Chapter 68 Ketchum Ancestor
Ash and Serena arrive at the Grandtree Arena, and they find Lian there who doesn't seem to be happy with them. He asks, "You! What in the world did you do?! Look at that size of that rift! If lightning starts pouring from it, all the Pokemon in Hisui could be thrown into a frenzy! The entire clan is in a panic now!"
He lowers his head and says, "I should have known that the only thing that could come from that rift was a disaster..."
"We really need some help so that we can investigate this..." Ash says.
"Look...You needn't try to put on a brave face. You've been a help to the Pearl Clan, and we know what kind of person you are. Though, it must be said - for every sympathetic ear you might find there, you may also find a detractor who fears your presence...I truly do wish that I could repay you for quelling Kleavor's frenzy as you did. You must know that. But there's nothing I alone can do for you."
"I see..." Serena frowns.
"Warden Mai might be able to help you, though. She's a caring woman, after all." Lian says. "You'll most likely find Mai at the Worn Bridge. I believe it's a very significant place for her. I'm certain that somewhere in the vastness of Hisui, there is a place for you as well."
Ash and Serena frown as they leave, Serena says, "So that means Pearl Clan is a no-go..."
"Yeah, the Diamond Clan is our last chance..." Ash mutters as they go to the Worn Bridge with the help of Braviary.
After getting there, they find Mai and her Munchlax, and she says, "My, my...What a frightful sky. Such a disturbing sight would be enough to put anyone ill at ease. You don't know what brought this about, do you?"
"We don't know anything, that's why we are going to find it out." Ash says.
"I suppose it was too much to expect that you could already have an answer to all this." Mai sighs. "I heard from our leader what happened. You can't return to that village of yours, can you? But I'm afraid the Diamond Clan cannot be the ones to save you."
"I know. The Diamond Clan could end up at war with the Galaxy Team if things went badly." Ash says. "It will be much pain for big brother Adaman as well."
"The great Wyrdeer took a liking to you. I want to offer you my support. But...Forgive me. I cannot help you with this. Do not abandon hope. Time solves all things. And besides, you seem to have a talent for making your own way in the world. I have no doubt you'll continue to find a path to walk."
After that, Ash and Serena also leave, and the two of them know that even the Diamond Clan can't help them, and they just sit on the grass looking at the Obsidian Falls. A Shinx walks over to them and purrs at Serena, Serena gives a sad smile as she pats the Pokemon.
"At least we still have our Pokemon to help us." Ash says.
"Yeah..." Serena says.
"Strange events seem to follow you wherever you go, don't they?" They turn around to see Volo walking towards them.
"Oh, hey Volo..." Ash mutters.
"Found you, at last, Ash and Serena!" Volo smiles. "I've been looking all over for you, you know! What would I do if I were to lose two of my favorite customers? Don't worry. I've already heard what happened. A good merchant knows well the importance of staying abreast of all the latest news. It seems you're in quite the pinch. No place for you among the Diamond Clan or the Pearl Clan - to say nothing of how poorly the Galaxy Team has treated you! But not to worry. There are still corners of the Hisui region where we can stash you away in secret."
"Really?" Ash and Serena ask in confusion.
"I know a spot that will be the perfect hideaway. Leave it all up to me!" Volo says as he brings the two to a place with a small hut.
"Here we are." Volo says, "I know, I know - it's no palace. But you know the saying about beggars and choosers."
As Ash and Serena follow Volo, they find a woman drinking some tea at the desk, she says, "Shirking your work to come to pester me again? Even beneath a bleeding sky, you never change."
"Always a pleasure, Mistress Cogita." Volo says. "But I'm afraid I'm not here today to learn more of Hisui's myths and legends."
"No "mistress," thank you. Just Cogita. And this is?" Cogita asks.
"Why, Ash and Serena are the people of the hour." Volo says. "They are the ones who quelled the frenzy of all the Pokemon nobles, believe it or not."
"Ah, so you are Ash and Serena who lost in time and space." Cogita smiles. "Dear me, lost ones...It seems I'll be able to fulfill my duty at long last, thanks to you."
"Okay..." Ash says, the woman in front of them also looks like Cynthia as well, maybe she is his real ancestor?
"You must be wondering what I'm talking about, right? I am to guide you, lost one. For the task of preventing great disaster falls to you. The rift in space-time must be mended, lest time and space themselves be thrown out of balance. But come. You may enter my dear hideaway. There's much to be told."j
Just as the two of them enter the hut, they are shocked to see someone that they haven't expected.
"Ash! Serena!" The woman hugs both of them and Ash asks, "Mom? What are you doing here in this timeline?"
Cogita says, "I brought her here with Arceus' request. After all, both of you are my precious descendants."
"Wait, so you are my ancestor?" Ash asks in surprise. Delia says, "I was shocked the first time I know about this truth."
"Let's not waste more time with the reunions." Volo coughs. "We are here with some questions."
Cogita says, "The space-time rift is said to be a portal to innumerable other dimensions...In one such realm, far and farther still from ours, dwells almighty Sinnoh."
"The Diamond Clan's, or the Pearl Clan's?" Ash asks.
"The expanse from antiquity to eternity and the expanse to all sides, above, and below...Time traces the path we tread from the here and now into the future...While space yawns all-encompassingly, surrounding us in every direction. You see, don't you? The two together, time and space, comprise all creation - the universe. How can one claim that either is greater than the other, as those two clans do?"
"If you think about it, they are inseparable. You can't tell who is better." Serena says.
"Perhaps the truth is clearer to a wanderer such as you - one who has known other ages. Now listen, lost one. Here is what you must do. Hisui holds three lakes of great importance - " Cogita says.
"You mean Lake Verity, Lake Valor, and Lake Acuity?" Ash cuts off. "And each dwells a Pokemon said to embody one aspect of the mind, right?"
"So you know about this, Ash?" Delia asks.
"I know, I met all three of them before." Ash says.
"Complete the trials each will set you, and bear their gifts to the Shrouded Ruins." Cogita says. "There you may receive the Red Chain. With it, perhaps you can bind the world together."
Ash is now surprised to know that he is going to make the Red Chain, the same item that Team Galactic tried to control Dialga and Palkia. Volo asks, "Bind the world, you say...? You mean it won't close the rift?"
"Kindly spare me your doubts, young man." Cogita says. "I know the old words and what they bid us do. How true they are isn't mine to know. And regardless of their truth, I am bound to pass them on. How callous of my ancestors - to leave their legends to their children without a thought for the hardship it would cause them! But...here we are. You know your duty, and you'll do it. Won't you?"
"Of course, we are going to do this." Ash says.
"There is nobility in knowing what must be done and seeing to it." Cogita says.
"Mistress Cogita's got a lovely workbench here. And if you need materials, I'd be glad to help. I'm always happy to do business with you." Cogita says.
"But what about the pastures? I mean, we only have 6 each, and what about the others?"
"Ah, that is a problem, isn't it? What shall we do about that, indeed?" Volo asks.
Just then, a cry of a Pokemon rings at their ears, and Cogita asks, "What was that cry? Have we now a lost Pokemon as well as a lost child? Do see to it, please."
"How could I refuse you, ma'am?" Volo says as they all head outside, only to see an Abra. The Abra belongs to captain Cyllene of the Survey Corps, and Ash and Serena are confused as to why it is here.
"It's got a letter...A letter addressed to you, Ash and Serena." Volo says as he hands over the letter.
"To Ash and Serena: You may use my Pokemon as a go-between to access the pastures in Jubilife Village. I've also ensured that you'll be able to utilize our base camps without issue. I have every confidence in your ability as adept Survey Corps members to bring this bizarre situation under control promptly. Sincerely, Cyllene."
"Wow, I can't believe she would help us with it..." Serena gasps.
"Good tidings from the letter, then?" Volo asks.
"Yeah." Ash says. Then Cogita says, "By the way, Ash and Serena. With Arceus and your mother's help, we manage to make a room for you two to stay."
"That's so nice for you." Serena says.
"And while we are at it." Delia says, "Lusamine and I have discussed a little, and we have decided that it is time the world knows the fact that you two are alive."
"Wait, what?" Ash and Serena ask in shock. "What do you mean by that?"
Delia says, "It has been almost a year since you have been declared dead. And still, the police can't find those murderers as they are good at hiding."
"Just great...they are still on the lose, huh..." Serena mutters.
"That's why we need to have you two announce the important news to the whole world so that we can get them out of their hiding. Once they know that you're alive, they might be trying to kill you again."
"And then the police will manage to arrest them. That sounds like a nice idea. But will it work?" Serena asks.
"We don't know if we don't try it out. And as the Kanto Champion, I have talked to all the other Champions about this, but don't worry, they still don't know you're alive." Delia says.
"I see. Then we should do it in the room that you provided us?" Ash asks, and then they quickly go there.
I'll end the chapter here, and the next chapter will be a lot of great decisions, such as revealing the whole truth of their living beings to the whole world, and then choosing the decision that will set the path where they are going (Hint: Diamond Clan or Pearl Clan). I hope you like this chapter.