This is what I'm going to call a FINALE chapter, it's just like Chapter 1 where I was constantly switching perspectives between Matt and Parker and the group inside The Void. I'm planning FOUR of these "finales". This isn't the last chapter of Driving Hope (We've just begun, after all) so don't let the title mislead you.

And thanks to everyone who is reviewing! KEEP IT UP! I do treasure your reviews! And your edits. I do actually run around and fix the grammar errors you all spot.

Enjoy!

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FINALE:

Lost

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Matt threw his hands over his ears as he heard the all-too-familiar crack of The Void opening in the far distance. His stomach dropped. Not here. Not in D.C. This wasn't supposed to happen!

"Raikou!" Matt yelled, "The Void!"

I'm aware. Raikou said, running to Matt's side, Hop on. Darkrai's here and we have to stall him for as long as we can.

"But what about the capitol?"

It's too late, Matt. We didn't think Darkrai was going to be here. Let's move.

The two left Matt's post; and Matt abandoned the hope he had of saving the nation's capitol. Now, their only hope was to escape.

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Parker! Entei yelled, sprinting over to the exhausted boy, we have to go, NOW!

"I know, but…" Parker stuttered his words; the loud crack of Voidspace had disoriented him. "…the civil…civilians…"

Entei nodded, we'll escort the transports out of the city. For now, call back Vibrava and Illumise and get on my back!

Parker complied, and soon he and Entei were off again, chasing after the civilian transports. They were hoping they weren't too late.

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A loud crack could be heard in the far distance. It ripped through the field of flowers and seemed to ripple the inky black sky of The Void. The sound was so intense it caused Jo to sway due to dizziness. Sean covered his ears, and looked up to Suicune.

"I understand you're having catch up time at the moment, but do you know where that came from and why it happened?

Suicune had jumped to his feet by the time Sean started asking the question, Yes, I do. It's the sound The Void makes when it breaks its dimensional bonds and begins to bridge two parallel worlds.

"Wait…" Julie said, "That means…"

Jo had mounted Articuno, "It means we have to go find where that sound came from before something bad happens! C'mon!"

Sean turned to Suicune, "Did The Void just open up in our world again?"

It's more than likely.

"Can we stop it?" Asked Julie.

If we hurry there is a way, but we need Zapdos, and we don't have much time for that way to be effective.

Sean mounted Suicune, "Well, sitting here isn't doing anything for us or our world. Let's go find where the sound came from!"

Julie mounted Moltres and the group headed towards the sound, not knowing what was about to come.

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Raikou was sprinting towards the source of the crack, knowing that Darkrai would be the most powerful by the Void, and that he'd be near the voidspace that had just opened.

Raikou ran down empty streets with Matt on his back, jumping over dead bodies of soldiers and Pokemon alike. This battle was far from over for both sides.

The two eventually reached the National Mall; the area where the world-famous Smithsonian museums were gathered. They were all centered a large block which was quite literally an area exclusively for grass and a few trees; it was like a small park.

In the middle of this park was the voidspace, and right above it was Darkrai.

"I see him! What's our plan?" Matt yelled, summoning his sword.

Improvise! Raikou shouted, coming to a halt in front of the evil legend before him. Darkrai had seen them coming from miles away; the Void granted him an extensive range of sight. His arms were crossed; his red eyes glaring at Matt. Matt could feel blackness seeping into his soul just looking back at him. He began to feel rage at the creature.

"We can take him." Matt said with a grunt, "Raikou, get ready." Matt's sword began to shrink; it turned into a small cylinder. Holes began to appear all around it, and soon it took more of an oval shape.

Matt didn't know previously how to play an ocarina, but for some reason he felt like he'd been playing for years when he took it to his mouth. He played a soft melody, causing the wind to pick up slightly. With each gentle note came an equally gentle breeze, and soon Matt's playing began to intensify. The notes went lower and became more threatening. The wind's harshness picked up with it and soon a tornado began to appear in front of Matt. It was a small funnel, but it was getting bigger and more intense with each note.

Darkrai just stared on.

Matt stepped off of Raikou and kept playing, his fingers moving incredibly fast and his eyes now closed. The tornado grew darker and drew in many leaves at this point; Raikou began to stir while bracing himself against the wind.

Matt continued his playing, Darkrai continued his staring.

The battle had begun.

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"Damn it!" Parker yelled, his voice now back to normal, "We were too late!"

The armored vehicles Parker and Entei had fought so hard to protect were destroyed. Parker saw dead bodies of men, women, and children everywhere. He had failed his duty.

"I…no…" Parker said, stepping off of Entei and looking around at the mass grave. They were right in front of the Lincoln Memorial; right in front of the reflecting pool.

The vehicles had been toppled over and then broken into by a Pokemon, it was obvious that the people inside were dragged out and then killed; he saw arms still hanging onto the holes that were created. Parker gazed off into the horror that now was the Lincoln Memorial…a tear running down his cheek.

He heard a cry off in the distance of a small girl he ran to it, Entei close behind. It came from underneath a ripped piece of sheet metal. They approached it and Entei shoved it off. Parker took a look underneath and saw that there was one survivor from the massacre.

That survivor was Mia.

He reached out and picked her up; amazingly, she was unscathed. She was crying out for her momma and poppa. Parker looked at Entei, but the dog just shook his head. The parents were obviously dead, unless they weren't on the convoy and had just sent their young daughter alone, but Parker didn't believe they would've done that to such a fragile child.

Parker hugged the girl close and whispered to her, "Don't cry. It'll be alright."

Mia just cried into Parker's shoulder, screaming for her parents. Her screams got louder and louder, as if they would be loud enough to make them magically appear in front of them. But this wasn't the case. Parker's sadness quickly turned into rage. He whispered to Mia again;

"I'll keep you safe. Nobody's going to hurt you. I promise."

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Jordan looked at the orb in front of him and his sprinting friends. He could now hear everything they were saying, he glared at Zapdos.

"That's not enough? You won't help Articuno and Moltres simply because you're toying with me?" He screamed in rage, "What kind of legend are you? You're not evil, because you would've killed me by now, but yet when your friends need your help you just sit here and put the blame on me! What in hell's name is your problem?"

I'd prefer we stay away from shouting obscenities and get to figuring out your reason for fighting, after all, the clock is ticking. I can indeed close the new voidspace portal, but not for long.

"I'll use obscenities all I want, you fucking asshole!" Jordan screamed.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

"FUCK YOU!"

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"I see it!" Sean yelled, "The tear in the voidspace, it's right up ahead!"

A small orb could be seen in the far distance, the group was now running (or flying, in Jo and Julie's case) over a very rocky area. Large boulders standing over thirty feet high rose above them, but when a force was applied to them they would turn into a fine white dust. Nothing was the same in the Void.

We must be swift! Articuno said, Moltres, try to communicate with Zapdos. Whatever trial he's administering isn't as important as this.

He's stubborn, but I'll try. Moltres responded.

The group continued on, racing against the clock, hoping that they would be able to save their world more trouble than it could handle. Julie realized, however, that the irony of the situation was this;

The world already had more trouble than it could handle.

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Entei looked at Parker with a knowing look; we have to go, there are no more survivors, of that I guarantee you.

Parker looked at Entei, "Alright, but Mia's coming with us."

Don't worry, I heard your promise. Quickly, now.

Parker walked over to Entei, a now gently sobbing Mia in his arms, when suddenly he heard the all-too-familiar laugh again.

It's me this time! Celebi screeched as a wall of vines erupted in front of him and Entei, a vine grabbing Mia, trying to pull her out of Parker's arms. She started screaming again.

"No!" Parker screamed, throwing his body to the ground to add weight to the load that the ever-growing wall of vines tried to pick up, "You're not taking her!"

A roar erupted to Parker's right as Entei slashed at the vines grabbing Mia, breaking them and setting her free. Parker stood up and with one free hand called out his Vibrava and Illumise. He placed Mia on the ground and looked at Illumise. The pokemon nodded and used grasswhistle, sending the child to sleep. Entei created a dome of fire around her.

"Alright, now I can swear, so c'mon bitch, try and kill me!" Parker screamed, "And don't send one of your clones this time, you're going to fight us in person or not at all."

Oh, no need to worry about that, the fairy said as she appeared in front of Parker, I plan to kill you in person, and swiftly at that.

A large vine with a medium-sized thorn appeared from Celebi's chest and tried to run Parker through, but Parker was too quick for it and grabbed it by the base of the dagger.

"Too slow." He said, suddenly feeling strength he hadn't felt before. He pulled the vine back, whipping Celebi forward, he then spun his arm and smashed her into the ground right before she released her grip on the vine.

Parker jumped back and shouted at Vibrava, "Bug Buzz!"

Celebi was nailed by sound waves and shoved into the ground. A ball of fire appeared in Entei's mouth as he crouched next to her body, ready for a counterattack.

Celebi's body twitched; then began to float upwards. Entei shot a fireball at it, but it simply dissipated around her. She began to laugh manically.

You seriously thought I was THAT weak?

She looked up into Parker's eyes, and Parker could see he didn't even put a scratch on her.

If this is the best humans can muster, then taking over the rest of the world will be easy! She lifted Parker and his Pokemon up and threw them into the reflecting pool hundreds of feet behind them, sending Parker screaming into the water.

Only Entei remained.

You've been holding back, Entei. Said the green witch, I cannot wait to see what you really have in store for me!

Entei said nothing. Instead, he let out a loud roar. The roar was proud, and it echoed throughout the entire city.

It was at that moment that the city fell silent, and suddenly the cries of hundreds of Pokemon could be heard.

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This is quite the improvisation. Raikou thought as the tornado grew even larger, it was about to engulf Matt. Trees began to creek around them; he could hear their roots ripping at the earth beneath them. He grunted and took a few steps back so that he, too, wouldn't be sucked in. The funnel began to reach the top of the black sky, Raikou knew what Matt was doing was dangerous.

Even though a song is causing this, this still must require a massive load of energy from Matt.

Suddenly he heard Entei's roar echo throughout D.C. In a knee-jerk reaction Raikou opened his jaws and echoed the roar.

It was at that moment that it began to rain heavily around Matt and Raikou, and lightning began to crack the sky. Raikou now saw the opportunity for attack. Darkai didn't believe what they were doing would be strong enough to stop him, but Raikou knew he was wrong.

Matt! Keep it up! We're going to attempt a Maelstrom!

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"Maelstrom?" Jo asked, "What's that?"

The group was now at the tear, and they could see into the National Mall. They saw and heard everything, Matt's tornado, Entei's cry, everything.

It's Raikou's ultimate attack. It's when the forces of a storm combine into a blinding force to obliterate his enemy. He can only perform it under certain conditions though, and Entei's roar combined with Matt's tornado helped create them. Raikou probably believes that his Maelstrom will obliterate Darkrai without a problem, but I know better. The Void is an infinite source of energy, and Darkrai can keep drawing on it until the attack ends. Suicune said.

"Well…what if Articuno, Moltres, and Zapdos try to close it? Will that help?" Julie asked.

Most certainly. Articuno said, the problem here being…

Zapdos still isn't responding to my calls to his consciousness. Moltres finished. Whatever he's doing, it's too important for us apparently.

"Damn it!" Sean yelled, "Someone tell Zapdos to get off of his fucking high horse and help us already!"

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"You heard him!" Jordan yelled, "Get off of your fucking high horse and help them already!"

I am not riding anything, certainly not a horse that is high. I have no idea what he's talking about.

"When will you help? Can't you see our world is at stake? DAMN IT!"

I can see everything just fine. We will not make a good team unless we both understand each other fully. I will help when you admit to yourself what your true goal is in this adventure.

"I TOLD YOU, IT'S TO HELP MY FRIENDS!"

Another lie. I'm not sure I want to work with a liar.

"WHY WON'T YOU BELIEVE ME?"

Because I can see into your soul through your eyes. Would you like a hint?

"YES, DAMN YOU! Since you seem to know me better than I do!"

Inferiority.

"What?"

That's your clue. Inferiority.

Jordan screamed in rage and frustration, "THIS DOESN'T HELP ME AT ALL!"

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Parker was lifted to shore by his Vibrava and Illumise. He had lost his backpack in the pool, but that was the least of his worries.

Mia.

He had to protect Mia. He made a promise to her.

Mia was going to survive.

It was at that moment that Parker began to glow, to radiate his own light. The black sky didn't need to provide him with it…

It was his hope that drove him.

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The cries of the pokemon echoed all over D.C., Entei glared at Celebi. His eyes were now alit with flame; do you see how many are against you? How many think we may live peacefully with humans and not kill them? You're a monster, Celebi!

So I've heard, and nothing has stopped me yet! Celebi said, Let's end this chatter, let's finish this battle!

Entei erupted in flames, his body now coated with fire. He roared and charged at Celebi, who was charging back, radiating a purple aura.

This is my ultimate attack! Entei yelled, These flames are my FLAMES OF PASSION!

The two clashed, fire and purple aura now locked in battle. Entei and Celebi were constantly pushing at each other's attack, constantly trying to knock the other down. The fires licked at Celebi's face, but not one ember was going through.

Your flames seem to be dying out quickly. Celebi said, grunting.

Entei growled, come, pokemon! Lend me your strength! Continue your cries and allow me to defend you and defeat Celebi!

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Sean hopped off Suicune and looked at Articuno, "Why is it that only You, Moltres and Zapdos can close this voidspace?"

It's not exclusive to us. Articuno replied, It's just that we're all of the elements Ice, Fire, and Electricity. If Entei and Raikou were here, they could close it with Suicune.

"And why the time restraint?" He asked.

Moltres answered this time, voidspace grows stronger over time. A tear needs void energy to maintain itself, and since the energy here is limitless it continually draws on an increasingly bigger supply. After a short time it becomes impossible to close it unless you destroy the entire void.

"This tear is then different from the portal we came in through?" Julie asked.

Yes. The portal was willingly opened, the tear was forcefully opened.

"I'll take it." She responded.

Sean looked at Suicune, "Fine. I'll do it."

"What?" Julie asked, "Do what?"

"My element is electricity, so in theory I should be able to close this, right? I might need Megan's help…" He said, looking at Jo, "But I think I can do this."

Normal Pokemon can't do it, Sean. Suicune said, They're not strong enough.

"Yeah well, last time I checked, Megan isn't a Pokemon in nature, she's human. As am I." Sean said, "And we humans have a knack for pulling out at the hardest times." He called forth electricity to his palms, "So, whaddaya say?"

Are you sure you want to do this? Moltres asked, This is an extremely taxing task.

"Yes! We're running out of time and have no other options!" Sean said, he called for Megan and the Pikachu jumped out of Jo's backpack and ran to Sean's feet. Her cheeks began to spark with electricity.

"Alright, what do we do?" Sean asked.

Shoot a steady line of electricity at the Void, the energy will converge with ours and begin to suppress the void's. Articuno said.

"Alright, Megan!" Sean said, aiming his palms at her, "Charge beam!"

At that moment Megan shot a charge beam at the void, and Sean began to pour his electricity into her. Moltres' flamethrower and Articuno's ice beam converged with it and clouded their vision of the battle as the elements tried to close the tear.

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Jordan was speechless.

"I…I…"

You have it now, don't you? Your reason to fight?

"Yes…I do…" Jordan said, looking at the ground with a solemn expression.

Tell me.

"I…I…want to prove myself." Jordan said, "I…I'm inferior. I mean…I feel inferior. Look at my friends, they're selfless. They're throwing themselves at an impossible situation with this incredible optimism that I haven't seen before. I want to prove to myself…I want to prove to myself that I can be as good as them."

But you've done brave things before, have you not?

"Only because I knew the outcome beforehand, or I wasn't the leader. Sean…Julie…Jo…they have all taken the lead in impossible situations, and I never have. I want to prove to everyone...especially Sean….that I can be as strong as them and fight alongside them with the same mentality that they have now. That I will throw myself at any challenge that comes by…and succeed."

Well done. Zapdos said, You have accepted that you're flawed, and in turn have discovered your true purpose.

Jordan sighed, "I guess I did."

Well, we can't be late now! Quickly! We're needed at the front!

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Sean's energy was quickly depleting. He had lifted large amounts of weights before, ran long distances, and fought many strong foes, but nothing compared to what he was experiencing now. He could feel the energy being sucked out of him at a rapid rate, he began to get a headache. He was certain he would fall soon.

"It's wavering!" Jo yelled, "You guys can do it!"

Sean's world began to turn black, he wasn't even sure he was still conscious now.

"Hold on! You're so close now!" Julie screamed.

Sean fainted right as Zapdos took his place.

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The storm was blinding, nobody could see beyond an inch of their face, the wind was blowing at over one hundred miles per hour, and Raikou and Matt were in the middle of all of it.

Raikou crouched, ready to jump into Matt's now-large tornado. He could feel the voidspace fluctuating, it was now or never.

Matt! I'm ready! Raikou said, Continue playing! He let out a loud roar as he jumped into the Tornado. Immediately it wrapped around his body along with the rain and winds, turning into a large spear of sorts that aimed right at Darkrai above the Void.

Matt opened his eyes and could see inside the Void now, he could see everyone working together to close the tear.

Raikou's slow-moving attack was only feet away from the cocky Darkrai now, it was going to be a direct hit.

Then Matt saw something in the Void that made his heart drop. A ripple, like a droplet of water, flowed throughout the tear. The ripple caused all movement on that side of the void to stop.

He immediately knew what that meant. Raikou had said that time flow between this world and the void was inconsistent.

The group inside the void was frozen in a time inconsistency.

The Void stopped fluctuating.

MAELSTROM!

The slow-moving torpedo-like attack hit Darkrai, but it was soon retaliated with a large burst a dark energy. The once-massive attack was swatted away like a fly with Void energy. The rain stopped, and suddenly Matt felt his energy drain right out of him. He fell to his knees.

And then he heard Darkrai's laugh. It didn't sound human like the other voices of the legends. It sounded like a demon's. He was certain that if Satan had a laugh, this was what it sounded like.

And then he spoke.

Resistance is futile. I will sacrifice you to the Void! Right here, right now!

Matt's body froze, it was locked in place, he couldn't move. He then saw the voidspace expanding.

"No!" He screamed.

We're getting out of here! He heard Mew scream. The pink Pokemon appeared in front of him and a purple flash emitted from him.

Right as the voidspace reached Matt's position, he was gone.

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The voidspace was expanding; Entei could see it through the flames. He could feel it. He knew it was over.

At that moment Celebi threw him off of her, swatting his attack aside like a fly. She laughed and looked down at the fire-dog.

And that's where your passion takes you? She shrieked in laughter as she watched Entei struggle to get up.

Give it up, already! You are going to die, but after I kill that human girl right in front of your very eyes!

Celebi floated over to the globe of fire and pushed it aside with psi-energy. She found the sleeping girl inside.

She smiled, sleeping like a baby, is that what the humans call it?

Entei could only roar back in defiance.

Well, now she'll be….what do they say? Pushing dai…

A loud shot was heard, and Celebi screamed in pain. Entei looked in the direction of the shot and found the president of the United States, Barack Obama, standing there with a gun.

He ended up listening to Matt after all.

Celebi was gripping her should, making hissing sounds as she felt the most intense pain she had in a while. Filthy human! How dare you attack me with such a petty weapon!

"This petty weapon seems to have wounded you, so I suggest you stop talking." Obama said, leaning into the circle and picking up Mia, he pointed the gun at Celebi, "Now die."

The gun flew out of Barack's hand. Celebi glared at him, FOOL! That won't defeat me! She prepared an energy ball, but didn't see the large arrow of light coming from behind her. It was cloaked in fire, and Obama swore he saw a young couple flying beside it. They were both glaring at Celebi, as if they were defending something dear to them.

Like a child.

Like Mia.

The arrow struck Celebi square in the back; she let out a cry of pain as she fell to the ground, now bleeding out.

You…you… she stuttered, now looking at Parker, who was standing above her.

"We beat you. Bitch."

She chuckled, think again.

A future sight attack blew everyone off of their feet and onto the ground as vines enveloped them, slowly closing over their necks. Celebi was going to strangle them.

Goodbye, humans.

NO! Jirachi's voice screamed as she appeared in front of the group, we're getting out of here!

In a flash of purple light, the vines were no longer strangling anyone. Celebi coughed, They're gone! Damn it! She felt that she still had energy left, but she was to die soon. She looked at the oncoming void and had an idea. She laughed maniacally as she used the last of her energy to warp to Darkrai.

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Parker, Matt, Raikou, Entei, Mia, Jirachi, Mew, and Barack Obama looked out onto D.C. as it was slowly swallowed by the Void.

"It's just like Chicago…" Parker said, coughing.

Matt looked at the President, "What are we going to do now?"

Obama looked at them, "I believe that's your call. D.C. has been lost, that much can be seen, but it's not your fault. It's mine. I didn't listen to you, and now the whole world has paid for it. We have a secret base in the Appalachian Mountains; so that's where we're headed, but the rest is up to you."

"Wait…" Parker said, "You're saying…"

"I'm your figurehead. You two are co-presidents of the United States of America."

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END PART 1

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