Chapter 26 – Love falls! The end of Ashachu x Hunter

Slateport City – Two days later…

The Ocean Liner Iran had arrived in Slateport City at 11:30am that morning. It would set sail at quarter to two that afternoon to the north, would make a brief call at Lilycove city around four in the morning, and then make the crossing to Vermilion city in Kanto.

She was a large vessel of 100,000 tonnes, capable of transporting passengers and cargo at an average of 22 knots. With their passage secured, Ash, Jimmy and their Pokémon would be back in their native regions within three days.

The decision had not been easy, but both Cameron and Ash had come to the silent understanding that it was best they part ways. There are some things that even the strongest of bonds will be unable to get over…

And Cameron's mate attacking Ash's kit was certainly one of them.

Today was the first time the boys had really spoken since the incident with Team Rocket in Petalburg City, and would likely be the last time for a while. The two were still on good enough terms to manage it, even if they both knew the friendship was broken.

They had chosen a coffee shop in the Slateport market, that promised good quality coffee and sweet pastries. Ash had a cafe mocha. Cameron had ordered a pot of tea. There was a plate of croissants, danishes, toast, butter and Jam on the table as well, which quickly got demolished.

It was nice – almost like old time, except for the awkwardness between them…

"Ash," Cameron said sincerely after they had both sat down, but before the food arrived. "I just wanted to tell you; how sorry I am for everything that happened. I'm really sorry that Lucario attacked Ashachu like that. And I'm sorry that I flipped out at you like that."

Ash gave him a weak smile. He could tell Cameron meant every word. He could see from the look of distress in his eyes that he regretted everything, probably more than he did. "It's okay Cameron," he replied. "I understand."

"No, it's not okay," Cameron continued. "What I did was wrong. What Lucario did was very wrong. I should never had let it happen. Ashachu didn't deserve to suffer like that. And I just hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me." He sighed before laying his head in his hands on the table. "I'm just really sorry!"

Ash reached out and put his hand on Cameron's. A small gesture of affection, that made Cameron look up and him and stare him in the eye. Ash noticed the tears in his eyes. "Cameron, I accept your apology. You don't need to keep saying it. And I'm sorry too. What happened was as much my fault as yours. I should have paid more attention to Ashachu's feelings. I should have kept a better eye on him. I never should have let him wander off with Team Rocket. Honestly I feel like the worst trainer in the world."

Cameron shook his head. "You're not. You're really not Ash. I don't think I've ever met anyone as kind and brave and loving towards Pokémon as you. You'll always be a great trainer in my books."

Ash let out a little snort of laughter. "Thanks."

"I mean, I'm the one who let his Pokémon go on a rampage like that. If anyone's the worst trainer in the world. It's me."

Ash squeezed Cameron's hand. "Maybe we should agree that we both screwed up. And that we both have a long way to go in learning about Pokémon and being better trainers."

The food and drinks came – the waiter giving the two boys and odd look as the laid the tray on the table. However, the sugary food and drink quickly lifted spirits, and Ash and Cameron were able to hold a more friendly conversation.

"So, what's going to happen to Blade," Cameron asked, pouring himself a cup of tea from the pot before taking a sip.

Ash shrugged. "I'm not sure. To be honest, I don't really care after he what he did to Ashachu. He'll probably be sent back to the Aether Foundation. Nurse Joy has him sedated in the Pokémon centre where he won't be able to attack Ashachu again."

He took a swing of his mocha and sighed. "Whatever happens I'll be sure that he never goes near Ashachu again."

"What about Hikari?"

"From what he said yesterday, I think Hikari doesn't want anything to do with Blade. Which is probably for the best. I haven't had a chance to talk to him about it yet." Ash set his cup down and stared into it, hoping the foam might contain an answer. "Maybe Pikachu or Snivy could have that conversation with him."

"Are you worried about that Darkrai…What's his name…Darkness," asked Cameron.

"Shadow," Ash corrected him.

"Oh yeah!"

Ash bit his lip. "Yeah, I am actually. When we were at Aether Paradise the last time, Lusamine promised she had him locked up and that he couldn't escape. But, you never know." He shivered slightly, and a took another sip of his drink to calm his nerves. "We've beaten Darkrai before. I guess I'll have to do it again."

"I guess there's no reason to think that Blade will ever actually see that Darkrai again if he's going back to the Aether Foundation. So, there's no way he'd ever know, right?" Cameron suggested.

"I don't know," Ash replied. "He did track us down the last time." He brushed the thought from his mind. "I'm going to listen to Ashachu this time. I'll keep an eye on him, and find out if he's having nightmares. I am not going to let Darkrai hurt him again, that I can promise you."

Ash picked a danish and started munching on it. It was delicious – crisp on the outside, soft layered pastry, thick creamy custard in the centre and a drizzle of fondant on top. It instantly made him feel better, even with murderous Darkrai's on the mind. He decided to change the topic again. "So, what will you do now Cameron?"

For the first time since they had sat down, Cameron grinned. "Oh, you know me Ash. Lucario, Hunter and I are going to collect the rest of the gym badges and take on the Hoenn league."

The boy's enthusiasm brought a genuine smile to Ash's face. In spite of everything Cameron hadn't lost his determination and spirit.

Cameron's face fell as he then added, "What about you?"

"Not sure yet. I'm going back to Pallet Town to think things over." In honesty, Ash didn't think he could continue to travel without patching his relationship up with Ashachu first. He didn't feel he deserved to call himself a trainer while his bond with his own kit was so broken. On top of that Ashachu was still injured, and would need time to recover.

"That's a shame. I was kind of hoping we could enter the Hoenn League together. I still haven't had a chance to pay you back our last battle," said Cameron.

"Hahaha." Ash laughed. "I'd like to see you try." And in that small movement the events of the last few days were entirely forgotten and it was as if they were back to their usual rivalrous selves.

That ended however when Cameron said, "Ummm, so how is Ashachu?"

"He's okay," said Ash, his tone dropping back from joyful to sombre. "Blade's claw went into him really deep and he lost a lot of blood, but Nurse Joy says he'll be okay. He just needs time to rest. Pikachu's with him now. He'll take care of him."

"And what about…"

"I'll talk to him when he's feeling better. And we'll work this whole thing out." Ash let out a long sad sigh. "Like I said, this is all at least partly my fault."

"I told you we should have gone looking for that Sneasel back in Po Town," said Cameron. "If we'd found him first, none of this would have happened."

Ash pulled a face and shook his head. "Maybe. Nobody can for sure. Besides, I still think Jimmy's right about that. It would be too dangerous." He didn't really want to have that conversation, as he felt it might lead to an argument, so he asked instead, "What about Hunter. How's he."

He realised too late, that was probably also a bad topic as well…

Cameron bit his lip before answering. "Look, I got to be honest Ash, he's still really upset. He's spent most of the last few days in his Pokéball, not wanting to anyone. Lucario had a talk with him last night and he balled his eyes out." He took a sip of tea and looked away from Ash.

Ash crammed another pastry into his mouth to avoid having to say anything – at that moment he couldn't think of anything to say.

Cameron swallowed his tea and continued. "To be honest, he's still really upset about what Ashachu…ummm, what happened. He regrets telling Ashachu that he hated him, but I don't think he'll just be able to go back to being friends with him. Lucario says time a part the best thing for him and Ashachu, right now."

Ash nodded, his heart sinking. "That's such a bummer. They were such good friends. Ashachu's going to be devastated. It'll break his heart."

For a second a scowl crossed Cameron's face. He wanted to retort that this was, effectively, Ashachu's fault. That Ashachu had played fast and loose with Hunter's heart until it has shattered in his paws. That Ashachu was the one how had betrayed Hunter by joining Team Rocket in the first place.

But he bit it back, not wanting to start a fight. Not if this was the last time they would be together for probably a very long time after. Instead, he said, "I'm sure he'll come round eventually. Lucario says he just needs some time."

"Let's hope," said Ash.

"So, where's Jimmy," asked Cameron. "Why didn't he come with us."

"He said he needed to visit the Pokémart before we left," Ash replied.

The two boys ate their way through the plate of danishes and toast and ordered two more cups of coffee. By then it was getting closer to midday and the time when Ash would need to be at the Harbor.

He stood up, preparing to leave. "Well Cameron," he said offering him his hand. "It's been really fun travelling with you. Thanks for everything man."

Cameron beamed at him. "Any time bud," he replied, taking Ash's hand. "I'll come with you to the Harbor. I want Hunter to be able to say a proper goodbye to Ashachu."

Ash raised his eyebrows. "Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, you did say."

"Yeah, I think so. Hunter won't attack him or anything…I just want to give him the opportunity to say goodbye and maybe explain things," said Cameron. "That way there won't be any regrets later…Might leave Lucario in his Pokéball"

[Pokémon]

HONNNNNK! HOOOOONNNNNK!

The sound of the Iran's horn echoed throughout the Harbor. This was the five-minute signal – a warning to passengers; get onboard or we're leaving without you. Luckily our heroes were ready to depart, standing on the dockside beside the gangplank leading up to the ship.

There was just one thing left to do…

"Well Hunter," said Cameron kneeling down beside his Riolu. "Is there anything you want to say!"

For the first time since they had met up again, Hunter forced himself to look at Ashachu. He couldn't help but feel a sense of pity and affection as he looked at his former best friend and lover, lying in Ash's arms with his lower half in bandages.

Ash set Ashachu down on his feet so he was level with Hunter. So, the two could look each other in the eye.

"Hunter," said Ashachu. He knew this was the last time he would get to see Hunter. Pikachu had told them they were leaving. Now was the last chance he had to mend their relationship. "I…"

But Hunter cut him off. "Ashachu stop." The affection in Hunter's heart was quickly extinguished when he heard Ashachu's voice. He didn't want to hear another apology. Another attempt to mend what couldn't be fixed…at least not so easily.

"I can't," Ashachu continued. "Hunter…I don't want to lose you. You're my best friend." He sniffled feeling the tears pushing against his eyes. "I-I love you."

Hunter sighed. "We've been over this Ashachu. If you really loved me, you wouldn't have jointed Team Rocket."

Ashachu opened his mouth to retort, but Hunter held up a paw to silence him. "And I don't want to hear anything about how you jointed Team Rocket because of fear of losing me, that's just going to make it worse. We don't have long so listen to me. If you truly love me then you'll listen to what I have to say now."

Ashachu opened his mouth for a second, then closed it again before nodding and saying, "alright, I'm listening Hunter."

"I'll start by saying that…first…I'm sorry I said that I hated you. I don't hate you. I still care for you Ashachu. But you betrayed me. You let Team Rocket tie me up and stuff me in a dark bag. You did nothing to stop it even though you knew I was afraid of the dark. Because of you I was kidnapped and taken from my family. And you did it all because you were jealous of Geyser."

"Hunter, I…" Ashachu started to protest but again Hunter held up his paw.

"Please Ashachu, let me finish."

Hunter took a deep breath before continuing. The words felt like a type of poison being expelled from him. It was costing him everything to keep going but he knew he had to say this. He owed Ashachu this explanation, no matter how much it hurt both of them. For only with this pain could there be healing.

"I'm a Riolu, I feel emotion and aura. I was attracted to you from the moment I hatched because I could sense the goodness and kindness in your aura. And that aura is still there today. But it's been corrupted. There's something dark, and mean and toxic in your aura now. And I feel it every time I'm near you. It's the part of you that made you join Team Rocket. There's light and dark within all of us Ashachu, but recently you've let the dark over power the light. I don't want to be with someone like that. Maybe one day the light will shine through again and on that day we can be friends again. But that is not today and it won't be anytime soon."

Ashachu coxed his head. "Hunter, what are you saying."

"I'm saying you've changed Ashachu, and right now I don't want to be with you anymore. And there's nothing you can say that will change that."

So, there it was. In his heart of hearts Ashachu had known this was the case, but hearing Hunter say it like that made it…official…final. Ashachu and Hunter's friendship was over. Their bond was broken.

Since the incident in the forest, Ashachu had been felt numb – As if his brain were protecting him from the pain the breakup was going to cause him. Now it broke through, an indescribable heartache. He collapsed to the ground, buried his head in is paws and cried.

Hunter just sighed. "Goodbye Ashachu," he said before turning and walking off.

"Err Hunter…Where are you going," Cameron called after him as he walked off along the dockside. He held up a hand at Ash. "One second!"

The ships horn rang out again…HOOONNNNK!

Jimmy, who had been standing at to side and being quite, now put a hand on Ash's shoulder. "Ash, we need to go…."

Ash nodded and let out a long sigh. "You're right. Come on Ashachu." He bent down and picked Ashachu up. Ashachu was too distraught to stop him or even notice.

"Pika." Pikachu patted him on the head as Ash raised him to chest height.

Ash was about halfway up the gangway, when something else happened. There was a loud POP as one of his Pokéballs burst open.

"Huh."

He spun around to see Geyser materialise before running down the gangway and after Hunter.

"Wait. Hunter! I need to talk to you!"

"Geyser," Ash shouted after him. "Get back here. We're going to. Oh no." He shook his head before pressing Ashachu into a bewildered Jimmy's arms and running down the gangway after the otter…