Chapter 59 Saving Luna Part 2

While dodging the sight of the guards, Ash also finds another room, only to find that it is locked, so Ash continues forward until he reaches the end.

?: Attention all sentries! Worship service will begin shortly. Please make your way to the sanctum at this time.

Ash quickly hides behind the wall to see all of the cultists rush to the upper level, much to Ash's frustration.

Ash: I guess I can only fight my way through...

When he gets to the upper floor, he finds the door to Luna and the others are locked, he finds that the door needs four lights to activate, so he decides to battle the cultists and get to the statues of Arceus. The first one is the Purple one, and there are words on it.

"From the memories of eons passed and visions of eons yet to come."

And there is a passcode on the statue, Ash realizes that might be the numbers of the chapters. So this one is 2-4, so it will be 0204. Then he goes to the Red statue next.

"Light shall consumeth all within its cleansing fires."

For this passcode is 2303, because of 23-3. The third statue is the blue one since Ash is going counterclockwise.

"All shall be white before the eyes of the Lord Arceus."

The passcode for this one is 1605, because of 16-5, which means Ash only needs to do one more, which is the green one.

"The New World, too, shall be Reborn."

And the final answer is 3827, after typing the number, he hears a sound and that means the gate opens. Ash smiles as he rushes towards the door, only to be stopped by no other than Ace.

Ace: Oh, little hero~ Did you miss me~?

Ash: Just great...you again.

Ace: I'm afraid the nature of show business is such that my work takes me behind the scenes from time to time, but still, I was ever-so impressed with your display against Radomus! He's a history with us, you see- An illusionist, much like me- And you taking him out of the picture for just a moment was all the cue we needed! While 'tis true that a favor done freely deserves one in kind, I'm afraid that this act is one that must go on! Boss's orders and all. The family has business above, and it rather requires you to not interfere. Instead of intervention, I must insist on instigating an immediate intermission this instant! Let the curtain fall alongside you!

Ash groans as he has to fight Ace for the third time, and this time he sends out Alakazam first. Ash knows that Ghost and Dark aren't going to do well on this field, so he goes for Escavalier this time. Alakazam's Psychic and Dazzling Gleam gives a boost in power because of the field, but Escavalier goes for Twineedle to make it poisoned and then defeats the Pokemon with Iron Head.

The second Pokemon is Delphox, much to Ash's surprise since he knows for sure that Delphox is his ace and he would have it sent at last. But when Escavalier goes for Twineedle again, it turns out to be a Zoroark in the Illusion ability. Zoroark goes for Flamethrower, knocking out Escavalier, so Ash goes for Florges for this battle. Florges goes for Moonblast, which deals a lot of damage and eventually knocks out the Dark Type Fox Pokemon.

The third Pokemon is Porygon-Z, and it goes for Tri Attack, not only does it deal more damage than usual, but it also causes Florges to get burned, and Florges is defeated by a Thunderbolt. Ash goes for Sawk next, using Close Combat and dodging the Extrasensory, Porygon-Z is defeated before it can use Recover to recover its health.

The fourth Pokemon is Primarina, and it goes for Hyper Voice, with the field boosting the attack, Sawk is defeated. Ash decides to switch into Vileplume, using Sleep Powder to make it fall asleep, and then leads a Petal Dance, hitting two times for damage, but it also causes Vileplume to get confused. Primarina wakes up and goes for Icy Wind, and Vileplume takes the hit and lowers the speed, but Vileplume goes for Energy Ball, eventually knocking out the Pokemon.

The fifth Pokemon is Togekiss, and it goes for Air Slash, knocking out the Vileplume. Ash goes for Aggron for this battle, and Aggron goes for Iron Head, hitting the Pokemon, but Togekiss goes for Roost to heal up, and then it lands a Grass Knot, causing Aggron to fall to the ground. Aggron then goes for Rock Slide, causing the Pokemon to faint in the end.

Ace: Perhaps it is foolish to expect the third movement to sing a separate song from the first two. (Sends out Delphox)

The final Pokemon is Delphox, and it goes for Majestic Fire, because of the Holy Field, it gets a power boost and knocks out Aggron. Ash goes for Pikachu as his final Pokemon, using Thunderbolt, Delphox manages to get knocked out of the battle.

Ace: But then, what am I if not a fool? (Recalls Delphox) Well, it's another embarrassing mishap then. Delightful. Perhaps I truly have outstayed my usefulness. They've no need for my real talents with "T" about, and paltry tricks can only keep one relevant for so long. Tell me, Ash, what is family to you? Is it those with whom you share blood and status, or those with whom you share loyalty?

Ash: The family for me is to share loyalty. Even if you have blood or status, no love or loyalty makes the family dull and gloomy.

Ace: It is a lovely lie to tell. Yet, what is loyalty but an illusion? It is a promise of intentions in a future that cannot be promised. Still, for some of us, we have nothing else. We cling to fantastical illusions because the truth is too empty to face. And here was a group that needed such promises. Their goals are neither ignoble nor righteous. But they were family, and I needed that.

Luna: Please, stop this already! Get your hands off of me!

Ash hears Luna's voice from the door, and he knows that there is not much time left to save her.

Ace: Ah, it appears the moment for monologuing has passed. Let us see what business our happy family is in now.

Ash and Ace rush into the room, only to find Luna bound onto an altar while Elias and the other cultists are staring.

Elias: (Notices Ash) I see neither steel nor charlatan can bar you from thrusting yourself into matters which need not concern you, Ash. So be it. If you are so determined, you may observe our ceremony. But you will ONLY observe. Bennett?

Ash gasps as he sees his cousin holding Cain like he is a hostage.

Elias: Move so much as one muscle, and I'll have my assistant put an end to your friend here.

Cain: Ughh, if you're going to have me tied up, at least ask for my safe word.

Elias: Even in these sacred halls, your perversion abounds.

Cain: I've heard that one before.

Bennett: Please stop saying things like that.

Cain: I'm not taking orders from you~ You are sooooo not my type. What is your hair even doing?

Bennett: My time is better spent on studies than on perms, thank you.

Ace: You could stand to find room for both. For some, presentation is everything!

Cain: I don't know how I feel about you of all people backing me up here...

Ace: Ah, still smarting about the taller of my tales, are we? As I said just moments ago, loyalty is but an illusion! We allow ourselves to be deceived when it is most convenient for us. And was it not convenient indeed, for you then? It nearly led you to your own family- had you but the heart to take a few steps further forward.

While they are talking, Ash realizes that two of the cultists are actually both of his parents in disguises, they shake their heads at Ash, and Ash gets the message as he stays silent about the whole thing.

Elias: It seems it is all too easy for the young to turn their back on those to whom they are bound. (Turns to Luna) Yet what right have you to do so, my child? You, especially, who are raised in service of stability- Selfishness can only be abided by for so long. There is a legacy far greater than you or I at stake here, and I cannot permit you to stray from it. As my master and I did once resent this, we eventually came to accept our place in the world. So, too, must you. It is a necessary movement for the sake of your moral health. For you, and for the sanctity of your faith, I shall do this.

Luna: You may find that I yet have plenty of faith, but rather than in scripture or legacy, I prefer to have faith in myself. What I know, feel, and hold to be true is greater than the rules which tradition bade I follow. I would not be who I am otherwise.

Elias: Who you are has led you too far astray. It is exactly for that reason that we must do this. (Turns to the cultists) We will begin by correcting your sacrilegious appearance with a shave of the head. It is unbecoming and antithetical to the traditional style of the servants of our family, and I believe you have placed too much fantasy in your notions of looking a certain way. (Takes out a shaver)

Luna: (Widens her eyes in horror) Wait, please-

Elias: Defaeco, Purgo... Silentium, Pupa.

Bennett: (Sees the horrified look on Luna's face) Sir- is this... really necessary?

Ace: You're not going to win any favor that way, that's for sure.

Elias: You would speak out of line against me? On this, of all things? And here I thought you understood that we were doing this for her sake. The nail that sticks out will be hammered down, like that into the cross.

Bennett: I don't see how she is going to be bettered by you cutting her hair...

Elias: It is a vessel of her ego. Her resistance only speaks to its necessity. Let us not forget that humility is a virtue.

Bennett: No, this doesn't seem right...

Elias: You say that only because you are a puppet to your own fancies. You resent the change in appearance because you are, yourself, caught up in perceiving her a certain way. Her body exists as an instrument of her virtue- Its priority is not for your lecherous consumption. If you truly cared about her, you would understand that this is a necessary step for her to correct her spirit.

Ace: The boy's motives may be in question, but I'm afraid his point still stands. Why do you think magicians always ask the audience to pick a card? It is their consent and participation that matters! What good is the end result if they never had a chance to alter it?

Elias: She has had far too many chances already. She is spoiled for it. I shall not begrudge her to sins and delusions any longer. This WILL be done, by my hand or the Lord's.

Ash: (Noticing the nod from his parents) I'm not so sure about that.

Just then, the lights start to dim out, and they hear Gardevoir's voice.

Gardevoir: Lights! Cameras! Draaama~

Just then, Gardevoir teleports the cultists away, and Radomus and Delia also restrain Elias and Ace respectively.

Luna: (Delighted) Master!? Mother!?

Radomus: You will stay your hand, Elias.

Gardevoir: Bennett, darling, would you mind stepping away from the pretty boy? (Uses Psychic to separate Bennett's hands on Cain)

Bennett: Gardevoir, it's been a while... This is quite a far cry from the way you behave at my mother's place.

Gardevoir: I suppose you were there too, weren't you? I hardly noticed- since I was only there for Luna. And to be honest, dear Bennett, I never liked the way you looked at her anyway.

Bennett: Nobody asked your opinion on that...

Gardevoir: And what if it makes her uncomfortable? Can you really get off, thinking like that? Oh, but perhaps you really did!

Bennett: (Quickly shouts) It's not like that!

Ash and Pikachu quickly free Luna from the bindings, and Luna seems to be hugging Ash for help.

Luna: Gracious...Everyone...thank you...

Elias: (Tries to struggle free from Radomus) Unhand me at once, swine!

Radomus: I'm afraid I can't do that. Someone has to act in Luna's defense, seeing as a certain biological father won't.

Elias: Tch, so be it! If we are making shows of force, then here is one for you. I revoke your birthright, child. Since you are clearly unwilling to live up to it.

Just then, much to their surprise, Elias manages to struggle free from Radomus, and rips the Emerald Brooch from Luna's neck. Ash widens his eyes in horror as Team Meteor is going to have one key with them again...

Delia: I believe we've no further business here then. Gardevoir, do we have a retreat?

Elias: As if I will simply allow you to leave unopposed!

Ace: (Breaks free from Delia) No, I think you will. The show is over, Elias. Whatever you hoped to accomplish cannot be done by force. I won't allow you to make the matter worse for everyone by trying to do so.

Elias: After everything, even you presume to defy me? And what of the family you spoke of?

Ace: And what did I say about loyalty? Is this really the kind of family you want to have? Because I don't think it is. (Turns to Ash and the others) Go, little heroes- be on your way! I will see that his hand has stayed.

Gardevoir: You don't have to tell me twice! Hang on tight, everyone~

Ash can't believe Ace will be helping them at the last second, but he just hopes that it is not a lie again.


Here is a new chapter, and as you can see, Luna is actually going to be one of Ash's Harem. Not only that, but Ace also comes into the battle this time as well. I hope you like this chapter and we will be doing some things in the next chapter before Ash's ninth gym battle.