Chapter 12:

The sunrise slowly crept through the windows of the royal palace in Tempalizin. The bright morning sun caused Serena's blue eyes to gently open to the sight of ash face. A fact that reminded the performer that they were still cuddling from last night. Serena couldn't help but smile because ash had done nothing but comfort her during all this even though he clearly was experiencing the same emotions that she was. Serena's train of thought was soon interrupted by a yawn from ash who was just now waking up himself; ash's eyes opened to arguably his favorite sight in the world and that was Serena's blue eyes and smiling face as he whispers to her; "how are you doing this morning Serena!?" Serena just giggled at ash's question as she responds; "much better thanks to you, thank you!" before giving ash a gentle kiss on the lips. After a few more minutes of silence ash and Serena realized that they really did need to get up and start their day and more importantly their search for Contemillia so that they can return home.

A few minutes later:

Ash and Serena after getting ready for the day had decided to "roam the palace" the stunning architecture had commanded all of ash and Serena's attention so much so that they didn't even notice Katie coming towards them until she called out to them; "morning Serena... morning ash..." once their attention had turned to the princess they responded to her in kind; "morning Katie" before the princess asked a question that caught both of them off guard; "did you two sleep well!?" but it wasn't the question that threw ash and Serena off it was Katie's smug face one that could give bonnie a run for her money the awkwardness of the moment caused both Serena and even ash to blush as they assured her they did. as the awkwardness continues to fill the air Katie decided to change the topic by urging ash and Serena that they needed to get going so they could find Contemillia before running out of the castle with ash and Serena in tow...

Meanwhile back with Kenneth & Raphael:

With his trap complete Raphael turned to his ally Kenneth and says to him; "all set now let's pay the time guardian a visit" before they both walked into the cave and towards a bluish-white glow coming from the back of the cave, the tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife as the two intruders grew closer to Contemillia's chamber which didn't go unnoticed by the time guardian who decided they weren't even worth his time so his glowing orb like body continued to float in suspended animation. Kenneth was infuriated by this because he figured that Contemillia was mocking him so he decided to do what he does best let his mouth run; "what's wrong with you? Why aren't you running?"

hearing Kenneth's question finally got the time guardian to respond to his unwanted guests; "foolish humans your presence is inconsequential to me" a response that required an even more infuriated Kenneth to run his mouth yet again; "so you're just going to let us capture you?" a question to which once again the time guardian responded to; "absurd you can't capture me and, even if you could your intelligence is too miniscule to realize the consequences that would hold" this time Contemillia's words just flat out pissed the rouge prince off as he responds in an angry yell; "did you just call me stupid!?"

while Kenneth was growing more angry Contemillia responded in a calm and cool demeanor; "no you called yourself stupid; I'm calling you an ignorant ape!" not being able to contain his anger any longer demands a battle from Contemillia something Contemillia had no interest in; "conflict is pointless as violence will only lead to violence each of which triggers the next in a never ending cycle, as the guardian of time i know the futile nature of conflict all too well; thus i shall not battle you or anyone else whether you fight me or capture me what will happen will happen regardless!"

hearing the response he naturally expected from Contemillia the warlord was convinced that he wasn't needed here and that it was satisfactory to leave Kenneth in charge while he finished preparations for the final phase of the grandmasters plan on the dimensional plain, after all at this point all Kenneth had to do was keep ash, Serena and, Katie busy if they show up. Raphael then acknowledges to his ally that he needed to go take care of a couple things and he'd be back before leaving the chamber with Kenneth and Contemillia all alone. Something that appeared to peak the curiosity of the time guardian as he asks the prince; "what you aren't going to help your "friend"? To which all Kenneth had to say was; "he's not my friend; besides you're not leaving my sight Contemillia..." something which was just responded to by another insult to get under Kenneth's skin; "as you wish you tiresome meddling ape"

Meanwhile with ash, Serena and, Katie:

As the three of them approach Contemillia's cave, only one thought was running through ash and Serena's minds and that was; them being one step closer to home but, Serena couldn't help but think about something, a thought that was slowly "devouring her enthusiasm" a though that was making the performer appear sick on the outside a sight that didn't go unnoticed by ash. after a couple minutes passed ash couldn't take it anymore as he asks; "Serena what's wrong!?" and it was then Serena finally revealed what was on her mind; what if Contemillia can't help us get home, ash!? hearing Serena's concerns and noticing how she had almost been brought to tears, ash was quick to assure his wife that Contemillia can help them get home because, he's done things like this before and, it was then ash reminded Serena of the time Contemillia introduced them to Kate and Kenny for the first time which also confirmed to both Ash and Serena that they did in fact have a future together it was also the turning point in both of their lives as they began their new journey together."

As ash finished reassuring Serena that everything would in fact be okay a "new thought" began racing through the performers head as her gaze locked adoringly on ash face; "ash i don't know how you manage to do it but you always manage to make me feel better and inspire me; i love you so much, staying with you and marrying you, was the best decision i ever made, I'll never regret it ever; as long as we're together; we can do anything and nothing can stop us! Not one more word was spoken as Serena slowly reached down to grab ash's hand and take it into hers and, with their fingers now intertwined.

Serena finally broke the silence; "you're right ash let's go!" a response that was recognized with a nod as they hear Katie calling out to them from further along the trail so far along only the princesses silhouette was visible; "hey aren't you two coming?" hearing the faint voice of the princess the young couple shouted out in response; "yeah we're coming!"

Meanwhile with Raphael:

The warlord after walking for hours had finally made it back to the dimensional portal stone which was brightly illuminated by the sun as it shines into the opening in the roof approaching the relic ever so slowly Raphael stopped about two feet from it and got down onto one knee as he announced to the stone; "grandmaster it is time, we are ready to commence the final phase of the plan!" pleased with this news the apparition of the grandmaster responded; "very well go on Raphael the troops will be waiting for you!" not another word was spoken as Raphael nods and gets up to exit the cave to head outside the warlord was quick to look down on Tempalizin; assuring himself that the time has come for the kingdom as he starts sliding down the hillside towards the kingdom."

Meanwhile with ash, Serena and, Katie:

A faint blue glow surrounded them as they wandered further into the cavern but, with no sign of life. Serena had one thought on her mind; "okay but where's Contemillia!?" it was at that moment a bright bluish-white light begun to shine in front of them. This light was so bright that it was beginning to blind all three of them as Contemillia finally materialized in front of them. After a few moments of silence a low deep voice began to echo through the cave; "Ahh ash... Serena... we meet again..." a statement to which ash and Serena responded to by telling the glowing white orb hovering in front of them; "yeah it's been a long time" ash and Serena's response seemed to have amused the time guardian as he jokingly asked his old friends; "pun intended!?" ash and Serena both began to laugh before assuring Contemillia that there was no pun intended and that they were "just happy to see him again!" with the echo of laughter gone the tone of the chamber changed drastically as ash and Serena "got down to business."

"So Contemillia you do know why we're here right?" ash asked the time guardian. Contemillia was quick to answer his friend although his response was wrapped in an enigma; of course i do i am the guardian of time itself after all but, there are other problems intertwined with your reason for being here! i fear things are going to only get worse... Contemillia's warning not only echoed through the cavern but also resonated within the spirits of ash, Serena and, Katie. the next thing that broke the silence was Serena asking Contemillia; "what he meant by that!?" but the time guardian would only respond with; "well that would be telling" while ash and Serena knew from past experience with the time guardian that was clearly going to be the answer they'd get but Katie not so much as her curiosity tuned to anger; "you're kidding you won't tell us so we can protect everyone!"

Contemillia understood the princess anger but reassured her that he wasn't kidding because he takes his responsibility of maintain and not interfering with the time stream very seriously!" with the tense atmosphere growing tenser ash and Serena decided that now was the time to change the topic; "well Contemillia can you at least tell us how we can get home?" Contemillia quickly responded to his friends; "very well!" those two words caused the atmosphere of the cave to change yet again as joy overcame ash and Serena as the young couple held each other and assured each other that they were finally going home. this joy soon evaporated though as the time guardian spoke again; " but on one condition, you must rid my home of its intruder!" ash and Serena both quickly fell silent curious about what Contemillia meant by intruder but, the princess believing that she already knew what was going on and who the time guardians intruder was, just mutters to herself; "please don't tell me!"

it was at that moment the silence was broken; "well... well... well..." Kenneth uttered as he appeared out of the shadows in front of ash, Serena and, Katie. Much to their distaste and disgust which they weren't shy of hiding from their "guest"; "why don't you just get lost!?" a demand that was responded to with a laugh and a proposal. "how about this why don't you three take me on in a battle I'll choose three and you each use one if i win one I'll leave no questions asked!" they were terms ash, Serena and, even Katie were quick to agree to as Kenneth called out his three pokemon; Raichu, Rhyperior and, Charizard.

Seeing Kenneth's three choices confused Katie as she wondered why Kenneth wasn't using Olympus but, ash and Serena were focused on their current situation; "it looks like it's going to be just a regular battle!" Serena whispered to ash who just responded by saying that was fine with him as he called out Greninja before activating "ash-Greninja" while Serena called out Braixen and the princess called for her ace Sylveon. With the stage of confrontation set! Contemillia began to assure himself that the climax of this whole ordeal was finally at hand! The time guardian's thoughts were interrupted as Kenneth called out for his team to attack, Ash-Greninja, Braixen and, Sylveon. With these attacks coming straight for their precious partner's ash, Serena and, Katie were quick to respond by calling out for counter attacks! With these six attacks colliding the cave began to fill with smoke while the time guardian began to wonder who would be left standing! As the smoke cleared out however, a surprising sight was shown both sides were still standing in a clearly evident draw.

While this sight did impress the time guardian he began to sense something else something far more troubling to the time guardian who decided in that moment that it was time to leave. Upon making this decision the time guardian began to "fade out" and head for shelter. with the time guardian gone ash continued to battle but Serena and Katie noticed the disappearance of the time guardian but, as they wonder what happened everyone's attention was captivated by a loud explosion and a tremor in the earth so ferocious that it nearly brought everyone to their knees. As everyone regained their footing Katie suspicious that the noise came from outside ran out of the cave opening and to the ledge of the mountain overlooking her kingdom.

Looking down Katie eyes saw a horrific sight Tempalizin was being consumed by a ferocious fire innocent people screaming for help so loudly it could be heard from her vantage point. This sight was far more than Katie could bear as she calls out to her friends; everyone you need to see this, its Tempalizin come quick it's burning! hearing this lead to nothing but confusion and fear to everyone in that cave even Kenneth who now was right behind ash and Serena as they ran out of the cave before being confronted by the same sight Katie was still looking upon in horror. this sight caused ash and Serena to wonder what was going on but, Katie already knew what was going on and didn't hesitate in confronting who she held responsible her own brother; "you did this Kenneth!" Kenneth however had no idea what was going on and quickly grew defensive; "i had nothing to do with this Katie; I'm just as surprised as you are!"

Katie at this point was so angry over what was happening she wasn't even paying attention to her brother anymore. In fact as soon as her brother stopped talking Katie told everyone that she had to do something as she leaped for the mountainside and began to slide down towards the flames consuming the burning kingdom. ash and Serena both tried to stop her, trying to convince her it was way too dangerous but their efforts were in vein because Katie had already made up her mind and as ash and Serena have learned the princess is "stubborn in the fact that once she decides to do something she does it regardless of the consequences!" so ash and Serena out of concern for Katie and the citizens of Tempalizin run after Katie leaving Kenneth all by himself. with his "company" gone Kenneth began to grow angry and mutter to himself; "that double crosser!"

continuing to watch the fires consume his old home his parents life work destroying everything awakened the rouge prince's sense of justice determined that he couldn't just stand back and watch quickly ran after ash and Serena determined to get to the bottom of this and to help them and his sister prevent more death and destruction. as Katie made her way into the city in complete disbelief and anger over what was happening she didn't even notice the intense heat coming from the flames that continued to inch closer towards her but the princess was brought back to reality by the sound of screams for help determined to find out where the cries were coming from Katie turned her attention to a boy trapped on the second floor of a house with his pokemon as flames licked out of the windows and door frames on the ground floor. as Katie tried to decide what to do to help her subjects her thoughts were interrupted by ash's voice coming from behind her; "Greninja now..."

the next thing Katie knew she felt a breeze before watching ash Greninja pull the boy and his pokemon from the window and bringing them both safely to the ground. With the boy and his pokemon safe on the ground ash and Serena ran over to all of them pleased with Greninja's rescue. While the citizens were focused on thanking them for the rescue Serena's attention turned towards the fire as she demanded to know what was going on. that's when the mother of the boy Greninja just saved dropped the bombshell; "the royal guard, they betrayed you and us!" horrified by that statement both ash and Serena noticed a group of soldiers approaching them and once again ash and Serena demanded to know from the commander himself; "what's the meaning of this!?"

it was then the commander revealed what was going on; "you're not the king and queen, so it's up to us to avenge them; so we now serve a new master!" this confused ash and Serena as they questioned; "new master!?" as the commander is telling off ash and Serena Kenneth arrives and stands behind them stunned by what he's seeing & hearing. Another voice quickly broke the tense silence as a familiar man emerges behind the commander; "that's me!" seeing that it was in fact warlord Raphael behind this stunned ash and Serena as Raphael began his speech; "that's right we are the order of light and our soul mission is to purge this world; to make way for "our" new one!" this infuriated Kenneth as he confronts his "former ally" you double crosser; that wasn't our deal! This caused Raphael to laugh as he addressed the prince; "we never had a deal kid you had a grudge... we have an agenda, and you were just a means to achieve that agenda...!

This seemed to infuriate ash and Serena more than it did Kenneth probably because of what Raphael and the grandmaster have done; "that's enough; it's true we may not be the king and queen you all knew, but we can still do this! as ash and Serena both raised their hands to the sky before calling out; "divine dragons descend now!" and with that the skies over the kingdom darkened again signaling the approach of the divine dragons within a matter of seconds mirror wall dragon, Osiris, Solarois and Phoenix dragon descended from the sky to their true masters setting the stage for what ash and Serena as well as the rest of Tempalizin hoped would be the final confrontation with the warlord! The young couple made one more demand from the traitors; "this madness ends now, you'd be wise to mind your place and, surrender now!"

as the sight of the divine dragons begun to strike fear into the eyes of the soldiers watching the divine dragons "command the skies" over ash and Serena's heads! Ash and Serena re-stated their demand to surrender; but, Raphael who was now in command in the royal guard ordered them to attack instead. Seeing the soldiers coming towards them and the fact that they won't heed their warning ash and Serena both commanded the divine dragons to counter attack in order to protect themselves and the rest of the kingdom. Seeing that ash and Serena have halted the royal guards advance and seem to have the situation under control Katie decided to pull her brother aside and finally tell him what was on her mind!

Now look what you've done, Kenneth! Hearing his sister angrily shout down at him caught the "ex-prince" off guard and unable to say anything his eyes wandered down to the ground as he continued to let his sister vent. mom and dad are dead, dragonus is being held prisoner, the grandmaster and Raphael are both on a rampage, and what do we have to show for it Tempalizin is burning! It was at that moment Kenneth finally looked up from the ground to see his sister pointing at the burning buildings! as Kenneth watched the building burn he was interrupted by his sister yelling at him again; "it's all your fault!" with her thoughts finally off her chest Katie began to cry as she asked her brother one question one that she wanted to know the answer too, something she just couldn't understand; "Kenneth were mom and dad really that horrible to you?" "Were they that mean to you that you had to go and get involved in this?" Kenneth realizing that Katie was absolutely right and that he had no comeback to her questions just stuttered out; "Katie... i... i..." before going silent again. Katie responded to her brothers inability to answer; "just as i thought; now if you don't mind i need to go help ash & Serena, clean up the mess you made!"

after finally being able to scold her brother Katie takes off to regroup with ash and Serena determined to help them stop the royal guard leaving her brother all alone once again! With his sister gone Kenneth finally had a chance to "digest" his sisters scolding! He begun to stare off into the flames consuming the city as he began to think to himself; "what have i done!?" i can't be forgiven for what I've done maybe i should just walk into that fire; no that's the cowards way out! As soon as Kenneth shook the thought of killing himself out of his mind he decided that he needed to help his sister, ash and Serena but the real question was how he could do that! Unsure of what the answer to that question would be Kenneth decided that he'd work out that detail when he got to it but for now, he'd just head towards the castle confident that was where they'd be.

Meanwhile with ash and Serena:

Ash and Serena continued to stand on the steps of the royal palace of Tempalizin side by side with Greninja Pikachu Braixen as the guardian titans continued their; "defensive attacks from the skies" but all these attacks appeared to be in vein as the royal guards just kept coming! a sight that caused Serena to turn to ash with a look of fear occupying her face; "ash this isn't working!"

seeing Serena like this upset ash but also boosted his determination to not only protect her but the innocent people and pokemon of Tempalizin; "i know but we have to keep them away from the palace if that goes, all hope for Tempalizin is lost!" as ash finished that statement Katie finally came back to them. Seeing the princess did bring some relief to Serena in the fact that she was safe but it did also beg the question; there you are but, where is your brother!? Katie though was still furious over her recent discussion with Kenneth so the only remark she had to make about that question was; "who cares where that coward went we've got bigger issues!" as they watched the royal guard continue their advance edging ever closer to Tempalizin.

Meanwhile back in Contemillia's cave:

Contemillia continued to gaze silently at the pool of water in front of him the white light from his body making his reflection dance around as he pondered over the current situation; "Tempalizin will fall soon; all hope is lost!" the cave suddenly began to echo with familiar yet ghostly voices; "that's not true yet there is still one hope left!" as a second ghostly voice called out to the time guardian; "Contemillia..." the time guardian recognized the voices owners immediately although he couldn't understand exactly why he was hearing them he knew who they were they were friends they were Katie's parents or at least their spirits anyway so he called out to the voices in hopes of confirming his suspicions; "your highness!?" the time guardian was expecting to hear a response to his question but instead all he got was a plea; you've got to get ash and Serena out of there and back home or all hope is lost for both dimensions! as the second voice added; "please Contemillia we're begging you!" unsure of how to respond and unsure whether this was actually the late king and queen and not some kind of trick or deception the voices pleaded to the time guardian once again which seemed to satisfy Contemillia as he agreed to the request; "very well!"

Back with ash and Serena:

The army continued to encroach on the palace with only ash and Serena standing in their way; "they just keep coming ash" Serena says as she continued to watch in horror. it was then Raphael told ash and Serena that they were finished and they should "just embrace it" but ash and Serena weren't about to do that after all they don't give up until it's over something they re-asserted to Raphael as he ordered his men to "aim there weapons on the palace and open fire" seeing the blasts hit the palace and watching it go up into a tower of flames brought satisfaction to Raphael while ash and Serena assured him that he'd pay for that but Raphael wasn't taking them seriously as he ordered the guards to turn their weapons on ash and Serena which frightened Serena but not as much as when Raphael ordered the army to; "fire!" fearing for his and Serena's safety ash called out for his strongest pokemon Greninja who positions himself in front of ash and Serena to protect them. while ash and Serena continue to stand their holding each other a blue flash catches their attention from the corner of their eyes but fearful of what's in front of them they ignore it at least until they hear Contemillia's voice calling out to them; "ash... Serena..." hearing their names ash and Serena decided to go ahead and see what was going on so they quickly turn around and notice that a portal has appeared behind them. this confused ash and Serena as they questioned the time guardian what was going on he answers them; "quickly this portal will take you home; get moving you gotta get out of here and get home" it was like ash and Serena were in the twilight zone all this time they've been looking for a way to get home they felt they couldn't... wouldn't leave Tempalizin now not like this.

Their hesitation did not go un-noticed by Katie who was quick to tell ash and Serena; "ash... Serena... go! If you don't all hope is lost!" while ash and Serena knew the princess was speaking the truth there was no way they were about to leave them now something they didn't hesitate to tell the princess. Katie couldn't believe what she was hearing but realizing the magnitude of what was going on she thought ash and Serena were both frankly being foolish so she orders her Sylveon to use swift on ash and Serena but not before asking them to forgive her for what she was about to do.

Katie's Sylveon's swift lands right in front of ash and Serena knocking them both over and right into the portal with the last thing being seen was Serena calling out to Katie before disappearing all together. with ash and Serena gone Raphael issues an order to his men; "quick don't let them get away; follow them..." as Raphael's men close in on the portal they're halted by Katie and Sylveon who have run in front of them to cut them off. With yet another barrier in his way Raphael demands the princess stand aside but Katie assured Raphael that she'd never just stand aside but, as the word never escapes Katie's mouth she hears a familiar voice from behind her it was her own brother; "blast the royal guard now!" After hearing that command Katie turns her head to see a ryperior standing next to her and now protecting her from the royal guard. Confusing the princess as she questions what exactly what was going on.