A Golden Era
Ash and Alexa awoke face down in the grass located outside of the entrance of the Tree of Beginning, with all their Pokemon returned to their balls. Laying down in the grass next to them were a dazed Blue and Alex, who both groggily sat up.
"What the-" Blue said, opening his eyes. "How'd I get back out here?"
"Yeah," Alex said, clutching his injured right arm. "Last thing I remember was passing out from the pain in my arm. Overloading my band like that was not one of my greatest ideas..."
Soon Blue and Alex glanced at each other, before glancing back at their fellow Aura Guardians clad in gold and white armor. "You guys totally won!"
"Where's Giovanni?" Blue joyously asked the Ketchum siblings, after noticing he was not present.
"He's gonna be trapped in limbo for a long time," Ash said. "Punishment for trying to *bend the laws of space/time to control the Multiverse*." The two other Aura Guardians excitedly sprang to their feet, celebrating the joyous occasion with laughter and a group hug.
"Ooh-ahh, easy on the arm, mates," Alex said, backing away, sending a blue pulse of healing Aura into his own arm.
"Guys, down there!" Alexa said, pointing down to the battlefield below.
Witnessing the Gym Leaders, Frontier Brains, Trial Captains, Professors, Trainers, and Legendary Pokemon from all around the Pokemon world (and beyond in regards to the Ultra Beasts) united together fighting the thousands of Rocket Grunts was a brilliant sight to behold. However, a sight that left Ash bewildered above all, was his partner Meowth in its long-bodied Gigantimax form. Letting out a maniacal laugh, the talking Pokemon chased down a horde of opposing Rocket Grunts.
Delia from across the battlefield, on the back of her Charizard, turned towards the Tree of Beginning to see her two children clad in armor, with Blue and Alex at their side. Suddenly, from the Tree of Beginning, along with the many blue and green crystals that were embedded throughout the vast landscape, bright orange beams of light were shot into the sky above. Suddenly, all Pokemon on the battlefield halted their fighting, opting to look up to the brilliant beams of light. Everyone present looked up to the sky, feeling a peaceful, calming Aura pulse through them.
Upon seeing the beams of light, the being of water that housed May and Manaphy, retreated back into the lake, leaving the coordinator holding the Mythical Pokemon on her hip. "They did it!" May exclaimed in triumph, as Manaphy in her arms raised its fins high into the air. This remark sent Ash's robed Warriors scattered across the battlefield, and the Pokemon which accompanied them, to roar in triumph.
"There they are!" Delia exclaimed, pointing in the direction of the four Aura Guardians making their way towards the two opposing sides.
While a few members of Team Rocket had scurried off as soon as the rays of light appeared, those that remained had seen no more purpose in fighting. As soon as Ash and the other Guardians approached, they stood at their attention, compliant to whatever Ash (the victor) had to say.
"Your Boss has been defeated. And he's not gonna be coming back any time soon." This statement from Ash earned a cheer from a vast majority of the Grunts that stood before him. Like many, they too lived in fear of what that dangerous man was capable of.
With peace restored on both sides, Ash found himself embraced in a tight circle of his friends, family, acquaintances (and even a few Team Rocket Grunts.) When Ash had finally broken away from the massive crowd, he saw his fiance and Manaphy amongst the sea of people. Strutting forwards in his new golden suit of armor, Ash placed his hands on his hips and said: "Hey Contest Girl."
"Hey, Golden Boy," The Coordinator said, setting Manaphy down, before placing her hands on his shoulders and pulling him into a kiss. Looking down at his neck, she noticed the Pokeball which hung from it. One that she hadn't seen Ash with in a considerable amount of time. "Is that-?!"
Ash grinned, as he detached the Pokeball which hung from around his neck. "Mewtwo, may the Aura Guide you!" He joyfully exclaimed. Tossing the ball high into the air, the pristine white and purple Legendary with its new, blue eyes hovered into the air, then lowered itself to the ground.
'Um… hello everyone,' The Pokemon said cautiously.
"MEWTWO!" The crowd of excited Trainers said, piling onto the Pokemon in a group hug. "You're back!"
'I don't understand…' The Pokemon said, glancing around, with tears welling in its eyes. 'After all the pain I've caused…'
"That's in the past," Ritchie said, patting the Legendary hard on the back. "That wasn't you out there."
"I always knew that there was still good in you," May said, hugging the waist of her fiance's Pokemon. "It's best we just leave it all behind us."
"It's like Arceus said," Chimed in Ash, placing a hand on the Pokemon's shoulder. "It's our destiny to be partners. So from here on out we'll be maintaining Peace. Now and forever."
'And forever is a long time,' Darkrai said, hovering high above the crowd. Lowering its body, everyone backed away so that the two may speak face to face. The last time they had encountered one another, Mewtwo had brutally attacked it, before striking Mount Silver. '...It is good to see you, my friend.'
'Darkrai,' Mewtwo extended out its hand. 'I share the same sentiment.'
'And now that we have been reunited, let us continue to aid Ash to uphold peace throughout this world,' Darkrai said, shaking Mewtwo's hand. 'Let us change the legends and perceptions of those who fear us.' This remark made the trainer smile, as he had a fondness for the duo and their companionship.
The Legendary Pokemon smiled, as a single tear ran down its cheek. 'Thank you all for your forgiveness… It is nice to be surrounded by my true friends once more. Now that the darkness within my heart has been extinguished. Thank you all for believing in me.'
After the reintroduction of the purified Mewtwo, Ash's attention was suddenly drawn to the entrance of the Tree of Beginning. Exiting it were Pikachu (with no sign of Max,) his Incineroar and Lucario along with Alexa's Hitmonlee and Aegislash, with the Regi Trio at their side. With Arceus's Golden Light radiating from the tree, all conflict had ceased.
With the war over, and the heroes attaining victory, Ash, May (carrying Manaphy,) Alexa, Ross, Ritchie, Paul, Dawn, Alex, Lance, Gary, Harrison, Delia and Blue all made their way over to the mouth of the Tree of Beginning, with their arms around each other, to meet with the Pokemon who did battle inside of the Tree. Nothing could wipe away the wide smiles plastered upon their faces, knowing that the end times were no longer upon them. That is, until a lone man exited the mouth of the Tree of Beginning from behind Ash and Alexa's Pokemon. The line of trainers stopped in their tracks when they saw the man about 20 yards away, who sported a tattered red jacket and jeans. He exited the cavern and entered the golden rays light of the outside world, using a hand to shift the brim of his hat to block out the harsh rays.
Delia froze and let out a gasp, recognizing the man immediately. The woman then broke ahead of the group, frantically running towards the man that stood at the mouth of the Tree of Beginning. Blue froze completely in place, as if he had seen a ghost. At the sight of the woman running towards him, Red Ketchum stood shocked, but soon began to sprint towards his wife.
"Ash is that-?" May started, turning and looking at her fiance, who's jaw hung wide open.
"Alexa, your wish!" Ash exclaimed, quickly spinning to the girl clad in white armor at his opposite side.
"I thought it was all a dream!" The teenager exclaimed, happy for her mother and brother.
"Dad!" Ash yelled excitedly, turning back and running forwards to catch up to his mother.
Together Delia, Ash and Red all collided with each other into a big group hug. The 21 year old, and the two 40 year olds embraced each other, not speaking any words, but sharing laughter and tears; signs that they were overjoyed to be reunited once again. For the first time in ages, Ash got to see the face of his father; a former Aura Guardian and Champion who fell victim to the Tree of Beginning long ago.
Red, who had similar facial features to Ash, down to the same messy black hair looked at his family, who he had never thought he would see again. With stubble on his face and some wrinkles around his eyes, Arceus had brought him back as a 40 year old man, the same age as Delia. As tears welled in his eyes he gazed at his wife and child before him.
"... … I'm speechless." Was all he could muster, before pulling the two into a tighter hug. "Delia, my love, I missed you more than you'll ever know." The man said, placing a hand on his wife's cheek, wiping away the tears which ran down her face. He then turned to his son, The Champion of Arceus. "And Ash! Look at how big you've gotten! How old are you now?"
"21. Well… 22 next week, now that I think about it." His son said, rubbing the back of his head.
"Damn! 22?!" Which caused Red to fall onto his rear on the ground. "Guess you're long overdue for a drink with your old man, then."
"Well just wait to hear this one!" Delia said. "Your son is getting married in a few months!"
"Married?!" Red exclaimed, still seated on the ground from the shock of all that he had missed. "I have to meet this girl!"
From a short distance away, May while holding the Prince of the Sea raised her hand and began walking towards the reunited family, giving a wave. "I'm the lucky girl! So nice to finally meet you! I've heard so much about you!" Upon her arrival next to Ash, the Champion of Arceus wrapped his arm around her.
"Well then," Red said. "I'm glad I was able to make it back in time to catch the wedding!"
"Red, honey, it is so good to have you back," Delia said, with tears of joy streaming down her face, as she pressed up against Red's chest. "But I have to know… what do you remember last?"
"I remember…" Red said, soon seeing the spiked orange hair of his former rival, approaching the reunited family. "Blue."
"Red." Blue said, extending his hand out. Red took his companion's hand, getting pulled back up to his feet, before pulling Professor Oak's grandson into a hug, patting him on the back with his free hand. "Red… I'm so sorry for everything that happened… It's my fault you got trapped in there and-"
"Blue… you came back for me. Not only that... You kept my family safe. Just like you promised. Thank you."
"It's my fault you got stuck there in the first place," Blue said. He then pulled out all of the Pokeballs that once belonged to Red. "I believe these guys belong with their rightful owner."
Red's eyes widened as an excited smile grew on his face. Taking all of the Pokeballs into his hands, and tossing them high into the air, the man laughed with joy, ready to see his Pokemon for the first time in years. Bursting from their balls were Venusaur, Pikachu, Poliwrath, Snorlax, Gyarados, Aerodactyl and Espeon, who all tackled their trainer in a pigpile upon seeing him for the first time in almost two decades.
"Ahaha! I missed you guys so much! And I bet you missed these two as well!" Red then pulled off a Pokeball and a Masterball off his belt. "Charizard! Mewtwo! Looks like the gang's back together!"
Appearing from the balls were Red's infamous Charizard, who upon seeing Delia and her Charizard, immediately flew over to interact with them, before socializing with its old team mates. What was shocking to Ash and his Mewtwo, however, was the fact that his father owned one. The psychic type Pokemon had a content smile on its face, feeling delighted to be reunited with its companions.
"And Blue…" Red said, pulling out a second, shrunken Master Ball off his belt. "I caught that Mew for you, like I said I would. Number 151," Enlarging the purple ball, he placed it in the hand of his longest rival. "I'm sorry I couldn't hand it over fast enough before the Tree got me… but now you'll be able to go home."
While Blue was not a person that expressed much emotion, this gesture from Red made the former Viridian City Gym Leader bow his head in gratitude, as tears welled in his eyes and his lip quivered. "Red… I-I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay you for this!"
"Don't mention it… Like I said, you kept your promise and kept my family safe, just like I asked. And now that you can travel between dimensions, I expect that you will come and visit us from time to time."
The man formerly known as 'The Mask' bowed his head in gratitude once more. "Of course Red! I am so glad to have you back-"
"No way!" Ash exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement any longer. "I got a Charizard and Mewtwo too! Just wait until you see all of my Pokemon, Dad!"
"Oh, I can't wait, son!" Red exclaimed, putting an arm around Ash's armor-clad shoulder as the pair began walking towards his group of friends. "The first thing we're gonna do when we get home is play a nice game of father and son catch! Then, we're gonna have a battle! And then-" Red halted, as he and Ash came to a stop in front of Alexa, who was still wearing her shiny white armor granted by Arceus. Feeling a surge of Aura from the girl that sent a chill down his spine, Red stared into the teen's blue eyes, which were gazing up at him. "Something tells me that you are the reason I am standing here right now. Delia... is this one mine too?"
"Well… I may have adopted," The Ketchum mother said with a warm smile, folding her hands together.
"Well I'll be…" The capped trainer said.
"Alexa here is the reason why you are free from the Tree of Beginning, Dad," Ash said walking behind his adopted sibling, placing his hands on his sister's armored shoulders. "She's only been a trainer for a couple of months now, but she saved me in my battle against Giovanni. And then when Arceus was going to give her anything she desired, she wished for you to be back with us." Upon learning that it was Alexa who had brought Red back, Delia clasped her hands over her mouth.
"Well then," Red said, cracking a smile, extending a hand to the girl. "I guess you are the real hero of the day. Because of you, I get to see my wife and son again… I know it might be kinda awkward for me to just show up saying I'm in love with your mom and all but-"
"I can't believe THE RED is married to my MOOOOM!" The teen exclaimed. "LEGENDARY!"
"I like this kid," Red said, turning his head to his wife. "Now, you must know a thing or two about Pokemon battles since you helped take out the Leader of Team Rocket!" He said, excitedly turning his attention back to the girl.
"Oh yeah, I kick Ash's butt in battles all the time," The teenager said. "Ain't that right Ross?" Calling over to her friend who was currently seated atop a Shiny Guzzlord whom he had befriended on the battlefield. "Woah! Woah! Woah! Don't bring me into this! I don't want to make Ash upset with me!"
"Yeah, no," Ash said, which earned a laugh from the trainers present.
With peace restored upon the Pokemon World once again, the masses outside of the Tree of Beginning dispersed. Once again, Good had Triumphed over Evil in an epic clash of wits, skill, and Pokemon! With Giovanni conquered, and Arceus protected, Ash, May, Alexa and their collective of friends, family and Pokemon, accompanied the trainers to the top of Mount Silver, where they would celebrate their momentous victory over Team Rocket into the night.