Brock was humming to himself quietly as he worked at the stove, preparing food for the Pokémon at the breeding centre. He still had some spare but had an evening off so wanted to make the most of it. He turned away from the saucepan he had been stirring, ambling across the room to the pile of ingredients he had prepared earlier. Selecting what he needed for this particular batch of food Brock headed back to the stove and tipped it in. He picked up the spoon to stir the saucepan once again but suddenly froze. He slowly turned around and looked across the kitchen. When he saw nobody there he took a sigh of relief. For a moment he could have sworn that there had been somebody behind him.

Turning back to the stove, Brock reclaimed the wooden spoon before jumping with shock as the bell sounded through the breeding centre. Brock put the spoon down again and waited, making sure he hadn't imagined it. When the bell sounded again he headed for the reception.

"I'm sorry, we are closed," Brock said as he opened the door that led through. "How did you get in?"

Brock looked at the man on the other side of the front desk and any further protests died in his throat. "Ash?"

"Good evening Brock," Ash said pleasantly, twirling his hat in his hands. "As for how I got in here, well let's just say that I'm very good at getting places these days."

"I… What are you doing here?" Brock asked. "You are on the run. You escaped prison."

Something flashed across Ash's face and when he spoke his voice was tinged with a hint of regret.

"You believed that?"

"I believe that you were arrested," Brock said. "Nobody would lie about that. Would they?"

"No, they wouldn't." Ash said quietly. "And you are correct, I am meant to be a fugitive."

"Then what are you doing here?" Brock asked again.

"If you want me to go, I will." Ash said. "I understand that this won't be easy for you."

"Leave? No." Brock said as a thought came to him.

Ash smiled at the Pokémon Doctor. "Thank you. As for what I am here for, it is to say goodbye."

There was a moment where Ash's words seemed to hang between them and Brock sighed.

"You are leaving again aren't you." It wasn't a question.

"Indeed," Ash said. "I am going back to where I spent all that time before I became Pokémon Master. Just this time I wanted my old friends to know that I was going."

Brock nodded before gesturing to the door he had come through. "Would you like to come on through? I assume you aren't going anywhere else tonight?"

"No, I'm not," Ash said. "I'm all yours tonight."

Brock smiled slightly. "Then you can come and help. I'm making Pokémon food."

A look of interest flashed across Ash's face. "Really? I'd be happy to give you a hand."

Sometime later Brock put the final pan back in place in a cupboard. On the kitchen side was a huge pile of Pokémon food, in different boxes, waiting to be put away. Brock turned back to Ash, the awkwardness from their earlier conversations gone. As they had talked about Pokémon food and argued over the best conversations Brock forgot that he was talking to such a powerful trainer and treated Ash like any other Pokémon expert.

"I'm still unsure about the food for Psychic-Pokémon. Why do they need such a wide variety of berries? I've never heard of anybody suggesting that."

Ash smiled. "You wouldn't have. It isn't in a book anywhere. I spent seven years with some of the most powerful wild Pokémon in the world. Psychic Pokémon of that strength tend to use their abilities to collect food. Since they are so strong they collect food, including berries, from a huge area."

Ash opened a Pokéball at his waist, causing Espeon to appear in a flash of light. She mewed at Ash and rubbed herself against his leg before she sniffed the air. She looked up at Ash hopefully who chuckled and gestured to Brock. Espeon padded across the room and rubbed herself against Brock's leg, mewing. Brock looked confused.

"What is she…?"

"She wants food." Ash said with an easy smile. "She can smell the food that we made for Psychic-Pokémon."

"Do you want me to feed her?" Brock asked. "Has she eaten?"

Ash laughed. "Brock, she doesn't need any more food. She's being greedy."

Espeon looked across at Ash a baleful look in her eyes that did nothing except make Ash laugh again.

"You know that is true Espeon."

"Yes, but I'd still appreciate some."

Brock froze as the voice sounded in his head as well. He looked down at Espeon, his expression somewhere between awe and hope.

"Is that…?"

"Espeon? Yes." Ash answered the half-asked question. "She taught herself to do that."

"Well, it was either that or teach you to speak like me." Espeon taunted. She then turned her gaze back onto Brock. "I would appreciate some food since it smells so good."

"I… Well I can't really say no to that." Brock said, pulling a bowl out of the cupboard. He tipped some food in and placed it down next to Espeon who immediately tucked in. Ash watched his Pokémon with a fond expression on his face.

"May I ask… where did you find her?" Brock asked. "I mean, obviously it was in those seven years but…"

"But where precisely in there?" Ash asked. "It was not long after I left home actually. I found her as an Eevee, hiding from an abusive trainer. We left him behind and she decided to follow me. She evolved a few months later and was one of the closest Pokémon after Pikachu left."

Brock looked into his friend's eyes and saw the pain of the story, deciding not to press any further. Instead, he knelt down next to Espeon to look closer at her gleaming coat.

"How did she get so powerful?" Brock asked. "I still remember her all those years ago at the Clash of Legends. She could have flattened the stadium."

"She is still my strongest Pokémon." Ash said. "Charizard strikes with more power but Espeon is the strongest in a fight."

"But how did she get there?"

"Lots of training. She has thrown herself into her training for years."

"I wish I could study her." Brock said wistfully, standing up again. "The condition she is in, it is incredible. She could help me learn so much as a doctor."

"There is no need to be so transparent." Ash said with a smirk. "Although there is not that much that she can help you learn. She is just a normal Pokémon with a lot more strength."

"Transparent?" Brock asked.

"You are a Pokémon Doctor who has just been presented with the strongest non-legendary Pokémon in existence." Ash said with a smile. "It doesn't take a genius to work out that you would want to study her."

Brock flushed but didn't back down. "Can I?"

"I have no idea." Ash said. "But you can ask."

Brock looked at Ash who gestured down to Espeon who was in the process of licking the bowl he had put down for her. She looked up at him.

"Not bad." She told him. "There are still some berries that are missing that you could include, and you could stand to make it a little less spicy but it was not bad at all."

Brock looked down at her blankly.

"The food." She said impatiently before looking across at Ash. "Is he always this slow?"

"Enough Espeon." Ash said softly. She nodded before looking back up at Brock as Ash spoke to the Pokémon Doctor. "She is teasing you, Brock. She knows that you aren't used to Pokémon that talk to you, so she is making the most of it."

"I see." Brock said uncertainly before looking down at the Sun Pokémon who was sitting at his feet flicking her tail. "May I run some tests on you?" he asked. "Nothing painful, they are all non-invasive and you will barely notice. I mean, of course, you will notice but…"

"Brock?" Espeon said, interrupting him.

"Yes?"

"Stop babbling."

Brock opened his mouth but no sound came out. He shut it again before looking across at Ash who looked thoroughly amused at the whole scene.

"As a thank you for the food, you may run your tests." Espeon said.

Brock's face lit up but Espeon kept speaking before he could say anything.

"However, I doubt we will sleep here so I don't know how long you will have."

"Oh, I think we can spare some time." Ash said. "She is right Brock, we will not sleep here but if you are willing to work late tonight, you will have some time with her."

"Of course!" Brock said excitedly. "If you come with me into the treatment room we can get started."

It was some hours later that Ash stood in the reception area of the breeding centre, Espeon by his side. They were facing a very tired, but elated looking Brock across the front desk. He had a folder in his hands that he was clutching as tightly as if it were a new-born baby that he was terrified of dropping.

"Thank you." Brock said sincerely to Espeon who merely inclined her head. She glanced at Ash who nodded and held out a Pokéball causing her to vanish inside.

"She will have enjoyed that." Ash said. "Not just the chance to tease another human, but the chance to show off a bit."

Brock held up the folder almost reverently. "This is incredible. I've never studied a Pokémon like her before. Not one that can help by talking to me."

"She is something." Ash said fondly. "She made the wilds bearable last time."

"What will you do now?" Brock asked as Ash's words seemed to make him calm down.

"I will visit the rest of the old gang." Ash said. "Each of you deserves a proper goodbye."

"Then what?" Brock asked. "Will I get to see you again?"

"Honestly, I don't know. I will be going back into the wilds. There are some things that I need to do, and since I am no longer Pokémon Master, I am free to do them."

Brock was silent for a long moment, unsure of what to say. Seemingly sensing that the time for goodbye had arrived, Ash stepped forwards with his hand extended.

"It has been a pleasure to see you again Brock." Ash said. "Even if it has only been on two brief occasions."

Brock took the hand offered and shook it. As Ash let go he turned away, heading for the door. It swung shut behind him, leaving Brock standing alone, the folder of test results clutched in his hand.

"With your second ribbon, you are well on your way to this year's grand festival. If you get the ribbons early, will you keep competing in contests?"

Dawn smiled at the journalist who was asking the question, stifling a yawn. She had just won a contest in Lavender Town, only the third contest there ever and was fielding questions from reporters.

"I just want to keep improving. While I might not necessarily enter as many contests, I will keep going into them to rotate my Pokémon and have them all festival ready."

"This was your most dominant win for some time, what has changed?"

"I've had some time to train away from the limelight. I was at the Hoenn League as well, getting some ideas from the trainers there. I am using some of what I learned there."

"From Ash Ketchum, the former Pokémon Master?"

Dawn froze. The question had come from a reporter who had just joined her press conference and was stood at the back of the room.

"Sorry, can you repeat the question?" Dawn asked, her mind racing.

"Of course. It was noted at the Hoenn League that you spent time in the company of then Pokémon Master, Ash Ketchum. Did you learn from him?"

Dawn considered the question. "Yes, I did. He was a superb trainer and could teach things to almost anybody."

"What are your thoughts on his abdication?"

Dawn smiled sweetly. "I'm here to discuss contests, not the political situation. I'll leave that one to the trainers."

Half an hour later Dawn shut the door to her hotel room and collapsed onto the bed. She groaned into the mattress before rolling and climbing back to her feet. She quickly changed out of her contest clothes into something far more comfortable before lying down once again. She reached for the television remote, turning on the screen and relaxing in front of it. Her mind was a million miles away from the screen though.

A knock at the door snapped her out of her reverie. She quickly muted the television without looking at it and struggled up, moving towards the door. As she opened it the man on the other side gave her a smile as he held his hat in one hand by his side.

"Good evening Dawn." Ash said. "May I come in?"

Dawn nodded, not trusting her voice to work as she gestured for Ash to come inside. He looked around the room and grinned at her.

"I would have expected you to be in a much more luxury hotel."

Dawn shrugged, opening her mouth but finding words very hard to come by.

"I guess there aren't many in Lavender Town." Ash said before selecting a chair and sitting, looking expectantly at Dawn.

"I… What are you doing here?" Dawn asked shakily.

Ash sighed. "I'm saying goodbye."

Dawn recoiled slightly as if she had been struck. "Goodbye?"

"Yes." Ash said slightly sadly.

"But you've only just come back! Why do you have to leave now?"

Ash raised an eyebrow. "You have to ask?"

"You're running away?"

"No." Ash said, before gesturing to another chair in the room. Dawn ignored him, instead choosing to settle on the bed and gaze at Ash.

"I'm not running away because I can't fight." Ash continued. "I am leaving because the damage a fight would cause is too great."

"What do you mean?"

"Very simply, Cynthia has staked everything on me being forced to abdicate my role. She will retake it herself, banking on the fact that the regions think I am guilty to maintain her power."

"But if it is a power grab then shouldn't you fight?" Dawn asked.

"I considered it." Ash admitted. "I considered it for a long time. But ultimately, it would be selfish to force such a political battle so I can remain Pokémon Master. Not least, Sinnoh is extremely loyal to Cynthia. If I couldn't prove my innocence quickly, we would run the risk of a breakaway region."

"But you are innocent?"

"Yes." Ash said. "I am. But I cannot prove it, and so I will go into exile."

Dawn nodded. "Will we see you?"

"Not often. It is not easy for me to move around completely unseen. I am taking a risk in visiting you and the others but I cannot leave without saying goodbye again."

Ash paused slightly before an amused look flashed across his face.

"I see you haven't used any of the things that we worked on in your contests."

"I'm saving them for the Grand Festival." Dawn said instantly. "I thought they might give me an edge."

Ash chuckled. "Well don't tell May where you got the ideas from."

He rose from his chair. "Best of luck in your future career Dawn. Hopefully, I will see you again one day."

He held out his hand before something flashed across his face. He raised it in the air for a high five. Dawn stared at it before smiling slightly as she met his hand with her own.

May led Max down the street towards a towering skyscraper. As they walked through the main doors, Max grinned at his sister.

"I still remember when you first told me about this. I couldn't believe that you'd thought sufficiently far ahead."

"What to get a lawyer?" May asked. "When you're as successful as I am…"

"Oh don't start that again." Max laughed. "You and I both know that we've done well in our fields. And that I could beat you in a battle any day."

"And that I would win a contest." May said sweetly. "Anyway, you use him too."

"I know." Max said. "A family lawyer. Imagine that."

They were quiet as they passed through the security by the elevators, taking one up to the thirty-fourth floor. They stepped out to be presented with a front desk, a big sign above it declaring that it was the office of Stringer Adams lawyers. A man in his early twenties was waiting for them.

"Mr Maple, Mrs Shu." He said. "This way please."

They were led into a meeting room with a man and a woman in suits sat on the far side. The young man claimed the third seat on the suit's side as May and Max took their own chairs opposite.

"It is good to see you again May." the woman said with a smile. "What can we do for you?"

May took a deep breath. "It is about my husband."

When they left the office block nearly two hours later, May felt much better. Drew was going to be given a shock when her lawyers caught up with him, the divorce demand backed up with the threat of legal action for his assault. Beside her, Max was humming quietly as they strode down the street of Rustboro City. Suddenly he froze. It took May several steps to realise that her brother was no longer continuing with her and she turned back to see him.

"What's up, Max?" she asked.

"This is going to sound crazy." Max said. "But I think I just saw Ash."

May looked down at her brother in slight concern. She knew how much he had idolised Ash when he was a child and now that Ash had revealed himself to be as powerful as he was, Max had been hoping for the chance to train under him. It was an offer that had been given and then snatched away by the cruelty of fate, and Max had barely had time to be upset about it with the issues that May had been having herself.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Certain, no." Max mused. "But I saw a man dressed all in black with a Pikachu on his shoulder. He was looking straight at me. Name somebody else like that."

When May didn't say anything, Max sighed.

"I know I sound crazy. I must have imagined it."

"Where do you think you saw him?" May asked. "He surely can't have just vanished."

"Down there." Max pointed into the alleyway between two tall buildings on the other side of the street. While not dirty or run down in any way, nobody seemed to be going down there. Certainly, nobody seemed interested in it. May crossed the street to peer down, with Max following on after her.

"I must have imagined it." Max said again, but he didn't sound convinced. May took an uncertain step into the alleyway, her hand on a Pokéball. A moment later the Pokéball was in her hand but she hadn't released the Pokémon inside.

"I just saw something too."

A second later there was a flash of light, causing them both to shut their eyes tightly against the glare. When they opened them their surroundings had changed. Instead of inside the city, they were stood on a beach. The only features visible in addition to the sea and the cliff that surrounded the beach they were on was an opening roughly two-thirds of the way along the cliff face. A quick glance showed them that there was only one person nearby. Stood in front of them, the wind ruffling his clothes was Ash Ketchum. When he met their eyes he smiled.

"May, Max. It is good to see you again."

Max opened his mouth but for once the Brainiac couldn't think of a single thing to say. May instead rushed forwards, throwing her arms around the slightly surprised Ash who returned the hug after only a moment. To his shock, May immediately burst into tears.

"What's wrong May?" Ash asked softly.

"I didn't think we'd see you again." May managed to get out in a slightly strangled voice as she sobbed into Ash's chest. Ash rubbed her back, seemingly unsure what else to do. After a few minutes where Max awkwardly looked away, May managed to compose herself and withdrew from the hug.

"Well, that didn't go quite as I expected." Ash remarked drily to Max as May started to wipe at her tear-streaked face.

"You should know not to shock my sister like that." Max said conversationally.

"Hmm, you are right as usual." Ash said with an easy grin. "And it helps you I suppose. Give you time to think about what to say."

The smirk was wiped off Max's face. "You did just take us out of the city. You need to give me a few moments."

Ash laughed. "It is good to see you again Max. I am sorry that my offer to train you never came to anything. You would have added something unique to my tutees."

"I don't think it is your fault that you got arrested."

"I am innocent if that is what you are asking." Ash said. "But enough of that. What done is done."

By this point, May had managed to compose sufficiently to re-join the conversation.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"He's saying goodbye." Max answered before Ash could. "Aren't you?"

"Yes." Ash said sadly. "It is dangerous for me to be in the four regions at the moment."

As May immediately looked around to see if anybody was watching them, Ash smiled.

"We are in an extremely isolated part of the beach." he said, before pointing towards a part of the cliff. "The city is a couple of miles in that direction. We couldn't pull you any further without you trying to fight it instinctively. We are safe here though."

May visibly relaxed once again and Ash turned to Max.

"Can you give us a minute, please? If you like I've left Alakazam inside the cave over there, he will do some work with Gardevoir while you wait."

Max's face lit up. "Seriously?"

Ash smiled. "I don't lie. So yes, if you want he will be in there."

Max took off, heading straight for the cave with a Pokéball in his hand. As he vanished inside Ash turned to May.

"I'm saying goodbye to everybody." He started. "But I wanted to talk to you properly."

"What about?" May asked nervously.

Ash didn't answer. Instead, he turned towards the beach. He gestured along it and started walking, May falling into step alongside him instinctively.

"When I first came back, six years ago I was undecided about how I would go about dealing with all of my old friends. When I took my title I was unsure whether I should re-unite, or let you assume that I was dead. And then before I could come to a decision, Misty forced one from me."

"That battle." May said. "When you had to investigate her."

"Indeed. I hope she doesn't hold it against me, but she had left me no choice. But it meant that sooner than I had ever intended I was forced to come face to face with my past. I couldn't reveal myself that day, it would have been thoroughly unprofessional. And then Misty explained how you had all managed to move on without me. I ended up concluding that perhaps it was better off if you all assumed I was dead. You all seemed happy, something that was only reinforced when I kept an eye on you through my Pokémon."

May nodded, unsure where Ash was going with this.

"I will admit now that I was wrong." Ash said. "But it gave me a unique perspective at each of your lives. I feel like I still know you all. I've watched you come back into the contest circuit and hammer Dawn's superiority. I've watched your life carry on, watched you settle down. And watched you get married."

"I…" May started, but Ash stopped walking, turning to face her. The words died in her throat as she felt the dominating presence of the Pokémon Master tower over her.

"I was never Drew's biggest fan." Ash said, his quiet voice at odds with the strength of his presence. "But it was never my place to interfere. So I came to your wedding and hid quietly at the back where nobody could see me."

"You were there?" May asked in shock.

"Yes." Ash said. "I wanted to see somebody who was one of the few people I still considered could be a friend get married. And I remember how happy you looked. And there is now."

May froze. "You know?" she croaked.

"Yes." Ash said. "I know. And I am so sorry May."

He reached out and pulled her into a close embrace for a long moment before releasing her and turning to head back up the beach.

"What do you think I should do about him?" May asked before she could stop herself.

Ash turned back towards her. "I think that anybody who wants something so bad that they will push other people down is despicable. From a man who professed to love you, it is even worse. No matter how many times he says he is sorry, actions speak louder than words and he has shouted very loudly with what he tried to do to you. And if he ever did it in front of my Pokémon, he would be lucky to get away as lightly as he did with Max."

Ash met the gaze of May who caught the determined look in his eye, the hidden steel that had made him so fearsome as Pokémon Master. The look faded as he smiled at her, before turning and striding away.

Ash headed into the cave to see a host of rocks floating around. As he moved further in, several of them shot forwards before being deflected by unseen forces. He reached Max who was watching with an almost hungry expression.

"Enjoying yourself?" Ash asked.

Max nodded, his head almost moving in a blur. "This is incredible. How is Alakazam so strong?"

"Lots of training." Ash said. "He could probably collapse this entire cave without hurting any of us if he wanted to."

Max whitened slightly. "I'm glad he doesn't want to."

Ash chuckled. "Indeed. Anyway, are you ready for part two?"

"What do you mean?" Max said uncertainly.

Ash glanced up at the two Pokémon who were locked in a battle of psychic strength.

"Alakazam vs Gardevoir. One round. Your objective is to force Alakazam to move."

"Seriously?" Max asked.

Ash nodded. "I did once promise you a battle. No reason why I can't keep that promise now."

Ash looked at Gardevoir. "How about it?"

She nodded enthusiastically. Across the cave, Alakazam looked at Ash with a slight smile on his face. Of all Ash's Pokémon, Alakazam was the one who enjoyed teaching the most, especially when it was other Psychic Pokémon that he was instructing.

Ash turned back to Max.

"Alakazam will fight by himself. I'll be next to you to talk but focus as much as you can on the fight. You obviously won't be able to knock him out, but if Alakazam moves from his spot, you win."

Max nodded before turning to Gardevoir. Before he could give a command, Ash spoke once more.

"Good luck."

Ash stood on the beach once again, May and Max in front of him. Behind him, the sun was setting over the ocean in a vibrant red sunset. He faced Max first.

"That was a good attempt to stretch Alakazam." Ash said. "I'm sorry that I can't work with you more often, but I hope one session is enough to give you some ideas. Best of luck in any future tournaments."

Max nodded. "It was. Thank you Ash. I'll make you proud."

The corners of Ash's mouth turned up slightly. "I look forward to it." He turned to May. "And I wish you luck in the future as well. I'm sure it isn't as clear cut as Max's, but still."

May tried to hold the tears down as she spoke. "Thank you Ash. And if you can, come back."

Ash inclined his head ever so slightly. "I'm sure I will see you both again. And I look forward to that day."

Before either of them could say anything else, there was a flash of light and they were both gone.

Misty kicked off from the side of the water, swimming furiously as she headed out. It was one of the good parts about Pallet Town – the coast. Misty loved to swim with her Pokémon and Pallet gave her a chance to do so outside of the confines of a swimming pool. After reaching a distance out she stopped and her Pokémon appeared around her. She rose up on Gyarados' head and gestured to them.

"Start training. If we are truly to be in an Elite Four I want to make us worthy of it. Sam hasn't set the hierarchy yet and I want to be the strongest there."

On the shore, Gary stood with Samuel Oak watching her quietly. Her Pokémon had thrown themselves into their training since Sam had offered a place in his elite four.

"It won't be easy for you." Samuel Oak said. "With her having to spend a great deal of time at Indigo."

"It'll just be a job for her." Gary said with a shrug. "And she always got frustrated when I spent ages on research. She needed something like this."

"That young man has done you a favour then." Oak said.

"He has." Gary said. "It'll be good to work with him. I've only had Lance. While I respect him he never was a friend."

"And Sam is."

"Indeed."

Oak smiled at his grandson as he leaned on the walking stick that he had taken to using since he had returned. "And it will help you both get over Ash."

Gary clenched his fist slightly without even realising what he was doing. "I still can't believe that happened. He is innocent."

Oak sighed. "He is. But that isn't why he has been pushed out."

"Why then?"

"Politics. Once Cynthia's position was stated so publically to back out would have destroyed her prestige. Whether she knows the truth or not, she was committed. She won't destroy her career for Ash, not least because she just got a promotion."

Gary stared at Oak. "But…"

"That's appalling?" Oak asked. "It is. But it is also the way things work at the top level. Loyalty always has a limit and always comes with a price."

Gary shook his head. "You know a lot about it."

"I was the Kanto Professor for more than fifty years, longer than anybody else ever held the job. I saw a host of Pokémon Masters and regional leaders come and go. You learn a few things."

"Then maybe I should have asked for your opinion properly."

Gary froze. He knew that voice coming from behind him but he almost didn't want to turn around.

Oak had no such hesitation turning to face Ash Ketchum.

"I warned you about Sonia."

"And I listened." Ash said. "I was trying to protect you when I warned you off. I hadn't expected you to go after Pidgeot like you did."

Oak chuckled. "One day you'll stop underestimating me."

Ash laughed. "Indeed."

He met Gary's eye as the Kanto Professor turned to face him. Gary looked completely stunned, unsure of what to say.

"You know, I always remember you having a lot to say. Don't tell me that has changed?"

"I… No." Gary said, swallowing to try and unstick his throat. "I just didn't expect to see you."

"Nobody does." Ash said slightly sadly. "And unfortunately I can't stay that long."

"Misty." Gary said suddenly. "She needs to see you."

"She will." Ash said with a slight twinkle in his eye. "In fact, I want to watch this."

He swept past Gary who wordlessly followed, still trying to recover from his shock.

"You've done well for yourself." Ash said as Gary joined him on the very edge of the beach, the water just missing out on lapping over their feet. "You are good at what you do."

"You appointed me." Gary said. "And I didn't even know it."

Ash laughed. "That is very true." He turned to look at Gary. "Look, I know that this is difficult. I've seen everybody else but before I could get to you I was arrested. I wish I could spend more time with you and Misty but I can't. You know that."

"I do. But…"

"But nothing. Friends come and go but the memories remain. I'll remember how I've been to see each of my oldest friends before I go into exile."

Gary looked like he wanted to say something else but eventually decided against it. "We'll miss you. Again."

Ash didn't say anything, merely turning to look out across the water as Misty seemed to focus on something underneath her.

"Stop training." Misty said suddenly. Her Pokémon formed up around her as Gyarados focused on something underneath the waves. Suddenly a Pokémon appeared, surging forwards to stop just in front of Misty's Pokémon. Misty looked down at the ferocious look on Sharpedo's face in shock.

"What the… Gyarados, Hydro Pump." Misty barked.

The attacked crashed into Sharpedo who shook it off as if it were nothing. The smirk on the Brutal Pokémon's face reminded Misty of something but already Golduck was racing in front of her to block his counter attack, protecting his trainer.

"Fight." Misty ordered. "All of you, knock him back."

Misty's Pokémon immediately started attacking but Sharpedo slipped through them with ease, managing to find time to fire his own attacks back. Misty gritted her teeth as Seaking and Dewgong were hit in quick succession sending them reeling. Before she could recall them Sharpedo launched himself into the air and smashed into Gyarados. The Atrocious Pokémon reeled back from the strike and Misty clung on for dear life. By the time she was able to focus once again, Dewgong was knocked out and Golduck was being battered by Sharpedo. Something about the way the Pokémon moved made Misty hesitate.

"Golduck, stop." She ordered suddenly. Golduck looked up at her in confusion but Sharpedo didn't press his advantage. Misty tapped Gyarados who lowered her down to close to Sharpedo who looked like he had been thoroughly enjoying the fight.

"I know you." Misty said quietly.

Sharpedo nodded.

"Champion. Ash. Where is he?"

Sharpedo smiled and made a beckoning with his fins.

"You want me to…" Misty felt nerves come up once again as Sharpedo nodded. She took a deep breath and reached for her Pokéballs. She recalled each of her Pokémon except Gyarados. Sharpedo waited patiently for her as she slipped off Gyarados' back. Sharpedo floated alongside her and held out a fin. Misty quickly recalled Gyarados before taking hold of it and a moment later was racing through the water, faster than she had ever swum before. Within moments she found herself being deposited on the beach which Sharpedo shot up to stand next to a towering figure in black. The figure knelt down and scratched Sharpedo carefully before recalling him into a Pokéball. Misty clambered to her feet and looked up at Ash.

"You came." She said.

"I did."

"Why?"

"Because I cannot leave without saying goodbye. I can't do that to you twice. I'm not sure anybody would want to challenge the Cerulean Gym again if you went on another rampage."

Misty growled, her hands forming fists as she stepped forwards.

"You did that."

"I did." Ash said. "And I am truly sorry."

"Anyway." Misty took another step forwards. "I'm no longer with the Cerulean Gym. I'm part of the Kanto Elite Four."

"You deserve it." Ash said. "You've come a long way since I beat you six years ago. Sharpedo is impressed."

"Is that why you sent him out?"

"Yes."

Misty took another step forwards, now only a few feet from Ash.

"You could have come back. You lied to me."

Ash bowed his head. "I did."

"You promised to come to Cerulean." Misty accused. "And instead you vanished. This is the first I've seen you for more than a decade."

"Not technically true…" Ash started but Misty had had enough. She threw herself at him, fists flying. Ash took the blows well as he backed up, letting Misty vent her fury at him. Eventually Misty fell back, her anger all gone. She looked up at Ash with tears in her eyes.

"You abandoned me Ash."

Ash sighed. The accusation was, at its core, completely true.

"I never wanted to Misty." Ash said quietly. Gary, who had backed away when Misty's fury became clear, drew a little closer to listen to the story. "I never wanted to leave forever. My plan had been to leave and train and then to come back."

"So why didn't you?" Misty asked as the tears started to leak down her face.

"I couldn't. When Pikachu left… It nearly killed me. Almost all of my Pokémon left me that day. Only a few remained. Pikachu took them all. I couldn't come home like that. My dreams destroyed."

"Why couldn't you go home with him?" Misty demanded. "When he was leaving, why didn't you come too?"

"I don't know." Ash's honesty seemed to be making Misty calm down somewhat. "My Pokémon were like my family and they all left. I wasn't thinking straight. And once they were gone I had no choice."

"Why did they leave?"

Ash turned slightly at the sound of Gary's voice. "The training we did. It was intense. Not all of them were ready for it. Pikachu thought I was changing, that I was becoming a different person. It is why he told you that I was dead. In his mind, the old Ash was dead."

"And is he?" Misty asked softly.

"Not quite. I'm not the same that I once was. But I am still Ash Ketchum. I am still me. And I still remember my old friends Mist."

It was the name more than anything that ended the rest of Misty's anger. She stood in front of Ash with tears streaming down her face before eventually throwing herself at him for a second time. This time she wrapped her arms around her first and oldest friend and clung on like she was never going to let go.

Late that evening Ash stood just inside the rear entrance to the laboratory in Pallet Town. He was watching Misty and Gary talk about something inside the living room before he sighed. He heard some movement from his side and he turned to see Samuel Oak moving slowly towards him, leaning heavily on the walking stick.

"They are happy." Oak said simply.

Ash didn't say anything, merely turning back to watch the couple again.

"I know you were unsure about whether you did the right thing when you didn't come back for so long." Oak continued. "And are worried about leaving again."

Again Ash didn't answer as Oak reached him and put an arm on the younger man's shoulder.

"I think you are doing what is right." Oak said quietly. "Cynthia will have secured her control by now."

Ash turned to look at the old researcher whose hand fell away. "It wasn't supposed to be like this."

"I know." Oak said. "Sometimes you just can't control everything."

"I did well though." Ash said, forcing a slight laugh. "And I will come back one day." He sighed. "There is evidence that will clear me. I'm sure of it. I will find it."

Oak held out a hand. "Then I look forward to it."

Ash took the hand and shook it. As he released it he turned back to look into the laboratory. "I do need to go."

"I know." Oak said, turning and heading away. "I will leave you to it."

Ash watched the old man move away, his age finally catching up to him. As he vanished deeper inside, Ash took a deep breath.

"Misty, Gary. It is time for me to leave."

They stopped talking and rose as a pair to come towards him. As they approached, Misty seemed to be preparing herself for a fight. Before she could say anything, Ash cut her off.

"I know what you are going to say." Ash said. "And I'm sorry, I can't."

"And why can't you come back?" Misty asked. "Even if you can't stay here now?"

Ash took a deep breath. "Until I can prove my innocence, wherever I am, I am liable to be arrested. I cannot keep visiting people under those circumstances."

"But…" Misty started, but Gary cut her off.

"Thank you for visiting us Ash. And that invitation to our wedding does stand. If there is any way that you can make it, please do."

Ash inclined his head. "I will try."

Gary held out his hand which Ash shook before turning to Misty.

"This is not goodbye for ever Mist." He said softly. "I will come back one day."

Misty met his eyes with a defiant look. "I will hold you to that Ketchum." She turned and strode away from Ash, vanishing deeper into the laboratory. It was sometime later that Gary was able to find her, by which time the tears had finally stopped flowing.