Chapter 60: Along the Cliffs of Dover Mountain
A few days went by and the crew continued to traverse through the area that encompassed Mount Coronet. They passed by rolling green fields and lush vegetation. They saw Pokémon of all shapes and sizes, some of which were not endemic to this region, leaving the group wondering how they got here in the first place. They shared stories of when they came through this area the first time and how things appeared to have stayed completely the same yet they themselves are all a little different.
All the while, Pikachu squashed whatever nervous feelings he was experiencing at the moment. Each day, they were getting closer to where he was going to carry out his confession.
If it was going to be something this heartfelt...it had to be somewhere special.
It was around the third day of journeying through the area when they stopped by a location that was not at an uphill angle. Not wanting to throw away an opportunity for rest and relaxation, they decided to spend their morning there.
As Ash, Dawn and Piplup munched on some snacks and sat on the soft grass nearby, Pikachu stepped away and walked closer to the edge of a small cliff that overlooked the land. Not having any particular expression, he gazed outwards and felt the gentle breeze course through his fur. The sereness of it all helped to calm his nerves.
Unbeknownst to the rest of his party, whenever he had the chance, the mouse would occasionally sneak a peek at the brochure he had taken from the store and glance at where they were. Now as they got further and further along their journey, he could tell that they were about to come up to the place he had in mind. Perhaps tomorrow they would be there and then he'll-
"(Hey bud!)" Piplup beamed, walking up from behind the mouse. His voice cut like a knife through the stillness of the day.
Pikachu jolted in place and he let out a high-pitched squeal. Whipping his head back at this friend, he saw the penguin suppress a snicker.
"(GAAH! Pip! What's your deal?!)" Pikachu shrieked before he took a moment to heavily pant, his fried nerves too worn out to allow him to feel any sort of embarrassment in the moment.
Unable to hold it back, Piplup started laughing as he shook his head. "(Jumpy today I see...!)"
"(Well when you sneak up on me like that...yeah!)" Pikachu scoffed, looking back out into the wide, wide world.
Piplup blinked at his friend before giving him a sarcastic smile. "(Uh-oh...somebody needs a hug~!)"
"(Shut up...)" Pikachu muttered, amusedly rolling his eyes.
A moment of silence passed before one of them spoke up.
"(Pikachu...)" Piplup said, his voice low yet somewhat serious, causing the mouse to look back at him. "(I know you. You're only this jumpy when you're thinking about something a lot. So what's up?)"
Pikachu blinked at him. "(Uhh...n-nothing.)"
"(Mhmm...)" Piplup muttered, his unamused face making the mouse feel slightly panicked. "(Don't think I didn't notice you being quiet for the last two days. Plus I just saw you staring off into space a second ago sooo...)"
Silently gulping, Pikachu looked away, a mild amount of shame darting his face. "(Y-Yeah...I guess I was.)"
"(So what's up my friend? Something bothering you?)" Piplup asked.
Pikachu felt his heart begin to quicken. As he looked out into the world, he saw how clear the weather was. He saw how the emerald, green trees went on forever, only meeting the sky in some unattainable nexus far off in eternity.
It was such a beautiful day...
All of it made him feel as though it wasn't impossible to say his next words.
"(It's just that...)" Pikachu muttered, still looking outwards. He didn't see Piplup in that moment, but he could feel the penguin's gaze on him. "(Seeing you and Dawn and all of the others a-and being here in Sinnoh again really just...brought back a lot of memories for me.)"
Piplup paused for a few moments. Then he rubbed the side of his head. "(Yeah, I guess that figures. A real blast from the past eh?)"
"(Mhmm.)"
"(So is that why you've been super quiet all week?)"
"(Sort of...that's not the only reason though.)"
"(Well what else could it...could...?)" Piplup muttered before he fully stopped. He saw how Pikachu, who was still looking away from him, made a clear attempt to hold back any more emotion from escaping.
"(I've been thinking a lot...about her.)" Pikachu quietly said.
"(Oh.)" Piplup said under his breath, briefly looking away to gaze at Dawn and the backpack which held the topic of conversation.
"(Yeah. I've been thinking a lot about her before I even got here.)" Pikachu muttered, slowly glancing back at his friend.
Returning his gaze, Piplup looked Pikachu straight in the eyes. "(You have? What for?)"
Pikachu gave a light sigh and he folded his arms over his chest. "(I don't know if she told you anything but when we separated in Unova...we sort of made an agreement.)"
"(Oh, you mean about pursuing your own goals for a while?)" Piplup asked.
Pikachu made an amused snort. "(So she told you then...makes sense.)"
"(Well yeah, we are her teammates. It would be puh-retty weird for us not to ask why she was crying all week.)" Piplup bluntly said.
A little caught off-guard, Pikachu looked back at him. "(She cried after Unova?)"
"(For a solid week Pikachu. I'm talking seven days straight!)" Piplup exasperatedly replied. "(Seriously, how does someone have that much liquid in them? She must've been dangerously dehydrated just from sobbing alone! It was worse than when you left Sinnoh!)"
Pikachu opened his mouth to say something but he stopped and looked down at the ground. "(Well...I can't really judge her. I wasn't exactly in the best mood after that either.)"
Piplup merely nodded in understanding. "(So what's up? Why are you thinking so much about it now?)"
Still looking down, Pikachu took a deep breath and glanced back at his friend who was intently staring at him. "(Because I think I've made a decision.)" He quietly said but as soon as he did, he saw Piplup rear his head back and put his flippers up in the air.
"(Oh jeez, you're gonna say that journeying and battling are the things you love and that you're never gonna settle down...)" The penguin muttered, shaking his head. "(Tsk, and here I was hoping that we could get through this without someone being devast-)"
"(She's important, Piplup. The answer's yes.)" Pikachu said.
Piplup stopped at what he was doing to look back at the mouse, his beak already forming the next few words. "(-ated...er...what uhh...what was that Pikachu?)" He asked, his eyes conveying a completely blindsided mind.
"(I'm saying that she's the most important thing to me. So...)" Pikachu repeated before taking in a deep breath. "(...I'm saying yes.)"
Piplup blinked at him. "(S-Saying yes to...?)" He inquired, twirling his flipper in an effort for the mouse to elaborate.
"(Yes to Buneary.)" Pikachu said.
"(Yes to Buneary for...?)"
"(I'm saying that I want to be with her.)"
"(Be with Buneary?)"
"(Yes.)"
"(Our Buneary?)"
"(Yes.)"
"(You wanna be with Buneary and stay with her?)"
"(Yup.)"
"(You sure?)"
"(Yes Piplup. I know it's kind of crazy but I-)"
Before Pikachu could say any more, Piplup immediately let out a massive sigh and he leaned back a little, tilted his head up towards the sky and put a flipper on his chest.
"(Oh thank goodness...!)" He exhaled with a little smile. "(I was about to blow a gasket, don't scare me like that Pikachu!)"
The mouse blinked and watched his friend seemingly go through a million emotions all at once. "(Er...sorry.)"
Piplup closed his eyes and inhaled some much-needed air. "(So for Buneary...you're saying that you're ready to get back together with her? For real this time? Is that what I'm hearing...?)"
Pikachu gulped and rubbed his arm. "(Y-Yeah. I am. I'm ready to commit to her. I'm...I'm ready.)"
The world's strongest glanced away and he looked back at the scenic view, hoping to quell the rising anxiety in his chest. He opened his mouth but before he could say any more, Piplup jumped forward to hug him, much to the mouse's shock.
"(OH THANK ARCEUS! THANK THE LORD!)" Piplup happily exclaimed. Then the penguin took a step back and – laughing the entire time – started dancing whilst holding Pikachu's paws. "(I'm so glad you came to your senses Pikachu!)"
Still utterly baffled, Pikachu could do nothing but go along with it. Jeez, it reminded him of the first day he met Buneary. How she had danced and spun around with him in the forest.
Weirdly appropriate given how they were just at Route 202 but still...
It was a tad embarrassing. Judging by the penguin's reaction, one would think he was being asked out!
After a few seconds, Piplup eased up and let go of Pikachu's paws. Although absolutely giddy, he managed to compose himself.
"(So what made you change your mind? I thought for sure you'd be traveling with Ash forever!)" The penguin beamed, his smile not faltering for a moment.
Clearing his throat, Pikachu rubbed his arm again and looked away. "(It's just...I dunno. I sort of had this empty feeling.)"
"(Oh yeah?)" Piplup replied with a raised eyebrow.
"(Yeah...and it's not going away.)" Pikachu muttered.
"(How long's this been going on for?)" Piplup asked, his flippers on his sides.
"(A while. I think since Unova.)" Pikachu whispered.
"(Mmm...)" Piplup merely said, looking back at their trainers. Then he smirked and leaned forward to whisper to the mouse. "(I think we both know why.)"
"(Yeah...I do.)" Pikachu said, silently gulping as his heart started to race. "(But I...I just don't know how she's gonna take it. Does she still want to work on her own dreams first? Is she ready like I am?)"
Piplup gave his friend a sympathetic look and his expression softened a bit. Then he stared out at nothing in particular to think of his response. "(Pikachu...)" He finally said in a gentle voice. "(...I don't think you have to worry about that.)"
Pikachu's ears flickered and he looked back at his friend, not expecting that response at all.
"(Really...?)" He asked, his voice barely above a squeak.
"(Mhmm...)" Piplup muttered, nodding his head. Then he looked back at him. "(You didn't hear it from me but...let's just say that Buneary's brought it up more than once.)"
"(She has? What uhh...what'd she say?)" Pikachu asked, the cadence in his voice projecting clear hope.
"(She said...)" Piplup started to say before staring up at the wide open sky. "(She said that if the day comes that you're ready to be together...she'll be ready too.)"
Pikachu blinked at him and he started to hang his mouth open in disbelief. "(A-Are you messing with me?)" He quietly asked.
Piplup, rather proudly, shook his head. "(Nope. It's the truth Pikachu.)"
"(Because if you are messing with me then-!)" Pikachu started to growl before Piplup took a step forward and placed his flippers on the mouse's shoulders.
"(Pikachu, listen to me.)" The penguin sternly said, locking eyes with his best friend. Pikachu immediately shut his mouth and stared at him. "(This is real. Buneary told us that in confidence and I would never...ever say or do anything to hurt either of you like that. Okay?)"
Pikachu continued to stare into his friends eyes and after a moment had passed, he could tell that the penguin was telling the truth. He swallowed hard.
Almost immediately, the mouse took in a deep breath, filling his lungs with air and making him feel as though he was floating. A great burden being lifted off of him, he felt a profound bliss radiate through his body.
So this was it. If he confesses...they can finally be together.
Pikachu gave a little smile and he looked down at the grass. "(I...well...g-good...)" He managed to whisper, mainly to himself.
"(But honestly...)" Piplup started to say, causing the mouse to look back at him. "(That's really all I know. Buneary's talked to Togekiss a lot more about the romance stuff. If you're still feeling doubtful, I'd ask her too.)"
Pikachu blinked at him. Togekiss? Well...he supposed that made sense. The Flying-type was definitely one of the more sensible and mature members of Dawn's group after all.
"(Oh...I uhhh...I guess I can talk to her after this.)" Pikachu muttered, looking elsewhere again. "(J-Just in case, you know?)"
"(Hey, don't worry about it man.)" Piplup said with a comforting smile. "(This is a big thing! You're finally ready to commit and make this thing between you two last!)"
"(Yeah...a-and if she's ready too...then...then I won't make her wait any longer.)" Pikachu whispered, his eyes conveying a subtle sense of confidence.
Piplup gave him a confident nod. "(Heh, and I gotta say...I'm super glad you're doing this! You have no idea how hard it was for me to see you two date other 'mons and be supportive the whole time!)"
Pikachu tiled his head at him. "(Really? How come?)"
Piplup stopped what he was doing and he merely looked back at his friend. Then his face twisted in slight embarrassment, having said the quiet part aloud. "(Er...I uhhh...I mean I'm glad you two were trying to find happiness with others and all but...)"
Pikachu blankly stared at him. "(...But what?)"
"(Well...it's just that neither of you were all that happy being separated if you know what I mean.)" The penguin quietly said.
"(Oh...well...)" Pikachu muttered, not really sure what to say next. "(Why uhhh...why didn't you bring it up?)"
"(Oh I wanted to!)" Piplup blurted, startling Pikachu. Then the penguin eased up a little bit. "(Every time that I heard you were dating some other girl or when I saw Buneary dating a new guy, I wanted to yell that you two needed to stop being dopes and just get back together already!)" He said before a tiny bit of sadness overtook his face. "(But what sort of friend would I be if I kept telling you how to live your own lives? Even if I personally wanted to see you two back together?)"
"(I...)" Pikachu started to say but he paused upon seeing the penguin shuffle around a bit.
Piplup stared down at the ground in slight shame. "(This past year I tried talking to Buneary about it but every time that I did, she started getting upset. A-And I did freak out when you two separated after Unova but...)" He said before sighing. "(You're one of my best friends and Buneary's like a sister to me...I was just trying to be supportive is all. I just wanted to be a good friend.)"
Things went quiet.
Pikachu looked at him with sympathy. Poor guy. He was a lot of things: prideful, stubborn and often a tad dramatic...but he had a good heart. To be caught in the middle of this thing, one side being his best friend and the other his teammate...
And regardless of how borderline comedic his antics were, often unintentionally, he was still a good friend to them. There was definitely a reason why the mouse had asked him and Ambipom for their advice all that time ago in Sinnoh.
"(Pip...)" Pikachu started to say, waiting for the penguin to look at him. "(You've always been a good friend to us. I really appreciate you. I hope you know that.)" He gently said with a warm smile.
Not really expecting that, Piplup's face turned surprised. "(I...uhh...)"
Still smiling, Pikachu went over and put his paws on the penguin's shoulders. "(I know you wanted to be supportive and always had the best intentions. So thank you.)"
Yet unable to reel back from the initial surprise, Piplup hesitated to say something in response. "(I-I uhhh...yeah, n-no problem.)" The penguin stuttered. "(I mean...!)" He yelped, his voice cracking a little before quickly and fully turning away and making a prideful pose. "(You're welcome! Always happy to help!)"
Pikachu tilted his head a little. He saw Piplup's body twitch a little. Was he...crying?
"(You okay Pip?)" The mouse asked only for the penguin to freak out a little and immediately put his flippers up to his face to wipe away the tears.
"(O-Of course I am! What do you think? I'm certainly not emotional right now! No sir!)" The penguin yelped, his strained voice barely holding strong.
Pikachu eased up and he smiled a little as his eyes drifted down at the grass. Huh...same old Piplup...!
Sniffling a little, Piplup – still turned away from Pikachu – merely waved a flipper back at him. "(But forget about me...)" He said. "(When uhhh...when are you gonna do it?)"
Pikachu's smile only grew wider. "(Soon. I already know the place I should tell her.)" He said before he looked up at the penguin. "(And I think I'll need your help.)"
Piplup's head jerked up in surprise. Then he fully turned around, excitement clear in those tear-stained eyes of his. "(You need my help? Moi?)" He excitedly asked.
Pikachu nodded his head, embarrassment obvious on his face. "(Yeah, Ash and Dawn might need some convincing to go on a detour.)"
"(Pikachu, Pikachu...)" Piplup said with a rather proud smirk, all of the emotional sadness having fully evaporated by now. "(Buddy, old pal of mine...I got this!)"
Pikachu gave him a small grin. "(Thanks Pip-)"
"(But first...can I hear you ask me? I wanna make sure we're on the same page.)"
"(Ask you?)"
"(Yeah, just ask me what you need.)"
Pikachu blinked at him. "(Piplup, can you please help me out?)"
Piplup shook his head and waved his flipper at the mouse. "(Nah, nah, nah...'Piplup, can you please help me out with'...?)"
"(Can you please help me out with Buneary?)"
"(For...?)"
Pikachu rolled his eyes. "(Piplup, can you please help me out with confessing my feelings to Buneary?)"
Utterly satisfied, Piplup closed his eyes and with a smile, deeply inhaled, taking it all in. "(Mmm...~)" He muttered to himself. "(Yes Pikachu...yes I can...~)"
Pikachu put a paw up to his face in utter shame upon seeing the penguin suck up all the glory. "(I swear you and Ambipom are two peas in a pod...)"
Piplup merely shrugged at that. "(Hey, I'm sure she'd be just as happy to hear this!)"
Giving the penguin a slightly annoyed frown, Pikachu merely stared at him. "(Okay, enough messing around. Can you help me?)"
Snickering a little, Piplup eased up. "(Sure thing bud. What do ya need?)"
It only took a few minutes after Pikachu and Piplup's discussion when Dawn decided to release the rest of her party to get some fresh air, if not just for a little bit.
Pikachu nervously kept an eye on Buneary who was thankfully being kept distracted by Pachirisu and Quilava's debate over whether or not the sun was a planet. Five minutes had already passed yet little progress was being made.
When there came a time that Togekiss was alone to admire a small bush of strawberries, the mouse saw his chance.
Taking in a deep breath, Pikachu took a few steps towards her.
"(H-Hey Togekiss!)" He cheerfully called out to which the dual-type looked up and smiled.
"(Oh hello Pikachu! Come to keep me company?)" She asked as the electric mouse came up to her.
"(Yeah, I just wanted to see how you're doing.)" He said as nonchalantly as he could.
"(Oh, just admiring these strawberries, they're quite charming!)" Togekiss happily chirped as she extended a wing to showcase the small fruits that were still green.
"(I see...you're right, they are.)" Pikachu said with a smile, admiring their bright petals.
"(Indeed, although I believe these ones are not ready to be consumed so please don't let any of the little ones near them.)" Togekiss replied with a little laugh.
"(Will do!)" Pikachu said with a salute. They snickered for a second before the mouse cleared his throat. "(Say Togekiss...I had a...umm...kind of a question to ask.)" He said, his paws on his hips to help circumvent the obvious nervousness in his voice.
"(Hmm? What is it dear?)" Togekiss asked, a curious look in her eyes.
"(So I was talking to Piplup just now and I...I-I mean we were talking about important stuff and he said that it was a good idea to talk to you about it too.)"
"(Hmm? He did? What sort of discussion was it?)" She asked, tilting her head a little.
Pikachu anxiously scratched the back of his head and he swallowed hard. "(We were...talking about Buneary.)"
The dual-type's expression eased up a bit and it was clear that she was anticipating what he was going to say next.
"(I see.)" She gently said.
"(Y-Yeah. Since we separated in Galar, did Buneary...umm...did she ever...y'know...talk about me?)" Pikachu stammered, his heart beginning to hammer against his chest.
Togekiss appeared to take a moment to think her response over. "(Quite frequently dear but I'm sure you knew about that already. You have been keeping in touch a lot recently!)" She cheerily replied with a tiny grin.
"(Well I mean...did she ever talk about us...getting back together?)" Pikachu asked, his breathing starting to labor a little.
There was a pause and the two merely looked at each other. Pikachu felt his cheeks heating up along with his insides writhing.
"(Oh I see now.)" Togekiss gently said as she looked away. "(Well...I probably shouldn't divulge the details of personal conversations when things were told in confidence.)"
"(O-Oh...)" Pikachu muttered, clear despondency in his voice. He sadly stared at the ground.
Togekiss looked back at him. "(But I must ask, why are you curious about that Pikachu?)"
Feeling his face redden a little, Pikachu merely stared at his feet. Then he muttered something so quietly that it was barely even a whisper.
"(What was that dear?)" Togekiss asked, leaning in closer.
"(I said...)" He started to say only to speak under his breath again.
"(One more time Pikachu if you don't mind.)" Togekiss said, a wing held up to really hear it.
Pikachu gulped and then took in a deep breath. "(...Because I think I know what's really important now.)"
Togekiss paused and she eased up a bit. "(You know what's important? Whatever do you mean dear?)"
Pikachu closed his eyes and sighed. "(I mean that ever since leaving Unova there's just been this...I don't know. Feeling I guess. A hollow feeling. Like...like...)" He said, twirling his wrist in an attempt to figure out his next words.
"(...Like you're feeling incomplete?)" She asked. Pikachu stopped what he was doing and looked at her.
"(I...yeah. How'd you guess?)" He sheepishly asked.
Togekiss merely stared back at him. "(Oh...just a hunch. But sweetie...are you unhappy?)"
Unable to take her gaze any longer, the mouse looked away. "(It's not that I'm unhappy. It's just that...)" Pikachu said, his eyes glancing over the nature surrounding them. "(I-It doesn't feel the same. Not without her.)"
"(But...you've always been committed to training with Ash correct? Why are you tearing yourself apart over this if...if...)" She started to say before her eyes widened a little. "(Unless...you're deciding otherwise?)"
Still looking away, Pikachu's cheeks progressively matched the electric sacs on his face. Then he nodded affirmatively. "(Yeah...I am.)"
Togekiss' wings went up to her mouth in sheer surprise. "(Are you serious dear?!)" She squealed; her voice muffled by her feathers.
"(Mhmm...)" Pikachu muttered before he looked back at her shocked face. "(And it's not because I'm the world's strongest now. That's not why I'm feeling this way.)"
"(O-Oh...?)" She muttered, her wings leaving her face.
Pikachu shook his head. "(It's because no matter how far I travel or even if I have the title for the rest of my life...nothing...)" He said before looking up at the sky. "(Nothing feels complete without her in my life. And I'm...I'm ready to be with her. For good this time.)"
Togekiss watched in apparent awe. Then she put a wing up to her chest. "(Oh my...I see that you've taken quite a lot of time to think about this.)"
"(Mhmm...)" Pikachu muttered, watching a cloud go by.
"(Well...)" The dual-type said with a little smile. "(You've certainly convinced me that you've thought this over. Now all you need to do is say the same to Buneary!)"
Pikachu slowly looked back at her. "(That's what I was meaning to ask you.)"
Togekiss looked a bit perplexed. "(Hmm? What is it?)"
Pikachu sighed and he put a paw up to his chest. "(I'm ready to commit to her. Even...even if it means that I can't travel or train or...)"
"(Be with Ash anymore?)" She asked.
Pikachu nodded again. "(Yeah. Even that. But...I need to know if she's ready for this too. If...if she's-)"
"(If she's willing to do what needs to be done to stay together. Is that right dear?)" She asked. Pikachu merely looked away and he put one paw over the other to silently await her answer. Togekiss stared at him for a few seconds before she looked away. "(Well...I'm not the sort to gossip nor discuss the particulars of things told in confidence.)"
"(But...?)" He asked, nearly stammering before holding his breath.
"(However, this is rather important...so I suppose I can make an exception.)" She said with a little wink.
Pikachu exhaled out of sheer relief. "(Th-Thanks. Thank you Togekiss.)" He nervously replied, relief obvious in his voice.
Togekiss took a moment to raise her head and allow the gentle rays of the sun to caress her face as she thought it over.
"(The truth dear Pikachu...)" She started to say in a rather soft voice.
"(...Yes?)" The mouse nervously asked, his heart slamming against his ribcage.
"(Is that how Buneary truly feels...)" Togekiss whispered, looking over at each cloud that passed by her field of vision.
"(Y-Yeah...?)" He asked, a chill going up his spine as he felt his strength waning.
"(Even after all this time...)" She said, closing her eyes again.
Pikachu felt a cold sweat all over his body.
...
...
...
OH SWEET ARCEUS JUST SAY IT ALREADY!
"(W-What?! What did she say?! How does she feel?!)" Pikachu blurted out only to immediately slap his paws over his mouth in abject horror.
Togekiss opened one eye at him and smirked, clear amusement on her face. "(Gotcha~!)" She teased.
Unbelievably embarrassed, Pikachu felt his ears droop down the sides of his head as a blush of shame overtook his face.
"(I'm...I'm sorry Togekiss. That was rude of me.)" He quietly said, too abashed to raise his voice any more than a whisper.
Then, much to his surprise, he felt some feathers touch his back and he perked up and looked over only to see that Togekiss had wrapped a wing around him.
"(It's quite alright dear!)" She merrily said, her smile only widening. "(I was only checking to see how true your feelings are! And judging by your passion, I can see that you still feel strongly for our little rabbit after all this time~!)"
Pikachu merely stared back at her. Then he felt a rather different wave of embarrassment wash over him.
"(Umm...no problem?)" He muttered.
Togekiss then took a step back and put a wing up to her chest. "(Alright sweetie, you've sincerely asked so I'll tell you what she's told me.)" She said before looking back up at the sky. "(The truth is that...she's never managed to get you out of her mind.)"
Pikachu, not really expecting that response, took a moment to take it in. "(Er...what do you mean?)"
Togekiss gave a little grin. Then she looked down at him. "(I mean that the more we've been traveling on our own and helping her with her new career, she always took the time to wonder how you were doing or to reminisce on the many good moments she had with you.)"
"(Really...?)" He asked, his heart beating a little faster only this time, it didn't feel quite as painful.
Togekiss nodded her head. "(Yes dear. And in all honesty, in-between dating other nice young men, she couldn't quite get you out of her mind then either. It seems to me that no matter where we went or how much progress we made in contests or how superb she did in a photoshoot...she always took you with her in some way. Quite frankly Pikachu, these past few months are the most I've seen her so happy! Before she started talking to you again, the contests and modeling jobs were becoming routine for her. This is actually the most excited I've seen her in quite some time.)"
Pikachu gulped. "(S-So...she...I-I mean...did she ever talk about...y'know?)"
"(Getting back together?)" Togekiss asked with a raised eyebrow, her smile not fading for a moment, even after the mouse nodded back. "(Yes...yes she did. Quite often actually. She wondered if you were ready to commit, even if it meant that things would be different from then on. And she wondered...)" She said looking back at their group who were still in the midst of their own little conversations. "(...She wondered if she was ready to do the same for you.)"
Pikachu silently inhaled to momentarily gain some confidence. "(A-And...?)"
Togekiss simply closed her eyes and looked back at him, her smile still remaining. "(...Yes dear. She said that she was ready for it. That she was ready...for you.)"
Unable to really respond to that, Pikachu merely nodded back yet his vision was going blurry. "(S-So...if she's ready to get back together...a-and I am too...)"
"(Then I think you know what to do next Pikachu.)" Togekiss warmly said.
The mouse held his breath and then sighed. "(Yeah...I just wished that I figured this out sooner.)"
Togekiss blinked at him and then gently patted him on his back. "(Oh sweetie, don't beat yourself up over that. It's like you said: you finally know what's important now.)" She cooed as the mouse eased up a bit.
"(Yeah...)" He muttered, the sadness not leaving his voice.
"(Listen, you both needed some time to think it over and...and I think you two have finally figured out what is truly important in your lives: that no matter where you go or how successful you become, without each other, it's all a little less meaningful.)"
His face reddening a little, Pikachu merely nodded back. "(Mhmm...)" He managed to say under his breath. Suddenly, he felt his body being gently pushed to face the bird's gaze.
He wanted to say something but he wasn't sure if his heart could physically take any more.
"(I...I love her Togekiss.)" He whispered. "(I loved her back in Sinnoh and Unova and...I can't let her go again.)"
Togekiss patted his back a little more gently. "(Then don't. Take it from me, I know a thing or two about affection and I can tell you that Buneary's feelings for you haven't waned at all, no matter how much she tried distracting herself.)"
Pikachu looked forward and he held his breath. "(Then...)" He said with conviction present on his face. "(...I have my answer then.)"
A slight breeze caressed both of their bodies as they stood there in silence.
"(So dear Pikachu, there's nothing more I can explain to you. All I can really say is...go.)" Togekiss gently said. The mouse looked back at her and they locked gazes. "(...Go to the girl who truly loves you.)"
Pikachu looked at her in complete awe. Then deep down, he felt some semblance of confidence and he gave her a little smile. "(I...I will! I'll do it...I'm ready for her!)"
Togekiss smiled back at him. "(Good man. I know everything will work out just fine!)"
Pikachu smiled back and he leaned in to hug her. "(Thank you Togekiss...)" He whispered, nearly on the verge of crying.
Togekiss gently hugged him back, her smile never faltering. "(You're welcome. And good luck sweetie~!)"
The following day, the group was back on the road. Piplup made it clear to Dawn that he wished to stay out of his Pokéball, and at times walked alongside Pikachu on the dirt path. Later on, the penguin was riding atop Dawn's head, keeping an eye out for when he was to make his move.
The time came when they saw an intersection with a sign pointing to a path leading to the left.
Pikachu quickly looked up at his best friend who affirmatively winked back at him.
"(Hey! Check it out!)" Piplup shouted, lightly tapping Dawn's head.
"Hey! Piplup, what's wrong?" Dawn asked, startled by the penguin's actions.
"What's up Dawn?" Ash asked, stopping in place to look at her.
"Piplup seems to want something." Dawn replied, looking up at the starter who rested on top of her head.
Ash merely looked down at Pikachu.
"(Beats me...)" Pikachu muttered with a shrug, suppressing the urge to smile.
Then Piplup pointed forward at the intersection. "(Check it out! How about we go down that path?)" He asked.
Both Ash and Dawn muttered in confusion before looking at what the penguin was pointing at. Then they read what was on the sign.
Dawn blinked at it. "Huh? Dover Mountain?" She wondered aloud, reading the sign over again.
"Is that where you wanna go Piplup?" Ash asked to which the penguin happily nodded.
"Did we go there the last time we traveled here Ash?" Dawn asked.
"Uhh...no I don't think so." Ash replied, looking upwards in contemplation. Then he shrugged his shoulders. "But why not? Sounds like a cool place!"
"(Thanks Ash!)" Piplup chirped, saluting the boy.
Dawn merely looked up at her starter. "Well, alright Piplup. I don't know why you want to go, but we can stop by there."
As the group started to walk onto the new path, Piplup smiled at them all. "(Heh, you won't be sorry!)"
Then he looked down at Pikachu who gave him a thumbs up. Although the rest of their party were in their Pokéballs, they could still overhear what was going on in the outside world. And for the mouse...well...he wanted this whole thing to be a surprise after all!
The path to Dover Mountain was even more tranquil than the previous road as the path was far less bumpy and arduous to travel on. Before the group knew it, they started seeing flowers of all colors growing around them. The grass was lush, the air crisp and the weather clear. It was...nice. So nice in fact that it didn't take long for Dawn to suggest taking a break in a small clearing.
When the group got settled, Dawn released the rest of her party.
Within a few minutes, everyone was enjoying the beauty of the outside world.
"Gee, thanks for suggesting this place Piplup! It's really nice!" Dawn beamed as she leaned back on the soft grass to catch some of the sun's gentle rays. Next to her was Ash who was fully on his back, his eyes closed with a smile.
"(Yeah, thanks Bubbles!)" Pachirisu giggled as he chased Quilava down the valley in a game of tag.
"(I must admit, this is quite splendid!)" Togekiss chirped as she gracefully traversed the open air from above.
"(Mhmm...it's so nice I think I'll...)" Mamoswine managed to say before drifting off into a deep sleep nearby.
Off to the side, Buneary laughed at that. Always an excuse to take a nap...
She looked over and saw a patch of flowers, each the color of a rainbow. She smiled and walked over before crouching down and admiring them. The flowers gently swayed in the breeze, their colors radiating in the sunlight.
Standing next to Ash, Pikachu watched the bunny enjoy her favorite hobby. He felt his heart thump a little harder and he looked over at his trainer's backpack that was resting nearby. There in that bag carried his letter bracelet, the same one that he had kept throughout so many of his adventures. He walked over to the backpack and he reached out.
Then he paused.
Slowly but surely, Pikachu started to pull away and he merely looked at the traveling gear.
Then he smiled. So many times, he had brought the little trinket along on their journeys, perhaps as a subconscious reminder of where his heart lied.
But now...he didn't need it. Maybe for the first time, his head was finally cleared and he didn't need something to remind him of where his future and heart truly were.
Still grinning to himself, Pikachu took a step back. Then another. And then he turned away and headed off towards Buneary.
Without any hesitation, he strolled up to her and he watched as she admired the colorful flowers, one by one.
"(Nice place huh?)" Pikachu asked from a few feet away.
Buneary turned her head to look at him. "(Yeah, I'll say!)" She laughed before she leaned forward to caress ever-so-gently one of the flowers.
Pikachu silently gulped and rubbed his arm. He looked back at Piplup who was playing with Pachirisu and Quilava. They made eye contact and the penguin gave him an encouraging nod.
His face progressively turning pink, Pikachu quietly inhaled.
Okay...he can do this...he just needed to be himself.
"(Say Bun...)" He said, intentionally making his voice sound brighter.
"(Hmm?)" She asked, glancing back at him.
"(I was thinking...)" Pikachu quietly said, putting his paws behind his back and shuffling his feet along the grass. "(It's a nice day and all...why don't we uhh...do you wanna...go somewhere? Together...?)"
Buneary blinked at him. Then she slowly stood up and looked him in the face. "(Go somewhere? You mean like a date?)"
Panicking a little, Pikachu's blush began to darken. "(I-I just mean we can go somewhere. I...)" He managed to say, the embarrassment almost being too much to handle. He couldn't see her face yet he knew that she was staring right at him. "(This place...is sort of special. Do you know why?)"
Curious, Buneary looked around. "(This place? I don't think we've ever been here before Pika.)"
Pikachu felt his heart beat painfully in his chest. "(It's the place we were gonna have our first picnic date.)"
Buneary stared at him for a moment. Then she held her mouth open in an "o" formation.
"(Ohh...yeah...it is!)" She giggled, looking around once more. "(But then we couldn't because umm...you know.)"
Pikachu nodded his head, briefly remembering all of that terrible stuff that had happened with his run-in with the Aerodactyl.
"(Y-Yeah so I figured...you know...if you want...)" He managed to whisper, his voice nearly failing him. His heart beating a million miles a second, he dug deep and grabbed onto whatever courage he had left. Then he looked back up at her. "(...We can actually go on that first date.)"
Buneary paused. Then she smiled, a light blush of her own dusting her cheeks. "(Well...I mean...I did say 'yes' the first time right?)"
Pikachu smiled back. "(Heh...yes you did.)"
Then, Buneary's face brightened up quite a bit. "(Hee~! D'aaww Pikachu! You thoughtful mouse you~! You're never one to go back on a promise huh?)" She giggled, her paws up to her face in complete adoration.
Clearing his throat, Pikachu looked away. "(I-I uhh...even made sure that we had a picnic basket. Again, if you want...)"
Buneary continued to smile at him before leaning over and pressing her side against his. "(Well you sure know how to ask a girl out~. How can I say 'no'?)" She whispered half-jokingly.
Unable to hold back from laughing a little, Pikachu looked elsewhere. "(G-Great! I know just where to go!)"
A few minutes passed and the duo started walking along another little path that went upwards. Unbeknownst to them, their entire group – trainers and Pokémon – watched them go off with smiles.
The plan was for Piplup to distract everyone to give the two some time alone yet unbeknownst to the mouse, all it took was a quick point and wink and everybody was immediately on the same page.
And so, nobody asked where they were going or for how long.
They were just glad to see the two going off together.
As the duo walked, Pikachu ruminated on how easy things were going so far. Heck, Buneary didn't even think twice about going on this sort-of date with him. And even though the mouse had made both Togekiss and Piplup swear to secrecy...it's almost like...she knew. All it took now was for one of them to actually take that first step.
It only took a little bit of time before they reached their destination: a cliff overlooking a large river that pooled down below. They saw how the river itself was flanked by two other cliffs; each hundreds of feet tall.
Down below, they saw the figure of a lapras idly swimming along. They wondered how in the world it had managed to find itself here.
"(Pikachu, it's lovely~!)" Buneary beamed, her eyes sparkling and her paws up to her cheeks.
Rather proud, Pikachu puffed his chest out as he held their picnic basked in his paw.
"(Not a bad spot for a first date right?)" He chuckled.
She looked back at him and cuddled into his side. "(Not bad at all~)"
With that, they started getting the picnic started. They put the blanket down on the grass and got comfortable. Then they started taking out the snacks. They talked and laughed as they enjoyed their favorite treats. For Buneary, she held a cherry tomato while Pikachu munched on a pellet with a dash of ketchup on it.
They talked of their most recent adventures and mishaps that had somehow eluded their previous discussions. Buneary told Pikachu all of the ins and outs of the modeling world and the many faces she had come across, most of whom were rather strange in their own ways. Pikachu described the bizarre lands he had visited, places that boggled the mind such as islands where things like trainers and gyms were nonexistent let alone any leagues.
"(Man, Oblivia sounds like a weird place. What made you go there?)" Buneary asked as she took a bite out of a Pecha Berry.
Pikachu shrugged as he took a sip of his lemonade. "(It just sounded like a cool place to go. When you compete in virtually every league, you wanna see some new things y'know?)"
Buneary gave him a grin. "(Yeah, I guess I can relate. Dawn's been talking about visiting places that don't have contests just for the sake of it. Visiting the Orange Islands was a pretty interesting experience after all.)"
"(You had a good time over there, right?)" Pikachu asked, giving her a side-glance.
"(It was pretty nice! What's not to love about a tropical paradise?)" She laughed.
"(Been a long time since I visited there...)" Pikachu said as he leaned back to catch some sun and closed his eyes.
"(I can only imagine the crazy stuff you got involved with back then!)" Buneary laughed.
Pikachu amusedly huffed. "(I've got stories Bun...I've got stories.)" He said before opening an eye to look at her. "(So you're going off to somewhere new then?)"
"(Mhmm. That's what Dawn says but who knows, maybe she'll want to get back to contests soon.)" Buneary said, looking outward. For a moment, Pikachu thought he saw a very far sense of sadness on her face.
Pikachu gave a relaxed sigh and closed his eye again. "(I hear Almia is a nice place to visit.)"
"(Maybe...we'll see.)" Buneary replied with a shrug before taking another bite out of her berry. "(What about you Pika? Any idea where you'll go after this?)"
Pikachu grit his teeth. Just how exactly should he approach this? Well...might as well ease into it right?
"(No idea. We just go where the wind blows.)" He nonchalantly said.
"(I imagine it's hard to know where to go next when you're on top of the world Mr. World Champion~)" She giggled.
"(Heh, you're one to talk Ms. Superstar Model.)" He chuckled.
They both laughed for a moment before things went comfortably quiet.
"(This is nice, thanks for doing this Pikachu.)" She gently said, gazing out at the incredible view.
"(It's the least I can do Bun.)" He said with a smile.
"(So this is how our lives are gonna be...traveling, training, contests and modeling...)" She said with a smile before giving him a side-glance. "(You ever think that you were gonna be a world champion back when you were a wild Pokémon?)"
"(Not at all.)" Pikachu said with a shrug. "(Did you when you were wild?)"
"(I'm not a contest champion yet.)" She said, tilting her head at him.
"(You will be Bun. Believe me, you have what it takes.)" He replied with a little grin.
Buneary looked at him for a moment. Then she looked elsewhere with a noticeable blush returning on her face. "(Heh...you always know what to say to me to cheer me up.)"
Seeing her reaction, Pikachu sat upright. "(I mean it Bun. Heck, you're already more famous than me with all the modeling stuff.)"
Buneary amusedly clicked her tongue and dismissively waved her paw at him. "(Oh please, you're the world's strongest Pokémon! You're giving me too much credit.)"
"(Bun...)" He said before gently placing his paw on her shoulder. "(I mean it. You can do it. And...and I can be there for you.)"
"(You mean cheering for me on T.V?)" She asked, looking back at him.
"(Maybe.)" Pikachu said, releasing his paw. "(Or maybe...umm...)" He muttered, looking out at the view.
Buneary merely looked at him. "(Pika...?)" She muttered, seeing his reaction.
Pikachu's face briefly twisted in some sort of attempt to hold back from showing her any more emotion.
"(Say Bun...I've been meaning to ask you something.)" He finally said.
"(Hmm? What is it?)" She asked, tilting her head at him.
In an attempt to stop himself from shuddering, Pikachu briefly bit the inside of his cheek. His heart hurt and his stomach was tying itself in knots. He was so nervous that he almost felt like passing out.
He allowed only a moment to pass before he closed his eyes. "(Do you ever think about the future? Like what it's gonna be like in ten years?)"
Buneary jerked her head back a little. "(Oh uhh...sometimes I guess.)" She said, a paw under her chin as she thought it over.
"(Like do you think you'll still be traveling with Dawn and doing contests and stuff?)" He asked, briefly looking over at her.
"(Yeah, I suppose.)" She said with a shrug. "(It's what I love doing. Plus somebody has to keep an eye out for Piplup and Pachirisu sooo...)"
Pikachu snickered at that. "(Heh, yeah I guess that's true.)"
"(Why do you ask Pika? You and Ash always live from day to day so why the sudden interest in the future?)"
"(I just thought it was important to ask.)"
"(Do you think about it a lot for yourself?)"
"(Well I-)"
"(Ooh wait! I can already tell what your future's gonna look like!)" Buneary suddenly exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.
"(Oh? What is it?)" Pikachu asked with a curious smirk.
"(Hmm...)" Buneary wondered aloud, looking up at the sky to think it over.
"Stop right there Team Rocket!" Ash shouted from down on the ground as he looked up at the familiar-looking Meowth hot air balloon.
The twenty-two year old trainer grit his teeth and he balled up his fist to raise at them. Next to his leg was Pikachu whose entire body radiated with electricity as they stood in front of his newly-purchased two-story house.
"(Yeah! Give it up already!)" The mouse shouted towards their longstanding enemies.
From the balloon's basket, they heard a raspy cough.
"Eh? Is it time?" A shaky female voice spoke. "Alright, get up you two!"
Then Ash and Pikachu saw a haggard old woman slowly stand up in the balloon basket, her long gray hair accentuating the prominent wrinkles on her face.
"You dirty little brat! It's time you faced defeat!" She shouted as an equally-old man stood up with great difficulty, his weight being put on a wooden cane.
"Jessie, can't it wait until my statins kick in?" He grouchily asked.
"No James! We're about to secure our ultimate victory!" Jessie shouted back before getting into a pose. "Prepare for trouble!"
"And make it double!" James said, his body wobbling in place.
"To protect the world from devastation!" Jessie followed.
"To eat our fills until constipation!" James declared.
Ash and Pikachu merely raised their eyebrows at that.
"James! That's not the line!" She grumbled.
"Eh? What's that?" James asked, cupping his hand to his ear.
"I said remember your line! We're about to win this thing!" Jessie yelled louder.
"You had a fling? Aren't you a little old for that?" James asked.
"No! I said we're gonna capture Pikachu!" Jessie yelled even louder.
"You have to take a poo? There ain't no bathroom here Jessie! Don't go on here!" James shouted back.
"NO!" Jessie roared, causing Ash and Pikachu to sweat-drop. "I SAID WE'RE GONNA CAPT-"
"Meowth! Dat's right!" A long-bearded Meowth declared as he suddenly jumped onto the railing of the basket, his overweight body nearly falling off.
"Meowth you idiot! Wrong time!" Jessie angrily yelled.
Meowth stretched and rubbed his back. "I know, but crouching in dat basket is killer on my lumbar. My lumbago's acting up..."
Down below, Ash and Pikachu slumped their shoulders.
"Are you guys gonna...?" Ash asked before he saw James reach for his belt buckle.
"Now you youngsters are gonna face the pain train!" James declared as he reeled back to throw what was in his hand. "Go Gyrados!" He yelled...
...As he threw a hard candy at them.
Everyone merely watched in silence as the confection landed on the ground with a pitiful plop. Then each side just stared at each other.
"James you old coot! What happened to your Pokéballs?!" Jessie fumed.
"I gave 'em to my grandson Billy. Said he wanted to go out explorin'. Thought I had more on me." James muttered.
"Forget dis!" Meowth yelled as he jumped into the basket and rummaged for something. A moment later, he returned with a large metal weapon. "Just use our old trusty net gun!"
"Uhh Meowth...when was the last time you used-?" Jessie asked before the contraption exploded, causing a large net to somehow be released that ensnare all three of them.
"Well this is just great...!" Jessie muttered before struggling to look over at James. "James do something!" She yelled only to see her partner taking a nap.
Ash put a hand up to his face, unable to watch anymore. "Pikachu, just use Thunderbolt would ya? A light one." He said, motioning with his hand towards the balloon.
"(You don't have to tell me twice...)" Pikachu said, half-embarrassed at the sight. He crouched down to the ground and sent a bolt of lightning at the balloon, creating a tear and causing the trio to scream as they flew off.
"Looks like Team Rocket is blasting off again!" Jessie and Meowth shouted as James' snores grew louder.
By the time Buneary had finished telling her prediction, Pikachu was on his back, desperately attempting to catch his breath in-between uproarious laughter.
"(Oh man...!)" He guffawed, his paw up to his forehead as he started to cry from the snickering. "(Legends above! I don't think Team Rocket's that old Bun!)"
Smiling at his reaction, Buneary merely shrugged her shoulders. "(Hey, a lifetime of failing to capture you has to be exhausting~! They could be twice as old by then!)"
Pikachu's laughter only continued as he kicked his feet in the air. Buneary joined him in the merriment, a paw up to her mouth as she giggled.
About a minute later, they finally caught their breaths and Pikachu managed to sit back up.
"(Hehe...phew!)" He chuckled, wiping a tear away.
"(So how close was I? Was I right on the money?)" She asked, her grin still very much present.
Pikachu briefly glanced at her. "(Well...I can't say you're not wrong.)"
Buneary proudly nodded her head. "(Hehe...knew it.)"
Pikachu's smile softened a little yet it didn't disappear entirely. "(But what I meant was that I always thought of traveling with Ash and going on journeys.)"
She looked back at him and for a moment, it looked like there was a mild disappointment flashing across her face. "(Oh...y-yeah...I guess that makes sense!)" She said, her smile suddenly returning in an obvious attempt to keep the mood light.
Swallowing hard, Pikachu momentarily looked away and twiddled his fingers. He knew that he had to jump on the opportunity.
"(So I was thinking...u-umm...)" He stuttered, his voice getting quieter with each syllable.
"(Hmm?)" She asked, tilting her head a little.
"(Bun...I uhh...r-remember how I said that I dated some girls here and there since Unova?)" Pikachu said, his breathing getting a little shallower.
"(Yeah...?)" Buneary replied, not really expecting that.
Pikachu nearly squeaked before taking in another breath. "(Well...don't get me wrong, they were all nice to date but...)" He said before trailing off.
"(But...?)" Buneary softly repeated.
"(But it just...wasn't the same. It wasn't...like us.)" He softly said, somehow mustering the courage to glance back at her. When he did, she got a good look at his crimson face.
"(Oh...)" Buneary whispered, looking down at the ground. She stared at the soft grass, clearly thinking of what to say next.
There was what felt like a long pause between the two of them. Pikachu didn't dare make another sound and his head filled with nothing but the noise of his own rapid heartbeat.
"(Well...if I'm being honest with you Pika...)" She gently started to say before looking back at him.
"(Y-Yeah?)" Pikachu stuttered, a chill going up his spine. In agony, he waited for her next words, a stinging pain going through his heart each time it beat against his ribcage.
"(When I dated around...)" She started to say before looking up at the sky. "(...It wasn't the same either.)"
Pikachu blinked at her a few times and he tried to look calm and collected yet inside he was screaming to the heavens.
"(So uhh...)" Pikachu mumbled, desperately trying to figure out how to steer the conversation in the right direction. "(I-I...you...I mean...uhh...)" He stammered, causing Buneary to look over at him.
"(What was that Pika?)" She asked, eyeing him up and down.
Mentally, Pikachu slapped himself. Oh good legends above, he's blowing it!
He shivered in place as he felt a pang go through his chest. Then...he took in a quick deep breath and cleared his mind.
"(Bun...)" He calmly started to say. "(...Do you remember our conversation on that island back in Unova? About things not being off the table?)"
A little taken aback, Buneary looked elsewhere in an attempt to remember that moment in their lives.
"(Oh...yeah I do.)" She quietly said before looking back at him.
Pikachu went back to twiddling his fingers, too nervous to bear her gaze. "(So...? Is it still not off the table for us?)" He nearly squeaked before quickly whipping his head back at her. "(A-And you can be totally honest with me Bun.)"
She stared at him for a beat yet for the poor mouse, it felt like hours were passing by as slow as molasses. The entire time, his stomach churned in patient anguish.
Then he saw her face redden a little and she started fiddling with her fluff as she looked away.
"(...Yeah...it is.)" She finally said. Instantly, Pikachu felt the urge to contently exhale. Buneary then looked at him again with a gentle smile. "(You're still you so...yeah it's not off the table for me.)"
He began to blush. Then he rubbed the back of his head. "(I-I...f-feel the same way Bun.)"
She giggled a little at his reaction. "(But why do ask Pika? All this talk about futures and us...is something bothering you?)"
Pikachu swallowed hard, gripped by an intense apprehension that clung to his very soul. He smirked a little before looking down at the grass.
"(When we were dating back in Sinnoh...did you ever think about...our future?)" He calmly asked.
Her blush darkening, Buneary nearly squeaked and she looked out into that beautiful wide world.
"(O-Oh...uhhh...)" She muttered, once again fiddling with her fluff. "(T-To be honest...yeah...a little.)"
"(Like where we'd be in ten years or if we'd settle down somewhere...?)" Pikachu asked before giving her a side-glance and he saw her nod, her face only getting redder. Suddenly, Pikachu felt something go through his heart like a lightning bolt and he shakily said his next words. "(...Kids?)"
Steam practically coming off her face at this point, Buneary's gaze drifted down to the grass she sat upon.
"(Mhmm...)" She managed to whisper, nodding her head as she did.
Pikachu gave her a warm little smile. "(...How many?)"
Buneary began to shiver ever-so-slightly. "(M-Maybe two or three...)" She quietly said before closing her eyes. "(Things often got so crazy on our journey that I kept getting distracted but when I had the time...yeah I'd think about it.)"
"(Tell me about it Bun.)" Pikachu asked, leaning forward a little. He saw her suddenly yank her fluff up to her face, obscuring her vision.
"(Ohhh...I-I don't know...)" She managed to say, albeit muffled.
Not willing to lose his chance, Pikachu eased up a little. "(Okay I'll tell you what...)" He said, waiting for her to lower her fluff and look at him with those sparkling eyes of hers. "(You tell me first and I'll tell you what I've thought about.)"
She lowered her fluff down to her chin. "(You've...thought about it too?)"
"(Of course Bun...)" He said with a sympathetic smile.
They stayed quiet for a few moments, looking at each other. Then Buneary fully lowered her fluff and let go of it.
"(Well...okay.)" Buneary finally said. "(You promise not to laugh?)"
"(I won't laugh Bun.)" Pikachu replied with a confident smile as he closed his eyes and put his paws behind his back.
Buneary paused. Then she stared up at the sky. "(In ten years, I figured that we'd settle down somewhere nice. Maybe Sinnoh, maybe on a cute little island somewhere out there in the sea.)" She said before closing her eyes to really envision it. "(Ash would be a Pokémon Master and Dawn would be a Top Coordinator. We'd all be together and living our best lives.)"
"(Go on.)" Pikachu gently replied, scooching a little closer to her.
Buneary opened her eyes and stretched her arms out. "(We'd still be together, making it all work out. Maybe we're still going off and journeying and getting stronger or performing in contests...but we'd still be together.)"
"(I see.)" Pikachu quietly muttered as he watched her.
"(We'd have a couple of kids by then. At least one boy and one girl. Maybe a baby pichu that looks like you and a baby bunny that looks like me. One of them would be obsessed with training and battling and the other loves fashion and contests.)" She said with a tiny smile.
"(Did you think of names?)" Pikachu asked.
"(Tons, but I didn't really decide on any.)" Buneary said with a shrug. "(Sometimes a name sounds good one day and then a week later it doesn't.)"
"(Mmm...)" Pikachu muttered, nodding his head.
Then...he started to chuckle a little.
Buneary looked at him. Upon seeing him softly laugh, she furrowed her brow and gave a huff. "(Hey! You said you wouldn't laugh!)"
"(I'm sorry...!)" Pikachu said, chuckling for just a few more moments. Then he calmed himself down and gave her another reassuring smile. "(It's just that...)" He said before his gaze softened. "(...That's exactly what I wanted too.)"
Buneary's annoyed frown immediately faded and was replaced with surprise. "(O-Oh...I-I...r-really?)"
"(Yeah...it is.)" Pikachu gently said. Then he looked back at the ground. "(I-I really wanted that...and...and I still do.)"
"(Pikachu...)" She gently said, her gaze becoming one of mild sadness.
"(So that's why...umm...)" Pikachu started to say, his voice progressively becoming quieter.
"(Pika? What is it?)" She asked, scooting a little closer to him.
On the verge of passing out, Pikachu felt his heart nearly thump out of his chest.
"(W-What if...what if we don't have to separate again?)" He whispered.
"(Hmm? How so?)" She asked, tilting her head a little at that.
"(I mean, what if we just stay together?)" He asked before pausing. "(What if...we stay together?)"
Buneary's expression changed into immediate understanding. "(You mean...if we got back together?)"
"(Yeah. And I mean for good this time.)" He squeaked, his face completely turning the same shade as his electric cheek sacs.
"(But what about traveling with Ash? And your title?)" She gently asked.
Pikachu shook his head. Without any more hesitation to cloud his mind, the mouse opened up his heart to say his next words.
"(I've been thinking about this for a long time. A-And only recently did I realize that it's just...)" He said before sighing. "(...It's just not the same without you Bun. Ever since Unova it's been sort of...I don't know...hollow I guess. I mean don't get me wrong, I think it was the right thing to focus on ourselves and our dreams for a while...just look at where we are now! I'd say we've done pretty well for ourselves!)" Pikachu brightly said as he looked back at her.
Buneary laughed a little. "(Yeah, I guess it hasn't been so bad~)"
"(Right, and now...well...now it's just sort of empty for me.)" Pikachu said as he looked up to stare at the clouds. "(Traveling with Ash and being the best...)" He said before glancing back at her. "(And it's not because we're the world champions...I've felt this way for a long time.)"
"(I...)" Buneary merely said, looking elsewhere.
Feeling a bit scared, Pikachu grit his teeth and he moved closer to her. Then he placed a paw on her cheek.
They looked into each other's eyes for a few seconds, neither being able to break the silence. Their faces were inches apart and from where he was, he could feel Buneary's breathing become rather shallow as she waited in anxious anticipation for what he would say next.
"(I love you Buneary...)" He whispered.
"(Pikachu...)" She quietly said, still looking away.
"(I love you and...and I want to be with you.)" Pikachu said.
He waited with bated breath for her response.
This was it, the moment he'd been waiting and dreading for.
It was actually sort of funny...
There he was...the world's strongest Pokémon. The same one who impressed countless folks on his many adventures and battles and showed the world what he was capable of. The one who fought and defeated countless opponents and villains and even saved the world on some occasions.
And yet it was this...
This one small, awkward moment...
It was awaiting her next words is what made him feel so weak and small.
"(...A-And if you lose your title?)" Buneary finally asked, gazing out at the open world. The nervousness in her voice was palpable.
"(Bun, listen to me...)" He said, waiting for her to look back at him. "(Even if it means that I stop journeying with Ash, even if it means that I lose my title...it doesn't matter. That's not what's most important to me anymore...)"
"(It's not...?)" She whispered, her blush returning in full force.
His own face turning redder than a shepherd's sunset, Pikachu gently smiled at her.
"(No Bun...it's not.)" He quietly said back. "(...You are.)"
She stared deep into his eyes and for a moment, he felt himself getting lost in them. And yet strangely...
...It looked like she was getting lost in his.
Then she gently nodded her head and looked away.
"(I...I feel the same way Pika.)" She quietly said, her voice a little shaky.
"(What...? What was that?)" Pikachu asked, a sudden nervousness creeping up his throat.
"(I said...that I feel the same way.)" She said before she turned to look at him. He saw that her eyes were becoming clouded with tears. "(None of it's been the same. It doesn't feel as meaningful without someone special there by your side. I think...I think I understand now what's really important. A-And if that means that I stop with contests and my modeling career is over...because...because you're the most important thing to me too!)"
Her words echoing through his mind, Pikachu felt as if he was struck by a bolt of lightning.
"(I-I...)" He managed to say.
How strange it all was. He had gone through this moment so many times in his head yet he was still at a loss for words.
Buneary gently reached a paw up to Pikachu's face. "(I love you too Pikachu.)"
Pikachu looked at her, his heart feeling strangely calm in that very moment.
Then, without hesitation, she gently moved forward and pressed her nose up against his. A little taken by surprise, Pikachu closed his eyes and pressed back. When they broke contact they hugged.
"(So are you saying...you're ready for this too?)" He finally asked as he broke the hug and looked back at her.
"(...We'll have to somehow tell them.)" Buneary quietly said.
"(Huh?)" Pikachu wondered aloud, his ears pricking up a little.
"(You might have to do those charades to get the message across.)" She said with a tiny grin.
Pikachu merely looked at her and then blinked. "(S-So...are you saying...?)"
She finally looked back at him and her warm smile grew wide. "(Yes...I want to be with you too. And...I-I want us to stay together. No matter what...!)"
Pikachu's mouth hung open. He had hoped that this would happen and yet now that it was a reality, he still couldn't fully believe it.
"(Do you mean it...?!)" He asked, his eyes looking hopeful.
She merely smiled and nodded back again. "(Yes~)"
Pikachu felt his vision becoming a little blurry yet he could see tears form in the corners of her eyes.
"(So...)" He started to say. "(You wanna give this thing another shot? For real this time?)"
"(Well...I dunno~)" She joked with an equally-playful shrug.
Pikachu amusedly rolled his eyes. "(Well okay, if you don't know then-)"
He stopped talking when she suddenly jumped forward to hug him.
"(Of course! YES!)" She joyfully exclaimed.
As she hugged him, her cheek pressed up against his and they started laughing in sheer jubilation.
They stayed like that for a little while, neither willing to let each other go.
"(Well...)" Pikachu snickered. "(...If you insist~)" He said as he gently fell onto his back with her on top.
They kept laughing until they both caught their breaths. When they did, they looked into each other's eyes.
"(I love you Pika.)" She said with a warm smile.
"(I love you too Bun.)" He whispered.
Without saying another word, they gently leaned forward to lock lips.
No longer doubtful about the future or worried about any "what-ifs", the former ex-couple enjoyed the moment they had. There was no more fear or uncertainty that plagued their minds. There was only joy...
...Because at last they were finally together. And this time...they would stay together.