Epilogue: The End of a Journey Ash smiled hugely as he held up his Champion Trophy. It felt amazing to be a Pokemon Master, alongside Pikachu and his other Pokemon. Now that he was the greatest master in the world, nothing was going to hold him back. Nothing was going to keep him from glory forever. And that’s why he and Pikachu went into hiding. Ash could not lose his status as Pokemon Master. But during his journeys he realized that with pokemon there was always a chance that someone could be better than you. One day his dream could be taken away from him. Under no circumstances did Ash want this to happen to him. So he left his family, his friends, and his home behind for good. At least it felt like that to his son, Ike Ketchum. Ike never got to know his father, the Pokemon Master. He’d only seen him in pictures. He knew only of his father’s achievements, and the superficial things he was told about the man. “Your father is a very caring person.” Or, “Your father loves pokemon very much.” Or, what he heard the most, “Your father is a phenomenal pokemon trainer.” Ike’s mother was the worst of all. “Your father loves you very much.” Ike didn’t believe that for one second. The only thing Ike’s father loved was his rotten old Pikachu. If Ike’s father loved him, he would be there beside him, teaching him how to be a great pokemon trainer. But he was gone “somewhere” with his darling Pokemon doing “important” things, things that didn’t involve Ike at all. Ike knew a lot about pokemon. He knew about all their strengths and weaknesses. He knew how to take care of them in an emergency; like when there was no Pokemon Center nearby. Although he had no pokemon of his own, he had practiced in battles many times with his mother, Ima. And even though people were always going on about how wonderful his father was, Ike thought his mother was one pretty tough customer herself. “Good morning,” Ima shouted one spring day. Ike pulled his blanket over his head. He knew he was going to have to have school after breakfast today, and he was not in the mood for it. “Oh, come on Ike! I made you a tasty breakfast..” Ike knew that was a lie. His mother was a terrible cook. “Look, you are going to get out of bed, or I am sending Raichu in here to give you a jolt!” Ike jumped out of bed immediately, his chili bowl hair a bedraggled mess. “I’m awake, I’m awake!” he yelled. “Are you happy?” “Happy is not the word I would use for it. But you’re up, and that’s what matters. Get out of those pajamas, and come down for breakfast. I made eggs.” Oh great, Ike thought. Not eggs. His mother’s eggs were wretched. Midway through breakfast, there was a ring at the doorbell. “Well,” Ima said with a smile. “Who could that be?” Ike shrugged. “I dunno,” he said as he choked down a spoonful of egg. “Well go answer the door and find out then!” Ima snapped. “Okay, okay,” Ike said defensively. Muttering under his breath, he went to the front door and opened it. Standing there was a man in a postal uniform. “I have here a package for a Mr. Ike Ketchum. Would that be you, sir?” “Of course it’s me, Daniel. What are you going on about?” Ike didn’t understand why adults played weird games like that. “Oh, ho Mr. Smarty pants! I guess you don’t want this then.” “Hand it over, Daniel! I don’t have all day long,” Ike huffed. “Geez, you celebrity kids are so hateful!” Daniel complained, handing over the small package. “I’ll need you to sign for this.” “Yeah, yeah,” Ike said, doing as he was bidden. “What have we got here?” Ima said, walking up behind Ike. “Who would send you a package?” “I dunno,” Ike said, an echo of himself. “Well open it.” Ima commanded. Ike did so. He was confused at what he found. There was a Pokeball inside, with a little lightning bold engraved onto it. There was also an envelope included inside. Ike hastily ripped it open. It was a letter. It read, To my only son, Ike, you are now old enough to be a Pokemon Trainer. I have been waiting for this your entire life. Although I could not be there to watch you grow, I know you are ready to begin a wonderful journey with pokemon. I have sent you a Pikachu so that you may follow in my footsteps, and maybe one day become the Pokemon Master of the world. Her name is Sasha. Train her with care and love. Love, Ash Ketchum Dad Ike’s head whirled. The man he most hated in the world had just given him the best gift he could’ve ever imagined.