Chapter 39: Gotta Catch Ya Later!
Ash stood before the door, hesitant to knock. Luckily, Pikachu was there to give him the nudge he needed.
"Pika Pika!"
"I know buddy, it's just…this is a major life decision for me. Give me a minute to respect that!"
But Pikachu knew what Ash was doing, and promptly pointed at the door. Ash sighed, he knew Pikachu was right.
"You're right buddy, I need to stop stalling."
With that, he finally knocked on the door to be met with May.
"Oh, Ash! Is it time?"
"Yeah…I, uh…I wanted you to be the first person to know what my decision is."
May's heart clenched. Closing her eyes, she prepared for the worst. She had known this was coming, but it didn't make it any easier on her.
"I want to stay here. I want to be with you."
May gasped. Did she hear him right?
"R-Really?"
Ash nodded.
"I'll miss mom and my friends, but I can't deny my feelings for you. So, if you'll have me…"
"YES!"
Before Ash could finish the thought, May tackled him into a hug, tears of joy running down her face. Ash smiled and kissed her, an action she was quick to reciprocate.
"We'd better go tell Brock and Misty," Ash said, to which May nodded.
"I'm really glad I don't have to say goodbye," she said. "After everything we've been through, I don't think I want to go back to a life without you."
Ash smiled, and kissed her cheek.
"Same here."
They found Brock and Misty in the courtyard, the portal to the future already set up. Seeing Ash and May holding hands, and Ash's expression, the two of them had a good guess on what his decision was.
"I guess this is goodbye, huh?"
Ash nodded.
"I love May, and I can't imagine myself being happy with anyone else."
He then chuckled.
"Besides, I'm getting kind of tired of losing every time I challenge the league!"
Everyone laughed at that.
"Did you tell your mom yet?"
"No, but I will. I wanted May to be the first to know, since…ya know."
Misty and Brock nodded, before making their goodbyes.
"So long, Ash. I'm glad you found love."
Ash smiled, and gave Brock a hug.
"Take care, Brocko. You'll find someone for you, I just know it."
Brock smiled, tilting Ash's cap before stepping back so that Misty could say her goodbye."
"Misty, I…"
"It's okay, Ash. You don't owe me any explanation or apology. I'm just glad I was able to tell you how I feel."
Ash nodded.
"There's someone out there for you, you just have to find them."
The two of them hugged, but just before they pulled apart Misty squeezed him real tight, and whispered something into his ear that made him shudder.
"If you do anything to hurt her, so help me I will find a way back here and make you wish you were never born."
Ash, scared out of his mind, quickly nodded, and they broke apart. Misty then turned to May.
"Good luck, May. I know you'll be a grand Queen someday."
"Thanks, Misty. And I know you'll be an excellent Water Pokemon Master."
"Do me a favor and keep an eye on Ash, will you? He's hopeless."
"HEY!"
May giggled, and kissed his cheek, pacifying him.
"I will."
With one last wave goodbye, Brock and Misty stepped through the portal before it closed behind them. Ash stared at the space where it stood in silence.
"Ash…you okay?"
Ash smiled, and pulled her close.
"I'm better than okay. I'm where I belong."
When Misty and Brock stepped out the other side, they found themselves back in Pallet Town in front of the Ketchum household. When Delila saw them, she smiled, though her expression did sadden when she saw Ash wasn't with them.
"He stayed behind, didn't he?"
Misty and Brock nodded. Delila sighed, but her smile didn't fade.
"I'm so proud of him, and I respect his choice, but…I am going to miss him."
"Miss Ketchum, if you ever need to talk, feel free to call," Brock offered.
"The same goes for me," Misty said. "And you can always call him, too. He'll be okay."
Delila smiled, and nodded.
"Thank you, I appreciate that. And please, don't be strangers! Feel free to visit if you get a chance."
"We will."
A month had gone by since Ash made his decision to stay. He still kept in touch with his mom, Misty, and Brock, but not once did he regret his choice.
Luckily, he could still bring his other Pokemon over, including those he didn't keep at the lab like Charizard, Squirtle, and Mankey. None of them were pleased with his decision at first, but were content with the fact that they could still see him. They all fell in love with May when she introduced herself to them, much to Ash's relief.
Currently, Ash was at the docks, seeing off the procession from Rota. With Hoenn having mostly recovered from the war, Sir Aaron and Queen Rin knew it was time for them to return to their own kingdom. Ash and Sir Aaron had a very long goodbye in particular.
"Of all the people I thought I'd meet during this journey, the last person I'd expect was my dad," Ash joked through his tears.
"Don't be a stranger," his father told him. "I know I've missed a lot of your life already, but I'd like to make up for it as much as I can. Feel free to write, or visit whenever you can."
Ash nodded.
"Take care, dad."
"You too, son. And May, keep an eye on him, will you?"
"I always do!"
At long last, Ash and Sir Aaron broke apart, and the knight boarded the ship. The sails were set just as the wind picked up, and the ship set off, Ash and May waving goodbye until they were out of sight.
"How're you feeling, Ash?"
Ash smiled, and pulled her and Manaphy close.
"Like I can take on the whole world."
"Not without me, you won't," May said, snuggling into his chest while Manaphy giggled.
"Mama and Papa, kiss!"
And that's exactly what they did.
A/N: I'm going to be honest, I didn't expect to reach this point so soon, but hey, sometimes life works out that way. The story isn't over yet, but I'll be taking a trip next week and won't be able to get any writing done until I get back, thus I wanted to get this out of the way first so I won't leave you on a cliffhanger (though I guess that would've made for better tension). I'll see you guys later!