Everyone ran over to see if Ash was okay. When they got there, Scarlet said, "Ash is fine! He is unconscious, but he'll wake up soon." Serena and everyone else were relieved that Ash was okay. They all sat near him and waited for him to wake up. Scarlet looked at her brother and noticed that something deeper was going on. She examined him and saw the aura around him. It was similar to his, but yet it had a slight difference. She figured out that Sir Aaron's aura was surrounding him and Sir Aaron was trying to make contact. Scarlet knew this would be bad and she saw Grace come up with a stretcher and she exclaimed, "Wait don't touch him!" Grace and the others looked at Scarlet confused. Scarlet explained, "Ash needs to wake up naturally. He's surrounded by Sir Aaron's aura at the moment. Sir Aaron is trying to get in contact with Ash. If we move him, who knows what could happen." One of the paramedics confirmed, "She's right! The boy is surrounded by a powerful energy. It could be catastrophic if we move him." Grace replied, "Okay let's let Ash wake up on his own." They all waited for Ash to wake up.
Meanwhile in Ash's mind, Ash was walking around in an empty space. He called out to Scarlet and his friends, but there was no answer. Ash questioned himself, "Where am I?" Then a man wearing a hat, blue clothing, and a cape trailing behind him. He held a staff in one hand and a Lucario accompanied him. Like Ash he had raven colored hair, but his eyes were a grayish-blueish color instead of brown. Ash stared at this person. He was completely confused on whom was walking towards him. Then the man stopped in front of him. Then Ash soon realized that this man standing in front of him was Sir Aaron himself. Ash was speechless. Sir Aaron said, "Ash I thank you for choosing to activate the defense mechanism properly." Then Ash replied, "No problem, but could you tell me where I am?" Sir Aaron answered, "We are in your mind. The power of my creation knocked you unconscious and drained you of all energy, but you will wake up soon." Ash then began to understand, but not completely. Ash questioned, "So why are you here?" Sir Aaron responded, "I wanted to show you something." Ash walked with Sir Aaron and looked into the past. Sir Aaron explained, "When I created the defense mechanism, I was unaware of the people whom had a lust for power. They tried to activate the mechanism for purposes other than emergencies. Zeraora fought them all off, but I never told Zeraora to chase them away. When I was alerted about this Pokemon, I went to meet it. And it was because of Zeraora that I learned that the defense mechanism can be used for evil purposes and that would destroy the Kalos region. So I told Zeraora that I would use it for the reason I created it, but my closest friend Roger wanted me to test the limit of the defense mechanism. I refused instantly and soon I realized that no matter how many times I refused him. He would continue to try to activate it for his selfish desires. So I sealed off the temple and forbade anyone, except for my descendants, to enter the temple and I left Zeraora to guard it. Since then I never returned here." Ash looked at Sir Aaron and was surprised. Sir Aaron continued, "Ash I believe that you could make better use of my creation than I can. Can I trust you to do that for me?" Ash nodded and assured, "You can count on me to use the defense mechanism for when it is necessary." Sir Aaron smiled and concluded, "Thank you Ash. I leave you and your sister in charge of my creation." As soon as Sir Aaron faded, a bright light shone and Ash began exiting his mind.
Ash woke up and Scarlet greeted, "Welcome back dear brother. I hope you are well." Ash replied weakly, "Yeah I'm okay." Scarlet turned to Grace and said, "You can move him now." Ash was taken to a place where he could rest and regain his energy. Serena was a little worried, but she didn't bother him. A few hours later Ash regained his strength and walked out to see his friends and sister. Ash explained to his friends and sister about everything Sir Aaron told him. Everyone was shocked, but at the same time amazed. Then Grace walked up to Ash and said, "It's almost time to go. What are we going to do about the temple?" Ash replied, "I'll re-seal it so that in case we need it again it will be left that way it was." Grace nodded and Ash walked up to the archway. He placed his hand on the symbol and re-sealed the temple to keep anyone from using it for evil purposes.
The next day, Ash and Scarlet attended the Pokemon High School. Throughout the day, Ash seemed to be deep in thought and Scarlet knew why. At lunch, Ash sat alone and Scarlet sat with the others. Serena asked, "Scarlet what's going on with Ash? He seems to be very quiet today and that's not like him. Is he hurt or something?" Scarlet answered, "No Serena, Ash is fine, but it's hard for him to believe that our battle with Team Nova is finally over. I honestly don't blame him. It seemed like we were never out of danger, but now we both are free to live our lives in peace." Serena questioned, "Is it alright if I go talk to him?" Scarlet smiled and replied, "Ash could use the company especially when it's from you." Scarlet chuckled mischievously and she raised and lowered her eyebrows implying that she knew about Serena's crush on Ash. Serena flinched and blushed madly when Scarlet said this. Serena became very flustered and shouted, "That's not funny!" Serena left to go see Ash, while the others laughed at Scarlet's joke. Dawn held out her fist and smirked, "Nice one." Scarlet and Dawn did a fist bump and Scarlet responded, "She's too easy to tease and besides, her crush on Ash is completely obvious." Everyone nodded in agreement and they all laughed.
Serena sat down next to Ash and said, "Hey how are doing?" Ash didn't look at Serena but he replied, "I'm okay, I guess." Serena continued, "Scarlet told me about how you've been feeling. Ash I know it's hard to believe that the battle has ended, but you and Scarlet saw with your own eyes that we all defeated Team Nova. There's nothing you need to worry about anymore." Ash looked at her and responded, "I know, but I feel like we haven't seen the last of Team Nova. I can't help but wonder if me and Scarlet are truly safe now." Serena put her hand on Ash's shoulder and explained, "Well maybe you're right. Maybe we haven't seen the last of Team Nova, but if they do ever come back we'll be ready for them. Ash listen, I'm sure there will be other people who will come after you and Scarlet and your bond as siblings will be tested, but no one can ever separate you two. Your bond with each other can never be broken." Ash looked at Serena and he smiled and Serena concluded, "Trust me Ash things will work out for the better. So enjoy your days of peace while you can. They don't come very often." Ash nodded, "Thanks Serena, I needed that." Ash leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. Serena stared at him shocked and she blushed. Serena wasn't expecting him to do something like that. Ash just looked at her and smiled. Then Serena ended up smiling as well. Ash recommended, "Why don't we go sit with the others?" Serena smiled and nodded.
Ash sat down next to his sister while Serena sat next to him on his left side. Scarlet whispered in his ear, "I saw that you know." Ash flinched when his sister said that and he looked at her. She continued, "Hey don't get so nervous. I've known about your crush for awhile now and let me tell you first hand that I don't have any problems with it. Besides when was the last time I got to tease my big brother?" Ash let out a relieved sigh and said, "Please don't scare me like that again, but then again when was the last time we actually had fun together?" Scarlet replied, "Honestly, I can barely remember when we last had some sibling fun. The only thing that comes to mind is the first half of my third birthday. When you and I played in mom's garden and Mr. Mime prank-ed me." Ash then exclaimed, "Wait was that the day you fell down a hole dug by Mr. Mime?" Scarlet responded, "Yep." Ash laughed, "I completely forgot about that. That was hilarious." Scarlet remarked coldly, "Maybe to you, but I got a couple of bruises after I fell down that hole. I laugh about it now, but it wasn't funny back then. Then again, I have to admit it was pretty clever." Scarlet let out a small chuckle.
After school, the gang gathered under the tree. Dawn said, "You and Ash should spend some time together since it's been a long time since you two had a day to yourselves." Serena agreed, "Yeah go and do some sibling bonding. You two look like you need it." Ash and Scarlet nodded and went off into town. Ash and Scarlet went to the movies, had dinner, and played around in the park as the sun was setting. Scarlet and Ash then sat down and watched the sun set. Ash said, "That was the most fun I've had in seven years." Scarlet replied, "Yeah… I wish we could do this more often." Ash noticed Scarlet seemed to be deep in thought. He questioned, "Hey, are you okay sis?" Scarlet answered, "I've been thinking Ash. What my next step in my journey? I've completed my previous goal which was to find and save you from Team Nova. Now that you are free of them, I don't know what to do next." Ash responded, "Well you first find a new goal, but don't rush things. Take your time and you'll find your next step. Your journey is never over." Scarlet smiled and watch the last rays of the sun disappear revealing the stars in the night sky. Then Ash and Scarlet began heading back home.
However, someone was watching them from a distance. His partner questioned, "Is it them?" The man nodded, "Yes." He continued, "Should we grab them?" The leader of the two replied, "No they've been through enough already and besides I only want the girl. Her powers are much stronger than the boy's, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to do anything to him." The partner inquired, "So what's the plan?" The leader answered, "We give them a few days of peace. Then we take the girl before she knows what hit her. Finally, we leave a small surprise for the boy that well surely give him a fright…."
To be Continued