Chapter 177 Nightmare Begins Part 4
After Ash, Charlotte, and Aria wake up, they find themselves in the New World.
Ash: What now? Are we still in a nightmare?
As they look around, they find Luna in front of them.
Luna: Ash, Charlotte, and Aria. Oh, thank goodness. You've finally come to. You've been trapped within a dream, perhaps an enviable state under other circumstances, but not so for one this foul. Never fear. I've come for you, as always I will. Please follow me. The way will be long, but I swear to you I will see you out of here safely.
Then Luna is going to bring them out, as they follow her.
Charlotte: Something is fishy...how did she know that we are here in this part of this New World?
Aria: Now that you've mentioned it, that is strange...
Luna: The enemy has been reaching out for you evermore. There is no need to worry though; I've shielded you with my own power. We should make haste, but so long as we stay on this path, no harm will come to you.
As they continue to move forward, Luna continues to talk.
Luna: It is rather tiresome to journey all this way, is it not? You have my apologies. A faster method would put us within the enemy's sights, and I would not jeopardize you as such. Let us proceed.
Ash: How long?
Luna: Just a bit further now. I'll stay my pace with yours that we will not be separated.
But after seemingly running for miles and miles, they don't see the exit somewhere, and the three of them are eventually tired.
Aria: Since we're feeling tired, that means we are freed from the nightmare...
Ash: But why is this road doesn't have an end to it?
Charlotte: You know... I'm still wary about that Luna...is she really the Luna we know?
Ash: What do you mean?
Charlotte: (Turns around) How about we try to walk back to where we woke up? Maybe we can see if she's the real Luna or not?
Ash and Aria sigh as they do it, and then Luna really comes back to them with confusion.
Luna: Guys? Whatever is the matter? Could it be that you're afraid? Do you not trust me? Or...
Charlotte: Or we noticed already.
Just then, Luna disappears, and the blue stars are turning red just like when they get into the New World, and Shiv is trying to scare them from their backs.
Aria: I swear-
Shiv: Hah! I wish I could frame your face! It just gets better and better with you, doesn't it? (Notices their faces) Oh, what's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost. Or several, in fact. What is it? Are you surprised to see me again? I can't believe you really thought you were free... After all, I wouldn't dismiss such a peculiar Trainer without properly testing your limits.
Charlotte: So you were just toying with us, huh?
Shiv: Come on... Every step you've made through this dream has been of my desire. Did you really think my apology was sincere? Oh, please. You subjected yourself to this when you entered my world. Did you notice that you didn't even really get a Darkrai? You... like so many others... are so easily fooled. It's all just part of the dream... And you have yet to wake up.
Ash: I knew it...
Shiv: However... you're different... And you continue to surprise me. Watching you stumble your way through this nightmare has been quite inspiring, really. You don't seem to give up, do you? No matter how far I warp and deform your memories into this world... You keep pulling through. You would have been perfect for what we needed... But my master doesn't make errors, and you're certainly not the Trainer that was promised. In fact, your being here is an enigma in itself.
Charlotte: Now enough of this, get us out of here or I'll let my Fire Pokemon burn you into ashes.
Shiv: Fine, Trainers... I've had my fun. I'm done toying with you. I've neglected my true work long enough. So then... where does that leave you? However... I can't leave my curiosity about you unquenched... In fact... I only have one more test for you. One last deal. No more tricks... No more dreams... I want you to battle me, Ash. One last time, here and now. You defeat me, and you can return to your real world. Fail to do so, and I'll leave you here, in this nightmare. The choice is yours. Although... as usual, you don't really have one, do you? So... let's have our final dance, shall we? With my dreams, my tricks, cast aside... you must think you stand a chance. But this is still my world, Ash ...And your nightmare.
Shiv goes for Roserade as his first Pokemon, and this time he is not playing tricks, so Ash goes for Heatran for this first battle. Roserade goes for Sleep Powder and Toxic Spikes and uses the chance when Heatran is sleeping to use Moonblast from Nature Power, but Heatran gets back up and goes for Magma Storm, knocking the Pokemon out. The second Pokemon is Charizard, and it goes for Focus Blast to defeat Heatran, so Ash goes for Lycanroc next, using the Z Move Continental Crush, Charizard is defeated.
The third Pokemon is Weavile, and it goes for Nigh Slash to deal a lot of damage to Lycanroc, but Lycanroc goes for Counter and knocks it out of the battle. The fourth Pokemon is Mega Metagross, with the Meteor Mash, it defeats Lycanroc, so Ash goes for Rotom Heat Form, using Fire Blast and Shadow Ball to knock it out. The fifth Pokemon is Gyarados, and it goes for Z Move Black Hole Eclipse to deal a lot of damage, but Rotom survives the attack and goes for Discharge, also knocking it out.
Shiv: Hmph... This is pleasantly surprising. (Sends out Aipom)
The last Pokemon is Aipom, and Ash has Pikachu battle the Pokemon instead, using Double Kick and Thunderbolt, Aipom is defeated in the end.
Shiv: That was... well, quite fascinating. It would appear that you had more control over this dream than I realized. You truly are an anomaly, Ash. You almost make me question my master's judgment... As, if you aren't the Trainer we've been searching for... Then who is? Whatever the case... all good things must come to an end. I like to think that, eventually, I am a man of my word. So, I suppose I'd best return you to your world, Ash. This time, I can tell you with certainty that you won't see me again.
Charlotte: Thank you, we've been wanting to get out of this nightmare.
Aria: Same...
Shiv: A bit of parting advice, before you go: Seeing as how you handled yourself in that nightmare, and in our battle... You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, Ash. After all, dreaming big never hurt anyone, did it? This world, when it comes down to it, can be molded into whatever you desire. For once, it really is your choice. But for now, it's time for you to wake up... The true dark master awaits not too far ahead still. Farewell, Ash, and two lovely ladies.
After that, a door appears, and they step inside, only to find them back at the place where they fought the PULSE Hypno.
Aria: I guess this is it...
Charlotte: Yeah, let's get out of here.
But just as they get out of the New World Portal, they've realized that they haven't found Darkrai, so they quickly get back and they find the Anomaly Darkrai waiting for them. Darkrai has summoned two Darkrais, Breloom, Mega Sableye, Meloetta, and Pulse Hypno. All of them are hard to fight considering they have been trying to make their Pokemon fall asleep, but after defeating all of them, Ash captures the Darkrai in the end.
Ash's New Capture in Stalemate: Darkrai (Event)
Aria: I guess this is really it?
Ash: If Lin isn't going to show up, then yeah.
They all head back to the Night Club, and they are delighted to find everyone there.
Luna: Ash... Are you well? I can't say I'm entirely aware of the details, but I know there was a Darkrai recently... I was at least vaguely aware that there was some manner of deception and foul play afoot... And yet, powerless to stop it. It was something like looking inwards at a jail cell. And the jailer... Well, if it weren't for the way he treated you, I would almost daresay he was quite personally intriguing. But the entire manner is unforgivable, and you may be very sure I was far from thrilled when he borrowed my likeness to deceive you. I am sorry to have been any part of that in your memory, even if not by my own will. You can be sure you are quite all here in reality now. Please be well.
Ash: Don't worry, Luna, we'll be fine. And you don't need to worry that much.
Shelly: D-don't tell me... I heard about what happened... Ash... You were attacked by a Darkrai again? And- and I still wasn't here to help! I suppose it's probably easier after you've done it once... B-but still! That's twice I've missed my chance! And of course, twice you've been taken!
Ash: Good thing Charlotte was there to help me out, and Aria as well.
Shelly: I'm not sure why Darkrai keep coming after you, but they need to stop! Maybe- maybe it was the same one? And now that you've caught it, it will leave you alone! I hope so, anyway... B-but don't worry, Ash! I know I missed the first two times, but I promise, someday I'm going to be a hero. I've gotten so much stronger, and so much braver... I'm going to keep helping people!
Ash: That's the spirit.
Shelly: But, um- Please do be careful. A-and maybe... stay away from Darkrai out there. Just in case it wasn't only the one, and more are angry with you for some reason. Even if you can break out, nightmares aren't very nice.
Then they decide to get back to the house, except for Charlotte since she is going to find her sisters and tells them about the adventure, and they find that even two more people have come to apologize: Iris and Cilan.
Iris: Looks like you're not being a kid with these girls by your side, huh?
Ash: Seriously? This is what you're going to talk about right now?
Cilan: But hearing those Anomalies in this region seems to be a bitter taste and some of them might be spicy.
Ash: I'm not sure what you're talking about, but all I know is that we've just been dealing with a Darkrai and we would really need some rest.
Serena: A Darkrai you say? Are you two okay?
Aria: We've been trapped in the nightmares while trying to battle all the PULSES, and some other things.
Ash: And even battling Heather's Dad.
Heather: My Dad? You fought him again?
Ash: Yeah. With Umbral Energy, he seems to be cheerful and optimistic, but after getting rid of that energy, he has become just like the way he treated you...
Heather: Then I really wished he would stay with that Umbral Energy...
The others just laugh as they continue to talk about their adventures.
And this is it. Ash finally gets the Darkrai and leaves the nightmare. But the quests are not done yet. The next chapter will be another Legendary, and I hope you like it.
