Chapter 38: Happily Ever After

Authors Notes: Okay so I know I said I was gonna have two more chapters after this for a total of 40. But looking at the plot summaries I created a while back I noticed I'd had one change of plans. Seems I originally meant to have Ash enter the Hall of Fame in this chapter then say goodbye to Serena and the others but that would have just been too short. Looks like I'm going back to my former plan of having only 38 chapters rather 40. I'll just combine what's left of it into this one chapter. That makes this the grand finale. Thank you for all your reviews everyone and hope you enjoyed the story.

Edit: Huh, something weird happened to the spacing I just got wind of. Wasn't me. Well looks fixed now.

Reviews:

Lady Arcanine: Well, you're the sole review I've gotten at the time I've started writing this chapter. It's been an honor to continue the story you made and I very much loved it. Also, proud that you enjoyed it so much as well. I don't know if I will make any more advanceshipping stories, as I'm going to be working on a long set of stories for Star Wars and My Little Pony now that could take years. I have considered going back to one I had to end prematurely since I was just so busy, Ashand May Love in Hoenn. We'll see. Hope to see you around and will always be reading your stories for sure as more come out. Oh and I'll be using one of the children you have in your first story.

Darkdrgon: Fixed those errors. But I think I'll keep the part with the trophy the same, I don't know if there is a difference for when you defeat the current reining champion, speaking of which in regards to our last review you might be right about Tobias not facing Cynthia and it being Flint instead. It's been a long time, I'll have to check Bulbapedia on that. Ah well. Though I regret to say we won't be showing the honeymoon, only the wedding. I also have a plan for May's final Pokémon as well. Also, I've added the note on Ash facing the Elite Four in Chapter 36.

Force Smuggler: Thanks.

For others, such as those that wanted Ash and May to have a daughter, you're getting your wish. Hope you've enjoyed this whole story and I will be editing over it as well now that I'll have more time to do so. Feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders since I'm finally down to just two stories left that I'm writing. Sigh of relief.

The next day, Ash and May headed to the Ever Grande City Airport with Serena, Drew and Dawn. Morrison had already left after saying goodbye and headed home to Verdanturf Town. Now it was their turn to all say goodbye.

"Take care Pokémon Master Ash," Serena said.

"You too Top Coordinator Serena," Ash replied.

The two old friends embraced each other as May, Drew and Dawn watched with smiles. Serena and Ash let go of each other, then Serena turned to May.

"Goodbye May," Serena said. "You take care of Ash now!"

"I plan to," May said. "And you and Drew take care as well."

"Goodbye, Princess May," Drew said with a bow.

"Princess?" Dawn questioned.

Drew clutched his teeth, having forgotten they hadn't told Dawn about that.

"Uh, just a little nickname she has since she's from royalty," Ash said.

"Oh right," Dawn said recalling that May's 'ancestor' was royalty.

"You take care too Dawn," May said. "I hope to see you again soon! Maybe at our wedding! All of you are welcome!"

"Thanks," Dawn said. "Though aren't you a little young for marriage at eighteen?"

"I'm already pregnant," May reminded her putting a hand on her stomach which now had a small but noticeable bulge.

"We're ready," Ash insisted.

Pikachu nodded with Glaceon at his side.

"Pika!"

"Gla!"

Glaceon smiled for a moment then winced at a pain in her own stomach. Pikachu noticed and looked at her in concern.

"Pika pi? Glaceon you okay?" he asked.

She nodded. "Gla. I think so."

Ash, May, Serena, Drew, and Dawn all their hands together.

"I guess this is goodbye, for now," Drew said. "It's been one hell of a journey but now it's probably time to stay at home for a while."

Ash nodded. "Been traveling for over eleven years. I think it's about time to settle down a bit."

"Doesn't mean we can't do a little traveling here and there," Serena said. "I should probably think about getting my driver's license!"

"Good idea!" Dawn agreed.

"It would be easier to get through regions quicker with a car," Ash noted.

They all lifted their hands and then walked off.

"Bye!"

"See ya!"

"So long!"

Each of them headed to their own gates in the airport where the planes that would take them to their respective regions waited. After a time of waiting, Ash and May got on their plane which soon took. May watched in wonder as it was her first time on a plane. It was wonderful seeing all the things on the ground below get further away as they rose and passed over things at a high speed. After several hours, they touched down in Viridian City. Then a couple days of walking went by. Ash recognized the stream where he had first met Misty. They followed it and Ash told May that story of when he'd started.

"Wow, Pikachu was really disobedient huh?" she asked when he finished the story. "Hard to believe!"

Pikachu blushed as he and Glaceon walked beside their trainers. It was strange for Ash to not have Pikachu on his shoulder much anymore. But things changed with love it seemed.

Finally they reached it. Pallet Town.

"We're home," Ash said.

May nodded. "I can certainly get used to living here."

They arrived at Ash's house where his mom was already waiting. But she wasn't alone.

"Welcome home Ash!" many voices rang out.

Ash's mouth fell open as he saw not just his mother, but Professor Oak, his grandson Gary, assistant Tracey, and Ash's first companions Brock and Misty there. Misty's sisters as well as Brock's family was there as well.

"Hey!" Ash said. "Great to see you all!"

"Been a long time Ashy Boy!" Gary greeted his old rival.

"Hey Ash!" Brock's dad, Flint said.

"Hey Flint!" Ash took the older man's hand. "Yeah, it has for all of us!"

"No kidding!" Misty's sister Daisy said. "Good to finally have a break, Misty is such a slave-driver."

"And you, Violette and Lily are all lazy bums," Misty said. "Giving out badges to trainers without even having them battle!"

They all laughed. The party ensued, it was the biggest Ash could remember in Pallet Town. His mother made a feast along with Brock and Lucy who were both talented cooks. But further down the line, it paled in comparison to the next big celebration.

Six months later, May looked at herself in the mirror, she was now dressed in a beautiful white gown with a veil over her head. A tiara was on her head. Not just any tiara though. Her old tiara that had been borrowed from the Hoenn Museum by Norman V and lent to her when he came for the wedding. It felt to have it back after all this time, though she'd rarely used it except for ceremonial purposes. She smiled as she saw the stunning beauty looking back at her, almost not recognizing herself.

"You look beautiful, Aunt May," Norman V said as he looked at her.

"Breathtaking," Dawn agreed.

She'd finally been brought up to speed on the real events once May felt she could trust her after a few phone calls and texts once Ash taught her how to use the modern communication devices. May smiled and looked down, her baby bump now larger than ever. The time would come soon, but she and Ash would be married first. They planned on having their honeymoon in a place called Alola after this as it was a famous vacation spot.

"Thanks," May said.

"Ready?" Norman V asked as he offered her his arm.

She nodded and took it. He led her out of the room they were in and through the hall of the church in Pallet Town. Minun, Glaceon, Combusken, Bulbasaur, Rapidash, and her Squirtle that had been given to her by Professor Oak shortly after she and Ash returned to Pallet Town all served as May's flower bearers. They dropped flowers from baskets or in Bulbasaur's case, performed Petaldance as she entered. Looking ahead, she saw many of Ash's friends. Some she knew like Brock, Misty, and Serena. Others she recognized from pictures he'd shown her like Cilan, Clemont, Bonnie, Iris, and others. Misty, Serena and Dawn had been selected as May's Bridesmaids, while Brock was Ash's Best Man as he'd been with Ash the longest of all his human traveling companions. Pikachu stood near Ash in a suit and hat, holding the rings in his paws.
Norman gave away the bride and the couple stood before the priest who spoke several lines. Finally, the time came for the vows.

"Do you Ash Ketchum, take May Maple to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do." Ash replied immediately.

"And do you, May Maple take Ash to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do. With all my heart," May said.

"Then I now pronounce this couple husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!"

Ash lifted May's veil and they shared their first kiss as husband and wife. He then picked her up bridal style and spun her around as she laughed. The rest of the day went by with their friends both human and Pokémon. They danced, feasted and May got to meet all of Ash's other friends from the regions of Unova and Alola.
That was one of the best days of their lives together. But there many more good days to come for the newly-weds.

Ten years passed and Ash and May woke to the sound of their alarm. May pressed the button she'd learned to over a decade ago, stopping the noise. She smiled and looked at her husband.

"It's her big day," she said.

"Oh, yeah," Ash recalled as he sat up in bed. "Better get dressed."

He got up and spotted someone on the floor. He smiled. "Hey buddy." Pikachu smiled back. "Hey."

He and Glaceon both had their bed at the foot of Ash and May's. Two Pichu and an Eevee were both cuddled up with them. They'd had several litters of eggs that eventually hatched. Some of their children had been gifted to Professor Oak to serve as new starters for young trainers while others stayed with their parents on the Ketchum residence. Ash and May showered then headed out to the lab where their child had already gone.

Amber Ketchum was a perfect mix of her parents. She had her father's black hair and her mother's sapphire eyes. She was still in her pajamas, having overslept like her father did on the day he began his journey.

"Well, what did you pick?" Ash asked seeing something yellow hide behind her legs.

"What do you think Dad?" Amber asked.

"Pika pika!" A young Pikachu emerged. This had been the first Pichu whose egg Glaceon had laid sometime after they got back from Hoenn. Ash and May smiled.

"Good choice Amber," May said. "Come on let's go have breakfast at home and then you better get dressed before you go."

They all walked home, Amber showered and changed, then came down in her outfit, a white shirt with a blue skirt and her new Pikachu whom she'd known since it was a Pichu on her shoulder. After the Ketchums eagerly ate the bacon and other food May prepared, it was time to say goodbye.

"We'll miss you dear," May said.

"Yeah," Ash agreed.

"I love you both," Amber said to her parents. "I can't wait to experience everything you all did! I'm gonna be a great trainer someday and then I'll challenge you to a battle dad!"

"I look forward to it!" Ash said.

"Bye!" Amber said as she and her Pikachu began to walk off.

Ash and May watched proudly from the porch of their house, Pikachu and Glaceon by their side. They then looked out across their ranch and saw their many other Pokémon. Bulbasaur, May's Blaziken which had evolved from Combusken after a couple years during their occasional travels by car, Minun and Plusle roaming the grass, Swellow, Charizard, Castform and others flying, and finally Corphish, Wartortle, and the water types were swimming happily. It was a wonderful thing to be a Pokémon Trainer. The bond between them and their Pokémon was unbreakable, as would their daughters be with her Pokémon that she captured. They looked back in time to see Amber vanish from view as she set off on her own journey. Who knew what she'd find? Pokémon for sure, and perhaps a love of her own.

The End