Failure Hero

Chapter 14: Failure Hero

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon

Ash clenched his fists and leaned forward slightly. "I'm ready, N. I'll battle you. Six on six?"

N laughed. "No, I'm done hurting my friends. Its bad enough I had to subject them to radio wave torture, but the ends justify the means."

At the memory of how N used radio waves to control his Pokemon, something snapped in Ash.

"NO, HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT?" Ash yelled out in fury, taking N by surprise. "HOW CAN YOU CLAIM TO LOVE POKEMON WHEN YOU PHYSICALLY TORTURE THEM?"

N glared back at the boy, not backing down. "I've grown up, my entire life, around Pokemon! Wild Pokemon who had been abused by people like you! Pokemon who have gone through nothing but pain at the hands of Trainers. I need to liberate them, no matter what it takes. If I have to use bad methods to create a paradise, then so be it!"

"IF MY POKEMON HATED BEING WITH ME, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO TORTURE THEM TO GET THEM TO FIGHT FOR YOU!" Ash screamed, not at all keeping his calm like the older boy. "IF YOU WERE RIGHT, THEY WOULD BE GLAD TO BE AWAY FROM ME. WE LOVE EACH OTHER! DAWN AND HER POKEMON LOVE EACH OTHER, THE CHAMPIONS AND THEIR-"

"SHUT UP!" N yelled, losing his cool finally, "You are the rare exception that proves the rule! Nothing more than an insignificant child! Zekrom agrees with you, and Reshiram agrees with me, so that's how we will settle this! We fight with Zekrom and Reshiram! One on one! I will give you time to make your goodbyes...because neither of us may be coming back from this fight."

N turned on his heel, and climbed on top of Reshiram. Ash ran towards them, but it was too late, Reshiram took to the sky and began circling the castle, awaiting its challenger.

Ash stared up at the sky angrily, following the Vast White colossus with his eyes. He twitched in anger, ready to take the challenge.

Before he could really think Alder, Dawn, and Pikachu had walked over beside him.

"Kid, let me do it. Tell Zekrom to listen to me. It's too dangerous." Alder said, grabbing the young man by the shoulders.

Ash paused slightly but shook his head. "No. Zekrom chose me. I need to be the one to do this."

Alder looked the boy in the eyes and knew there would be no talking him out of it. "...Alright. Be careful."

Alder moved out of the way just in time for Dawn to wrap her good arm around Ash. "Ash...please be careful. I can't lose you again."

Ash hugged her back while Pikachu jumped onto his shoulder to nuzzle into him as well. "I will Dawn. Please watch Pikachu while I'm doing this."

The request shocked both Dawn and Pikachu. Pikachu particularly glared angrily at his trainer and uttered, "Pika chu pi pika," in a defiant rage.

Ash shook his head at his first companion. "No, Pikachu. You gave yourself up to protect me. I'm doing this to protect you."

Pikachu and Ash stared in each others eyes for a long time, neither giving in. Finally, Pikachu looked down and sighed.

Pikachu reluctantly allowed himself to be handed to Dawn, who subconsciously squeezed him tightly for security. Ash turned around and let Zekrom free from his Pokeball. The Deep Black Dragon roared, and knelt forward so Ash would be able to climb onto its back.

Ash stepped forward but Dawn called out to him once more. "Ash...are you sure about this?"

Ash turned around and faced her once more, giving her a trademark confident grin. "Hey...no need to worry, right?"

Dawn let a tear slip through at the catchphrase. "Ash...you know that's when I worry most. Please...let me and Pikachu come with you!"

Ash's eyes widened at the request. As his mind processed it, two voices rang out from his memory:

She loves you, Ash. As spoken by Cynthia, and...

...because neither of us may be coming back from this fight. As spoken by N. The two thoughts merged together, and Ash knew he wouldn't do it.

I can't risk their lives. Ash thought in his head, sadly. In the end, I'm on my own here.

Knowing what he had to do and that he might not live though the day, Ash realized it was now or never. I want her to know if I don't...make it.

He ran forward to the girl, cupped his hands around her face, and pressed his lips against hers. Dawns eyes widened in surprise but she quickly gave in to the action she had only dreamed about in the past. It was Ash's first kiss, and it wasn't the circumstances he wanted it to be under, but it still meant the world to him. And she felt the same.

"...well, alright kid!" Alder said, proudly,albeit feeling awkwardly out of place.

After a few seconds, Ash broke the kiss, and pushed Dawn away from him gently. "...sorry. I'm not risking your life. You mean too much to me."

Too stunned to react, Dawn watched as Ash ran from her and onto the back of Zekrom. Without looking back at her, Ash commanded Zekrom to take to the sky to battle Reshiram. He had to do this alone.

As Zekrom ascended, Ash heard the voice he heard earlier calling out to him.

Ash.

Wha? Zekrom is that...you? Were you the voice I heard? Ash thought, remembering how Sabrina had invaded his mind back in Saffron City.

Aye, lad. I can feel your Aura. It allowed me to pure into your soul and see that you are indeed worthy to wield my power to stop N.

How...how are you able to do that? Ash wondered.

The moment Reshiram chose someone, I was destined to become bonded with a noble spirit of opposite ideals. And that person was you. For this, we are kindred spirits. Let us link minds together with your Aura.

Say what now? That doesn't make sens-uuuuuuuuuuhh... Ash had begun to think, but was cut off when he realized that it hadn't been a request, but warning. He felt a warm, prying sensation in his forehead. It had stunned him momentarily, before he snapped back to his senses. He felt...inexplicably different, but at the same time, like nothing had changed. He was just much, much more aware of Zekroms presence, powers, and capabilities.

Zekrom and Reshiram faced each other in mid-air.

"I knew, Ash!" N yelled to him from the distance. Even over the high-altitude winds, Ash could hear him clearly, hear the excitement in his voise, "I knew it would boil down to me and you! Reshiram, Fusion Flare!"

"Zekrom, Fusion Bolt!" Ash commanded in response.

The massive flare and the lightning bolt collided in the sky, causing a blinding light and loud crackling noise.

Master, watch out, Zekrom's voice advised in Ash's mind. Ash looked up to see Reshiram speeding towards them.

Crap, get out of the way! Ash thought.

Zekrom responded by swerving to the left as Reshiram sped past them. It then dawned on Ash, I can issues orders mentally?

Yes, that is why I decided to link our minds together. Strategically, Reshiram and his chosen won't know what's coming until they recognize the attack. I would advise to do as such.

Thanks, buddy! Fight back with Giga Impact!

Zekrom followed suit and flew after Reshiram. As Reshiram and N turned back to face them in the air, Zekrom slammed his mass into its opponent.

Reshiram was thrown backwards but recovered quickly. "Blure Flare, Reshiram!" N yelled out.

Move, Zekrom! Ash thought in his mind, but was horrified to hear:

I can not yet. My apologies, master.

Oh right, you need recovery time after Giga Impact. Well...this is gonna suck.

The intense blue flames scorched Zekrom, causing him to roar out in pain.

Zekrom, counter with Bolt Strike! Ash commanded mentally.

Zekrom covered itself with mystical electricity, brushing off the flames, and sped towards Reshiram.

Ash realized that the electricity was covering himself as well, but it wasn't hurting him. Before he could question it, Zekrom reassured him mentally, that, I would not allow my power to harm my chosen, master.

Reshiram looked prepared for the attack, and Ash formed a strategy in his mind

Zekrom, if he catches your attack, counter with Zen Headbutt. Ash commanded.

Yes, master.

And stop with the whole master thing, it's freaking me out. Ash couldn't help but think.

As Ash predicted, Reshiram had managed to catch Zekrom with its forelegs. Zekrom reared its head back for Zen Headbutt, but Reshiram opened its mouth for Hyper Beam.

Zekrom made contact with Reshiram's jaw the split second before Hyper Beam went off, causing an energy explosion as well, knocking both dragons away from each other, howling in pain.

"Zekrom, are you alright?" Ash yelled out, clutching onto the Deep Black Pokemon's back.

Yes, mas-Ash, I can still fight. I shall forewarn you now; these are how our battles have always been waged. The chosen heroes tend to forget that this is their war to fight as well; its not just about issuing commands.

The words struck Ash with a brilliant idea. Fly into the smoke cloud above Reshiram. I have a plan.

As N recovered his eyesight, he looked around, trying to find Zekrom. Come on, N thought angrily, I need to finish this quickly. I can't let that boy win.

Reshiram made a grunting noise to call out to its trainer. N looked to see Zekrom swooping around - without Ash.

"Where'd the boy go? Did he kill him? Is it over?" N asked, anxiously. Where is that little...

"Hey buddy, just thought I'd drop in for a visit." Came a young voice behind N.

N turned around, startled, to see Ash standing right behind him, head and hands giving off a faint purple glow.

N meant to open his mouth in shock, but didn't even get that far before Ash swung his right fist into the side of N's face, and followed it up with a left uppercut under the teen's chin. N slumped down on top of Reshiram, groaning in pain.

Realizing its hero was in danger, Reshiram began thrashing. But this was fine with Ash; he hadn't planned on staying anyway. He ran off to the side and took a flying leap off of Reshiram into the sky itself.

Upon seeing this cunning maneuver, both Alder, Pikachu, Piplup, and Dawn gasped worriedly. Pikachu himself realized that the group had instinctively huddled together to watch the events, and that all of them were trembling with fear. He felt something wet drop onto the top of his head, and looked up to see Dawn crying softly as she watched.

After falling a brief period, Ash whistled loudly to signal Zekrom to catch him. Just as planned, the dragon swooped down and Ash landed, albeit slightly painfully, on Zekrom's back.

Alright, now Dragon Pulse, Zekrom! Ash issued.

Zekrom did a barrel roll in the air, firing the purple energy wave at its opponent. With no command from N, who was still climbing back up to a sitting position, Reshiram took the hit and roared out in pain.

I admit, that was a good plan.

Thanks! Now, follow up with Bolt Strike! Ash thought, heart racing from the anticipation.

Once again, Zekrom's tail generator whirred, and the dragon covered itself with electricity as it charged after itself destined opponent.

"Extrasensory, Reshiram!" Ash heard N command through what sounded like a bloody lip.

The psychic attack caused Zekrom pain, but did not deter him from ramming into Reshiram, who also cried out from the shock.

Hang in there Zekrom! Use Dragon Pulse again! Ash thought.

Zekrom fired off his attack, as Reshiram fired off another Hyper Beam. The attacks collided and once again an explosion came.

Back on the castle, Ghetsis watched from the throne, and realized it was time to initiate his insurance policy. He flicked a switch on the arm of the throne.

The smoke cleared, and this time, it was Ash who was looking around in confusion. Zekrom, do you see Reshiram or N anywhere?

No, chosen one, I do not-

Both were interrupted by a Fusion Flare that came from off to the left of them that blasted Zekrom in the side. Zekrom roared in pain but rolled to the side, to try and see where the attack came from.

Ash looked around frantically. He could hear the swooping noise of Reshiram flying, but he couldn't see from where. Zekrom, what's he doing?

This is not one of Reshiram's abilities. I can feel his presence, but I can no longer see him. The chosen of Reshiram must be using some sort of cloaking device.

On the castle, Alder realized what was going on as well, and pointed an accusing finger at Ghetsis. "So is that how you did it? Is that you snuck everyone into our building?"

Ghetsis just smiled evilly. "Watch now, Alder, as your empire falls."

"ASH, PLEASE BE CAREFUL!" Dawn screamed to the heavens, not caring if the boy could hear him.

Outside of the castle, Cynthia had managed to limp out of the League building just in time to watch Zekrom take flight against Reshiram. After seeing the battle, she had witnessed Reshiram vanish from sight as if dissapearing. She grimaced. "Come on, Ash...it's up to you now."

"Keep moving Zekrom, don't make it easy for them." Ash said to his dragon.

Zekrom weaved through the skies dodging Fusions Flares as they came at the pair.

I need to find them...can't see them...can't see them.

Then Ash slapped his forehead, feeling like an idiot for not remembering that part of his Aura abilities was to be able to do that sort of thing.

Oh right, Aura. Zekrom, you said we're linked at the mind, right?

Indeed. Do you have a strategy?

Yes. Enter my mind. I'll try to find Reshiram with my Aura. You prepare to fire a Dragon Pulse the second we find them.

Understood.

Ash closed his eyes as Zekrom continued to take evasive maneuvers. It was much harder to focus amidst the sounds of Fusion Flare blasting all around him, and the sporradic flight patterns of Zekrom. Come on, Ash, focus!

Finally, he thought he was beginning to see something, but was lurched forward, breaking his concentration as Zekrom was nailed with Hyper Beam.

"Ah! Zekrom, hang in there!" Ash yelled, growing angry and more determined. He snapped his eyes shut again. He was in a state of pure, determined focus now. He wasn't aware of it, but now all of his body was radiating a dark, purple aura that was visible even to Alder, Dawn, Cynthia, Pikachu, Piplup, and Ghetsis. His field of "vision" expanded all around him. He couldn't pinpoint Reshiram himself, but finally, off in the distance to his right, he spotted the amber-colored form of N.

There, Zekrom!

I see it as well!

Zekrom fired Dragon Pulse off at the direction Ash had seen N, and scored a direct hit. Reshiram roared in pain, and the attack caused the cloaking device to malfunction, rendering the dragon and N completely visible once more.

Fly up and hit him with Fusion Bolt!

The black dragon did as such, rocketing upwards before launching the powerful bolt down as it struck Reshiram, leaving him stunned.

Finish him off with Giga Impact! Knock him back down to the castle.

Zekrom focused its entire might as it flew downwards towards its eternal foe. N tried to issue a command for Reshiram to counter, but the Vast White dragon could not muster up the power. Zekrom slammed into Reshiram from overhead, sending N and his dragon careening down and smashing onto the top of the castle.

Ash and Zekrom landed on the roof of the castle. Zekrom unleashed a tired, but triumphant roar of victory over its defeated foe.

Ash hopped off of Zekrom to see N kneeling in front of his unconscious dragon.

N stood and mournfully faced Ash. "How...how is it that...everything I ever believed in was wrong?"

"Because, you ignored what was right in front of you! I've never mistreated my Pokemon the way Team Plasma has! And I'll do anything to protect them...and I'm not the only person who feels this way." Ash cried out in frustration. He just simply couldn't understand why N wouldn't listen.

But N looked down at his feet. "Then maybe...then maybe I was wrong?"

Before N could divulge his thoughts any further, Ghetsis let out a furious scream, "NOOOO!"

Ghetsis ran forward off the throne in a furious anger. N turned around at the scream and asked, in a confused, childlike voice, "Father?"

But Ghetsis didn't care. He pulled a knife from his robe and drove it into N's stomach.

"No!" Ash cried out in fury. Pikachu jumped out of Dawn's arms and protectively joined his trainer's side.

As N stumped to floor, crying, bleeding and muttering in pain. Dawn clasped her hands over her mouth, then angrily pointed to the last sage before shrieking. "You monster! That was your son! How could you do that to your own son?"

Ghetsis laughed cruelly, before turning to spit on N's body. "Him? He's no son of mine. This failure...this miserable excuse for an heir. Do you have any idea how long I've been planning the Reign of Ghetsis?"

"Reign of Ghetsis? ...of course. This was never about Team Plasma, was it?" Alder asked.

Ghetsis laughed once more. "Correct, ex-champion! I've been planning this day for twenty years. TWENTY! YEARS! Twenty years I researched the myths surrounding Zekrom and Reshiram, and to harness their powers so I could become the lead power of Unova, nay the world. To own all the Pokemon in the world, and make all of them, and the people, bow down before me. But then I realized...they only answer to the pure of heart. Oh, what a foolish notion!"

Ghetsis looked down greedily at N, who was trembling as the blood flowed from his wounds. "All I needed was someone with a pure heart...that of a child. It was simple really. I snuck into a home, killed the boy's parents, and left with him. He coudn't have been a few weeks old. I had abandoned and neglected Pokemon raise the child, so that I could twist a pure, innocent nature into going along with my goals: getting Pokemon away from trainers, rendering them helpless."

"You...you've set him up for this, his whole life?" Ash yelled out, feeling his anger rise. He didn't see his purple Aura, still flowing from his body, grow brighter by the second. By now, Alder was staring at the boy's back with curiosity.

"Ash...your Aura..." Dawn whispered.

"You're right. I did. I crafted him to hold an idea of freeing Pokemon, while never allowing him to grow up. In his mind, he's still a scared little boy, trying to hide behind hurt Pokemon that he thinks are his friends. But I'm not defeated yet. I will kill all of you. I will forcibly taken these wounded dragons, and I WILL LEAD UNOVA TO MY OWN GLORY!"

Ghetsis unleashed his Elektross. Instinctively, Ash placed himself in front of Alder and Dawn to protect them.

Ghetsis sneered. "Hydreigon, use Dragon Pulse."

"What?" Ash yelled out in surprise. Hydreigon flew up the side of the castle, revealing itself from hiding, and blasted a stunned Zekrom with the purple wave of energy. Zekrom roared in pain and slumped onto the ground. Ash ran over to his dragon. "Zekrom, no!"

I'm sorry...master...

I'm not your master...I'm your friend. Ash thought, sadly, as Zekrom lost consciousness.

Ghetsis then issued another Dragon Pulse attack.

At Dawn.

Ash's Aura flared up without his knowledge. He ran from Zekrom's side and threw himself in front of Dawn, planting himself firmly in front of her with his arms spread wide.

As the energy rushed towards him, he could feel his Aura clearly, surging through every nerve ending in his body. He could use it.

"PROTECT!" He screamed to the heavens, hoping it would work.

Aura formed a barrier in front of Ash, absoring Hydreigon's assault, leaving the castle roof in a cloud of smoke.

"Ash...how did you...?" Dawn whispered to the boy in front of her.

Ash pretended not to hear the girl as we walked forward.

"No Ghetsis. Just you and me." Ash declared. At his words, a protective barrier en-capsuled Ghetsis and his Pokemon with Ash and Pikachu. Outside of it, Alder and Dawn both pounded against it, trying to get in to help Ash.

Ash looked over his shoulder. "No. You guys, get out of here. I won't let anything happen to you."

"But Ash-" Alder began, but Ash cut him off by yelling, "JUST GO!"

Alder reluctantly turned and ran to escape the castle, grabbing Dawn's left arm to pull her and Piplup away as well. But Dawn broke her grip from him at the last second. Piplup, worriedly, tugged at her boot to get her to come along.

"ASH! You can't die...you said...you said you'd take me to a play!" She yelled to him.

"I will." He answered. "I promise." But he couldn't look her in the eyes, because he knew in his heart, it wasn't a promise he could guaranty he could keep.

Piplup pushed at her to get her to go down the stairs to flee the castle. She obliged, distraught, but before she closed the door over her head, she paused, and shouted to him, "I LOVE YOU, ASH!"

Ash felt his spirits lift as the words filled him with hope. He turned to Ghetsis, who had released all six of his Pokemon: Elektross, Cofagrigus, Hydreigon, Bouffalant, Seismitoad, and Bisharp. Pikachu stood in front of Ash, protectively sparking his cheeks.

"How touching." Ghetsis sneered. "Shall we begin."

I'm on my own against a murerous psychopath. And I'm already down five-to-six. Lovely.

Ash threw forward all of his remaining team: Krookodile, Staraptor, Sceptile, and Charizard.

Have the odds ever really stopped me from trying though? He thought.

Ash closed his eyes and focused. This time, I'm serious.

His Pokemon looked at their trainer in confusion, before Ash's voice rang out in their heads.

Can you guys hear me?

Ash opened his eyes, and all of his team nodded in confirmation. Pikachu looked at him in disbelief, but gave him a thumbs up; Ash linked his mind to theirs the way Zekrom had done to him.

Good. I will command you mentally. Be careful, and go kick some ass.

His Pokemon turned and charged Ghetsis' team.

"Hmm, a worthy effort. Elektross, use Thunderbolt on the bird." Ghetsis commanded.

Easy enough. Staraptor, dodge at the last second. Krookodile, since you're immune take the hit, and latch onto Elektross with Crunch.

Ghetsis watched, awaiting a counter command from Ash, but was shocked when Staraptor followed Ash's mental orders, and Krookodile took the hit instead, fighting right through the electric blast and latching his massive jaws onto Elektross instead.

"How...how are they doing that without your instructions?" Ghetsis yelled, taking his eyes off the team and looking at Ash.

Bad move. Sceptile, use Leaf Blade on Seismitoad. Charizard, use Flamethrower on Bouffalant.

Sceptile's attack landed perfectly, knocking out Seismitoad in one hit. Bouffalant cried out pain as it was torched by Ash's first Fire Type. Ghetsis was snapped from his state of surprise as Ash evened up the score. "Bouffalant, Head Charge on the Sceptile. What are the rest of you standing around for? Hydreigon, Focus Blast on Krookodile, Bisharp, use Night Slash on Pikachu, Cofagrigus use Shadow Ball on Charizard, and Elektross, you better shake that damn thing off before Focus Blast hits you too!"

Pikachu, counter with Iron Tail, then zip around to distract it. Charizard, dodge and use Flamethrower on Hydreigon. Staraptor, use Close Combat on Bisharp. Sceptile, dodge with Agility and try to hit Hydreigon with Leaf Blade as well. Krookodile, swing Elektross in front of you so it takes the full attack!

Iron Tail clashed with Bisharp's blades, stalemating each other. Bisharp tried to desperately hit the smaller, quicker target. This allowed Staraptor to carry out its command and unleash the powerful combat move on Bisharp from behind for massive damage.

"Stone Edge!" Ghetsis yelled in response.

Bisharp was able to hit Staraptor mid-attack, and the attack quickly wore down the bird Pokemon. It finished off Staraptor with a Night Slash attack.

Pikachu, finish Bisharp off with Thunderbolt!

Pikachu followed the mentally transmitted demand, and fired a powerful electric bolt at Bisharp, knocking it out.

Bouffalant had emerged from the flames and was charging Sceptile while still on fire. Sceptile was able to get out of the way, and charged up his Leaf Blade attack.

"Poison Jab, Bouffalant!" Ghetsis commanded as counter.

The two attacks collided, damaging both Pokemon and knocking them both backwards.

Charizard flew out of the way of Shadow Ball, and unleashed a stream of fire at Hydreigon in hopes to interrupt Focus Blast. Hydreigon was able to fire off the attack, but was scorched by the intense flames from Charizard immediately afterwards.

Elektross was frantically trying to shake Krookodile's painful Crunch attack off of him, but Krookodile's jaw was too powerful. When Krookodile saw the attack coming, he firmly planted his feet onto the roof of the castle and swung Elektross in front of him.

Ash gasped in horror when the attack was so powerful, it knocked both Elektross and Krookodile out. Not part of the plan! I'm so sorry Krookodile! How strong is that Hydreigon?

Ash surveyed the battle area to see he was down to Pikachu, Charizard, and Sceptile. Ghetsis' team had been narrowed to Hydreigon, Bouffalant, and Cofagrigus.

"Bouffalant, use Head Charge on Charizard!" Ghetsis yelled angrily as he too looked over the battlefield.

You know what to do Charizard; catch him and show him your Seismic Toss!

Charizard proved that his training had proved off as he latched onto Bouffalant's horns and completely stopped the bull Pokemon in its tracks. Charizard hoisted the Normal Type into the air for Seismic Toss.

Alright, Pikachu, use Thunderbolt on Cofagrigus! Sceptile, use Leaf Storm on Hydreigon.

As his other two Pokemon released their attacks, Ghetsis formulated a counter demand:

"Cofagrigus, stop the leaves with Psychich and aim them at Pikachu! Hydreigon, use Fire Blast on Sceptile."

The plan, unfortunately, went off without a hitch. the leaves curved around and hurtled towards Pikachu. Both Pikachu and Cofagrigus were hit with the attacks aimed at them, both were able to recover and continued the battle.

Sceptile was unable to withstand the Fire Blast attack, however, and was quickly downed by Hydreigon.

Around that time, Charizard fulfilled Seismic Toss, slamming Bouffalant to the ground to finish it off.

"Cofagrigus, use Shadow Ball to get rid of that obnoxious Pikachu! Hydreigon, use Dragon Pulse to take out Charizard." Ghetsis yelled, an anxiety rising in his voice, as if he could sense the conclusion of the battle riding on these moves.

Wow, I've been neglecting teamwork, haven't I? Pikachu, hop on Charizards back while he evades Dragon Pulse. Then use Thunderbolt on again. Charizard, use Dragon Rage on Hydreigon when you get an opening.

Charizard lifted off the ground, and Pikachu hopped onto the dragon's back. Charizard swooped over Dragon Pulse and opened its mouth for Dragon Rage. Pikachu scampered up to Charizard's head and began charging up Thunderbolt.

Ghetsis' Pokemon looked prepared to dodge or counterattack, so Ash decided to try something else.

Switch targets, guys! I mean, it worked on Team Rocket...

So at the last second, Charizard turned the attack on Cofagrigus, who had been focusing on Pikachu. The powerful ray of blue fire knocked the Ghost Pokemon out. Pikachu as well began shocking Hydreigon, who grunted in pain.

But Ghetsis was not amused. "Through the pain, Hydreigon. Use Dragon Pulse again."

Despite being shocked, Hydreigon fired Dragon Pulse again, this time scoring a direct hit on Charizard, knocking the other dragon out. Pikachu was forcefully thrown off of Charizard, but was able to land on his feet in front of Ash.

Hydreigon, likewise, stomped down in front of Ghetsis and roared angrily.

"Well now...it's all come down to this. I don't know how you managed to manipulate your...freakish, light-show powers, but this almost seems a fitting end to our battle." Ghetsis said confidently, knowing that his Pokemon had a large power advantage.

"Can it." Ash grunted, angrily. His Aura flared around him. Pikachu, be careful, this thing is crazy strong. Try to get close to it with Quick Attack.

"Fire Blast, Hydreigon!" Ghetsis commanded.

Quick Attack was easily able to evade the massive fire attack. Still, Ash thought out to his best friend, be careful. Don't get close if it means getting hit.

"Looks like we need wider range. Hydreigon, use Surf!" Ghetsis commanded.

A giant amount of water came gushing out of Hydreigon's mouth rapidly.

Ah...think, think, think - got it! Pikachu, quickly hop overheadand shock the water with Thunderbolt!

Pikachu hopped as high into the air as he could, fired the electric attack down at the water. Electricity traveled up the water and began to shock the inside of Hydreigon's mouth, causing it to cease the attack and roar in pain.

Ash then realized something. Pikachu, almost all it's attacks are rays or beams that Hydreigon shoots! Hop on it's back where it can't get you!

Pikachu did as instructed, landing on top of the Brutal Pokemon's back. Hydreigon immediately began thrashing wildly, trying to get Pikachu off of him.

Pikachu, use Thunder!

But Pikachu was being thrashed around too hard to be able to focus on launching attack. Likewise, Ghetsis kept yelling instructions to his dragon, but Hydreigon was not listening in the slightest.

Everyone jumped as Zekrom, who had been laying, knocked out, on the battle field issued a tired roar to the heavens. As he did, a lightning bolt crashed down, breaking through Ash's Aura, striking Pikachu. The bolt charged Pikachu's electricity to unfathomable levels, but Ash was thrown face-first onto the ground from having his Aura barrier broken.

Surging with an incredibly power, Pikachu let out the largest Thunder attack he had ever managed in his life. It lasted for a good twenty seconds, before he finally ran out of energy to keep the attack going.

Hydregion collapsed underneath the Electric Mouse.

After a few moments of stunned silence, Ghetsis dropped to his knees, wordlessly. Ash ran over to Pikachu and scooped his exhausted companion into his arms. Tears of joy poured down his face as he squeezed his friend.

"It's over Pikachu...we did it." Ash said, brimming with pride.

Schwink. Ash heard that noise and his blood ran cold. He looked up to see Ghetsis advancing towards him slowly, knife in hand. Ash began backing away.

"Looks like we're both out of Pokemon, boy." Ghetsis said, pace quickening slightly.

Ash didn't take his eyes off the man as he continued to back away, trying to will his body to move faster after using so much of his Aura.

Ghetsis ran forward, and raised the knife...but that's as far as he got.

With the last of his energy, N, who had been lying at Ghetsis' side the whole time, bleeding, pulled the knife from his stomach and tackled Ghetsis to the ground from behind. Before Ghetsis could comprehend the situation. N used the same knife that Ghetsis had used on him to stab the sage in the back. And stab him again. And again. And again. And again, until Ghetsis was no longer struggling from under the teenager.

Ash fell onto his rear, watching the scene in horror. "N..."

N lazily rolled off the man who had claimed to be his father and slowly stood up. Ash quickly retook a standing position, unsure of N's motives.

"Ash...you...your friend was right. You are truly amazing." N said through pained breaths. He turned and tried to walk towards the fallen Reshiram.

"N, you need to come with me, or you're going to die!" Ash yelled out as he ran over to the older boy.

N let out a grim laugh. "Is that so bad? I've done terrible things for a terrible person. I thought I was going to be a hero to Pokemon...but who would have thought that -" N coughed violently, but managed to regain his composure, "...who would have thought that the boy that both you and I considered a failure for some time...would be the real hero."

The castle began to shake. "W-wha? What's happening?" Ash yelled.

N chuckled sadly as he looked at Ghetsis' corpse. "That selfish man. He rigged the castle to collapse in the event of his death. I never understood why he would do such a thing until now." N turned to Ash, face turning deadly serious. "Run, Ash."

Ash hesitated for a second. "But what about-"

"Go. I will stay with Reshiram. He chose me. I will stay by his side, no matter what. Ash...go...go be the hero of another story."

With that N collapsed next to Reshiram.

Ash recalled Zekrom to its Pokeball and took off down the stairs to the fourth floor of the castle. A shake in the castle threw him from the stairs, crashing on the cold floor below. Ash felt a sharp pain in his leg, but ignored it completely, as he continued running while carrying the exhausted Pikachu.

The halls seemed to stretch as Ash ran down them, almost taunting him with how long they were as he progressed from the fourth floor to the third, third floor to the second, and finally reached the first floor. By then, the walls were actively beginning to crumble around him. He dodged and ducked past falling debris, as he reached the front gate, ramming it open with his shoulder.

He landed on his knees outside of the castle, but sprang up again and continued to run in order to get a safe distance away. But once the castle collapsed, a shock-wave rippled the earth, sending Ash flying forward and onto the grass field, finally blacking out.

A few minutes later, Ash woke up (with a splitting headache) to see Dawn, Alder, Cynthia, Pikachu, and Piplup's faces peering down at him. They all broke out into relieved smiles as he sat up and rubbed his forehead. Climbing to his feet shakily, he looked back to see the rubble of Team Plasma's castle behind him. It seemed poetic in a way, as it reminded him of how the Pewter City Gym looked after the night of Team Plasma's first attack.

He groggily turned back to his friends. "So...this means we won, right?"

They all sweatdropped but laughed at the boys question, as Alder clapped him on the back with pride. "No way Ash. YOU won!"

Ash rubbed the back of his head wearily. "Heh...I guess."

Cynthia limped over to Ash, but didn't say anything. She just had a massive smile spread across her face.

"Is...is something wrong?" Ash asked, nervous at the weird reaction the champion was having.

Cynthia continued to smile but shook her head. She took everyone by surprise as she pulled Ash into a massive hug. Ash especially was put into an awkward position, as he realized that him being about a head shorter than her put his face in a rather...compromising position.

"I'm so proud of you, Ash. You went above and beyond anything we ever could have hoped for you. Thank you so much, Ash." Cynthia finally said after letting go of the young man, who's face was an interesting shade of red.

"I er...y-yeah, no problem." Ash stammered.

Dawn walked up and looked Ash in the eyes as his blush fell. And they stood like that for a little while, just staring.

A few League officials came running from the building; apparently, Marshall, despite his injuries, had located them all and freed them from behind bound and gagged throughout the building. They quickly checked in on the group, and went over to the debris of the castle to begin an official investigation.

Alder looked over at Cynthia and smirked. "Let's go help with the investigation."

Cynthia nodded and they left the two kids alone for the time being. Pikachu, who was well enough to stand on his own by now, and Piplup also exchanged looks, and turned their backs to their trainers to give them a little privacy.

Dawn just stood there, smiling at Ash. Ash smiled back at her, but blushed once more. "What?"

"I...I always knew you could do anything Ash. I..umm..." She broke her gaze to look down. "I meant what I said...I-"

"I love you too, Dawn." Ash said, sincerely. "I'm still very good with all this...romance stuff, so I can't give a big mushy speech or something, but...I know I do. I could tell...just...with everything we've been through in this. I love you too."

Dawn smiled and allowed herself to lean forward and fall into Ash's arms as the words, while nothing special, made her melt. The two kissed once more, this one much more passionate than the hurried one that was shared on Team Plasma's castle.

For the first time since that fateful night in Pewter City, Ash finally did not feel like a failure any longer.

End STORY. There will be an Epilogue.