It's been quite a while. Anyway, I thank you all for being patient with me. So now, here's a chapter to basically sum up the previous chapters. Please review when you get the chance.
"Charla and I will take our leave now," Liza said. "We both made sure your Charizard arrived to you as safe as possible."
"Me and Charizard are grateful to you for everything you've done, Liza," Ash said respectfully. "We hope your flight back to the Charicific Valley is a good one."
"One last thing, though…"
"What's up?"
"Charla wants you to say 'Good-bye!' to Charizard for her," Liza said while Charla nodded. "We've really got to go back now."
"No problem," Ash said eagerly. "Take care, Liza!" He waved to Liza and Charla as they ascended and flew west at the blink of an eye. "They're pretty fast…"
"Well Ash, it's time for us to depart," Scott spoke. The other seven Frontier Brains stood behind him as well as their engine-ready bus in front of the Battle Dimension, the sun slowly setting and closing the wild day Ash and company had.
"It was so awesome finally getting to know my own Battle Facility, the Battle Dimension," Ash cheered. His mother, Pikachu, friends, and Professor Oak stood behind him at his side. "Do you guys have to leave so soon?"
"I don't," Anabel spoke up and surprising everyone, especially Scott.
"What's up, Anabel?" Brandon asked pensively. Anabel stepped forward from the other Frontier Brains right to the center of the two groups.
"If it's okay, Scott, I'd like to stay with Ash a little bit longer," Anabel said humbly, attracting multiple shocked glances from everyone, including Ash.
"Anabel…," Ash muttered softly.
"I feel that I can help him move along his training for the Elite Four," Anabel said. Scott looked at her briefly and knew that she was serious about staying with Ash for a while longer.
"Well, all right," Scott finally said, his answer making Anabel very happy. "Apparently, I can't convince you once you've set your mind on something." Scott then nudged her a few times on the arm and gave a smirk. She was confused at first, but then realized what Scott was implying as shown by the sudden flushed redness in her pale face.
"Wait! I-It's nothing like that!" Anabel cried out and attempted to deny it. Ash was perplexed by her sudden anxious outburst from Scott's implement while certain mature figures sighed.
"You don't really get it, do you?" Misty asked Ash.
"Uh, not really, no," Ash said. "Why?"
"Don't worry about it, Ash," Gary said lightheartedly. "You'll soon learn when it's time." The mood eventually calmed down and order was restored. A small flock of Pidgey flew across the red-orange-bleached sky in the direction of the Viridian Forest.
"Anyway, with joking aside, there's one last thing I want to give you, Ash," Scott announced and motioned Brandon to step forward. Brandon held a small, rectangular, black velvet case in both hands with great importance.
"What's going on?" Ash asked quickly, but Scott placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him down.
"Ash Ketchum, as the first challenger to ever complete the Battle Frontier and become the eighth Frontier Brain, it is my responsibility to tell you of your current status," Scott said with a serious persona. "After witnessing your current standings as a Pokémon Trainer, you will be placed as the true final challenge of the Battle Frontier. While six Frontier Symbols were needed to face Pyramid King Brandon, a challenger will need all lucky seven Symbols to face you, Dimension Hero Ash, in a grand battle of either Three-on-Three or Six-on-Six like you've done with Paul earlier."
"So, what would the challenger win if he or she somehow beats me in either match?" Ash asked skeptically.
"Knowing that you're a Trainer who isn't easily defeated by most conventional means, I've made you like the ultimate Trainer to face in the Battle Frontier. But when you are actually bested in combat… Brandon!" Brandon obediently opened up the small velvet box, revealing two Symbols with a silver Symbol case resting upon the cushion. The Symbol on the left was silver in color with an imprint of Arceus, the Original One. The Symbol on the right was gold in color with an imprint of a Pikachu's face.
"So those Symbols are my supposed conqueror's prizes, huh," Ash said nonchalantly.
"Correct, Ash. If the challenger decides on facing you Three-on-Three and wins, you award the challenger with the Gold Wisdom Symbol. If the challenger triumphs in a Six-on-Six battle, then the Platinum Unity Symbol is the prize. However, a challenger can only challenge you for either the Gold Wisdom Symbol or the Platinum Unity Symbol, not both. Do you understand?"
"Man, those Symbols are awesome!"
"Then go ahead and take the Symbol case in the middle." Ash gingerly picked up the silver case and opened it slowly. To his great surprise, the Gold Wisdom Symbol and Platinum Unity Symbol were already present inside the case. Scott was amused by the awestruck look on Ash's face. "You know, the Symbols in the case were the first ones ever created. The originals, to say the least."
"You're giving me these?!"
"The rest of us found you to be worthy to at least have a pair, especially after your intense battle with Paul," Scott said.
"B-But what about the rest of you?!" Ash asked in concern.
"Don't worry about it," Anabel said as she walked up towards Ash. "It's really a grand privilege."
"The rest of us Frontier Brains already had our times spent in the dazzling limelight," Tucker announced. "Of course, I never get tired of such attention and neither should you."
"I just like being the best," Ash reasoned. "I'm really glad that you all have done this for me, but it isn't that necessary."
"Well, that's Ash for you," Brock added in. "Showing more maturity and humility as time passes. I'm actually impressed on how much he's grown since I've first traveled with him."
"I second that emotion," Misty said.
"Ditto," May, Max, and Dawn cheered.
"We've all grown in our own ways, but the biggest challenge lies ahead of you, Ash," Tracey commented. Ash continued to stare at his two Symbols while contemplating the words of his friends and fellow Frontier Brains.
"Anyway, we gotta skedaddle," Scott said and motioned the other Frontier Brains sans Anabel into the bus. "We all wish you the best of luck in your training, Ash. We'll all be there once your challenge starts two months from now. And Anabel, don't shirk off your duties as well."
"We will, Scott," Ash and Anabel said in unison as Scott became the last person to board the roaring bus. The remaining company waved good-bye to the bus as it departed towards the still ravaged scenery in the direction of Viridian City.
"So how long will this place recover after the bizarre Spearow attack?"
"No clue, but Grandpa, Tracey, and I will diagnose the Spearow Tracey caught hopefully we'll learn more," Gary said.The daytime slowly formed into nighttime as the sun descended lower beyond the horizon. Nocturnal Pokémon, such as Noctowl, Murkrow, and Gastly, have awakened to perform their nightly rituals of food gathering and mischievous pranks.
"It's getting late, everyone," Professor Oak announced. "Let's all head back to Pallet Town for the night."
"So does this mean we'll all be staying in the Ketchums' and Oaks' residences once again?" Drew asked casually.
"Like you have anywhere else in mind, Drew?" May argued back. "I really don't mind staying over in the Ketchum's home as long as Mrs. Ketchum still allows us of course."
"Nonsense! I enjoy having company over," Delia said happily. "Things get pretty boring while Ash and friends travel around in different places. Mimey and I wouldn't mind for you guys staying another night!"
"Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Ketchum," all the girls said together. Kenny, after watching their display of gratitude to their host for the past two weeks of waiting, then turned to Gary.
"Well, not to be outdone by the girls, thanks for having us over, Gary," Kenny said meekly.
"Yes, it was a pleasure you to open up your home to us, though I've always preferred the outdoors," Nando said.
"Yeah, thanks," Drew said laconically.
"Okay, guys, no problem," Gary said. "We all should be thanking Brock for his services. He is definitely one of the greatest chefs out there, next to Ash's mother!" Murmurs of agreement followed while Brock maintained his constant humility and tried to quiet down the praises.
"Okay, so the girls have been staying in my house while the guys were in Gary's house… Hey! Wait a minute!" Ash suddenly cried out. "Does this mean I have to sleep in Gary's home if all the girls our staying in ours?!"
"Of course not, Ash," Delia said amiably. "These girls have respected our home long enough to not come barging into your room and perusing your belongings." Light laughter followed as Ash groaned at the thought.
"What's wrong, Ash?" Misty asked playfully. "Even with a girlfriend, you still can't sleep peacefully when there are other girls in your house?"
"Mistyyy…," Ash groaned again and even Pikachu imitated his Trainer on top of his shoulder.
"Hey, Mrs. Ketchum, can I also stay over in your home if it's okay with you?" Anabel asked genteelly.
"Why of course, dear," Delia responded kindly. "You've given Ash a place to stay and now it's our turn to do the same for you! Of course, I'll still have to insist that Ash sleeps alone."
"W-What?!" Ash shouted in bewilderment as he was continually ribbed mercilessly. "I don't understand what you guys are talking about! Me and Anabel and sleeping…"
"You'll understand when you're older, dear," Delia said in a straightforward manner and urged the jokes to quiet down.
"You know, Ash, if it's any consolation, I don't know what's going on either," Max whispered to Ash.
"But you've just turned ten," Ash whispered back. "If you know more of what's going on than I do, then you guys are really throwing me in a loop."
Ash was tired from today's events, aside from the jokes about him and Anabel being together and alone at his home. He began slowing his pace as everyone else continued walking back to Pallet Town, having conversations about various hot Pokémon topics. Anabel was the first to notice Ash lagging behind so she purposely slowed her walking for him to catch up to her. Luckily for her, everyone else simply continued talking and did not really pay mind to the couple walking far behind them. So there were no more jokes made about them for now.
"Hey, Ash," Anabel called out to her young boyfriend. He was somewhat in a trance along with Pikachu, both staring up into the darkening sky. The lights of many stars started to form as the sunset has almost faded away.
"Hmm, what's up, Anabel?" Ash responded in his friendly manner.
"I can tell that there's something on your mind," Anabel said. "There's no use trying to hide it. You know you can't hide anything from me." Both Ash and Pikachu grinned and went back to looking at the sky.
"I've got nothing to hide," Ash said. "You already know what I'm thinking of." He was right; Anabel did learn of what Ash was thinking of at that moment through his pensive face and focused eyes.
"You're thinking about today, aren't you?" Anabel asked with a smile. Ash nodded in acknowledgement to her question.
"See, I am just still amazed on everything that has happened to me today," Ash said softly.
"Pika Pikachu," Pikachu muttered.
"Even Pikachu agrees with you," Anabel said lightheartedly.
"Yeah, well today is the today that I was fully recognized as one of you," Ash explained. "Today, I became a Frontier Brain of a Facility of my own. All of you guys plus my friends, I couldn't ask for anything more."
"Hmm, you and Scott both agreed on you being the Dimension Hero of the Battle Dimension," Anabel stated.
"Correct, and to tell the truth, I thought it would all stop there…"
"I'm guessing you didn't expect becoming eligible for the Elite Four Challenge?"
"Yep. Man, I was so psyched to find out from Aya that I'd be facing two powerful members and a Champion of each region in two months. I'd get to face Koga, Lance, Wallace, Cynthia, and other powerful Trainers."
"And Gary volunteered to fight you as the Kanto Champion, right?"
"That's right. You know, I don't know how some people can handle all of this news."
"You should be proud, Ash. You've worked so hard and I couldn't be prouder!"
"Yeah… Some news like being able to fight the Elite Four is so awesome! Though there's some news that I've already become accustomed to…"
"You mean Paul just showing up unannounced? How does he do that?"
"Do what, Anabel?"
"Just, you know, come and go when you least expect it."
"Um, well," Ash thought carefully from his extensive history with Paul back in Sinnoh. "I could say it's coincidental."
"But how did he know that you were eligible for the Challenge of the Elite Four?"
"I hate to admit it, but Paul is really smart. It's like he just waits in the background and takes note of everything before taking action."
"So he's a brilliant strategist," Anabel summed up.
"And a cruel dictator to his Pokémon," Ash added in. "At least I hope, WAS a cruel dictator to his Pokémon."
"During your battle with him, he talked about why he pushes his Pokémon beyond the limit."
"I originally thought that he really wants to win and that he hates spoiled slackers, but it was because of a traumatizing first day as a Pokémon Trainer. From what Paul explained, he and Reggie both had trouble with Team Galactic with Paul receiving the blunt of the troubles. They lost their father and Paul was brutally tortured and taunted by the Galactic leader, Cyrus, for his weakness."
"I actually felt a little bit sorry for the poor guy," Anabel said with sincerity. "But…"
"… He didn't have to start off the way he is now," Ash finished her sentence.
"Anyway, I'm so proud of you for putting Paul in his place and showing him the error of his ways… again," she said. "Do you think he'd finally understand what you've been trying to show him?"
"I hope so," Ash mumbled. "Paul's a really great Trainer. He'd be an even greater rival if he started to show respect and care for his Pokémon. But I don't know when that'll happen."
"Speaking of Paul's Pokémon, have any idea about that Fearow he caught?"
"The very same Fearow that attacked me and Pikachu on our first day together that recently obtained a strange dark aura?"
"And Pokérus, according to the Pokédex." Ash merely shrugged and continued walking alongside Anabel.
"Man, now I can't really believe this day," Ash sighed loudly as he, Anabel, and the company before him were yards near Pallet Town. "That bizarre Spearow attack still left me shaking…"
"Me too," Anabel agreed. "That attack so sudden and most of Route 1 was ravaged into a wasteland. I wonder what provoked them to do such a thing."
"Pika Pika," Pikachu sighed worriedly.
"Pikachu's concerned about whatever got a hold on the Spearow," Anabel translated from Pikachu's sigh. Ash also felt what Pikachu was feeling, but was glad to hear it from Anabel. "You know, I'm still wondering why Paul captured Fearow right after your Charizard and Liza's Charizard, Charla, took it down." He looked at her for a second before thinking back at the separation incident in that maze in Sinnoh due to Team Rocket's meddling.
"If I'm not mistaken, Paul said to me, Dawn, and Brock that we owed him a Fearow," Ash mused. "I guess he didn't catch a Fearow back then."
"Do you know why he was interested in having a Fearow?"
"Well, Fearow are pretty strong and aggressive. And that particular Fearow he caught is all of the above."
"… And then some. Hee hee…"
"Anabel…"
"I know, Ash. Sorry." Anabel then took out a Poké Ball and released her Espeon in a flash of white.
"Esp?" the Psychic-type mewled.
"You've always enjoyed taking walks at night, which made me wonder if you were really meant to become an Umbreon," Anabel said sweetly. Ash and Pikachu both observed Anabel's closeness with Espeon, which also shows how well she cared for her other Pokémon.
"Your Pokémon are really lucky to have someone like you as their Trainer, Anabel," Ash complemented.
"Thanks, Ash, but I'm not the only one who deserves such a complement," she responded and lightly kissed him on the cheek. It was Ash's turn to feel the color red filling in his face.
"Pikapi…"
Ash, Anabel, and Pikachu continued walking down the moonlit path to Pallet Town, a few feet behind everyone else. Basically, everyone was dragging their feet because they felt no rush in going back and do nothing before falling asleep wherever they would settle. It was only for a matter of seconds before Max raced ahead of everyone else and reached the top of a short hill. On the opposite side of the hill was the peaceful Town of Pallet.
"We've made it back!" Max exclaimed and started to race downhill to Gary's house. Everyone, especially May, was a bit taken back by his sudden burst of energy.
"The kid's probably hungry," May stated and felt her own stomach quietly rumble. "And it looks like so am I."
"I'll be on kitchen duty for everyone tonight to celebrate Ash's becoming of a Frontier Brain and his defending of his eligibility of competing in the Challenge of the Elite Four!" Delia announced readily with a warm smile on her face.
"Thank you!" everyone yelled out to her.
"I can help you with kitchen duty, Mrs. Ketchum," Brock said, to which Delia nodded. Ash, Anabel, Pikachu, and Espeon finally caught up with everyone at the bottom of the hill. They were within earshot to hear the grand feast Ash's mother and Brock are making for everyone.
"Wow! A feast for today's accomplishments…" Ash said in an almost breathless fashion.
"Ash, remember to breath after finishing whatever's in your mouth," Anabel said jokingly. "Come on. Let's go join everyone."
"Right!"
"Quite a variety of Pokémon you have listed in your databanks, Rambo," Stein said, impressed with the data shown from the fruits of the experiment.
"It's Namba! And do you think it's time to work on a Legendary Pokémon?" Namba asked zealously.
"No, not yet," Stein said abruptly. "We have to first test out Project: XDrus a few more times before trying it on a Pokémon."
"Why a few more times?"
"To make sure our ShadowPokérus-infected Pokémon cannot be purified."
"B-But…!"
"What?!"
"That's madness!" Namba shouted in astonishment. "In all my years working in Team Rocket, never before I had to go so beyond the limits of the natural order!"
"But don't you want to control the limits of the natural order itself?" Stein asked in a hypnotic way. "You've told me about how you tried to control the rage of a Lugia in the Whirl Islands of Johto. I'd say it's almost similar to what Cipher did to XD001 years ago under Greevil's rule."
"But, Stein…"
"I'll hear no more of this!" Stein shouted impatiently. He stormed off near the door, leaving Namba behind to think of his own personal ethics. However, Stein abruptly stopped in front of the door, coldness present. "By the way, Namba, after looking through Team Rocket's databanks of available Pokémon or Pokémon capable of being captured, would you want XD00∞ as the Rayquaza Sebastian's agents managed to find or the Giratina living in the Torn World above Mt. Coronet?"
Well, I hope you all enjoyed this short chapter. I had to remember where I was and the rest was history. Anyway, if you would please review, then it'd be much appreciated. Ciao!