Chapter Nine:
Still in shock and horror over watching Olympus's capture Ash, Serena and Katie depart the valley of the west mountains and after what seemed like just a few moments Serena noticed the sun was going down and suggest they make camp but, while setting up camp not a single word was spoken as Katie was still furious over Kenneth and even more furious that she let Ash & Serena talk her out of stopping him. Eventually Katie fell asleep and after confirming this fact Serena returns to Ash who was watching the campfire while Serena tended to Katie but, once Katie was fast asleep Serena decided it was time to share with Ash what she had learned because what Ash didn't know was Serena had an idea awhile back before they left Tempalizin to chase after Raphael. "Katie's asleep Serena whispers to Ash as she returns to the campfire and Ash's side holding her bag in her hands something Ash didn't even notice; as he responds to Serena in kind by telling her; "That's good; to be honest I can't believe how well she's taking all this." A response Serena expected as she just hums and reaches into her pink bag and pulls out a medium sized book which looked really old and also had a rumpled up brown leather colored cover.
Ash was intrigued by the item in his wife's hand as his attention turned back to Serena before asking her what that book was. Upon hearing Ash's question Serena responds to Ash by telling him; "It's a history book I borrowed from the royal library, more specifically a history book about the Dimensional Plain and Katie's family." Ash still was curious what was motivating Serena he couldn't help but ask his wife and partner why she had this book and, that's when Serena explains why she borrowed this book to Ash; "I thought maybe reading it would not only help us get home; but also maybe help us learn about Katie and her family our "Different Dimensional Counterparts"! Hearing this Ash couldn't help but ask Serena if she learned anything to which Serena just nods as she leans closer to Ash before she opens the book and begins to read its content to ash.
(Story begins "note this is being told in Serena's voice and Serena's point of view)
The Dimensional Plain was ruled by the Divine Dragons; Mirror Wall Dragon, Phoenix Dragon, Osiris, Solarois Along with; Dragonus, Contemillia, Dagon, Primus, Gorath and Olympus! They didn't particularly care for humans and tried to exterminate all of them on this plain! When two residents of The Dimensional Plain; Saito and Elizabeth a boy and girl only 10 years old at the time decided after watching their families cower in fear for centuries agreed they couldn't continue to live this way and, so they did something that was considered "suicidal" they left the safety of their village in order to confront the Divine Dragons in hopes they could convince them to not kill their friends, family and all they held dear including the few pokemon on the Dimensional Plain!
Story ends:
After finishing the first couple of pages Serena stopped reading so she could look at Ash to see if he had anything to say but, the only thing Ash had to say which was actually just a question; "So Katie's parents went to confront the Divine Dragons?" To which Serena responds with a quiet "yeah" before Ash asked Serena what happened next? After hearing this Serena turns her head and begins to look at the book before beginning to read again; well according to this...
(Story begins "note this is being told in Serena's voice and Serena's point of view)
After Saito and Elizabeth left their village they hiked out onto the vast expanses of The Dimensional Plain but; before they could reach the Mystical Dragons they were attacked! But all that attack did was bringing the childhood friends closer than ever before!
Story ends:
After hearing what happened to Katie's parents all Ash could respond with was a "really" while what Serena thought was strange; strange enough to mention to Ash was it doesn't say what happened to Katie's parents after that or that night. In fact it looked like it was torn out of the book by a female a Conclusion that was only able to be made because of the fingernail marks. Upon saying this Serena's face turned a light shade of pink because she had a feeling she knew what would have happened between them if it were her and Ash and if her hunch was right it was probably something best left out of the history books. After pushing that thought out of her head and not hearing anything else from Ash Serena decided to read on in hopes of preventing an awkward moment from happening...
(Story begins "note this is being told in Serena's voice and Serena's point of view)
The morning after that ambush; they arrived at the twin gate where the Divine Dragons lived and that's where they met Dragonus for the first time! but The Supreme King of The Divine Dragons wasn't too impressed with this human presence and angrily asks; "human scum why do you disgrace me and our kind with your presence!" but before they could ask anything from the ruler of the mystical dragons; they discovered that they were followed by a group of people from a neighboring village who followed Saito and Elizabeth when they found out they were planning to try and make peace with the Divine Dragons, but this group had no intention of making peace however, they wanted to try and destroy Dragonus so that humans could rule the dimensional plain again, rather than be ruled by the Divine Dragons! While Katie's parents (Saito and Elizabeth) were deciding what to do the group managed to attack Dragonus; and as they watched The Supreme King of The Divine Dragons get injured and fall from the sky they decided to step in by getting in front of Dragonus to protect him!
Dragonus was touched by this action especially after what him and the other mystical dragons had done but what happened next is what shifted the hearts of the Divine Dragons because the mob that had gathered weren't about to abandon their mission and let Dragonus live especially as he lay helpless on the ground with only two people standing in the way so the mob started to charge for and attack Katie's mother; Elizabeth! However what they didn't count on was Katie's father (Saito) who at the time was the only person from his village who had any pokemon and they were all quick to step in to protect Saito's one true love! Their combined power achieved its goals first saving Katie's mother (Elizabeth); and second was driving that mob away from Dragonus!
After finishing the latest part of the story Serena stop's reading and looks to Ash who was just sitting there with a blank face, before saying "amazing" to which Serena responded by saying; "yeah that's so romantic as she takes Ash's hand in hers and guides it around her waist to which Ash just responds by tighten his grip on Serena's waist as he asks her; "what happened next!?" to which Serena responds with a smile before saying; "well let's see?"
(Story begins "note this is being told in Serena's voice and Serena's point of view)
This astonishing display of bravery on behalf of these childhood friends; captured the heart of the ruler of the Divine Dragons who was still in disbelief that these two humans saved him from those "barbarians!" Being eternally grateful to Saito and Elizabeth; Dragonus told them that he and the other Divine Dragons were forever in their debt hearing this Katie's parents had only one request; and that was for the Divine Dragons to leave the humans and their settlements on the Dimensional Plain alone! Dragonus agreed to this request by his rescuers and decreed to his brothers that "from this day forward I decree that all humans and their settlements; on the Dimensional Plain are off limits!" but what astonished them was what Dragonus suggested to them after making his decree; Dragonus suggested that with all the problems the humans have on the Dimensional Plain Dragonus purposed him and his brothers work together with Katie's parents in maintain order on the entire Dimensional Plain! Katie's parents agreed that this partnership was the only way to keep peace and happily accepted the ruler of the Divine Dragons offer to assist each other in keeping peace! Katie's parents; ecstatic about what they had achieved began heading back to their village with hands locked together; but what they didn't know at the time was that tragedy awaited them at home! They discovered this as they continued down the trail and began noticing an orange glow off in the distance, and so fearing the worst the two of them raced back to the village; as they secretly hoped that their worst fears wouldn't come to pass...
Story ends:
As Serena finished that page from the borrowed history book Ash who was captivated by what he's heard so far couldn't help but ask; "Serena please don't tell me.." in a quiet voice with deep concern but Serena sadly had to answer Ash's question by using the same tone of voice; "I'm afraid so Ash..." as Ash mutters under his breath; "no!" as Serena began to read again...
(Story begins "note this is being told in Serena's voice and Serena's point of view)
Saito and Elizabeth soon arrived back at their village which was being burned; by the group they had just protected Dragonus from, the mob furious that they sided with the Divine Dragons and betrayed the humans decided that they were going to pay by watching their village burn to the ground! seeing this was more than Katie's parents could bear so they asked their new friends the Divine Dragons to help them stop this before any more people suffered; so together they asked for Phoenix Dragon Guardian of The Sun To Appear; which he did with darkening skies claps of thunder and lightning and when Phoenix Dragon appeared in the skies he used his power to absorb the flames and put the fires out! Saving everyone the remaining humans on the Dimensional Plain hailed them both as heroes, and when they began to inspire everyone that they can re-build and grow stronger together it was decided unanimously that they should lead them!
Story ends:
Ash still in a state of shock and awe over what he just heard could only say one word; "wow" before Serena interrupted him with the only remark she could make; "that's horrible" but what it also did was make the performer think to herself about something; something that her and Ash had both been wondering since they first crossed paths with the Divine Dragons for the first time and after reading this Serena was almost positive that she now knew the answer as her mind and heart both pleaded with her to share her conclusions with Ash so without any warning or anymore thought Serena finally spoke what was on her mind; "I'm sure that's why they picked us!" Ash was confused by his wife's outburst began to question Serena; "What was that Serena?" so Serena continued on with her thought this time with no filter; "The Divine Dragons they chose us; because of the similarities to us Ash" Ash who was still confused at what Serena was saying just looks into Serena's electric blue eyes as he informs her that he "wasn't sure he was following her" so Serena continued on hoping that with a little more explanation Ash would get what she meant; "they chose us because they knew we could help our different dimensional counterparts if they got into trouble after all they are us and we are them!" thinking about what Serena just said Ash realized that Serena was onto something but Ash also couldn't help but think to himself about why he had fallen for Serena in the first place not only was she beautiful but smart too so Ash didn't doubt that Serena would say that if she hadn't been thinking about it for a long time and it was then Ash decided to tell Serena what he thought about her theory;
"Huh; you know that does make a lot of sense Serena, it also explains why we're here after all; both of our worlds are in trouble!" hearing that Ash agreed with her was comforting to Serena but the last part of "both of our worlds are in trouble!" gave the performer a "gut check" however Serena wasn't about to let it bring her down she needed to be strong, after all with Ash by her side she knew everything would be okay after all Ash was not just her inspiration and strength but also her strongest partner together they've been unstoppable so Serena just responds in kind by telling Ash; yeah and we owe it to everyone to stop this madness, especially to Katie! In her confident and determined tone of voice and Ash knew all too well when Serena set her mind to something she was going to do it. although at the mention of the princess Ash couldn't help but think about how bad he felt for her which he wasn't shy about sharing with Serena either. After finishing their talk both Ash and Serena were surprised by the sound of footsteps coming from behind them; it was the princess who had apparently woke up while Ash and Serena were talking while all Ash and Serena could think to do was ask Katie;
"What are you doing up?" a question that was just responded to by Katie with a yawn before she answers Ash and Serena with; I couldn't sleep, what about you? Ash and Serena both thought about it for a second before nodding to each other, silently deciding they were going to be honest with Katie; we were just reading the story about your parents! Hearing this both amazed and confused Katie as to why Ash and Serena would do that but the awkward silence was cut off by Ash that couldn't help him from telling Katie what he really thought about the story he had just heard; You're parents sounded like incredible people! A statement that caused Katie to bow her head before whispering; "They were... They were..." seeing Katie's behavior began to concern Serena and Ash both as they look at one another and nod deciding that it was finally time for them to tell Katie something that had been on their minds for a while now since they heard what happened to Katie's parents; Ash started off with their shared thought; "you know Katie..." hearing Ash caused the princess to snap back to attention as she looks up to Ash in confusion and now seeing that they now had the princess attention Serena decided to pick up where Ash had left off;" You've been incredibly brave through all this; if your parents were here they'd be incredibly proud of you!" Ash soon followed up by reaffirming what Serena had just said; Serena's right Katie; I know we sure are!" A statement Serena just nodded to because she agreed with everything Ash had just said. Ash and Serena's words had nearly brought Katie to tears not tears of sadness well maybe a little but mostly tears of joy, joy that even though she was now on her own she really wasn't because right now she had Ash and Serena and the only thing that came into the princess's minds was to run up to Ash and Serena and hug them both as she mutters into Serena's pink dress; "Ash... Serena... thank you so much" a statement to which Katie felt her head being patted by ash as they responded together;
"You don't need to thank us Katie, after all it's the truth!" but Serena wanted to take it a step further in comforting and cheering up the princess as she addresses her in a stern and serious tone of voice; just remember something Katie, no matter what happens just remember your parents will always be with you in your heart and, they did and will always love you!" Serena's words had once again brought the princess to tears of happiness as she tells Serena that; "she's sure that she was right!" while Ash on the other hand who was taken aback by Serena's words whisper to Serena; "that was incredible what you just did Serena!" as Serena begins to pat Katie's head before whispering back to Ash; "it wasn't that big of a deal!" but Ash didn't want Serena to be so "modest" as he tells Serena; "well i think it was!" as Ash, Serena and Katie finish their discussion they're all interrupted by the sight of a Dimensional Plain sunrise a sunrise which was like all the others but on the Dimensional Plain the sun rises are different it's almost like i sunrise you'd see out of a child's fairy tale book but todays sunrise also had another distinction a "topic changer" as Serena asks; " morning already!?" realizing that both her and Ash haven't slept as they spent the whole night reading about Katie's parents as an equally tired Ash responds; "guess so." but Katie on the other hand already had her eye on the next objective for her Serena and Ash; "well i guess that means we should start searching for Dagon; Guardian of The Underworld..." the last part of that statement very much unsettled Ash and Serena; as they grow nervous about the whole "Guardian of The Underworld part" but it was Katie who reassured the trainer performer couple that they needed to find Dagon before her brother and Raphael do! realizing the princess was right Ash and Serena reluctantly agree as Serena begins to cling to Ash for comfort as the three of them break camp and depart to find Dagon and after just a few minutes of hiking an outline of the nearby mountain range became visible as Katie assures Ash and Serena that Dagon's cave should be around here somewhere but little did they know they have just walked right into an ambush which became obvious as they hear a sound coming from the tree lines a voice an all too familiar voice to be exact; realizing who it was Ash and Serena demanded that the owner make himself viable; as the small outline comes walking out of the shadows it quickly became clear that it was Kenneth again who only acknowledged his sisters presence completely ignoring Ash and Serena as a second voice becomes audible; "and he's not alone" now that second voice was enough to send a shiver down Ash and Serena's spine as they start searching the tree line for the voices owner but after multiple scans and not seeing a thing and being able to tell that this is making Serena uneasy causes Ash to issue a demand; "Show yourself Raphael" which was responded to with a laugh and "as you wish" before the warlord... the murder of Kate's parents; "Saito and Elizabeth" showed himself. upon seeing him Ash quickly demanded to know what he wanted which was only responded to with a sarcastic; "clearly you three don't recognize an ambush when you see one!" and with a snap of his fingers a group of pokemon also appear from hiding in the tree line forming a ring around just Ash and Serena but not Katie as she was the one leading the way. The princess quickly turns to Ash and Serena and shouts to them out of concern for their safety the princess had already lost her mom, and, dad and couldn't stomach the thought of also losing the next closest thing to them but, Ash and Serena seeing this quickly assured the princess to not worry about them and that they'd be fine but also to tell Katie to be careful to which she answers with a nod before being interrupted by her brother; "this ends now sister!" as Raphael turns his attention to Ash and Serena who are still stuck in his trap and assures them that; they'll never reach Dagon or Dragonus!
