Chapter 143 Time Travel Part 2
As Ash is walking toward Father Taube, he finds Elias muttering something.
Elias: Friends... I was always his servant; nothing more. That's all I knew. That's what the Order taught us ...Before you returned my sight, he cut my hair for me. The Hazel family has a ceremonial haircut, but I was unable to do it myself without my sight. He offered to do it for me. He was not very good at it, the cut was incredibly messy, but...I keep my hair the way he did it even now, in his honor. Is that friendship?
Ash: I guess it is. (Walks towards Taube)
Taube: Well I don't know if I can offer someone of your skill level a challenge. But I hope we can both have fun! Take your position!
Ash nods as he walks toward the other side of the battlefield.
Taube: I hope you don't mind, I'm rather partial to Double Battles. I find it is the best way that my Pokémon- that my friends can really show off their teamwork! Good luck, Champion of the Future!
Taube sends out Furret and Bibarel, so Ash sends out Lucario and Keldeo for this battle. Keldeo goes for Sacred Sword, hoping to attack Bibarel, but Furret's Follow Me causes it to take the hit instead. Then it goes for Super Fang, halving Keldeo's health. As for Bibarel, it goes for Aqua Jet and Quick Attack damaging Lucario time after time. Furret goes for Toxic, poisoning the Keldeo, but it is defeated after Lucario fires an Aura Sphere.
The third Pokemon for Taube is Chatot, which continuously uses Boomburst to defeat Keldeo, so Ash goes for Pikachu to battle, and both Pokemon defeat Bibarel with the Thunderbolt and Aura Sphere, so Taube goes for Lucario next and Mega Evolving it. Both Lucario goes for Close Combat, but Taube's Lucario manages to knock Ash's out first, so Ash goes for Charizard instead, and it goes for Heat Wave, hitting both Pokemon, and Chatot is defeated by Pikachu's Volt Tackle.
The fifth Pokemon for Taube is Ribombee, and Charizad goes for another Heat Wave, which manages to knock both the Ribombee and Lucario at the same time. The final Pokemon is Garchomp, much to Ash's horror, and Garchomp goes for Earthquake to knock out Pikachu, so Ash goes for Greninja. Ash has to make sure Charizard is going to stay on the field, so it has gone for Dragon Claw and Greninja uses Ice Beam, eventually defeating the Garchomp.
Taube: Marvelous! I can feel your Pokémon's friendship! (Recalls Garchomp and walks towards Ash) Whew! You have quite the team; that was intense. The future must be bright, with Trainers like you. I was never cut out for battling myself, truth be told. I'm certainly nothing like Joseph. Even young Elias has shown more of a spark for battle than me!
Elias: You're being very humble, but that was an impressive showing, Father Taube. You are a truly skilled trainer.
Taube: No, no. I don't think I'm particularly special-My Pokémon are the special ones. I'm just the guy that was lucky enough to befriend them. I've been with these guys since I was just a kid, and couldn't be happier. Ah, but I got so caught up! Let's head downstairs to check on Celebi! (Leaves)
Elias: Sirius and Lin... I didn't stop them from taking control of the Order. And because of my failure... The noble Alcantara family line has ended. I'm sorry, Taube. I'm sorry, Father. I hope neither of you ever learn how much of a disappointment I turned out to be.
Ash feels sorry for Elias since it is Lin's fault that Taka and Solaris are killed. As they enter the garden, they are amazed at how beautiful the place is.
Elias: I had always remembered this place as the most beautiful garden in the world. I admit, part of me assumed that was just the nostalgia of having spent much time here as a child. But clearly, this place is just as grand as I recall.
Then they stop as they find Taube in front of them.
Taube: Ah, hello again, Champion of the Future. I have good news and bad news. The good news is Celebi was able to attract a number of its Temporal Fragments. The bad news is that those fragments appear to not be too friendly. That poor Pokémon looks like it's about to go on a rampage! I hate to ask this of you after we just battled- but my Pokémon are in no condition to fight. And a battle should tire Celebi out enough to bring it back to its senses! You should have no trouble with this after that showing before though. I'm sure Celebi believes in you too. Go on ahead.
Ash nods as he walks towards Celebi, who is not in control and the Temporal Fragments are going to lash out. It summons six Celebi as they try to attack, but Ash has Charizard, Greninja, and Pikachu to battle all 6 of them with a hard time. They are all using different moves: Leaf Blade, Flamethrower, Photon Geyser, Oblivion Wing, Drain Punch, and Secret Power, but all three Pokemon manage to knock out with the Heat Wave, Night Slash, and Iron Tail.
Once six Celebis are defeated, the original Celebi is now feeling better. It doesn't seem fully recovered, but it is in control and is full of strength.
Elias: As expected, a spectacular showing. Your skill in battle is unmatched.
Taube: Indeed, that was incredible! To think you could calm it down with just a good fight!
Elias: Well of course- after all, it was your idea, Father Taube.
Taube: Ah, it was, wasn't it? Well, I am happy to see I was correct!
Elias: That's... You spoke with such conviction before. Surely you were confident in your idea?
Taube: Your faith in me is an honor. I hope my legacy in the future is deserving of faith. However, my son was just born. I have not slept in two days.
Elias: That is...(Nods) I see. Well, the point is that this has worked, and you have our deepest gratitude. I suppose all that is left is for the two of us to return to our time.
Taube: Indeed, it looks like Celebi has the energy to travel through time once more. Although it's not at full strength, so it may need to rest a little on the way if it's a particularly big jump. I hope you can find a solution to fully healing it back in your time.
Elias: It has been an honor and a pleasure, Father Taube. Your help has been invaluable. I have no doubt we will find a way to fully heal Celebi thanks to you. And of course, we're sorry to have kept you from your newborn for so long.
Taube: You flatter me. It was my pleasure to aid two members of our Order from the future, not to mention a Legendary Pokémon! Taking the time to help those in need... That's the kind of man I want my son to grow up to be, anyway. If I can't do that myself, what example am I setting? But of course, I am not worried. I have the most wonderful wife, and a whole region of honest, hardworking, and friendly people around us. Lord Arceus smiles down upon my son. I have every faith he will grow into a far better man than I could ever hope to be. Why, I'm sure that however far in the future you are from, even if it is past the life of my son, his name lives on. Phoenix will be the brightest star in the sky, guiding the region to a better future.
Elias: Phoenix Alcantara...
Taube: No, no, don't tell me. It's not my place to know the future.
Elias: (Nods) Well, we should be on our way, anyway. Thank you again, Father Taube.
Ash turns to Celebi, who nods as they are starting the Time Travel again, Ash, Elias, and his Pokemon are now leaving the past as they are heading back to the future.
When they wake up, Ash realizes that they are in Heather's Chamber of the Reborn League.
Elias: Huh, this isn't my room. But why (Looks at the time) Ah. We are closer to our time, but I believe we are still in the past.
Ash: We're still in the past? But...
Elias: This room must look familiar to you- a perfect match to Heather's. But notice that this is the third chamber, not the first. I believe this chamber belongs to her mother, who I was on the Elite Four with many years ago, before she... (Shakes his head) Well. Let's just hope she's not in. She can be... a lot.
?: Wait, fuck, nobody told me we had challengers today! I didn't even have time to prepare a dramatic entrance... Oh well, this will probably work.
Elias: We should probably stand back.
As Ash does it, they are surprised to see a woman jumps down from the top and land on the ground safely. Ash can't believe that the woman in front of him is Heather's mother, and also one of Delia's best friends.
Elena: Well shit, I actually made the jump. Usually, I have to scramble to send out a Pokémon to catch me before I plummet to my death. (Turns to Ash and Elias) Hello! I am Elena Molinar, Elite Four Extraordinaire! And- (Notices Elias) Elias, you could have said it was just you. I did a whole entrance!
Elias: Indeed; and as per usual, your entrance was as impressive as it was reckless.
Elena: (Looks at him with surprise) Wait, what the hell happened to you, Elias!? You look like shit! Did you age like, 20 years since yesterday?
Elias: I... don't think it can have been much more than 15 years.
Elena: Well, I was just being polite. It looks like it's been 25.
Elias: Of course... As usual, your particular brand of politeness is quite... refreshing.
Elena: Sorry, old man. As much as you love how nice I am to you, I'm spoken for. But whatever. All joking aside, why do you look so old? And who's the stranger and the Pokémon?
Elias: This is a Legendary time-traveling Pokémon. We're from... I'd say somewhere between 10 and 15 years in the future.
Elena: Huh. Well, I hope I look better as an old bag than you do. Though I suppose I have the type advantage there; Ghosts have a pretty strong monopoly on cool old ladies.
Elias: Elena, you... Well, I said 15 years, not 50. You're still quite young.
Elena: Oh my. Did I, lowly Elena, get a compliment from Mister High and Mighty Elias himself? You must have gone soft in your old age! I am not worthy, oh great one! Asinus asinum fricat.
Elias: (Surprised) Where did you learn the ancient-
Elena: Stole one of your books. Anyway, who's the stranger? A new member of the Elite Four in the future? Did you make a second friend? I'm so proud of you! It was getting exhausting inviting you to dinner with me and my husband every weekend. But I was just so worried you'd be on your own otherwise.
Elias: Elena. You and I are work acquaintances. I assure you, my social life is fine. That is why I continually turn down your invitations. Anyway, no. Ash here is not a member of the Elite Four. He is the Champion.
Elena: The Champion, you say? (Turns to Ash) Hey. Champion. Wanna battle?
Ash: I don't think that-
Elena: Yeah, yeah, I know; you've already beaten me once. (Turns to Elias) But you put a strong trainer in front of me, so now I've got the itch to fight! And what, do you wanna give me a try instead? Do you think a few years have put you on my level?
Elias: I... (Looks around the Mountain Field) Not on this field.
Elena: Didn't think so. Now it's nothing personal or anything, but I need to make sure I've not gone soft in the future. So talk to me when you're ready to lose, Champion! (Heads to the battlefield)
Elias: I always found her infuriating. But... I miss her. I saw what Sirius was doing to Meteor, but I couldn't... No; I DIDN'T stop him. Sirius was a poison, claiming radical action could help us achieve the Order's goals. Maybe that was the right course of action? But it was doomed to fail. Because Sirius cared nothing for the Order's goals. He just wanted to make history. Perhaps if I had stopped him... If I had tried to convince the others of his selfish motivations... Perhaps then Lin would never have been able to gain the influence she did. Perhaps then Elena would still be... Perhaps then Phoenix would still be...
Ash frowns, as he knows what Sirius has done, it is a good thing that he was killed by Saphira by thrown into the lava.
Elias: Watch yourself in your battle, my Lord. She was one of the most formidable trainers I've ever known.
Ash nods as he walks towards the arena, ready to battle Elena Molinar.
I'll end the chapter right here, as you can see, Ash defeats Solaris' father and goes for time travel again, but this time they are 15 years before Ash's timeline. And not only that, they manage to meet Heather's mother, and she is asking for a battle. I hope you like this chapter.
