Chapter 14/Final: New Game, New Battle

The new morning rose. Ash, Rebecca and Pikachu slept soundly as the sun bled into the room at Yugi's home. Rebecca's tightened hold on Ash didn't bother him while Pikachu started to wake. He peered to Ash and Rebecca, their bond solidified after Yugi's duel with Bandit Keith. Pikachu sensed something from outside the room. As he reached the door, Solomon opened it quietly, peering inside. "Oh, Pikachu," he quietly welcomed. "Good morning. I'll get you something to eat."

("Okay…") Pikachu accepted and exited the room. As he left, Rebecca began to wake, moans lisping from her mouth. Seeing her new boyfriend, Rebecca gave Ash a huge kiss on the lips, her hand palming his chest and tongue scraping his cheeks. Aroused, Ash gripped Rebecca around her torso. Finally, Ash woke to see his new girlfriend.

"Next time I want to get my feet wet…" he teased.

"I may be getting to that age already," she believed. Both shared laughs before getting out of bed. They uncovered the blankets, their legs drenched. Luckily, Ash found a couple of towels in the drawer. Reaching down the steps with dried legs, Ash and Rebecca saw Pegasus with a package.

"Ashy-boy!" he greeted. "I thought you'd still be here. After all…" He handed Ash his PokéDex. "You wouldn't leave this here. Even recharged it." Ash felt glad to have his device back.

"Thanks," he accepted. "Saves energy for Pikachu." That's when he saw the package. "Are all those new Duel Monster cards?"

"Almost all… one is a copy of my own and one that Yugi-boy has. The rest are Pokémon-based." Ash opened the package and saw numerous cards from a light brown mouse with a lightning rod for its tail to a large black dog with small horns. He found Dark Magician Girl and Toon Dark Magician Girl also in the deck, making Ash gulp. "Dark Magician Girl? And Toon Dark Magician Girl?"

"Well, Pegasus is known to have a sense of humor," Yugi giggled. Pikachu picked up the mouse's card and awed at it. The mouse had an Attack of 1,600 and Defense of 900.

("Is that Raichu-based?") he squeaked. ("Or after me?") Pegasus looked to the card.

"ThundRodent is modeled after you, Pikachu," he revealed. "It's like how I modeled Houndour for Devil Dog and Forestsaurus after Venusaur." Pikachu uncovered the purple card of a stegosaurus with small trees on its back.

"Forestsaurus is a Fusion of Sword Arm of Dragon and a Plant-type monster," Ash read. "You've really found a lot of inspiration with my Pokémon. Thanks!"

"No, I should be thanking you," Pegasus replied as they both shook hands. Solomon and Yugi smiled as witnesses to the shake. Soon, Yugi's friends came by to see some of the new cards, including a Magic card that pictured a nest of eggs, painted faces on them.

"Nest Egg can draw an 'Egg' monster from your deck to your hand?" read Joey. "Just imagine if I had a Red Eyes Black Chick in my deck…" Before he could, Téa corrected him.

"Hate to spoil it but Red Eyes Black Chick wouldn't count," she groaned. "It has to have 'Egg' in the name." Joey gawked to the correction. Knowing that Ash had his PokéDex back, Serenity had a request that even Rebecca and Mai wanted to know.

"Can we see Togepi's status?" the redhead requested.

"Alright…" he surrendered. After a few button presses, Togepi's picture appeared.

"Togepi, the Spike Ball Pokémon," it registered. "When treated kindly, Togepi shares luck and fortune to its caretakers." The girls cooed to the description.

"I wish that was every baby when born," Mai hoped. The boys sighed to the wishes.

"Can we wait until we graduate from high school before we think about children?" mulled Tristan. Mai giggled to Tristan's concern.

"Someone hasn't hit puberty!" she joked. Téa and Rebecca laughed to Mai's tease. Ash and Pikachu shook their smiling heads. Pharaoh sensed something from Ash and decided to mention it.

"Yugi, it may be best if we brought him back to the Pokémon World," he brought up. This made Yugi hesitant.

'Are you sure?' he wondered.

"I fear Kaiba may come after him after seeing his recent duels. If he's back in the Pokémon World, he won't have to worry about a duel against him."Accepting, Yugi came over to Ash and palmed his shoulder.

"Ash, the Pharaoh says it's time," he reported. "Time to go home." Ash nodded, accepting where he needed to be.

"Yug, you sure?" questioned Joey.

"It's not my call, but I do trust the spirit." To the girls, it meant saying goodbye to their new friend. Mai was first to step up.

"Well, you were the first one to stay by my side when you first got here," she complimented as she took his cap off. "So, here's one for the road." She kissed Ash on the forehead. Rebecca giggled, knowing Ash had no romantic feelings for her. Téa came next.

"Hey, not anyone can duel two guys and get a perfect win," she reminded. "Still, thanks for sharing your Pokémon with us." She gave Ash a kiss to his cheek. Serenity wanted a turn as well.

"You know, it's not gonna be the same without you," she teared up. "I wish you and your Pokémon well." She leaned in and kissed the other cheek. Tristan and Duke knew she said her farewell.

"You three will have fun as a new group," Joey acknowledged. "And Ash, she may be a handful at times… I'm just saying." Ash nodded, accepting Joey's warning. As Ash and Pikachu had their final goodbyes, Pharaoh chimed in as Serenity gave Pikachu a cheek kiss that made the Mouse Pokémon blush.

"I suggest we go and see this world ourselves," he offered. "We may find inspiration to how their game is played."Yugi seemed interested as he came to Ash's side.

"I know it's coming at the last minute, but the Pharaoh wanted to see the Pokémon World," he addressed. To Ash, extra company was welcoming.

"Of course!" he cheered. With extra company, Ash, Rebecca, Yugi and Pikachu found the alley where Ash and Pikachu first arrived.

"This is where you came from?" asked Rebecca.

("I'm sure of it,") Pikachu assured. Ash believed his partner and recalled the scene.

"Right, Kuriboh was the one who guided us from Goldenrod City to here," he thought back.

"You don't believe Kuriboh's alive," Rebecca scorned.

"Maybe not really alive, but its spirit is strong," Yugi explained. The four entered and journeyed a bit before getting lost in the corridors. Pharaoh spotted something.

"Eyes up, Yugi!" he alerted. Yugi looked up, finding Kuriboh floating.

"Hey, Kuriboh!" he called up. Kuriboh looked down from the air. Rebecca's eyes tried to find Kuriboh but couldn't.

"Where!?" she wondered. Looking to his girlfriend, Ash believed she didn't have the same senses he and Yugi have.

"Just follow us and we'll be there," he assessed. Rebecca's nod was a promise as Kuriboh wondered what to do.

"Can you get us to Goldenrod City?" asked Yugi. Kuriboh bobbed its head and led them through the corridors. Finally, they reached the other side. They saw red pigeons flying above, tiny pink and blue rhinos, green pods with spinning yellow flowers…

"So, this is Ash's home…" Pharaoh believed. Out of nowhere…

("I found Pikachu!") shrilled Togepi. All turned to find a happy Togepi running toward them. Pikachu disembarked from Ash's shoulder.

("Togepi!") he cheered. Togepi hugged Pikachu, grateful to see him again.

"So adorable!" cooed Rebecca. Yugi knelt to Togepi for a better look.

"If Serenity or Téa got a look at you, I don't think they'd let you go," he teased. Togepi shrilled, liking the sight of new people. Just then, Misty, Brock and Whitney found the group. Whitney had a light pink rotund creature that's shaped like a star with tiny wings, pink ears with brown tips and a curled tail

"Togepi!" cried Misty. Togepi waddled to Misty as Ash, Yugi and Rebecca turned to Ash's friends.

"Misty!" called out Ash. "Brock! Whitney!" Misty retrieved Togepi before facing Ash.

"Where have you been!?" she stormed. "We've been looking for you for about two weeks!" Ash gulped to Misty's rage.

"Calm down! I got myself lost and found new monsters and a new game that I had to know-"

"New monsters!? If there is anything water-related, maybe…" Ash wove a finger to Misty before digging into his bag of stuff.

"Duke's Dungeon Dice Monsters set… I thought he packed it in." He soon found the t-shirt he wanted to grab Misty. "Like this one?" Seeing Red Archery Girl, Misty's anger subsided and soon became interested.

"A mermaid? Wow, you did find something. Thanks!"

"Wait until you see the cards." This made Brock and Whitney befuddled.

"What cards?" the brunette asked. "And who are they?" Rebecca stepped up to greet Brock.

"I was wondering when you'd notice us," she scoffed. "But, better late than never… I'm Rebecca Hawkins… and I'm Ash's new boyfriend." Misty, Brock and Whitney's faces gawked to her announcement.

"BOYFRIEND!?" they shouted. Showing, Rebecca's hand linked her hand to Ash's. Pikachu's laugh couldn't be hidden from Togepi or the winged creature. Whitney recovered before embracing both in a hug.

"I'm so proud of you two!" she cheered. Brock mulled to the news.

"Not fair!" he whined while Misty balled up her fist.

"That jerk…" she scowled. Yugi rushed to Misty to calm her down again.

"Take it easy!" he yelped. "Listen, I know that you're upset, but don't let it get to you!" Misty groaned to the news, finding herself in the losing position. Whitney now turned to Yugi.

"And who might you be?" she asked. Yugi turned to Whitney and the creature on her shoulder.

"I'm Yugi Muto," he identified. "I helped Ash become a duelist while we kept him around. By the way, I'm surprised you guys didn't follow Team Rocket."

"Wait, Team Rocket followed you?" repeated Brock.

"They did and they're after Pikachu still," Ash confirmed. Misty shook her head.

"Of course, they'd go after Pikachu," she murmured. "They'll never learn…" Whitney shrugged her shoulders.

"What can you do?" she sighed. "By the way, you sound like a teenager, but you're no taller than Misty." Yugi billowed a sigh as Rebecca pulled on Whitney's shirt. She knelt down to listen.

"Yugi's family have short legs," she informed. "Don't bully him about it." Misty overheard Rebecca's advice and awed.

"Whoa…" she hushed before going to Yugi's side. "I'm sorry about your legs."

"It's alright…" Yugi waived off. "I'm used to it, especially for the King of Games." Misty jumped at the news of Yugi's title.

"You're a king?" repeated Brock. "But you're… a little…" Rebecca and Misty snagged Brock's ears and dragged him away,

"What did he just get done talking about?" argued Misty.

"Talk about insensitive," Rebecca mulled as they dragged Brock away.

"My ears!" he complained. "Not my ears!" Ash, Whitney, Yugi and the Pokémon huffed sighs to the ordeal.

"That usually happens when there's a girl he likes," Ash clarified.

"I believe they were trying not to insult you," Whitney guessed.

"Not that it hasn't bothered me too much," Yugi muttered, Assured that Rebecca would be fine, Yugi opted to leave. Misty, Rebecca and Brock returned with Brock rubbing his ears. "I can be assured you'll take care of Rebecca, Ash?"

"Of course!" responded Ash.

"We can contact Professor Elm and have a Pokémon given to her," Misty assured.

"Okay…" eased Yugi. "I know we'll meet up again and with my other friends."

"Can't wait for that," Rebecca giggled. With waives, Yugi set off to return to Domino City. Misty was sifting through the Pokémon-based Duel Monster cards.

"My goodness!" she awed. "This is what you play? I'll be surprised if Ash actually won any of these?" Rebecca felt the need to correct Misty.

"Those are actually new cards Maximillion Pegasus made aft ," she mentioned as she brought out a Magic card with a cow and milk.

"Moo Milk. Recover 300 Life Points and 100 more Life Points for every Beast-Type monster in your Graveyard." Ash smiled at the sight before offering a suggestion.

"Let's see the rest of the cards at the Pokémon Center," he pointed out. "That way, we can contact Professor Elm about getting Rebecca her first Pokémon."

"Or Professor Oak," Brock countered. The girls agreed before going on their way. From that point on, Misty and Brock were given lessons about Duel Monsters and some Dungeon Dice Monsters while Rebecca got lessons about Pokémon. Togepi had fun rolling the dice while playing, and messing the game up. Becoming a full-fledged Pokémon Trainer, Rebecca found inspiration with how Pokémon behave and wanted to improve on it. A few months passed. Now, the four and all their Pokémon began to arrive at a house in a new town with Rebecca carrying a tiny pale green dinosaur-like Pokémon on her back. The baby dinosaur had a shark fin on its head, an orange chest plate and some black spots. As soon as they arrived, they were shocked to see the building having a party. There, Téa and another brunette woman in pink were setting food up as two men in lab coats waived them over.

"There you are!" called the gray-haired man. "I knew you'd be coming!" Ash waived them over as he, Rebecca and the Pokémon dashed over to the crowd.

"Professor Oak!" he called out. Hearing who's come by, Yugi, Joey, Serenity and Mako called them up.

"Did Domino City come calling?" joked Rebecca. The dinosaur got nervous and slightly curled itself. "Larvitar, I know it's a little scary with so many people around."

("So much…") Larvitar shivered. Yugi and Joey reached Ash and the gang as two Pokémon joined: a large white cat with a ruby embedded in its forehead and a larger version of Totodile with yellow for the underbelly.

"Boy, Ash," Joey called out. "This place is amazing!" The crocodile croaked to Joey's side.

"Isn't it, Joey?" teased Rebecca. "And it seems you have a Croconaw."

"And Yugi has a Persian," Ash noticed.

"These Pokémon came to us," Yugi claimed."Not that any of us are complaining." Croconaw came over to Larvitar who hid behind Rebecca's legs. The brunette woman reached the group gathering.

"I didn't think my son would have so many friends from beyond," she praised. "After all, I'm still surprised that you have a girlfriend who came from Domino City."

"I know, right, Mom?" an embarrassed Ash muttered. Togepi shrilled to the reunion which drew the girls in, including Tristan and Duke. By Mai was a large brown owl while Serenity had a tiny Pikachu in her arms.

"Ash, you told us that your mom's a great cook, but you never said how great," Tristan mentioned.

"It's a lot better than that time we were dealing with those who used the Seal of Oricalcos," Téa teased. Ash itched his head about his mother's praise.

"She knows how to shine with food," he admitted as Mai stepped toward Misty and Togepi.

"So, this is the Togepi Ash told you about!" cooed Mai. "You don't mind if I hold him for awhile?" Misty gulped before thinking no harm would happen.

"Sure, I bet Togepi would like more friends," she surrendered. Mai held Togepi close as Serenity reached to pet him.

"This makes me a little anxious in a few years," she pondered. Out of nowhere, Brock entered to hold Serenity's hands.

"Perhaps there's a chance that maybe a moment between us can find the serene space and discuss the creatures we'd like to sleep with," he wished. Tristan and Duke weren't exactly happy and rushed to cut Brock off. Tristan had a steel bagworm with spikes protruding out.

"Now, hold on!" halted Duke. "You're not getting close to Serenity while we're here!"

"She's for us to have," Tristan claimed. "You'd be better off with someone else." To Brock, it was a challenge.

"Don't bet on it so soon," he gritted as he stripped his top and exposed his chest. "You're talking to Brock the Rock on this!"

"Oh, please…" Tristan snapped before he and Duke stripped their tops. The girls became worried as the three flexed their bare chests and torsos to each other. Without warning, the three were knocked out by Téa and Misty, armed with mallets. By Téa was the same Pokémon Whitney had.

"Boys…" Téa groaned.

"I know that feeling," Misty sided. Mako came forward to see Misty.

"You must be the traveling companion with Ash, right?" he greeted. "I'm Mako Tsunami. Ash told me about you." Misty saw the muscles on him and wanted to feel.

"Do, uh… Do you mind if I…" she stuttered.

"Of course. These are true muscles of a fisherman." Learning about Mako's job, Misty became excited as Téa got a chance to toss Togepi up and down.

"Oh my gosh… I feel like I'm touching heaven…" Ash and Pikachu came forward with an interest.

"Aside from Duke, I see that everyone has a Pokémon," he pointed out. "Did you get one?"

"Oh, did I, Ash," he smirked before he released a huge blue jellyfish with many tentacles. It had a horn that was sharp as a sword. Misty ran over and hugged it.

"A TENTACRUEL!" she cheered. "And you are real!" Turning back, her eyes became hearts.

"I think Mako got another catch of the day," Joey joked.

"Certainly looks like it," Mai agreed, as did Togepi's shrill. Misty leaped to Mako, arms extended.

"Sail away with me!" she cooed prior to giving Mako a kiss to the lips. A foot lifted high from Mako's shins. The brunette man in the lab coat and Ash's mother came to Rebecca and Larvitar.

"So, has Larvitar made any progress since hatching?" he asked. Larvitar gawked and hid behind Rebecca's legs again.

"Little…" Rebecca said. "He hadn't really been all excited, just scared." Téa heard about Larvitar.

"Oh yeah…" she recognized "The egg with poachers." Rebecca bobbed her head. Yugi came to Ash and Pikachu with an idea.

"So, Ash…" he called "Wanna see how good I am as a trainer?" This made Ash and Pikachu prepared.

"You're on, Yugi!" he accepted. Both had a clearing as Oak came to the field. The Pharaoh had a request.

"Yugi, allow me to battle Ash," he suggested. Yugi wasn't moving.

"Pharaoh, it's okay…" he eased. "This isn't Duel Monsters. I'll be fine out here." Pharaoh seemed taken back but soon acknowledged Yugi's fun.

"Very well…" Oak came to the two as Mai returned Togepi to Misty.

"I will officiate this battle between Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town, and Yugi Muto from Domino City!" he ruled. "Each will use all of their Pokémon until they cannot continue. Everyone ready?" Ash and Yugi nodded.

"Let's do it, Pikachu!" he summoned. Pikachu came onto the field.

"Then I'll use Persian," Yugi ordered. Persian joined Pikachu for the battle. Oak threw his arm down.

"Begin!" he started. Pikachu and Persian raced to attack each other. As everyone watched, Rebecca had to feel like the true winner. A new life, new purpose and new love. Perhaps… it was all in the cards…

THE END