Swanna Song, Sung Throughout Sinnoh

Terms Of Agreement

Author's Note: It is now March, the 25th, 2023. The day after my birthday, and the day after Ash Ketchum's journey came to a close. I'll make this brief so you can get back to the story, lol. I think the last time the anime was truly great, was the XY/Z series, even though I wasn't a fan of the Ash-Greninja gimmick, and was glad Ash lost to Alain who is just a much more experienced Trainer. Sun and Moon was good but full of issues, and Journeys was honestly just an entire mess. But, Ash, I love you. Thank you and all the writers of your journey, for inspiring me. For guiding me both in ways to write my story, and how NOT to write my story, all the same. I may disagree with the way things went, and the way you are leaving, but I sat through just about all of it and, at its best episodes, had a lot of laughs, tears, and edge of my seat thrills. It's a sour-sweet taste to have you leave on my birthday. I meant to release this chapter the day of your leaving but was unable to, but perhaps this is for the better. It was your day to shine, Ash Ketchum. While this chapter of mine has nothing to do with you or your leaving the anime, I dedicate it to you all the same, as this story would be nothing without your influence. Congratulations on everything.

Til next time, Ashy-Boy.

I've never felt so tired in my life, Gary kept to himself, lying on his back in the grass. Is all the stress finally catching up to me? Is that all? I feel like I went out to collect my final seven Badges overnight and just got back! He put his hand to his head and frowned. "Hey can you guys shut up already?!!" he suddenly raged out and sat up furiously.

Primeape, Weepinbell, Ivysaur, Dugtrio, Kingdra, Charizard, Magneton, Raichu, Galvantula and Electivire all turned to him in surprise, stopping their consumption of individually appropriate nourishment.

Breathing hard, he stood up, suddenly energized. "All this damn crunching and munching and zapping and shocking is driving me nuts!!" he screamed. "Just shut up!!" Rationality started seeping into his brain, staring at the stunned looks the Pokemon were giving him. He swallowed and turned his back on them and walked away. "I just need some fresh air, okay?!" he said. As he walked through the grass and trees, under a bright blue sky, a steady breeze began blowing. Inhaling and exhaling, he stomped through the area. I was just doing push-ups, he told himself. That's why I'm tired. I did forty before I gave out, but then went right into sit-ups! It's no wonder I'm tired. The journey of a Pokemon Trainer is tiring enough. I never really worked out before. I didn't really need to.

But it's not just that... Gary continued. My head. I feel so stressed. I feel like something happened last night, Gary was thinking, his head swimming. I feel like... maybe I had a nightmare. What did I even dream about? I've been having so many of those since arriving in this region. I guess because my life has only gotten worse since coming out here. I wish I'd never come here. I should have gone to Johto. Anywhere! But not here.

Why did I even come out here in the first place? he wondered, frowning. Thinking. Confused. And then he saw the face of the monster, clear in his mind, and he made tight fists, his face tightening with anger, and his teeth clenched. The monster. The book, he remembered. That stupid, useless book of myths. And what did that stupid thing cost me? I've lost June. Shit, I've lost my sister! This whole journey has just... been pain! Tears filled Gary's eyes as he moved quicker. As if trying to leave his stress and regrets behind him. This whole journey... My friends and Pokemon and family. Isaac... Team Solace. They're gone, but gone proving what? Proving to me finally what they've been trying to tell me all along? Was this journey worth it? Everyone would still be fine if we all just stayed home! Stayed in school! Got real jobs!

His teeth grinded against each other, his eyes closing as he shook his head before a scream exploded out of his throat and he charged into the woods blindly. This stupid action resulted in his crashing hard into a tree, and he dropped flat to his face. Weak, shaky, and feeling miserable, Gary started to cry. Like a baby needing his mommy, Gary sobbed out loud. He made fists and slid them through the ground, stopping near his head. One fist slammed into the leaves and dirt, the other following, and his body gave out against the ground, defeated. All of this, for what? Gary wondered as he kept crying more quietly. All the questions I had before, and now, I only have more.