Pokèmon Legacy (Pokèmon Watty Awards 2013)

Chapter 29 - Farewell, Friend

“We won…” I muttered. It was hard to believe that it was all over now…That we had actually defeated Madara…

“Is that it? Did we do it?” Toby asked, wide-eyed.

Aaron turned round to him, and patted him on the shoulder. “It’s over.”

Just then, we noticed Sarah, Steven, and the three Elite 4 members charge up the hill. I ran down the hill from where I had sealed away Madara to greet them.

“Team Galactic are no more!” Steven happily informed me. “We defeated them all, and alerted the International Police. Apparently a dark barrier was keeping them from leaving their Headquarters. Nightshroad’s work, I guess.”

“Then it is truly the end…” I sighed happily.

“You…did brilliant, Sam…” Aaron muttered, with a half-smile on his face. However, as the bright light disappeared around him, he dropped down to the ground.

“Aaron!” I exclaimed, catching him before he hit the floor.

“I’m afraid that I used up all my energy in that last attack…Including the energy the Goddess gave me…” Aaron meekly smiled.

“No! You can’t leave us…Not now…” I muttered sadly.

“Nightshroad’s attack was fatal…The only thing that was keeping me alive was the Goddess’ magic. And now that I have used all that up…” Aaron trailed off, knowing he need not say more.

Tears rolled down my face. Nothing had changed after all…My friend was still going to die, despite everything. A hand reached up, and rested my shoulder. I looked down to see that it belonged to Aaron, and that he was…smiling…

“Don’t be upset, Sam. Throughout life, there will be moments of grief and pain. But you have to live on through that. I will die, yes, but I will always be alive in your memories. As long as you don’t forget me, I’ll always be there.” He told me, pressing a finger against my forehead. There was no hint of pain or sadness in his voice at all. As if he welcomed death with open arms.

“Looking back, my life has always been a bit rocky. But the days I’ve spent with you and Sarah…have honestly been the best of my life.” Aaron said. He continued speaking. “Watching you defeat Gavin at the Cerulean City Gym made me fill with pride. It made me remember my days of training with your Father. It made me happy knowing that the world’s safety was in such capable hands.”

“The world?!” I exclaimed. “I don’t want to lose anyone else…I can’t lose anyone else…If I can’t protect you, then how can I protect everyone else?!”

“I believe in you, Sam.” Aaron replied, shocking me. “After I lost the love of my life, and wife-to-be, I thought that was it for me. I had lost everything I cared about. My parents, my lover, my friends…”

Aaron paused for a moment, flinching in pain. He didn’t have long left…

“But then… I met you. And Toby. And all your friends. You reminded me that life can be filled with happiness and fun, as well as sadness. That’s why I swore to protect you…” Aaron continued, smiling at me. “I made it my job as a Guardian to help the next generation, and set a good example for them. And for that… I would gladly put my life on the line, and be smiling the whole time. It’s about the only cool thing old farts like me can do.”

He laughed at this last comment, and then paused again for a few minutes. “My life is over…But I’m glad that I could save you one final time.” Aaron smiled. “Thank you, Sam…for everything. I can finally join Hannah, and my parents. It will be good…to see them again.”