Author's Note: Here it is. The finale! I'm so glad you all stuck with the story, till the very end! I hope I can please you again when I started my next story! (Which may end up being a series? Hmm...)

Chapter 10-End of the Line

Like radioactive material, Papi's glow grew brighter and brighter. It's light blinded Ash, although Lugia seemed uneffected.

"Papi..." Releasing her grip of her father's neck, Lugia watched as her guardian was lifted to the sky. Time seemed to stop. "No...don't go...Papi!"

Opening his eyes, the large Lugia smiled. "My little Lulu, you have gained much power. I'm very proud of you."

Lugia grinned at her father, while she kneeled on the ground. Her long blue hair fluttered behind her, and her bangs whooshed. Her bright red eyes shone at her hero flapping above. "Please don't go, Papi..." Lugia's smile quickly returned to a frown. "You can't give up yet!"

"You are fit to rule the seas, my daughter."

"No, I'm not! I'm not strong enough! I can barely control my powers! You can't leave me without proper training!" Holding out her hand, Lugia shook. "Please Papi!"

Finally shaking off the blindness, Ash was dazzled by the site. "Wow..." That was about all he could say.

"Lulu, your Aunt and Uncles will train you. But for me, my time has come. I must leave."

Closing her eyes, Lugia stood up, tears falling from her eyes like raindrops. "Okay. I understand."

"See, you are strong. Don't doubt yourself."

"I won't, you can count on me Papi." Lowering himself, Lugia put her arms around his neck. "I love you Papi..."

At these last words, her father rose up, and slowly disappeared. Time began again, and the light vanished. Still holding her hands to the sky, Lugia crashed to her knees. "Why couldn't you stay?"

"Lugia!" Kneeling in front of her, he looked her in the eyes. "Lulu?"

"He's gone, he's really gone..."

"Are you okay? Lulu?"

Before Lugia was able to respond, a large rumble thrust her backwards. Moltres was calling to the couple, the ship was falling apart rapidly.

"We have to get out of here!" Ash yelled. Stumbling to his feet, he stood looking down at the frightened girl. "Lulu! Take my hand! You don't have to be scared anymore."

Lugia didn't hesitate to take his offer, as she too stumbled to her feet. "I won't be afraid."

Ash blushed as this remark, as he led her to Moltres. Climbing on the large titan's back, the teens held on tight. Moltres took off, leaving the ship to fall into the bright blue ocean.

"Uncle Moltres! Will you drop us off at the altar?"

Without answer, Moltres flew through the air, to the small island full of red flowers. He landed, dropped off his passengers, and took off to the sky.

There was silence for a few minutes, until Ash broke it. Although, he was very unsure of what to say. "Well, I guess this is goodbye..."

Lugia stared out to the sea, concealing her tears from the boy she had grown to love in less then a couple days. "I guess it is."

"You're not crying, are you Lulu?"

"Of course not," She took a second to wipe her tears, "I, I just got something in my eye."

"That's the oldest trick in the book!"

"It's useful though!"

"Come on now, don't lie to me."

She then turned around, her eyes fixed on Ash's lips, then on her shoes.

"Something wrong?" He took a step forward.

"No. I'm fine."

He took another step. "Are you sure?"

"I am."

Another. "You positive?"

She giggled. "Yes."

One more step, and he was close enough. "Hey now," he lifted her chin, "What's so cool about those shoes that you can't look at me?"

"Uhh, nothing, I mean, they are pretty sweet, but, I mean-"

Unable to finish her sentance, she went along with it, shutting her eyes.

Ash had kissed her! Well, was kissing her.

Watching from behind a stone pillar, Melody began freaking out. "Does he know he is kissing a Pokemon?! A Pokemon!"

"Pika!" Little sparks came from his cheeks as he rejoiced in Ash's happiness.

"I can't believe it! A Pokemon! Not a human being, but a Pokemon! Sure she looks like a human, but she's still a Pokemon!" Melody began to pace back and forth, her fist swaying in the air, while Pikachu sat atop her head.

As Melody went on and on about how Ash shouldn't have been kissing a Pokemon, Slowking grinned at the Lugia. "She's finally happy. That's all her father wanted."

Unlocking his lips from her's, Ash stood back. "I know you have to leave now."

"I know that too." Forcing a smile, Lugia regained her normal form. /I will never forget you Ash Ketchum. Good luck with your journeys!/

Not saying another word, the spikey-haired Ash watched as Lugia jumped to the sea.

"I won't forget you either, Lulu."

"ASH KETCHUM!"

"Huh?"

Turning around, he saw Melody stomping towards him. "Do you know what you just did?!"

"What?"

"A Pokemon! A Pokemon! How, I mean, seriously!"

Ash chuckled at Melody's anger. "How could I what, kiss her?"

"YES!"

"Because, I love her. Geez Melody, don't have a cow!"

"A Pokemon?! I swear you are the weirdest boy I have ever met in my whole intire life"

"What are you, jealous?" He snickered.

"JEALOUS?! Me? Never!" The way she said her words made Ash laugh.

"You're so jealous."

"I am not! It's just not right! Pokemon and human...no!"

"Jealousy...it's an ugly monster..."

"I am not jealous!"

Sticking his tounge out at the girl, they began their journey back to Shamouti Island. (Melody chewing Ash's head out the whole way there.)

But, Lugia's image just stuck in his head.

Can you hear me Lugia? He said, trying to block out Melody's senseless jibber-jabber.

He then heard that giggle he grew to love so much. /Miss me already?/

Ha. I guess you could say that.

/You're so funny Ash Ketchum!/

"Ash! Are you listening to me?!"

"I'm trying not to..."

He then heard Lugia giggle again. /By the way, I love you too./

Stopping in his tracks, Ash looked to the ocean. Blushing, he shouted in a shakey voice, "Don't tell me you heard me say that!"

There was no answer, as the sun lowered beneath the horizon.

"Why are you shouting?" The flute playing girl snapped, still thinking of ways to torment Ash all the way home.

"I felt like it!"

/Geez, you two act like a married couple!/

"What?!"

"Would you stop shouting!"

Rolling his eyes, Ash secretly said goodbye to the day, and goodbye to Lugia. And maybe goodbye to his hearing too...

/Don't forget me Ash. Maybe someday, we'll meet again!/