Chapter 28: Love Prevails
Unaware what was really going on, millions of people were gathered on the crystal sea near Shamouti Island, as Oak and the rest waited for May to return, hoping she would succeed.
Suddenly endless amount of Pokemon appeared, by walking on the crystallised sea or flying, as they gathered among the people. Oak then remembered a very similar event in the past.
- The Pokemon are gathering…for the end…this is the place the Millennium Comet will hit…
- It´s just like when you, me and Ivy came here due to the abnormal global weather…
- But this time there is no remedy… no Lugia to save us… this is where it all ends Delia…
Misty remained immobile and weak on the crystal ground, held by Brock while Delia and Oak walked out onto the crystal sea to explain more to all the people of what is going on.
- Misty… even though this is the end… seeing you like this… it´s breaking my heart…
- It was always my destiny Brock… sooner or later… important thing is that I succeeded…
- You gave up eternity with Ash, just to give life a new chance to start again once it´s over…
- I still don´t regret it, it is my life and my death… but it seems that Ash has realised it now…
- Maybe… but wherever we end up at after the end… you still won´t be there with him…
Suddenly a portal opened, as Auron and Lucario came out. Oak told everyone to make room, as they asked where Misty and the shrine is. Oak then lead the way through the large crowd.
- I am Auron, a Guardian of Aura. Despite my death, I return to make the final preparations.
- Ash told me about you and your Lucario… what is going on Auron, where is Ash and May?
- Both are in the Unown temple, they asked us to go in advance before they come here too.
- So it´s over? May succeeded with convincing Ash to give him the Aura of Mew and Ho-Oh?
- No… he realised himself… once he discovered the purpose of life… and gave up their Aura.
Arriving at the shrine, everyone made room for them, as Auron kneeled down next to Misty on the ground. He then told Lucario to take them forth, as Lucario took out something.
It was the Soul Shards. Previously imbedded into May´s hand, Lucario had managed tp release them and by Ash´s request was asked to take the shards to Misty at the shrine.
- He wanted you to hold onto these… it will keep you alive a bit longer until he returns…
- So he understood… and is now willing to let me go… thank you both for your help…
- We only showed him truth, it was he that embraced it… he´ll soon be here to say goodbye…
Still at the Unknown temple, May remained shocked. Ash had impaled his heart with the ancient Soul Shard, wanting to show Misty that a life without her is not worth living.
- In awhile, I will die May… thank you for doing all this…even if it won´t change a thing…
- You… really mean it when you said you would die without her… but Ash… what about me?
- I know that I still have a place in your heart May…but someone else has to take that place…
- A part of me will always feel more for you than just a friend… but what you just did, it´s…
- My own way of saying goodbye… to you and to everyone else…so May… goodbye…
Ash then collapsed on the ground, as all the Aura he has within himself was transferred into the Soul Shard, including Mew and Ho-Oh´s Aura. Heavily crying, May held him in her arms.
His body was slowly getting crystallised, and within a minute his whole body was covered with the crystallisation. Letting him go, May then saw that the Soul Shard was glowing.
Remembering what Auron told and showed her, May picked it up and looked for the place in was inserted in the beginning, as she managed to find it. May then put the Soul Shard back.
The entire room immediately lit up, as Ash´s crystal body was turned to crystal dust. A portal then opened, as strong wind emerged and carried the crystal dust through the portal.
The Soul Shard then got lose and ended up in May´s hand, as she stepped through and arrived at the shrine. With the portal closed, May and the others saw how the dust, carried by the wind, got high into the sky. Asked what it was, May did not have the heart to tell anyone.
But Misty knew. The moment it came through the portal she felt Ash´s presence, despite being very weak. May then kneeled down next to Misty and told her that Ash has surrendered.
The crystal dust formed a portal, as the radiant sun reflected upon it. Ho-Oh then came through the portal and flew away, shortly followed by Mew also coming out of the portal.
- They´re back… and they know the danger… they´re leaving the planet due to the comet…
- You´re right... what now Auron? What is going to happen? What can we do to help them?
- My purpose here is done just like my predecessor… all your Aura will be assimilated by Mew and Ho-Oh once the comet strikes… so you all don´t need to do anything anymore…
Auron and Lucario then faded away, as Misty faded away aswell. Trained Pokemon knew what was going to happen and stayed close to their trainers, while the wild Pokemon stood by the people that had no one left to turn to.
Somebody then took Misty´s hand, as she looked around. It was Ash. With his Aura still alive, he used his power as a Guardian of Aura to remain in the spirit world, for his final goodbye.
- I knew you would return... the others don´t know... that you came and left with the wind...
- May will say it for me... after what I almost did... I can´t face mom or Oak anymore...
- Thank you... for letting me go... Ash... there is something I want you to do for me...
Misty took forth a Soul Shard and put it in Ash´s hand. Ash knew what she wanted him to do, as he took aim and stabbed Misty right in the heart. She immediately got into spirit form.
- I did the same... unfotunatly May was there... I wish she´d never seen me do it...
- It´s soon going to be over Ash... but I don´t to die like this... so do it. Set me free.
Knowing he´d soon fade away too, both wanted to go together, as Ash gave Misty one last kiss. A kiss of death for both of them, as Ash and Misty quickly faded away together.
With both of them gone, all the other people and Pokemon began to fade away aswell, their Aura released and eventually gathered. Wanting to take Delia´s hand, Oak instead took Giovanni´s and let him hold her, as he thought about Gary and his own lost sons.
Minutes later the entire planet was all covered in crystallisation, and nothing was left. Everyone was gone. And the Millenium Comet crashed down right into the shrine...
In an instant the now crystal planet was overwhelmed by the amount of energy and ignited, turning the entire planet into a new sun. A stream of Aura was released and sent out, as Ho-Oh and Mew were out there, waiting for the moment to start over life once again.
Despite Ho-Oh being ready... Mew did not want to start over yet....and used whatever mysterious power it posesses to use the overflow of energy for something else for the moment. A portal opened in space, as Ho-Oh tried to stop Mew from entering it.
But Mew was already dead set on getting in and teleported past Ho-Oh to enter the portal. Mew then opened it´s eyes, and found itself in another world. The Unown´s world.
With no Unown left due to Ash´s previous onslaught of them all, Mew then went through several layers of the mysterious dimension until it finally found what it was looking for.
Feeling the prescence of two legendary Pokemon that have kept themselves shrouded in mystery by remaining in their world, Mew asked of them something only they can achieve.
Having witnessed everything from the start but not got involved, both Pokemon complied with Mew´s wish and used their powers for what was asked of them. To alter time and space.
Knowing even their power and Aura is not enough to go enough back in time to stop the entire cycle of events from happening, Mew only needed them to go to a specific timeline.
Waves of time spread all over and eventually reached out of their dimension, all while space riples altered the state of every mass, changing everything in combination with time waves.
Knowing that the Pokemon cannot uphold the new space and time for too long, Mew immediately teleported outside their dimension dimension, and saw that they succeeded.
The planet was in place and alive, but Mew got worried as it saw that the Millenium Comet still was visable and headed towards the planet. With no time to waste, Mew descended.
Not sure if time was rewinded enough, Mew knew that atleast a specific person would be alive, and could make a major difference in the possible aftermath that would end everything.
Mew arrived at it´s destination. The millitia base that Jason early took over. Mew flew straight into the base and into a locked room, as it immediately teleported someone away from there.
It was Ash. Seconds away from being teleported away by the Unown after he freaked out from seeing Misty´s warning, Mew got to him in time and teleported him out of their range.
With him safe, Mew immediatly left aswell, as it took off and got the attention of Lugia and other nearby Legendary Pokemon, which then decided to follow Mew and see what happened.
Teleporting all the Legendary Birds and Ash to the shrine at Shamouti Island, Mew then used it´s powers to give them insight to what would happen in the future if certain events happen.
Opening a portal of Lugia, Mew had to regain it´s strength as it then teleported away. Lugia immediately knew what was necessary, as it told Ash to remain until they all return shortly.
All the birds flew high into the sky, as they then took a dive straight into the portal. Still in shock due to what Mew just showed him, Ash barely couldn´t believe that Misty or even he himself would go that far, with each event becoming a chain that would destroy the world.
Several minutes passed since they all left, as Ash became ever more restless, not sure what to do until they return, when suddenly he took cover. Ho-Oh came out in the blink of an eye.
Seconds later Lugia got out of the portal, as finally Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres got out. Lugia then used Aeroblast and hit the portal, making its energy flow so unstable that it closed.
Not sure what just happened, suddenly someone hugged Ash from behind. It was Misty. Mew had opened a stealthed portal to the Unown´s world, in which the birds then made a surprise attack in time to stop them and get Misty out of there before it was too late to stop a tragedy.
- I´m so glad you´re safe Ash... I tried to warn you... they tried to use me against you, then...
- It´s ok... you´re safe now... and you´re here with me, and that´s what really matters... Misty...
Suddenly something landed onto Misty´s shoulder. It was Togetic. Misty quickly hugged it and got into tears, as even Ash got tearful, since Mew revealed that it would not be alive at all.
´´ The Unown had previously managed to kill her precious Togetic, but while I and the other three attacked them from every direction, Ho-Oh absorbed it´s Aura and brought it back´´
- Thank you... it must have been a big risk... but both me and Misty needed our Togetic back.
´´ We were ready to leave as soon as I got hold of Misty, but when she cried out for us to save it from the Unown... we couldn´t refuse her plea...we all owe you two atleast that much...´´
- Oh honey, you´re alive... you should never protect me like that again! Never! Promise me!
Togetic refused as Misty would not let it go, still crying due to the thought of losing it. Lugia then signaled that they should move to the next safe location in order to avoid the Unown.
- Knowing what I know now... I think I understand where we should go next. The temple.
´´ I don´t think it is a good idea to put yourself at that kind of dangerous situation... it´s location to the very heart of the enemy in this world, are you sure that you want to go there ?´´
- They have struck my heart several times... now it is time for me to do the same to them.
Ash jumped onto Lugia, as he told Misty to stay behind. Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres remained to protect Misty, while Ho-Oh decided to join Mew to replenish it´s own powers.
Despite her state, Misty got back to her senses and began to wonder what was going on, as she suddenly got a strange feeling of Deja Vu, knowing it can´t be from the first time she, Ash and Tracey where at the shrine. Suddenly Togetic called for Misty to come see something.
Togetic pointed out at something, laying next to the shrine. Misty picked it up and got surprised, as she then looked for something in her pocket and found it. Her handkerchief.
What was in her other hand was also her handkerchief, but torn in two pieces, as Misty got an even stronger feeling of Deja Vu, now even more confused as to how it was even possible.
At the Tree of Beginning, Mew had entered and reached the inner core, as seconds later the entire tree began to release glowing spore. High in the sky and with a strong wind the spores would spread all over the planet within the hour, as Ho-Oh then arrived at the tree.
Having also timetraveled, Ho-Oh knew there was no point in lecturing Mew, as it decided to do its part in what Mew apparently tried to attempt. Knowing that previously the Aura gather should have been used to create a new world, Mew now attempted something entirely else.
Knowing there is a small chance that it just might work, Mew informed Ho-Oh on what to do next. Understanding, Ho-Oh immediately took off towards Johto. Towards the Unown temple.
Mew remained in the chamber, as suddenly Mewtwo was heard from inside the energy core.
´´ Wait Mew... are you sure about this ? Once you entered the core I could see into your mind and saw what is bound to happen in the future unless fate changes... but you are taking a very big risk by putting you trust in Pokemon and humanity... trust even I still have little off …
Even now I am sure the Unown are trying to track down the boy and the girl... they might not know the future, but that still makes them very dangerous... but probably easy to even trick...
Even if your plan does succeed and the Unown fall for the bait... the last step is the boy and the girl... knowing what they know, they probably would go through it...but will it work … ´´
Approaching the Unown Temple, Lugia suddenly stop and turned back, telling Ash that further ahead the Unown have already managed to let loose some to scout for him and Misty.
Suddenly Ho-Oh appeared and flew side by side with Lugia, as it created a link with Ash:
´´ Chosen One! Your heart has indeed endured a lot, but it sadly cannot withstand the terror that will be unleashed if The Unown manage to manifest onto our world. We need more help.
Mew has formed a plan together with the rulers of space and time, that if suceeds will play the Unown against each other, and in their confusion, grant us the chance to stop the decent of the Millenium Comet. The extra help that is needed must come from you and your companion. ´´
Trusting in Ho-Oh, Ash nooded and told it that he´ll do his best. Telepathycally informing both what was the plan, Ho-Oh knew they would hesitate at first. Thinking it through, Lugia gave it´s consent, and told Ash that it just might work if everything works as planned.
Ho-Oh then flew towards space, while Lugia with Ash continued the journey towards the Unown Temple. Minutes later they could see several Unown, going towards multiple directions to spread out and find Ash and Misty. Lugia gathered speed and smashed right into the temple. Alerted, Unown began to searcht the temple rooms for the sudden intrusion.
Jumping off Lugia, Ash wished it luck, as he went to a very familiar room and activated the trap door. Falling down, Ash managed to safely land, and saw himself back in the corridor he previously had taken his life further into the future. Finding the Soul Shard, Ash summoned Auron and Lucario, and informed them of what was going on. But time was running out.
Having faked a surprise attack, Lugia focused on defence to keep the Unown´s Psychic attacks away, but for every block the Safeguard weakened. Desperate to find Ash and Misty, the Unown blindly attacked Lugia in attempt to search it´s mind for valauble information.
Able to hear both Lugia´s and the Unowns screechs, Ash hurried up in telling Auron and Lucario. Nodding, they used what powers they still possess to open up a portal behind Ash.
With Auron and Lucario passing through the portal, Ash took a deep breath and clunched his fist, hoping nothing would go wrong or tragedy might strike again with no way to reverse it.
With his lungs filled with air, Ash let out a loud scream for The Unown. Immediately hearing Ash, the Unown abandoned Lugia and smashed through the trap to reach the corridor below.
Close to the portal, Ash saw the Unown come, but knew they have to get close enough to try to use their attacks. Despite them obviously falling for the trap, Ash had to make sure they really would be foolish enough, as he taunted them, saying the portal will let them manifest.
In their greed, the Unown gathered more speed and numbers, filling the corridor with their screechs. They were then in reach, as they used Psychic on Ash. They fell for the trap. Ash immediately backed into the portal, as suddenly the portal began to suck in the Unown.
With such a narrow corridor their massive power meant nothing, and their numbers one by one they got sucked into the portal until not a single Unown remained inside the corridor.
Opening his eyes, Ash found himself in another dimension, similar to the Unown, but much more expansive and solely ruled by another entity, a supreme ruler of manipulating space.
Able to see the Unown, trapped in a dimension close to the one he is in, Ash then saw Auron and Lucario appear next to him. Being there just incase something would go long, they still had confidence that since everything work perfectly, there should be no problem at all.
The Unown tried to escape, but in the dimension they were in they practically had no power. With a few Unown, the portal then continued to extract more and more Unown, this time from their own dimension, with no chance of escaping the force of the portal and the dimension.
Within minutes the captive dimension had extracted every single Unown, as the portal then closed. Another portal suddenly opened next to Ash, as Misty and Mew came through it.
Hugging each other, Ash and Misty then waited. The supreme ruler of space slowly went through each dimension until reaching the one the Unown were captive in. It´s mighty roar immediately made the Unown gather together, as Ash saw them afriad for the very first time.
Probably knowing what fate awaits them, the Unown attempted to bargain a deal, but the supreme ruler of space, the mighty Palkia, has seen what they in the end were responsible for.
-Even back in ancient times, me and Lucario were very much aware that if we long too much for even more power despite what strength we already possess, that in the end consumes you. That is what has happened to the Unown... Palkia created them as a measure of restoring the planet in preparation for new life, and gave them a shred of its power...but it was not enough...
In the end they wanted more, to know what it feels to be a god among others, to rule their own dimension. Once they had complete control over their dimension, their greed gazed at our dimension and world. But its all over now... they´re exposed, and Palkia is not pleased...
Misty suddenly wanted to ask something, as she took forth both handkercheifs. Seeing two of them, Ash asked if the entire space and time manipulation has had some side effects.
- Strange... from what I understood from you Ash, Mew was aware that the supreme god did not have enough power to go further back into the past or far too much would risk being affacted by the manipulation... let´s just hope this is the only thing that has been affected...
- So you´re saying that my handkerchief that I gave to Ash was ripped in two in the future timeline, and somehow it also ended up here in this past timeline ? Who ripped it and why ?
- Seems Mew has spared you two from the bad memories of the future... throw away the torn handkerchief Misty, for it only symbolises the very opposite of what we try to accomplish.
Sensing somehow that what Auron says is true, Misty instinctively threw that handkerchief at the Unown. Looking up, they could now see Ash and Misty, holding hands together, as the Unown tried to use their powers again, but it was useless. Suddenly another roar was heard.
Another portal opened, as Celebi came out from it and landed upon Ash´s shoulder, as even Pikachu and Togetic came out from the portal, all embraced by Ash and Misty. One last creature came out from the portal before it then closed. The supreme ruler of time. Dialga.
Entering the captive dimension, it signaled to Palkia that it was ready. Using Spacial Rend and Roar of Time, the mighy Pokemon gods prepared to punish Unown to the highest extent. The Unown schreeched, as their power that was given by Palkia was all removed from their Aura.
With the power of space now freely, Palkia entrued this power onto someone else. Misty. Just like Ash has his own power given to him by fate, Misty was given the power not because she was meant to have it. But because after what she has done, for good or evil... she deserved it.
The power to forever remove the malice that tore her and Ash apart. The power to make sure they would never part again. And the power to help Ash fulfill his destiny as The Chosen one.
Honored to have such a power, Misty remained oblivious to what she would have done in the future to make even Palkia sympathise enough to give a mere human such a divine power from the gods themselves. Knowing what to do, Misty held Ash´s hand tight and prepared.
As if she knew on a subconsious level what the Unown were responsible for, she glowed red and used the power to eliminate The Unown completely, despite them being living creatures.
With them now gone, Misty had become the new vessel for the power to manipulate space, a new protector of the planet. But at heart Misty somehow felt that it indeed was that very power that triggered something Mew apparently wants to keep secret from her and Ash.
Suddenly the dimension began to change, as Dialga and Palka returned to their dimension. A portal opened as Auron told them that its time to return and begin the next phase of the plan.
Having entered the portal, Ash and Misty were back at the shrine, and were utterly surprised by what they saw. Like Deja Vu, there were Pokemon and people gathered infront, with the sea frozen by Articuno. More than an hour had passed, as the spores had spread all over the world, establising a bond between the world´s Pokemon and all the humans aswell.
Knowing all have to unite, Mew did so to have everyone know about the danger above, and that their fate now lies in Ash and Misty. For them to act as one. And stop the comet.
Having fate that they will succeed, Ash helds Misty´s hand, as he called out for Melody to come. Among the crowd Melody came forth, as she bowed infront of Ash. Ash then asked her for the honour of having her play The Guardian´s Song once again to help save the world.
Not minding at all, melody then informed Ash that she lost the ocarina during the global assault previously. Knowing Melody is needed, Ash thought if a solution. But Misty already had one. Stepping down from the shrine, Misty took Melody´s hand and teleported away.
Misty and Melody arrived inside the top of a large cathedral, miraculasly unharmed while the surrounding town almost lied in burning ruins. Recognising the location, Melody understood that they must be inside the famous cathedral in Alamos Town, deep into the Shinnoh Region.
Remebering that she have read that the cathedral is said to have a mysterious power yet unseen, Misty used what powers she now had to try to unlock that power to aid her hands, Misty focused on Melody´s ocarina, and it didn´t take long before she opened her hands and handed over Melody her ocarina, retrieved through manipulation of space.
Misty then put her hand onto the musical machine, and told Melody to begin play the song. Nodding, Melody began, as suddenly the machine recreated the same tunes through Misty, manipulating it. With The Guardian´s Song played by the cathedral, it could be heard all over the world, as ripples of space and time emitted from the cathedral. The plan was working.
Reaching all over the planet, the time ripples richochetted towards the Millenium Comet, further slowing down it´s descent towwards the planet, while the space ripples slowly moved the planet away from being hit by the Millenium Comet. And then the Guardian song ended.
The Millenium Comet resumed it´s path, but with the planet moved to the side it would just pass it by. Melody removed the ocarina from her mouth, as she took a breath of relief, knowing she did her part. Misty removed her hand from the musical machine, as the cathedral stopped the emission of space and time ripples. But suddenly something wasn´t right.
The Millenium Comet suddenly changed it´s course and moved back towards the planet. And it became much worse. As if the ripples had affected it in the wrong way, The Millenium Comet speeded up its descent, still being drawn towards the planet for some reason.
Many hours to try to find a new solution was non-existant, as it would be alittle more than an hour before the comet hits the planet. The supreme gods knew this. And somehow even Misty.
Knowing that it did not work, Misty did not want to risk making it worse by trying again, as Melody asked her if they suceeded. Silent for a few seconds, Misty then told Melody that time will tell. Opening a portal back to the shrine, Misty then asked Melody to go ahead of her.
- Alright... but now that it´s done and with me on the other side, what else can you do Misty?
- I just need to wrap things up here... go tell Ash that we finished what we were sent to do...
Not questioning Misty, Melody went through the portal, as Misty looked towards it. Suddenly she closed it, as tears began to run down her cheeks, kneeling infront of the musical machine.
´´ - Why... why did you two decieve us all... lie that we had any hope of salvation... why go back in time... just to give everyone the perfect end, with humans and Pokemon united... ´´
Beliving that Dialga and Palkia had decieved them all, Misty suddenly got a revelation. Of the true plan to stop the Millenium Comet. The real reason... she was given the Unown´s power.
Mew, Lugia, Ho-Oh, and many others except the supreme gods, thought it would be enough to go back in time to the present timeline... eliminating the Unown and their power on the planet... but neither were aware that the Unown had put a fragment of their power... hidden.
Almost like protecting their existence incase they fall, The Unown had used The Synergy Energizer and fired off a fragment of their power into the comet. At first done to just further strengthen their power once they get hold of it´s energy. That little move changed everything.
The Millenium Comet had ever since that moment, multiplied that power, making it so endless that not even the supreme gods could do anything about it. But fate has chosen Misty.
Being the only one to not only by fate become the vessel for The Unown, she also now has become the only one that is able to use that power to save the world. But not without cost.
Just like when the Unown were all forced inside to a captive dimension, The Millenium Comet must be forced into a portal to a new dimension.. a dimension Misty has to remain in.
´´ Forgive me... I thank you... for keeping this a secret from everyone... I realise now... that despite all the power you two posses... it was always my fate to sacrifice myself for others...
I will do it... but before that time comes... I ask of you two for something I know you can accomplish... never let Ash find out about any of this... let my sacrifice never be revealed...
When the time is right... I will teleport to the other dimension... and in my place... I want you to use what powers you do have... over space and time... to keep me with Ash... in memory.
Just like when I believed that he was a mere ghost, an unreal creation of the Unown... I want you two to do the same for me... so that atleast Ash, in this way... will always be with me...
I will always watch over him, and use whatever power I can spare to keep him safe. From all future sorrows. From any future failures. From an early death. From The Millenium Comet. ´´
Opening up a portal, Misty then got her answer from them... as she then entered the portal...
