Farewell
Ash had called out Buizel, Anabel called out her Starmie. Red chose his Poliwrath and Yellow chose her Raticate.
At the start of the battle, Anabel quickly uses her ability to command her Starmie. Only to find it being used against her somehow. It was Yellow, though struggling very hard from the distance she's able to read Starmie's thoughts and Anabel's strategies.
Anabel switches to verbal command and shows off why she's a Frontier Brain. Easily defeating Yellow's Raticate. Ash's Buizel and Red's Poliwrath are evenly matched. They trade and evade blows intensely, Anabel keeps out of it by Ash's request. Buizel performs a combination of Water Pulse, Aqua Jet and Ice Punch to defeat Poliwrath.
After a quick break and leaving Ashana to Yellow, the final round begins between Lucian and Dawn against Ash and Anabel. Cyndaquil and Bronzong vs Gible and Metagross. Lucian and Dawn's teamwork matches Ash and Anabel's so Anabel managed to separate them into two one on one battles. Her Metagross then starts having great difficulty holding against Bronzong, but Ash pulls a surprise attack through Dig and Anabel KOs Cyndaquil easily. Lucian proved to be able to match both of them alone, eventually taking out Gible. Anabel has trouble keeping up with Lucian until Ash suggests a crazy strategy using Iron Defence, Hyper Beam, using Psychic to hold the Hyper Beam and wrap it around one of Metagross' legs, and Meteor Mash. Lucian is finally defeated, he praises their teamwork and Ash's unpredictable tactic.
Their victory celebration was short lived, the Champions Lance and Cynthia flew down on their Dragonite and Garchomp already anticipating a battle. Ash and Anabel look into each other's eyes. They see each other's intensity and smiles, ready to face the Champions as the crowd roars out loud.
A couple days later...
The tournament had wound down, already many spectators had left, others wanted to see the sights a bit more. Everyone of the gang is still around, telling each other stories, or they want to keep enjoying each other's company for just a little bit longer. The time is short though, as the last ship out of Sinnoh for a while will be leaving soon.
Ash and Anabel sit on a hill viewing the ocean, Ash is sitting behind her with his arms around her shoulders. Their Pokemon are all around them, enjoying themselves. Pikachu and Espeon are playing along with the baby Ashana.
"It's almost time to go," Anabel holds one of Ash's hands delicately.
"I know," Ash answers sounding very disappointed. "I just... don't want to let go right now."
Anabel smiles for a bit while a breeze blows by them. The memories of the previous days flow between them. So much has happened in such short time, yet now it all has to end.
Anabel slowly gets up and calls for her Pokemon. Ashana climbs onto her shoulder while Espeon walks over. Ash recalls all his Pokemon with Pikachu climbing up to his shoulder.
Everybody had gathered in front of the Pokemon Center, as if they were waiting for them. Ash and Anabel were unconsciously holding hands.
"Um, so what's everyone doing?" Ash looks confused. Their friends had all lined up on both sides of the two of them.
"Anabel! Catch!" Melody throws a bouquet of flowers her way.
Anabel catches it easily, wondering herself what was going on.
"Now smile for the cameras!"
"Huh?" Before they knew it, bright flashes filled their eyes for a few seconds.
Ash, Anabel, Pikachu, Espeon, and Ashana all had to readjust their eyes once it was all over.
"Well, guess that'll have to do," Melody told everyone.
"What?" Ash was starting to get annoyed "What did you guys do?"
"We shot wedding style photos of you and Anabel together!"
"W-wedding!" Ash jumped back in shock, Anabel buried her face in the bouquet, which began to turn red. Ash also began to turn red. Everyone laughed the incident off pretty quickly.
"I guess this is it then," Bugsy starts.
"It's too bad," Flint smirks. "It's not every day that strong trainers like us all gather in one spot."
"It has been fun, truth be told," Lucian adds.
"Yes, this was a beautiful celebration," Wallace continues.
"We should meet again like this," Cynthia tells them.
"I'm down for that!" Melody answers. "Hey, how about a regular photo this time? With everyone."
They all gathered around for a more traditional picture, with Ash and Anabel in the middle. Melody recorded everyone's mail so that she would be able to send it out.
"Alright then!" She stretched out. "We really shouldn't draw this out any longer. We all knew it would come to this eventually, let's not make it any harder for ourselves. I guess this is so long for now. Come on Latias, Bianca! See you guys!"
"Slow down Melody!" Bianca paces quickly.
Latias manages to sneak another kiss on Ash's cheek before following them.
"Haha!" Flint laughs. "Looks like we're back to looking for more opponents, right Volkner?"
"I really should get back to my gym," Volkner tells him. "Who knows how many more challengers there are since I left."
"In that case let me come with, I want to see some heated battles."
"Need a ride, Wallace?" Winona extends her hand out to the Hoenn Champion as she calls out her Skarmory.
"I have my own," Wallace calls out Milotic. "But I would like to have some beautiful company."
"Do you mind helping me out for a little while longer Miss Senior?" Zoey asks Candice. "I got some ideas for contest attacks that I want to try out."
"Of course I'll help Zo-zo!" Candice excitedly jumps.
"Alright Lucas we're going to get stronger no matter what!" Brendan grabs Lucas' arm.
"Uh oh," Lucas knew what was coming.
"Let's GOOOO!" Brendon runs top speed with Lucas flying like flag behind him. Right into Barry.
"Hey watch where you're going pal! I'm going to fine yo- Hey stop!" Barry loudly chases after them.
"Cynthia," Lance sounds serious. "I've been hearing a lot of talk about which dragon is stronger, my Dragonite or your Garchomp."
"Oh?" Cynthia smiles, already accepting the challenge. "The arena is empty right now, we can go all out in there."
"You two will need a referee," Lucian snaps his book closed. "And I myself am curious about this matchup."
"I should get back to Johto," Bugsy laughs.
"Not without me!" Lyra follows.
"I'm coming too!" May yells.
"Wait," Lyra stops. "You're not coming Jasmine? We still have our Gym Battle."
"I'm sorry Lyra," Jasmine apologizes. "But I want to visit Uncle Byron and Cousin Roark first. Why don't you challenge Pryce and Clair while I'm away?"
"Oh that's right," Red just remembered something. "Wasn't there a place you wanted to go before all this happened Yellow?"
"It's alright Red," Yellow smiles brightly. "I had fun here."
"I must continue my training," Janine states.
"Would you like a partner?" Conway offers.
"I should get going now," Marley tells them.
"Can I come along?" Ritchie follows.
"I'm going to go get our things ready," Brock starts off.
"Let me help," Dawn goes after him.
And just like that, everyone is gone. Ash and Anabel watch as their friends leave, quite a disheartening scene, yet it has a sense of beauty as well. Ash escorts her to the boat heading for Johto. There were no words between them, just the sound of the breeze and the waves. They make it to the boat's ramp, just one more step and Anabel will be away from Ash for a long time.
"When you come back to Kanto," Anabel starts. "Make sure to stop by the Battle Tower. I'm sure Ashana will have grown up by then."
"Eeveeeee!"
"Pikachu!"
"I will," Ash smiles.
"So long, Ash." Anabel starts to climb the ramp to the boat. About halfway up she's yanked back and held close, her lips locking with Ash's. A Draco Meteor lights the sky from Lance and Cynthia's battle.
"Chaaa!"
"Espiii!"
"Vee!"
Ash pulls back, his eyes almost apologetic. He lets go slowly and walks back down, Anabel smiles and giggles to herself. This time, the parting was for real.
"Ash?" Dawn wonders if he's alright.
He wipes his eyes and puts on a perky face. "Well, what are we waiting for? Come on!"
Ash and his friends head off to another day, another journey.
A gentle wind blows through Anabel's hair as she watches Sinnoh shrink into the distance.
"I hope we see each other again soon." She smiles at the sky, and takes another whiff from her bouquet. "Anabel Ketchum..." She giggles slightly at the thought.
