Sacrafice

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon or any of its characters. If I did, it would have gone a little like this...

I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

Gary stared at the Pokémon gathered before him, expression thunderous.

"What do you mean you won't bring him back? After all I've been through, what the entire world has been through? Ash is our saviour! Ash was your friend; fuck, he died for some of you, and you won't bring him back?!"

Mew gave an unhappy whine, while the others grumbled with sadness.

'Our hearts have been heavy since the death of Ash Ketchum' said Mewtwo in Gary's head, face turned down in grief.

'Once a soul has left the body, there is nothing we can do.'

Entei gave a mournful wail. Gary shook his head.

"No. No! You can't just…just say no! Not after all this. There has to be something you can do!"

A mumble came from the Unknown, soothing, like a lullaby. Mewtwo cocked his head, listening.

"The Unknown can heal and reanimate his corpse. He will be Ash as you remember, and you could live happily. Would you prefer that? A world where Ash is alive?'

Gary remembered the Unknown; remembered Delia being kidnapped by them, the pictures all over the news of the strange landmasses. He remembered a close up of Delia under the Unknown control; blank eyes and staring.

"It wouldn't be Ash," choked Gary. It was so unfair, so wrong, so horrible that Ash should die and leave him alone to make all the hard decisions.

'No' agreed Mewtwo. 'It would not be Ash; only an illusion, based on your memories of him.

Gary was tempted. He imagined the cinnamon and wood smoke of Ash's scent, the feel of his soft skin, the sound of his laugh…

"No," said Gary, sinking to his knees again. "I couldn't do that to Ash's memory.

The Pokémon with the red eyes roared suddenly, standing in an agitated manner. Other legendries replied, and the room was soon full of hundreds of battling voices.

'The child of Sir Aaron is…gone?'

The question came from a ghostly blue Lucario standing by the vague figure of a man.

'There has to be a way to bring him back! Ash…Ash is special…'

Celebi nodded vigorously, while Mew darted around frantically.

'Enough!' the order came from the red eyed Pokémon, and the caverns became silent.

The Pokémon slowly approached Gary, its eyes never leaving his, and there was something so very familiar…

'Rise, Young Oak. We may be able to bring back Ash Ketchum.'

Gary scrambled to his feet eyes burning with hope for the first time in years.

The Pokémon looked around at the other silent figures, and, when none made a move to stop it, continued talking.

'We could pool together our abilities and use the Tree of Beginning to bring Ash's soul back to his body. We can make everyone forget that he ever died; but first, we need something from you.'

"Anything," Gary said without hesitation.

The creature nodded its approval.

'No one human can ever remember the world beyond this one. If Ash was brought back, he can never remember being dead, nor can anyone else. If Ash was ever to be reminded and recall where his soul has been, he will die once more, and be beyond our saving forever. We can bring him back and take the world's memories, but there is a price.'

Gary nodded slowly, adjusting his shoulders and standing straighter under the burning red gaze.

"You want my life in return for Ashy-boy's? It's yours."

Again, the creature shook its head.

'No, Young Oak. We do not want your life; we need your memories.'

"My memories?" Gary felt ice form in the pit of his stomach. Did that mean he wouldn't remember Ash, remember growing up with him, fighting with him, loving him? He wouldn't remember Gramps or Delia…or Sammy?

'For the world to forget, you must remember. You alone will remember the death of Ash Ketchum, the years you spent looking for him. In the eyes of the people you knew and love, you left after the birth of your son and never returned. You will become the guardian of the world's memories, and, in return, we will bring back the guardian of the world. We will be weak, and this will leave the Pokémon of the world vulnerable. It will be up to you, and Ash, to make sure nothing happens to upset the balance. Do you agree to these terms?'

Gary took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Ash will be so mad at him; he will think Gary abandoned him, will believe the worst. Ash will be furious; but at least he would be alive.

"I agree," said Gary, watching the joyful reactions of the other Pokémon. The red eyed creature smiled, and raised a paw to Gary's forehead as the cave began to glow.

'Thank you, Young Oak' was all the man heard before his head spiked with pain as everything went white.

Gary walked along the familiar dirt roads, captivated at the world around him. Nothing had changed. People still behaved the same, children running and challenging each other to clumsy battles, adults working and gossiping in the bright sun. Gary hadn't dared ask anyone about Ash, hadn't the courage to hear a random person's view on his deceased husband. Gary barely slept, rarely ate. He needed to get to Pallet; he needed to see if it was true or not, he needed…he needed Ash. As the trees of the Viridian forest gave way to the slopping fields of the town, Gary stopped, his heart beating wildly in his chest. He was…home.

He hadn't thought of Pallet as home in years; not since he had left to hunt down Team Rocket. Not since he left to become a Pokémon researcher. Not since he left to become a Pokémon trainer. Pallet was only home when Ash was there, and Gary was looking forward to finally going home.

The streets were old, paved long ago for the occasional car and then forgotten. Gary walked through the shopping crowds, heard whispers follow him about his appearance, his identity.

"Who is that?"

"It's Gary Oak!"

"He's cute!"

"No shit, it's Oak!"

"My lord, is that Gary Oak? Who does he think he is, waltzing in here like this?"

Gary walked through them until he reached town square, and stopped.

There was no statue. The ground was bare, save a small cart selling flowers. No statue commemorating Ash's death, which meant…

"Ash," Gary breathed, and began to run full tilt towards the home of one Delia Ketchum.

One step closer...