The day after the quarterfinal matches was the day of the semifinal matches, and the first match was between Gary and Amber.
Many have been looking forward to see this match, as it was the match between the son of the Kanto Region Champion, and the adopted daughter of Red Ketchum, who was the former Kanto Region Champion, and judging by that, and from what Gary and Amber have shown so far in the Silver Conference, it was promising to be an amazing match.
And they were right, it was an amazing match, but it didn't end as most people thought it would.
More the half of the people who were watching the match from their seats on the stadium, and also those who were watching on TV from their homes, thought that because Gary has quite a bit more experience than Amber, he would have ended up winning the battle in the end, but they were all wrong, because it wasn't Gary who won the match, but instead, it was Amber who won it, and everyone who was looking the match, and some of those who have seen some of the Ambers previous matches and Pokémon she was using, they knew that Amber is much better then she was showing so far, as she has apparently using just the right Pokémon to win every battle, with one Pokémon left.
In fact, all the matches from the start of the tournament, Amber has barely won, and always had one Pokémon left, which led many to believe that she is holding back and is much better than she wants everyone to think.
About an hour after that match, it was time for the second semifinal match, between Ash and Leaf, and this match drew even more attention than the previous one, since Ash is the winner of the Indigo League and Orange Island league, was able to defeat Kanto Elite Four, and had a very close battle against Kanto champion, Blue Oak.
As for Leaf, everyone knows that she is Ash's childhood friend, and some even know she is his girlfriend, and has been traveling with him for a while, so they assume she has learned a lot from him.
When the match started, everyone was proved to have been right to be excited about this match, as Leaf has proven to be very good, and has given Ash a lot of trouble, and for most of the match, was going toe to toe with him, just like Serena in the quarterfinal.
Though unlike in the battle against Serena who was only able to make Ash use five Pokémon, Leaf was able to make him use all six, but in the end Ash was able to win their battle, and that was only because he was very lucky that his Zweilous, who was actually loosing, evolved into Hydreigon, in the final round against Leaf's Venusaur, who was her strongest Pokémon.
Once the battle was over, and Ash and Leaf were escorted from the stadium with the loud cheering from the crowd, they both gathered their friends and family, and went to have another party to celebrate that Ash and Amber are in the final of the Silver Conference.
After the party was over, it was already late at night, but Ash didn't feel like going to sleep, so he went out of the Pokémon Center to have a walk.
Not long after he left the Pokémon Center, Ash was walking next to a river, when he spotted Gary siting on the edge of it, and looked like he was in deep thought.
"Hey Gary, what's up, why are you here?" Ash asked after he was approaching Gary.
Gary turned his head around and saw Ash coming toward him. "Hey Ash," Gary said. "It's nothing, I've just been thinking."
Ash came next to Gary, and set down next to him. "About what? Are you mad that you lost to Amber?"
"No, I'm not mad, but I guess I am a little disappointed," Gary said. "I trained very hard ever since I lost in the Indigo League, and wanted to at least get to the final of Silver Conference, and then I again lose to a starter trainer."
"Come on Gary, you know very well that Amber is not like most starter trainers," Ash said, and Gary looked at him. "She has technically been a trainer almost as long as the two of us, she just didn't start traveling until a year ago."
"What do you mean?" Gary asked.
"Did you forget that what my parents adopted her, she had three Kanto starters with her," Ash asked, and Gary nodded that he knew about that. "And later on top of them, I gave her few more Pokémon that I caught for her. She has been training with all of them before she started her journey, and I also helped her few times when I was home, so you see, you didn't exactly lose to a starter trainer, you lost to a trainer that had some experience. Not as much as you of course, but in the end, enough to come on top, and win your match."
Gary listened to Ash's explanation, and thought that Ash might be right. He knew that Amber was training before she started her journey, and she defiantly learned a lot by having Red as a father and Ash as am older brother.
"I guess you are right," Gary said. "But I still can't help it but feel a little disappointed."
"Don't worry Gary," Ash said. "You lost, but have definitely learned something, just like in the Indigo League. Back then you lost much earlier than now. But you got up, and became better trainer, so all you have to do now, is do the same, and by the time of the next tournament, you will be much better."
Gary looked at Ash for a few moments, and then sighed and turned his head toward the river. "There won't be a next tournament, as I have decided to stop being a Pokémon Trainer, and become a researcher just like grandpa."
This of course surprised Ash, as he wasn't expecting it.
"Are you serious," Ash asked? "I always thought you want to be a champion like your dad."
"I did want that when I started my journey," Gary said. "But over time, I realized that I'm more interested in being a researcher than a trainer."
"Well, I admit I was not expecting that," Ash said. "When exactly did you decide this?"
"Well, I came to this tournament with the goal to win it, and if I did, then I would have stayed a Pokémon Trainer, but if I lose, then I would become a researcher," Gary said. "And since I lost, I will now do something that I find more interesting than spending all the time training Pokémon."
Ash was quiet for a few minutes, and just set there along with Gary, and after a while, he sighed and said. "Well, if that is your decision, then I will respect it. It's your life, and you should do what you want."
"Thanks, Ash, I knew you would understand," Gary said, and then changed the subject. "Anyway, why are you here?"
"I don't know," Ash said. "For some reason I didn't feel like sleeping, and decided to have a walk."
Gary smirked. "If I didn't know you, I would say you are nervous about your battle against Amber, tomorrow."
"Well, if I was any other guy, I definitely would be nervous because I have to face Amber," Ash said. "What we saw so far from her, is not everything she has to offer, and will give me a lot of trouble tomorrow, especially if she brings out the big guns."
"I'm surprised to hear that from you," Gary said. "From what I've heard, the only battle you ever lost was against my dad, so do you really think that Amber has a chance to defeat you?"
Gary then got a curious look on his face. "And what do you mean by 'the big guns'?"
Ash thought for a minute, and said. "It depends on the Pokémon I use tomorrow. If I use some of the Pokémon I caught in Kanto, she has no chance to defeat me, but the Pokémon I caught in Johto are not that much stronger then hers are. In fact, I'm pretty sure her Charizard, Blastoise and Venusaur are stronger the 80% of the Pokémon I caught in Johto. Add her Pidgeot and Togekiss to those three, and she has Elite Four level team. And I don't even want to mention another one she caught in Alto Mare, as she hasn't used her yet, and wants to keep it a secret."
Gary wanted to know which Pokemon did Amber caught in Alto Mare to make Ash nerves, but decide to wait and see. "I guess you are right when you said she hasn't been giving it her all up until now," Gary said. "She only used Pidgeot and Venusaur of her strongest Pokémon, and defeated me. If she used all of them, she would have wiped the floor with me."
After that, Ash and Gary spent a few more minutes talking about their planes after the tournament, and then decided to go back to their room to have some sleep.
The day of the final match of the Silver Conference has finally arrived, and Ash and the other of his friends along with Amber and her friends have all gathered in the Pokémon Center Cafeteria for breakfast.
"So, Ash, Amber are you prepared for the final match?" Misty asked her boyfriend and his sister.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Ash simply replied.
"I sure am," Amber said. "I'm pumped up for this battle, I have waited for a while to have a chance to battle against big brother, and I can't wait to show how good I really am."
"So, what goes around about you being better than you were letting on, is actually true, is it?" Brock asked, and Amber looked at him, while everyone looked at her, waiting for her answer.
"I didn't know about people talking that about me." Amber said.
"Yeah, well, it's pretty obvious if you ask me," Brock said. "I mean, you won all of your battles what looked like barely, and still somehow you are in the final, when you should have been out of the tournament long ago. It's obvious you were battling just enough to win, and not reveal what you can do. I would even say you lost few rounds on purpose."
"Well, I guess you will just have to wait and see the battle, and then you will know if what people are saying is true or not." Amber said, and continued to eat, while her friends she was traveling with had smirks on their faces, when Ash and the others looked at each other.
They continued to eat for a few more minutes, when Brock, Serena, Macy and Casey, who were sitting on the other side of the table from where Ash was, saw two girls, which they recognized, approaching them, and were holding one finger on their lips, showing them to be quiet.
A second later, one of the girls, who had a long blond hair that was covering one of her eyes, and was wearing black pants, and light blue sleeveless shirt, stood behind Ash, and then put her hands over his eyes, and waited to see if he would recognize her.
"Hm, I wonder if I should play along and act like I don't know who you are, or if I should just say who you are, and be done with it?" Ash wondered out loud, and everyone looked at him, with wide eyes, and jaws dropped in surprise.
"And how do you know who it is? Serena asked after few seconds of silence, while the blonde girl still had her hands over Ash's eyes, though now she had an annoyed frown on her face.
"I let someone slip pass my senses few times, and I promised myself it won't happen again." Ash said, and the blonde girl huffed in annoyance, and then let go of Ash's head, and stood next to him, revealing herself to him. "Hey Cynthia, long time no see."
"Is that how you are saying hello to me after not seeing me for over a year?" Cynthia asked, pouting a little.
"Well, I would much rather say hello in a different way, but I'm afraid If I do, then we might get kicked out of the Pokémon Center for inappropriate behavior." Ash said, with a serious look on his face, and Cynthia along with all the girls in the group blushed crimson as they realized what Ash was saying.
Few moments later, Cynthia gathered herself, and huffed. "You could at least give me a kiss!"
"You are right," Ash said, and stood up, approaching Cynthia. "I can do that."
And then he grabbed her by her waist, and pulled her toward him, and gave her the most passionate kiss he could, which made Cynthia's legs shake a little, and would have probably fallen on the floor, if Ash wasn't holding her.
He was kissing her for the entire minute, and when he pulled of her lips, Cynthia's eyes were glazed over, and she had a stupid smile on her face.
Ash let her sit on his chair, and then looked at the other girl, Diantha, and then approached her. "Hello Diantha." And then without warning, also gave her a kiss which was just as passionate as the one he gave to Cynthia.
"Damn, I wish I was that lucky and have several girlfriends who could barely keep themselves from falling unconscious after I kiss them." Brock commented, and some of the girls looked at him with frowns, while also blushing at the same time, because of what Ash was doing.
After Ash stopped kissing Diantha, she was in a little better condition the Cynthia, and was able to mutter. "If I knew I was going to get a kiss like that, I would have come to find you much sooner."
Ash only smiled, and then let go of Diantha. He took two more chairs from the nearby empty table, and offered one to Diantha, and he set on the other.
Ash then introduced the two girls to Amber's friends who only saw them on TV when they were watching the Indigo League, but never saw them in person.
"So, what are you two doing here," Ash asked? "Not that I'm not happy to see you both, I was just not expecting you, as neither of you mentioned you were planning to come here the last time we spoke."
"Well, I wanted to come and surprise you," Diantha said. "I met Cynthia on the airport, as out planes came at the same time. It turns out she had the same plan."
"Yeah, and the last time we spoke, I was not planning to come, as I was supposed to spend some time with my grandmother who I haven't spent much time in the last few years, but when she heard that you are competing in the Silver Conference, and that I haven't see you in over a year, she convinced me to come here and spend few days with you."
"Well, thank your grandmother for me, will you, as I'm very happy to see you," Ash said, and then looked at Diantha, who had a pout on her face. "Both of you." Diantha and Cynthia smiled, and gave Ash another kiss, though this one much gentler than the ones he gave to them few minute ago.
"So, how are things in Sinnoh and Kalos after you became champions?" Ash asked, and then Cynthia and Diantha explained to everyone who didn't know, how they both won their Regional Leagues, and then defeated Elite Four, and the Regional Champions, and are now the Champions of Sinnoh and Kalos Regions.
Ash's friends and girlfriends were happy for the two girls, while Amber's friends were amazed to be in the presence of two Regional Champions, as well as Ash Ketchum, who is most likely better trainer then both of them, even though he was not a Region Champion, and has lost the battle against a champion when he had one.
After breakfast, Ash, Cynthia and Diantha went to have a little walk around Silver Town, and spend some time together, since they didn't have a chance before, and were having a good time, until it was time for the final battle of the Silver Conference.
Ash went to the Pokémon Center to take the Pokémon he will use in today's battle, and which he had Nurse Joy make sure are in perfect condition, while Cynthia and Diantha went to their seats, along with the others, except Amber, who already took her Pokémon from Pokémon Center, and went to the stadium.
Ash arrived at the stadium just few minutes after Amber, and the two are now on the field, right across from each other, while the crowd was already in their seats, and were waiting for the match to start.
"Welcome, ladies and gentleman, to the final match of this year's Silver Conference, between Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, and as unbelievable as it sounds, his own sister, Amber Ketchum, also from Pallet Town!" The announcer was saying, while the crowd was going wild, cheering for both trainers.
The referee then said the rules just like before every match, and the computer decided that Ash will be the one to choose his Pokémon first.
"Obstagoon, I chose you!" Ash said, and his Dark/Normal Duel Type Pokémon came out if his Poke Ball, and stood pumped up for the battle.
"Ash choses his Obstagoon, a Pokémon from Galar Region, for those of you who don't know," the announcer said! "Let's see what will Amber chose.
Amber took one of her Poke Balls, and called her first Pokémon. "You are up first, Togekiss!"
And the final evolution form of the Pokémon that Ash gave to Amber before she even started her journey came out, and stood on the field across from Obstagoon.
"Amber countered with Fairy/Flying Type, and it's obvious she has an advantage judging by the types of the Pokémon on the field, but then again, Ash wouldn't be one of the best trainers in the world if he was paying attention to the type of the Pokémon, so let's watch and see how this goes!" The announcer said again, and the referee started the match.
"BEGIN!"
"Obstagoon, use Dark Pulse!" Ash started first.
"Togekiss, counter it with Aura Sphere!" Amber countered with her own move.
The two attacks have collided, which caused a massive explosion in the middle of the field, signifying the start of what will become one of the best matches in history of the Pokemon League Tournaments.
"And that's the end of another round in this amazing final match between the Ketchum siblings, with Amber's Latias defeating Ash's Lapras," the announcer yelled so he could be heard over the cheering crowd, as they were all excited they are able to watch one of the greatest battles anyone has ever seen outside of the battles between the members of the Elite Four, or Regional Champions.
So far, the match has been going all over the place, and at first the two trainers have been getting the lead from each other, until Ash got in the lead in the second half of the final battle.
After the first round, Amber got the lead, as her Togekiss was able to defeat Ash's Obstagoon, after a tough battle.
The next round was won by Ash, whose Heracross defeated Togekiss, but then lost to Amber's Giant Pidgeot, so Amber was still in the lead.
In the fourth round, Ash sent out his Dragapult, who defeated Giant Pidgeot, and then tied with Ambers Charizard, which made both trainers tied with three Pokemon lost and three remaining.
In the next round, Ash went with Cinderace, who was barely able to defeat Amber's Venusaur, even though he had type advantage. After that round, Ash decided to let Cinderace rest a little, as he might need him later, so after Amber sent her Blastoise as her fifth Pokemon, Ash sent out his Lapras, as his fifth Pokemon.
Blastoise proved to be just as powerful as Charizard and Venusaur, Amber used before him, but in the end, he was defeated by Ash's Lapras, though that battle lasted a while, and Ash had to go all out with Lapras to pull out that win.
And that's when Amber, who only had one Pokemon left to use, pulled out her biggest gun, some would even say she pulled out a cannon, and released her Latias, much to the shock of everyone who didn't know she had it, which is everyone besides Ash, his friends, Delia and Professor Oak.
Lapras made short work of Ash's Lapras, who was tired from the previous round, and couldn't do much.
"As we all know, Latias is Amber's final Pokemon, while Ash still has his Cinderace from round four, as well as still unknown sixth Pokemon, though Cinderace had a tough battle, and is unknown if he could do much against a Legendary Pokemon like Latias even if Ash sends him out," the announcer said again. "Let's see which one will Ash chose. Will he bring back Cinderace, or will he bring out his still unused sixth Pokemon."
Ash stood on his spot on the field, and thought for a few moments if he should bring back Cinderace, and try to weaken Latias a little before he brings out his final Pokemon, or should he just go with his final Pokemon from the start.
After few moments, he decided to go with the sixth Pokemon right away, as he knows that the Pokemon he plans to use will never forgive him if he send him to fight against the weakened Legendary. Ash knows his Salamence would want to battle Latias while she is at full power.
Ash took the Poke Ball, and before he released the Pokemon inside, he looked at Amber and said. "I got to hand it to you, Amber, I really wasn't expecting your Pokemon to be this powerful after just a year of training." Ash saw Amber smile at him when she heard him, but she didn't say anything.
"I could understand Serena and Leaf giving me trouble because they have traveled with me all this time, and trained with me all the time," Ash continued. "They also know how my Pokemon and I battle, but you, you are a real surprise. Battling you right now, I feel like I'm battling against a female version of myself only with slightly less experience. It's unbelievable how good of a trainer you are."
"Well, big brother, it's all thanks to you that I have gotten this far," Amber said, and Ash looked at her with raised eyebrows. The crowed and the referee are listening to them, and are not even trying to shout at them to hurry it up. "You are the one who gave me some of my strongest Pokemon awhile before I even started my journey, and then there is the fact that I have seen how you train your Pokemon several times, and have memorized it, so I can do the something similar, and bring out the best from my Pokemon. So yeah, if it wasn't for you, I doubt I'll even have reached this point, and all I have to say is. Thank you, big brother."
Ash was surprised to hear all this from Amber, and then after a few moments, he smirked, and said. "Well if you think like that, then you are welcome. Now, let's finish this battle, as I'm sure the crowd wants to see the battle, and not the two of us chatting.
"Come on out, Salamence!" Ash shouted while calling his sixth Pokemon in today's battle.
Salamence came out, and as soon as he saw Latias floating few meters in front of him, he got a huge grin on his face, and got all pumped up at the chance of fighting a Legendary Pokemon.
"Ash has chosen Salamence to be his sixth Pokemon in today's final match," the announcer said! "Will it be the final, will depend on if he can defeat Latias, because if he can't, then we will be seeing Cinderace as Ash's final Pokemon, and final chance to win Silver Conference!"
"BEGIN!" The referee said.
"Latias, start this off with Steel Wing!" Amber called her first move.
"Counter it with Iron Tail, Salamence!" Ash said.
Both of Latias' wings glowed white, and she flew at Salamence, whose tail shined silver, then hardened, after which, he also flew toward Latias to intercept her attack.
Because of his long tail, in this situation, Salamance got the advantage, as he was able to swing it, and land a hit at Latias' face, before she could hit him with her glowing wings. The hit was powerful enough to send Latias' slightly backwards, and made her lose her focus for the Steel Wing, which meant her wings returned to normal, though, she didn't get that much damage from Salamence' hit, even though it was powerful one.
"Latias, use Dragon Pulse," Amber called right after he Latias straightened.
"Dodge, and use Dragon Breath," Ash said.
Latias created a turquoise ball of energy in between her hands, and threw it at Salamence, who dodged it by lying, and then he fired a light blue beam from his mouth at her.
"Use Giga Impact, Latias," Amber called again, after Latias dodged Salamence' attack, and very quickly, Latias flew and hit straight at Salamence, while being surrounded by a purple and orange energy which was spiraling around her like an orb.
The attack was very powerful, and dealt great damage to Salamence, who was sent flying from the air, and crushed into the ground, lifting some dust, which covered him for a while.
"Come on Salamence, you are tougher than that," Ash said, and his Pokemon managed to get up, covered in bruises, but overall, was ok, and ready to continue.
"Good, now go in with Dragon Claw!" Ash said, and Salamence' claws bright glowed green as he flew at Latias, who was told by Amber to counter it with Steel Wing.
Salamence' claws crushed with Latias' wing, which created some sparks in between of them from grinding at each other, before they were both pushed back a little, and separated.
"Dragon Breath, and then follow it up with Iron Tail," Ash called again, hoping that Amber will have her Latias dodge, Salamence' first move, so he can then catch her with his second.
But, it wasn't meant to be, since Latias countered Dragon Breath with Dragon Pulse, and when both attacks collided and exploded, Salamence came in with Iron Tail, but Latias went in with another Giga Impact, which, again, sent Salamence crushing into the ground.
Latias came in front of Amber, and floated above the field, while breathing hard, as she was getting tired, and both she and Amber, hoped that this Giga Impact was enough to defeat Salamence.
"This is the second time Latias has landed a Giga Impact straight at Salamence, and sent him into the ground, but is that going to be enough to defeat him," the announcer commented among the cheering of the crowd.
"You ok, Salamence," Ash asked his Pokemon? 'Can you continue?"
Salamence managed to stand back up, now with more bruises all over him, and was breathing even harder than Latias, but he also had an with angry look and his face, as he didn't want to lose.
He looked back at Ash, and nodded he was ready to continue.
"Use Dragon Breath," Ash said.
Amber countered this move with Latias' Dragon Pulse, and the next few moves, were just both Pokemon tossing energy all over the field, but were unable to land a critical hit, as the other would always dodge.
This of course couldn't last forever, and very soon, both Pokemon were on the ground, panting in exhaustion, and just about ready to pass out.
Ash and Amber was that both of their Pokemon are barely holding themselves, so they decided to go in with one final attack.
Both of them were also aware that this battle is already over, because even if Latias is to defeat Salamence with her last move, she was done for as well, and Ash still has Cinderace, who can fight.
"Salamence/Latias, use Dragon Rush/Giga Impact!" Ash and Amber yelled what they knew to be their Pokemon final moves in today's battle, at the same time.
Both Pokemon, while covered in different colored energy's, flew at full force at each other, and slammed at one another above the middle of the field, creating an explosion and a shockwave, which sent them both flying backwards and behind their trainers, where they both slammed into the ground.
The referee waited for about half a minute to see if one of the two Pokemon will get up, but once none of them did, and it was obvious that they have both passed out, he declared the round a tie.
"Both Latias and Salamence are unable to continue, so this round ends in a tie, and since Ash Ketchum still has one Pokemon left, he is the winner of the match and the tournament!" The referee yelled, and everyone went wild, some because of Ash's win, and some because they were happy to have seen an amazing battle.
Ash and Amber came to each other in the middle of the field, shook hands, and congratulated to each other.
"Congratulations, big brother, you really are the best!" Amber said with a big smile on her face. Even though she lost, she is not sad, because she knows her opponent was better, and she couldn't do anything about it. It makes her feel better that that opponent is her big brother, because if it was anyone else, well, then she might have felt a little angry and sad.
"I should be the one to congratulate you, Amber, you and your Pokemon have really come a long way, and have become very strong, together." Ash said, and Amber blushed a little because of the praise.
"Well, I had great teacher with you and dad." Amber said, and Ash smiled.
The two then left the field, and went outside of the stadium to meet with their family and friends, until the closing ceremony is ready in about an hour.
XXX
An hour later, Ash and Amber were standing on the podium, and were awarded the prizes for the first two places in the Silver Conference.
Since she finished second, Amber got a second-place trophy that looks like the first place, only made out of Silver. She also got a check for 100 thousand Poke Dollars.
As for Ash, he as a winner, got a very big trophy made out of pure gold, as well as a check for 600 thousand Poke Dollars, which is the same amount of money he got as the winner of Indigo League, and is also the prize which all the winners of major Regions receive after their wins.
After the awarding ceremony, Mr. Goodshow said a few parting words, and then officially closed the Silver Conference until the next year.
After the ending ceremony, Ash and friends all went to the restaurant, where they had another celebration. They spent almost the entire night there.
The next day everyone except Professor Oak and Delia got up from their sleep were late, as they were all tired from last night, while Professor and Delia woke up earlier, and went back to Pallet Town.
Ash and Brock got up first from their sleep, and after taking care of all the things they have after getting up from the bed, they went to have late breakfast, or early launch, since it was already pass noon.
Jimmy and the girls got up not long after, and when they came down in the Pokémon Center Cafeteria, they all met with Ash and Brock, so they set with them to eat together.
It was Marina who started a conversation. "So, where is everyone going from here?"
This got most of them to think about it, before anyone said anything.
After a minute of silence, it was Jimmy who was the first to say anything.
"Well, I think I'll go in Kanto and start gathering badges there, so that I can enter Indigo League."
"OK, I guess that's to be expected," Marina said, and everyone nodded. "What about the rest?"
"I'm not sure, but we could travel together in another Region, like we did here in Johto." Macy said, while looking at Marina, Amber and Casey.
"I've got nothing against that, but I will first take few months off to rest, and after that, we can go either in Kanto or Hoenn Region." Amber said.
"That's actually a good idea," Marina agreed. "We can all rest for a while, and then travel again, together."
In the end, Amber, Marina, Macy and Casey agreed to rest for the next few months, and then travel again.
"What will you do, Ash," Amber asked? "The same goes for the rest of you. Are you going to travel together like up until now?"
Cynthia went and said her plans first. "Well, I'll have to go back to Sinnoh Region, as I will have some stuff to do as a Champion.
"Yeah, the same goes for me," Diantha said.
"I'm going back to Pewter City, and will start learning to become a Pokémon Doctor." Brock's response surprised everyone.
"Are you serious," Misty asked, really surprised by this? "You never mentioned that was your plan after we finish traveling through Johto."
"Well, I only decide this not long ago, and never had a chance to tell you," Brock said. "But yes, I will go to school, which means I will not be traveling anymore."
There was a silence for a minute, until Ash said. "Well, I'm sad that you will not travel with us any longer, but I understand your decision."
"Well then, since you are coming forward with your decision, then I will also say that I cannot continue to travel any longer as well." Misty said, and this surprised everyone even more than Brock's decision.
"Why won't you travel from now on?" Leaf asked.
"My sisters called me yesterday, and they want me to go back home and become a gym leader, as they are apparently not interested any more, and were going to hand over the gym to someone else to run it if I don't come back." Misty said.
"Wow, I did not expect that." Leaf said, as she couldn't believe Misty's sisters are going to prevent her from traveling with Ash, by threatening to stop being gym leader.
"But why would they do that?" Serena asked.
"They were never interested in being gym leaders, they are all actresses, who like to perform in front of the crowd, and not have battles." Misty said. "Unfortunately, I'm the only one who can take over the gym, since I don't want someone else to take it, as it was run by my parents, and by my grandparents before that. It has practically been in the family for over half a century."
"I don't like it one bit," Ash suddenly said, and after few seconds of silence, he continued with a sigh. "But if that's your decision, then I will respect it. I cannot expect you to abandon something that's been in your family for decades, just so you can travel with me."
Misty was happy that Ash understood her decision, but also sad that she will not be able to travel with him from now on.
"I will continue to travel," Serena said. "Though I will most likely wait Ash, so we can travel together again."
"I see you don't want to leave Ash's side," Marina said with a smile, and Serena blushed. "But then, if Ash is my boyfriend, I wouldn't want to leave his side either."
"We are not exactly..." Serena started to say, while looking down, and her face crimson from embarrassment, but Misty interrupted her.
"You may not be together yet, but everyone here knows you will be," Misty said. "You both like each other, and Ash is not someone who will reject any girl, from what I know about him, which means there is nothing standing in your way."
Ash decided to cut this conversation short, and then grabbed Serena, and kissed her right on the lips, which made Serena's eyes widen at the sudden kiss, which lasted for a minute, and once it was over, Serena was in the same state as Cynthia and Diantha were after Ash kissed them.
"Serena, from this day forward, I want your mind, body and soul to be mine, and mine alone," Ash said, while looking at Serena with serious look on his face, which said to everyone that he was not joking.
After about a minute of silence, Leaf said. "That almost sounded like you are proposing to her."
Ash looked at Leaf, and replied. "Well, it does sound a little like proposal, but it's not, all I want is for Serena to become my girlfriend, for now, and then one day, we will marry, I promise you that. All of you." Ash said to his girls, who blushed at the promise, and imagined themselves married to Ash, and raising kid with him.
After those words, Serena gathered herself, and accepted Ash's 'proposal'. "Yes, Ash, I want to be your girlfriend!" And then she kissed him, while everyone clapped their hands, and congratulated them.
As everyone settled down on their chars, Marina asked Ash and Leaf what are they planning, as they were the only ones left.
"I still don't know," Leaf said. "Maybe I'll take a little break, and after that, I'll decide."
"Well, I thought go to train somewhere for about two months, and then I'll challenge Johto Elite Four," Ash said. "After that, I planned to rest for a few more months, and then go to Hoenn."
"I'm almost hearing a BUT, here," Misty said while looking at Ash, and then he smiled, and said.
"But, there is no time limit when one has to challenge Elite Four after the League win, and since I have no intention to be a champion even if I were to win in the end, I have decided to put that on the waiting list for a while, and just rest for now. After I finish my vacation, I'll go to Hoenn."
Everyone nodded at Ash's explanation, though none of them was expecting this. Then again, Ash always knows how to surprise everyone by doing something no one was expecting, so they will think of this as another one of those cases.
After they finished breakfast, Ash and everyone else, said good bye to each other, and while Jimmy, Marina, Macy and Casey went to New Bark Town, Ash and the others went back to Pallet Town, though on the way to Pallet, they stopped at Viridian City, where Diantha and Cynthia took their plane rides back to Sinnoh and Kalos Regions.
That is also where Misty and Brock went in the other directions from Ash, as they went back to their homes in Pewter City and Cerulean City.
Not long after, Ash, Amber, Serena and Leaf arrived in Pallet, where they will all stay for a while.
XXX
Ok, I know this is not how everyone expected or wanted the final chapter to be, but I just didn't have the desire to write more Pokemon Battles, which is why I skipped semifinal matches and the final match.
I fucking hate to write Pokemon battles, and they have been a bane of my existence since the start. I never even liked watching Pokemon battles so much, so I don't always know how some moves work, and always have to rely on Bulbapedia for information, and that is irritating.
I don't know when the next chapter will come out, since I won't upload the first chapter of Hoenn, until I finish the entire Region. Only after I finish it, will I start uploading new chapters. If I have to guess, the first chapter of Hoenn Region will not come out at least until the start of 2022 because as of right now, I barely have about half of Hoenn Region written, and I haven't been able to write even a single word since mid-April. The same goes for my other story.
I hope that I will be able to start writing sometime in October, and when I do, it will go relatively fast, so I will probably finish Hoenn Region by the end of January, if not even before.
Goodbye… For now.