Always.

Disclaimer: I don’t own Pokémon. But I do own the tears that fell while I was writing this. (sob)

Summary: A sad little story about love lasting long after those involved have parted.

Speech. Misty Talking. Pokémon talking.

Part 1.

“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Amen.” “Amen.” The crowd parted and slowly made their separate ways back to their cars. One small group stopped and looked back at the only figures left standing by the fresh grave. “Ash, dear...” “You guys go ahead. I’ll catch up. I just need to, spend a bit more time, with her.” His voice cracked, betraying his emotions. Delia sighed. “Okay, dear. Come along Rayne, it’s time to go now.” This she said to the small, three-year-old red-haired girl standing next to her, holding her hand and staring back at Ash and the grave. “Okay, gramma. Where’s mummy gone?” Delia sighed deeply. “To a better place, darling. Where she’ll be happy.” Rayne looked up at her, olive eyes shining brightly. “But, wasn’t she happy here?” Delia smiled sadly. “Yes, incredibly happy. But now she’s someplace where she doesn’t have to worry about anything, where’s there’s no pain, and everyone gets along.” Rayne looked back towards her father. “Oh. Will daddy be going too?” “No dear, not for a long time.”

Ash stood, staring down at the dirt that had so recently covered the light of his life. Beside him, wearing a small black ribbon on each ear, was Pikachu, who sighed deeply. “Piii-ka, Pikachu-pi.” “I know, Pikachu. I just wish,...” he trailed off as the tears started to fall yet again. “Wow, I didn’t think I’d get such a turn-out. Who’d a thought so many people actually cared.” Ash and Pikachu turned. Standing next to them, glowing slightly, was Misty. “Mi-Misty?!” Ash croaked in shock. Pikachu’s fur stood on end. <Ash, she’s a,... she’s not really here.> Misty smiled. “Pikachu’s right, Ash. Well, I AM here, just, not.” She said, pointing at the freshly turned earth at their feet. Ash wiped the tears out of his dark brown eyes. “Oh. Misty, why’d you have to...” Misty shrugged. “My time, I guess.” She glanced at him out the corner of her eye. “Didn’t I always tell you bugs were evil? Damned Beedrill.” She sighed. “Oh well, at least the pain is gone now.”

Misty looked over at where Delia was slowly leading Rayne away to a waiting car. “Rayne seems to have taken it pretty well.” Ash smiled briefly. “Yeah, she’s tough, like you.” Misty shrugged. “Either that, or she doesn’t really understand what’s going on. You’ll have to explain that to her one day, you know.” Ash nodded. “Yeah, I know.” He sighed and wiped his eyes again. “I just wish, that I could see you again. That this never happened, you know?” Misty smiled. “I know. And don’t worry, you’ll see me again. I’m always gonna be here, right next to you. Especially in the shower.” She grinned, blue eyes sparkling cheekily. “And I’m gonna be right next to Rayne too. Just don’t let her take over the whole house, okay Ash? At least try to teach her right from wrong?” Ash nodded. “Okay, but it’s gonna be hard without you...” Misty shook her head. “Didn’t you listen? I said I’ll always be here next to you. If you’re ever in doubt about what to do, just ask me, okay?” “But, how...?” “Just trust me, I’ll find a way to tell you what you need to know.” Ash nodded.

A silence fell across as a chilly wind began to blow, tossing Ash’s thick messy black hair about. It had no obvious effect on Misty’s long orange hair. “Misty?” “Yeah Ash?” he shuffled his feet nervously. “Do you, still, love me?” Misty smiled and pointed at her headstone. “What that say?” Ash looked up. “Huh? Oh, um, ‘Always’.” Misty nodded. “Well, there you are then.” Ash looked at her as she began to fade from view. “Past present, and future, I’ll always love you, Ash Ketchum.” Her voice echoed gently on the wind. Ash smiled and turned to leave. “Come on Pikachu, we should go.” <Okay. Bye Misty.> Pikachu paused and looked back sadly before following his trainer to where their friends were waiting.

Okay, I know, that was sad. I had trouble seeing the screen through my own tears. Misty’s bits are written in ‘Monotype Corsiva’, which I found in my computer. It seemed to fit...

PROFESSOR WOLFSBANE.

18 Sep. 09.