Day 7
"Aah!" said Ash, "Pikachu!"
"What?" asked Pikachu, "You told me to wake you up for breakfast,"
Ash looked at his clock. "But it's 5:00!"
"Don't blame me," said Pikachu, "Mew told me that breakfast was at 5:15,"
Ash groaned. "Then let me sleep for another 15 minutes,"
"You know it will take at least that long to get there," said Pikachu, "besides, if we don't get there on time, all the food might be gone,"
"At five?"
"I dunno, it could be one of Mew's pranks but…"
"Alright, I'm coming," Ash slowly climbed out of bed, got dressed, and headed out with Pikachu.
"Hello!" called Ash. No Answer. "Anyone?" Silence.
"There's something," said Pikachu pointing to a lone table.
Ash walked over to the table and picked up a piece of paper that was there.
To Ash,
Don't worry about our absence, there is a very important matter we need to attend to,
If you're hungry, there's some breakfast in the main hall.
-Arceus
"Huh?" asked Ash, "That's odd,"
"Yeah," said Pikachu, "usually whenever they do something important we have to get involved."
"Hold on," said Ash, "what was the point of waking up at 5:00 then?"
"That's right," said Pikachu, "why would Mew tell me if…"
"Unless," said Ash, "something happened to them! Quick, buddy, let's go!"
Ash and Pikachu then bolted towards the main hall.
Ash was, as usual, partially correct. However, his phrase about 'something happening to the legendaries' was slightly different than he thought.
Mew giggled, "Told you it would work,"
Arceus groaned. He had betted on Ash coming for the food but hadn't thought that he could turn a few out-of-place events into an urgent problem. He along with his Pikachu that is. At least that meant that he had done a good job of picking Pikachu as a partner for him. (As if his journey so far hadn't confirmed that.)
"Fine, you can have as much sugar as you want this week," said Arceus, complying with the terms of the bet.
"Yippie!" yelled Mew darting about to try to find as much candy as she could.
Arceus sighed. "Is everything ready?"
A chorus of agreement came from the legendaries and mythicals present.
"Good," said Arceus, "now, we wait,"
"*pant* You remember which way it is, *pant* right?" asked Ash to his partner.
"Yeah, *pant* it was *pant* this way," replied Pikachu.
"How *pant* much *pant* further?"
"*pant* we're almost *pant* there,"
Ash and Pikachu reached the doors of the main hall, burst them open, and…
"SUPRISE!"
Ash and Pikachu stopped mid-battle pose and almost fell down with the sheer volume of the yell.
Ash looked confused. Then he took a closer look at the room. "Oh, who's the party for?"
Every Pokemon in the room (including Pikachu as he didn't take long to figure out what was happening) did a collective facepalm.
"Did I say something?" asked Ash, still completely confused.
Mew then flew up to him. "It's for you dummy,"
Ash did a double-take. "For me? But it's not even my birthday,"
"Yes, but that's not the reason for this party," said Arceus.
"It looks like the birthday party," said Ash, looking at the large banner that read 'Happy Birthday' in the middle of the room.
Arceus glanced at the banner. "Alright, who put that up?"
"Oh," said Mew, "whoopsie,"
Arceus glared at her.
"Alright, alright, I'll take it down," Mew flew up to heave away the banner.
Arceus shook his head. "Ash, we're holding this party for you because of everything you've done for us. Ever since you started your journey, you've never hesetated to help any one of us who asked for it. But it was not only use you helped. While you journeyed through every region, you helped everyone both human, and Pokemon, that you encountered. No matter how long it took, no matter how hard it was, you stuck to your journey and never gave up even in the face of death. Despite all this, we've realized that you've hardly received anything for your efforts and nothing for any of your encounters with legendaries of mythicals. So, to show all our appreciation, we've decided to make a little gift for you,"
"What is it?" asked Ash.
Arceus smiled and tapped his hoof on the floor, causing a medium-sized box to appear in front of Ash.
"Go ahead," said Arceus.
Ash hesitated a little before opening the box. He gasped. Inside was a carving of every legendary and mythical Pokemon he had met on his journey. The carvings were fixed around a large golden plaque that read; 'To Ash Ketchum, the world's greatest Pokemon Master'
"Look at the carvings," said Arceus, smiling at Ash's childish reaction of surprise and excitement.
Ash took a closer look at the finely sculpted figures of the legendaries. Each one had a short message on it:
Hail or snow, don't let even the strongest blizzard get in your way -Articuno
The thunder may rumble, but there is nothing that can't be won by a determination stronger than a storm -Zapdos
When faced with the hottest fire, only an equally burning passion can break through -Moltres
All life is valuable, you know that better than anyone -Mewtwo
Don't forget to stop and enjoy yourself! -Mew
When lightning strikes, use it to your advantage! -Raikou
The strength of a volcano is great, but nothing can top the glowing determination of the soul -Entei
Move like the wind, but when you stumble, know your friends will always be there -Suicune
You have the power to calm the fiercest storms, never forget that -Lugia
Always have a heart that is as brilliant as the rainbow -Ho-oh
No matter where you are or when you are, don't forget that true friendship never dies -Celebi
Look at the way rocks are formed - the wind and the water hitting them, shaping them, making them what they are. Things take time, you know? -Regirock
Waiting for the ice to melt instead of breaking it takes your kind of patience to master -Regice
When things get tough, you have to have courage as strong as steel -Registeel
You're my friend not because of what you've done, but because you show you care -Latias
When you make a promise, you not only do everything you can to keep it, but you go above and beyond to make sure it's fulfilled. -Latios
You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water, you have to put in the work to get to the other side -Kyogre
Land is not merely soil, it is a fountain of energy flowing through humans and Pokemon alike, it is what you do with that power that defines who you are -Groudon
There is no limit to how high you can soar if you believe in yourself and your friends -Rayquaza
Be careful what you wish for because you may just get it -Jirachi
No matter how much space lies between you and your friends, friendship allows you to be right where the other is -Deoxys
The knowledge you've gained far outshines any material rewards you may have received -Uxie
In the happiest moments and even in the saddest moments, remember that love always shines through -Mesprit
Willpower, used in its purest form, holds the power to change the world. -Azelf
The past is the past, but the future is in your control -Dialga
You can understand the universe if only you can understand the heart -Palkia
Even the magma inside the earth trembles at the burning desire to reach a goal -Hetran
Stones, rocks, air, and trees, all are subject to the forces of nature. It is up to humans and Pokemon what we are to do with that nature. -Regigigas
Nothing can be substantial if it does not cast a shadow. Pleasures in life are meaningless unless you know what hardships feel like. -Giratina
You can dream all you want, but true rewards only come to those who work to make those dreams a reality. -Cresseila
Life is like an ocean, it has its ups and downs. What you decide to do with that is what matters most. -Phione
Sometimes it takes waves of change to find our true direction -Manaphy
Many don't wish to sleep for fear of nightmares. Sadly, just as many don't wish to wake up for the same reason. -Darkari
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. Don't forget that. -Shaymin
Chase your dreams to make them a reality. You alone choose your destiny. -Arceus
Fight for your friends, and your friends will fight for you. -Cobalion
The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of a crowd but those who fight battles that others know nothing about. -Terrakion
It's not about when you get knocked down, it's about when you get up. -Virizion
There is a safe spot within every tornado. Your job is to find it. -Tornadus
Even lightning and thunder take time to reach the viewer. So don't be discouraged if at first your good deeds go unnoticed. -Thundurus
Even if you're stuck on the ground, you can still let your mind soar -Landorus
The truth is a great and powerful force, it can be the difference between life and death -Reshiram
If you have a mindset for an ideal world, even if you fail, you'll still be making the world a better place -Zekrom
Fight for an ideal world, strive always to be truthful, but most of all, never ever give up -Kyurem
Victory is yours if you only can find it -Victini
The sword is a powerful weapon, but perseverance is the most powerful of all -Keldeo
Life is like a melody, sometimes calm, sometimes sad, sometimes happy. Be the conductor yourself and those around you, you don't have to follow the crowd. -Meloetta
A house is a building in which you live, a home is where your friends and family are. -Genesect
Life is a gift given to every human and Pokemon. How you use it is up to you. -Xerneas
Sometimes death is needed so that life can flourish. -Yveltal
Cauos is like a disease, it is easily spreadable and has only a few cures. -Zygarde
Riches and jewels may be valuable, but friendship and love are priceless. -Diance
Don't let any distance stop friendship from growing! -Hoopa
Fire and water may be opposites, but both work together to create life -Volcanion
If you stand for what's right, you'll never be disappointed. -Silvally
Anger behind a spirit that strives to do good can be the force needed to win a battle. -Tapu Koko
An act of kindness can be the little thing that changes someone's day. -Tapu Lele
Having patience is an invaluable skill, whether you know it or not, you use it every day. -Tapu Bulu
If you take time to care for nature, it will, in turn, care for you. -Tapu Fini
A flower will always grow in the direction of the sun because beauty recognizes beauty. -Solgaleo
Be like the moon, shine brighter than ever in the darkness. -Lunala
Light may overcome darkness but darkness will never overcome light. -Necrozma
A soul, not the body, is the essence of life -Magearna
A shadow may seem insignificant, but it is what signifies something truly is there. -Marshadow
Alone you may achieve a little, but with others, there is no limit to how much can be accomplished. -Zeraora
Always give it all you have and show those who stand against you that you can strike back. -Zacian
If you can endure everything your enemies throw at you, you will never fall to anyone or anything. -Zamazenta
Learn from those around you so you, in turn, can teach something new. -Kubfu
Sometimes you have to strike hard, but sometimes you have to strike quickly. -Urshifu
Speed through what needs to be sped through, but slow down through what needs to be done slowly. -Regielekei
The strength of a dragon only comes with the humbleness of a servant. -Regidrago
Don't be afraid to take a leap of faith. Strength comes from within, and with your family and friends, anything is possible. -Zarude
(Note: only legendaries Ash met are on the carving and ones that obviously couldn't be there aren't. E.g. Melmetal is with Prof. Kikui and Eternatus is… somewhere.)
Ash looked up. "Wow, thanks. But I don't know if I'm good enough to be a Pokemon Master yet."
Arceus smiled. "Let me ask you this Ash, what do you think a Pokemon Master is?"
Ash thought about it for a second. "Well, I've always wanted to be one since I began my journey. Back then I thought it might be winning the league or becoming a champion. Now though… I think it might be making friends with every Pokemon. I think that's what a true Pokemon Master is, someone who can make friends with every Pokemon and treat them not as tools for war of battle, but as partners and family."
"Well then," said Arceus, "I don't see why you aren't a Pokemon Master,"
"I don't know," replied Ash, "It's just, I feel like even if I am one, I need to keep going and keep trying for the next thing,"
"Put it this way Ash," said Arceus, "you have been trying to be a Pokemon Master, you have been doing exactly what a Pokemon Master does, journying with your Pokemon, and, most importantly, you never stop going. A true Pokemon Master is one who always strives to become one, and you have fought for that goal ever since you started you're journey."
Ash looked back at the present he had been given and nodded. "I… never thought of it that way. But, does that mean there's still more for me to do?"
"That depends," replied Arceus, "what do you think?"
The End... or is it?
And... That's a wrap!
I hope you all enjoyed this book's final update on its first anniversary!
It's kinda funny, I started writing this book before Pokemon announced Ash was leaving the Pokemon Anime. When they did, it just seemed ironic that I was writing this and suddenly it turned into a memorial to Ash's journey.
Thanks for reading to the end, and I hope you enjoy my future books!
P.S. If you enjoyed this book, consider leaving a review and joining my discord server! (link to server on my profile page)