ALWAYS.

Disclaimer: I don’t own Pokémon. Leave it at that.

Summary: True Love can last a lifetime, and beyond.

Speech. Ghostly Talking. Pokémon talking.

Part 6.

Three years later...

Ash waved goodbye as Rayne walked down the path, leading a small brown-haired boy along. “Wave goodbye to grandpa...” “Ba-bye!” “See you next week, Rayne. Behave yourself, Jace.” “Okay, grampa!” “See ya, dad!” Ash closed the door, shuffled to the living room and slowly sat down on the couch. “Sweet little grandson we’ve got, huh?” “Yeah... he’s great. Bright too.” Misty giggled. “Obviously didn’t get that from his grandpa...” she sighed and looked at him, sitting slumped in a chair. All the life and enthusiasm that he showed whenever Jace and Rayne came to visit had just drained out of him. “He looks like you, you know... except the hair. Although it is messy...” Ash nodded. “Yeah... I saw it too...” Pikachu jumped up and sat in his lap. <They’ll be back next week...>

Misty sighed. “Ash, I should tell you, I’m not here just to talk.” Ash glanced up at her shining form. “What do you mean?” “I’m here... to collect you.” She ran her hand through her hair, causing it to shimmer wildly. “A several years ago, I found out that you were supposed to have... you know...” Ash sat up, shocked. “What?! How?!” Misty shrugged. “Heart attack. Too much of your mum’s cooking, I guess. The fact that Rayne had just started her period probably had something to do with it, too...” Ash stared blankly. “But, that was years ago... when she was...” “Twelve, I know. But I made a deal for you, to by you some time, so she wouldn’t be alone. And now, that time’s run out. It’s time... for you to... go, Ash.” Pikachu stood up. <No! Why?!> Misty smiled sadly at him. “I’m sorry, Pikachu, but there’s nothing I can do. I brought him all the time that I could... somebody else had to die in his place last time. Why do you think Giovanni had that massive heart attack when Rayne was twelve?”

Ash felt a sharp pain burst start in his chest and travel along his arm. “But, does it have to be now?” he wheezed, feeling short of breath. Misty nodded. “Yes, Ash. I’m afraid it does. But I can at least take the pain away...” She leaned over and kissed him, and Ash felt the pain fade away, and the soft caress of Misty’s lips on his. “Stand up, Ash.” She murmured, pulling away. Ash stood, and felt lighter and clearer than he ever had before. Turning, he saw with shock that he was still in the chair, and looked at Misty, horrified.

<Don’t go! Ash!> Pikachu started crying, and Misty bent down and brushed her hand over his head, causing his fur to rise up. “Don’t be sad, Pikachu. You have an important job to do, and you need to be strong for it.” Pikachu looked up, tears falling down his cheeks. <A...a job?> Misty nodded and smiled. “You need to look after Jace for us. Keep him safe, and protect him. You need to make sure that Rayne knows we love her. And you need to help Delia get through this...” Pikachu nodded, and wiped the tears away. <Okay, I-I will. But I’ll miss you...> Misty smiled. “We’ll still be here, looking over Jace, Rayne, and you too Pikachu. Watching over our family.” Ash nodded, now over his initial shock. “Yeah buddy, Misty stayed, in her own way, and I will too, even if you can’t see us, you can sense us, right?”

“At least I won’t be here long. Mum comes to see me every morning, to check that I’m okay. Pikachu, I want you to go with her when she comes, and help her... do what she needs to, okay?” Pikachu nodded. <O-kay... goodbye, Ash, Misty...> “Goodbye, Pikachu...” “Goodbye, buddy...” Ash and Misty turned and, holding each other’s hand, faded away. “We love you, Pikachu...”

Always...

I hope you enjoyed reading this rather sad tale. I know I couldn’t help crying when I wrote it... It took me a long time to write, as I had trouble finding the exact words to use. But once I’d figured it out, I did it in just a few hours. So please, read and review.

PROFESSOR WOLFSBANE

18 Sep. 09.