Disclaimer: Don’t own Pokemon! A/N: Okay, here’s the epilogue for the story! I am actually currently debating whether or not to make yet another sequel…but that is still under heavy debate. For now, however, I think I will just focus on my other sequels. Enjoy! Epilogue 10 years later… “But Dad, how did you escape the rockslide?” 8-year old Andrew asked his father as he propped his elbows on the arm of the sofa. “Yeah, Dad, I mean, you should have been done for. What happened?” added 10-year old Aly. Ash chuckled at his two children, as they innocently awaited an answer to their questions. He could clearly remember that day as if it was yesterday and, though it brought back some painful memories, it had made him stronger and led him to the life he had now. Now, he led his life without the fear of losing loved ones to evil, he had two wonderfully energetic children, and married the girl of his dreams and love of his life. Though he knew life wasn’t always as happy as it was now, things had finally changed in his favor. Ten years ago, however, he would have thought happiness impossible. It had been ten years to the day that Aki and Marissa had been defeated…ten years since his own father sacrificed his powers to save Misty, and ten years since the start of his new life. He still kept the sacred sword, the cloak of purity, and the uniform with which he battled Aki, as a constant reminder of how precious life was. He smiled at his two children, his angels, and began to retell the story of his survival… An 18-year old Ash lay unconscious as an older couple gazed down upon him, worry etched on both their faces. It had only been about an hour since he had been found and no improvement had been made on his part. The injured trainer had yet to awake, but only muttering incoherently in his unconscious state. They did, however, find out that his name was Ashton Ketchum from a silver ring recovered in his jean pocket. “Poor thing,” sighed the elderly lady, “Dear, how is his Pikachu?” “Doing better,” replied an older man, obviously the woman’s husband, “I think it just needs some rest and--” “Pika pi,” squirmed Pikachu as it lay on a bed parallel to its fallen trainer. It hopped onto Ash’s bed and curled up next to an unconscious Ash, “Pikachu pi.” “Maybe we should take them both to the hospital,” pondered the lady. “Rose, you know he won’t make it if we try to transport him, besides, the nearest hospital and pokemon center are 50 miles away,” replied the man. “But Jonah, there must be something we can do for him,” urged Rose, dabbing more alcohol on the young trainer’s wounds. Rose was a retired nurse and a very respectable one at that while her husband, Jonah, was a retired pokemon surgeon. Both had extensive knowledge in injuries in both pokemon and humans, but neither had ever encountered something like this. The trainer, extremely injured, was found near the opening to the rock tunnel that connected this valley to the next. At his side, was an injured Pikachu and, several meters away, lay the trainer’s injured pokemon. A Charizard, Noctowl, Cyndaquil, Bulbasaur, and Snorlax were all sprawled out across the field seemingly in better shape than their battered trainer. Jonah, who had healed most of their wounds, returned them to their pokeballs reassuring all of them that their trainer would be okay. However, his injuries were far greater than he had originally anticipated. What the couple had deduced was that the young trainer was traveling through the tunnel and into the next town when the rock slide hit. His pokemon must have rushed him out of the tunnel before he was killed leading them to their current state. “I feel so helpless…” admitted Rose as she tended to the last of Ash’s injuries. “Dear, you’re doing everything you can for him. There’s not much more we can do at this point,” Jonah pointed out, “I think he may just need rest and plenty of time to recover.” “His poor mother must be worried sick about him…this is such a shame,” said Rose. “I’m sure everything will work out…” *** “What happened next Dad?” asked Andrew who was now on the edge of his seat. Ash smiled at his son and lifted him in the air and placed him on his lap. Ash thought about how he would express what had really happened after that fateful day. He knew he would refrain from telling them that their mother had faked her own death; Misty, he knew, would kill him if he subjected them to that. “Were you injured badly?” questioned Aly. Ash nodded his head in response and lifted his shirt slightly to reveal a scar spanning the width of his body. Aly cringed in digust, while Andrew touched the area thinking about how amazing his Dad was to have survived something so horrid. “Eww…Dad, that’s gross,” commented Aly. “No way, that’s totally cool Dad,” announced Andrew still touching the area in pure amazement. “It is not, it’s gross!” Aly retorted. “Is not! You’re just a wimp Aly!” argued Andrew defiantly. “What did you call me?!” yelled Aly, enraged at her younger brother’s words, “I’ll show you who’s a wimp!” “Hey, knock it off you two!” Misty had just walked into the room, arms folded and looking very stern at her two children. Misty’s glare that Ash had come to know and, at times, be afraid of made the two children shudder into silence. “Now, what is the big deal?” asked Misty. Both Aly and Andrew hid behind their father, knowing that he would save them from the wrath that was there mother. Ash, in turn, laughed knowing full well the fear that they were experiencing. “Ah, it’s nothing Mist. There just having a little spat; a little fighting never hurt anyone,” explained Ash, who was now holding Andrew’s tiny hand, “Except for when the fight is with you” he added silently to his children. Aly and Andrew giggled as their mother raised an eye at them, “I heard that.” Ash laughed nervously, hand behind his head uncomfortably. Though his wife tended to instill fear in his children, he knew she meant well. They had two beautiful children, perhaps future pokemon masters, and Ash couldn’t imagine a life without them. “You know I love you honey,” smiled Ash. “Of course,” Misty smirked playfully. She walked up to her husband and planted a gentle kiss on his lips. Though they expressed their feelings everyday in this fashion, Ash’s heart still skipped a beat whenever their lips met. Her kisses always reminded him of how he had almost lost her and the inner fight he endured to get her back. “Do you guys need to do that in front of us?” sighed Aly, arms crossed. “Yeah Dad, can’t you finish the story instead?” begged Andrew. “What story?” asked Misty as she sat down on the couch with the rest of her family. “About how I courageously braved the rock tunnel and single handedly survived Ak—I mean the dangers within the tunnel,” said Ash nervously. Ash and Misty vowed to never speak of Aki and Marissa in front of their kids for fear of exposing them to what they had to go through when they were young. Ash’s slip caused Misty to elbow him harshly in the arm. She shook her head as a response and awaited him to continue. “Besides, I don’t recall you single handedly doing anything,” teased Misty. “Well, maybe I had a little help--” “Pika!” Pikachu and Togetic had appeared from the kitchen over hearing the conversation at hand. Pikachu landed on Ash’s head in response and gave him a light tap on the head as if to refresh his memory while Togetic flew to Aly and landed on her shoulder. “From Pikachu and the others,” laughed Ash as Pikachu jumped to Andrew’s head in satisfaction. “So, uh, where were we?” Ash questioned, racking his brain to before the kids’ fight had ensued. “You were unconscious in that old couple’s cabin,” supplied Andrew brightly petting Pikachu behind the ear. “Yeah, and you were saying how your pokemon saved your life,” added Aly, who was gently tickling Togetic. Ash smiled at his children, knowing that someday they would be great pokemon trainers. Aly and Andrew had been exposed to pokemon at an early age and carried much of their parents’ love of the creatures. “Well, I was unconscious for about a week and…” *** “Jonah! Jonah, come quick! He’s waking up!” yelled Rose. Ash, who had been unconscious for about a week and surrounded by his pokemon, started to groan groggily. His eyes slowly opened as the light from the room filtered in and he tried to get a sense of his surroundings. “Pika pi!” squealed Pikachu, jumping into Ash’s open arms. “Pikachu,” whispered Ash hoarsely. He looked around the room and saw Noctowl, Bulbasaur, and Cyndaquil who, all at once, rushed his bed in a flurry of fur and feathers. Charizard and Snorlax popped their heads in from the open window and greeted their trainer with roars of excitement. “All of you…you saved me life,” Ash smiled, getting teary eyed, “I can never thank you enough.” “Pikachu pika pika!” “Cyndaquil!” “Bulba bulbasaur!” “Seems like your pokemon don’t believe you owe them anything young man,” smiled Rose from the corner of the room. She had backed off a bit to the let pokemon through and be reunited with their trainer. “W-Who are you?” asked Ash, rubbing the back of his head. “My husband and I,” she started, motioning to her husband who had just walked into the room, “found you about a week ago outside of the rock tunnel. You’ve been unconscious ever since.” “How are you feeling son?” asked Jonah, handing Ash a glass of water. “A little soar, but I think I’ll be okay. Thanks,” smiled Ash taking the glass from him. “My name is Jonah and this is my wife Rose,” he introduced, “You’re welcome to stay for as long as you like.” “Thanks. Oh, and my name’s Ash,” he said taking Jonah’s hand and shaking it. “It’s good to meet you Ash. Our home is your home if you’d like to stay,” offered Jonah. “Thank y--” A shooting pain swept Ash’s body as he felt his strength draining from him. It was then that he had noticed the bandaged wrapped around his torso and the many scratches and bruises on his arms and legs. “Ugh!” groaned Ash as he held his midsection. “Pika pi!” “I-I’m fine buddy,” reassured Ash weakly. “You’re still very weak Ash,” spoke Rose, “We’ve ordered more medicine and supplies from Cerulean City, so--” “Cerulean City!” breathed Ash, “Pikachu, we can’t stay here. We need to get to Misty!” Pikachu looked down at the ground, afraid to look its trainer in the eyes. The rest of the pokemon did the same, knowing something Ash didn’t. “What’s wrong with all of you? We need to get out of here,” urged Ash, lifting the sheets from off of his bed. “Pikachu pi…” “Excuse me, but you wouldn’t happen to mean the Misty of Cerulean City, the gym leader?” asked Jonah, a look of worry on his face. *** “Um, Ash, sweetie,” poked Misty, reminding her husband of their vow to exclude that part of their lives. “Oh right…” smiled Ash nervously, but he still couldn’t help thinking of the moment that changed his life forever… *** “Yes, that’s her. Why what’s going on?” asked Ash, scared to find out the answer. “I’m sorry son,” sighed Jonah, reaching for the remote control of the television. “W-What do you mean?” whispered Ash shakily, not liking the tension in the room. They all knew something he didn’t. Had Aki and Marissa gotten her? Was he too late? “She’s…she took her own life yesterday,” answered Rose morbidly. “N-No…” Ash’s voice was caught in his throat and he felt his world stop. It couldn’t be true…she wouldn’t do something like this, not his Misty. He needed to see it for himself. “W-Why?” he stuttered, tears threatening to fall. “See for yourself,” sighed Jonah as he turned the television on. It was the news and what seemed to be a live report in front of the Cerulean gym. Ash could clearly see Daisy, Lily, Violet, and Togepi crying next to the news reporter. “If you’re just tuning in, we’re live at the Cerulean City gym where, Misty, the youngest of the four Cerulean sisters, has taken her own life,” the reporter paused before turning to Daisy, “I know you all must be hurting inside, how are you all coping with the loss?” Daisy wiped the tears away before answering, “We’re in a complete state of shock,” she whispered, “Misty was our sister, our baby sister, and we’d do just about anything to have her back now.” “I’m so sorry for your loss girls,” sighed the reporter though he didn’t look sorry, “Can you tell us if your sister had a history of psychological problems?” “Psychological problems?!” yelled Lily, “Misty had no problems! The only problem she had was giving her heart to the man of her dreams, and now he’s gone too!” The reporter was taken aback by Lily’s remarks and stepped back a bit. “Yeah, he died in the rockslide…she was never the same,” said Violet timidly. “Who died?” asked the reporter, temporarily forgetting that he was still on the air. “Ash, the love of her life,” replied Violet, “When he died, it was like a part of her died with him. She couldn’t go on living…” “Oh, I see…” remarked the reporter, feeling sorry for the girls, “Uh, we’ll have more coverage in the next couple of days. Stay tuned for information regarding the funeral.” Ash simply stared at the screen blankly. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing, nor did he want to believe it. Misty wouldn’t do it… “No…” cried Ash, “No! Why did you do that Mist?! I’m alive…I’m okay…” “Pika pi…” Ash pounded his fists into the bed sheets, angry at himself for his weakness and thinking that Aki and Marissa had won. This must have been their plan from the start; separate them, cause the rockslide, then bring down Misty. They must have known he’d be weak without her…that without her, he would not be able to fight…and they were right. Jonah and Rose, seeing the anguish on the young trainer’s face, decided it best to leave him alone with his thoughts. It was obvious this girl meant more to him than they had originally thought and, now, they believed he needed to grieve. They closed the door behind them, leaving Ash with his pokemon. “Pikachu…she couldn’t have,” sobbed Ash, “She can’t be…” “Pikachu pi…” “I need to know for sure, I need to see it with my own eyes,” he stated getting out of the bed and throwing his shirt on. Despite the pain surging through his body, Ash ignored it and called back his pokemon, leaving Pikachu confused. “Pikachu pika?” “We’re going to Cerulean…I need answers,” he simply replied. Pikachu, jumping on its trainers shoulders, only nodded its head. Ash quickly scribbled a note of thanks for the elderly couple and left it on the night stand. Grabbing his backpack and pokeballs, he departed through the open window in search of some answers to the questions swirling about in his mind… *** “Dad? Earth to Dad? Did you hear me?” asked Andrew, waving a hand in front of his father’s face. “Huh? Oh, what was that?” Ash asked, shaking himself from his memories. “I said what happened after you realized you needed to find Mom?” inquired an eager Andrew. “Oh, well, I traveled to Cerulean City, found her, and we lived happily ever after,” smiled Ash, leaving the harsh truth from his son. “Oh, is that it?” shrugged Andrew, “I thought it would be something cool, like you had to fight your way into the gates of Cerulean from the bad guys that had kidnapped Mom and save her.” “Well, don’t you have quite the imagination,” smiled Misty lifting her son onto her lap. “Yeah, well, future pokemon masters need to have good imaginations, right Dad?” smiled Andrew. “You bet son,” laughed Ash as he ruffled his son’s hair. “Future pokemon masters also need to go to bed so they can get plenty of sleep,” hinted Misty. “Aww, can’t we stay up a bit longer, please Dad?” pleaded Andrew, hands clasped together. “It’s best you listen to your mother on this one kiddo,” replied Ash, “You too Aly.” Aly stretched out and let out a long yawn, realizing how tired she had been. “Okay, Dad,” she yawned, walking towards the stairs, “Night Mom.” “Goodnight,” smiled Misty, her eyes following her daughter up the stairs. “Night Dad,” chirped Andrew hugging his father, “Night Mom,” he added, kissing Misty on the cheek. “Goodnight,” said Ash and Misty simultaneously. Once the doors to the kids’ rooms had been slammed shut, Misty stood, stretching out a bit. “Well, I suppose we should get to bed too,” yawned Misty. Ash stood up next to her and let out a yawn, “Yeah, I’m exhausted.” Ash grabbed Misty’s hand and led her up the stairs and into their room where they prepared for bed. “Ash?” spoke Misty who was now gently combing her hair. “Yeah?” “Do you ever think of that day…after you woke up from the rockslide?” she asked, turning to face him. Ash looked up at his wife, noticing the sullen look on her face. “Of course I do…” he whispered, “It was the day I thought I had lost you.” Misty simply nodded, “It’s really over, isn’t it? Aki and Marissa I mean…they’re really gone?” “With ten years of silence I would think so,” smiled Ash. “But even after seven years, they still came back,” she whimpered softly. Ash stared at her questioningly. Lately, she had been acting strange, reliving the past and worrying about the evils of ten years ago. Ash walked over to Misty and gently lifted her chin up to face him. “Misty, what’s wrong?” breathed Ash. Silent tears started to make their way down her delicate face, but she made no attempt to wipe them away. Ash, instead, embraced her in a tight hug. “I’m just afraid that if they come back…there’s much more at stake this time,” she cried, looking at a photo of her, Ash, and the kids, “I don’t know if I could do it again.” “Shh…it’s okay Mist, it’s alright to be afraid sometimes, but we can’t let fear lead our lives,” explained Ash, who was rubbing Misty’s back comfortingly, “Together, we’re strong. We’ll be okay, I promise.” Misty simply nodded her head and buried her face into Ash’s chest, “You’re fearless aren’t you?” “No, I’m not,” he sighed, “My memories scare me, but I snap out of it and realize what I have in front of me and everything seems better. Besides, I can’t show fear in front of the kids. As their parents, we need to be strong for them.” Misty nodded in understanding, knowing what Ash was referring to. “I always remember the time I traveled to Cerulean after I had heard about y-you’re death,” he paused before continuing, “I remember needing to be at that funeral, if only to prove to myself that you were really gone. I disguised myself so my presence wouldn’t cause a disturbance. I remember seeing Brock and your sisters heartbroken, that’s when I knew it must have been true.” “I’m glad it wasn’t” smiled Misty. “Me too,” added Ash. Ash lifted a surprised Misty into his arms and plopped her down on their bed gently. After crawling in next to her, he propped his elbow on his pillow and stared into her eyes. “What is it?” she smiled. He shook his head in response and sat up, taking her hands in his. “Misty, I’m going to make you a promise, right here right now,” he whispered. Misty had never seen Ash look at her the way he was staring at her now. His gaze never wavered as he attempted to show her how much he loved her through his stare alone. He wanted to let her know that everything would be okay, that he would protect them at all costs, and that his family was the most important thing in his life. “What is it?” “Misty, you know I love you more than anything in the world and nothing will ever change my love for you,” he paused and held her face gently in his hands, “God help me I will do whatever I can to protect you and those kids from harm, but you need to trust me.” “God Ash, you know I trust you more than anyone,” she whispered back, trying desperately to hold back her tears, “I just-I’m just so scared. I don’t want to lose this…everything we’ve worked so hard for, everything we’ve based our love around is right here.” Ash nodded knowing that she was right. They had worked so hard to recover from Aki’s wrath and, Ash knew, their recovery was only possible because of their endless love for each other. He too was still apprehensive about Aki, but would never let Misty on to his worries. It would only worry her further and that was the last thing they needed. They had a family now that needed their full attention and nothing would ever allow him to turn his back on them. “Mist, I am here for you. I’m your shoulder to cry on, your other half,” he breathed, as he kissed her neck passionately in an attempt to make her forget her worries, “I’m yours forever…” “Ash…” she lightly moaned, loving the feel of his lips on her exposed skin. She had begun to run her fingers through his hair and gently whispered in his ear, “I love you.” Breathing slightly harder than he had before, Ash nodded in response drinking in Misty’s very being. She was the most beautiful girl in the world and nothing was going to stop him from protecting her and their children. “I love you too…more than anything in the world,” he whispered, pulling the covers over the two of them and beginning their nightly ritual. As Ash and Misty began their night of passion, they both knew in their hearts the love they held for one another. It was this love and passion that would allow them to move on, to believe that a life existed beyond Aki, beyond his evil. With their children’s lives to consider, they both knew that love would keep them safe and help them find a way to make everything alright. The End…(or is it?)… A/N: Muwahaha! Lol! So there you have it, I’m finally done after many long months of writers block and the like lol! I hope you guys liked it and look out for my sequel to Dangerous Love. AAML for life!