Epilogue

(Ash's POV)

A few months after the dissolution of Team Rocket, Tracey finally summoned up the courage to propose to Daisy, presenting her with a luminous diamond ring. She was ecstatic to say the least, leaping onto him with her legs coiled around her back in a hanging hug. With this, Tracey would officially become Misty's brother in law, and I didn't have the slightest clue as to what kind of relative he would become to me, through her: just the mere action of thinking about it gave me a headache after a few short minutes.

Their wedding, as well as that of Gary and Amanda were held the following year. All of our friends and family attended both ceremonies. Violet and Lily were the bridesmaids in Tracey and Daisy's wedding in Cerulean City, Misty being the maid of honor, and me the best man. Tracey was best man in Gary's wedding back home in Pallet Town, and a number of Amanda's friends from Johto were chosen as bridesmaids. Within a few months' time, both pairs became expecting parents, and Daisy and Amanda later gave birth to a daughter and son, respectively.

The day that Misty and I both looked forward to – and yet dreaded at the same time – finally came five years later: Ethan's tenth birthday. This day would mark Ethan's official beginning as a Pokémon trainer. After receiving his starter Pokémon from Professor Oak, he gazed out past the very gates of Pallet Town that me and Gary had taken our first steps as trainers. A similarly large crowd of townspeople gathered to bid him farewell, just as they had done years ago for the two of us. Gary had a smug look on his face as he crossed his arms: he kept that same expression since Ethan chose Squirtle from the three Kanto starters, and now it began to irritate me.

"You sure you're ready for this, Ethan? I mean…there's always next year, y'know," I said worryingly. "I could help you train and prepare yourself a bit more, if you want."

"Ash, Ethan's a big boy now! He can take care of himself!" Misty scolded me with her hands on her hips. She then looked over her shoulder and smiled. "Isn't that right, mom?"

"Of course he will, dear. Don't worry about him, honey," Mom beamed at the two of us with her usual optimism. Despite being a few years shy of her 50th birthday, Mom still retained much of her youthful looks, and her hair was yet to start greying.

"Are you sure you don't want to take your bike with you, sweetheart? It'll be useful in getting to places," Misty leaned down with her hands on her knees, smiling at Ethan. She then tilted her head slightly to the right, her voice changing to a dull complaint. "…provided that it doesn't get destroyed by some idiot, that is."

"Ahehehe…" I chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of my head.

"Daddy, just how many bikes did you destroy, anyway?" Claire, now eight years old, looked up at me. "From what mommy told me, not only did you destroy her bike, but also aunt May's and aunt Dawn's!"

Of course, like Brock, Sabrina, Jessie and James who were of no real relation to us but were referred as 'aunt' or 'uncle' by Claire due to our strong friendship, May and Dawn were no exception.

"Yeah, you bikewrecker," Misty grinned cheekily at me.

"My bad, I guess," I laughed, then looked down at our son. "But really, Ethan, are you sure you don't want to take your bike along?"

"No, father. I'm fine. I don't need anything," Ethan said, his expression still dull as ever.

"Don't worry, Ash," Melanie, now nineteen, assured me. "Besides, it adds to the excitement if you travel on foot, anyways."

"Well, this is it, Ethan," Professor Oak started to give him a pep talk. "A world of excitement and adventure awaits you! The road will be long and hard, but make sure to never give up!"

Ethan nodded, and then walked out the town gates as everyone in the crowd cheered for him and waved goodbye. Claire moved to hold hands with Mom, both of them looking on with hope at Ethan.

"Make sure to stay awhile with aunt Sabrina and uncle Brock when you reach Pewter City! And be extra careful in Viridian Forest!" Misty shouted out to him with her hands around her mouth. Ethan didn't look back, only replying by extending his right hand sideways and then retracting it back to his side.

"Mist, don't worry – he's not you," I grinned as I held my arm around her waist and kissed her on the forehead.

"…is that a mallet call I hear?" Misty giggled against my neck.

"…Please don't," I murmured nervously as I continued to hug her, wrapping my other arm around her as well.

"It worries me, though…" she exhaled, her mood suddenly shifting to anxiety.

"What does, Mist?" I asked, before quickly realizing the reason. "Oh…"

Misty held me softly by the wrist, moving my hand downwards to her frontal side and placing it against her abdomen. "Did we…do the right thing? Couldn't we tell him before he left?"

I stroked her stomach, which still kept its normal, slender appearance. "It was for the best, Mist. If the two of us couldn't fix him after all this time, then the only thing that'll probably put a smile back on his face will be travelling with his Pokémon and developing strong bonds with them, as we have. Then, finally…hopefully he'll come back to us with a changed outlook on things. I'd give anything to see him smile again, like that day we were reunited with each other. When he comes back from his Kanto journey, we'll tell him. But for now, we should allow things to run their course."

"Okay, Ash," Misty nodded, then leaned forward and kissed me again, symbolizing that I had her trust in the matter. She held me close to her, her arms wrapped around me as we both looked at our son walking confidently away with the sun shining brightly upon him. She whispered softly, a single teardrop rolling down her cheek. "…Good luck, my darling…"

(Ethan's POV)

At last…I'm finally free. Free from their irritating presence. Free from their false talk of love and devotion, whereas in truth they give me none. I still remember the days when happiness was yet a part of my life. Then she came into this world. I despise her. I hate her. Her very presence angers me, as I know in my heart that she will always be more important to them than me.

They all underestimate me: they always have, and they always will…until at last I prove to them that I will become greater than any other before me. I will one day become a powerful trainer, stronger even than my own father.

No.

I will become the greatest trainer who ever lived, and will never stop until I have achieved that goal.

(End of Book III)

A/N: Finally, I've made it…the end of Book III. At first, I thought this book wouldn't even be as long as Book I as I started to become short of ideas in the middle, and also because I didn't have a complete chapter-by-chapter plan like for Book II. But I'm happy with how it's played out.

I'll be writing my Yugioh Abridged fic now, as I need a change of mood before starting on Book IV. Expect Book IV to come out in maybe two weeks' time.

See you until next time, and please leave your reviews! : )