"Wake up, Ash"

His eyes slowly fluttered open. He painfully started regaining breath, cold and pale. Everything around him was white, except for a machine which seemed to be causing that faint beeping sound.

His blurry vision cleared, revealing a woman to his left with a warm smile, clenching his hand in hers. She called for someone outside the room, then leaned closer to him. Her mouth started moving, but he couldn't make anything of the sound that followed.

Where was he? What was he doing in this bright room? 

Finally, his senses took pity on him.

"Ash, honey, I'm so glad you're awake!", the woman sobbed, squeezing his hand.

"What?", Ash mumbled slowly, "I don't...awake? Where...w...don't tell me I'm in another coma"

"Ash, sweetie...you're okay. Everything's okay now. I wanted to be there when you wake up, but your friends have a little surprise for you"

She left the room as he sat up. That's right. He had real friends now.

Clemont came padding in with a huge grin, holding something colourful. Bonnie followed close behind, holding her brother's leg. Behind them was about ten other people.

"Happy Pride Month gender abolishment...", he sang softly, "As well as your birthday, and the fact that your gunshot wound wasn't fatal..."

Ash beamed weakly at the adorable attempt to fit all the letters onto one cake. 

"We looked at the translator's history at the police station", said Mairin, "You're such a badass!"

Clemont softly placed the device onto the bedside table as the Professor scolded his daughter for her language.

"There's no way all of you were permitted to visit at once", Ash chuckled softly.

"They made an exception. I told them you'd sign autographs", Clemont shrugged, "So...how are you feeling?"

"Well, having found out that my father genetically engineered me in his lab and then repeatedly tried to kill me afterwards...plus the fact that he tried to murder my friends in a plane crash...I'm just glad he's imprisoned"

"Best security in Japan. But you know you're the boss of Lysandre Labs now. Oh, we should've written that on the cake, too"

"I think you've got enough on the cake"

He gently blew out the candles as those around him cheered. He couldn't help but smile as he looked at all of them.

"Also...", Serena mumbled shyly, "I should probably let you know that I accidentally revealed your multiple identities while talking to the police. Sorry. Think I kinda just ruined your life a little"

"You didn't ruin my life. If anything, I ruined your lives"

"It wasn't you, it was your dad. Besides, I'm kinda glad it happened. I feel like we have something going in this little group here", said Tierno.

"Yeah. I don't wanna leave you guys, even when I get my big break as a dancer", added Shauna, "I'll give you guys free tickets to my performances like Ash"

They stayed chatting in the spacey hospital room until sunset, when they all fell asleep against the walls with leftovers of cake in their laps. 

Ash managed to fall asleep at one point, but the pain of breathing forced him awake. Clemont, who fell asleep leaning on his hospital bed, awoke to the ruffling of the sheets and silently sat next to him.

"Even if we don't have Pokemon...we're still best friends, you know...", he yawned, resting his head on Ash's shoulder, "...But I should apologize. I thought terribly of you a few hours ago"

"It's alright. I got you into that situation. It was my duty to get you out"

Realizing his friend had fallen asleep, he made himself comfortable against the wall of his bed before drifting off to sleep himself.

"...Dream as you will"