A/N: Hey, y'all! Here's another chapter for you guys to enjoy, and I'm pretty sure it'll be more enjoyable than the last one.

ENJOY!

Unknown location

Ash jerked open his eyes and was greeted by a burst of white light. Flinching, he then allowed his eyesight to adjust to the light, and once it did, he found that he was lying on a vast marble floor. Quickly standing up, he immediately recognized his surroundings, unchanged since the last time he had been there.

He was standing in the middle of the Hall of Origin.

"Greetings, Ash Ketchum."

Ash clenched his teeth upon hearing that familiar voice, flowing not across the atmosphere, but within the confines of his mind. However, he immediately calmed down, knowing that such an encounter was inevitable. Turning around, he found himself facing Arceus, the Alpha Pokémon, the one who started all of it. He can feel his red eyes staring down at him with all of the intensity in the world, and yet, Ash no longer felt intimidated or overwhelmed.

Whatever had to happen will happen. He only hoped that he would put up one good last fight before going out.

"Hello, Arceus," Ash spat.

"Well, here we are, yet again. If I can recall, we were even standing in this same position ten years ago, during our little talk."

"I remember it well, Arceus. I didn't forget either."

Both were silent for a brief moment as they stared each other down, neither flinching even in the slightest degree. Finally, Ash spoke again.

"Well?"

"What do you mean, Ash Ketchum?"

"Aren't you going to punish me, Arceus?" No response. " I took the Pixie Plate from you. I insulted your very being. I committed the most atrocious acts against the Creator of this world, the Creator of everything we both know! I believe such actions are punishable with death in the eyes of the Alpha Pokémon-"

"No."

Ash stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening. He was never expecting this response, out of all of them.

"W-Wh-What?"

"I shall not punish you, Ash, not after all you have done to cause me malicious harm."

It was silent again. Then, Ash snarled, "What is this, some damn joke? Don't think you're gonna trick me, Arceus. I-"

"It is no joke, Ash. I am being sincere and truthful."

"So you mean to tell me that you never saw this latest attack on Ho-Oh coming? What, did you get humbled after I stole the Pixie Plate from you? Did you cast the All-Seeing Eye away from the world? I'm also betting you also decided to destroy Dialga and the Temporal Network as well."

"I detect sarcasm in your voice, Ash."

"DAMN RIGHT I AM BEING SARCASTIC, ARCEUS! I REMEMBER WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT PREDETERMINATION! NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY, YOU CANNOT STOP IT, THAT IT IS NEEDED TO BRING THE WORLD ALONG!" Then, Ash softened the tone of his voice. "I know you knew everything was gonna happen like this."

"You did, yet you still followed the script."

"Thanks to some good advice from a good friend." Ash smiled briefly, but frowned again. "But just because I decided to get back on track doesn't mean I am no longer upset. In fact, Nate's advice has only helped to soften my patience. Arceus, how could you just expect me to accept the fact that you knew everyone I've known and loved was going to die, yet you'd allow it all to happen? Professor Oak, Riley, my mother, the lives of many other people that died because I couldn't reach Ho-Oh any faster the first time..." His voice choked momentarily. "All this trauma I suffered, yet there were multiple ways to prevent it from happening, all of which involved you! But no, you just allow the Sky Soldiers to suddenly defeat you! Then you take a nap while I save the world, even at the cost of my life!"

"I knew it would be hard for you to accept at first. But with the help of your own son, you've come to realize that path to recovery."

"Even so, it doesn't help the heartache. I will no longer forget the lives that I couldn't be able to save."

"Every life has a beginning and an end. The lives of those who died ten years ago have reached their ends. It's the natural process of life."

"But...you know it's all going to happen. And you have the power to prevent it."

"We exist in a reality where imperfection is necessary for the building of character. If I were to intervene every time a man is about to die, then the human race would expect me to always do so every time a man is about to die. I could just give eternal life to the human race, but what good would come from it? Death is what allows humans like you and Nate to bring out the ultimate definition of your individual lives. For example, what did you do before your death, or even to cause it? Was it worth it? Were your actions justified? What does it say about you? What does it tell everyone else?"

Ash scoffed. "Yeah. I know. You told me that last time I was here."

"Then surely you saw the truth of my statement. You died a hero, which is what everyone saw you as. A hero. And now, you die a hero again, in the eyes of your son, at the very least. And even better, no lives were lost during this entire affair. Doesn't that comfort you?"

"Yancy lost her life-"

"Oh, dear Ash, she lives. Would like me to prove it to you?"

Ash merely watched as Arceus hovered aside, displaying a holographic screen depicting Cryogonal immediately withdrawing from the vicinity of Ho-Oh's raging, fiery, destructive anguish, revealing Yancy, who was curled up on the sidewalk, shaken but otherwise unharmed. His eyes widened upon seeing Yancy stand up in caution, looking around before bursting into a run towards Ho-Oh's direction. Ash looked at Arceus in complete disbelief.

"No one died..."

"Yes, Ash. No one died. You and Nate, you both have prevented a repeat of the disaster ten years ago, the one that has caused you so much pain for the past ten years. You've redeemed yourself of those grievous losses, that horrible trauma. And yet, you continue to lecture me about the necessity of premeditation. There are only two humans who are aware of its existence, and that is you and Nate. And one has already accepted it."

"But...But still-"

"Ash Ketchum, you must understand that everything happens for a reason. What do these latest events tell you about yourself?"

Ash's response was quicker than expected. "I already understand. I was a coward by hiding myself away from all of this." He looked up. "My real grievance now is why you continue to behave like this. You're infinitely aware of the past, present, and future, yet you show no personal feelings about it. Feelings that I felt."

"I do not understand."

"Wasn't there ever a time you didn't want something to happen to a human, yet it was, in your eyes, unavoidable due to predetermination?"

Arceus's response was quicker than expected. "Yes. Many times. Some lives intrigued me. Though their paths were already set in stone ever since their conceptions, their personalities, the probabilities of what might be or could've been, their own identities...they intrigued me so..."

"Then why don't you just allow free will to dictate our lives, and not predetermination, Arceus? Uncertainty is the only foolproof solution for us to live life as best as we possibly can, through the only methods we can possibly employ, ones we're so familiar with yet are never aware of. Why don't you, Arceus?"

"If I were to leave with humans the sole power to make their own choices in their lives, without any paths laid out in advance, then the probabilities would become infinite. Dialga's Temporal Network would go rampant with the multiple possibilities. And mind you, Ash, any sort of interference with the Temporal Network, be it major or minor, would completely implode it. Without the Temporal Network to support its very structure, then Palkia's Spatial Network would implode as well. The space-time continuum would turn chaotic. Existence as we know it would be jeopardized.

"As much as you don't like it, Ash Ketchum, premeditation must be a requirement for the commencement of this Universe."

"You're the Creator, Arceus," protested Ash. "Just make sure the space-time continuum doesn't go haywire."

"I designed the Universe with a set of rules in mind, and the Universe has been imprinted with this criteria since its creation. Even the Universe can never escape the grasp of predetermination ...Even I cannot exempt myself from premeditation, a concept I myself have created."

"Really? So...what's next for you in life?"

"What is the next chapter in the life of the Creator? Well, Ash Ketchum, since you have asked so kindly, I will enlighten you." The Alpha Pokémon was silent for a moment, which intrigued Ash; he wondered if Arceus was actually looking into his own future. "Well, I envision myself watching the Universe for many more generations to follow. Nothing occurs that would necessitate my intervention. In my eyes, the Universe is handling itself just fine."

"The Universe is handling itself just fine?" repeated Ash. "But...But what about the Ketchum legacy-"

"It ends with you, Ash."

"But-But how was I able to end it?!" he exclaimed. "I thought the Ketchum legacy was applicable for every direct descendant of Sir Aaron-"

"It was. It is true; the Ketchum legacy is passed down from the present generation to the next one. But..." Arceus's red eyes lit up rather strangely; Ash sensed some sort of vibrant emotion emanating from them. "You've always had a way with breaking tradition, Ash Ketchum."

"I-I don't understand-"

"When you design something and apply it with a set of rules, a criteria, that it must always follow without a single thought, you would find yourself very surprised the moment your creation acts in ways you never anticipated. A free will trumping its destined path."

Ash's eyes widened. "Do you mean to tell me that I somehow broke the rules of my premeditation? That I disrupted the Ketchum legacy?"

"Yes. See, when you first died, and I encountered you here ten years ago, you acted in a way that I anticipated. I even prepared my signature move Judgment, as anticipated. What I never anticipated was your ability to steal the Pixie Plate from me and flee this place."

"So...I already went against my rules of premeditation..." Ash's eyes widened. "But shouldn't the space-time continuum have already imploded by now?"

"Yes, which is what surprised me. However, I believe this isn't the first time you've defied my own laws. I hope you remember Michina Town."

Ash immediately remembered what Arceus was talking about. "Yes, yes I do. What did I do during that time? Was it Dialga's own time-travel that did it?"

"Oh no, the entire scenario was laid out ever since a long time ago. What I did not count on, however, was the friendship I struck with you. You had no regard for your own life, especially while you were rescuing the life of another soul. That attribute greatly intrigued me. And when I was about to die, you just refused to accept the reality of the situation. While I was expecting this reaction, I still found myself impressed by you."

At this point, Ash's jaw was wide open as Arceus rotated around, staring at a distant sun as it shined upon the Hall.

"...You see, Ash, I was never capable of feeling any sort of emotion outside of my loyalty to maintain existence itself. Initially, I was never bothered by that...until I met you. Then, I began to wonder. Was that the happiness my creations feel every day? To personally witness happiness enacted in all of its glory was a marvelous sight for me. I wondered if I, the Creator, could feel something like that. ...I presume you find it silly."

"Silly?" Ash asked. "What're you talking about, Arceus?"

"Imagine me being happy. Is it an amusing sight?"

Ash began to project the image in his mind. However, he couldn't find himself envisioning a happy Arceus. For all of those years he had ever known him, he had never imagined the Alpha Pokémon to be the happy, pleased type. In his eyes, Arceus was always the serious, wise, no-nonsense Creator who was committed to ensuring the maintenance of the Universe that he created in the beginnings of time. No, he could never imagine Arceus being happy.

"I can't even make out the picture in my head, Arceus." Sensing what Arceus was arguing, he added, "But that does not mean you can't try, Arceus. Look at us! We're here, in the wake of predetermination being defied, not once, but twice, and nothing has happened to us during the past decade! Happiness is possible for you, Arceus! You just have to believe in uncertainty, and it will lead you to paths unimaginable, paths that'll lead you anywhere!"

"It cannot be done, Ash. It-"

"Oh, come on, Arceus! You know it is possible predetermination can be defied without consequences! Why can't you try and find happiness?"

"I am the Creator, the Alpha Pokémon, Ash. I cannot just leave my post-"

"Then hire someone else to do it," interrupted Ash tersely. He knew that there was no way now that he would let Arceus behave like this. "Hire Dialga or Palkia or Giratina or any of the lake spirits! They're your Children, Arceus; they should know how to oversee an entire Universe as it progresses!"

"They have their own duties to attend to. They cannot leave and take over my position. It will upset the social order of the Legendary Council."

"So you're willing to throw away your chance of feeling an emotion you have always been interested in, in exchange for maintaining the natural order, even if it has already been defied, yet without any consequences to account for?! Arceus, you REALLY need to get your priorities rearranged!"

"They cannot be."

"Then I'm not seeing the damn point of this discussion, Arceus. Why the hell are we here? Why did you bring me here, huh? First, you were trying to give me an excuse predetermination, but then, you admitted that it can be defied without consequences! But THEN, you refuse to follow your own path!" Ash stomped his foot furiously. "WHY'D YOU BRING ME HERE, ARCEUS, HUH?! WHY ARE YOU WASTING MY TIME WITH THIS NONSENSE?!"

"Because my original intent was to apologize."

Ash was left briefly thunderstruck. "What?" he asked.

"I wished to apologize to you, Ash," Arceus replied. "My friendship with you has made me realize that your predestined path has caused you so much pain and misery. As the Alpha Pokémon, I could do nothing to avert it despite my knowledge of it all. But...as your friend, the best I could do for you was to apologize. It is evident that my duties as the Alpha Pokémon are more important than even our friendship."

Ash looked away, upset. "Yeah. You could've just told me that last time I was here."

"I hoped during that time you'd understand perfectly-"

"Like hell I would've!"

Arceus continued, "-but obviously, you were the creation that gained an independent mindset. It was foolish of me to think I had it under control. No, this entire scenario was slipping out of my control as it all progressed further and further into something unforeseen...something very chaotic, very dangerous...and yet, something very beautiful. The only thing that set it back on its intended path was your own son. And now that we're back here, I have come to realize my shortcomings regarding the whole situation. And for that, I sincerely apologize, Ash Ketchum. It comes from my heart."

"Arceus..." Ash blinked and pursed his lips before continuing. "Is that all?"

"And I plan on sending you back to your life. ...Without me watching you."

Again, Ash was shocked, albeit also excited. "WHAT?!" he exclaimed, a bit too loudly; his voice echoed across the Hall.

"You have proven to me that free will can successfully dictate a person's life, without any consequences. I cannot accept it, nor can I allow the entire world to be dictated by it. I just cannot begin to imagine what actions my precious creations, the inhabitants of this entire Universe, would commit as soon as they are given the opportunity to lead their lives however they wish, with disregard for their true potential."

"I can lead them!" the man shouted, his voice shaking with excitement. "I can put them back on the safer path if necessary-"

"You, a simple human, leading the rest of your species, who have all been held to honor and treasure their own rights and freedoms, without worries or limitations?" Arceus shook his head. "They'll despise you for that. Ash, you should be honored to be blessed with this gift of a third chance, one that lacks any expectations from the great above. You should also be honored that this also applies to your son and future generations of the Ketchums."

Ash looked up, staring longingly at the stars, nebulae, and galaxies that were hanging up above him, like some sort of ceiling art. Then, he looked at Arceus.

"But everyone else has unavoidable fates... I will be surrounded by those who will never know what lies ahead of them... Death, misery, pain..."

He looked down at the ground sadly.

"How the hell can I expect myself to live with all of that? How can I?"

"I see you have forgotten your son's great advice. Uncertainty. The one emotion that is most important to living a life without worries. It is actually much more important than Nate ever realized. It was the very thing I implemented into the concept of predetermination. Uncertainty breeds hope, one of a better tomorrow. And since you shall return to the world lacking all of the circumstances of predetermination, I urge you, Ash Ketchum, to properly spend your third chance, by helping those who have lost faith in themselves and their lives. Teach me the good of life.

"It could be perceived as pointless, considering predetermination, but knowing you, Ash, you would never leave a person to wallow in complete self-loathing and misery for any longer. To do so would mean to commit suicide." Arceus's red eyes glinted. "So, Ash Ketchum, shall you take this offer of a third chance at life, one more proper than your second one? Shall you live the remaining years of your life to the fullest by doing what you do best?"

Ash looked at Arceus longingly, and Arceus looked back. Finally, Ash replied, "But...what about you? You'll continue to support predetermination despite knowing fully well that free will can be just as beneficial of a method for someone to live his or her life, if not even more beneficial?"

"I must continue to uphold the rules I myself have established. Do not argue anymore, Ash. It is useless to sway me off my path."

"But you yourself admitted you didn't like predetermination!"

"That I have implied. But I cannot. I am deeply sorry, Ash."

"But-"

"Sometimes, Ash, you just cannot save everyone. Not from peril, nor their own ideals. Sometimes, all we have to do is just let go."

Ash blinked, then sighed in defeat. He knew that if he continued arguing like this, Arceus might deny his third, more proper chance at life.

"Yeah," he replied bitterly. "Just let go."

"I understand that it is grievously difficult for you, and considering that you have spent the last decade wallowing in your misery over the deaths of your loved ones, it wouldn't surprise me if I were to observe you still learning to overcome your inner conflicts. But that's a way of life, as tragic as it may be. And besides, you have your son to aid you in the recovery process now. His ideals are unbreakable, just like yours. He is his father's son."

Arceus then looked up, and Ash could feel a light erupt from behind him. He knew what was happening.

"Time for you to go, Ash Ketchum," confirmed Arceus. "I am glad we had this proper discussion."

"As did I," Ash replied. Then, he added, "I'm sorry, Arceus, for your own conflict. ...What about the Pixie Plate?"

"Well, I can just teleport it back to me."

Before Ash could respond to the comment, there was a burst of bright light that engulfed him...

A/N: Well, I hope that wasn't anticlimactic to you guys. I put more effort into this chapter compared to the last one, but I still wanted this story to end, so...

I'd like to thank those who reviewed (can't answer reviews right now):

xXTheFutureAwaitsXx

Fallingarcher22

Harro the great (guest reviewer)

Alpha B. A. 7

Fireminer

BlueLightningXD

Well, hope you enjoyed this chapter! TheCartoonFanatic01 is out. PEACE!