It looked to be another glorious day in Johto; the sun shone warm and friendly, the butterfrees were floating on a gentle westerly breeze above fields of flowers and grass. The blue sky held only light puffy clouds and a pidgie or two. Not even a Fearow darkened the sky.

Ash, Brock and Misty sat comfortably on some rocks. Brock had started a small fire and was in the middle of cooking up a delicious lunch.

“Hey Brocko.” Ash said. “That smells good.”

“Mmmm. I’ll say.” Misty chimed in. “I can’t wait to taste it.”

“Now, now. You will have to wait just a little longer.” Brock smiled. “It isn’t ready yet.”

“Pika-chuuu.” Squeaked a little voice.

“Don’t worry, Pikachu.” Ash said. “It will be done soon buddy.”

The mouse pokemon squeaked again with a smile on his face.

Misty smiled at the scene. Her aquamarine eyes took on a faraway look. Slowly a small smile bloomed on her face.

“Uh Misty, what’s wrong?” Ash asked, noticing. “You look strange.”

“Hm? Oh, just remembering the last time we were in Johto together.” Misty said, snapping back into the present. “Remember, Ash? I caught my Corsula in the Whirl Islands and lost the Whirl Cup. I still had Togepei with me then, too.”

“I remember.” Ash smiled. “We met Latios and Latias too here. And met Bianca.”

“True.” Brock said as he checked the meal. “And we faced off against Team Rocket I don’t know how many times. And don’t forget Kurt and the GS ball. I wonder if he ever figured it out.”

“No.” Ash said. “At least not according to Professor Tracy. Professor Oak even tried giving him another hand on his way through and came up empty.”

“Wow. I wonder if the mystery will ever be solved.” Misty said thoughtfully. Then she laughed.

“Although if we do visit this trip we need to be more careful of where we step, right Ash?”

Ash sighed. “You’re just never going to let that go, are you?” he asked, eyeing her sideways.”

“Nope. It’s just too much fun.” Misty teased, flipping her long red hair over her shoulder to catch the light.

Ash grinned.

“Well, I remember catching Tododile here, and beating you in that match.”

“Hah. As if I cared. I got my Polywhirl to evolve for me in that fight.” Misty said with her nose in the air, looking at him slyly from underneath a slightly closed lid.

Ash bristled a little, then relaxed.

“True, you did. You were something else in those days, Misty. We all were.”

“Yep.” Brock said, handing him a plate of rice balls. He passed another to Misty.

“We all were in those days. We all had our dreams and goals.”

“Some of us were pretty successful in getting them too.” Misty said, suddenly sad.

“Why do you say that, Misty?” Ash asked, confused. “I mean, Brock is a great breeder, true, but that dream isn’t what he’s accomplished.”

“I know that.” Misty snapped. “But he is the world’s greatest Pokemon doctor, married to Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny! And you! You made your dream come true too! You and Pikachu made it all the way to the title of Pokemon Alpha Master, leader of all Pokemon Masters!”

“And you,” Ash interrupted firmly, “Are the greatest gym leader Cerulean City has ever known, and the world. Don’t sell yourself short either, Misty. Besides." he added. “I’m sure someone will come along and take my title soon enough, and then I won’t have to travel so much. I promise.”

Misty laughed. “Oh, Ash. You’ve had itchy feet since we were kids. You’ve never been happy just sitting at home. Look at your poor mother! Always saying goodbye and waiting for you to come home without ever knowing when.”

She hugged herself.

“I don’t think I could ever be that strong myself.” She added.

“Of course you will.” Brock said firmly. “Because you remember how great it was on your own journey. Trust me. It never gets any easier, but it will be something you learn to live with because you want them to follow their own dreams, no matter what they are.”

“You’re right Brock.” Misty said after a long silence. She looked down and rubbed her swollen belly. “I do want her to grow into a  beautiful, confident woman with a deep love of water pokemon!”

“Uh, how about all pokemon?” Ash asked, cocking an eyebrow.

“Of course, all pokemon, but I bet water pokemon will be her favorite.” Misty winked as she speared a rice ball with her chopsticks and popped the treat in her mouth.

Her eyes closed as she savored the texture and taste.

“Ohhhh! Brock! You could open a five star restaurant!” Misty groaned when she finished.

“Thank you! And don’t forget the food for the pokemon! Here you go, Pikachu.” Brock said as he placed out bowls of food.

“Come on everybody, it’s time to chow down!” he called, throwing his pokeballs into the air. With a snap and a flash of red light Brock’s pokemon appeared.

“Geodude!” Ash said in pleasure. “I haven’t seen you in a long time! How’ve you been, buddy?”

“Geo. Geodude.” The rock pokemon said, bouncing on his arms.

“Okay. Come on out, everybody!” Ash called.

“It’s lunch time!” Misty called, throwing hers with a pose.

In a few minutes everyone was eating happily.

“Prepare for Trouble!” Sang a voice.

“And make it double.” Said another.

“To protect the world from devastation!”

“To unite all people within our nation!”

“To denounce the evils of truth and love!”

“To extend our reach to the stars above!”

“Jessie!”

“James!”

“Team Rocket Blasts off at the speed of light!”

“Surrender now or we’ll be forced to fight!”

“Meowth that’s right!”

Everyone looked up to see a horribly familiar meowth shaped balloon hovering over their heads.

Ash leaped to his feet.

“Team Rocket!” he shouted. “What are you doing up there?”

“Why, were coming down, twerp. What does it look like?” James asked, as the balloon set gently to earth nearby.

Out hopped three figures. One, a tall woman with long red hair, redder than Misty’s, struck a pose and winked. The other, a blue-haired man matched it. The third was a Meowth pokemon that hung on the other’s arms and grinned. His whiskers were long and wrinkled and his gem was polished but no longer shiny.

“Hello pikachu.” He said as he dropped down and strode across the grass. “How are you doing?”

“Pika pika! Pika, pik, pi, pikachu!” the mouse said hopping up to him.

“Oh, is that right? Well, that’s good to hear.” Meowth said, coming up and shaking Pikachu’s paw warmly. “We saw your fire and couldn’t resist giving the motto one last hurrah.”

“Too true.” James said as he plopped down on the ground next to Brock. “I tell you business has been an utter bore compared to the old days.”

He looked to Misty

“Congratulations on your baby, by the way.”

“Thanks James.” Misty said. “How’s Michael?”

“Not too bad.” Jesse answered. “He’s in the Orange Islands trying to become a gym leader.”

“Wow. You must be very proud.” Ash agreed. “What about Jessediah?”

“She’s made a real splash in her new TV spot.” Jesse said. “I always knew she could do it, she was so much like me!”

Ash frowned. The last time he had met Jessediah she had reminded him more of James then of Jesse. Although Jesse had mellowed a lot. Accidentally becoming a mother may have had something to do with that. Or marrying James and the huge battle with Jessebell and her family in a no-holds barred three on three pokemon battle with Ash may have had something to do with that as well.

Ash didn’t carry a grudge though. With the collapse of Team Rocket after the Betrayal, James, Jessie and Meowth had turned their lives around and really come through as decent people.

“Hey Meowth, how’s the noodle business going?” Brock asked, passing the pokemon a plate of food.

“It’s going.” Meowth said. “Making noodles never seems to end. I’ve made more noodles in the past six weeks then I ever did for Team Rocket.”

Strangely, he did not sound all that unhappy despite the complaining, but that was Meowth’s way. He loved to talk and people loved him for that.

“So, what brings you guys out here?” Ash asked as they ate.

“Probably the same as you, twerp.” Jessie said. “We are on our way to the Alpha Master Ceremony.”

Ash nodded, glancing at James.

“My company is sponsoring the whole thing.” James said, chewing contentedly on his rice ball. “It should, as I own the arena from my father. Just one of his many holdings in the region, I may add.”

“Man, I don’t doubt that.” Ash muttered.

Misty stretched and glanced around.

“Hey guys, what’s that?” she asked.

Everyone looked.

“It looks like a kid.” Brock said.

“It’s a trainer.” Ash chimed in with certainty.

“Probably on her way to watch the master match.” James posited.

They turned back to their meal but a few minutes later were interrupted by a quiet little “Ex-

excuse me.”

It was the girl, not much older than Ash had been when he’d started his journey, looking down at her shoes with a face redder than a tomato berry.

“Hi there!” Brock said cheerily. “And what’s your name?”

“Um, it’s Teresa.” She said.

“Well, Teresa, my name is Brock. Tell me, what can we do for you today? If you’re hungry, then sit down and have a taste of my rice balls. They’re delicious. Or maybe you and I can convince Meowth to make some of his amazing noodles.”

“You don’t have to convince me of nothin!” Meowth smiled. “I’ll gladly do it.”

“No, no, that’s…uh fine.” Teresa said. “Um, excuse me though, but are you Alpha Master Ash Ketchum?”

Ash got an excited feeling in his gut.

“I’m Ash Ketchum.” He said, anticipating.

“I’d like to challenge you to a Pokemon battle.” Teresa squeaked, as if amazed at her own audacity.

“I suppose.” Ash said. “If Brock or James wouldn’t mind refereeing the match.”

“My pleasure.” James said.

They arranged the battle in the field behind them. James stepped up.

“This will be a three on three battle. The battle is over when all of one trainer’s pokemon are unable to battle. Trainers, are you ready?”

“Ready!” Ash said.

“Ready!” Teresa said excitedly.

“Begin!”

“Torterra! I choose you!” Ash cried,  hurling his pokeball.

In a dazzling red light Torterra appeared. It gave a mighty roar, shaking the tree on its shell.

Hurling her ball high in the air, Teresa cried out “Minx, I choose you!”

A moment later a small, adorable floating pokemon appeared.

“Misdreavous!” it smiled.

“A misdreavous.” Ash smiled. “A good choice. There’s not much that Torterra can do against a ghost pokemon, normally. But let’s see what I can do.”

“Shadowball!” Teresa cried.

A ball of energy shot from the small ghost pokemon and struck Torterra. Who stood, motionless. Teresa gasped.

“Nothing?” she said.

“Not quite.” Ash assured her. “But Torterra is tough, and he can take a lot. Torterra, Razor Storm!”

“TorTERRA!” the grass pokemon cried.

From his tree sprang hundreds of razor sharp leaves spinning faster and faster as the gathered into a powerful whirlwind that hurled itself at Minx. The leaves struck and surrounded the ghost pokemon as they struck over and over and over. The ghost pokemon cried out before it fell to the ground in a faint.

“Misdreavous is unable to battle. Torterra is the winner!” James announced.

“Well done, Torterra.” Ash said, pleased. He rubbed Torterra’s head.

“You did your best, Minx. Take a good long rest now.” Teresa said slowly, returning her defeated pokemon into its pokeball.

“Not bad, Teresa.” Ash complimented. “You used your misdreavous well. Show me what else you have.”

“I will!” Teresa said.

“Charmillion, I choose you!”

From the flying pokeball emerged a fiery reptilian pokemon.

“Charmillion. That…takes me back.” Ash reminisced. “All right! Let’s see what you have.”

“Begin!” James cried.

“Charmillion, flamethrower!” Teresa called.

“Torterra, dig!” Ash cried.

As charmillion hurled a fiery blast at Torterra, the grass pokemon dug into the earth hurling bits of dirt and dust and debris into the air. The fire hit, and splattered into millions of pieces that warmed the air but did not strike the grass pokemon directly.

“Wha-?” Teresa asked dazed. “It doesn’t matter.” She cried, recovering. “Charmillion, more!”

The fire pokemon increased its flame, heating the air quicker and turning it red with heat that even Ash felt.

“Impressive.” Ash nodded. She was really giving it all she had.

“Torterra, Solar Beam!” he called out.

A second passed and then the surprised fire pokemon watched in stunned disbelief as a huge bar of white light emerged from the red cloud and struck him head on.

A second later the pokemon fell onto its back, defeated.

“Charmillion is unable to battle. Torterra is the winner!” James cried.

“All right, Torterra. Well done. You deserve a good rest.” Ash said, recalling his pokemon.

“A good try.” Ash told her. “There is no shame in this defeat. But there is one more pokemon left.”

Teresa nodded.

She picked out her last pokemon and kissed it.

“My hopes are on you. Go Garidos!” she shouted.

A moment later a massive blue serpent/dragon appeared looking pissed. It roared furiously at

Ash as it waited.

“Pikachu, you’re up.” Ash said calmly.

“Pika!” the mouse hopped into the arena.

“Pikachu is picked.” James said, shaking his head. “Battle begin!”

“Garidos, dragon rage!” Teresa called.

The dragon pokemon powered up with a new roar. It aimed its head and a huge ball of yellow fire appeared. It grew bigger and bigger as the Garidos aimed its massive head at the yellow mouse.

Ash waited.

“I wonder which attack Pikachu is going to use.” Misty said in an aside to Jesse as she watched Ash waiting. “Whatever it is, it’s going to be powerful.”

“I’ll say.” Jesse agreed.

“Now!” Teresa shouted.

“Pikachu, dodge.” Ash said calmly.

The ball of fire leapt faster than an arrow loosed from a string towards Pikachu. The mouse moved so fast that it couldn’t be seen. The ball smashed into the ground and exploded, kicking up clouds of dust and rock. Misty and Jesse shielded themselves from where they sat. Brock shielded his eyes.

“What happened?” He asked. “I can’t see!”

Teresa squinted, trying to see through the cloud of smoke and debris. Garidos looked pleased with itself, confident it had pulled a huge victory for its trainer.

“Pikachu, Thunder!” Ash called.

Everyone gasped as a huge bolt of lightning sprang from the cloud and struck the Garidos. It gave one pained cry and then fell down, defeated.

“Garidos is no longer able to battle. Pikachu wins!” James cried.

Pikachu hopped onto Ash’s shoulder with a pleased expression.

“Pika-chu.” He chirped.

“Well done, buddy.” Ash smiled at him.

“We lost.” Teresa said sadly. She held out her pokeball and recalled her Garidos.

“Thanks for  the battle.” She said in a disappointed little voice.

“You did well, but we should look at your pokemon.” Brock said seriously. “I’m a pokemon doctor, and it is important that they are well cared for.”

In moments Brock was examining everyone’s pokemon. Even those that hadn’t participated in the battle were checked out.

“Here you go, Meowth.” Brock said with the last pokemon. “A bit of vitamins for you. This should help with the morning aches and pains.”

“Thanks!” Meowth said.

Teresa smiled as she thanked Ash for the battle and Brock for doctoring her pokemon.

“Where are you off too?” Ash asked her.

“East to the Whirl Islands.” She said. “I want to participate in the Water Pokemon Alpha Omega contest.”

Misty perked up, realizing.

“Hey! I never got that one! I’d love another chance at it!”

Her stomach kicked and she stumbled.

“But I guess that might not be the best idea right now.” She said with a deep sigh. “Maybe next time.”

They bid Teresa fare well. Before she left, Ash offered her some advice.

“You are good friends with your pokemon, and that is a good thing, but don’t forget the importance of friendship. You’ll meet lots of cool people on your journey and lots of competitors. Keep your eye on the prize and work hard. No shortcuts.” He said. “And one more thing, have fun. Being a pokemon trainer is meant to be fun.”

She waved and then set off quickly disappearing into the distance.

“And now we have our own journey to complete.” Ash said.

A little while later Misty asked Ash, “Do you miss it?”

“Miss what?”

“Your pokemon journey? Being that age?”

“Maybe a little, but right now I just miss you more. It seems I never get a chance to get home anymore.”

Misty smiled secretly. As they walked she placed one hand on his shoulder and leaned into him while her other hand supported his child resting in her womb.

“I love you, Ash Ketchum.” She whispered.

“And I love you, Misty Ketchum.” Ash whispered back, stopping. He tilted her head back and gave her a scorching kiss as the sun set behind them, burning the trail in golden fire.