Title: Goodbye

Type: AAMRN

Rating: PG

Note: This story is in Ash's POV. I warn you if you don't like sad stories then don't read this. Ash and Misty are both 14. Brock is 16. This happens when Ash goes back to the Indigo League (if he ever does, I don't know. But you have to imagine it).

For all the people who have lost their lives to cancer.

When I got up in the morning I had only one thing on my mind. To beat the Indigo League and become Pokémon Master. When it became time for my battle I found out I was challenging none other than… Gary! I was very afraid, but I knew I could do it. Misty and Brock were there cheering me on, I had my Pokémon with me. How

could I loose? It was a 6 on 6 battle. Gary chose Nidoking so I chose Squirtle, and boy did I whip its butt! But then he chose his Electabuzz and Squirtle was done for. Next I chose Muk, which was also beaten by Electabuzz. That was two Pokémon down and four left. I was worried. If I lost to any other person I'd still be happy that I got this far, but this is Gary! Knowing him he'd probably convince the whole world that I'm a crap trainer and I would be left in the shadows after all my

hard work. But I wouldn't let it happen! I used my Pidgeot and it knocked Electabuzz into unconsciousness (I don't know how, seeing Flying types are weak against Electric, but it did it). Pidgeot then fainted Gary's Nidoqueen, Dugtrio and his Starmie. Pidgeot was way too tired after that so I called it back. I didn't want it to be hurt or anything. Then came a big surprise. The last Pokémon that Gary chose was a Venusaur. The first Pokémon Gary got must've been Bulbasaur. The one he got before I got to Prof. Oak's lab. Venusaur knocked out all my remaining Pokémon but one. Pikachu was the last one standing. But I was scared. Grass Pokémon are strong against Electric types. I didn't know what to do! But then I heard a voice come out from the side-benches. Misty yelled at me not to give up. I then decided I would do it for her. Misty was there through every step of my journey. She never left my side. And even though we fought a lot and didn't get along too well, she was still the most important person in my life. I wouldn't be able to live without her, let alone become a Pokémon Master. I guess there's no denying it anymore that I like her more than a friend. You could even say I love her! But I could never tell her that. She'd probably just laugh at me or walk away. I'd rather have her friendship than not have her at all. Anyway, I had Pikachu use it's agility and quick attack. Then when Venusaur let its guard down, Pikachu blasted off an enormous Thunder attack. When the lightning cleared, Venusaur was unconscious. I couldn't believe it! I had won! The crowd was cheering so loud I though they might deafen me, and I saw Gary slump down and cover his face. At that moment, a very strange thing happened to me. I felt very dizzy and weird. It seemed like the whole world was spinning. I shook it off and saw Misty and Brock come up to me. They congratulated me, and Misty did the most unexpected thing I had imagining her doing. She threw her arms around me and hugged me tight. I held onto her, blushing a deep red colour. Then it happened again. Everything seemed to be spinning and moving around me. The crowd was so loud I could hardly hear myself think. Cameramen and reporters surrounded me and I couldn't breath. And then everything went black.

When I woke up the first thing I saw was Misty. My mom was there with her and Brock, and Pikachu sat worried in the corner.

"Huh? What happened? Where am I?"

The look on Misty's face tuned from frightened to relieved, "Ash you passed out. We were so worried!"

I couldn't remember exactly what happened. I knew I had won the Pokémon League but everything after that was a blur to me. Misty stayed with me for a while as the doctor came in and asked me a few questions. When she went out I could hear her talking to the doctor

outside my room. I thought it was very weird because it sounded like Misty and my mom were crying and Brock was saying something like 'How could this have happened?'

The next day I woke up and the doctor said they needed to run a few more tests. I was getting awfully sick of these tests so I asked the doctor to tell me straight out what was wrong with me.

"We are not exactly sure, but we think it could be leukemia, a form of cancer."

I was deeply shocked by this and immediately regretted asking. I hear terrible stories about people that have died from leukemia. The doctor must have noticed I was upset because he told me that they weren't even sure it was leukemia, and if it was, many young victims lived through it. I felt a little better and allowed them to perform more tests on me. Misty came and saw me again that night.

"So Misty do they have the test results back yet?"

Misty looked down at her hands. I could see she was upset and I could also tell that she had been crying.

"It's cancer isn't it?" I asked, burying my face in my hands.

Misty started crying and she nodded through tears. I just wanted to hold her and tell her that everything would be alright, but I couldn't. I felt so helpless there. In a white room with a damn hospital gown on. So I did the only thing I thought possible.

"Well you don't have to worry! I'm strong Misty and I'm not letting any dumb form of cancer beat me! Please don't cry."

She stopped crying and looked me in the eyes, "I know you can do it Ash."

I was so determined that night that I could hardly sleep! I just kept thinking to myself. 'I can beat this. I know I can do it!'

The next few weeks were a challenge. Many fans tried to get in the hospital, and there were articles about me in the paper. I got weaker and weaker until they had to FORCE me to eat. Can you believe it? Me being forced to eat! I guess I didn't look to well either. I always felt tired and run-down, and they hooked up heaps of machines to me. But I was still determined, as ever to beat this disease, nothing would stop me! Pikachu stayed with me all the time, and my other Pokémon were allowed to visit (except Snorlax and Charizard, but they sent messages through the other Pokémon). Misty often came in and we would talk about the earlier times in my journey. We talked and laughed and she made me feel a whole lot better. Brock and Tracey visited me a lot too. And my mum was there all the time. Even Team Rocket came to see me! They gave me a rose and told me they were sorry. I guess I got the wrong impression of those three. They are really caring people, but they have to be in Team Rocket to live.

When I woke up one day, I felt a little stronger, so they took me to the front porch of the hospital for some air. There was a little girl out there too.

"Hi, my name's Ash."

"Oh hello, I'm Leah."

"So, what are you in the hospital for?"

"I have cancer", she told me.

"Really? Me too. But I'm going to beat it!"

"I'm going to die." She looked sad and I was shocked.

"No no no, you have to believe in yourself. You can do it if you try!"

"No I can't. I have been here for ages. I can't beat it. I have already accepted that I'm dying."

I was about to try and convince her that she could do it, but the nurse said she had been out here long enough and took her inside. From that day on, whenever I felt alright, I went out on the porch to meet Leah. I found out a bit about her and we became really good friends. It turns out that she is only 8. She was diagnosed with cancer 4 years ago, when she was 4. She didn't have much family or friends. One day I took Misty out with me to meet her. She was so happy that she had some new friends that you could hardly see she was sick at all. I also brought out my Pokémon. I let them free on the porch much to the dismay of the nurses. But they were good. Leah especially liked Pikachu, but was a little afraid of Charizard.

But one day when I went out to the porch Leah wasn't there. I asked one of the nurses where she was and she looked very sad, and walked away. I didn't understand. But then I realized. She had died. I asked another nurse and she barely nodded, then walked away. I was deeply saddened by Leah's death. Even though I hadn't known her for long, we had something in common. But now she was gone. It was then that I realized, 'I am going to die'.

Weeks went by as Autumn tuned to Winter, and I got weaker and weaker. However, I didn't even try to move or even do anything. Misty got really worried about me and she must've stayed up all night thinking about how to cheer me up because it worked. The next day she and Pikachu ran into my room so excited that I thought they would burst.

"Pikapi! [Ash!]"

"Ash! Guess what!"

"What Mist?" I asked, trying to talk properly so they wouldn't see how sick I felt that day.

"The doctor said that you can come home for Christmas!"

I suddenly felt a burst of energy go through my body, and I jolted upwards. "I can?"

"Yes isn't that great?"

"Thankyou so much Misty, Pikachu!"

"Aw, you're welcome Ash!"

I felt like hugging her so tightly right then, but I resisted. She'd probably slap me and then I'd die of rejection! Misty helped me out of bed and I suddenly felt a lot better. It must be the stages in this illness. The doctor told me I'd feel really bad one minute and fine the next. I didn't even need my wheelchair! Pikachu jumped on my head like it used too. I guess it was happy that I was happy. My mum was waiting for me outside, and she drove us back to my house. I could not believe my eyes. The whole place had been decorated beautifully! From the trees out the front to the mantlepiece inside. I was so happy that I started to cry. Misty noticed (even though I had my hat brim down) and asked me what was wrong.

I simply replied, "I'm just so happy." Then I was very surprised because Misty put her arm around me and gave me a small squeeze. I blushed a very deep red, and smiled at Misty. She smiled back at me, and I noticed she was blushing too. I then asked myself, 'Could she like me the same way I like her?' But I doubted what I'd just thought, thinking again, 'No, she just feels sorry for me because I'm dying.'

Inside, almost everybody I had met on my journey was there. I can't believe mum and Misty went to all this trouble calling everybody to come. There was Brock, Tracey, all the gym leaders, Duplica, Suzie, Lara Laramie, Professor Oak, Samurai and so many more that it'd take me forever to name them all! They couldn't even fit in the lounge room! Fortunately, we have a huge backyard, and it had all been set up for dancing, with a D.J there too.

It was a beautiful night. I spent the time talking to everyone. But I longed to dance with Misty. I kept telling myself to ask her all night, but I couldn't find the courage.

Anyway, it came time for presents. I felt so bad though, because everybody gave me something but I didn't have time to buy presents for them all. I felt especially guilty because Misty gave me the best one of all. It was a watch, in the shape of a Poké ball. Then when you wanted to know the time, you pressed a button and a Pokémon (at random) would come onto the screen and tell you the time. When she gave it to me I thought I was gonna break down and cry. Instead I just hugged her. I could tell she was on the verge of crying too. It's funny because when I met Misty, and for most of the time that I've been around her, she seemed so strong. I never imagined her crying, ever. I guess she has a weak side too. I went back outside, thinking of a way to get Misty to dance, and still feeling bad because I had nothing to give her for Christmas. When she came and sat next to me, I got an idea. I dug into the pocket of my vest and pulled out a wad of notes.

"Here Misty. Happy Christmas", I said as I gave it to her.

She looked puzzled. "What's all this money for?"

"Your bike. I promised you I'd pay you back for it, and I always keep my promise."

"Oh Ash…" she said, and I could tell she was holding back tears.

"I hope it's enough. If it's not just tell me and…"

At that moment it looked like she was going to say something. Something important. Instead she dried her tears, still looking at the money in her hands. "…Thankyou." She said and she threw her arms around me. "Ash, would you…would you dance with me?"

I felt like kissing her when she said that. I gratefully accepted and she led me onto the dance floor. Of course, knowing our luck, a slow song starts to play the moment we walk onto the dance floor. I put my arm around her waist and she put her arm around my shoulders. I was blushing, probably a tomato-red colour, but I noticed that she was also blushing, so I didn't feel so dumb. I'm going to write the lyrics to the song down, because I think they symbolise what I'm about to write next.

I noticed that during the song, Misty looked really upset. Now I know why. After it finished, she let go of me and ran off. I had no idea what was going on. I ran after her and found her sitting at the back end of the yard. I sat next to her and she looked up at me. She had tears running down her face, and gave me a look that said 'What are you doing here.'

"What's wrong Misty?" I asked.

"The song…"

"The song…? Oh." I thought back to the lyrics. 'How do I live without you?' But if she doesn't love me, why would she cry about it?

"Ash. I don't want you to die", she said as tears poured down her face.

I was dumbfounded. Of course, I don't want to die either. But I know I'm gonna. I put my hand on hers and she looked up at me.

"Misty. I don't want to die either, but…", I began, fumbling for the right words. "…This cancer has taken over me. I can't fight it. Everytime I try to, I get so weak. I'm not scared of dying Misty, if that's what you're worried about."

"No, it's not that. I just, I don't want you to die because, because I don't want to loose you."

"What?" I didn't know what she was talking about.

"I don't want to loose you because I know what it's like to loose someone. When I was little both my father and mother died in a car accident. You have no idea what it felt like Ash. I had nobody. My sisters ignored me and I had no other family."

"Oh I'm sorry Misty."

"No, it's ok. That was a very long time ago. But the fact is, you have to live because, because…" At that point she stopped. For a while she looked thoughtful. Then she nodded her head and looked me straight in the eyes.

"You have to live because I…"

Then everything went black. But I heard what she said. She said that she loved me. The girl that I have loved even when I didn't know what love is, since I was 10 years old, loves me back. And I was so happy that I fought for my life.

When I woke up again no one was there. I was in the room by myself. I could tell that I had almost died, because there were so many machines hooked up to me I'm surprised I could breathe. I managed to fight it that time, sure, but I wasn't sure that I would make it the next time. Heaps of people came in to see me that day. I guess I wrecked the party by almost dying. Misty told me I had flat lined, and she was so happy I had lived. But I didn't tell her I'd heard what she said.

Today one of the newspapers that runs in Pallet called me and asked if I could write about what had happened to me. They said it could be as long as I like. I agreed to it. It would be the perfect way to tell Misty I love her. I know I'm going to die today. I can feel it. I don't know how the heck I can write! The newspapers probably won't be able to read my writing. But I have one last thing to say. Thankyou to my mom – without you I would never have gotten anywhere. You brought me up all on your own and look what I turned out to be! Pokémon Master! Thanks to Professor Oak for giving me Pikachu, and helping me with my journey and all. Thankyou to Brock and Tracey. You guys are two of my best friends. If you weren't there helping me, I wouldn't have won any battles. Team Rocket, now what can I say about them. Thanks for attacking us and giving my Pokémon experience! Nah, I know you guys will turn out good. I guess now you won't have the heart to try and catch Pikachu, hey? And also, I know you two like each other, it's so obvious. Thanks to all my Pokémon. You are the best un-human friends a boy could have! And don't worry, Misty and Brock will take care of you. Pikachu, my very first Pokémon. I know you will be fine buddy. Misty will take care of you. Keep training, you'll be the strongest electric Pokémon in the League! And finally, Misty. Let me see, how can I word this? Misty you were there since day one of my journey. And I'd just like to let you know, I could never have done it without you. I'm sorry for yelling at you all those times. I really didn't mean it. It may be hard to believe, but I hated yelling at you. Please take care of Pikachu and my other Pokémon. And I just have to say this to you. I love you Misty. I'm sorry I never told you, I was just so afraid that you wouldn't feel the same way. When I heard what you said at the party, I was so happy that I had to fight death. But now I don't have the strength. But atleast I have said what I need to say. I will always love you, and I'll be with you even when I'm dead. I promise.

Thankyou again to everybody I met on my journey. Without you I would be nothing. And please don't be upset that I'm dead. I'm not afraid. I fulfilled my dream in becoming a Pokémon Master. That's all I've ever wanted to do since I was about 3, and I did it! So I guess this is goodbye. I promised I wouldn't cry, but I can't exactly help it. So long everybody!

~Ash Ketchum

Ash Ketchum died an hour after finishing this article, with his friends and family all around him, and Misty by his side holding his hand. But we all know that he will live on in all our hearts. The boy that helped in every way he could, the boy who cared for everyone no matter what. Goodbye Ash.

I hope you liked it. I have been writing this for ages, but never got it finished. I know it's short (only 3,838 words) but I think I got the message across. I don't know if I should do a second part, and have the whole story in Misty's POV, so you can see what she was thinking and also what happened when Ash died. If you want me to, say it in the review. And plz review!!!!! And don't flame me for killing Ash! I don't hate him, he's my favourite character. But I had to pick someone that is easy to write in first person. Ash was the easiest to do. Sorry Ash fans, but don't flame coz I killed him!

Luv Ashy