Flamekist spared a glance towards her new master, who was battling with all his might. She gasped as she saw a Dark Arcanine preparing to pounce on him. Without a second thought, she performed her newly-taught Hyper Beam, effectively getting the Fire-Type out of the picture.
Before turning back to the fray, she threw a grateful look in the general direction of her former master. Good things had come from his hard training and waiting, and the Hyper Beam TM had proved invaluable.
Ash was parrying and slashing and feinting mindlessly. His arms somehow knew what to do.
But he was so busy sending out orders that he didn't pay close enough attention to those around him, as had been evidenced by Flamekist's encounter with Arcanine.
Unfortunately, Flamekist had not been all-seeing. Giovanni's Dark Vaporeon was nearby, and she threw her head back and prepared to throw an Ice Beam at Ash.
"I'll save you!" James—How did he get here? Ash wondered—shouted, flinging himself in front of the attack.
Ash was saved and continued his sword fight, but James was frozen solid.
"No!" Jessie shouted, rushing over to the slab of ice. The Vaporeon was distracted by Pikachu, but it was too late for James.
Jessie's eyes filled with tears as she caressed the block of ice. "James..." She looked up, still teary eyed, and she spied a Dark Venusaur preparing a Solarbeam. "Your sacrifice won't be in vain, James!" she whispered fiercely, throwing herself in front of the green beam meant for Ash.
A feline Pokémon stared at his two downed friends. They'd sacrificed themselves for the greater good. For once, they had been selfless. Meowth's own eyes shone with moisture, and in that instant he saw Giovanni's Persian.
Meowth opened his mouth, baring fangs in a vampirelike manner. Persian was about to use Hyper Beam as Flamekist had not long before, but Meowth would stop the beam from ever hitting Ash.
With speed he'd never before possessed, Meowth flung himself at Persian, taking the powerful Hyper Beam meant for the Chosen One. His body thudded to the ground, and Persian glared down maliciously.
Giovanni was distracted this last time, as the blast was nearby. The light surrounding Ash flared, and Ash plunged the Sword of Justice into Giovanni.
But the Shield of Deceit had been deceitful of where some of the Evil One's attention was; in that same instant, Giovanni managed to plunge the Chosen One's Bane into Ash's chest. The Evil One was willing to die, but he wanted to take Good with him.
"O, you Heartless Legendaries," Giovanni cried out, "you have sacrificed an innocent boy for your peace. I hope the price was worth it." An evil smile spread across his face. "Not only that, but all the innocent Pokémon I have corrupted shall disappear into oblivion with me. It benefits you in that you need not fight them any longer, but you with your pathetic empathy shall feel pained that all these Dark Pokémon are doomed with me." He slowly sunk to the floor, and his body disappeared.
As Giovanni's body vanished, the confused Pokémon he had corrupted began to disappear as well. With the Evil One's death, they had been released of darkness, but it was too late for them to be saved; they would no longer be given a chance at life.
Trembling, Misty ran to Ash. All eyes were on him.
She touched the blood soaking his shirt, then she touched the sword. "Do you want me to remove it?" she asked in a whisper.
Ash shook his head slowly. The light surrounding him was flickering, but he smiled up at her. "We beat him, Misty. I'm sorry he took those Pokémon with him, but now he can't do that to any one. My uncle's finally gone, and he won't be able to hurt my mom or my dad anymore. I'm glad of that." His smile became wider and his eyes brighter. "My dad can go home to my mom now, and they can catch up on so much lost time...I'm just sorry it's too late for your parents, Misty."
"Ash," she whispered, touching his face, quivering.
"Pika-pi," a little Electric mouse scampered up as best as he was able. His big brown eyes began tearing up. Not far behind him was Flamekist, whose eyes were also watering. Both Pokémon's noses gently nudged the dying youth's arm. They wanted to provide all the comfort possible.
"Pikachu, Flamekist...I love you guys. You're the best Pokémon a guy could have." Ash's smile became even bigger. "Tell that to everybody, okay, Pikachu? And tell Brock and my parents that they've been great, all right?"
"Pika," the mouse nodded, sniffling. His furry yellow chin was trembling, and Flamekist looked as if she were ready to howl with grief.
Ash looked back up at Misty, his smile unnaturally growing once again, but then he was unable to say anything more.