I kinda think the previous chapter was dumb. I should've extended it a bit more. Especially since it's so late in the story.
Hopefully, I'll redeem myself with this chapter. Again, this may or may not be the last chapter.
So, enjoy chapter 10!
The scene: Tomb of Ebony.
The creator of the universe. An evil who was there before him.
A boy and his secret love. Two who should have been allowed peaceful lives, now caught up in a fateful encounter between incomprehensible powers.
Arceus and the Ebony Emperor. The Original One and the First Shadow. Both stood facing each other. One , a powerful, graceful figure. The other, a dark and menacing demon.
Ash crouched over the motionless, weakening body of Dawn, for whom he had long felt an unspoken love. Alongside him, his faithful Charizard. All of them innocent. All ot them caught in between what defined good and evil.
Although ever since Ash had met him, the Emperor seemed unusually reluctant to fight. He said that he had been forced to kill Pokemon in Eterna Forest and Mt. Coronet along with Regigigas and, hardest to believe, Ash's own Pikachu.
Needless to say, it was very hard to believe. But even now, he acted negotiable. But Ash knew better than to make a deal with this devil.
"Arceus, you place everyone topside at great risk with this choice." The Emperor was saying, "Our powers will rattle the very foundations of the Earth if they clash. And as I have said, more bloodshed is not my goal."
"It may not be your goal, yet you would do so without hesitation." Arceus retorted.
"Only if it is for the greater good. For the rebirth of my Empire." The Emperor's tone was so sincere, that Ash was too stunned to be angry. He would kill innocents to reform an ancient evil that would cast the whole world into suffering.
Ash realized his hopes, or whatever was left of them, were with Arceus.
But so far, the Emperor had beaten them at everything. Love hadn't worked, Charizard couldn't defeat him and even Arceus was cautious about fighting him.
"'The greater good' is a point of view, Lord of Ebony." Arceus replied. "Surely you realized that when the Powers of Light defeated you."
"Indeed, and some views are more mindlessly ambitious than others." The Emperor returned.
"And yours are subtle, or something?!" Ash broke in, bewildered, "You're not afraid to include violence in your plans! Not to mention you won't allow anyone to live free lives!"
"Afraid?" The Emperor sighed, which sounded like cold air passing through a cave. "Fear? It is truly sad to see how affected lives have become by mere emotions. Love and loss. Joy and despair. Anger and hate. And now fear?" He sounded like a disappointed mentor talking to a hopeless protege. "Arceus, what has your rule done to the universe. I assure you Ash, if you consider this a free life, you have no idea of the meaning of the term. Under command of my empire, you will be truly free."
"I don't care." Ash shot back, "It will still be evil ruling if that day ever comes. And it's a day I won't live to witness."
"But it is not because of my so-called 'evil'," The Emperor corrected. "but because of what little remains for you in this life. Your Pikachu is gone and your true love is soon to join him."
Ash stared at Dawn's beautiful face. Yes, the Emperor was actually right. There was nothing left for him if Dawn died. But Dawn would not die. He held hope in his heart. For Dawn.
"Maybe you're right." Ash said aloud, "But I know you're not. Dawn will not die!"
The Emperor's flaming eyes seemed to narrow. "You may believe in what you wish. I have no desire to indulge you." He turned back to Arceus. "You believe your Judgment will be my end, Arceus? Shall we see?"
"Overconfidence is brimming in you, an emotion you seem to enjoy." Arceus noted.
"I think not." The Emperor snarled and rushed at Arceus. For a second, the deity did nothing. Then...
"JUDGMENT!" Arceus roared so fiercely and powerfully, that the Emperor actually stopped.
The legendary power formed over Arceus head, and was launched into the air, splitting into red streaks, which coated the Tomb, destroying the Emperor's sarcophagus and breaking up the chamber.
"Ash, find cover!" Arceus warned over the unrelenting chaos.
Charizard, enveloped Ash and Dawn in his wings, forming a shield that protected them from any rubble, as Arceus could seemingly control the path of the attack itself, despite its extremely large radius.
"You fool!" The Emperor shouted, genuine panic in the demonic voice. "If this chamber collapses, we will all die!"
The repercussions of the Judgment halted.
"It is a sacrifice I would be willing to make, were it necessary. But only you will perish here, Dark Lord!" Arceus' voice was booming with fury and confidence, which sent Ash into disbelief like never before. Where had this come from? It seemed an entirely different being. A terrifying, yet awe-inspiring change had befallen Arceus.
"I must say, even you seem more powerful when you utilize your more potent emotions. Finally, a challenge." The Emperor's tone was less amused now, and more eager.
For the first time, the Dark Lord summoned a different weapon. It seemed to be a purple, electrified whip. The Emperor slashed it at Arceus' leg, around which it coiled.
Purple electricity lit up Arceus' body. The Pokemon growled in pain and determination and yanked his ensnared leg.
The Emperor did not seem to expect this, and stumbled forward, nearly losing his grip on the whip. (rhyming FTW)
Arceus managed to shake the whip off, so the Emperor physically rushed Arceus. The deity met him head on, tackling the demon and sending them in opposite directions.
Arceus was fighting well now, but it did not seem like enough. The cave was beginning to weaken further due to Judgment. "Charizard, Dragonbreath, but be careful!" Ash commanded, including Charizard's safety and caution for the chamber's stability in his last comment.
Charizard nodded and flew up, behind the Emperor who was again physically clashing with Arceus, occasionally snapping the whip, which was dodged each time.
Keeping his distance, Charizard unleashed a Dragonbreath attack at the Emperor's back. The attack struck, sending him stumbling towards Arceus, who fired a Flamethrower, sending the Emperor onto his back.
The Emperor seemed to be weakening! Ash knew he was still drawing power from Dawn. Perhaps the combined opponents would occupy too much for him to continue doing so, if it was a voluntary process.
The Emperor got to his feet, his voice now tinged with anger, "You have been a nuisance too long, Ash Ketchum!" He re-summoned his Dark Halberd and threw it like a spear straight at Ash.
Ash's legs couldn't move, his eyes locked on his approaching doom. Both Arceus and Charizard shot Flamethrowers at the flying weapon, sending it off-course where it shattered the cave wall.
Furious, the Emperor recalled the Halberd to his hand. But then, Arceus took the initiative.
He went berserk, producing an almost beastly sound that rang throughout the chamber. The Emperor tensed. Ash's heart was pounding in anticipation.
The Life Plates emerged from Arceus, circling it. They circled faster and faster, until they seemed to form a single multicolored ring around it. A purple sphere enveloped Arceus, crackling with power.
The sight became brighter, and brighter, until Ash had to shield his darkness-accustomed eyes. The Emperor, for the first time, seemed truly shocked. His weapon shattered in his hand, accelerating his fear. "No...how did you attain that power?"
The voice that answered seemed to come from the very ground: "Did I not tell you? I have been blessed."
Ash attempted a peek through his fingers and his heart nearly stopped at the sight.
The Emperor now seemed more horrible than ever. His body, now revealed by the Light originating from Arceus, seemed to be composed of what only could be described as Dark Matter.
But it was Arceus himself that was the shock. He was no longer visible amongst the Light, but the purple sphere around him seemed to have become some sort of portal. Where or what it led to, no human imagination could comprehend. But the Emperor apparently could.
"It is not possible! This power was lost!!" He roared, shooting Dark Lightning which vanished before it got close to the Light.
Long 'hands' emerged from the portal, slowly brushing against the Emperor, decomposing his very body. Ash was a little sickened by the sight. The hands were literally tearing the Emperor's body apart. The matter turned to dust when parted from his body.
The Dark Lord howled in ultimate pain and defeat, as the hands finally brought about his final moments. The body was dust and... something very dark was left in its place. It was blacker than black, darker than a black hole. It may not even have been physical, yet the hands enveloped it and dragged it back into the portal.
The portal closed, the sphere vanished, the Life Plates stopped spinning and re-entered Arceus. But he was not finished. He powered up another Judgment and released it into the cave, tearing down more boulders. Ash knew the cave would be sealed forever this time. Arceus was once again encircled in a purple sphere. But so were Ash, Charizard and Dawn.
Dawn!
In alarm, Ash looked down at Dawn and...she was breathing! Ash fought to stay conscious, he was so relieved. So happy. An emotion he had not felt for days. Actual tears escaped his eyes, falling onto Dawn's face, who's eyes miraculously opened. Two perfect sapphires looked upon him.
And a smile graced her lovely lips.
"Ash," she said, sounding as though she had not spoken in days. Technically, she hadn't. "Wha-?" she stopped and looked around, seeing the crumbling chamber, the purple sphere around them and Arceus just beyond it.
Ash knew he was about to be bombarded with questions. Her mouth opened to do so, but he simply put a finger to her lips, smiling. Perhaps he should have been alarmed about the destruction around them, but he wasn't. He wouldn't even if the purple sphere protecting them was absent. All that mattered was that Dawn was back. He leant down and whispered, "I love you." Dawn could only widen her eyes before Arceus Teleported them all.
***
The scene: Lake Verity.
Arceus had taken them all to the grand lake near Twinleaf Town. They looked around for awhile until they realized that.
"Arceus, why are we here?" Ash asked.
"I do not wish to draw attention to these events. If possible, leave them unsaid." Arceus replied, his voice calm and enthralling again.
Ash doubted that would be possible, but he would try. "If, uh, you don't mind me asking," he said, just realizing how much of an honor it was to be graced with Arceus' physical presence. "what happened to the Emperor."
Arceus seemed to choose his answer carefully. "I am afraid I am not at liberty to say. What I did to him, I had taken an oath not to use that power, least of all in front of a human. And yet, I feel no regret."
"So, was that...what stopped him before?" Ash asked in wonder.
"In essentials, yes." Arceus said. "He will no longer plague this world. His tomb has been sealed and his body is nonexistent now."
Dawn spoke, "A-arceus," she stammered, being much more nervous than Ash about standing before this great presence. "Thank you. For what you did, and what you risked to save me."
"Of course," the Pokemon said simply. Then, after a pause; "Treasure each moment with each other. Farewell."
With that, the Door of Beginning opened above the Lake, and Arceus departed.
Charizard turned to them next. Ash spoke, "Charizard, I don't want to imagine what might have happened if you hadn't arrived. You helped more than I could've ever hoped." Ash smiled.
"Yeah, Charizard." Dawn added, "I've never even met you before, but you were willing to try and save me?"
The Pokemon nodded and smiled, softly growling. Dawn smiled warmly, "Well, thank you. That's all I can say."
"Bye, Charizard. And thanks." Ash said solemnly as the Pokemon spread his wings, taking to the sky and heading for the Characific Valley in Johto.
Ash and Dawn waved to him until he was out of sight. For a moment, they just stood in silence. Then Dawn asked: "What do you think Arceus meant?"
Ash did not need to be told that Dawn was talking about Arceus' final comment. "I think I know." he smiled vaguely, then realized something. "You know, I never asked either of them why Charizard came in the first place! I mean, I'm not complaining but-" His rambling was cut off by Dawn.
"Did you mean it?" She asked rather sternly.
"Umm..." Ash was at a loss for words until he realized what she was mentioning. "Oh! Uh, yeah, I did." He said rather lamely.
Dawn raised an eyebrow. Ash hurriedly corrected himself: "I did, Dawn! Really!" He stared into her beautiful eyes, making her blush. An evil grin spread across her face. "Prove it."
Ash, as dense as he was, took a full ten seconds to figure out what she was implying. When he did, he went redder then her in half a second. But he would do this. To show his undying love for her.
He clasped her hand, still staring into her eyes. He inched his face closer to hers. She smiled, giving him confidence. He came closer, so that they could feel each others' breath on their faces. They closed their eyes and when their lips finally met, Heaven came to them.
At first, their lips simply touched, but then they slowly turned their heads, the kiss becoming intensely passionate. Ash's arms went around Dawn's waist, while hers looped around his neck.
Ash swiped his tongue over Dawn's bottom lip, asking for entrance which she gleefully granted. Their tongues met in perfect harmony, each proclaiming love which no words could describe. Dawn sighed into the kiss, deepening it ever more. A passionate fire spread from their entwined lips all the way to their toes.
After a millennium, the need for air overpowered them and they ended the lingering kiss, still embracing each other. After a few seconds of staring at each other, smiling lovingly, Ash asked, "Is that proof enough for you?"
Dawn giggled. "Just about, Ash." she replied, the love plain in her eyes. "I love you too."
Ash's heart seemed to leap in joy. He couldn't resist kissing her again. He loved doing it. It felt...right. So right...
When they parted, Dawn asked a question that had been troubling her for a while. "Ash? Where's Pikachu?"
Ouch. That broke the harmony of his joy. His eyes became sorrowful. How could he say this properly?
"He-he fell. T-trying to save me. The Emperor, he did it. In your body." That was all he could say without his voice breaking. Realization that he would spend the rest of his life without Pikachu hit him like a bullet. And it felt like one too.
Dawn's eyes became tearful. "My gosh, Ash. I'm so sorry." She said, sounding like she meant every word. Her body. She just couldn't help thinking she was partly responsible for Ash's terrible loss. "If I had just ignored those dreams, m-maybe this would never have happened. I, was just so... vulnerable." A few tears escaped.
Ash wiped them away with his thumb. "Dawn, you were not yourself. The Ebony Emperor was an evil who was here even before Arceus. No one could fight him off, Dawn. And you are one of the strongest people I've met." He tried a reassuring smile.
She was grateful for his comfort, and accepted his words, even if her mind suggested otherwise. "But, I don't really remember much at all. Just that the dreams were more than they seemed. What happened?"
Ash took her hand and sat her down on the grass, overlooking Lake Verity. He had a lot of explaining to do...
Well, well, my most unepic climax yet! That is, my second total. Guess it's excusable then.
And what do you know, it's the last chapter! BUT, I'll write an epilogue for you all. Hope you enjoyed the story, guys!
R&R, dear friends. One more time.
Daijobu!