[Present Day: Charicific Valley: Johto- 10:56 A.M.]

Sure you don't want me to come in with you? Mew asked Ash, currently disguised as a Charmander resting on Ash's shoulder. Ash was doing his best not to make eye contact, the sight of a Charmander only bringing back painful memories. Though it wasn't quite nearly as bad as the stone Charizard-shaped head that towered above the entrance to the valley, not to mention that many Charizard-shaped statues that lined the lake in front of the entrance...

And all the Charizard that would be inside the valley.

"I- I'm sure," Ash whispered after a moment, barely noticing his shaking form. His hand went to his neck, clutching the two leather cords around it. On the end of each one was a Charizard fang- his Charizard's canine teeth.

Ash, you're paler than a ghost type! You should sit down-

'No!' Ash snarled, 'I'm just fine!'

He flinched as his voice echoed through the canyons surrounding the valley. He paused for a moment, huffing as he tried to catch his breath. He looked down at Charizard's teeth, tears stinging his eyes.

"Besides, it doesn't matter. I'm doing this for C-charizard- He loved Charla, she deserves to know what happened to C-charizard, straight me from," Ash took in a deep breath, "Please wait out here Mew- I probably won't be long."

The Mew-Charmander nodded, jumping off Ash's shoulder and turning into a Poliwag. Mew in her new Poliwag shape hopped over to the edge of the cliff-like rocks, jumping into the lake. Ash tried not to remember Charizard sitting in the same lake the first time he had come here... Closing his eyes, Ash began mounting the steps to the valley. From behind the walls of the valley he could hear a roar of a Charizard... but it wasn't his own. He'd never hear a roar from his Charizard again.

Ash didn't even both knocking on the giant doors that sealed outsiders from the valley- they always seemed to know when someone was there. As soon as Ash took a step towards the metal doors they flew open. Ash forced himself to look up, in time to see a green haired woman grinning at him.

"Hey Ash," Liza said as Ash stumbled into the valley, "It's about time you showed up, Charla was panicking that you'd two never come!"

Ash's heart thumped heavily in his chest, not wanting to tell her that 'two' was now only one.

"Hey," Ash grunted back, "Liza... I- I need to talk to Charla," Ash said after a moment, glancing around. Typically Charla was there to meet Charizard whenever they came to the valley, but the female Charizard was nowhere in sight.

"There'll be plenty of time to talk later!" Liza snapped, heading deep into the valley, "But this is a bit more important- it will be any day now!"

"W-what do you mean?" Ash asked uncertainly as he followed after the Charizard trainer as she lead him towards a part of the valley he had never been to before. Typically Charla and Charizard would stick to the training grounds of the fully evolved Charizard, but currently they were passing a few Charmeleon who were sparing. Ash had always knew that there was more of the Charizard evolution line in the valley, but he rarely caught sight of any.

"Well," Liza said, thinking, "It's hard to know the exact date it will happen, since they tend to avoid humans when they first lay."

"Lay...?" Ash muttered, narrowing his eyes. His gaze flickered about, and he couldn't help but notice a few young Charmanders running around as Liza lead him deeper into the valley, and they were all under the watchful eye of adult Charizards... A mothers watching their children. Ash lifted his head up, looking at the caves lining the narrower canyon they were entering. There was also rings of boulders on jagged outlooks, even a few on the ground... And within the rings of boulders Ash could see small, round, orange shapes...

Ash found himself skittering to a halt, eyes widening, and Liza looked back at Ash, "Don't tell me that Charizard didn't tell you?! I was going to give you the news myself but he made it quite clear he wanted to be the one- even with the language barrier between you two!"

Ash found his gaze looking ahead, where a familiar Charizard was raising her head up towards them. The female Charizard had her signature pink bow on her head, blinking her silver eyes. Charla's face lit up when she saw Ash, quickly scaling a large boulder that was on the edge of the ring of boulders she had been resting in. Ash knew that it was more than just boulders though.

It was a nest.

"N-no..." Ash whispered, shaking.

Liza turned to face Ash, scowling in confusion, "Well? Aren't you going to let Charizard out? I know things have been a bit chaotic in Kanto, but Charla was panicked that Charizard was going to be missing the hatching! It's their first clutch of eggs you know- a very important milestone in a dying species!"

"L-liza..." Ash said quietly, "I- I- I n-need to t-talk to Charla..." He couldn't bring himself to look towards the female Charizard however, trembling more than ever. The heavy weight of guilt in his heart crashed down on him at full force, and tears stung his eyes despite his attempts to keep them at bay.

"...Ash?" Liza asked, looking towards him, noticing for the first time that something wasn't right. Ash didn't say another word, simply forced himself to walk towards the Charizard. She hopped down from her boulder as Ash came closer, eyes sparkling in excitement. Ash winced at the sight of the seven orange eggs resting within the rocky nest next to Charla.

'Hey Ash!' She chirped in the friendly tone she always greeted Ash with ever since he and Charizard had won the championship battle. Ash didn't reply, simply coming to a stop several paces from her. Charla looked more closely at her mate's trainer, watching the tears fall from his eyes, '...Ash? Where's Charizard...?'

"C-charla..." Ash began, shaking more than ever. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to keep his tone even, though it didn't last long, "I'm... I'm sure that you heard some of what's been taking place in K-kanto... And... A-and me and C-char- c-charizard were caught right up in the m-middle of e-everything, and- and-" Ash began to choke up, tears freely falling down his face.

Charla's face fell, worry quickly entering her gaze, 'And?! Is he okay? Did he get hurt? What-?'

Ash looked away, and Charla fell silent. He was shaking- Charizard had eggs. Charizard was going to be a father. He hadn't just taken the life of one of his best friends- he had taken him from his family, from his eggs and mate. He had taken the father from these unhatched Charmanders.

Ash reached for one of the leather cords, pulling it from off of his neck, offering it to Charla. Charizard's fang gleamed in the firelight of Charla's tail. She stared at the fang for a moment, then looked straight into Ash's eyes.

"C-charizard... He didn't make it," Ash's voice started to crack, "B-but he went down fighting... fighting a m-monster," Ash said bitterly, "H-he was protecting those he cared about... A-and I'm sure that he was thinking of you w-when he... When he..." Ash lowered his head, unable to hold back the sobs anymore. It hurt, everything hurt.

Charla reached for the leather cord, then clutched it close to her heart. She lowered her head, two tears falling from her eyes as she joined Ash in weeping, the realization of what happened settling into her mind. After a minute she raised her head high, letting out a loud, mournful roar. Ash shivered as Charla's cry echoed throughout the valley. He watched as Charla slipped the leather cord over her neck, and she swung her head towards her nest.

She turned her back on Ash, quietly climbing into her nest. She ran a claw over each of her eggs, then settled her gaze of the seventh- the smallest of the clutch. Ash stumbled back, ready to leave. He had done his duty, and he couldn't bare to be here a moment longer, there were simply too many painful memories. He shakily made his way make to Liza, who was looking over Ash.

"I'm so sorry," She whispered, but Ash shook his head.

"No. I am the one that should be sorry- this is my fault," Ash said, tone empty of emotion.

"Don't blame yourself," Liza began, but Ash simply kept walking.

"Perhaps our paths will cross again, but I doubt it," Ash said, eyes focused in the direction of the exit to the valley. He tried to ignore the many Charizards glaring down at him, the sounds of small Charmanders running about, and the Chameleons battling.

'Ash wait!'

Ash paused as he heard Charla crying out to him. A shadow fell across his path, and the Charizard landed in front of him. She looked at Ash for a moment, tears still in her silver eyes, and in her claws she clutched a small object.

An egg.

Charla held the orange egg out towards Ash, 'This was the last egg I laid- the runt of the clutch,' She kept her gaze locked on Ash as she spoke, and he wasn't sure if she knew that he could understand her or not, 'The runt of a Charizard clutch is typically the smallest of their siblings, and the weakest,' She gave him a bitter sweet smile, 'Charizard was the runt of his clutch- but under your training you made him the strongest Charizard in all of Kanto and Johto.'

She took a few steps towards Ash, then set the egg in front of him.

Ash shook his head, stumbling back, "N-no-" Ash stuttered, "I- I c-can't- I can't."

Charla smiled, 'Make my baby strong, make my baby as strong as Charizard.'

"Charla I can't-"

Charla snarled, making Ash fall silent. She looked him in the eye, not blinking, 'Ash, Charizard wanted you to have this egg. He always told me there was no one he trusted more to raise the runt. I was always against it, but now h-he's gone...' She looked away, 'I'll have his last wish for me honored. Take the egg.'

Ash stared at the egg on the rocky ground. His heart was still racing, but for a moment it wasn't heavy. With shakily arms he knelt down, carefully scooping up Charizard's egg. Chills raced down Ash's back as he came in contact with the warm shell. Memories of touching Charizard's warm scales surfaced in his mind as he picked up the small egg. Tears stung his eyes, but for a moment there was a small smile was on his face. He held the small orange sphere for a moment, then looked towards Charla.

"I swear I won't let anything happen to it," Ash whispered.

Charla nodded, and spread open her wings. The female Charizard rose back into the air, soaring back towards her nest. Ash watched her go, still clutching her egg to his chest, wrapped protectively in his arms. After Charla settled back into her nest, Liza by her side, Ash turned his gaze skyward. For a moment he could almost picture a certain Charizard flying across the valley.

Closing his eyes, Ash heading towards the exit of the valley. He held the warm egg to his chest, tears falling down his face.

A small Growlithe was waiting outside of the valley when Ash stumbled through the gates. Her bright blue eyes gleamed up at Ash, 'Did everything go alright...?' Mew trailed off as she saw the small egg in Ash's hands, '...Is that...?'

'He was going to be a father,' Ash whispered, shaking. The Mew-Growlithe ran up to him, carefully looking over the egg as he sank to the ground, 'I- I- t-took that from h-him...'

Mew let out a whimper, '...Is there anything I can do for you?' She asked quietly.

Ash didn't reply for a moment, '...Pallet Town...' He whispered, 'Can you take me to Pallet Town one last time?'

The Growlithe nodded, her whole body glowing as she turned back into a Mew. She landed on Ash's head, glowing again as she teleported him and the egg back to his home town. They landed on one of the many hills overlooking Pallet Town. Blinking rapidly, Ash carefully held the egg out to Mew. She tilted her head, accepting it with a Psychic attack, bringing it up towards her. She wrapped her body around the small egg.

What do you want me to do? She asked quietly.

Ash took in a deep breath, "Watch over it for a minute, don't let anything happen to it. I... I just want to be alone for now."

Of course. Mew said with a nod, teleporting away with the egg, leaving Ash alone on top of the hill.

The former champion stood up, looking out over the small farming town he had always known as home. On the other side he could see Professor Oak's lab resting up on another hill, his huge ranch sprawling out behind it. Nestled in the middle of the town was a small home, an old red roof on top of the home, a small garden surrounding it. A small smile flickered over his mouth as he looked at his mother's home, but it faded again in moments.

Ash didn't say a word, simply savoring the silence.

[Present Day: Cerulean City: Kanto- 7:02 P.M.]

"ASH KETCHUM!"

Ash flinched slightly as he walked into his home, but wasn't surprised by Misty's scream. In fact he was dimly reminded of years before, when she had screamed his name in a similar manner, chasing him through a forest. While there was no smile on his face, his lips twitched as he recalled the memory.

"Hi Mist-"

"I WAKE UP, AND YOU'RE JUST GONE!" Misty screamed, cutting him off. Pikachu was sitting on her shoulder, watching Ash apologetically, "NO NOTE! NO WORD FROM YOU THE ENTIRE DAY! PIKACHU'S PANICKING! YOU JUST LEAVE RIGHT AFTER EVERYTHING THAT'S JUST HAPPENED-!"

"I'm sorry-"

"DON'T YOU DARE APOLOGIZE, YOU NEARLY GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK!" Misty cried, and tears stung her eyes as he tone fell, "I've already lost you once, and waking up to see the house empty..." She paused for a moment to catch her breath. Pikachu darted off of Misty, running up to Ash, staring at the object in his arms. Misty glared at her husband, still upset, but for a moment her gaze flickered down to the orange egg in Ash's arms. She frowned, voice quieting down slightly, "...What's that...?"

Ash took in a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions under control, "It's- It's an egg," His voice started to crack, "C-charizard's egg."

Both Misty and Pikachu went still as Ash said this. Misty's angry glare melted right away, her eyes softening as she looked at the small egg. Pikachu darted closer, running up onto Ash's shoulder, looking down at the small orange sphere.

"Ash..." Misty muttered, "I- I-"

Ash shook his head, "Charla... She said C-charizard wanted me to raise it, b-but... B-but..." He winced, looking away. He quietly approached Misty, holding the egg out, "Mist... Will you please take care of it for me? Take care of Charizard's child?"

Misty looked down at the egg, "Ash..." She whispered quietly, putting her hands against his, "I... I know that you're still recovering from what happened, but... But things will get better," She said hesitantly, and Ash stiffened, "And when the time comes, you're going to want to be the one to take care of this egg. You said that Charizard wanted this..." She smiled, "Besides, we're married Ash, any child I raise is yours as well," She looked down at her bulging stomach, "Only a few more months Ash... And we'll be holding our babies..."

Ash couldn't make eye contact with Misty. He was shaking, mouth twitching as he tried to find the words to say. Pikachu's stomach tightened, realizing what Ash was trying to do. He needed to know that the egg would be taken care of if tonight didn't go right. Of course if... if Ash didn't come back from his "talk" with Arceus, Pikachu knew Misty would keep the egg around, but Ash needed to hear the words for himself...

'I'll take care of it, Pikapi,' Pikachu said, and Ash turned towards him. Pikachu maintained eye contact with his trainer, 'I'll raise Charizard's child, I'll raise the egg as if it were my own.'

Ash opened his mouth, struggling to find his voice, "Pikachu... I..." Pikachu leaned down, placing a paw on the egg, his coppery eyes still looking into Ash's brown ones. Ash blinked, the familiar sight of tears entering his eyes, '...Thank you Pikachu...' Ash whispered.

Pikachu looked down at the small egg- at his child. A small smile flickered onto the mouse's face. He hopped off of Ash's shoulder as Ash knelt down, setting the egg next to Pikachu. Pikachu paced around the egg, sniffing it, then placing his front paws onto it. The shell was warm to the touch, and smelled of earth and ashes.

"Ash... Were you at the valley the whole day...?" Misty asked quietly, "That must have been..."

Ash shook his head, "N-not the whole day..." He whispered, looking out the window. The sun was rapidly approaching the horizon, and it wouldn't be long before Mew would arrived. He gulped, knowing that he needed to tell Misty was what going on, what could happen... "I went to Pallet Town for a bit... To... to say goodbye."

Misty frowned, "...Goodbye?" She asked quietly.

Ash took in a deep breath, "...Yes..."

"Ash, what are you-?" Misty was suddenly cut off by a pink glow that appeared in front of Ash. She jumped back as Mew teleported right in between them, a downcast look on her face. Ash looked up at the pink legendary expectedly, "Mew?!" Misty cried, startled. She quickly took in the fact that Mew now had a body once again, and a half smile came onto the gym leader's face, "It's n-nice to see you Mew, you're looking well."

Mew glanced at Misty. Hello Misty. She said sadly.

"Is something wrong?" Misty asked, and Ash looked away.

Mew looked back at Ash. Didn't you tell her?

Ash refused to look Misty in the eyes, "...I was about to..." He whispered.

"About to tell me what?" Misty asked, eyes darting between Pikachu, Mew, and her husband. All three Pokemon couldn't seem to look at her, a somber look on their faces, "Ash...? What's going on...?"

Silence, and Ash took in a deep breath.

"...Arceus wants to talk to me," Ash said after a moment.

Misty gulped, taking in these words, "...But?" She asked, sensing more coming.

"But..." Ash closed his eyes, "Misty... You do realize how powerful I am as... as M-mewthree...?" He shivered as he said the words, "I... I easily faced several legendaries at once, defeating them... K-killing them..." He looked at Misty, "...To put it simply, I'm dangerous. Even to the legendaries."

"No your not!" Misty cried, "You're not dangerous! You're- you're Ash! You'd never hurt anyone!" He flinched.

"Misty..." Ash said quietly, "I... I don't know what's going to happen, but... But both me and Mew agree that I'm likely not going to be allowed to walk free..." Ash sighed, "Pokemon are different than humans Mist. We see things on a larger scale... If Arceus considers me a threat, Misty, then he's not going to take any risks. There's a reason why the ancient laws are in place among legendaries- they have to protect themselves. Because by protecting themselves they protect this very world- and even things beyond it."

Misty was shaking as she took in these words, "No..." She whispered, and she whipped her gaze up towards Ash, "This all happened through no fault of your own!" Misty cried, "They have no right to hold this against you! They can't- they can't kill-!"

Ash silenced her with a kiss.

Misty went stiff as he pressed his lips against hers, wrapping her up in his arms. She closed her eyes, tears falling as she returned the kiss. Mew hovered off to the side awkwardly, not quite sure of what to do. She looked out the window, knowing that they needed to leave, and Ash only continued the kiss.

"It's not fair..." Misty whispered as she pulled back. Ash kept her in his arms, rocking her for a moment.

"I love you Mist," He whispered, then he let go of her. He turned to face Mew, "...I'm ready," He told the legendary.

Mew nodded, drifting towards Ash's shoulder.

"Pikapi!" Pikachu called, and Ash looked down at him. Pikachu was standing next to Charizard's egg, 'Promise me you'll fight for yourself.'

'Take care of Misty,' Ash simply replied, '...Take care of my babies.'

"Pikapi-!"

Now. Ash told Mew, and she teleported them away.

[Present Day: Tree of Beginning: Kanto- 7:14 P.M.]

Mew and Ash reappeared in a flash of pink light, standing at the entryway of the core chamber in the Tree of Beginnings. Mew leapt off of Ash's shoulder, drifting about the room that she was meant to protect. Ash didn't even seem to realize where they were- staring down at his hands, crying.

Ash. Mew said gently, and he looked up towards her, blinking away tears.

"T-the Tree?" He asked quietly.

Mew looked at Ash. Yes, I am suppose to take you to see Arceus. Didn't I tell you once that I guard the gateway between this world and his?

"M-maybe?" Ash muttered, in all honestly, he couldn't remember. His head was hurting, along side his heart. He didn't have the desire to look back on his many conversations with Mew. Ash glanced around the core, wincing at the memories of recovering his memories in here... To have everything restore and to only remember the horrible things he had done...

Mew took in a deep breath. I don't want to keep Lord Arceus waiting. Mew said, and her paws glowed with pink energy. You'll need to be in your true form when speaking with him.

"This is my true form," Ash snapped, "I was born a human."

Ash... We both know this is merely a transformation. You need to turn back into Mewthree before facing Arceus- it's respectful. Mew sighed. I guess it would be best for you to call him Lord Arceus as well...

Ash looked away as Mew began began to glow, and he blinked away the of his tears. He glanced back at Mew as she flew around the core. She was draped in a pink light, muttering under her breath as the core began to glow brighter. After a moment he closed his eyes, glowing himself. He shivered as he began glow brighter, beginning to transform back into Mewthree. His human form melted away, his Pokemon form beginning to take shape.

He opened his eyes, blinking, for the first time realizing how much sharper his eyesight was as a Pokemon. The smell of the Tree filled the air, and his tail twisted uncertainly as he looked at Mew, the heart of the Tree now glowing an unnatural white. Ash looked away slightly, watching the portal opening up.

Mew drifted back, huffing, the glow around her fading. She looked at the portal, then glanced back at Ash. She didn't smile, simply pointing towards the swirling white portal with her tail. This will take you to Lord Arceus's realm.

Ash felt his mouth going dry, I just go in?

Mew nodded. Yes. Treat him with respect, Ash.

Ash took in a deep breath, then stepped into the portal.

After going over my notes I decided to make this a twenty chapter story rather than nineteen chapters, so there will be one more chapter than previously planned.