Hey guys, here's the last chapter. I haven't had too much homework lately so I've been cramming in as much writing as I could before school really starts to pick up. Anyways, I just want to say a few things before you all start reading. (Please take the time, I know it's a lot but it would mean a lot to me)

First and foremost, thank you so much for reading all the way up to this point. I know I am not a stellar writer, but I am learning and you guys are helping me in that process. To those of you who have been consistently reviewing for my stories, thank you so much. It means a ton.

Second, I apologize if this story seems rushed. I didn't want to get caught up in school and sports so I had to make sure I finished it now, just to be on the safe side. I don't hate the way it turned out, but I certainly wish I had more time to refine it.

Last of all, I want to announce that I am considering re-writing this story for several reasons. For starters, I did not develop these characters nearly as much as I should have. Part of that was my fault, but there were just too many characters that played significant roles in this story that it got really difficult to spend time delving deeper into their personalities and character. Another reason I want to re-write this is that there are some plot holes, although minor, that have been bothering me and I haven't had the chance to patch them up.

If I decide to go ahead and rewrite this, I will be starting at a later time period, and the characters will be older, simply because I'm tired of writing dialogue for 10-year-olds. It makes for less sophisticated writing and it affects the way the story plays out. However, I will only be rewriting this if that is something you all would like. So let me know in the reviews if that is something you're interested in.

And don't forget to also tell me what you thought of the story as a whole. It was an ambitious idea on my part, and although I didn't execute it very well, I thank you all for keeping up with me and supporting me all the way. Now, enjoy the ending!

Chapter 10: Parting Ways

The evening sky was slowly getting darker as the sun began to set over the horizon. This atmosphere emphasized the glow emitting from Charmeleon's body.

The ooh's and ahh's could be heard from everyone as Charmeleon's body began to grow, wings spreading from its back, its tail lengthening and its claws sharpening. "Charr!" Charizard roared, beating its wings powerfully, creating a gust of wind that blew everyone's hair back.

"Whoa! Charmeleon, you evolved!" Aaron shouted.

Immediately, Charizard decided that it wanted to test its newfound power. It quickly soared into the air and released a powerful Flamethrower attack towards Lyneth's Houndoom.

Houndoom managed to avoid getting directly hit, but was grazed by a few stray embers. It turned back to Charizard and snarled. Literally, it used the move Snarl, hitting Charizard for negligible damage. But the side effect was going to take its toll very soon.

Aaron adjusted his cap. "Ha! That did nothing! Charizard, use Flamethrower once more!" he commanded, and to his surprise, Charizard actually obeyed.

Houndoom was unable to dodge it this time and took the full brunt of the attack, staggering backward.

"Houndoom, use Dark Pulse!" Lyneth ordered, her confident smile starting to diminish.

Charizard leapt into the air and used its wings to hover, dodging the Dark Pulse attack. It roared loudly, breathing fire out of its nostrils, the flame on its tail burning brighter than the sun.

"Charizard, let's finish this with Scratch!" Aaron shouted.

Charizard surprised him yet again, only this time its claws temporarily grew longer and glowed a green color as it struck Houndoom directly. It had learned Dragon Claw.

Lyneth's Mega Houndoom fell to the ground on its side, knocked out. Charizard had won.

"Houndoom! Oh no!" Lyneth cried out, rushing to her Pokemon's side. Please be okay, she prayed in her mind, almost in tears.

Aaron couldn't help but feel...guilty. Well, almost guilty. Lyneth had threatened the camp, and he had to do what had to be done. But seeing Lyneth on the brink of crying over her unconscious Pokemon made him wonder: is she really that evil?

Ash had just defeated three Admins and turned to see his son standing victoriously over the leader of Team Flare. He smiled. He's going to be even greater than I was... he thought.

Lyneth looked up at Aaron. "I'll admit, sweetie...you're pretty strong," she said, standing up as she recalled Houndoom back into its Pokeball. "Your passion, and your heart...its truly something to be admired. You have my respect, that's for sure."

Aaron didn't know what to say. Just moments earlier, this girl was his mortal enemy. Why was he feeling so conflicted right now?

"I and the entirety of Team Flare will surrender and retreat. But that's not to say we won't return another time," she said with another wink. "Everyone, fall out! We're done here. Forget Xerneas," she said as she turned and strutted back to her submarine. Confused, the rest of Team Flare followed her, some of them mumbling and groaning as they walked.

"Aaron...that was amazing! You saved the camp!" Meredith exclaimed happily, giving him a big hug. Aaron embraced her in his arms. "You were pretty awesome, too," he said with a smile.

Ash recalled his exhausted Pokemon and patted his son on the back. "I'm impressed, Aaron. You've really got talent there, buddy," he said.

Serena and Mairin came out from the building and ran over to the scene. The beach was a wreck; the sand was nowhere near as smooth as it had been before the fight. Regardless, no one could have been happier than Alain Sycamore.

"Ash and Aaron Ketchum...I cannot thank you both enough. You two are both incredible trainers...I don't know what we would have done without you," Alain said. Then he turned to the campers. "To all you campers: thank you! You've all been so brave, and so heroic. You have proven that Camp Sycamore is strong, and I hope you all continue to be strong as you proceed on your respective journeys."

The crowd cheered as the rest of the campers from inside the building joined them. Everything seemed just great, until Aaron realized something.

"Hang on," he said. He looked around the crowd, and no where amongst it could he see either of his two missing friends.

– –

"You know, Phil, I'm glad I met you," Jason said as the two trainers sat by a small campfire they had made for the night.

Phillip nodded. "I'm glad I met you, too, Jason. I've never had so much fun in my life!" he said, petting Helioptile on the head.

Jason nodded back. "Same here! You've no idea how boring my life has been," he said, looking down and smiling at Wynaut.

"Well, it's a good thing we're here on a journey now. A journey with some real weight to it, I might add! We're on a quest to save a Legendary Pokemon, now won't that be a story to tell!" Phillip said excitedly.

"Yeah, that's pretty awesome," Jason said with a smile. "I just kinda wish Aaron were here. And Meredith. And some of those other guys, too. They were good friends, and I feel bad just leaving them," he said.

Phillip shook his head. "Don't feel bad! Knowing Aaron and them, I'll bet they're looking for us right now. And soon, we'll cross paths again...and together, who knows what we'll encounter, or what sort of adventures we'll get to experience!"

– –

Aaron and Meredith waved good-bye to the rest of the campers as they made their way to the forest path. Professor Sycamore waved as well, with Mairin and Charizard on either side of him.

"Bye, sweetie! Have fun!" May shouted as she waved back at her daughter.

Dawn hugged her two twins lovingly. She was so proud of them she could've embraced them for hours.

"Alice. Damos. You two be safe out there, got it?" she said, that motherly tone of voice taking over again. The twins both rolled their eyes and responded as usual, "Yes, mom, we know."

Brock was due back at Saffron City for work, but instead of going back he decided to take a vacation through the Kalos region to go sightseeing. What he really wanted was just to relax for a while, and Kalos was the perfect place to do it. Maybe he'll score a date with a Nurse Joy or Officer Jenny, but who knows?

Misty was on her way back to Cerulean City to tend to the Gym. She was worried how it was holding up, considering how Daisy wasn't always on top of things all of the time. Alain thanked her for her help with the fishing, even though it had ended up being a disaster. Misty promised she would return next year when hopefully the ocean would be more cooperative.

Ash? Ash had to leave on short notice after receiving a mysterious phone call from a stranger. He had just told everyone that he had business to tend to, and they believed him. After all, no one was going to question the Kalos Champion. Aaron had been sad to see him go, but remembered that he himself was on his own journey and he needed to focus on his own dream.

– –

As Ash flew away on Charizard's back, he looked up into the stars in the sky. Aaron...I am so proud of you. I know you're destined for greatness...go continue your adventure, and one day become even stronger than I am!

Pikachu nuzzled Ash's head affectionately as the Champion of Kalos flew to a destination only he knew of.

– –

"Hey, Aaron?" Meredith asked.

"Yeah, what is it?" Aaron replied with a smile.

The two of them were walking together along the path underneath the stars.

"How...how do you know we'll find them? We don't even know where to look!" she said worriedly.

Aaron smiled and held her hand. "Don't worry. You and me, we can do anything! When our friends are in need, we'll be there to help, no matter what happens!" he said cheerfully.

Meredith smiled and blushed a little. "You're right, Aaron. Together."

Aaron nodded, adjusting his cap. "C'mon, let's hurry! Our journey's just getting started!" he said. He and Meredith ran off into the woods together, hand in hand.

The End