Lances stood and addressed the crowd.

"WELCOME TO THE FINAL MATCH OF THE INDIGO LEAGUE, IN THE 717TH YEAR OF MOLTREUS. THIS JUST MIGHT BE OUR MOST EXCITING MATCH YET. OUR FIRST FINALIST, THE FORMER LANISTA OF PEWTER CITY, BRACCHUS PETRUS!"

The audience cheered, and Bracchus waved and took his bow. This was, by far, his favorite part.

"AND OUR SECOND FINALIST, FROM PALLETUS..."

The audience roared.

"SOME CALL HIM THE SAVIOR OF KANTO, BUT WHATEVER YOU CALL HIM, HIS NAME IS ON ALL OF OUR LIPS. THE ONE, THE ONLY, ASHUS KETCHUMO!"

Ashus waved and bowed humbly as the audience continued screaming for him. Bracchus rolled his eyes, and Ashus laughed. Ashus actually hated the attention.

"OUR FINALISTS HAVE DEFEATED EVERY LUDUS IN KANTO; EACH OF US, THE ELITE FOUR; AND TEN OTHER FINE DOCTORE TO REACH THIS POINT. IT IS ESPECIALLY FITTING, HOWEVER, THAT OUR FINALISTS SHOULD BATTLE EACH OTHER HERE, FOR THEY HAVE TRAVELED KANTO TOGETHER AS FRIENDS BEFORE THE TERRIBLE REIGN OF GIOVANNEY BEGAN."


It had been very surreal after Viridian. People had been quick to call Ashus Emperor, and he had been quick to refuse. After all, he hadn't even really killed Giovanney. Surely there was someone, though the Saffronus line had been extinguished, someone, if you searched back through the records, who had a birthright to the throne. He and Billus and the Professor poured through the books, and they found such a person, a descendant from the oldest Saffronus princess on record, Julia Saffronus Caesar.

Her children had been given the surname Caesar. After their father, thus as time progressed, the Caesar family was unaware of their royal lineage. And once the family forgot they were royal, they fell steadily down the social ladder, until all that was left was a single family of three residing in Palletus: a mother, a father, and a boy.

And in the Battle of Palletus Bay, the mother and father had perished, leaving only the boy.

Rubus Saffronus Caesar, known thereafter as the Red Emperor.


Surges continued his Mewduo worship in Viridian, erecting a temple to the god and housing his worshipers. He had tried to give Ashus both Raichus and the Vermilion ludus, but Ashus refused both.

"Raichus is still your Glademon, regardless of your cult allegiance," said Ashus. "Vermilion will find another lanista."

"Zapdo has clearly chosen you," said Surges.

"I'm not so sure. Do the gods choose us, or do we choose the gods?" Ashus said.

Surges considered. "You never cease to amaze me, Ashus Ketchumo. I am sorry, truly, for the way I treated you."

Ashus bowed slightly in acknowledgement. "You are still a good man, Surges."

"Rai!"

Ashus pat Raichus on the head. "Your Glademon agrees."

"Even so," said Surges. "I do have something for you, before you depart. It is the last one I have. I think you've done more than enough to deserve it." Surges reached into his bag and took out a Thunder Badge.


Before leaving Viridian for Indigo, Ashus had one more visit to make. He traveled back to the House of Racchetus, where two Glademon, a large purple rabbit, and Wartortiles, were engaged in combat.

"Already training, I see?" Ashus said, and the old woman wrapped her arms around him.

"Are you sure you won't stay with us?" Juna asked. "Sparring with your Glademon could really get ours into shape."

"A few matches couldn't hurt," said Ashus, "but I have a higher calling."

She winked and kissed him on the cheek. "You will crush them all at Indigo."

"That's the plan," said Ashus. "By the way, Garius, Mistia wants to know if you want Psydukus back."

"Is he trained?" Garius asked. The former doctore was no longer wearing a slave collar, and his eye had healed.

"She recommends not putting him into any major battles yet," said Ashus. "But since you need Glademon for your ludus, she thought you might want him back."

"You know what, she can keep him," said Garius.

"Are you sure?" asked Ashus.

"Yeah," he said. "Between the two of us, we've got more impressive fair here. Butterfria is doing exceptionally well."

"Oh, good!" Ashus said, his eyes lighting up. "I'd love to see how she does against Squirtiles."

"Challenge accepted," said Garius. "Lady Racchetus, we really ought to withhold him here. How can he go to Indigo without the Earth badge?"

"We can't give out Earth badges yet," said Juna. "Not until the ludus proves itself."

"I'll come back to visit, I promise," said Ashus. He sighed. "A combined Okus-Racchetus ludus. I can't wait to see it at it's full power."

"Gonna be the hardest badge in Kanto," said Juna. "You lucked out. You could have been stuck here."

"I'm not sure I'd terribly mind that," said Ashus.

"I guess staring at your ugly face for a couple weeks wouldn't be the worst," said Garius.

"There it is," said Ashus.

They laughed, and then Garius hugged him. "I'm sorry, Ashus, for being a dick earlier."

He patted Garius on the back. "You weren't yourself. It's okay."

"You know, it's weird. I kinda feel like...as fucked up as all of that was...I was kinda supposed to end up here, you know? I finally feel like I actually belong."

Ashus nodded and smiled as Juna put her arm around Garius and muttered something about their Glademon. He prayed Garius would be a better son to her and walked on.


"THIS WILL BE A FOUR-ON-FOUR MATCH, WINNER TAKE ALL. BRACCHUS PETRUS, CHOOSE YOUR FIRST GLADEMON!"

"I CHOOSE ZUBATUS!"

The right-side gate opened, and Venomus's old Glademon entered the arena. It screeched, and the spectators covered their ears.

"Alright," said Ashus. "I CHOOSE PIKACHUS!"

"You're dumb," Mistia said.

"Pikachus is my best," said Ashus. "Why wouldn't I choose him?"

"I think this is going to be very interesting," Bracchus agreed.

Pikachus entered to the adoration of the crowd, and the first match began. Zubatus weakened Pikachus immediately with his sonic screech, but Pikachus wasn't deterred. He sent a lightning bolt straight at Zubatus. Zubatus was temporarily paralyzed and fell. Pikachus approached Zubatus to knock him out.

"I got this one," said Ashus.

"Not so fast," said Bracchus.

Zubatus forced himself up and sunk his teeth into Pikachus, injecting poison into his system. Pikachus shocked him, and Zubatus fell motionless onto the ground.

"Okay, mercy," said Bracchus.

"PIKACHUS, MERCY!" shouted Ashus. Zubatus was carried out of the arena by the medics.

"BRACCHUS PETRUS, CHOOSE YOUR NEXT GLADEMON," said Lances.

"I CHOOSE GEODUDES!" shouted Bracchus.

"I'd like to withdraw Pikachus as well," Ashus said. "He's been poisoned, and I know he won't be able to defeat Geodudes in that condition."

"Very well," said Lances. "That evens the scoreboard. Choose your next Glademon."

"I CHOOSE...MUKUS!" Ashus shouted.

"Ooooh, good choice, man," said Bracchus.

The poison blob Glademon elicited quite a reaction from the crowd when he entered the arena, due to both his size and his smell.

"MUKUS, ATTACK!" shouted Ashus.

Geodudes lunged towards Mukus, and Mukus slid towards Geodudes. When the two collided, Geodudes's hard body nearly blew a hole through Mukus.

"Ohhhh...FUCK!" Ashus said.

"Do I hear a 'mercy'?" asked Bracchus laughing.

Geodudes jumped into the air, and landed on Mukus's head, crushing him.

"MERCY!" Ashus cried.

"GEODUDES, MERCY!" Bracchus echoed.

The crowd went wild. "ASHUS KETCHUMO IS MOVING TO HIS THIRD GLADEMON," announced Lances.

Ashus wasn't deterred. "I CHOOSE SQUIRTILES!"

"Bad choice, man," said Bracchus.

Mistia laughed and placed a reassuring hand on Ashus's. "SQUIRTILES, ATTACK!"

Squirtiles shot a jet of water at Geodudes. Geodudes tried to shield himself with his arms, and then eventually rolled out of the way. Geodudes rolled towards Squirtiles, and Squirtiles tucked himself into his shell and propelled himself out of the way with water. Geodudes eventually became lodged in mud. Squirtiles popped back out of his shell, and the audience cheered.

Geodudes dislodged himself and rolled towards Squirtiles again. Squirtiles jumped out of the way and continued shooting water at Geodudes. Geodudes was hardy and eventually caught up to Squirtiles. Geodudes dealt Squirtiles a punch, and Squirtiles fell. He brought his fist down on Squirtiles again, and Squirtiles tucked himself in his shell. From within the shell, he soaked Geodudes in water. Squirtiles flung himself shell-first at Geodudes, and the great rock Glademon cracked. Geodudes picked up Squirtiles and threw him. Squirtiles landed in a pile of mud and started to fling it at Geodudes.

Geodudes rolled towards Squirtiles, but Squirtiles covered him in mud. He shot a jet of water at Geodudes, and Geodudes was finding it more and more difficult to move.

"Give up now, Bracchus," said Ashus.

"Nope," said Bracchus stubbornly.

Squirtiles spun towards Geodudes shell-first, and Geodudes fell over. Squirtiles shot water directly at Geodudes's face. Geodudes punched Squirtiles, who fell over as well, but Squirtiles picked himself up again and continued shooting water.

"Okay, fine," said Bracchus. "This isn't fun anymore. Mercy."

"SQUIRTILES, MERCY!" shouted Ashus. Squirtiles ceased fire, and Geodudes was carried out of the arena.

"BRACCHUS IS ON HIS THIRD GLADEMON," announced Lances. "MAKE YOUR CHOICE."

"Well, damn," said Bracchus. "I CHOOSE ONIXA!"

Ashus gulped. Onixa was a titan. The audience cheered fervently as the rock snake slithered into the arena.

"ONIXA, ATTACK!"

Onixa swung her massive tail at Squirtiles. Squirtiles tucked into his shell, and when Onixa struck, Squirtiles had been submerged under the Earth. Water started pouring out of the hole Squirtiles was in. Onixa stared at it, thinking. Then, she dug. The move was a huge crowd-pleaser. Onixa threw her massive body up and buried herself underwater. She reemerged with Squirtiles on her head, and threw him off her.

Squirtiles landed, and Onixa swung her tail at him again. This time, Squirtiles was ready and was actually able to grab onto her tail. Squirtiles started squirting water at Onixa as he ran up her back to her head. He shot water in her eyes, and she reeled, but Squirtiles hung on. She propelled her body into the air, and then, she dug again.

Squirtiles was helpless. He disappeared with her under the ground, and when she emerged, he was thrown against the wall. He huffed and puffed, and his shell was cracked. Onixa swung her tail again, and he made no move.

"MERCY!" Ashus shouted.

"ASHUS KETCHUMO IS ON HIS LAST GLADEMON," announced Lances. "HIS NEXT GLADEMON MUST DEFEAT BOTH ONIXA AND BRACCHUS'S FINAL GLADEMON."

"I CHOOSE BULBAESAR!" Ashus quickly declared.

"You don't sound confident there, Ashus," said Bracchus.

"I'm not gonna lie," said Ashus. "I'm not. Type advantage doesn't seem to matter much against Onixa's size and strength advantage. But we'll see what Bulbaesar does."

"Bulbaesar is good," agreed Mistia. "Although, I wonder if Pikachus could have handled her now that she's wet."

"Hmmm," Ashus agreed. "Well, it's too late now. Bulbaesar is good."

Bulbaesar came growling into the arena. Onixa and Bulbaesar sized each other up. Bulbaesar showed his cards first, unraveling two vines from his back. Onixa roared and swung her tail at Bulbaesar. Bulbaesar latched his vines around her tail, and he swung with her. She swung him at the wall.

He unwrapped his vines just in time to avoid a terrible collision, but Bracchus gasped a little. Pieces of Onixa's rocky exterior had fallen to the ground where the vines had been. Ashus smiled and patted Mistia on the hand.

Bulbaesar shot razor sharp leaves at Onixa, and pieces of the rock started to chip away. Onixa lifted her tail, and Bulbaesar latched onto it again and squeezed. Onixa howled in pain, and a chunk of her tail fell to the ground.

Bracchus and the audience screamed. Bulbaesar removed his vines and wrapped then again around her middle, which was much thicker. Onixa reeled, pulled him up, and Bulbaesar dug his claws into her eyes, not releasing the vines. She leapt up and dug, carrying Bulbaesar with her.

They didn't emerge.

Everyone got to their feet and held their breath. Rumbling could be heard beneath them, and the stadium shook. An epic battle was happening below them that couldn't be seen. Ashus and Bracchus looked at each other nervously. Ashus squeezed Mistia's hand. Bracchus squeezed Ashus's hand.

Finally, Bulbaesar came back, and he pulled an unconscious Onixa out with him. The audience whooped, and both Ashus and Bracchus fell back into their seats, hands clutched to their hearts. "Mercy," Bracchus whispered.

"BULBAESAR, MERCY!" Ashus shouted happily. The audience was chanting, some, "BULBAESAR!" and some, "KETCHUMO!"

Lances was barely audible above the crowd. "BRACCHUS IS ON HIS LAST GLADEMON. THIS WILL BE THE DECIDING MATCH OF THIS YEAR'S INDIGO LEAGUE. EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON THIS CHOICE FOR BRACCHUS PETRUS."

"Well, I only have one more, so I guess I choose-" Bracchus stopped abruptly, mid-sentence.

"Bracchus?" Ashus said. "You okay."

A giant grin had spread across Bracchus's face. "I choose...VULPIXUS!"

Vulpixus was breath-taking. His six orange tails blew in the mountain breeze. He glared at Bulbaesar with determination.

"I forgot," Ashus whispered to Mistia. "What type is Vulpixus? I don't think I've ever seen him fight."

Vulpixus inhaled, and fire poured out of her mouth. "Shit," said Ashus. "Shit shit shit shit shit!"

Bulbaesar dodged it and smacked Vulpixus with his vines. Vulpixus bit onto a vine and breathed. Fire trailed back up the vine to Bulbaesar. Bulbaesar smacked his appendage against the ground, trying to smother the flame, screaming all awhile.

"Congratulations, Bracchus," whispered Ashus.

"Oh, come on, this is far from over," said Mistia.

Vulpixus breathed another jet of flame at Bulbaesar while the grass Glademon was extinguishing the first flame. It hit, and Bulbaesar screamed.

"Mercy," Ashus whispered, holding up the missio, a tear rolling down his cheek.


Ashus, Bracchus, and Mistia knocked on Melania's door. It had taken them a day wandering in the woods to find her again, and they had worried she was no longer in business. But the beautiful raven-haired woman greeted them, a blue vegetable Glademon behind her.

"Oh, my! Ashus Ketchumo, what an honor! And good to see you two again, Mistia and Bracchus." She blushed when she said Bracchus's name. "Come in, come in." Oddisha chattered happily, and they each stopped to pet her as they walked inside. Pikachus and Togapia sat down with Oddisha and chattered as if they were old friends.

"How is Bulbaesar?" asked Melania.

"Well, he had a pretty nasty battle up at Indigo, but he's recovering," said Ashus.

"Oh, my! You made it to Indigo! And so should I call you Champion Ketchumo now?"

Ashus shook his head. "No, just Ashus Ketchumo. But you can call him Champion Petrus."

Melania squealed, and Bracchus flashed her a charming smile. "I'm sorry," said Melania. "I guess I just assumed."

"Everyone did," said Ashus. "But Bracchus deserved it. I've got my sights on the Orange Islands."

"Oh, you're going to leave Kanto?" asked Melania.

"Not right away," said Ashus. "Mistia and I are going to live in Cerulean for a year or so at the ludus. But then, we'll head south."

"I would think you're tired," said Melania.

"That's why we're going to take a year off," said Mistia matter-of-factly.

"I set out to be a Champion. I haven't done that yet. I've gotta go," said Ashus.

"And you, Bracchus?" asked Melania.

"I've been offered a spot in the Elite Four after Agatha retires," said Bracchus. "But...who knows? To this day, you know, Ashus hasn't actually beat me."

"Onixa is by far the best in all of Kanto," said Ashus. "Bracchus made it through the entire league with only four Glademon. I think I still have a lot to learn from him."

"This is all very sweet," said Melania, setting out some food and drink for her guests. "But to what do I owe this visit? Surely you didn't just come here to tell me Bracchus had won the league."

"We didn't," said Ashus, taking a gladeball out of his bag. "I came here to bring you a Glademon."

Melania's eyes widened, and she took the gladeball with trembling hands. "Who is this?"

Ashus started to cry. Mistia wrapped her arms around him. "You're doing the right thing, Ashus."

"This is Charizardus," he said through tears, "son of Moltreus, destroyer of fleets. He lost his ability to fly in a battle against Mewduo."

"Ohhhh," said Melania. "I'm so sorry."

"He is a loyal Glademon," said Ashus, "but he's very stubborn. Don't try to ask him to do anything he doesn't want to."

"Do you want to say goodbye?" asked Melania.

"Of course," Ashus choked.

Melania went outside and opened the gladeball. Charizardus was almost as big as her house. His body was covered in deep scars, and what were once his wings were nubs. His bright orange color had gone dull. Charizardus growled and swung his tail, still glowing with flame.

"Charizardus!" Ashus cried. "Stop! Charizardus, listen." Charizardus hissed, but looked obediently at Ashus. Mistia was stroking his tail, keeping it steady. "Charizardus, I want you to meet Melania." He gestured to Melania, who stepped forward, though she was clearly scared of the titan Glademon. "Charizardus, this is your new friend. She's going to take care of you. This is your new home. You're going to stay here, with her, and all of these other amazing Glademon, like you." Charizardus growled and shook his head. Ashus sighed. "Melania, gather your other Glademon." Melania did as she was told, as Ashus stroked Charizardus on the snout. "Charizardus, look at all of these Glademon," he ordered. "These are your new friends. More than that, Charizardus. These Glademon need you. Melania needs you. You're going to protect them, okay, Charizardus? They're all alone out here. They need someone big and scary like you to watch over them. Do you think you can do that, Charizardus?" Charizardus looked over the other Glademon, and at Ashus, and he chuffed. A puff of smoke came out of his mouth. "Charizardus, I love you. I will always love you. You've been amazing. But you can't come with me anymore. We can't go to arenas anymore, okay? You don't want to watch all my other Glademon fight while you can't. It wouldn't be fair. But here, you can help. Do you understand?"

Charizardus closed his eyes slowly and opened them again. He stretched out a claw to Ashus. The others backed away in fear, and Melania gasped. But Ashus wasn't afraid. He held his hand out to meet Charizardus's claw and wrapped his arm around it. Charizardus leaned his head forward and touched Ashus's forehead with his snout. The two stood like that, Glademon and trainer.

"Charrr!" Charizardus cooed.

"Always," Ashus whispered back.