Here we are, the final chapter of this fic. It's certainly been a long ride folks, and I'm privileged to have had all of you wonderful peeps reading :)

The Epilogue touches up on each of our main characters, showing a glimpse into the aftermath of the Dominion War, and where they've all sort of ended up emotionally. Hope you all enjoy it!

See you all for the sequel and mini stories! Don't forget to follow me so you'll know when those are released. Until then!

New Pallet

1 Year after the Dominion War

"Ok Ash...you can do this!" He told himself, gripping the edge of the polished granite countertop and looking up to himself in the mirror. He stood in a lavish bathroom, taking long heavy breaths. His hair had been attempted to lie flat, but it stuck up every which direction. The expensive tuxedo he was wearing seemed to be constricting him tighter and tighter, cutting off his air supply.

A knock at the door made him yelp, and he jumped so harshly his shoe slipped on the tile. He wildly grasped for something solid, instead grabbing the expensive looking shower curtain and yanking it to the floor with him in a loud crash.

"Are you breaking my shit?" Gary asked as he let himself into the bathroom. He was dressed similary to Ash, sporting a sharp lined tux and navy blue tie.

"Not meaning to," Ash replied from the floor. "You startled me."

Gary snorted, "Look at you, you're a nervous wreck."

"Am not," the raven tried to defend himself, only to hear the crack in his voice. "Ok, maybe just a bit."

"Dude," the researcher began, offering a hand to help Ash up. "You've got to get your shit together. You've taken on Legendary Pokemon, Dominion's, the embodiment of all Darkness, saved the world a dozen times over, and you're nervous about this? It's just Misty, she can't be scarier than all of that?"

Ash raised a brow and gave Gary a pointed look. Then Gary realized what he was saying, "I take it back actually. She's pretty terrifying now that I think about it."

"Maybe I should just run? She can't kill me if I'm not around right?"

"How about no, she'd kill ME for letting you go, so suck it up Ashy! You're getting married wether you want to or not!"

Ash groaned and leaned on his elbows against the countertop, so Gary added, "Also I think Serena would kill you if she got all dressed up for nothing. I'd kill you because I spent a lot of money on her dress, and I let you have this shindig on my property. Brock would kill you because he went through all the effort to find a babysitter. Iris and Cilan because they flew so far just for this. May because it took her a lot of effort to get Cameron to agree on wearing a tux. Clemont because-"

"Okay! I get the point!" Ash snapped, though he was smiling lightly.

"So get your ass out there, say your vows, and then kiss the damn bride so I can get drunk already!" And with that said, Gary shoved Ash out of his bathroom before the Groom could say another word.

Ash stepped onto the softly swaying grass in the gentle breeze. He was standing on the hill overlooking Pallet Town, or rather, what was left of Pallet. The destruction was evident, even from miles away. Smoke plumes still rolled into the sky, and the smell of burning embers penetrated his nose the closer he got. Seeing it now, brought a pang of sadness to his heart. The once peaceful and quiet town was gone, replaced by rubble and smoke.

He walked down what was once the road to his mothers house, slowing his progress the closer he drew to what was once his home. He wasn't back just to see if the place was still standing. No, he had a mission. Well two, one given to him by the League and one for himself. Lorelei had been placed in charge of rebuilding Kanto, while Lance focused on Johto. The Ice Master assigned several people to go to and report on a towns state. Hoping to be able to rebuild what was once all of their homes.

He stopped outside where he knew used to be the white picket fence of his mothers lawn. Faintly he could see the pathway that led to the ruins of the house. Forcing himself to move on, he focused on his own mission. To search the research lab's grounds until he found a certain object he had once lost...

Through town he walked, making note of the state of various buildings and streets. Most were destroyed beyond repair, the town would surely have to be completely rebuilt. Of course, what had he expected? Pallet had been the first town hit by the Dominion's. Desperate to try and rid the world of him before he could learn of the Pure Hearts.

He would rebuild this town, with or without the League's help. He promised himself that! Pallet would become the symbol of a rebuilt life!

Finally he made it to the Research grounds, happy to see that the majority of the land was intact. The trees still stood tall, and the ponds glistened in the noon sun. The Lab was a flattened pile of rubble, and he spotted what was once the wedding tent...covered in dirt and ripped to shreds. Held in place only by the piles of mud that had washed over it.

He made his way to where he remembered the dance floor being, noticing long decayed bodies as he did so. Fallen humans and Pokemon from the initial invasion. His heart clenched in his chest.

The search began, scoop by scoop he dug into the dirt with his hands. For hours he moved soil, forming large squares to help organize his search. He found countless things, from rusted PokeBall's, to watches, and even a few broken PokeGear's. Finally, he pulled what he had been searching for out of the ground and smiled wide at the sight of it.

Misty turned, then spun the other way, only to revert to her original position. "I just don't think it's going to work!"

"We'll get it," Dawn soothed her. "Just take a deeeep breath."

"Like this," Serena said, and then inhaled slowly and deeply. May and Iris imitated her actions, and soon the three of them were inhaling and exhaling in unison. Much to Misty's annoyance.

"That's NOT helping!" She cried exasperatedly, throwing her arms into the air. The three girls giggled, and Dawn waved the needle in her hand at them.

"Don't stress the bride!" The Bluenette scolded them playfully. "Ash will do that enough on his own!"

"Oh God," Misty looked horrified. "Do you think he's even ready?! Is he dressed? Has he practiced his vows? Has he even WROTE his vows?! What if he changes his mind?! What if he's not out there!?"

"Misty!" The four other girls said in unison, snapping the red head from her worried rant.

"Ash will be there, don't worry about that," May told her. "As for the vows..."

"NOT FUNNY!" Misty shouted, taking a swing at the brunette, who squealed and ducked out of the way. The five women were in a grand bedroom, standing in front of a rather large mirror, putting some last minute touches on Misty's dress. Serena, containing her laughter at May running in circles from Misty while Dawn yelled they were going to undo the progress they had made, opened the closet and pushed aside Gary's various shirts and suits. She found what she was looking for, which happened to be her oversized box of yarn and different kinds of pins and strings.

"Here," she said loudly to gain the attention of the others. "Let's try some of this stuff."

"Already moving your things into Gary's place eh?" Iris smirked, causing Serena to blush violently.

Seeing the massive selection of buttons, pins, strings, bows, and various other knitting crafts, Misty lit up. "Serena you're a lifesaver!"

Misty kept a hand on her waist as she walked, a finger hovering over Gyarados' PokeBall. It was habit by this point to always be on guard, one she had yet to break. In time she supposed.

While Ash was in Pallet, she had been sent to Cerulean for the same reason. To see if the town was worth rebuilding. As she walked the streets, she was acutely aware of how little the damage truly was. She had seen far worse destruction in Sinnoh. There was only one place she wanted to see, however. Her Gym.

It took longer than she anticipated to reach her old home. Maybe because deep down she was scared of what she'd find. Daisy and Lily had filled her in on their own horrors of survival as they ran through Cerulean under seige. Barely making it out alive with the League evacuees. They told her stories of so much blood it had painted the walls outside the buildings. Coating them in a thick layer of glistening red substance. The blood was long gone, washed away by nearly continuous rainfall during the war.

Finally she approached the pathway leading to her Gym, and her heart fell at the sight. It was completely flattened, the once beautiful home of hers that she had put so much hard work into was gone. Cerulean could be rebuilt, but the originality of her Gym could not. The memories its walls contained lost with the building itself, only accessible through her mind.

Guess this was how Ash felt as they watched Pallet Town burn...

Ash stumbled outside into the setting sun, Gary slamming the heavy wooden door behind them. "Why so rough?"

"It's called tough love," Gary remarked with a roll of his eyes. "Come on, wouldn't it suck to be out there AFTER Misty."

Ash gulped and nodded in agreement, then quickly walked towards the area on the grounds that had been set up for the event. While they walked, Gary humorously hummed to himself, "Here comes the groom. The very dead groom."

Gary's house, more like mansion, had been built exactly on the spot where Professor Oak's laboratory once sat. His home doubled as the new research center, with a rather large wing dedicated solely to Pokemon studies. The ranch had been revitalized, fresh grass planted, and many more trees added. A large clearing sat in the center of them, and that was where the tent and reception had been set up for Ash and Misty's big day.

As they approached the tarp covering the majority of the clearing, Ash could see the hundred or so guests filing into their seats. In the isle, helping people find easy places to sit, was Brock. Smiling and pointing people in an orderly fashion. Ash noticed Clemont using the arm from his backpack, which was on over his tuxedo, to finish hanging some last minute decorations.

A red carpet lined down the middle of the rows of seats, leading up to an altar made from white wood. It arched over where the preacher would stand, and was decorated with carvings of PokeBall's on one side and water droplets on the other. How fitting.

Behind the altar was the reception area, a makeshift dance floor of cheap wood covering a large portion of the clearing. A few feet away from that, shaded by a tree, was the DJ's booth, and opposite that was the rather long table for the food and deserts. Cilan and Cress were already placing various dishes that had Ash's mouth watering.

Hung all around, from the tarp and the trees, was wedding decor of all kinds. Blue and black streamers, paper lanturns that Ash couldn't figure out how they didn't catch on fire, and cartoon cut outs of Ash and Misty's smiling faces, which is what Clemont was currently hanging up.

Seeing Ash approach, the preacher announced loudly, "I believe it is time for everyone to take your seats!"

"When did you propose?!" Gary asked dumbfounded. He was sure with how long it took Ash to realize he loved Misty, it would take him just as long to pop the question.

"You were dead when I did," Ash told him casually, but Clemont's eyes popped out of his head.

"Dead?" The blonde quizzed.

"That my friend is a long and fascinating story," Gary started.

Ash interrupted him, "That we have to save for another time."

"Buzzkill," the former dead man grumbled, crossing his arms and leaning back in his overstuffed couch. He sat across from Ash and Clemont, seated beside Brock and Cilan. Cameron had an armchair to himself. The six were relaxing in Gary's den, accompanied by a crackling fire and a few beers, at the request of Ash. The reason being?

"You should just be happy I picked you as the best man," Ash told Gary with a laugh as he took a swig from his bottle.

"I still think we should have flipped a coin for that," Brock joked, cracking a half smile.

"We'd need a five sided coin to solve that issue," Cilan laughed. "I think Gary is the perfect choice. He's been around longer than the rest of us."

"Yea Brocko, respect your elders," the researcher stated importantly.

"I'm older than you are Gary," Brock said flatly.

"Anyways," Ash interrupted. "Are you sure you don't want to be a groomsman Cilan?"

The Unovan nodded, "It is a great honor to be asked by you Ash, but I would not be able to prepare you a feast of the ages if I'm on groomsman duty. I'll let these guys handle it."

"Strippers then?" Cameron piped up, and Brock sat up straighter at the mention.

"I could go for some strippers," he added in agreement.

"Um, how about not," Ash said slowly. "Misty would kill me, and I'm pretty sure May would castrate you Cam."

"That'd be the best wedding entertainment ever!" Gary laughed.

"Maybe we shouldn't then," Cameron chuckled. "I'd like to keep my nuts."

"May's got them anyway, so what are you worried about?" Gary said, raising his bottle to his lips with a wry smile. Cameron threw his empty bottle at the researcher.

"So when do you plan on having the wedding Ash?" Clemont asked. "We'll need a timeframe to accomplish everything that needs to be done."

"In late August," he replied. "That gives us roughly five months."

"When is the bachelor party?" Brock asked. "We can have strippers then!"

Cameron was taking a sip from a new beer, and snorted it through his nose. The group laughed together while Brock slapped Cameron on the back to help clear his windpipe.

"Oh that shit burns in the nostrils!" He huffed as he tried to blow the alcohol out.

Ash wiped the tears from his eyes as he continued laughing. There was time when he doubted if things could return to normal after the Dominion's, but sitting here and having the time of his life with his friends, he knew he had been wrong.

"Misty!" Dawn shouted as she chased the bride down the hall. "Come back!" They're starting to sit everyone down and your hair isn't done!"

"I'm running away Dawn!" Misty yelled back. "I need to be perfect! This is not perfect! It has to be perfect! Ash deserves it!"

"Dammit Misty!"

Misty rounded a bend in the hall and vanished from their sights. Dawn, Iris, Serena, and May skidded to a halt so as not to run into the light green colored wall. They turned the same direction Misty had gone, giving chase, but May stopped. Someone had said her name. She spun on the spot, finding the culprit looking at her from a bathroom door. It was Cameron.

He was looking at her with an amused expression, and trying very hard to hold back his laugh. "Misty getting cold feet?"

"A little bit," May huffed as she regained her breath. "How about Ash?"

"Same, though Gary went to talk with him."

"Cuz that will help," she remarked playfully.

"Speaking of help," he said, holding up his navy blue tie, which was a tangled mess of knots. "Wanna help me?"

May laughed at his pitiful expression and he defended, "It's not funny! This is the nicest I've ever dressed! I feel like an Aipom in this tux."

"You look amazing," she smiled at him, taking the tie into her hands.

"I look amazing?" He questioned, looking her up and down. "Look at you! You're absolutely stunning!"

She blushed a deep red at his remark, and asked, "You think so?"

Wrapped around her small, yet busty frame was an elegant light blue dress. The other bridesmaids had opted for strapless, but she had thin straps to help hold the garment in place. The dress hugged her torso closely, but not too tight, while the bottom had the slightest of a poof to its curve, ending in a decorative water styled lace that ran along the edges of the seam. Her hair had been curled and swept to the left, giving off the imitation of waves along the ocean surface, but the part of her that had Cameron the most entranced was the way her blue eyes sparkled over the exterior beauty.

He bent down to her height and gently placed his lips on hers, saying as he pulled away, "Of course I do."

"You just earned yourself a fun time after the reception," she said with what little breath he hadn't stolen from her chest. "Now there, doesn't that look better?"

He gawked at what she meant. His tie was untangled and securely fastened around his neck. How did she do that?

"They're...gone?"

Max nodded to his sister, feeling the deep sadness on his face as she registered what that meant. Their parents were dead. May collapsed into the tree behind her, and slid to the ground, her face burying into her palms.

Her, Max, and Cameron stood away from the League's helicopters, nearly under the shade of the Sinnohan trees. Away from all the dead. Away from public eyes so May could properly process what Max had to tell her.

Cameron bent down beside her, placing a hand on her knee, his expression hard as stone. She cried at his touch, the emotion of the loss too much to bare. Tears trickled through her fingers, dripping onto his knuckles as he gently squeezed.

Max remained standing, his eyes closed behind his glasses, fighting he urge to cry himself. He'd had some time to deal with losing their father, but their mother was still fresh in his mind, and listening to May cry like that shattered his heart.

After a moment, when May was able to calm herself down and reduce the crying to sniffles, she shakily asked, "H-How di-did it hap-appen?"

Inhaling sharply through his nose before answering, Max told her, "We lost Dad during the initial invasion. The majority of Hoenn had been sent to Slateport to board ships bound for Unova. When we arrived to board, that's when the Dominion's arrived. Dad-...he died saving me and mom from a Dominion that snuck up on us."

He recalled the memory, hearing the metal cry of victory and turning to see the creature thrusting its third arm at his mother. Norman shouted and hurled himself in the way, taking the claw through his chest and coughing up blood.

"And mom?" May pressed, still not showing her face.

Max made a choking sound as he fought back the tears, "Only a few weeks ago. A swarm of those bastards raided the ship. Took us all by surprise. We were on deck, doing some regular maintenance when they attacked, ripped her away from me before I even knew they were there. Two of them cut in her half-"

He stopped, not wanting to tell May that her blood had showered over him. Finally, May looked up to her brother. Her eyes bloodshot, and face soaking wet with salty tears, "At least I still have you."

And he cried, dropping to his knees and embracing his sister closely. She returned the gesture, once again breaking down into her own sobs. Cameron's face remained stone like, emotionless as he listened to the Maple's. He understood how they felt, he had lost his family long before the Dominion's had arrived. The difference was May and Max truly did still have each other, and he had no one...

May's hand then found its way into his, interlocking their fingers together. She didn't let go of Max, but he felt the gesture all the same. He was not alone, he had her.

"Thank you young lad," an elder lady beamed to Brock as he helped her into a seat amongst the middle rows.

"It was my pleasure ma'am," he smiled back, and returned to his duties of assisting the seating. He didn't know the majority of these people, but most of them were distant family members and friends of either Ash or Misty. Daisy and Lily had done a remarkable job of tracking down all the ones still around. Ash had such a bad memory that he had forgotten who most of family was, and Misty had been surprised there were so many members on her side.

"If you'd, like, stay home once in a while, you would've met them," Daisy had scolded her youngest sister.

"I ran the Gym by myself for years!" Misty argued back, her face turning red. "Who are you to tell me I was never home?!"

Brock had kindly excused himself from that conversation.

"Hey Brock! I've got one for ya." The voice made him turn to see Todd Snap escorting Ritchie up to him.

"Ritchie," Brock greeted, extending his hand. "Ash has a spot for you right up at the front."

"The front?" He questioned curiously. "Isn't that for family?"

"Ash considers you family," Brock said simply. "Right row, far end."

"Thanks," Ritchie smiled, and went to take his seat.

"Got any good pics yet?" Brock asked Todd, motioning to the camera around the man's neck.

"Some," he shrugged. "I'd get better ones if the bride and groom would get the show on the road."

Brock glanced over his shoulder to Ash speaking with the preacher at the altar, "I think they're getting it figured out."

"Let's hope," Todd laughed, and then excused himself to go take more photos. Another man walked down the isle towards Brock, and the spiky haired man beamed.

"Forrest," he greeted happily. "It's about time."

"Car was having a bit of trouble again," Brock's younger brother informed. "But I made it didn't I?"

"Yes you did," he agreed, embracing his brother. "Your seat is the second row, far left."

"Got it," Forrest nodded. "Guess I shouldn't keep you from your duties."

"We'll get to talk at the reception," Brock assured his brother with a smile.

Brock stood at the edge of the Indigo Plateau grounds, looking through the destroyed fence line down towards the ruins of Indigo City. A week had passed for him since the Dominion's had been defeated, and things had yet to feel normal. Guess that would take some time.

Upon arriving at the League, and waiting in the helicopter with his children for a day while officials restored enough of the Plateau to use, he made sure his babies were being taken care of by Nurse Joy and then set out to find his family.

This hadn't proven to be difficult, since he asked Lorelei, but she hesitantly referred him to their hospital wing. With an anxious heart, he made his way through the Plateau, distracting himself with the miraculous fact that the majority of the building was intact. Guess the Dominion's had no real reason to destroy the place once everyone fled.

He passed official after official, rushing up and down the halls. Helping to rebuild Kanto in some way, or going to assist their comrades with repairs to Indigo. Trainers, breeders, Gym leaders, fishermen, all kinds of people were scattered throughout the massive building. Resting, recovering, doing what they could to return the world to normal.

Finally he stopped outside the hospital wing door, taking a long breath before summoning the courage to enter inside. The place was packed, with wounded, dying, and aiding Nurses running to and fro. He scanned the place himself, not wanting to distract a doctor from their urgent duties, and then someone called his name.

"Brock!" He was tackled in a bear hug by Forrest, appearing suddenly though the crowd of people. "Thank God you're alive!"

"You too!" Brock replied, quickly returning the embrace the instance he recognized his brother. "I've been so worried about you all."

Forrest tensed, slowly backing away so he could look Brock in the eye, "They're all gone..."

An icicle pierced Brock's heart...all gone...his family couldn't all be gone.

"All but me and Dad, but-" Forrest hesitated. "He's not going to make it."

"They're all...gone?" The older sibling repeated, the numbness growing inside him. "All of them?"

Forrest, feeling his brother's shock and pain, nodded grimly. "I'll take you to Dad."

They navigated their way through the hurrying nurses and doctors, sidestepping a Chansey and a Blissey barreling past them. Then Brock saw his father, a broken body lying in a heap of bloody bandages on a stretcher. He opened his eyes as Forrest gently tapped him, and he beamed upon seeing Brock, "Can this be?"

Brock's whole world was shattered. His entire family gone, only him and his brother to remain...Pewter City was a dainty little town, and it was close enough to Pallet that the Dominion's were slaughtering its citizens before news of the attack could reach them.

"It's a blessing to be able to see the two of you before I go," Flint smiled, extending a wobbly arm to Brock, who took his hand in his.

"I have a surprise for you," Brock said quickly. "I just need you to hold on for a while longer, can you do that Dad?"

Flint looked taken back, but nodded and said, "Hurry."

Brock sprinted away, racing back towards the outside of the Plateau. The blessing was not that Flint would get to spend his last moments with his sons, but with his grand babies. Seeing just how frail and on the verge of death his father had been only made Brock run faster. He had to get Darcy and Brent inside as soon as possible. Finding Nurse Joy in one of the tents that had been set up, he urged her to help him get the babies inside. Explaining the reasoning with one breath.

Together the two of them raced as carefully as they could with the twins, only slowing down once they had made it back inside the hospital wing. Needless to say, Flint died a very happy grandfather.

"No need to worry, no need to worry," Dawn repeated over and over. "No need to worry."

Misty had disappeared, completely! There wasn't a single sign or peep of her, and regardless of her mutterings, Dawn was beginning to worry.

Her, Iris, and Serena had split up to locate the bride, but so far she hadn't heard head or tails of them either. Frustrated, the Bluenette gave a loud groan and slammed her forehead into the wall, banging it repeatedly.

What was she going to do? What was Ash going to do?! Oh no! What if she had to tell him that Misty ran away?! She couldn't do that to him! It would break his heart! Maybe they could dress Serena up like the Water trainer and fake their way through it? No, bad idea. Gary probably wouldn't like his girlfriend to be married off to Ash.

No, need, to, worry, Dawn! She stopped banging her head. Misty will get her head on straight, she's smart and she knows the importance of this day. Maybe she needed a quick five minutes to herself. Relax, everything will be fine.

Then she heard it, crying. Her ears perked up, it was coming from the room right behind her. How big was Gary's house? Slowly she cracked open the door and was greeted with a white dress and the backside of Misty's red hair. The bride was holed up in a guest bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed and had her face buried in her hands.

"Misty?" Dawn tried carefully.

She jumped and turned to see the Bluenette looking back at her worriedly, "Oh, hi Dawn. Guess you found me."

"Does that mean I win?" Dawn let herself into the room, shutting the door behind her. She made her way to the bed and sat on the opposite side of Misty.

"Guess so," she tried to smile. "God I'm being so ridiculous!"

"You think so?" Dawn cracked playfully, giving the red head a caring smile. "Ok girl, spill it. What's wrong?"

Misty sniffed, and then cried loudly, "Nothin's wrong! That's what's wrong! Everything is perfect, but it's not."

Dawn blinked a few times at the confusing reason, but Misty continued, "I've been dreaming of this day for so, so long. And now that it's here I can't decide if I'm what Ash deserves. I mean he's saved the world so many times, saved so many people, and what have I done besides tear him down and ridicule him-"

"Stop right there," Dawn ordered, raising a pointed finger at th red head. "You're being unfair to yourself. You're just as good as person as Ash, don't you dare doubt yourself on that. You're exactly what he needs, someone to keep his ego in check and love him all the while. He knows that, that's why he chose you, you hardheaded numbskull."

Misty hiccuped once, and stared at Dawn mesmerized. The Bluenette continued, "And he's what you need. Someone devoted, and kind. Someone who can make you feel on top of the world. So no need to worry, because the rest of us have seen the love between you two since the start."

She placed her hands on her hips and smiled slyly at Misty, then added, "Although, if you don't want him, I think I could put up him..."

Misty laughed, feeling the tension release from her heart, "I don't think Lance would like a three way relationship."

"He'd get used to it," Dawn quipped playfully, then grabbed Misty's hands. "Come on now, I'm pretty sure everyone is tired of waiting for this wedding to happen."

The bride smiled, and pulled one hand away to wipe her eyes, "Thank you Dawn, you're an amazing friend."

"You didn't make me the Maid of Honor for no reason," she winked. "We should probably redo your makeup."

"Thank you," Lance said grimly, his thumb tightning against his PokeGear. "Return to Indigo as soon as you can."

He hung up, dropping the device onto his desk. He leaned into his elbows, rubbing circles with his fingertips against his temple. Dawn sat across from him, casting a worried glance his way. She had been sitting in his restored office, having only walked in a few minutes ago. He smiled at her, but needed to finish his call before he could talk.

"Bad news?" She asked carefully.

"The Whirl Islands are gone," he told her, leaning back to see her better. "The constant storm washed them away. There's nothing left."

"Oh no-"

"Months now," he continued. "Months of trying to rebuild Kanto and Johto, with little success. We just don't have the resources."

Dawn bit her bottom lip as the Dragon Master ran a hand through his hair in stress, "It'll happen. I believe in you."

"It's not up to me," he told her. "I can only try, but we may not be able to recover from such blow. The Dominion's really fucked the world up Dawn."

"Maybe they did," she started. "But with you and Ash leading the reconstruction, it'll happen."

"You're so sure?"

"You two are the most stubborn people I've ever met," she poked fun at him. "It's actually a wonder you two get along so well."

He smiled, a genuine smile that made his dark and powerful eyes soften, "I've wondered that myself."

She leaned forward, resting her elbows on his desk and taking his hands in hers. Taking a glance around his office, she said, "You've gotten in here to look back to normal."

"It's just an office Dawn," he said. "That's easy to do, restoring civilization is a whole new ball park."

Dawn winced at the mention of ball park, and he frowned at her reaction, "You ok?"

"Yea..." She licked her lips, then sighed. "It's just...I miss Kyle..."

Now it clicked. Ball park...baseball bat...

"I know," he squeezed her hand, a deep sadness filling his eyes. "I do too...he was a good friend."

She nodded, "He was."

"You remember when that Spinarak dropped on him in Sinnoh?"

She giggled at the memory of Kyle screeching like a banshee and running in circles like a confused Tauros, "How could I forget."

A comfortable silence fell between the two, and Dawn took the moment to enjoy how relaxed she was in his company, but it was enough time for the main reason she had come to see him return in her mind, "Has...has there been any word on my mother?"

Lance's content smile faded from his face, and he bit the inside of his cheek, "I'm sorry Dawn, but she's still missing. Odds are...we won't find her."

The blue haired woman nodded slowly, blinking back the tears, "I know..."

Just then Lance's PokeGear rang, displaying Lorelei's name across the screen. Dawn groaned. Lance gave a flat look and said, "Don't be like that."

"She doesn't like me, so I don't like her," she defended.

He let go one of her hands and reached out to pick up the device, "I need to take this, I'll see you for dinner tonight?"

She pulled the hand she still had ahold of to her lips and kissed it, "Of course."

Gary stood away from the crowd of people, standing beside the trees under the shade they provided. He turned from them and quickly reached into his coat pocket. With a quick motion he raised a flask to his lips and took a swift swig. Feeling the liquid burn his throat, he sighed in content.

"Really?" The female voice would have made him jump had he not gotten used to hearing it.

"Really," he confirmed as he stored the alcohol back into his coat and turned to face Serena. "The bride is almost ready I presume?"

"Almost," she confirmed, crossing her arms. "You said you stopped."

"I said I slowed," he defended. "What's a little alcohol anyway? You know I'm getting drunk tonight as is."

"Yes, and drinking to have fun is fine Gary," she told him. "But drinking to numb the pain is bad."

He opened his mouth to argue, but saw the concern on her pretty face and his shoulders slumped, "I know...and I don't anymore, it's just...today has me thinking Gramps would have liked to be here."

Serena uncrossed her arms and walked a few steps forward, taking his hand in hers, "I know he would of, and he is, in our hearts."

"You know I'm trying right?"

"I know you are," she smiled at him. "Do you think I'd put up with you if you weren't?"

She elbowed him gently with a wink, and he smiled, "Who says you're putting up with me? I think it's the other way around."

Serena narrowed her eyes, but was grinning softly, "You think so huh?"

Gary did the same, leaning in a little closer, "I know so."

The two continued this game, slowly narrowing their eyes more, and growing closer in turns. One had to break right? In the end it was Gary, stealing a quick kiss from her lips.

"That's what I came out here for," she sighed happily. "Don't let the bad stuff get to you, today is a happy day."

"Yes ma'am," he drawled lazily, giving her another kiss to interrupt the end of her sentence.

"I need to get back to Misty," she said as he pulled away. "We'll dance your blues away tonight, ok?"

"We better," he said sensually with a coy wink.

She gently hit his chest, "That's not what I meant!"

"Dammit," he fake pretended to be devastated. "What's a former dead man gotta do to get laid around here!"

"Dance with you girlfriend later," she said quickly into his ear, and rushed away giggling before he had another word to say. He watched her go, watching her honey blonde hair bounce as she jogged, and the light blue dress sway in the breeze. A wide smile crept onto his face.

Today was a day he thought he would never see. One he knew was entirely plausible, but not for another twenty or so years. Professor Samuel Oak's funeral, and Gary was an alcohol induced wreck. His clothes hung loosely off his body, and his hair was even more unkempt than normal, with the added effect of not having been washed in a few days. His eyes were tired, and his posture slumped. Coming back from the dead just to attend your Grandpfathers funeral was something he never would have predicted to happen.

The funeral was taking place on the grounds of the Indigo Plateau, seeing as at the moment that was the only place rebuilt. Hundreds and hundreds of people were attending, from every region worldwide. Researchers to trainers, doctors to breeders. The service was more than halfway over, and dozens of people had stood up to talk about the Professor.

Lance was first, "I've know the Professor for my entire life. He was a longtime friend to my family. Claire and I would follow him every where around Blackthorne, asking questions that any other person on the planet would have gown tired of."

"-A good colleague and friend-" said Professor Birch.

"-The best mentor anyone could have had-" said an older trainer Gary didn't know.

"-Always had a nugget of wisdom to share-" spoke someone else Gary didn't know.

On and on they talked, telling stories, and remembering the noble older man. Gary greatly appreciated them all, and the fact that none of them had mentioned him quite yet. Until Ash took the podium.

He stood by the coffin, which was closed to not showcase the chest wound the Professor had received, overlooking the massive crowd. His eyes resting on Gary in the front, the amber haired man's eyes stared blankly at the ground. The sun was setting, and a warm breeze was blowing through the isles of people. Indigo Plateau towered over them behind Ash, casting a long, deep shadow across the grounds.

"Professor Oak," Ash began. "Was a great man. So kind, and generous. Willing to help anyone or Pokemon in need. Never to turn someone away. Someone like me."

He paused to swallow, and continued, "I wouldn't have started my Pokemon Journey if not for the Professor. Due to, ahem, my alarm clock malfunctioning, I didn't get to choose a starter Pokemon. They were all gone, but the Professor had a solution, and I received my very best friend."

Ash's voice choked, but he pressed on, "I've had a lot of inspirational figures in my life, but none so like the Professor. He was my ultimate father figure, and from that, Gary was like my brother."

Gary looked up for the first time the entire funeral, seeing that Ash was looking directly back at him.

"The world has lost a great man, a great researcher, a great teacher, and a good friend..." Ash wrapped up. "We will never forget you Professor."

He stepped down from the podium and walked back to his seat beside Misty holding Delia, placing a hand on Gary's shoulder as he walked past.

The funeral went on, and soon it was over, so Gary excused himself to hide in the shadows of the Plateau. He leaned against the brick wall, watching from afar as the crowd followed the coffin bearers to the cemetery downhill at Indigo. He sniffed once, grunting to keep himself from tearing up. He'd cried enough already.

Reaching into his coat, he whipped out a flask and downed a rather large swig and winced at the burn of the alcohol on his throat.

"That's no way to deal you know," he nearly leapt out of his shoes at the female voice, spinning on the spot to find a pretty, blue eyed, honey blonde woman before him.

"It's rude to sneak up on someone Serena," he told her, pocketing the flask.

"It's bad to drown yourself in alcohol," she said back, leaning against the wall beside him. Her eyes traveled to the recession of people filing farther away. He watched her for a moment, then leaned back against the wall again.

"Why aren't you over there?" She asked him.

"I've seen enough," he said smugly, crossing his arms.

"Me too," she nodded in agreement.

"What do you want Serena?"

She turned her head to him, and raised an eyebrow, "That's how you talk to a friend?"

"We're friends?"

"We used to be."

"For like a week at that summer camp," he retorted. "And if I recall correctly, you were pretty clingy to Ash anyways."

She smiled at his memory, "I never forget a friend Gary, and I consider you one."

"Aren't you sweet."

She sighed, "I see through your act. It's ok to hurt you know."

"Thank's mom."

He turned his gaze away from her, readjusting his arms against his chest. She sighed and said, "Listen, if you ever need to talk, you can come find me. I know what you're going through, even though I can't compare. Just don't hole yourself off, you're friends will be devestated."

With that said she walked away, patting his shoulder gently just once before she left. He watched her go, finding it strange that a large part of him didn't want her to leave.

"Hey Serena," he called. She stopped and turned around to face him. "Maybe talking wouldn't be such a bad thing."

The song came alive, that tune instantly recognizable in any wedding. The tune of the bride marching down the isle. The rows of people stood up, turning to see Misty in her gorgeous, flowing white dress. A slim fitting gown, with several frills made to resemble waves of water, a white crown of decorative cloth with faded blue and yellow flowered ringing around the brim. Daisy had her arm linked through Misty's, eyeing the bouquet apprehensively.

Misty beamed widely as she proceeded to the altar, her eyes locked on Ash and no one else. Beside him though, standing in order, was Gary, Cameron, Brock, and then Clemont. Following behind Misty, in their light blue, oceanic gowns with much smaller bouquets of flowers, was Dawn, May, Iris, then Serena.

Ash looked right back into Misty's bright, sparkling eyes. She looked absolutely beautiful! The way her red hair clashed magnificently with the blue and yellow flowers atop her head, the way her dress hugged her curves perfectly, and that smile! How was he so lucky?

Misty and Daisy continued down the isle, passing by Bonnie who was holding one year old Delia in her arms. The baby saw her mother and reached her tiny arms out for Misty, causing a drawn out 'awwwwww' from the guests. Misty gave a quick kiss to her daughter before moving on. The two stopped just before the altar, and Daisy hugged her youngest sister. Crying and sniffing, saying incoherent babbles about how the baby was all grown up. Misty simply rolled her eyes and directed her sister to sit down. The crowd laughed at that.

She handed Dawn the boquet, and took Ash's hands in her own as the bridesmaids lined up behind her. Standing across from the groomsmen in their order.

"Dearly beloved," the Preacher began. "We are gathered here today, to join together Ash and Misty, in holy love and joy."

The two of them beamed at each other, smiles from ear to ear, and faces flushed fully red. The wedding proceeded on as any usual wedding would, with Gary making comments under his breath that were somehow still heard, causing Misty to take a swing at him once and encite more laughter from the crowd.

When it came time for the vows, Misty went first, "Ash Ketchum."

She paused, taking in his smiling face and deep brown eyes that were looking at her with so much love and care. "Where do I begin? How about with the crazy turn of fate that brought us together? When I pulled you out of that river, soaking wet and scared out of your mind. A beginning trainer with no clue on what he was doing."

The crowd laughed again.

"You irritated me, SO bad at first," she smiled. "I was hell bent on killing you for what you did to my bike, but the longer I traveled with you, I saw the kind of man you were. The one who could steal my heart. It's belonged to you for, almost, as long as we've known each other."

Another laugh.

"It took a few of your daring acts of heroism to sway me," she teased him. "And I promise you, that I will be your hero whenever you need one. Because you may be the one who has saved me, and saved the world, but I promise I'll be the one right by your side when you decide to do it again. I love you."

The bridesmaids 'awed', and Ash was now a crimson red. He swallowed and grinned even wider than he already was, "My turn?"

Misty nodded, so he began. "Misty Waterflower...where do I begin-"

"Stop copying me."

"Let me talk!"

The crowd laughed. She giggled herself and cocked her head to the side as she looked up at him. He continued, "I could go on and on about how amazing you are. About how beautiful I find you. About the many things you do that I've noticed over the years, some adorable and some...not so much."

She narrowed her eyes, but he wasn't intimidated, "I could go on and say all those sappy things that I've heard at every wedding my mother ever drug me too. But I won't. What I will say, is this. Misty, you are wonderful. The best partner I could ever ask for, and certainly the fiercest fighter I've ever known. You're strong, brave, and so passionate that sometimes I don't know what to do with myself. You intimidate me, and you always have. But somehow you keep me going, you keep me pushing forward no matter how thick things get. Everday you continue to surprise me with how amazing you truly are."

It was her turn to be red faced, blushing like a schoolgirl. Leave it to Ash to do the most unconventional, but romantic vow she had ever heard.

"And you know what the best part is?"

She blinked at him, slightly shaking her head as she gazed into his eyes.

"That you're all mine." And he swooped in, planting a firm, yet soft kiss upon her lips. Her eyes flew open in shock, but she quickly fell into the passion, wrapping her arms around his neck. The patrons 'awed', whistled and cheered, all taken back by Ash's twist on the wedding.

The preacher chuckled loudly, and proclaimed, "I'm supposed to tell you to kiss your bride."

Ash pulled away from Misty sheepishly, an even brighter red.

"I suppose we can let this one time slide," the preacher laughed. "Best man, may we have the rings?"

"Aw man! I was hoping I'd get to keep them," Gary remarked, stepping up beside Ash and reaching into his pocket. He gracefully whipped out a tiny box, opening the lid and brandished the two tiny pieces of jewelry before them. Misty gasped as she looked down on them, her mouth opening comically.

"Ash...is that?"

"It is."

The ring, the very ring that had been knocked from his hand when the Dominion's first arrived. The ring that he spent hours deciding on, hours working up the courage to present and pop the question, and hours spent digging through the dirt to reclaim it.

"You-You found it..." Her voice was shaky, so full of raw emotion. The effort that he must've put into finding that?!

Ash reached down and took the ring from its place, lifting Misty's left hand and sliding it onto her finger, "Perfect fit."

Consumed by her emotions, she lunged forward and planted the deepest kiss she could muster.

The reception was in full swing. Brock was operating the DJ booth, Cilan and Cress were manning the bar, and Gary was drunk, or very nearly. Iris, Dawn, May, Serena, and Misty were in the middle of the dance floor, taking turns showing off their own moves and laughing amongst each other. Ash sat with Cameron and Clemont, gushing over Delia as she played with Ash's tie.

"She's an exact replica of Misty," Cameron said, shaking his head. "How does she not see that?"

"Beats me," Ash shrugged, taking his finger and playfully tickling the baby, who burst into a fit of laughter.

At this point, Gary swung by, setting down three tall glasses of some kind of liquor, "Here ya go mates! Drinks on me!"

"The drinks are free Gary," Cameron remarked with a smirk.

"Sssshhhh," the researcher put his finger on Cameron's lips. "No one needs to know that."

Cameron swatted his hand away.

"And we have the first drunken one of the night," Clemont joked, enciting a scoff from the man in question.

"Me?! Drunk?! Well I never!"

They laughed, and Delia joined in in a confused manner.

"Aaaalright ladies and gents," Brock said suavely into his mic. "I need all the couples onto the dance floor, bride and groom first if you please."

"I'll watch Del," Clemont said to Ash, offering his hands to take the infant.

"Del?" He mused, carefully handing her over. "I kinda like that for a nickname."

"Aaaaassshhh!" Came Misty's sing song voice. "We don't got all night!"

"That's my cue," he said, and proceeded onto the floor. The night was perfect, a cool, refreshing breeze rolling through. The lights illuminating the best features of everyone present, and the overall atmosphere amongst the clearing in the trees was just pleasant.

Sidling up to Misty, he took her hand and waist with a smile. Brock started the song, and both of their heartstrings were struck in that instant.

It's a gentle touch, but more than enough

She could stop this ole' world, from spinnin' to much

It's a natural thing, and I do believe

I found my reason, to be

This song...it was playing when Ash had proposed...

She's got a way with me, she's got a way with me

I'm not the same man, since she's been around

There's more to this life, I've suddenly found

I look at myself now, so differently

Its her love that brings, me peace

They swayed together, two stepping slowly around the dance floor. One by one, other couples joined them. May and Cameron, holding each other close. Dawn and Lance, eyes on only each other. Gary and Serena, sharing a brief yet sweet kiss. Bonnie and Max even swayed past the newly weds.

Ash and Misty barely noticed, they were lost together in the memory of the proposal. How perfect it had been, how the both of them felt in that moment. It was nothing compared to right now. So in love, and bonded for life, they new this was always meant to be.

Misty bit her lip, a thought coming to her mind. Ash frowned, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," she whispered, deciding that now would be the best time to tell him. The reason she had been acting so emotional earlier that day, a reason she had kept secret for a few days, even from Dawn as she wondered why Misty was behaving the way she was.

She leaned in closer to him, resting her body against his as she whispered in his ear,

"I'm pregnant."