Chapter 112: An Alolan Family Wedding

A week after their trip to the past, Ash and his friends were headed to Alola for Brock and Olivia's wedding.

"I can't believe it, Brock's finally getting married!"

"Finally?"

Ash chuckled, remembering all of the times Brock had tried flirting with a girl.

"Let's just say he hasn't been lucky with love before."

"Hey guys, over here!"

Brock was waiting for them at the airport, and waved them down.

"Hey guys, glad you could make it!"

"Are you kidding? There's no way I'd miss you getting married, especially if I'm the best man!"

"Congrats, Brock."

Brock chuckled, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"Thanks, guys. Who'd have thought I'd get this far?"

"Hey, you made a move on every girl you met. One of them had to land, right?"

"Goh!"

"What? That's just what Ash told me!"

"Ash!"

"What? It's true! He got dragged away by Misty or Max so much I thought his ear would fall off."

Brock laughed.

"Yeah, but could you maybe not mention that around Olivia? I'm not exactly proud of that."

"Sure. So who all is here?"

"Misty, Dawn, Zoey, Cilan, the Professors, and all the Trial Captains and Kahunas. May had a contest, Max can't make it because of the Unova League starting, and I don't know the rest of your friends all that well, but they all give me their regards."

"What about your family? Shouldn't they be here?"

Brock shook his head.

"They wanted to come, but they couldn't get flight arrangements made for all of them."

"That's a bummer."

"It's okay, we'll have a private ceremony when we visit Pewter. Besides, we thought it'd be best to keep it small."

The quartet nodded in understanding.

"Come on, let me show you where it's all going to go down!"

"No, no, no! The flower arch needs to be centered! Centered, do you hear me?"

"Yeah, yeah."

When they reached the beachfront where the wedding would be held, they found Misty barking orders at everyone, gesturing wildly with one hand before marking things off on her clipboard.

"You let Misty plan your wedding?"

"Not quite. She pretty much showed up and made herself the planner, and wouldn't take no for answer."

Ash chuckled.

"Yep, that's Misty for you."

As they walked over to her, they could see her angrily scribbling down something on her clipboard.

"Hey Misty, need any help?"

"No!"

Everyone flinched, but relaxed when Misty turned around to see she was just talking into an earpiece.

"I need the wedding cake here by tomorrow morning! Don't take that tone with me, I have at least two people who could cook a better cake in their sleep, and one of them is the groom!"

With that, Misty hung up her call, her face shifting to a more happy expression when she saw Ash.

"Ash! Long time no see! And Lillie, you're looking great!"

"Thank you!"

"And you must be Goh and Chloe! It's nice to meet you."

"Same here! Ash told us all about you."

"Yeah, you're exactly like Ash described you."

Misty just glared at said boy, who sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.

"Thanks for all of this, Misty," Brock said, trying to defuse the tension. "Olivia and I really appreciate it."

"Of course! It's only fair, considering I almost ruined your first date."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Ash offered, but misty shook her head.

"Thanks, but I've got it. Besides, you have a best man speech to work on, Mister!"

Ash chuckled. He'd almost forgotten about that part.

"Oh yeah…"

"Don't worry, Ash," Brock said. "I'm sure no matter what you say, it'll be great."

"Thanks, Brock."

Misty then started to shoo Ash away.

"Cilan should be done for now, why don't you go catch up?"

"Alright!"

"Hey, why don't we come with you! I haven't met him yet!"

But before Goh could follow Ash, Misty pulled him back.

"Oh no you don't! Make yourself useful and go help set the tables for the reception."

"What? Why do I have to work?"

"Because you're not the best man!"

Chloe and Lillie giggled, but Misty wasn't done yet.

"Don't think you're getting off scot free! We need to make sure your dresses fit."

The two other girls sighed. It was going to be a long day.

Later that night, Ash sat in his hotel room, trying to put together a speech. Pikachu was sitting on the desk looking over what he had written…which wasn't very much at all.

"Pika?"

"Gah, why is this so hard? I'm the Alola Champion, but I can't combine a few words into a paragraph?

Pikachu patted his arm sympathetically, but the gesture did little to help. Ash sighed, and leaned back in his chair.

"I just wish this was easier. Brock's always been there for me when I needed him. Every time I got upset over losing a league, or whenever Paul got me riled up, he was there to listen. He's like the brother I never had, and…"

Suddenly, a jolt of inspiration hit him, and he began frantically writing everything that came to his mind. Pikachu tilted his head curiously, wondering what Ash was thinking of. At last, Ash finished, tired but triumphant.

"Alright, done! What do you think, buddy?"

Pikachu scrutinized the paper before flashing him a thumbs up.

"Pika!"

"Thanks, buddy! I just hope Brock will like it."

The next day came sooner than anyone was ready for. Misty paced the altar back and forth, checking her clipboard and her watch every few seconds. At last, Brock had to speak up.

"Misty, you're more worried about this than I am, and I'm the one getting married. Breathe."

"I know, I just want everything to be perfect! You're my best friend, and you deserve the best!"

"Hey, what about me?"

"What about you?" Misty said playfully, earning her a smile from Ash. At last, the wedding march began, and Olivia made her way down the aisle. Brock smiled and took her hands in his as she joined him, Dawn, Zoey, and Mallow on her side and Ash, Goh, and Cilan on Brock's. Once everyone was seated, Hala began his speech.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of these two people in marriage…"

But at long last, it was time for them to say their vows. Brock went first.

"Olivia, I've always been a romantic, as any of my friends will be happy to tell you. But until I met you, I never knew real love, I was just in love with the idea of it. But when I met you, sparks flew like I never thought possible. My love for you is as strong as our Pokemon, and I promise to prove that to you every day."

Olivia smiled, tears running down her face. Her vows were shorter, but no less impactful.

"Brock, from the moment I met you, I felt a connection. You're caring, a good listener, and above all an amazing cook! I love you too, Brock, and you've made me the happiest person in the world."

"Brock, do you take Olivia to be you lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do."

"And Olivia-"

"I do, now hurry up!"

Hala chuckled.

"Then by the power vested in me by Tapu Koko, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Brock didn't need to be told twice, scooping Olivia into his arms and dipping her back as he kissed her passionately, everyone cheering for the happy couple.

Misty gave an exhausted sigh as she slumped over in her chair, accepting the plate of food Cilan offered her.

"Thanks, Cilan. Sorry I asked you to do this on short notice, the caterers had to bail."

"It's no problem," Cilan assured her. "I do own a restaurant, after all. I just hope Brock and Olivia don't mind the cake being a little untraditional."

"It's fine, really," Olvia assured them. "You guys did so much to make our wedding day amazing, thank you."

At last, it was time for the toasts. Everyone went around, talking about how happy they were for them and wishing them a long and happy marriage. At long last, it was Ash's turn. Taking a deep breath, he stood up and began.

"I've known Brock for years, almost as long as I've known Misty. And over those years, I've seen first hand his…luck with the girls, as it were. I won't go into detail, but he had determination, I have to give him that!"

Everyone, even Brock and Olivia, laughed at that.

"But that's the thing that's so great about Brock: he never gives up. No matter what he set his mind to, be it taking care of his siblings, being a Pokemon Doctor, or finding love, he never gave up, no matter what obstacle was thrown in his way. And in our years together, I found his determination rubbing off on me. So Brock, thank you for inspiring me to never give up either. I wish you and Olivia a long and happy marriage!"

Ash raised his glass in toast, as did everyone else. But the groom remained silent as he walked over to Ash, his face stoic.

"Ash…"

"Yeah, Brock?"

Suddenly, the older man threw his arms around Ash, crying tears of joy as he hugged him.

"That was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard!"

Ash chuckled sheepishly.

"Um…thanks."

Later at sunset, Brock and Olivia were getting ready to depart for their honeymoon. Olivia was ready to toss the bouquet, and all of the girls were lined up ready to catch.

"Alright, ready? 1..2…3!"

Olivia tossed the bouquet into the air, watching it soar as everyone tried to grab it…

Only for it to land in Ash's unsuspecting hands, the boy startled when he felt it hit. Lillie smiled, and kissed his cheek.

"I guess we're getting married next."

Ash blushed, and everyone laughed as the newlyweds departed. All in all, it had been a very fun day.