And here we are! The last chapter before the big Finale! Before we get started a few quick thanks! It means so much to me that you guys a thoroughly enjoying this fic. I can't even begin to describe how amazing I find that! It brings tears to my eye :,)
All of you are wonderful! And I pray I can deliver an ending worthy enough for you all! But with that said, I'll save the rest I have to say until after the chapter! Enjoy guys!
August 27 3:40 p.m.
Johto - Lake of Life
"Is Mew ok?" Iris asked.
"Mew?" May started to ask concernedly, but shouted in surprise as the pink Pokemon's eyes flashed brightly and then it lit up in a blinding flash that filled the interior of the helicopter. The group shielded their eyes one by one, trying to peak through their fingers at the light show. Multiple colors flashed by; blues, reds, greens. Even a few sounds reverberated from the bright light. A few familiar voices, and the unmistakable sound of Dominion lightning blasts.
In the next instant it was over. The sounds, the lights, all of it, and sitting in the center of the chopper was a scene not a single one of them would have ever expected. May was the first to recover from the initial shock, "ASH! MISTY!"
Hurtling herself forward she clasped the nearest one, which happened to be Ash, into the tightest bear hug she had ever given. Ignoring the yellow coating of sticky substance covering him from head to toe, she pulled even tighter, nearly cracking one of his ribs.
"M-M-May! I-can't-"
"I don't care if you can breathe or not," she wailed happily.
The rest of the group's expressions began to shift as they registered the bizarre turn of events. Dawn was pulling herself off the floor, pushing Lance's cape out of her face, while Misty readjusted her sitting position to fully take in her surroundings and all the faces staring back at her in astonishment.
"I-I-I don't believe it," Brock stammered, looking over the Dominion blood covered trio. Cameron stepped forward to help Misty up, "You look like you need a hand."
He motioned down to her belly with a small smile, and she muttered a thanks. Still unbelieving that this was real. There was no way that suddenly they could just vanish away from danger and appear before their friends. Right?
"Mew!" Came from above all of them happily, and little pink Pokemon was flying in tight joyous circles.
"This can't be..." Professor Oak's voice was cracked and shaky. Each syllable sounding strained beyond reason. Hearing the distress in his voice, May relinquished some of her hold on Ash and cocked her head to check on the older man. Surely nothing could be wrong with this unexpected arrival? Of course wrong might have been the wrong word...
Every pair of eyes had done the same as May. Traveled to the Professor and followed his gaze to the fourth arrival that they just now seemed to notice. A young man with spiky brown hair and dark eyes. A young man they all knew to be dead. Gary Oak.
"Hey Gramps," he causally shot to his grandfather. Taking a few steps towards the elder man. The people inside the chopper fell silent, even Nurse Joy and the babies not uttering a sound from the tension.
"This...T-This is impossible," Oak stuttered, shaking his head in disbelief.
"When it comes to Ash gramps," the grandson started, giving Ash a quick glance. "Nothing is impossible. It seems I'm back."
A moment of silence fell heavily upon the group once more, their hearts pounding nearly loud enough to physically be heard. Then the Professor swept forward and pulled his grandson into an embrace, tears trickling down his wrinkled cheeks. For one of the first times in his life, Gary had nothing to say, and simply returned the gesture. Blinking a few times to hide his own tears forming behind his eyes.
Misty took her chance to scoot closer to Ash and brush his hand with hers. She had been expecting a reaction from their friends of some kind, but she hadn't even considered how Professor Oak would react. It was heartwarming. With a small smile she glanced around to the others, taking in their reactions to the scene.
May, who had still not let go of Ash, had a single tear falling down her right cheek and her lower lip was twitching. Cameron was blinking more than normal, his mouth slightly agape with shock yet joy too. Iris and Cilan were wearing similar expressions of bewilderment, their eyes examining the entire group as a whole. Taking in the battle worn details they must be coverd in. Brock's jaw was opening and closing again, as if he were trying to find words to say. Lorelei stood in the back, letting the group have their moment, but eyeing the piece of clothing around Dawn's neck. The Bluenette smiled at the Oak's while she subconsciously tried to wipe away the yellow blood.
And to Misty's surprise, Melody was there! Teetering on the edge of speaking, but not wanting to interrupt the precious moment. Another shock to Misty came in the form of two tiny bundles wrapped in blue and pink blankets beside a Nurse Joy. Could those be...?
"You there," Lorelei's voice suddenly cut through them. "Is that Lance's cloak you are wearing?"
Dawn jumped at being addressed so suddenly, and her fingertips touched the clasp around her neck. "Yes?"
"Why do you have it?" The Ice Master's tone was not pleasant.
The ambience shifted from heartfelt to suspense as the group's attention was turned on Dawn. She gulped at the penetrating glare from Lorelei, but answered firmly, "I'm keeping it safe until I see him again."
"And what gives you-". The Elite Four membe started forward, but Ash wiggled himself out of May's grip and placed himself between the two women.
"Easy Lorelei," he said. "Lance left it with us on accident. We figured he'd be alright with Dawn taking care of it."
"Lance being ok with a pipsqueak wearing his cloak," she scoffed. "Absurd! He's never let anyone else wear his most prized possession."
"Pipsqueak?!" Dawn barked angrily.
"Lance used it to set and hold Misty's arm a while back," Ash explained, holding a finger back at Dawn behind him. "He left before her arm was healed, and we've had it since."
The Ice Elite looked unconvinced, but asked anyway, "Why her? You Ash Ketchum, maybe. But Lance is too fond of that cloak to just let some girl wear it."
The way she said girl with such distaste and jealousy made Dawn snap, "I'm not just some GIRL! I'm the GIRL he loves!"
A little melodramatic? Maybe, but this Lorelei was royally pissing her off. A collective gasp of amusement rang between the majority of the group, but caused an eyebrow raise from Gary, and the remark, "I'm dead for eight months and everyone starts hooking up?"
Some sense of victory coursed through Dawn as Lorelei's face turned a bright red. Sensing someone staring at him, Ash glanced to his left and saw Iris fighting to hold back her 'I told you so' face. Ignoring her for the moment, he turned back to the fuming Ice Master. "This is not the time for this!"
"He's right," Oak stepped in. "As you know Lorelei, time has run out. The moment to strike is now."
"And the weather won't hold out for much longer," Melody added. "We need to get Ash back to Shamouti."
"So I was right!" Misty exclaimed. "The birds are fighting again?"
"Fighting the Dominion's," the Orange Island native informed. "But the principle is still the same...and Moltres is dead..."
Ash must of misheard that, "Moltres is dead? Then...can I even fix this?"
He pointed a finger out the window to the near pitch black snowstormed sky. Melody simply shrugged uneasily for an answer.
"Well, we've got the army Ash," Iris cut in. "Let's just stop these Dominion's first."
"The thing is," he started, glancing around the room. "We have to go to Shamouti. We need the Elemental Treasures to do that."
Jumping once excitedly as her brain kicked into gear, May's voice rose loudly as she nearly shouted, "Oh! We've got them for you!"
Once again, Ash must of misheard, "You-you've got-"
"Yea, right here!" Cameron exclaimed, reaching into his pockets and removing three palm sized glass spheres. One red, blue, and yellow. Ash's expression must of been comical because Cameron laughed. "We figured we could help out with the workload for you this time around."
A string of incoherent babbles escaped the raven haired man as he stuttered to find a way to tell them just how FREAKING amazing his friends were. Finally he settled on this, "I don't know what to say...but you guys very well may have just gave us the chance we need."
"We're all here for each other," May stepped forward with a smile, and gave a glance to a Brock. "Every step of the way."
The older trainer knew what she meant, and nodded his appreciation as his throat burned. Ash slowly reached out to the orbs, feeling an old sense of power he had not felt since that day on Shamouti Island. As his hands closed around them, they lit up in their respective colors. A deep light buried within the center of the Treasures themselves. The group, aside from Misty and Melodu since they'd seen it once before, awed at the sight.
"I can't thank you guys enough," Ash stated as his voice caught in his throat. He turned to Brock, feeling the deep sadness within one of his longest friends. "I know the sacrifices you guys had to make...I'm sorry."
Brock's heart lurched. Did Ash know about Delila? There was no way...
"Ok, so seriously," Iris cut in once again. "What's our plan?"
With a glance around to every pair of eyes staring at him, Ash let out a long sigh and said, "Man this is going to be a long story..."
"Tell us on the way," Lorelei said, shooting Dawn a death glare before speaking to their pilots. "Take us up, and radio the others to follow us. Ash can give us a heading, seeing as we no longer need to travel to Sinnoh."
Mew chirped happily above them as if to say 'You're welcome!'
"Hey Ash," Brock interrupted, taking a glance between the four Mew teleported. "Where's Pikachu?"
He froze, an image of his smiling little mouse flickering in his mind. The lack of a reply was answer enough for Brock and the others, whose expressions darkened sadly.
"He was the bravest Pokemon I've ever met Ash," Gary broke in. "I had a feeling something happened when he wasn't with you in the ruins. He touched all of our lives in many different ways. I'm sorry buddy."
Ash swallowed, keeping his eyes on the floor as he said, "He died heroically."
"Without him I wouldn't be standing here," Dawn added, giving Ash a nod as he looked up to her.
The helicopter blades spun up, and they lifted into the air.
"We need a heading Ash," Lorelei interjected, although her voice was far softer than normal. "We have to radio the rest of your army."
"The rest?" His brow knit together.
"We have three choppers on our tail now," Iris explained. "But the majority of the League, and the worlds population at that, are in the middle of the ocean. They were sailing behind us."
"Shamouti, I guess," the Chosen One decided. "Since we have the Treasures maybe we can fix the weather first."
"Wait a minute," Dawn mused quizzically, remembering something she had seen what felt like a lifetime ago. "Ash I think we need to go back to the Dominion Temple in the Sinnoh Mountains."
Everyone turned to her curiously, so she added, "Do you remember Jerome Junder and that battle the Darkin showed-"
She stopped mid sentence. The Darkin! Lance! She'd gotten so worked up about Lorelei she completely skimmed over the most important part of her quarrel with the Ice Master!
"Lance!" She shouted. "He's not here! He said he'd be here!"
Realizing the same thing, Ash and Misty shared a quick worried glance as Lorelei stepped forward, "When did he say this?"
"Right after we got into contact with you guys back in Canalave City," Ash remembered. "Nearly...three or four months ago."
Lorelei's face hardened, and her mouth thinned. Shaken but retaining her Elite composure, she said, "Then we have to assume he's d-...dead."
"But he could just be late-" Dawn started to argue, but Lorelei cut her off, "I believe I know him better! Lance doesn't miss his own deadlines. If he said he'd be here, he would have. We must assume the worst..."
Dawn's worry turned to anger as she stared up at the taller woman. Sensing another quarrel, Ash touched Dawn's shoulder, "He's just fine. I know it"
Turning her eyes to Ash's, the Bluenette's anger faded back into worry and she gave him one small nod.
"I know tensions are high, and everyone here has questions and concerns," Professor Oak spoke up. "But unfortunately, now is not the time. Dawn, what were you saying about the Temple in Sinnoh?"
Pushing her concern for the lost Dragon Master aside, she took a quick breath and finished her train of thoughts, "The Darkin showed Ash and I...I guess it was a glimpse into the past. We saw Jerome Junder, two others, and Mew making their way into that Temple. There was an altar deep within, and they took Mew and the Darkin there. Misty deduced that's how they pushed the Dominion's at bay so long ago, but she also thinks they were missing something which is why they weren't destroyed."
"The powers of the world," Misty nodded. "Or as we know them, the Shamouti Treasures."
All eyes turned to the three glistening orbs in Ash's hand.
"Alright, hold up," Gary tapped his palm to the tip of his other hands fingers. "I seriously need to be caught up, because I have absolutely no idea what we're all talking about."
"Yea, what was that bit about powers of the world?" May asked. "I'm with Gary, I think we need to start from the beginning."
"A heading would be nice," Lorelei muttered loud enough to be heard.
Once more, all eyes turned to Ash, and he could feel the sweat forming on his scalp from the pressure.
"Um, ok. Everyone settle in," he began nervously. "I'm not kidding when I say this will take a while. And I suppose we should head for the Temple in Sinnoh."
And so they shifted course for the Sinnoh Region, the other choppers adjusting their flight paths to trail behind them. Ash started at the very beginning for Gary's sake, starting with the Dominion's arrival at the wedding. As he talked Gary was unnaturally quite, so were the others as a matter of fact. It was rare that someone would make a sound, dare they miss a detail of Ash's story.
This did not mean they didn't react as he spoke. Professor Oak's knuckles cracked at the mention of Red, along with collective shocked faces from nearly everyone else. May cried over Pikachu's demise, and Axew moaned inside its hideout of Iris' hair.
Ash did not leave a single detail out, telling the events of their time in Sinnoh. Dawn and Misty helped fill in the gaps from when he was either unconscious or separated. When he came to Giovanni however, that was the one detail he left out. The others did not need to know what that monster had done to Misty, and as far as Ash was concerned, they never would. He did reveal he killed the Rocket Leader off, but he remained vague as to how.
Gary leaned in to listen more closely as Ash began to reveal all the information he knew of the Pure Hearts, the Darkin, Dominion's, and the Treasures. He connected all the dots for the group, explaining to them how the three pure hearts carry the souls of Fire, Ice, and Lightning. The three out of four Mew created by Arceus before the God had war waged on him by the Dominion's. He explained the vision of Jerome Junder to the best of his ability, and that the Elemental Treasures were the keys that Misty assumed were missing to remove the Dominion's permanently.
When he reached the part with the Vitan, the reactions were as he expected, but very different at the same time. May teared up when she learned her father was dead, and gave a small sad sound, burying her face into Cameron's shoulder. Brock's jawline tightened, and he would not meet anyone's eyes when Delila was mentioned. Looking around at all of their distressed faces, Ash had only two words, "I'm sorry."
"You did the right thing Ash," it was Iris. "I know no one here is angry with you."
"Yea," May sniffled, lifting her head off Cameron. "You had to pass on the chance to have your mother or Pikachu back-"
"I'm sorry for that," Gary interrupted her. "Really I am Ash."
Swallowing hard, he cast Brock a look, and found the older trainer looking back. He nodded to show Ash he agreed, and some of the heavy guilt in Ash's heart vanished. With a long intake of breath, he continued with the story.
As Ash talked, Nurse Joy did what she could to clean the yellow blood from the four, and tend to their wounds. Dawn had a fairly deep gash on her head she wasn't even aware of. Ash was pretty banged up himself, but nothing too serious, just more cuts and bruises than the Nurse could count. Misty by far had the least amount of body damage, aside from Gary. Probably because the others insisted she stay back most of their trip across Sinnoh, to keep the baby from being harmed.
The red head took most of the time to reflect on her latest loss...Politoed. How many more friends would be taken before this was all over? Faces surrounded her, full of emotions ranging from sadness and anger. Which one of these people, or their Pokemon, would be next? Would she have to watch it? Would there be anyway she could stop the inevitable?
Once Ash was done with the entire adventure, he swallowed a few times to ride the dryness in his throat. The group was in awe at how much knowledge Ash, Misty, and Dawn had found, considering back when all of the chaos started they knew only of the Temple.
"So," Gary leaned back against his seat beside his grandfather. "The Vitan granted you the ability to revive one Soul. And because Dawn, You, and I are these supposed pure hearts, you chose me. And now we have to wield the powers of the world to rid the universe of Darkness. And you think Darkness is an actual being."
Ash nodded to confirm Gary had successfully understood the important points of his story.
"So we'll have to deal with something worse than the Dominion's?" Cameron asked, a bit of hope in his voice that Ash would shake his head, but that did not happen.
"I hope not, but I'd bet we will," the raven haired man responded grimly.
Gary leaned forward, "Let me see the treasures."
Unexpecting the sudden request, Ash pulled them closer to him by reaction, "Why?"
"We're supposed to wield them, so just let me take a look for a second, yeesh," Gary half mocked, rolling his eyes just to annoy his childhood friend.
Muttering something only he could hear under his breath, Ash extended his hands and let the three softly glowing spheres fall into Gary's waiting palms. Unknowingly, everyone in the chopper held their breath. As they left Ash's fingertips the small glow inside of them vanished, but once the Fire Treasure touched Gary's skin, it relit itself with the soft red light.
A shocking silence rang through the group for a fleeting moment before Misty spoke, "I thought Lugia told us their power would only unlock in your hands?"
She turned her head to Ash, seeing the same puzzled face on him she knew she was wearing.
"It did," he agreed. "But Arceus told me I needed to resurrect the Soul of Fire, and that's the Fire Treasure, so I guess there really is something to all this Pure Heart stuff."
"I kinda feel weird," Gary said. "Like something just sparked deep down in my chest."
To help his point he pointed right in the center of his pecks. Tapping his chest twice.
"Hand the other two to Dawn," Professor Oak suggested. "I have a feeling we'll see something of the same thing."
Nodding once, Gary held out the Ice and Lightning orbs, but Dawn was hesitant to take them. "Oh, um no thanks. I haven't had very good luck with artifacts lately."
"It'll be ok Dawn," Misty said gently. "We're all here for you."
The Bluenette looked around the group, starting with Misty. Each one nodded that they were with her and she didn't need to worry. With a gulp, she reached out and took the blue and yellow orbs from Gary. Almost instantly the Ice Treasure came to life with its flickering glow. She felt the same sensation Gary had described in her chest. Like a part of herself had just unlocked.
"So that makes Ash the Soul of Lightning," Gary quipped. "Fitting I suppose."
Letting out a breath that nothing crazy happened, Dawn handed the Lightning Treasure back to Ash, and naturally it lit back up upon entering his palm.
"So, why does only one glow like that for Gary and Dawn, but all of them glow for Ash?" May wondered, giving the Professor a glance to see if he had the answer.
But it was Melody who replied, "Oh Chosen One, into thine hands bring together all three. Their treasures combined tame the Beast of the Sea...I guess it's the same principal with all this pure heart stuff. The purest heart can rid Darkness from the universes soul, using all the keys."
"The Treasures, Mew, and the Darkin," Professor Oak nodded. "I believe we're onto it."
"Ok, well if Ashy is the only one who can rid the universe of Darkness, then what's the point of three pure hearts?" Gary asked, pointing his finger forward to show the flaw in Melody's logic. "There has to be a reason these things light up for Dawn and I."
He gestured the Fire Treasure forward, and the event that happened next sent Melody ducking for cover on the floor. At the end of his gesture, fire erupted from the orb and his hand, spiraling towards the Shamouti native. The tips of her hair singed away as the flames licked at her back, and then it was over, leaving the residue of burning hair in their nostrils.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!" She shouted in shock and anger as she beat the ends of her hair to extinguish the embers.
"SORRY!" Gary yelled back. "So sorry! How the fuck-what the Hell-HOW DID I DO THAT?!"
No one responded. No one had an answer. Gary Oak...just shot...flames...from his hand...
"Ash?" Gary pressed. "Seriously, what the Hell? That was freakin awesome, but WHAT THE HELL?!"
Ash's mouth opened and closed a few times like a fish out of water, before he suddenly blurted out, "You mean I could have used Fire to help me back on Shamouti?! Why wasn't I told that Melody!"
"I didn't know they could that," she snapped loudly.
"Guys!" Brock interjected himself, gaining the attenion, and then pointed to the two twitching bundles of blankets by Nurse Joy. "Can we tone back the shouting?"
Ash nodded to show he understood and then rounded on Gary in a much quieter tune, "How did you do that? Show me!"
"I don't know!" He replied. "I guess just give it a try?"
Dawn glanced down at the blue sphere in her hand, and made a face like she was concentrating hard. Sure enough something happened. Ice, similar to a Blizzard attack, shot from the sphere. Rocketing directly towards Iris and Cilan. They yelped and dove out of the way, landing in Cameron and May's lap.
"Sorry!" The Bluenette apologized swiftly.
Ash stuck his hand out, brandishing the yellow sphere before him, but Lorelei pushed his arm back down. "If you zap the wrong thing we could lose power."
"Yea let's not plummet to our death," Cilan groaned as he pushed himself off Cameron.
Realizing they had a point, Ash pocketed the Lightning Treasure and folded his arms with a grumble.
"I guess this means we're supposed to be back up for the oh so Chosen One," Gary mused, turning the Fire Treasure to see all sides. "Up until he needs all the keys."
"Guess that works for me," Dawn said, placing the Ice sphere inside a pocket in Lance's cloak.
"Mewmewmew!" Came from above them all happily, and the pink Pokemon did a midair summersault.
"Master Lorelei," one of the chopper pilots called back to them. "The fleet has radioed in. They'll be reaching the nearest port to the Temple within the next two hours."
"How long after that until they meet us there?" She asked.
"Estimated time is another hour and a half if they unload quickly and drive as fast as they can."
"Tell them I expect that to be a hour."
"Yes ma'am!"
Quickly Gary did some math in his head, "Wait, you're saying this main army of yours is going to get than an hour after us?"
"It's the best we can do on such short notice," Iris defended with a huff.
"Let's hope we won't need them for that hour then," Gary muttered loud enough for everyone to hear.
"And if we do and their not there, put your new found fire skills to use," she retorted.
"With great pleasure!" He grinned wildly, pocketing the Fire orb and giving it a quick pat.
"I fear you three will have to put those Treasures to use," Professor Oak chimed in. "Without Mew's MasterBall to hide it from the Dominion's, I presume their not far behind us."
"And I imagine they'll be back in much greater numbers," Cilan added.
"We'll kick their butts," Cameron punched his palm. "It's been rough, but I think we've all done pretty damn well so far!"
"I don't know about that," Brock said quietly. "We've all lost so much..."
Cameron opened his mouth to say something, but it was Lorelei who spoke first, "Yes, all of us have. Friends, family. But Cameron has a point. The road has been long and difficult, but all of you have done extraordinary so far. In all honesty, I'm amazed any of us are still here to fight."
Ash nodded, she was right, but only because he'd had something to fight for the entire time. Misty. A life with her after all this was over. A life to build by her side. A life he so desperately wanted to see. His hand found hers and he interlocked their fingers. She gave his hand a squeeze, indicating to him she was on the same train of thought.
"We'll kick their ass," he said aloud, confidently, determinedly. Gaining a nod from the circle of his friends.
"I hate to be the one to point this out," Misty started offhandedly, realizing something. "But according to all the information we know, we're going to need the Darkin. We don't know if Lance ever retrieved it, or where he even is."
Once more, Dawn's fingers went to the clasp around her neck and her face grew worried.
"So we find him?" Melody suggested.
Professor Oak shook his head, "There is no time to search world, or even Sinnoh for that matter. When I say our time is up, I mean our end is right around the corner."
"So what do we do then?" May asked, turning her head to the others, searching their expressions for a solution.
"I'll send out an urgent message on the League's emergency channel, top priority coding," Lorelei told them. "If Lance is still alive, you can bet your asses he's listening into that frequency somehow."
"And if he's not?" Cameron was the only one brave enough to ask.
"We fight anyway," Ash told him, and the others at large. "Hopefully Lance will receive our location and arrive with the Darkin, but if not...then we take out as many of these evil sons of bitches that we can."
"Sounds like my kind of plan," Gary smirked, leaning back into his seat. "So let's get to that Temple as swiftly as we can!"
Swiftly was what he said, but the time went by much faster than he, or anyone else anticipated. Two hours...two long dreadful hours sped by like a race car. Much sooner than Ash would have like, he was staring out the window and seeing all to familiar scenery. The very mountain where Pikachu lost his life...the Temple far below them sitting next to the cliff wall of the mountain, surrounded by bunches of trees.
"Land roughly a mile away," Lorelei told the pilots. "Let's not put our choppers within any line of fire."
"Yes ma'am."
They lowered faster than any of them would've like too. They say time slows down when your adrenaline kicks in. Too many times on this journey had time proven otherwise to Ash. Things only ever sped up.
The chopper landed with a dull thump a mile down the mountain slope, positioned amongst a small patch of trees. Through the cockpit window Ash could see the Temple's top up the path.
Lorelei slid open the side door and motioned for all of them to file out, and they all did save for Nurse Joy, Brock, and his babies. Gary looked at him curiously, but the elder man simply said, "I'm done. I can't follow you into this fight. I have to look out for these two."
He motioned to the two little ones, "I can't go up the mountain, I'm sorry guys."
"It's ok Brock," Ash nodded in understanding. "You won't be alone down here. Misty is staying too."
Hearing his words, the redhead snapped, "I'm what?! Listen hear Ash Ketchum-"
He cut her off, "No! You listen here Misty!"
His voice was so stern, so concerned, so...scared, that for probably the first time Ash ever told Misty to listen, she did. Going silent and staring him straight in the eye with the same concerned look he was giving her. Everyone who knew Misty, and her attitude well, had their jaws hit the ground.
"I know that you're strong. You're the strongest person I've ever met, but I would never be able to live with myself if I let you go up there with me," he started. "Not that I don't want you fighting by my side. I do, desperately more than anything. You give me so much strength when I need it, you always have. But this time, I can't allow that. I have to find the same strength in knowing that you, and our baby, will be safe."
As he spoke, Misty took in his words. Feeling them, letting them sink deep within her, and up until that last bit, she had a counter argument. Our baby...something about that phrase crashed into her like a freight train, and as he looked at her with tears of worry forming in his eyes, she understood why. That was the first time, ever, that he said 'our baby'. It was always 'the baby'. For the first time, even though he had told her the baby would be his, she could see he was truly feeling it.
"Ash-" she choked, feeling her eyes fill up with tears, and she collapsed into his chest. His strong arms closed around her, pulling her close. Pulling her tight. He was dirty, grimy, and seriously needed a shower, but faintly she could smell his scent. A smell that would always bring comfort to her, and as she sobbed into his chest, she told herself over and over that she had to stay behind. He wouldn't be able to fight to his fullest if he was constantly looking over his shoulder to make sure she was alright.
"Ok," she sniffed. "I'll stay..."
She leaned off his chest to look up at him, placing her hands against his chest, "But I swear to God Ash Ketchum, you better come back to me. Or I'll kick your ass so hard even Gary will feel it."
"Hey," Gary gasped.
"No matter how bad things get," Misty continued. "If Lance doesn't arrive with the Darkin, if all hope seems lost, if the Darkness is standing an inch in front of you. Win. You win and walk back down that mountain to me. Understood?"
The tears that had been threatening to fall from Ash did, trickling down his dirty cheeks and leaving a trail behind. "Understood Mist."
"Good!" And she gripped his tattered shirt, pulling him into a kiss. Not just any kiss mind you, a deep kiss. Like it was the first, and last time she would ever do so again. The fact they were surrounded by a group didn't cross the couples mind, not until Misty pulled away and Gary turned to May and Cameron saying, "Shouldn't you kiss Cameron like that now too?"
Both Misty and May blushed furiously, rounded on Gary, and whacked him a few times. "Heyheyhey! I was just kidding! Maybe Iris should kiss me like that instead?"
The dark haired Unovan joined in the smacking, and when the three girls gave him one last good hit for effect, the other three choppers touched down. Their doors flew open, and groups roughly the same size as theirs piled out. They were clad in the dark body armor, brandishing rifles in their arms and PokeBall's clipped to their belts. Helmets hid their faces behind darkened visors, but a few removed the headpieces to see their commander better. Lorelei waved a signal for them to line up, and they obeyed. Even Melody, Cilan, and Iris. Guess they had grown used to the military style life over the past few months.
Gary looked the armed League forces over, and then glanced to himself and the others not clad in Swat gear. "What, no body gear for us six?"
"Sorry," Cilan apologized. "We didn't realize we'd have you guys. The spare gear is with the fleet."
"Listen up," Lorelei spoke loudly, in her usual icy one. "The situation at the moment is grim. These last few moments will depend on chance, and chance alone."
She glanced back to Ash, then proceeded to address the League troops, "Our top priority for the forthcoming fight is to protect these three hear at all costs."
She gestured behind her to Ash, Dawn, and Gary, "For as long as we can. We have to give chance the time it needs to be in their favor, and should that not come to pass, then fight till the very end."
A murmur broke through the troops, but Iris yelled up, "This is the exact moment we've been preparing for. If we don't give this our all, then the Dominion's have as good as won. Chance or not, we'll take them down ourselves if it comes to it. I know I'll fight by Ash's side till the end-"
She cast him a glance, a smile, and a nod, "Who's with me?"
The troops shouted a salute and slapped their rifles in unison.
"I suppose Dawn and I don't have a choice," Gary whispered just loud enough for Ash to hear, but Misty overheard. She whacked him on the back of the head. "Ow!"
"This is it then," Lorelei continued. "Let's make the League proud!"
And with that, she began to lead the march up the slope and towards the Temple. Iris and Cilan fell in step beside her while the troops footsteps squished in the damp dirt. Overhead thunder boomed and lightning flashed. Cameron took May's hand, then she let out a breath, and with a determined nod to Ash they fell in line behind the troops.
"Great, now I'm kind of pumped for this," Gary joked. "That's a bad thing right?"
"Don't try to diffuse this with your humor Mafioso," Dawn rolled her eyes with a smile. "Let's just do this!"
"Mafioso?" Gary mused, scratching his chin as he fell in step beside her. "I like it! That's my new nickname right?"
"I could just stick with smart ass," she grinned devilishly.
"Smart ass is fitting indeed," Professor Oak chimed in with a chuckle.
"You're supposed to be on my side gramps!"
"Mew!" The Legendary squeaked and flew after the Oak's, swerving circles above their heads.
Melody quickly gave Brock a hug, and told him to take care of the babies before she ran to catch up with the others. Turning towards his longtime friend, he found the raven haired mans hand held out. Ash gave a confident smile, and a nod, prompting Brock to do the same. They clasped hands, and said simultaneously, "Good luck."
Letting Brock's hand slide from his own, his dark brown eyes locked onto sparkling aquamarine ones. They were watery, and filled with so much concern. For him, for her friends, for the fate of their world.
She fought though the sadness, the worry, the anxiety, the anguish of being unable to play a role by his side, and smiled. A single tear trickled down her cheek as her hand slowly rose to rest against his face. Gently pressing against his skin.
"I love you." It was barely more than a whisper, her lips seemingly didn't part. So soft it was almost unheard, but it was.
Touching her hand against his cheek, he smiled back and said, "I love you too."
Then he was running after the others, unable to look back, unable to say another word. For if he did, he was terrified he would not be able to continue. To face their enemy head on. Misty was his greatest strength, and his greatest weakness. Finding the balance between the two had been a journey of its own, and should he die today...well, he was the proudest man in the world to have been able to be by her side for so many years, and to be her love in those last moments.
She watched him catch up to Gary, shaking his head to help him focus. The longtime friend hit him playfully and said something she could not hear, but she did see her love smile, and that was enough to mean he was in good hands.
"I hope they can do it," Brock said behind her.
"They can," she affirmed. "But it truly is all down to Lance now. I just hope he gets Lorelei's message."
It wasn't a long trek up the mountain slope, but it was nerve wracking. Knowing the Dominion's could track Mew, and having the Legendary floating just inches above their heads was daunting. Rifle barrels aimed high, keeping watch in all directions. Ready to spring into action if something should happen. Dozens of hands rested against PokeBall's, fingers nervously tapping against the release buttons. The air was still, and the sounds at a minimum. Aside from their boots against dirt, thunder was certainly the loudest of all. Of course, everyone in the world was getting used to the booming of thunder at this point.
Step by step they marched closer to the Temple, the remnants of the research camp coming into view. Tiretracks from the fleeing jeeps were still dug deep into the Earth, the tents were flattened but torn and tattered, long rotted carcasses of people and Pokemon lay scattered here and there. Some half buried into the ground, others slumped against each other. Skeletons is all they were, but Ash could identify some of the Pokemon; A Charmeloeon, an evolution of Eevee, a Hawlucha.
Behind the remains of the camp stood the Temple, slightly hidden behind the patch of trees. Looming before them like a deathly beacon. Dawn shivered at its sight, hearing the mutant Sandshrew cries in her mind, and feeling the darkness of the Darkin around her.
"EYES UP!" A League official shouted, causing the battalion to spot an incoming object. Rocketing towards them with a trail of fire and smoke behind it.
"RPG!"
"MOVE!"
They scattered, Ash following Gary as he shouted for his Grandpa to run. The rocket crashed into where the center of the force had once been, and exploded upon impact. Blasting dirt and grass into the air wildly, peppering the troops with clumps of Earth.
"STAY ALERT!" Lorelei bellowed. "FIND THE-"
"WEAPONS DOWN!" Spotlights from all sides blinded them, turning on one by one in a wide circle around them. The voice came through a megaphone, so loud and angry it was a distorted mess, but the message was clear. "OR WE OPEN FIRE!"
None of the troops lowered their rifles, and even a few raised PokeBall's high. The spots in Ash's eyes began to fade enough for him to see May, blinking rapidly to help rid herself of the temporary blindness faster.
"LAST CHANCE!" The megaphone voice shouted. "LOWER THE WEAPONS AND LET'S CHAT!"
"Stand down, but remain on guard," Iris told them, and they obeyed. Lowering their barrels to waist height.
"Smart choice."
The haze in Ash's eyes vanished, and he could see the people behind the lights. Team Rocket, in trucks with various types of guns and Pokemon pointed their direction. Fingers teasing their triggers.
"Now might be a good time for some Groudon action," Gary whispered to Cameron.
"If only I still had him," he answered back.
"What? How do you lose a fifty foot tall behemoth like that?!"
"I didn't lose him, I kinda lost the MasterBall to Team Rocket."
A figure was walking towards them, positioned directly in front of one of the spotlights. Ash had to squint to see, but there was no mistaking the jet black hair, silver eyes, and muscular frame of Matilda.
She was coming towards them alone, wielding only the megaphone, a pistol, and a sick smile. Was she that confident? That arrogant? That prideful?...or that stupid. No way was she going to walk away from this, not this time. May seemed to agree, because Ash heard the primal growl emitting from her chest.
The Rocket Leader stopped a few paces from them, closest to Ash, May, and Cameron. Gary shifted behind them, clearing his throat and saying, "You look good for someone who had a hundred feet of rock dropped on her."
"Not to bad yourself for a dead man," she snapped back.
"Touché."
"How are you still alive," May spat suddenly. "That base exploded."
"Fast thinking and ingenuity, brat," the silver eyed woman seethed back. "But let's just cut to the chase shall we."
She turned her eyes off May and scanned over every person before her once, then said, "I am offering to leave you to your war with those creatures, and spare your lives here and now. On one condition only."
Those silver eyes fell back on May, "I want her and her boyfriend."
Gary snorted behind Ash, "geeze May, what did you guys do to piss her off?"
"You know very well that we are not going to hand them over to you," Lorelei said strongly.
"That's a shame," Matilda sighed. "Because if you do not, my men will open fire, and kill every last one of you. I'm through with games, and my patience is gone. You can keep the Mew, keep your lives, and fight those Dominion's. But only if I get them."
She gestured unnecessarily to the two in question, and Cameron took a step closer to May, with an angry scowl at Matilda.
"I'll humor you for a second," Gary spoke directly to the Rocket Leader.
"Gary!" May shot to him bewildered, but he ignored her and continued, "If you can convince me with a legit enough reason, then they're all yours. So tell me, why do you want them? Of all of us, why them?"
"It's a matter of pride boy," she glared, non blinking as she stared him down. "My men must see I will not be made a fool of. Surely you can understand that?"
Gary made a 'hm' sound and turned to May with a smirk, "Wasn't good enough."
Then, in the blink of an eye, his hand thrust into his pocket and brandished out the Fire Treasure. Flames exploded from his hand, spiraling towards the Rocket Leader. She yelped in surprise and hit dirt, feeling the flames lick her back.
"OPEN FIRE!" She roared wildly.
Thinking the Rocket's would obey, the League troops raised their rifles to fire back, but Gary bellowed, "WAIT!"
They hesitated, thinking a rainstorm of lead was coming, but it never did. The Rockets never fired.
"That's what I thought," he smirked.
Matilda raised her head slowly, her dirt covered face glancing to her force with a dumbfound expression.
"Ok, I'll bite," Iris said wondrously. "What gives?"
"Look at them, behind the lights," he told her. She did, along with everyone else. Ash blinked once to make sure he wasn't seeing things. The Rockets were hesitant, fingers trembling over the trigger. "The world has gone to shit, and they've realized it. This woman can't command them anymore. She's lost her control over them, thanks to May and Cameron. Whatever they did."
"So they aren't going to kill us?" Melody asked carefully.
"I didn't say that," Gary said flatly. He turned to Ash, with the most serious expression the raven haired man had ever seen, and said, "You're up. Convince them to abandon her and join us."
"I'm sorry what?" Ash exclaimed curiously. "You want me to what?"
"You have this gift of bringing people together for a cause," he told his friend. "I don't know how you do it, but I've never seen anything like it. The people around you are somehow drawn to you, they want to help you. So talk to them, show them a better way than following around filth like her."
He motioned back to Matilda, who was still lying in the dirt. Speechless, shocked to the core that her Team Rocket hadn't obeyed her command.
Looking into Gary's dark, confident eyes, Ash gulped. He could feel the stares from the League forces and his friends on his back. Dammit Gary...he had to say something now. Thanks buddy...
Looking to ground, Ash spotted the megaphone at his feet. Matilda must've thrown it as she dove to safety. With another gulp, he picked it up, and brought it to his lips. "Uh, hello. Have you all had a good evening?"
His friends face palmed, but Professor Oak smiled. He opened his mouth to speak again, but something occurred to him. He wasn't sure why it was now, or what even caused the thought, but it swirled around in his head like a tidal wave. It was the eleventh hour, the final moment before everything would come to an end. It was a feeling, a sense deep down that was speaking to him. Telling him that within this final moment, he had to give his friends, the League, and even Team Rocket, the courage they needed.
"I know we haven't always been on the same side," he started, this time much more confidently. "We haven't always seen eye to eye, but today, right now. We have to. We need to. We have so much that seperates us. And not just Team Rocket, or the League, or training Pokemon. All of us have a story, a life, a place in this world. And that is where we are all the same. All of us live in this life, and we are all connected through that miracle. Each and every one of us have friends, family, Pokemon. People we love, and memories we treasure. Moments in time that defined who we are, and what we chose to fight for. The Dominion's threaten to destroy all that we know, all that we love, while we SIT here and battle each other. While we tear into each other's throats, they pick off the remains and move one step closer to annihilating the very life we all share. The very story we are all a part of. Team Rocket, League, Pokemon, Kantoan, Sinnohan, Johtan...we may have these traits that define us uniquely and individually, but ALL of us are connected by one thing. This world, OUR WORLD! AND I'LL BE DAMNED IF IM GOING TO LET THOSE EVIL CREATURES TAKE IT FROM US! Wether or not you fight by my side, I will meet them head on until the very end. THIS IS OUR WORLD! OUR WAY OF LIVING! So let's put aside our difference, put aside all the bad between us individually, and FIGHT side by side for the ONE thing we all share...love."
He let his arm fall loosely by his side, the megaphone dangling from his fingertips.
"Not bad, a little long winded, but-oof!" Dawn nudged Gary in his rib. "I-couldn't have said it better myself."
Ash didn't turn to his friends, didn't sway from his stance. He stared straight ahead, sweat forming on his brow as he saw the debate on each Rocket members face. And just when he was about to try again, the lights shut off, and the hundred guns pointed at him lowered. Team Rocket had joined them!
"NO!" Matilda roared in fury, her throat ripping with rage. She flew to her feet, pistol swinging to face Ash. League and Rocket rifles alike aimed to shoot her down, but May was faster. She lurched forward, gripping Matilda's forearms vice tight and twisted the pistol. Pushing it against the former Rocket Leader's own chest as she pulled the trigger thrice. Those silver eyes widened in shock as she inhaled sharply from the sudden pain. When the echoes of the shots vanished, all was silent, not a single person releasing their breath. May leaned close to her ear, whispering, "That was for Blaziken you Bitch."
Then she let go of the silver eyed woman, and Matilda's body collapsed to the ground. Realizing she was breathing hard, May swallowed once to help alleviate some of her rage.
"Holy shit," Cameron awed. "I'm in love with a badass."
"Pretty sure I am now too," Gary added.
The brunette turned to face her friends, and was met with a mix of different stares. Some were curious, others were amazed. Mew had stopped circling, floating perfectly still. Staring at May with unblinking blue eyes. Then something she was not expecting happened, the ring of surrounding Rocket's cheered...but it didn't last...
The sound of death, the cry of battle, the shrieks of metal echoed across the mountainside. Bouncing from cliff to cliff, growing closer with each passing second.
"FORM UP!" Lorelei shouted. "REMEMBER OUR GOAL! PROTECT THE PURE HEARTS AT ALL COSTS!"
Rifles swung high, PokeBall's burst open, revealing all different kinds of Pokemon. Sneasel's, Apibom's, Raichu's, Aggron's, Kingler's, Pignite's. All, people and Pokemon, ready to fight. The Team Rocket forces jumped from their vehicles, racing to form ranks with the League troops. Releasing their Pokemon and readying their guns. One higher ranking Grunt spoke to Lorelei, "We will follow your orders!"
"No one is to fire until I give the command!" She told everyone at large, and a collective ring of 'ma'am' followed.
"Here we go," Cameron said lowly, his eyes locked onto something behind Ash. The black haired man turned, his heart skipping a beat at the sight. He thought he knew the meaning of an assload of Dominion's...he was wrong. Dark skinned creature sped their direction, soaring over the forest at the foot of the mountain. Beelining straight for the Temple. Hundreds upon hundred pairs of yellow eyes glared straight into Ash's soul, sending a chill down his spine. At the forefront of the massive swarm of evil things was a single pair of green eyes, filled with victorious joy.
"Ash..." It was Iris, and her voice was low, but high. Coated in fear.
He did a quick glance to her, and to everyone around him. All sharing the exact same expression. Petrified terror.
"We just have to hold out until the rest of the League forces arrive," Ash said loudly, surprising even himself with the amount of confidence in his tone. "Isn't that right Iris?"
"Y-Yea!" She shouted. "We can do it!"
A battle cry of shouts followed her, causing her to jump from the sudden noise. The sky lit up with a crack of lightning, and thunder roared down on them.
"I suppose the three of us need to stick together," Gary said in Ash's ear. "Wouldn't want one of us to die and ruin the whole thing right?"
"Says the one who died," Dawn cracked his way with a smug grin.
"Harsh Blue, harsh."
"He's right though," Ash agreed. "We can't take chances. Watch each other's back...lets pray Lance is coming."
"I do..." The Bluenette whispered, and Gary grasped her shoulder firmly with an assuring nod. Mew floated down behind Ash's back, glaring at the fast approaching Dominion's.
"TAKE AIM!" Lorelei shouted and a hundred clicks deafened his ears. The Dominion's reached the very cliff where Pikachu fell, halting from a wave by the their green eyed leader. They surveyed the scene below them, yellow eyes glowing hungrily.
Then the green eyed one screeched loudly, but it was cut off by a roar from the mountain top. All eyes, Dominion and Earth being alike, turned to the sound. Ash's heart, and everyone's for that matter, jolted with excitement and awe. Breaking through the storm clouds were the Legendary Pokemon. Led by Lugia and the two remaining Legendary Birds.
Palkia, Rayquaza, Celebi, Ho-Oh, Deoxys, Zekrom. All of them! From every region! The ones unable to fly like the Legendary Dogs, or Kyogre and Groudon, were being transported by others big enough to carry them or with psychic abilities.
Gary elbow bumped Cameron and nodded to them, "Found your Groudon."
"Hey thanks."
"You are not alone in this fight Chosen One," Lugia's voice rang down. "The Legendaries are behind you."
The ones unable to fly were put down beside the armed group of humans. Most of them quaking the ground with a massive boom, like Groudon. It spotted its trainer and let out a roar his direction. Cameron waved up to his Pokemon, giving it a thumbs up.
With much more confidence, and a crooked grin to match, Ash turned back to the Dominion's, "This will be your only chance! Leave now, let the universe be and everyone can live!"
Fuming upon seeing the Legendary Pokemon, the green eyed Dominion snarled and roared, "LIGHT CANNOT LIVE WHILE DARKNESS IS SUPREME!"
And with an ear bleeding shriek, it and the other Dominion's charged forward. Surging their lighting, and snarling viciously.
"NOW LORELEI!" Iris bellowed, and the Ice Master shouted, "FIRE!"
The Legendaries roared and charged their own attacks as the barrage of gunfire exploded skyward. Gary and Dawn shouted as they brandished their Treasures forward and blasted a mixture of fire and ice. Gripping the Lightning Treasure, Ash joined them in shouting. Feeling the electricity surge from the sphere in his palm as the storm above let rain begin to fall.
Oh boy! For those who are concerned Misty won't have a part in the finale, don't worry! It will be small, but she had a role. I wanted her to be part of the final fight, but it's just not plausible. I mean she is 5-6 months pregnant right now.
This was an incredibly difficult chapter to write, but SO much fun! Having all the story elements I've introduced brought together, and trying to tie them all up was trying. I really hope I didn't miss anything :p
I tell you what though, I'm enjoying Gary being back! Can't ya tell? Haha
Anyways, the finale is up next, so stay tuned and anticipated for that! We coming to the end, the end of the journey! See what I did there? Lol
Let me know what y'all think! See ya next time!