The drive wasn't that long, maybe an hour or two. But my attention was more on the speeding trees that swept past us as we drove down roads and through woods. I'd never been so in awe and it'd taken me more than a few minutes to realise they were the woods I'd ran through just a few days earlier. They had looked a lot different the first time I'd ran through them. They looked big and scary. Now, as they vanished into the distance behind us, they looked like they were shining from the sun's warm rays.

They were shrinking as we drove, and a small town was growing in time.

"See that there?" Ash asked me, pointing out towards the town. "That's Pallet town. That's my home. Professor Oak's home too. It'll be yours now." Excitement welled up in my chest, my home. Mine. I'd never had a real home before. I hoped I wasn't going to be confined to somewhere small. A lab, I imagine, is a small cramped place filled with machines. How could pokemon fit in that? Unless they're all in poke balls.

"My home" I breathed smiling. I'd face the problem of my home once we got there. Till then I was going to revel in the fact that I had a home and I was wanted.

It took a few moments but the car pulled up outside the professor's lab. And I was beyond shocked. Pokemon were running outside the lab, kept safe by a long fence expanded over what had to be a few acres. They were of all shapes and sizes, and at various stages of evolution. I'd never seen so many in my life, and was sure I'd be forever asking Arcanine for names.

"Impressed?" Ash asked, his voice holding laughter, I was sure my mouth was hanging open, I probably resembled a Goldeen. I didn't even attempt to speak words in anyway tangible. So instead I nodded. "I thought so. Most people are like that. You should have seen me when I first saw this." I felt a little better knowing that. Still, it was a lot to take in.

The car's door opened for us and none of us could stay inside. I was so excited, I presumed this is what they called 'childlike joy'.

I jumped from the car, my feet landing on smooth paving. Pikachu followed soon after, he didn't look quite as giddy but he was happy. Unlike me he'd seen this place before, I was sure.

"Come on." I rushed, wanting to get in as soon as humanly, and pokemon, possible.

"Calm down, the lab isn't going to vanish in a few seconds." Ash laughed, but he did hurry. Thankfully he could see just how excited I was. Brock, Ash and Professor Oak were all out of the car, now all that was needed was to get inside and free my family.

I was so close to changing my life forever that it didn't seem real. I half expected to wake up back with him, scared and bruised. But even my subconscious, which had fantasised about today all my life, couldn't create happiness this great.

"Come on, let's stop wasting time staring how about I show you to your new home?" I was beginning to like Professor Oak more and more. He was a kind old man, that I was sure. And here he was saying it was my home. I hadn't even looked at it yet. I didn't have to say a word my expression spoke volumes.

The old professor led us all inside. Pikachu opting to stand by me rather than ride on Ash's shoulder. I wasn't sure why and I was far too concerned with seeing my home than finding out.

The door swung open a young boy greeting us. As my mouth opened to question Ash came out with it.

"Gary!" The name meant nothing to me but it obviously did to Pikachu and Brock. "What are you doing here?"

"With him being gone to collect this little pokemon. Of whom I've heard so much. I opted to stay back and watch them. These pokemon aren't going to look after themselves." The smirk on the boy's face was huge.

"Modest as ever Gary. So, you gonna let us in?"

"I don't know, I quite like being a professor." The two seemed to have a strange friendship, but I could see a rivalry too. The boy, Gary, moved aside just a few seconds later though and thankfully we were all allowed inside.

"Alright, now, I would show you around in here but I feel you're far too impatient to wait any longer. So we'll leave this for once you've settled in, how about I show you your actual home. I know you'll love it." I was grinning as I was led through a door back into the outside. The sun blinded me instantly, and though I'd only been inside for a few minutes my eyes had already readjusted. The grass looked so green, almost like I was looking at a utopia. Tall trees were towering over us, pokemon hanging from the trees smiling and waving over.

I couldn't believe this, so many pokemon in one place. So many I'd never seen before. Running out I turned, grinning over at Ash. He caught on quickly nudging Brock who released all of my friends. They all looked so healthy, better than I'd ever seen. Their fur was shining, smiles adorned their faces. It was a dream come true.

I'm not too sure what happened after this, everything blurred, pokemon greeted us, their warm smiles making me feel right at home. Arcanine found us an uninhabited tree to use as our home. Chansey was making friends with the others healing pokemon around. And Primeape was lounging about finally allowed to indulge in his nature.

Brock Ash and Gary were still stood at the door watching us, smiling over. I wanted to run to them and thank them for everything. Especially Ash, he'd saved my life, not to mention all my friends. If it weren't for him I shudder to think what would have become of us.

In a moment of calm he called over.

"Guys, we're heading out!" I wanted to run over and hug him goodbye. Thank him a million times so maybe he'd begin to understand how grateful I am. But I couldn't, all I could do was stand there. Almost like I was frozen. "We'll see you soon. Promise" I couldn't believe that I actually believed him, but I did. So I stayed put. Shouting over my farewell with all the other inhabitants of Professor Oak's lab.

As the door closed I couldn't feel sad. I was far too happy. Besides, he said he was going to visit.

And I was going to hold him to that.

This is the final chapter, I'm sorry it's so short but it seemed the perfect place to end it. Thanks for reading and please review