Chapter 28/Final: No Need for Goodbyes
It had been several days since Ash and Sasami married on Jurai. Tenchi's troupe, the Trainers, Pokémon and Delia returned to Earth where Nobuyuki and Yosho learned of the successful marriage. Since they returned to the Masaki household. Nobuyuki was proud to have Ash and Sasami prove their love. One morning, Ash and Sasami were in the kitchen with Pikachu, Ryo-Ohki and Togepi. They're happily making breakfast. Togepi pushed a tray of butter to Ash. "Thanks, Togepi," he praised. Togepi shrilled to the praise.
"Is that why he escaped from Misty's side?" guessed Sasami.
("That or he's that hungry,") Pikachu guessed. Brock soon entered the kitchen to see the couple working.
"Morning, you guys!" he greeted. Ash and Sasami turned to see Brock.
"Morning, Brock," Sasami greeted. Seeing all the food being chopped, minced, stirred, cooked, Brock awed the performance.
"Wow, you guys are letting it all go!" he gulped. "I know there are a lot of people in here, but don't you think you're going a bit overboard?"
"You know who's all here, right?" reminded Ash. "You, Misty, our moms, Tenchi…"
"Okay, I gotcha…" backed off Brock as Tenchi came in from behind Brock.
"How's the couple this morning?" he brought up.
"Good!" replied Ash and Sasami. Tenchi smiled as Brock watched in awe to the couple's preparations.
"I'm actually shocked that you learned how to cook from your new wife, Ash," he admitted. Ash pointed a wooden spoon at Brock.
"It was after you got sick that one time," he recalled. Brock itched his face in embarrassment.
"Sorry…" he apologized. "But now that we're about to go back home, how are you gonna eat?" Tenchi palmed Brock's shoulder.
"Before Ash came and claimed Sasami, she taught me how to cook more efficiently than with my dad," he answered.
"Oh, then you'll be okay," Brock sighed. Tenchi nodded. Everyone woke for breakfast where Delia, Brock, Misty and Pietra awed Ash's and Sasami's cooking. There was everything on the table from buttered toast to omelets to miso soup to coffee and pellets for the Pokémon. It was a smorgasbord of food for everyone.
"The spread is incredible!" awed Delia.
"I can't believe you and Ash did all this, Sasami!" praised Misaki.
"I completely underestimated Ash's talent!" awed Misty. Everyone ate, enjoying the food. As Ayeka picked up the plates, Delia cleared her throat.
"Sasami, I managed to finish an outfit for you now that you're going to be with my son on his journey," she spoke. Sasami seemed surprised.
"You did?" she gasped. Delia revealed a pink baseball cap, pink jacket, a white t-shirt, navy denim trousers and pink hi-tops. Sasami and Ryo-Ohki awed the wardrobe.
"I want to try it on!" wished Sasami. Delia handed Sasami the clothing before she ran off. Misty stood behind Ash.
"I guess you're a different person after the cave-in," she mentioned. "I mean, you went from a simple-minded trainer to a married young man."
"It's not like I wanted to come here," Ash corrected while Washu got between the two.
"It's fate that it happened," she spoke. "Say that it was you and Tenchi who met at the bottom of the staircase and you two fell in love before Ash found you, would he be upset by it?"
"Of course not!" she replied before realizing the ordeal. "Yeah, I shouldn't have been so mean to begin with. If I was nicer and helped bring Pikachu to the Pokémon Center instead of how I acted… maybe Ash would've been mine."
"Don't say that, Misty," Ash said, "We're still friends." Misty nodded as she picked Togepi up. Ash found Funaho outside with Pietra and Rhydon.
"At least your grandmother will be glad that you did a lot to help out," Funaho told Pietra.
"I'm sure she can understand after the adventure we had together," Pietra replied. "I mean, I doubt she'd believe me if I told her we had gone to a different planet." Seeing Ash, Funaho came to the married trainer.
"Ash, are you ready to leave for your world?" she asked.
"I bet we all are," Ash replied. "My life has changed. It's a new reality now that… I'm married."
"It will take time, but I know you and Sasami have what it takes," Funaho promised. Rhydon grunted to also support Ash.
"So, can I call you Aunt Funaho?" he asked. Funaho and Pietra laughed to the idea.
"Aunt Funaho…" she repeated. "I like it." Delia, Misaki and Sasami walked to the few around with Sasami in her new clothes.
"Ash?" called Sasami. Ash, Funaho and Pietra turned to Sasami wearing the newly-made clothing. Ash awed the new look of Sasami.
"You look awesome!" he applauded. Sasami smiled as Pikachu and Ryo-Ohki emerged to see Sasami and approve of her new clothes.
"That looks marvelous on you, Sasami," Pietra agreed. "You and Ash are pretty much alike." Ash and Sasami giggled to the comparison. Ryo-Ohki hopped into Sasami's arms and began to mew passionately.
"Ryo-Ohki?" she called. Ryo-Ohki continued to mew, pointing to Pikachu.
"I think Ryo-Ohki wants to come with us," Ash assumed. Ryo-Ohki happily turned and leaped into Ash's arms as Tenchi, Ryoko, Ayeka and Misty emerged. Ryo-Ohki nuzzled Ash's face.
"That's cute!" cooed Ayeka. Ash held Ryo-Ohki with a somber look.
"I want to bring you along, but you belong with Ryoko from all of the stories," he reminded. Ryo-Ohki cried to the denial.
"He's got a point, Ryo-Ohki," Misty brought up. "There are trainers who'll think you're a Pokémon, not a creature that can transform into a spaceship." Ryo-Ohki continued to mew, wishing to join.
"Mind if I address her?" requested Ryoko. Ash offered Ryo-Ohki to Ryoko who took her by the scruff. "I know you and Sasami have been close. Is this about being with Pikachu?" Ryo-Ohki mewed happily to the guess. "So, if I let you go with Ash and Sasami back to their world, you promise to stay close and not interfere with what Pikachu does?" Ryo-Ohki nodded in agreement.
"I think I can make it work," Misaki replied. Others began to wonder while Brock seemed to have finished a list.
"There," Brock approved. "Tenchi can be fine with these recipes." As he headed for the door to find the rest, someone tackled Brock to the side. It was Kiyone. He pinned Brock on the sofa. He looked a bit stunned. Outside, Misaki had her hands on Pikachu and Ryo-Ohki's heads.
"You are now husband and wife," she announced to the creatures. Ryo-Ohki mewed excitedly before jumping Pikachu and tackling him. She bombarded Pikachu with a lot of kisses.
"Mother, was this necessary?" questioned Ayeka.
"We've seen how much Ryo-Ohki cares for Pikachu," Misaki mentioned.
"I see…" smiled Ryoko. "And that way, Pikachu and Ryo-Ohki will be like Ash and Sasami."
"Kind of a bizarre way to put it," Washu added. Togepi joined in celebrating the new marriage.
"But what about you, Ryoko?" wondered Sasami. "Won't you need a ship if you want to go elsewhere?"
"Don't worry about me, Sasami!" eased Ryoko. "I'm a big girl! I can always find another ship!"
"Or steal one," Ayeka muttered. Ryoko sneered back at Ayeka.
"And what would you do if I did?" she pondered. A stare-down between Ryoko and Ayeka began.
"There's something that was missing for a while!" smiled Sasami. Ash looked back inside the house as Nobuyuki came to the car.
"Are you guys about to leave?" the father asked.
"We are," Misty acknowledged. "We can't thank you enough for taking care of Ash when he was lost."
"Oh, don't sweat it," Nobuyuki giggled. "And knowing that Sasami's joining you guys, it'll mean less meals to make."
"I don't know about that," Delia shook. Nobuyuki wondered about the denial. "Brock and I've supplied recipes if you needed anything new to try."
"Oh, really?" he awed. "At least I know what kind of mother Ash has. Maybe there's a chance we broken-hearted can mend together with a chance to-AH!" Ryoko and Ayeka teamed up and pulled on Nobuyuki's ears.
"DON'T RUIN A GOOD MOMENT!" they snapped before throwing Nobuyuki down. Ash, Misty and Sasami giggled to the sight.
"Oh boy…" huffed Misty. Inside, Kiyone had Brock pinned on the sofa and looking serious.
"Brock Harrison, you're under arrest by the authority of the Galaxy Police!" she proclaimed.
"Arrest!?" he gasped in shock. "For what!?"
"Under the Galaxy Police penal code 759.66C: Theft of a Galaxy Police Officer!" The accusation made Brock gawk.
"Theft!? That's nuts! What the heck did I steal from you!?"
"The evidence…" That's when Kiyone smiled and put a hand on her chest. "My heart." Brock gawked to the item she claimed was thieved. "You are hereby found guilty and sentenced to life… as my loving boyfriend and future husband." She kissed and held Brock's lips for a few minutes. Ash and the creatures
"Yo Brock-o!" he called. "Where are you? It's time for us to hit the road!" There was no sound.
"Kiyone!" called out Sasami. "Aren't you going to say goodbye to me and my husband!?" Still, no sound.
"Maybe they're inside," Tenchi wondered. "I'll go check." He and the married creatures joined Tenchi in looking before seeing Kiyone's and Brock's feet. "There you are! What are you-" He stopped as he saw the two kissing. He gasped with his eyes about to escape. He froze as Ash followed.
"What are you looking at, Ten-" started Ash before he saw the kissing. He gasped with his eyes about to escape. He and the creatures freaked.
("IS THAT REALLY HAPPENING!?") gawked Pikachu as Misty and Sasami also came by.
"What are you two freaking-" started Misty before she saw the kissing. She gasped with her eyes about to escape. Togepi cheered to Brock getting love.
"What's going on?" wondered Sasami before she saw the kissing. She gasped, but got excited at the sight of the kissing. Everyone else came to see the kissing happening. After the moment, Yosho gave Ash a last prayer. The girls gathered to give farewells to the couple and new friends. Mihoshi bawled at hearing her love interest to Brock.
"You were acting this way because you fell for Brock!?" she whined. Kiyone nodded. "It's not fair! When will I ever get love!?" Kiyone sighed, unsure about how to respond. Ayeka hugged Ash, happy to know that he's part of her family.
"We're all going to miss you, Ash," she began. "I know you being married is still new, but I see how this can go a long way." Ash nodded.
"I'm gonna miss you as well, Princess," he replied. Ayeka pecked Ash on the cheek. Yosho came to the trainers.
"You're departing?" he asked.
"We are," Delia confirmed while Nobuyuki recovered.
"I do hope you live long enough to see Sasami's and my kids, Yosho," Ash wished. "Or do you prefer Katsuhito?"
"Here, people call me Katsuhito," Yosho briefed. "Only my close family, including my parents, can still refer to me as Yosho."
"Would it feel better if I called you Grandpa?" wondered Ash. Yosho smiled.
"There is no need," he denied. "Though the sentiment is appreciated." Washu came to Ash and hugged him from behind.
"I'm gonna miss you!" she whined. Ash sighed in relief as he turned to the mad scientist after she broke her hug. "I know it's not going to be the same, but I want you to know that I'm going to miss you the most." Ash nodded to Washu's farewell.
"It won't be the same after the virtual room you gave me, Sasami and Mom to sleep in," he brought up.
"The likeness to Ash's real room is still pretty accurate," Delia added.
"Maybe…" shrugged Washu. "But if something does happen to your real mom, I'll be there for you." Ash hugged Washu who hugged back. "Such a good boy…" Mihoshi came to Ash next while Kiyone and Brock watched while holding hands.
"Just wanted to tell you that we're here rooting for you to be a master," she simplified.
"Thanks!" accepted Ash. Mihoshi hugged Ash before Pikachu, much gentler than when they first met.
"I'll root for you too!" she promised. Pikachu squeaked happily to the comment. Ryoko followed up.
"Ash, I don't have any lovey-dovey feelings for you," she admitted.
"That's fine," he passed off while standing near his wife.
"But I can say is to give the other trainers as much hell as possible." A word made Ash pause.
"I'm not sure I'm allowed to say that…"
"Don't worry, it's just an expression." They bumped fists. "And Sasami, I know you two will be able to be together. Stay faithful to him."
"I will, Ryoko," Sasami promised. After saying their final goodbyes, including to the rest of the household, Ash and Sasami joined the rest of the trainers and Delia through the tunnel and on their way back to the Pokémon World. About 15 minutes later, they emerged on the other side. Ash took a breath of fresh air to the familiar smell.
"This is it!" he cheered. "We're back in the Pokémon World!"
"Yeah, since you spent longer than a week, unlike the rest of us," Misty nagged. Looking around, Sasami saw all sorts of creatures. Blue walking weed pods, a small pink hippo, young red pigeons, the creatures she saw were amazing her.
"I've only been here for a couple of minutes, and I can already tell I'm gonna love it here!" she awed. Pietra looked back to the cavern.
"I wanted to get that tunnel made for my grandmother," she recalled. Ryo-Ohki mewed to Pietra. She knelt down and petted the cabbit. "I wish I could stay, but I wanted the Rhydon to help my grandmother. Besides, you now have Pikachu." Ryo-Ohki nodded before returning to Pikachu.
"Good luck with your grandmother, Pietra!" waived Delia. Pietra nodded before waiving farewell and leaving. Delia noticed something on Misty's back.
"Misty, do you want to hold still for a minute?" she asked. "You got something on your back." Misty's nerves kicked in and she began to freak. There was a ladybug-like creature on Misty's back with six limbs, three on each side. Looking, Brock realized the creature.
"It's a Ledyba!" he recognized. Awed, Ash pulled his Dex out.
"LEDYBA, THE 5-STAR POKÉMON," it registered. "NORMALLY SHY, LEDYBA WILL BE ACTIVE AMONG A SWARM OF ITS KIND." Sasami awed Ledyba's look. Ledyba awed the new girl. It buzzed around while Misty sighed.
"At least a Ledyba is a bug that doesn't bug me so bad as say a Beedrill," she admitted. Ledyba also became interested in Ryo-Ohki. The two played around a little bit which made Ash wonder.
"A Ledyba would be a great start to raising a Pokémon," he offered. "Do you want to have it?" Sasami awed the idea from her husband.
"Can I?" she wanted. Ash nodded before presenting a Pokéball.
"See if Ledyba wants to come with," he suggested. Sasami looked to Ledyba as it gazed right back.
"You're awfully cute," she complimented. "Do you want to join me?" Ledyba buzzed happily to the suggestion. "Okay!" She threw the ball to Ledyba who hit it with its head. It became a red light before it entered the ball. The ball hit the ground before moving for a little bit. Finally, a chime.
"Congratulations, Sasami!" cheered Brock. "You just caught a Ledyba!" Ash, Misty, Delia and the Pokémon applauded Sasami's first Pokémon.
"I guess that saves a call to Professor Oak about getting a starter Pokémon!" giggled Misty. After that, Delia left for Pallet Town and Sasami and Ryo-Ohki joined Ash's group, now back together and back on the road.
(19 Years Later…)
Jurai was seen again as a few ships flew to it. On board a large ship were four adults with a plethora of Pokémon. One of them looked a lot like Tsunami. There was a raven-haired man with a goatee while wearing a blue yukata with a red sash. There was a honey blond woman wearing a pink kimono with blue eyes and halos around. One more was a pure blond woman in an ice blue kimono with a white sash. There were a few kids around: a blue-haired boy wearing a blue kimono with a black sash, a blue-haired girl with a red kimono and a white sash, a dark blond girl wearing a white kimono with a pink sash and a honey blond boy wearing a black kimono with a white sash. They touched down as the Juraians came to the ships. Pikachu looked ragged and older while little yellow Ryo-Ohkis frolic around. Delia looked to have some gray hair as did two other women: a blond wearing a white dress and trousers and a brunette wearing a black blouse with a hair clip in it. There was also a blond man with a similar goatee standing by the blond woman. Azusa, Funaho and Misaki didn't look any different. "Ash, thank you for coming by," Azusa greeted.
"Of course, father," the raven-haired with the goatee greeted. "Sasami, Serena and Lillie all came to see Jurai."
"Well, they're about to be rulers as well as you."
"You've decided."
"Yes, since you're the first married to my daughter, it's Juraian law that you and Sasami…" Turning to the honey blond, Azusa continued. "Serena…" Next was the other blond. "And Lillie." Serena came forward.
"Did he say that right?" she asked. "We're ruling this planet."
"Governing," Sasami corrected. "Besides, we have a ceremony. It's not the same as Ash being the Pokémon Master." Ash had completed his goal. Lillie also came forward to understand it more. Funaho poured a saucer of a drink for the adults.
"By drinking this Juraian Sake," she presented. "This will grant the four of you the life of a Juraian." All four took sips of the Sake. All of the kids, Pokémon and the Ryo-Ohki litter cheered. Azusa made Ash a vow and he followed the lead.
"From here on out, you are now the head of the House of the Juraian Ketchum," Azusa praised. "As well… Lady Sasami Masaki Jurai Ketchum… Lady Serena Yvonne Ketchum and Lady Lillie Illumo Ketchum." Ash and the three others bowed to Azusa. They turned to the Juraians and their mothers. Ash, Sasami, Serena and Lillie waived to the crowd with their kids. Jurai now had new leaders. Ash may have surpassed Azusa with the amount of wives, though his important love of his life stayed by him. It was a moment where Sasami was aglow. It caused the Royal Tree to glow, exciting the crowd.
"It's as if we're seeing Lady Tsunami!" one Juraian awed. Sasami is home. Ash is home. Serena is home. Lillie is home… and now they have followers ready to lead Jurai to a prosperous new land.
THE END...