Parting ways was never easy, especially when you've spent months – a year, even – travelling with friends. Ash felt it was bittersweet that Brock will not accompany him to his future journeys anymore since his buddy had a new dream to pursue – being a Pokemon doctor. Of course, Ash was happy for Brock but he couldn't help the wave of sadness that washes over him since Brock had been there for him since the very beginning.

Still, he will support Brock in his endeavors.

They were now approaching the border of Pallet Town when Ash had finally remembered his unfinished business and snapped his fingers. Pikachu and Brock turned to him, tilting their heads as if questioning Ash what's wrong.

"Brock, Pikachu, remember the promise I made to a friend in the Viridian Forest?"

Pikachu's cheeks spark in recognition and Brock's expression lightened up.

"We're coming back for her."

Pidgeot had been roaming around Viridian Forest for the last four years. She was a flock leader before she relinquished the position once the Pidgeys and Pidgeottos had evolved and were strong enough to defend themselves. Pidgeot had been the guardian and protector of weak Pokemons, helping them get stronger. However, the bird also felt something empty.

This may be because she missed the thrill of battling. Of course, there were battles in the forest for position and territory but those were not on the level of high-class battling where Pokemon and trainers give it their all – strategies, techniques, maneuvers – exploiting everything and doing everything in their power.

Pidgeot had been robbed of the chance since those blasted Rockets made a scene just before the Ash's Top 16 match against Richie during the Indigo Conference. Speaking of Ash, she dearly missed her trainer. She missed the banter between Misty and Ash, Brock's food, Pikachu, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Charizard – although she wasn't sure if Charizard was tamed by now. Kingler, Mr. Mime, Muk, and the Tauros, too. She missed her friends.

Of course, she also missed Butterfree but the butterfly drops by from time to time. In fact, Butterfree should be here by now. Butterfree might try so hard not to show it but Pidgeot knew Butterfree missed the thrill of battling, too. Especially since him and Pidgeot were the first and second Pokemon that their trainer caught, not counting his starter Pikachu.

Pidgeot chirped as she saw a familiar blue butterfly and his yellow scarf.

"Hey, Butterfree! It's good to see you!"

Butterfree flew faster as he heard the familiar voice of his compatriot. He was followed by his wife, the pink Butterfree.

"Pidgeot! Man, it's always so draining traveling!"

Pidgeot cawed. "So, how're the kids?"

The pink Butterfree smiled. "They've grown so much! Most of them found a trainer of their own and is going on an adventure, now."

She sighed but kept a smile on her face.

"They make us so proud," pink Butterfree continued, "but I'd like to settle in, too. Not really a trainer but just somewhere we could live peacefully. Viridian Forest isn't for me. Maybe, the two of you can find your trainer!"

Butterfree and Pidgeot shared a look and smiled.

"Yeah, I would go to Pallet Town and Professor Oak but I wasn't really familiar with the place," Butterfree shyly said. Chuckling, Pidgeot answered, "Well, I know where it is, I've visited a couple of times, I just didn't let anyone see me though. I wouldn't wanna barge in."

They chatted for a few more minutes until Pidgeot stilled as she heard a familiar voice.

"Pidgeot! Hey, Pidgeot, are you here?"

"Pika pika!"

Ash, Pikachu, and Brock decided to fetch Pidgeot before crashing at Pallet Town. Ash knew it was long overdue and he might have broken the promise he made to her but still, he wanted to try. Unbeknownst to Ash, a Fearow was watching him and Pikachu waiting to swoop down and attack.

Deeming it the right time, the Fearow squawked and swooped down, using Drill Peck, targeting Ash and Pikachu. Brock noticed the bird and shouted Ash's name but it was too late. By the time, Ash looked up, there were only a few meters and the move would connect.

Fortunately, Ash and Pikachu was saved by a fast flying-type Pokemon, who was going so fast that the only thing Ash saw was a blur of brown and cream color. The Fearow hit a tree and promptly squawked at the attacker. Ash followed the Fearow's eyes and there he saw in all her magnificent glory, Pidgeot.

"Pidgeot!"

The bird turned and chirped happily as her name was called by her trainer. Pidgeot then summoned gust to confine Fearow in one area and two butterfly Pokemon promptly let pollen and dust fall from their wings and the aggressive bird stopped flapping its wings and fell down to the ground – asleep.

Ash felt like crying when he saw a familiar yellow scarf around the neck of the Butterfree.

"Pikapika!"

Now, that the threat was dealt with, Pidgeot and the two Butterfree flew down towards, Ash. Ash didn't hesitate to welcome them by wrapping his arms around his two Pokemon, who were coincidentally his first captures.

Turning to Pidgeot, he muttered, "I'm sorry for taking so long, Pidgeot. I really am. Would you still come with me?"

Pidgeot let out a happy chirp and nuzzled Ash, despite Pidgeot being a lot taller than her trainer. Butterfree also clung onto Ash's head, his hat specifically, and let out a chirp of some sort.

"You want to come back, too, Butterfree?"

Butterfree nodded happily. The pink Butterfree, too, joined in as she circled Ash and Butterfree.

"Sure, no problem!"

Ash looked at Brock, "So this is it, huh?"

Brock with mist in his eyes, "Yeah."

Ash swallowed as he tried to not cry in front of his friend. Ash stared at Brock's eyes and smiled, albeit wobbly. He remembered all the times Brock had helped him since the start of his journey, cared for him, cook for him, and just by being there with him. Ash knew it was partly because of Brock that he had made it this far. Brock became the big brother that he never had.

"You can do it, Pokemon Doctor Brock."

Brock smiled. "Go for your dreams, you runt. I know you can do it, too, Pokemon Master Ash."

And with that they sealed it with their handshake, chuckling as they did so.

"Don't forget to come to dinner tomorrow, Brock. Mom would probably beat me up if you won't arrive."

Brock laughed.

"I'd never miss it for life."

"Mom? Mimey?"

Mr. Mime immediately went to the front door and received Ash, Pikachu, two Butterfrees and Pidgeot in the house. Mr. Mime let out a happy squeak to welcome them then fussed over Ash's stuff. Ash smiled at Mimey's antics and turned to Pidgeot and two Butterfrees.

"Well guys, you know your way to Professor Oak's ranch, right?" asked Ash, to which Pidgeot answered with a nod. "Great! Head over there and I'll see you around later when I come by. Bulbasaur's there, I know he can introduce you to the folks."

Pidgeot and the two Butterfrees nodded and flapped their wings to take off to the skies. Delia watched with pride as Ash sent off his Pokemon and realized that his baby, his young boy was now really growing up. Making her way to his son, she said, "Welcome home, Ash!"

Ash turned around and saw her mother with open arms and immediately, he and Pikachu wrapped their arms around Delia, hugging her tight.

"I'm home, Mom."

"Professor Elm?"

Now, this wasn't a sight you would normally be greeted in Professor Oak's laboratory. The two professors who were talking turned towards him. Indeed, Professor Oak and the timid, shy, but equally passionate professor with his distinct rimless glasses were there chatting with each other.

"Hey, Ash—"

Whatever it is the Johto professor had to say was cut by an equally excited voice who immediately tackled Ash as he made his way to the two experts in Pokemon.

"Lar, larvitar!"

Ash did a double take soon as he figured out who it was who tackled him for a hug. There in his tummy, a brown It was the egg who hatched in his care during his Johto journey. The small, green reptilian had a huge smile on his face as he was reunited with his caretaker after years of separation. Pikachu then greeted Larvitar to a dance.

"Long time no see, Ash. I see Larvitar has taken it upon him to greet you," Professor Elm said, a hint of amusement in his tone.

Ash chuckled. "Yeah, I guess so, Professor. But what are you doing with Larvitar here?"

"Well, Ash, lately Larvitar had been battling Pokemon after Pokemon in the Pokemon Preserve in Mt. Silver, wearing a cap made out of leaves and rock. The rangers contacted me to check this unnormal behavior and well Ash, from the hat he was wearing, I knew it was because of you since you cared for it when he was young and maybe wants to join you in a journey. His mom gave us the thumbs up, too."

Ash's eyes widened at this prospect then turned to Larvitar, "So, you like battling, huh? You wanna come with me?"

Larvitar's eyes burned with determination as he gave a nod to Ash. Ash scooped up Larvitar – with ease – and nuzzled him. The Rock Skin Pokemon basked in this and let out a pleased sound. Pikachu joined in his trainer and Larvitar. The two Professors looked at Ash and his Pokemon then to each other and smiled.

Ash looked up at Professor Oak and said, "Professor, think you can patch up Squirtle, Primeape, and Lapras? Well, I know Lapras is the leader of its pod now but do you have anything so that I can still catch up with him from time to time?"

"I'm glad you asked Ash. Well, we have these transceivers which can transport Pokemon from one place to another. We could find Lapras and give him one so that he can be with you and his pod. Squirtle and Primeape would not be a problem since they are in Kanto, don't worry Ash."

This brought a smile to Ash's face. "That's great, Professor! You're the best!"

Chuckling, Professor Oak, "No worries, my boy. Now, about your recent capture…"

Six people were sitting around the dining table of the Ketchum residence. It had been a tradition of theirs to eat out at dinner after Ash's journey ever since his first. Of course, Delia Ketchum was present, the woman that had the real power over them. She was both fear and kind incarnate. Professor Oak was there too who had served not only as mentor and a teacher to Ash and his friends, but also a grandfather-figure that Ash never had.

Brock, the ever-present older brother figure of Ash, was present, too, after making sure his family was alright back at Pewter. Tracey, a Pokemon watcher who briefly travelled with Ash in the Orange Islands and stayed in Pallet to be Professor Oak's assistant, was also present. And of course, Misty, who was now a successful gym leader to Cerulean Gym. No matter their busy schedules, they would actually allot time to spend with each other who had been sort of extended families.

"Gary wants to express his regret that he could not make it since he was still finishing things back in Sinnoh," Professor Oak said apologetically.

Delia sent the professor a warm smile. "Oh, no worries, Professor. I'm sure next time, he'll be here. Too bad, though."

They spent the time chatting with Ash and Brock's travel experiences in Sinnoh. Professor Oak and Delia exchanged worried glances and admonished Ash and Brock to try and be careful during their travels. Misty expressed that she wasn't sure why she was still shocked to hear Ash and Brock at the center of a world-cataclysmic event. Tracey seconded this with no reservations.

"About damn time, Ash," Misty said as they moved on to the topic of Ash catching a Legendary Pokemon. They all turned to Misty as she said this. The girl blushed at the sudden attention.

Ash asked, "What do you mean, Misty?"

"I mean, that well, you've been encountering Legendary Pokemon like it was just lunch for you. Most people don't see Ho-Oh when they first embark on their journey, you know, but you did. I daresay that you've seen every Legendary in the region you journey in to, saving them and the world most times. It was only a matter of time that you'd capture one or one who is willing to come with you."

There was silence as they let Misty's words sink in. It was true, though. It was crazy how Ash had seen Pokemon that most people don't see in their lifetime. It was awesome and scary at the same time. Professor Oak had chided himself for not believing Ash that he had seen Ho-Oh on his first day but now, it didn't seem crazy anymore.

"So, boys, do you have any idea what region to do next?" Delia asked, her question directed to Ash and Brock. Ash looked at Brock and Brock to him, sharing a knowing look and exchanged smiles.

Ash began, "Well, no. I have no idea where to go next, maybe I'll rest for a bit. As for Brock, well…"

Brock took this as his cue to continue the conversation.

"Well, Mrs. Ketchum, I'm not accompanying Ash to his next adventure," Brock said apologetically to the surprise of Delia, Professor Oak, Tracey, and Misty. Misty, in particular, was shell-shocked. Brock was the one who joined Ash the longest and the prospect of him not being with Ash made her worried.

"Why?" Tracey asked the question that was in everyone's minds.

Brock turned to him. "Well, Tracey, I figured that it's time to pursue my own dream, too. It's not as if I wanted to stop travelling with Ash, it actually leaves me broken. If I could have done that without leaving Ash, I would have. As it stands, being a Pokemon Doctor requires me to stay in one place and devote my hours studying."

Delia clasped her hands to her mouth, tears pooling in her eyes. Brock became alarmed at the sight of this, so did Ash and Misty. Before anyone could say something, she reached out to Brock's hand and held it tightly.

"I'm proud of you, Brock, that you are now chasing your dream!"

Everyone was stunned for a moment.

Delia prodded, "You are now all my family, and you Brock, another one of my sons. For all the help you gave, Ash, I'm sure he thinks of you as a big brother that he never had. Remember that you're one of the reasons that Ash is who he is today, and I couldn't help but be prouder. I don't even know how to thank you. In the near future, you'd come here and dine with us as a doctor."

Brock's eyes widened and watered as he stared at Delia. Ash blushed when Delia said that he thought of Brock as a big brother – it wasn't a lie per se, but he was embarrassed that her mom had exposed that to everyone in the room. Misty promptly stood up and hugged both Ash and Brock from behind.

"Indeed, Brock. Tell you what, I could fill out a recommendation to a university of your choice, of course, or I could recommend you to the best university in Kanto. We can discuss this in the following days of course," Professor Oak added.

Brock shot Professor Oak a grateful look and returned Misty's hug so that Misty can go back to her seat. He had never felt so at home than he did now at the Ketchums. Of course, he has his nuclear family back at Pewter but he also had this family in Pallet. "Thank you, everyone. I strive to make you all proud."

Everyone beamed at this.

Professor Oak grinned. "I'm sure you will, Brock. Now, I have an offer to everyone. Next next week, I will meet a colleague of mind in the field in the Unova region and I have tickets for everyone. So, what do you say for a vacation?"

There was only one answer.

This chapter's summary is me making ways to get Ash to reunite with some of his familiar Pokemon.