/Pearlshippings to dissolve, and Advance/(Whatever-I don't know what the name of Dawn X Drew is…)shipping to form took way more effort than anticipated. Nonetheless, I did bring it to light, so I tried, to say the least. Also, some of your reviews indicated you were less than pleased with how I showed the standoff between Ash and Giovanni. I'm gonna have to say I agree with you – that's one of the things that, looking back, I think could've been done better. Ah, well…water under the bridge. At least now, I have an idea of how to portray Giovanni for future reference. Needs to be much more evil ;)
Looking at things with a glass half-full perspective now, I'm really happy about how I did the Pokémon battles, as well as giving consideration to character development. It is my hope that the characters were realistic, and that the situations played out to your enjoyment. I know it did mine…These last few chapters were short, but I think the content was really good, especially since I finally got the ball rolling on the Advanceshipping stuff (Ash and May forever!).
Finally, I have an important announcement to make. As I was writing, a few chapters ago, I decided the ending was good, but could be elaborated upon. However, said elaborations probably wouldn't fit into this work, so I've decided to write a sequel!!! However, I have a few ideas that need serious refinement before I can begin. Also, I'm inviting you to give some input on the ideas I have, so as to help make the next story more enjoyable for you. Here's what I've thought of so far:
-Traveling Party: Who all should go (besides Ash and May)? Or shall I leave the two lovers by themselves? Think carefully about this – there's bound to be some sort of trade-off…
-Location: I was thinking of having the next region being here in the US, but if you've got anything better, or would like to make suggestions on this, I'd love to hear them.
-Pokémon: Who should everyone bring with them (obviously, Pikachu won't be happy without Ash, so he's automatically in)? I have one idea in mind for each of the two trainers, but I've got my mind set on that, and I'll make it a surprise for you! Again, give careful consideration to this.
-Villain: I've decided to create an entirely new villain guild, which I may call "Team Nefarious". They'll use various types of Pokémon. Once more, suggestions in this department are welcome!
-Rival: Shall I have someone to bug our protagonists? Ideas I have are Paul, Gary Oak, and Brendan Birch. Input is valued, as if you needed to be reminded…
-Team Rocket: Shall I have the comedic trio continue to harass the protagonists, or do they deserve a rest this time around? I'm thinking I might keep them, just for comedic relief, but your opinions matter to me.
If I hear nothing on any of these, then I shall write in my own ideas for the topic. Again, I already have ideas, I just need to refine them, and adjust them as per suggestions. I will probably start the sequel as early as next week.
Well, that's it! I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading Something I Wanted To Tell You as much as I did writing it! Please leave comments as always, and I look forward to continuing to appeal to you as my audience. Finally, a big thank you to everyone for reading, reviewing, and favoriting! You guys ROCK!
-ShadowKing1988