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Part Twenty Six

About eight months ago, Pokemon Master, Ash Ketchum, had returned from the dead. As he had hoped, he hosted a huge party at Professor Oak's laboratory with all of his Pokemon present. He invited all of his friends and previous traveling companions. There had been crying, laughing, dancing, drinking, and tons of shenanigans with all of his friends, Pokemon and human alike, together. Most of his friends were already aware that he had been alive the last three years since the Master Championships; however, they were ecstatic to find that, once again, he had cheated death having sacrificed his left leg for his life.

He had the chance to catch up with his old friends and find out what they were up to. There were a couple of new developments that had surprised him and some that didn't. He learned that May had married Drew Hayden, her former rival, and settled down in Hoenn with him. Ash was regretful that he missed their wedding and promised to get them a gift to make it up to them. Overall, May was excited to see him, but she was also very upset with Ash for allowing her little brother to get wrapped up in their heist. After hugging him tightly for a full minute she yelled at him and ignored him for an hour. Max, who was also there with Wes, Rui, and Michael, made sure to coax her back into a good mood reminding her that he wasn't hurt and now had a job he loved working to learn more about Pokemon who are genetically altered. She huffed and puffed, but managed to calm down enough to engage in the party again.

Dawn was also very excited to see Ash. She shared that she won her first grand festival and became a top coordinator a few months prior. Her and her newly evolved Empoleon were making waves in the contest circuit. She was also currently fighting for affection from Ash's once rival, Paul, who had a poor attitude about everything except Dawn.

Ash was especially excited to see Bonnie and Clemont again since they helped him in Lumiose over a year ago. He was keen to tell them what happened next. He told the rest of the story from meeting Alpha, to going to Orre, to taking out the headquarters. What surprised him the most was when Bonnie sauntered over to Max and asked him to dance. The young man was flustered, but agreed. Serena approached Ash and Clemont and shared a giggle with them over Max's reaction to Bonnie. Ash smiled and hugged Serena tightly. She then shared a little about her life. She had tired of showcasing and decided to try contests. While in Hoenn, she met her boyfriend, Taylor, who is a Pokemon trainer who has made his own waves there. Ash congratulated her with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Ash was excited when Clemont handed him a Pokeball and told him to take care of his Pikachu for a while. It was a strange feeling of nostalgia when the little yellow mouse popped out of the ball and sat on his shoulder just as his own Pikachu had before his evolution. Pikachu then scampered over to where Raichu was reenacting his battle with Zekrom for Ivysaur, Talonflame, and Lycanroc. Even with Raichu's incredible hearing, he was too distracted by the noise of the party and his old friends that he didn't even see Pikachu coming. She immediately rubbed her head and ears against his neck and let out a happy "chuuuuu" causing him to stiffen and subsequently blush at her affection. Ivysaur, Talonflame, and Lycanroc snickered and smirked at the two.

Now Ash finds himself content having talked with each of his travelling companions, friends, and former rivals. He can see that everyone at the party is enjoying themselves. Ash smiles at the two Pokemon, hoping his buddy can find some kind of happiness after everything that they had been through. His smile falters slightly as he looks over to Misty who sits next to his mother deep in conversation. The sight of her makes him feel so many different emotions at once. She makes him feel anxious, excited, and joyful. It is all quite overwhelming. She had been his rock since returning to Kanto thee weeks before. She had seen him cry over the loss of three years of his life and over his broken body. She had rocked his body to sleep every night since, even as it shuddered and heaved while attempting to move forward from his troubling memories. Over the last few weeks, she has loved him more deeply than any human before.

Misty hasn't even batted an eyelash over his never-ending post traumatic stress that continues to plague him night after night. She was more than he imagined and more than he could have asked for.

Ash empties his lungs in a deep huff. He pauses while watching her closely as he recounts the memory of spending the early hours of the morning with her after he professed his love for her.

A ray of light beams through the sliding glass door and settles over the floor next to the bed. Dawn has broken, but neither has slept. Ash's bare frontside rests upon Misty's queen size bed, half covered by sheets. His neck is turned to allow his eyes to view Misty who lays next to him tracing the raised ridges along his back. She is entranced by the feeling of the scars underneath her fingertips. Her eyes flicker back to his face which watches her intently. Self-conscious under his gaze, she pulls the blanket further up her body to cover her chest.

"Don't do that." He whispers softly and gently pulls the blanket away. She does not resist as he takes in every ounce of her toned and trim body.

"Ash…" She breathes, raising a hand to brush against his bearded cheek.

"Was that weird?" Ash asks worriedly, a look of anxiousness shrouding his brown eyes.

Misty searches him, hoping to find what he wants to hear. When she can't read him, she tells him her truth, "No. It was perfect."

Ash tries to read her eyes for honesty and breathes a sigh of relief when he finds it.

"I was worried you would decide that we would be better off as friends." He says.

"After that, I'm not sure I could ever be just friends with you again." Misty giggles and leans in to kiss him again. He smiles momentarily, but it falls from his face.

"So, um... My stump didn't bother you?" His gaze shifts away from her at the mention of his left leg.

Misty's mouth nearly drops open at his question, but she already knows it is a sensitive subject for him.

"Ash, your leg didn't make you the man I fell in love with." She gives him a loving look and twiddles his raven hair between her fingers. "Besides, I wouldn't know any different. I waited for you. It was always going to be you."

With her answer having reassured him, Ash leaps on top of her. Misty giggles breathlessly as he tickles her sides and moves his hand up to her face to delicately caresses her cheek. Seeing the love in her eyes, he can't help but lean back down and kiss her gently.

As Misty begins to deepen the kiss, her bedroom door swings open.

"Misty! We were supposed to feed the-" Misty's sister Daisy freezes at the sight of the well muscled, raven haired man on top of her little sister. Ash swings himself off of Misty and the two cover themselves with the blanket quickly.

"The… The…" Daisy splutters like a Magikarp out of water, "What the hell?"

Misty's cheeks implode with redness as she searches her brain for words.

"Daisy, um, you remember Ash, right?"

Ash grins as she remembers the storm that brewed in the Waterflower household. Misty's sister, Daisy, threw a huge fit about her being too young to partake in the acts that she had with Ash earlier that morning. Misty argued that being in her mid-twenties was much older than any of her three sisters when they started to spend their nights with random men. Daisy just snorted back something about Misty being the 'runt'. Then Lily and Violet somehow were dragged into it and it became a full blown war. Many harsh words were exchanged and then Misty decided to grab her main Pokemon and leave the gym, pulling Ash alongside her.

As he is trying not to hyperventilate over how enamored with the woman he has already become, she looks his way, smiles brightly, and waves lightly. He shows her a toothy grin and waves softy back. His eyes snap to his mother sitting next to Misty whose eyes brim with happy tears threatening to fall. Every time that she looks at him she cries a little in joy -especially when he interacts with Misty. Seeing his mom for the first time in person since his kidnapping had been a whirlwind. Misty had dragged him out of the gym, ordered him to pull out Charizard and together they flew off to Pallet. She was adamant to get away from her sisters and insistent that Ash reunite with his mother. When they arrived in Pallet, they found Delia Ketchum tending to her garden and Professor Oak sitting at the patio table drinking tea. When she finally hugged him, he was reminded even more of who he was as before and who he wanted to be again.

"I can't believe you just left your sisters like that!" Ash yelled above the sound of the rushing wind.

"What do you mean?" Misty shouted back. As fun as flying is, it is difficult to have a conversation.

"They were so mad!" Ash chuckles. He smiles as he spots Viridian City below. Just a short distance to the quaint town of Pallet.

"Yeah? So what?" Misty grunts and shouts louder than necessary. "They knew I've been in love with you forever! They should have just dropped it!"

Ash sticks a finger in his ear and wiggles it around. He prefers the sound of the wind over her shrill shouting.

"They were just surprised to see me! It did happen pretty quickly!" Ash shouts as he starts to direct charizard to descend.

"It should have happened three years ago!" Misty insists loudly.

Ash just blushes at the thought of their actions just hours ago during the early morning hours.

"There's my house!" Ash shouts with a wide grin forming on his lips. "I can't wait to see mom!"

Their descent from the clouds feels more like a free fall than a landing. However, a skilled aerialist, Charizard lands with delicately on the dirt path in front of Ash's childhood home.

Almost immediately, Ash spots his mother in the garden racing to greet him. Ash slides off Charizard and hops slightly on his right leg attempting to balance before his mother darts straight into his embrace. Misty stands back and watches their reunion. With her tight hold on him, he feels like a child on Christmas day; warm, safe, content. He feels her wet tears soaking his T-shirt, but he doesn't care.

"Lovely to see you, my boy!" Ash hears above his mother's sobbing. He holds her tightly and looks around to find Professor Oak waving at him and sitting at a small patio table in the garden area drinking a cup of tea.

"Hey Professor!" Ash waves with one hand, but continues to embrace his mother with both hands.

"Oh Ashy!" Delia cries into his shirt.

"I am so happy to see you, mom." Ash rubs her back warmly and speaks with truth.

Delia pulls away to look at his face. She finds that her only baby has changed and morphed so much since he had disappeared; however, she is certain that the man before her is the same ambitious, caring, loving son that she had always known. Delia's eyes briefly flicker to the orange-haired woman behind her son and a bright smile forms on her lips.

"I always knew you two would make a cute couple." Delia can't help saying.

Ash and Mist share a look, their cheeks brightening at Delia's awareness of their changed relationship status.

"Oh Delia," Professor Oak chuckles at her, "Leave the poor kids alone."

"No use denying it." Ash shrugs his shoulders, allowing himself to smile widely; confirming his mother's suspicion. Misty places a hand on Ash's back and grins up at him.

"And you'll make me the cutest grandbabies!" Delia throws out there with a bright smile and a chuckle. She just can't help herself.

Ash and Misty's faces burn extra brightly at the comment, but neither dares to confirm or refute. Misty allows a soft smile to form on her lips as her thoughts drift to the future; specifically to the toddler and infant that called her future self, "momma." However, she has yet to tell Ash about her crazy adventure that brought her back to him. That particular flashforward could be saved for another time.

Eventually, Ash became used to the day to day life that he adopted since he returned home. He decided to live with his mother again in Pallet as he was not ready to rent his own place. It would be a readjustment to live in a home rather than in a forest or in a cage. His mother knew just how to help him with it. During the day, Delia taught Ash to garden and how to cook his favorite meals. They had a lot of time to catch up and bond.

In the evening, however, Ash often found himself flying across Kanto on Charizard, Hydreigon, or Noivern to reach Cerulean City. After the gym would close for the night, Ash and Misty would explore their relationship in terms of openness, emotions, hobbies, interests, and physicality.

It was three months after his return that the Pokemon League started to inquire about his plans. They were aware that he had some post-traumatic stress from the entire three year ordeal. However, according to the League rules, Ash was still the Pokemon Master. Eventually, they came to an agreement that Ash would seek counseling for trauma and work with Red, who had stepped back up in Ash's absence, and ease him into the role. The older Pokemon trainer was relieved that Ash would return and he would be able to train a successor. Ash was ecstatic that his hard work before being kidnapped was not wasted.

With his new obligations, Ash began spending his days at Indigo Plateau and sharing his nights with either his mother or Misty. He began training Pokemon again and picked it back up with ease. It was a natural talent for the Pokemon Master.

Over the first eight months of his return, Ash specifically looked forward to one special day that he would get to share with his very best friends.

"I can't do it!" Brock screeches as he fumbles with his tie. The young breeder sits in front of a vanity with a mirror criticizing himself at every step. His cheeks light up red in embarrassment and anger when the knot slips through.

"Let me see that." Misty's soft voice flows across the dressing room. She moves towards him and makes him stand up. With confident fingers, Misty reties the knot correctly. She tightens it and pushes the knot up towards his neck.

"Thanks Misty." Brock sighs and grins down at one of his best friends. She has been a terrific best man. She was skilled in making sure everything went according to plan.

Misty finishes straightening it and smiles widely back at him, "Absolutely no problem."

The two share a content smile that brightens the room.

"You'll have to teach me how to do that so perfectly, so I can help Ash when you two get married." Brock's smile twists into a knowing smirk.

Misty feigns surprise at Brock's assertion.

"That's a long way off." Misty smacks his shoulder and shakes her head.

"Relax, Misty," Brock chuckles and points to his left hand, "I saw the ring before he gave it to you."

This time, Misty really is shocked. Her mouth drops.

"I thought no one knew!" She reels backwards in surprise.

"Don't worry. Just me and Suzie." Brock laughs again and places an arm around her, "Ash has a big mouth. He told me that you guys are waiting until after the wedding to announce it."

"Yeah," Misty rolls her eyes at her fiance's antics, "We don't want to distract from your big day."

"I really appreciate it, but if you guys want to announce it at the reception I am totally fine with that. Suzie is too. Maybe just wait until after our first dance and cake!" Brock gives her a genuine smile and a quick hug.

"Oh we really couldn't." Misty shakes her head adamantly.

"I insist. We share so many friends that it would be ridiculous to miss the opportunity." Brock assures her.

"We'll think about it." Misty smiles fully at her good friend.

"Well, tell me about the proposal." Brock encourages, "I mean, I know what Ash planned, but I want to know how it went."

"It was perfect, Brock." MIsty smiles thinking back to a few nights ago when her and Ash had returned to the Cerulean Cape for a special night.

The warm breeze blows underneath Misty's yellow sundress causing it to flutter softly in the wind. Ash stands behind her lightly grazing her long, flowing orange hair. He fingers it with his thumb and runs it between his digits.

"Isn't it crazy how the Cape can be so beautiful and yet a few months ago we fought a war just a few miles across this very sea?" Misty's eyes flicker out towards where the Rocket Headquarters once was.

"Hm?" Ash asks, completely dazed by her scent.

"I mean it. This is our favorite spot, but you almost died like three miles that way." Misty turns her head to look up and behind her. Ash catches her gaze and sighs.

"I don't care about that anymore. This was my favorite place to be with you long before I was kidnapped by Team Rocket. I'm sure as hell not going to let them take anything else from me." Ash mumbles into her neck as he wraps his arms securely around her waist from behind.

"You have a point." Misty's eyes glaze over as she stares across the rushing waves. "Do you ever think we can really move on? Move on from what Team Rocket did to you? To us?"

Ash pulls away from her and cocks an eyebrow at her. Misty turns back towards him and suddenly feels a lot chillier.

"I mean," Misty attempts to rephrase her question with a sigh, "Will we ever be able to move on to better things? Will the last four years hang over us for the rest of our lives?"

Ash pulls his fist over his mouth and clears his throat, "Mist, yes."

"Yes?" Misty looks skeptically at him.

"I mean yes we can move on." Ash smiles at her and grabs her icy hands once again. "Of course, I am still healing. It might always haunt me. But, Mist, I want more from my life since I fought so hard for it. I travelled to the ends of the earth to take my life back and come home to you."

"Good." Misty smiles as her eyes begin to water. "I want more too."

"In fact." Ash grins wider than she has ever seen. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small black velvet box.

"Wait, what's that?" Misty's heart rate increases as she stares at the little box. She knows the answer, but can't quite believe it.

"Misty Waterflower," Ash leans in to kiss her on the cheek. Then he slowly lowers himself onto his right knee while chuckling and using his hands against the ground to make sure not to fall over. "I have been practicing this part."

Ash gently pulls open the velvet box and reveals a simple silver banded ring with a small diamond in the middle. Blue stones line the top of the band alongside the diamond.

"It's made of water stone." Ash looks down at the delicate piece of jewelry with a smile. "You'll be able to use it on Splash if you want. The ring itself won't change, but it can only be used for evolution one time."

"Ash…" Misty's hand had found her mouth at the sight of the beautiful ring.

"I know that it might feel a little fast. It's only been eight months. But Mist, I knew you were the one for me long before the Master Championships. I was in love with you then and I am in love with you now. You have saved me more times in this life than I can count. You literally saved my life at the headquarters when you brought Celebi to us. My life is indebted to you." Ash chuckles lightly as tears sprinkle down his cheeks.

"You don't owe me anything, Ash." Misty assures him warmly, placing a hand on his cheek from above.

"I owe you everything." Ash's eyes bore into her own at his profession. "I want to give you everything too."

Misty's eyes never leave his while he swallows nervously.

"I think the best way for me to give you everything is by asking you a simple question." Ash blinks back his tears and reproduces a wide smile. "Mist, will you do me the honor of allowing me to be your husband?"

There are no words that can accurately answer his question, so she nods as tears stream down her cheeks and a lump catches in her throat. He raises himself off the ground as quickly as he can and embraces her tightly.

"Hey, Brock," Ash pushes in through the door wearing a bright grin, "They're ready for ya."

Ash freezes when his eyes lay upon Misty. Wearing a deep blue dress that reaches just above her knees and flashes a tasteful amount of rhinestones, Misty looks like the beautiful night sky. Her long orange hair reaches down her backside and nearly touches the top of her round bottom. Her makeup is light but present which is different for the naturally beautiful woman he fell in love with. Ash blushes as his eyes gaze up and down her body.

"Alright lover boy." Brock laughs as he pushes himself back up from the vanity and straightens his suit. "Stop ogling my best man."

"Hey! I'm your best man." Ash pouts childishly at his best friend.

"It's my wedding," Brock shrugs his shoulders and chuckles, "I can have two best men. And one can be a woman."

"Alright, fair enough." Ash lets loose a wholesome laugh that bubbles from the pit of his stomach. Misty grabs his arm and leans against him smiling alongside him.

"You know, buddy," Brock's tone becomes more serious as he places his hands on Ash's shoulders and stands across from him, "I know it's been a few months now, but I can't believe that you came home -that you are even alive! The day that you showed up at the shop was in the top five of all my days. I thought I would never see you again. I am so grateful that you are here today and able to share this day with me."

The two men embrace in a strong hug.

An aroma of fresh baked Pokemon food wafts into the main shop area of Brock and Suzie's Breeder Shop. Small Pokemon scatter across the floor helping Brock to put merchandise on shelves and tidy up before the store opens for the day. Brock smiles down at Ninetales who has taken to following him around the shop all day. He pats her on the head and rubs between her ears. Ninetales pulls away and glances towards the door. From the farthest aisle, Brock can hear the door alarm buzz softly signalling that someone has entered.

"Honey," Brock speaks, looking for Suzie, "is that you coming in?"

Brock looks through the shelves full of merchandise and Pokefood, and he makes out two figures on the other side.

"Sorry," Brock begins to walk to the edge of the aisle to greet them, "We're not quite open yet, but-"

Brock is cut off in surprise as he spots his best friend Misty standing next to a tall, lean, raven-haired man. His mouth hangs in surprise when he realizes who the man is.

"Hey, Brock!" Ash grins at his older friend who is obviously stunned by his reappearance.

"Ash!" Brock cries happily and reaches out a hand, "It's really you! Misty said you would be back, but it was just so hard to believe. I can't even believe this!"

Ash takes his hand and shakes it firmly. However, Brock pulls him close into a tight hug. A loving embrace between two best friends is not something either men is ashamed of.

"Brock, I'm home for good." Ash assures his best friend with a grin.

"Brock," Misty rubs his back lightly and smiles brightly, "I think there was something you wanted to ask Ash, right?"

Brock smiles so brightly that his eyes open slightly more than usual and Ash and Misty can see how they glistened with happiness.

"Ash," Brock throws an arm around his pal, "We've got a lot to talk about!"

"Alright," Ash smiles as they pull apart from their embrace, "now we really gotta get going."

"Right." Brock nods at his two best friends and leads the way out of the dressing room.

Ash smiles as he and Misty follow behind Brock. He gently reaches his hand out and slips it into hers. She nearly forgets about their destination when he touches her and she turns towards him with a grin.

"Brock!" a younger man who looks very similar to Brock rushes to him when he is in sight. "The coordinator has been waiting. We need to get in there!"

"Alright, I'm here now, Forrest." Brock assures his younger brother with a nod.

"There you are!" A middle aged blonde woman screeches at them. "It is time to start the ceremony!"

The coordinator reorganizes the bunch and then opens the doors to the church.

"Showtime." Brock grins at his groomsmen behind him and leads them down the aisle.

When Brock, Ash, Misty, and Forrest reach the altar, Ash stands next to Brock and looks around at the crowd and recognizes many of the guests who were friends that they shared. He smiles at each of his friends from all over the world. Then he turns to his right to find Misty standing beside him grabbing his hand firmly. She looks up at him with a wide grin. His smile grows to match hers.

He can hardly believe that he made it this far. Just two years ago he had almost no hope to live. After so much time alone just wishing to return home and wishing for her to be next to him, he finally feels security that was long overdue. He listens to the ceremony, but his eyes continue to drift to her. As the officiant reads quotes and verses about the love and commitment that Brock and Suzie share, he can't help but consider his own feelings for the woman next to him. Their love for each other brought him home.

Misty smiles up at him, taking his breath away, and Ash finally sees the future instead of the past.

AND NOW I AM CRYING because my masterpiece is over... IT TOOK FIVE YEARS!

Oh ow.. My heart. All my hard work coming to a simple conclusion. Deep breaths!

Anyway, a sequel began to pull together in my brain while I was trying to sleep the other night and I am SUPER excited about it. I have written a two page outline with some important details that will get me started. If I do decide to commit fully to the sequel, I will write a few chapters before I post any this time, so that I can do a better job of revising and editing without feeling rushed. Without giving away too much detail, the sequel will take place quite a few years into the future. It will be time hoppy again, but I think it will be easier to follow than parts of Heading Home.

Shoutout to my beautiful reviewers, followers, and favoriters! Your encouragement gave me the willpower to complete this marathon! Love to you all!

Favorite if you enjoyed my story! Write a review if you have something to say about it! (Also, I have 99 reviews! Help me hit 100! :))

Love, Alert, Review.

Signing off,

Furny