"NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME BROTHER!" Bonnie shouted as a black wave of energy exploded from Darkness. Rocketing across the mountainside, plowing down trees and sending people and Pokemon hurtling to the mud. May gripped tight to Dragonite as the black wave washed over Clemont's electromagnetic shield, bypassing the few inside.
"I'M WORKING ON IT BONNIE!" Clemont bellowed back, barely audible over the fierce roar of Darkness. The flickering shield caught Darkness' purple eye, and it swooped down straight for them. Serena screamed as the massive dragon like creature slammed into the ground, black flames igniting from its maw.
A flamethrower streamed from the sky, burning a patch on the back of Darkness' giant head. In surprising speed, Darkness snapped its gaze around and filled the sky with the black fire. May caught sight of its target and screamed, "NO!"
Cameron pulled back on Charizard, and the Pokemon shot straight up, singeing its underside on the black fire.
"OPEN FIRE ON THAT THING," Iris' voice rang out as her and Cilan shot by the shield on her Dragonite. "EVERYONE AT ONCE!"
And just like that, hundreds of rifles flashed, Pokemon attacks barreled after the bullets, and the Legendaries unleashed a barrage of their most powerful moves.
Mew fell shakily to the ground, the Darkin slipping from its tiny paws. Dawn lunged forward, catching the Legendary before it could hit the floor. The Darkin clattered across the rocky surface, rolling towards Gary, who stopped it with his foot.
"So, what just happened?" Dawn questioned curiously. "Did we win?"
CRACK! The four of them jumped as the ceiling split straight down the middle and the room began to quake. Dust littered over them, and rocks began to fall.
"It's caving in," Lance shouted. "Everyone move!"
Ash quickly grabbed the Elemental Treasures from their stands, and Gary scooped up the Darkin as they raced for the stone steps. CRACK! The raised platform seperated in a rapid jolt, knocking them to their knees. Looking back to see if the others were ok, Ash noticed they were now seperated by a massive split in the stone. A large piece of rock crashed centimeters from him, vibrating his body and covering him in dust. Mew groaned in Dawn's arms and forced its eyes open, flashing them a light blue.
BOOM! A light breeze against Ash's skin was suddenly a tidal wave of wind. Billowing against him with the smell of smoke and fire. Blinking once, his brain registered they were sitting outside the entrance to the Temple. Huh? Mew groaned again, and went limp, though still breathing.
"Oh my God..." Came from Lance, who's eyes were filled with horror. Following his gaze, Ash saw why. Darkness, standing in the middle of everyone and everything, smoke rising in wisps off its body as its purple eyes flashed angrily. Growling deeply, vibrating the very center of Ash's heart.
With a sweeping snap of its head, and a rampage of a roar, Darkness blasted a stream of its black fire. Covering nearly all of the battlefield. Most were saved by Psychic Pokemon throwing up a barrier, or hiding behind Pokemon that could withstand the assault, such as the Legendaries. Too many, however, screamed in agonizing pain as their flesh cooked from the abnormal flames. Water Pokemon desperately tried to douse their trainers, but it was no use.
"So we didn't accomplish anything?!" Dawn asked hysterically, turning to Ash with a look of pure horror.
"Not enough at least," Gary replied, his eyes darting swiftly as he realized the Dominion's were no where to be seen.
"What do we do?" Dawn asked. "Ash?"
He didn't answer her, his gaze was glossed over as he stared at Darkness.
"Ash?!"
He was numb...he was sure, so sure...before he had his doubts, his concerns that it was all to good to be true. Pure hearts? A sure fire to way to stop the Darkness? He allowed himself to be convinced of that plans certainty and now...now everything would be destroyed. The world, the universe, all of it. His friends...his loved ones...Something jolted in his heart...a flash of Misty's lips against his. Her aquamarine eyes sparkling in the moonlight as she smiled from ear to ear. Her voice echoing in his head...
You can do it Ash...I believe in you
Was he really going to just sit here and let the world burn? Was he going to let her down? The woman he loved, the woman who believed him in no matter what. The one who had always been there for him since the very start. Misty, a woman so full of life and love. So compassionate and caring, not afraid to knock you down a notch or two when you needed it, but also right by your side to help you up if you fell. If anyone was the purest heart...it was her. But she believed it was him, and if she believed it...then he had to too! He had to try!
Something else went through his head...But only one can turn the tide between night and light. Only one heart, in the purest form, can impede the entrance of Darkness for us all.
Suddenly...it made sense to him...
"Ash!?" Dawn shouted at him as Darkness roared, taking to the sky and slamming its giant head into Articuno, knocking it from the sky.
He woke up, so to speak. The speed in which he turned to the Bluenette caught her off guard, "I'm going to fight Darkness. Alone."
"You're going to what?!" The three others shouted at him together, with Gary adding, "Are you fucking nuts?! You can't take that thing on by yourself."
"Yes...I can," Ash said so calmly, so sure, that for probably one of the first times in history, Gary was speechless.
"Wh-what's your plan?" Dawn asked shakily, casting a glance to the massive creature. "It's tearing through everyone..."
Darkness intercepted a blast of lightning from Zekrom and overwhelmed the Legendary, covering it in black flames. Zekrom howled in pain and fell from the sky.
"Just trust me," Ash told her, and before his heart could falter, before any sense of reason could penetrate his mind, he was running through the mud and the rain. Straight for the center of the battlefield. Clutching the three Treasures tight in his palms.
"ASH!" The three yelled after him, but he pretended not to hear. Mew cracked open an eye, watching the raven haired trainer sprinting away.
Across the battlefield, Clemont exclaimed loudly, "GOT IT!"
With a quick press of a button on the control pad, the electromagnetic shield vanished and the dish which had been emitting the energy lit up. The tiny device connected to Clemont's backpack filled the immediate area with such a blinding light that May nearly slipped from Dragonite.
As Ash raced towards the center of the battlefield, all eyes were on the intense light as it shot towards Darkness. Upon impact with the creatures skin, Darkness howled in pain, quaking the very water droplets of the rainfall. Clemont twiddled rapidly with dials and switches on his control box, intensifying the ray and widening its area of illumination. Darkness was soon enveloped in the bright light, thin whisps of steam rising from its body, and Ash noticed something peculiar. Darkness was shrinking! It was getting smaller! An idea sprung in his mind and he started shouting, "FLASH! Everyone use Flash! Tell your Pokemon to use Flash!"
Iris heard him in the air, and helped spread his order. Her and Cilan zoomed through the ranks of still alive troops, telling them to use Flash. One by one, Pokemon after Pokemon burst into a light almost as bright as Clemont's ray. A Raichu, Voltorb, Solrock, and many more.
Darkness roared and cried, wincing harshly as a flash of lightning from the storm let loose. Ash himself was now squinting, his eyes not used to this much light anymore. For months all he had seen were storms and dimmed days, months of not seeing the sun.
Arceus' ring ignited in a shimmering light, adding to the intensity of the others, then in a combined attack, the other Legendaries took their chance. Their attacks connected directly, exploding around Darkness and filling the sky with a massive boom. Darkness' roars ceased and the dragon like serpent fell to the ground. Plummeting amongst the heavy rain and crashing into the thick layer of mud.
Only then did Ash stop running, only then did all eyes realize he was there. Only too late, did they realizen Darkness still had plenty of fight left. A black sphere of energy exploded from the center of the impact crater created by Darkness. It expanded rapidly, growing from its central point until it had enveloped Ash inside.
"Ash!" May shouted and kicked her heel into Dragonite. The Dragon complied and threw mud across Clemont as it sped forward. The black sphere sparked and cracked with the same color lightning, spreading across the barrier like dark veins. May urged Dragonite to fly through it, and she yelped in pain as they crumpled against a solid wall. The black lightning numbed her muscles, seizing them in the shakes. She fell to the mud beside Dragonite, the two of them convulsing and writhing in the muck.
There was a quick thump beside her and fast footsteps through the mud. Then Cameron's scared voice as his hands tried to hold her still, "May! I've got you, I'm here! Fight it!"
He applied as much pressure as he dared, her smaller frame seizing violently, acting like a woman possessed by a Demon. Her veins bulged alarmingly, and her eyes shot all directions. His Dragonite did the same to his right, howling in pain and throwing mud with its tail. More footsteps raced up and Iris slid beside the Dragon onto her knees, Cilan right behind her. Suddenly May stopped, lying deathly still.
"May?!" Cameron shouted, placing two fingertips under her jawline to feel for a pulse and his ear to her lips to hear for a breath. There was none...
"No!" He shouted, sitting up straight and immediately placing his hands against her chest. One, two, three. His lips connected to hers and pushed air into her lungs. Then he repeated the pushes into her chest. One, two, three.
To his right, Iris and Cilan were doing the same to Dragonite...
Gary tried to run, his feet slipping and sliding in the slosh, but he was gaining no progress. The hands on his shoulders weren't allowing him any headway.
"Move Lance!" Gary snarled, actually taking a swing at the Dragon Master.
Lance blocked the hit with his elbow, and shot back, "There's nothing you can do now! This is on Ash and you know it!"
Dawn sat in the mud, watching the men argue as she clutched Mew tight. She desperately wanted to help Ash, to scream and shout at Lance to let Gary go, but deep down she knew the red haired man was right. Ash knew this too, that was why he went...and she had to trust he could pull it off.
Unbeknownst to any of them, Mew's eyes were alight, focused on the Darkin shimmering in the mud. The artifact glowed, a spark of a bright golden light igniting deep within.
Ash turned on the spot, a fierce wind whipping around him. He could see, but not see. Any and all depth perception appeared to be gone, and only a surrounding wall of pitch black was all he could find. He himself was illuminated, and he could clearly make out his own shoes sinking into the mud. The rain was gone, reflecting off the top of his black encagement, sending a ripple of static energy with each drop.
"Pure Heart," Darkness' resounding voice filled the area. "You pretend to be brave, but I can sense your fear."
Ash's eyes darted everywhere, searching for the monster. "If I'm the one scared then why are you hiding?"
"Hiding?!" Darkness sounded furious. "I am shadow, I am Dark. Shadows do not hide, they simply are!"
A purple ball of sparks shot at him from seemingly no where, and Ash considered himself lucky to have been facing its direction. He threw himself to the side, avoiding the crackling energy as it zipped by. Sensing something coming up behind him, he spun quickly and blasted Darkness in the face with a stream of flames from the Fire Orb. It roared viciously and stumbled backwards.
Having a clear view of the creature now, Ash could see that it had shrunk immensely. It was now no more than a few feet above his own head, but still radiating that same deathly cold breeze.
Not giving Darkness time to recuperate, he ignited the Lighting and Ice spheres, covering the monster with the elements. Darkness' purple eyes flashed, and shards of ice rebounded at Ash. He melted them with the fire by intensifying the heat. Darkness roared at him and vanished back into the shadows of the black sphere. Not wanting to lose track of it, Ash shot the elements in all directions. Striking the dark energy anywhere and everywhere he could. Darkness merely laughed, "Your valiance is noble, but it will not achieve you the victory you seek!"
Black flames licked his back, singeing into his skin. He screamed in pain as the burning enveloped him, and thinking fast he doused himself in flurries of snow from the Ice Treasure. A purple beam, radiating with dark particles, blasted from the shadows flickering in his vision. Ash reacted on instinct and intercepted the dark pulse with the three elements, connecting the two streams together in a unified beam of flashes and sparks.
Lance hit the mud as Gary's fist connected with his jaw. The pure heart took his opening and raced across the battlefield, ignoring Dawn and Lance's calls for him. The Bluenette stood up, ready to chase down her friend, but Mew in her arms suddenly ignited with a gold aroma. She squealed in shock and let go of the Legendary. The pink Pokemon did not fall to the mud, instead hovering where it was, it's eyes alight with a blue glow. Only now did Dawn realize the Darkin was glowing more intensely than she had seen before, and it was radiating the same golden color as Mew.
His attention having been distracted from Gary, Lance asked, "What's happening?"
"I-I don't know," she replied shakily, casting a worried glance over the Darkin. Mew began to hum, a soft melancholy tune as the golden glow intensified. Inside the artifact, Dawn could see the blackness in its color begin to fade. Being replaced by the gold.
At the black sphere created by Darkness, Gary was about to throw his body weight into the energy wall until a voice cried to him, "DON'T!"
Hearing the hysteria, he dug his heels into the mud and slid to a stop, seeing who had shouted at him. It was Cilan, hovering over a wheezing Dragonite as Iris chanted something he couldn't understand. Behind them Cameron was on his knees in the mud, his face hidden behind his shaggy hair as he cradled May's figure in his arms.
"Wh-" was all that escaped Gary's lips before the sphere exploded.
Ash grunted, clenching his teeth as the black walls around him began to rumble and strike black lightning across each other. Darkness laughed from its shadows, purple eyes igniting within the blackness. The point of impact between the two began to create a whirlwind of fire, ice, lightning, and the dark particles. They swirled and tumbled around the center, halting the evil laugh. The dark energy walls around them groaned and Darkness itself grunted in pain. A crack appeared in the tip top of the sphere, casting a ray of light from the Pokemon outside still using Flash. Darkness hissed, and its solid form materialized from the shadows. Ash locked eyes with the evil creature, and its purple eyes flashed with hatred.
Suddenly the impact point of their attacks exploded, sending a ripple of dark energy, fire, ice, and lightning across them and into the black sphere's walls. Both Ash and Darkness cried out in pain as the wave smashed into them, toppling the two of them into the mud. A loud groan from the shadows sent a chill down Ash's spine, and then the black energy exploded outwards. Dissipating the sphere and shooting the dark energy in all directions.
People and Pokemon alike shouted and ran for cover, stopping their use of Flash. Legendary and flying Pokemon were knocked from the sky, and the ground forces were pushed into the mud.
Still in battle mode, Ash didn't hesitate, didn't look at his surroundings for his friends, didn't even blink as he hurried to his feet and thrust the three orbs forward once more.
Seeing the blasts coming, Darkness roared, "ENOUGH!"
A massive boom radiated from the creature as another wave of dark energy exploded outward, sending the element attacks off course and slamming into Ash. He flew into the air, the three Treasures slipping from his grasp and disappearing amongst the mud. With a heavy hit he crashed back to the ground, wheezing for a breath.
A claw snatched his shirt, ripping him from the ground and raising him into the air. Lightning cracked across the sky, and thunder boomed as all eyes saw Darkness lifting Ash over its head. Growling and snarling as it did so. The serpentine dragon hissed as steam rolled from its maw, the beginnings of black flames licking its teeth. Ash punched and kicked against the creature, desperately trying to pull himself away, but his shirt would not give.
"ASH!" Multiple voices shouted. Gary, who was slipping in the mud as he tried to rush to Ash's aide. Serena, ignoring her chest wound and running his direction as she released Braixen. Korrina running alongside her Lucario. Lance reaching for Misty's Gyarados. Clemont as he raised his handgun to open fire. Bonnie raising a rifle to see down the sights.
But none of them would be fast enough, none of them would have saved the Chosen One. Darkness had already let loose the torrent of black fire...but something flashed at Ash's waist, followed by a ferocious and angry roar. Then the black flames were met by dark orange ones and they blasted back into Darkness' face. Darkness bellowed in agony and released Ash, who fell to his rump in the mud.
Darkness roared ferociously, black blood seeping from its purple eyes. Another roar, now familiar to Ash's ears, retaliated right back. Charizard?! His Fire Pokemon let loose another intense stream of fire, peeling away some of Darkness' black skin. The creature bellowed in response and returned the attack with its own black flames. Charizard positioned itself in front of Ash, taking the brunt of the attack and wincing from the abnormal heat.
"CHARIZARD!" Ash shouted, but a pink bubble materialized around the fire type and sent the black fire spiraling away.
"LIIIIGHT!" Darkness roared.
"Mew!" The pink Pokemon squeaked defiantly, hovering beside Ash and Charizard, glaring at Darkness. It dropped something into Ash's lap, and he noticed it was the Darkin, but it wasn't the Darkin? The once see through blackish material was now a shining gold, glistening even without rays of light hitting it. Instinct kicking in more than anything, Ash clasped the Darkin in his hand and jumped to his feet. Darkness roared at him and opened its maw to attack again, but Mew created a pink bubble big enough to fit into the creatures mouth. Which is precisely what it did.
Screaming as he hurled himself forward, Ash thrust the sharp end of the Darkin forward, piercing Darkness' hide and stabbing it through the creatures heart. Darkness bellowed agonizingly, a piercing screech that cracked the very side of the mountain. It flailed madly, a claw slapping into Ash and sending him away from the creature. He wasn't sure how high he flew, or how far, all he could see were the tops of the trees and then Temple coming close before he smacked headfirst into the stone.
The next few seconds were riddled with pain as he fell against the side of the Dominion Temple, tumbling to the ground. All the while Darkness continued its maddening roars and shrieks of pain. Then...everything went silent and he landed on something soft. Something pink. Mew had created a soft bubble for him to land on, and it gently set him into the mud. Everything was hazy, his hearing and his eyesight a groggy mess. In the distance, Darkness was fading, turning into whisps of smoke that rose into the wind and vanished amongst the storm. It was over...he had won...
Voices called to him, and figures were running his direction, but he could not stand nor shout back. His world was turning black.
Ash...
What was that? Someone was saying his name.
Awaken Pure Heart...
He slowly opened his eyes to see nothing but white, a vast and infinite area of white. Except there was a figure standing before him, centaur like in shape, with a pinwheel type ring around its middle.
"Arceus?" He croaked, sitting up slowly. Prepared for a surge of pain, but none ever came. He blinked as he realized this.
Ash, you have done well. The Universe owes you a debt it can never repay, I owe you a debt I can never repay.
"Am, am I dead?" He asked, looking around at the whiteness surrounding him.
You are not, we are here so I can relieve your mind of any questions you may have.
Questions? Ok, "Like why the Darkin was suddenly Gold?"
Arceus smiled, My child, Light. Thanks to you and your efforts, she was able to cleanse Darkness from the Soul of the Universe.
"The Soul of the...the Darkin was the Soul?!" He realized, getting to his feet to better face Arceus.
Indeed, and now Darkness has been removed, and the Universe can no longer belong to him ever again. Thanks to you and all your friends. I shall remove the Darkin from Earth and keep it safe with me in my realm.
"Tend to wounded that have a fighting chance...we have to conserve our supplies..."
Ash jumped from the new voice, and spun around in circles to locate it, "Lorelei?"
It seems you are waking up, your true strength continues to baffle me. It appears our time here is already at an end.
Not wanting to go until he asked a question that had been burning inside of him since he had accepted the pure heart truth, he quickly asked, "Misty...she's the purest heart. Isn't she?"
Arceus looks amused by this, You have always been the purest heart Ash. But it IS because of her that this is so. Since she fished you out of that river, she has been fishing the pureness from you little by little. I think you can agree that things would have turned out very different had that day not happened.
He nodded, recalling the memory with a smile. Hearing more voices and now noises of people shuffling around he quickly added, "Is-Is she ok?"
She's-
He blinked and suddenly was staring at the roof of the interior of a helicopter. Shuffling and talking continued to his right and he quickly turned to see if it was Misty. It was Lorelei, and she noticed he was looking at her, "Holy crap! Ketchum! You're awake!"
She looked dreadful, deep bags under her eyes, covered in blood from human, Pokemon and Dominion, and had multiple bruises and gashes layered across her body. A nasty one in particular was etched down the left side of her torso.
"Don't move," she snapped at him as he tried to sit up, rushing to his side and placing a hand to keep him down. "We need to have someone take a look at you!"
"Misty," he stated. "Where is she?"
He was unable to read her expression, so he repeated, "Where. Is. She?"
"You really should have a Nurse Joy look at you first-"
"Where...is...she," his voice was now dangerously low, and she sighed.
"Alright, follow me." She stood up, heading out the side door of the chopper. Only now did he see who she was talking to. Ritchie, sporting a massive bandage on his head that wrapped over his eye. He shot Ash a quick, soft smile and said, "We did it."
Ash couldn't help but return the smile, and said, "I'll swing back by to see you."
Then he was out the door after Lorelei and into the still pouring rain. It was now morning, not that it mattered. Little sunlight penetrated through the clouds, giving them barely anything to see by. He noticed they were back down the halfway point of the mountain, where they had left the League Helicopters.
Dozens of people, no longer clad in their body armor, raced back and forth. Wielding flashlights and lanterns, Pokemon such as Raichu racing along beside them, illuminating the immediate area with more light. Rows upon rows of dead and wounded lined the hillside, some covered with makeshift blankets. The sight was sickening...another interesting note, the Legendary Pokemon were no where to be seen.
A Rocket barreled past him, his arms loaded with gauze and alcohol. Ash's eyes followed him for only a moment, then returned to the back of Lorelei. She led him through the rows, heading for the far side of the outside morgue. As they walked she said nothing, and his gaze continued to search through the rows of dead. Hoping beyond hope that he would not see his love among them.
A numbing tingle raced to his fingertips as he passed the body of Melody, her neck wound long since stopped gushing blood. Her eyes had been closed, and her hands placed on her chest in a peaceful fashion. Rushing past her body, helping to carry a wounded Korrina, was Clemont and Bonnie. Too hurried to glance Ash's direction. On they continued, and he passed many familiar faces among the dead; Cynthia, Whitney, Bugsy, Blaine.
He spotted Gary's amber hair, his friend kneeling beside one of the bodies. Rain dripped from Gary's face as he stared down at a dead man with a blank look in his eyes. It was then his heart stopped as Ash recognized who the dead man was...Professor Oak, with a large burn mark in his torso that tore deep into his chest cavity. Gary neither moved, nor seemed to be breathing, but Ash could tell he was. He could barely make out the tears hiding amongst the rain.
A honey blonde girl, with her arm in a sling and a bandage across her chest, stepped up to Gary. She knelt down, placing her knees in the mud beside the young researcher. Ash saw Serena's lips part and say something which he could not hear, and Gary reached up to wipe his eye. It was at the instant that Ash realized Professor Oak was a loss to everyone hear...he must've known hundreds of people in the Pokemon community...and how many of them died alongside him?
Ash continued on behind the Ice Master, spotting Cameron standing beside Max, an arm outstretched to the younger man's shoulder. On the ground behind them lay May...no...she couldn't be...she just moved! Slowly she tried to sit up, but Max pushed past Cameron and forced her back down. Thank God she was still alive, for a second there...
A little further down he saw a sight he would not have expected, no matter if he had even been told. The Three Sensational Sisters, or rather two of them. Daisy and Lily wailed into each other's arms over the lifeless body of Violet. Not far from them, Iris was standing behind Cilan with a grim expression on her face. Below her in the mud, the green haired man was clinging to Chili's lifeless form while Cress had his head buried into his hands. The purple haired Unovan caught Ash's eye and relief washed over her face. She gave him a swift nod before returning her attention to Cilan.
Lorelei led the raven haired man out of the rows of dead and towards another helicopter. Standing outside the door was Dawn, no longer wearing Lance's cape. She said Ash's name in relief and rushed to him, throwing herself into an embrace.
"I thought we'd lost you!" She cried, pulling him tight. He returned the embrace, giving her a wet pat on the back.
"Not yet," was all he said before he pulled away and watched Lorelei slide open the chopper door. She beckoned for him to enter, and he swallowed. His heart pounded against his chest, flooding his ears with the rapid thump thump of his anxiety. Misty was in there, alive or...gone. His foot took a great deal of force to push forward, but he stepped away from Dawn and into the chopper.
Brock was his first sight, cradling the two babies, who were sleeping peacefully in his arms. His longtime friend looked up and nodded, glad to see Ash alive. Then he motioned his head to the other side of the chopper, and smiled. Ash turned, seeing the backside of Nurse Joy, then the pink haired woman moved and there she was...the fiery red head he loved so much. Sitting up in a stretcher, in fresh, plain clothes, and cradling a bundle of blankets much in the same way Brock was.
She glanced up, her sparkling light blue eyes connecting with Ash's deep brown. Her relief was evident as tears began to swell up and trickle down her face. His chest burned with happiness as he saw the smile crack across her expression, and he quickly stepped to her side. Crouching down to be at eye level with her. Without a word, he swooped in and planted his lips against hers. Tasting that sweet, insane spark that she somehow gave him each time they kissed.
Dawn came into the chopper, sliding the door shut behind her. She beamed at the sight, imitating the few persons among them. Brock nudged Dawn with his foot and nodded to the blankets in Misty's arm. The Bluenette looked at them, then to Ash, then back to Brock with a shocked face, whispering, "He hasn't noticed?!" The spiky haired man shook his head with a smile.
Ash pulled away from Misty, resting his forehead against hers and heaving a great sigh, "I'm so glad you're ok."
"I'm glad YOU'RE ok," she corrected him. "Someone had to go play hero I've been told."
She was playfully scolding him, and he laughed. A soft, relieved laugh, "You know me."
"I do," she nodded and quickly recaptured his lips in another kiss. Once she pulled away, he noticed the blankets for the first time. She saw this, and a wide grin spread from ear to ear. "Do you want to hold her?"
His eyes bugged out, surely he hadn't heard that right? His neck cracked as he snapped his gaze back to her. She couldn't help but laugh at his face, and repeated, "Do you want to hold your daughter?"
"My-My-My...daughter?" He stammered quietly, once again examining the blankets and now seeing a tuft of thin black hair sticking out. Slowly he reached out and took the bundle from Misty, placing a palm under what must be the infants head. The blanket fell aside and he gasped aloud at how beautiful he found her. The baby looked up at him, oh how she looked exactly like Misty, but with wide brown eyes.
But wait...
He looked up, searching for an answer in her eyes. It had only been six months...and this baby looked far too healthy to be born THAT early...
Seeing the question in his eyes, Misty nodded. Resting a hand against his chest, she whispered only loud enough for him to hear, "She's early, but only by half a month."
Only half a month...so that could only mean...Misty had been pregnant before the Dominion's had even arrived! Which also meant...she was his! There was no doubt, the baby girl was wholly and utterly his!
A tear fell from his eye, and his lip began to quiver. He gazed down at the beautiful baby, smiling wide at those glossy brown eyes.
"Do you still want to name her Delia?" Misty asked him, and he nodded. "Then Delia it is."
Ash broke, but not in the ways he had. It wasn't a devastated cry, not a heartbroken one. It was joy, in the purest form. So much bad had happened, so many lay dead outside that helicopter, but in this moment he realized that it would all be worth it. They secured a future for life and love to continue. For the survivors to share in the same experience he himself was holding in his arms. It would take some time, and a lot of rebuilding, but they had done it. They had won.
Thunder clapped harshly, followed by multiple strikes of lightning. Screaming erupted outside the chopper, followed by monstrous roars of more thunder. Ash's chest tightened, fearing that Darkness or the Dominion's had somehow returned, but the chopper door flew open revealing Lance, wearing his cloak, and Lorelei breathing heavily.
"The storm is getting worse," Lance barked. "With no signs of slowing down. Multiple tornado's have been spotted further down the mountainside. We need to get Ash to Shamouti, right now!"
The realization that they weren't out of the woods just yet slammed back into him like a tidal wave! How could he have forgotten about the Shamouti Prophecy?!
"Then what are we waiting for?" Dawn nearly shouted. "Let's get going!"
Something came to Ash's mind, "It won't work..."
All eyes turned to him as his expression fell. Looking down at his newborn, he couldn't help but have his heart break at his failure, "I can place the Treasures on their pedestals, but...without Melody we can't restore balance. The Guardians Song has to be played and she's-"
He choked, he failed. After everything, the world was still going to be destroyed...
"I'll do it." He looked up to the red head before him, her eyes ablaze with determination, "I'll play that song Ash."
"You, remember it?"
"Of course," she told him. "I could never forget anything about that day, I'll play the song."
"You can play an Ocarina?"
She looked at him flatly, and he quickly remembered. Water Trainer, Sensational Sisters, Water Shows...duh.
"You have to rest," Nurse Joy cut in sharply. "You've just given birth and need time to heal."
"No disrespect Nurse Joy, but I was the only other one there that day and I'm the only one who can do it," Misty answered a little hotly. "I need to do it."
Joy opened her mouth to argue, but Lorelei interrupted, "We can debate the health of Miss Wateflower at another time, right now the world needs fixing so we can all live happily ever after."
She barged her way past Lance and into the helicopter, "I'll get us into the air and on course for Shamouti."
"We won't make it in time," Brock spoke up. "The Orange Islands are too far. The weather will surely tear us out of the sky before we reach them."
"I've got that worked around," Lance said with a wry smile, and Mew flew around from behind his back into the cabin.
"Mew!" It squeaked at Ash happily, zooming up to get a closer look at Delia with wide blue eyes.
"Mew can take only those who are essential," Lance told them. "And get there much faster."
"What about the Treasures?!" Ash suddenly spewed. "I lost them in the mud!"
"Already taken care of," the Dragon Master remarked, whipping them out of a pocket in his cape.
Ash's heart lit up, they still had a chance! "What are we waiting for?!"
"Mew! Mewmewmewmew!" The Legendary waved its arms at Ash, then motioned outside the chopper.
"Should I follow you?" He asked.
Mew nodded and zipped outside into the rain. Ash handed Delia back over to Misty and said, "I'll just be a second."
She acknowledged him and urged him to hurry as he hopped outside into the mud. Lance followed him as he followed Mew, heading towards the edge of the rows of dead People and Pokemon.
Mew stopped and pointed up ahead with a squeak. Following its direction, Ash noticed a strange sight. Lugia speaking with his Charizard away from the League's makeshift morgue. Mew pointed a few more times, then zoomed away, back into the crowd of dead.
"I think it wants you to go see Lugia," Lance noted.
"Guess I should," he replied, and proceeded through the rain towards the Sea Guardian.
Lugia looked up as he approached, and immediately began to speak, "Chosen One, time is of the essence so I will get right to the point. When your friends were claiming the Treasures, the Guardian of Fire, Moltres, was slain by the Dominion Horde. A new Guardian must be appointed before balance can be restored."
"A new Guardian of Fire," Ash repeated. "There has to be one?"
"Yes, and your friend here has offered himself," Lugia nodded to Charizard, and Ash's jaw dropped.
"Charizard," he said slowly. "But...you can't fly anymore."
The fire type snorted as if to say, 'So? I can do it!'
"Only the Soul of Fire can determine who is worthy to take on the mantle," Lugia added.
"Is that why this little pink fuzzball is pushing me?" Gary said from behind Ash, and sure enough, Mew was frantically pushing the researcher towards them.
"Indeed," Lugia said. "You must choose a Soul worthy enough to replace my fallen brethren."
Gary stopped beside Ash and Lance, casting a glance up to Lugia and then over to Charizard. He then turned to Ash, and said, "I've never seen another Charizard quite like yours Ashy. He's loyal, fierce, and an all around good Pokemon. He went toe to toe with Darkness just to defend you, if that doesn't scream worthy Soul of a Fire Pokemon, then I don't know what does."
Charizard roared and spread its shredded wings, looking down at its trainer with determined fire in its eyes. Ash looked from Charizard, to Gary, then back to his Pokemon. He sighed, "It's not up to me. It's up to Mr. Soul of Fire here."
He smiled softly at his longtime Pokemon friend, and if Ash didn't know better, he swear Charizard smiled at him with the utmost respect.
"So how do I do it?" Gary asked Lugia, who replied, "Hand Charizard the Fire Treasure. Only from your hands will the essence of Fire flow from the Treasure into the worthy."
Lance fished out the red sphere from his cape and handed it to Gary. He took it and turned to the Fire Pokemon. His respect for Charizard grew even higher as he noticed the Pokemon was fighting off the winces of pain the rain was causing it to have.
"There's no other Fire type worthy of this," Gary said, and placed the Fire Orb into Charizard's hands. The Sphere lit up brightly, a flame igniting around it and growing until it completely enveloped Charizard. Before their very eyes, the Pokemon began to grow in size, the rips and tears in its wings healing over. In a matter of seconds Charizard now stood nearly seven foot taller than Ash's head, with a wingspan of roughly 30-40 feet.
"I didn't think he'd get a growth spurt!" Gary said in awe.
"Wow buddy," Ash said in the same tone. "You certainly got bigger."
Charizard roared triumphantly and blew flames into the sky. Some things would never change.
"Now hurry!" Lugia said urgently. "You must restore balance while there is still time!"
Ash nodded and took the Fire Treasure back from Charizard, then he turned to Gary and Lance and said, "Let's go!"
One step away, Gary spoke, "You go, I'm staying here with Gramps..."
Understanding, Ash nodded to his childhood friend, placing a palm on shoulder. With a gentle squeeze, he was then off once again. Running through the mud with Lance and Mew on his heels. He slid to a stop outside the chopper and pulled open the door, throwing himself inside. Misty sat up as he entered, and asked, "Are we ready?"
"Yea, let's go."
The new mother swiftly, but carefully, handed Delia over to Nurse Joy and said, "Take good care of her."
Then she went to get out of bed, but had some major trouble doing so. She grunted from the effort and Ash rushed to help her, so did Dawn.
"What?" She said at his look. "I'm going too. She'll need some more help."
Once the two of them had Misty standing between them, balancing her wobbly legs between them both, Mew swooped over and placed its paws on Ash's shoulder. Lance hurriedly reached out and took Dawn's hand. With a quick flash of pink, Brock, his babies, Lorelei, and Nurse Joy holding Delia were left alone inside the helicopter.
Thunder clapped, lightning flashed, Tornado's roared, and rain slapped their backs as the group suddenly found themselves standing before the very altar on Shamouti Ash and Misty had found themselves at so long ago. The weather here was far worse than in Sinnoh, with snow having been turned to solid ice. Standing on the edge of he island, Ash could see the ocean was once again frozen solid, and the massive Torando's raging in the distance. A rainbow colored aurora flittered across the sky as lightning flashed and struck almost continuously. The wind stung against their skin, making the rain feel razor sharp. Mew grunted and was almost blown away, but Lance reached up and caught the Pokemon just in time.
"Give me the Treasures!" Ash shouted over the screaming wind, his hair slapping and whipping into his face. Lance shoved one hand into his pocket and fished out the remaining two, quickly handing them over to Ash. Mew squeaked and its eyes lit up, teleporting an Ocarina into Misty's hands. Thank goodness, because Ash hadn't thought about how they would get ahold of one.
"I've got Misty!" Dawn yelled to him. "You go!"
He shouted an ok that went unheard, and unwillingly he let go of Misty to race for the altar. The ice was slippery, and he barely held himself up as he slid to a stop before the stone structure. Placing a hand against it to keep his balance, he reached inside and placed the Fire Treasure on its stand. Just like the last time he had done this, he said, "Fire Island."
Then, "Lightning Island."
Followed by, "Ice Island."
One by one he placed the three Treasures into their slots, giving a look past them to their respective islands in the distance. The three spheres lit up, exploding a light show exactly as he remembered. A colorful display of red's, blue's, and yellow's. Feintly, behind him, he could hear Misty begin to play the Ocarina. She was right about her remembering the tune, it was exactly how he recalled.
The sweet, elegant melody penetrated through the raging storm, softening the anxiety in each of their hearts. It wasn't long before the weather began to lighten, and the first crack of sunlight burst through the clouds. One by one, the Tornado's in the distance faded to nothing, and soon the wind was no more than a mere breeze. The thunder and lightning ceased, an odd thing to hear for Ash. Seeing as he had grown so accustomed to it over the last few months. Dawn awed over how swiftly things were clearing, her jaw dropping open at the sight of the Suns rays casting their way down to the water.
Finally the clouds broke, and vanished entirely, leaving behind a bright blue sky and gleaming sun. A sight Ash was sure he was never going to have seen again. It was remarkable.
Misty continued to play, and the underwater current exploded from the oceans surface, rising high above the islands and flowing in its beautiful swirling motion. If Dawn and Lance had been in awe before, it was nothing compared to see that amazing sight before them. Ash watched it in just as much wonder, remembering the feeling of the breeze as he and Pikachu soared through the sky on Lugia's back.
As Misty stopped playing the Ocarina, the current fell back into the ocean, vanishing beneath the waves. Her hands fell to her sides and she was breathing slightly harder than normal, but had a grin on her face. Ash turned to face her, the same happy expression covering his.
For a moment, not a word was said, not a peep was made. The four stood there, feeling the sun on their wet skin, feeing the gentle breeze off the ocean, knowing deep down that it was all finally over.
Dawn spoke first, "So, that was awesome."
And they laughed, bursting into tears. Not because it was that hilarious, but because it was all FINALLY over! They COULD laugh, they could cry, they could look forward to a future that was uncertain, but guaranteed.
As their laughter died off, the four caught the eyes of their other. Ash feeling his heartbeat wildly as he looked into Misty's sparkling, happy eyes. Remembering a time when he first realized just how beautiful they were. Dawn was entranced in Lance's dark and powerful gaze. Realizing that she had kissed him and he had yet to say anything about it.
"Um," she began, but he cut her off by placing his lips on hers. It was a quick kiss, but enough to make Dawn blush wildly, and giggle like a little girl.
Ash reveled in the sight, reveled in the fact that love had prevailed through everything that had happened. Reveled in the fact that he, HE, had a daughter waiting for him and Misty back in Sinnoh, and that they had a future together. A future where they could raise Delia, maybe even have more children! What a thought!
And that was when he found the answer to his question. The answer to why he had returned home to begin with. During their time in Sinnoh, on the run from Dominion's, Ash had asked himself if he would return to traveling the world again. If he could find it within to see the same joy he once had in the adventures.
What was the answer? Misty. Why did he no longer feel the urge to travel the world? Misty. Why had he came home? Misty. Even if he hadn't know the reason why, something had been calling him home, and only now could he see that it was to be with this beautiful, fiery, red headed woman.
He smiled wide as she started to turn a red hue from his constant, unbreaking gaze towards her.
"Oh! Misty," Lance suddenly said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a PokeBall. "I believe this belongs to you."
"Gyarados!" She exclaimed, excitedly taking the Ball from the Dragon Master. "Thank you Lance."
He smiled, "He's a little banged up, but in good health. I wouldn't be standing here without him."
Ash smiled even wider at the exchange, but felt a pang of sadness also. A large part of his heart yearned for the chance to be reunited with Pikachu, to hear the happy little mouse squeal for his trainer. This could not be, and it was this that made Ash realize something else.
This was the end of his Pokemon Journey, but it marked the beginning of a whole new journey. A long life with Misty. He could handle that, and Pikachu, along with all of his fallen friends and Pokemon, would be proud of him. He smiled once more, a softer, more wise smile. His eyes caught Misty's once more, and he began his walk towards her, towards a brand new journey.
Red bolted awake as someone slammed their fists against his door. Repeatedly, loudly. Beside him, a smaller frame stirred in bed, rustling the covers until a beautiful blonde popped out.
"I'm feeding whoever that is to the Sandshrew," Domino growled as she sat up, the blanket sliding off her naked body.
"I'll handle it," Red told her, getting up and not bothering to cover himself. Hoping to force whoever it was to be uncomfortable. Throwing open the bedroom door, he growled, "What?"
On the other side, a female, black haired Rocket Grunt quickly averted her eyes from the naked man before her. She stammered, "We've just received word that Matilda is dead, and all mainland Rocket's have abandoned the organization. Sir."
Domino quickly sat up straighter, pulling the blanket to hide herself. Red's angry expression fell, and he asked, "What of the League?"
"They are still functioning, and to all of our knowledge, have defeated the Dominion's," the Grunt said quickly.
"Defeated the Dominion's," Domino repeated, getting out of the bed. Her expression in disbelief.
"Thank you Grunt," Red said slowly. "Return to your duties. We will announce our next steps shortly."
And he shut the door, turning back to Domino.
"The time is now," he said, and her brow shot up.
"Now? Team Rocket is dead," she exclaimed. "Without the mainlands resources, we can't keep our operation afloat."
"The Sevii Islands have plenty of resources," Red told her. "We'll just have to borrow them."
Domino bit her lip, "Richard, I agreed to help you...but the League will surely find out and shut us down. Then what?"
"They won't," he said. "I'll make sure of it."
He stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her and embracing her close, "My-Our plan can still come to pass. With a bit more time and patience, we can make the League pay for what they've done. Giovanni can still be avenged."
She listened to his tone, how soothing he was, and so sure. "Ok, I'm behind you."
Red smiled. It had been a few months since he had first met Domino, and at first he planned to dispose of her and take over the Rocket Sevvii Island base himself. Over time he grew an attachment for her, and even trusted her with the information that he was not a Rocket, and that he had a plan to bring them down along with the League. She accepted him for who he was and what he planned, offering her own help.
"Now get back into that bed," Red told her. "I'm going to make you scream my name before we start our new world order."
Sorry for the later than usual update, I was in Hawaii for a week and didn't work on this at all :p
Before I say anymore, a few words to some of you.
SpencerDorman - How close you were to guessing the final showdown of Ash vs Darkness was kinda scary :p
JordanMax - BIG shoutout to you! I think you've followed this story since the very beginning. The excitement you had for each chapter was amazing. Thank you for the support!
Aaml mania - Shout out to you too! Pretty sure you've been around nearly as long as JordanMax. Thank you as well!
Dawny1999 - You were incredible support also! It's a wonderful feeling when someone is so passionate for something you create :) you're awesome!
Cake0108 - Not sure why, but your reviews always gave me a good chuckle. Thanks for enjoying this story, and I hope you continue to make me laugh in the future works!
Also to ALL of my other reviewers, ALL of you guest readers, or to those of you who haven't reviewed...THANK YOU ALL! Each and every one of you were wonderful, and I sincerely appreciate the reviews and the views. I hope each and every one of you come back for the future works and enjoy them just as much.
So, that's that! We've reached the End of the Journey (see what I did there?) I hope everyone enjoyed it and is as happy with the ending as I am. I hope I had you on the edge of your seats, anticipation high, wondering who was going to live, to die. It was a roller coaster of emotions for me from start to finish, and I can't believe it's done. I'm super proud of the character development in all of my characters, and I hope everyone else is too. This is so sad! But at the same time, I'm so excited! This means I can move on to the next project that I've been swirling around in my brain. And if you haven't guessed it yet...IT'S A SEQUEL! Woohoo!
Yes, the next story will follow the plot thread of those mutant Sandshrew. What Red's plan is, and how they factor into that. So stay tuned for all that fun stuff! The story will more than likely focus heavily on our heroes kids, and how they handle the adventure. Exciting stuff :)
Another thing, an idea that kind of popped into my head. Alongside the sequel, I'll be working on a series of One Shots. Well, not really One Shots, but you can call them that if you like. I'll be referring to them as mini stories. They will take place within the same continuity as "End of the Journey" and the sequel. Example, one story may be about baby Delia turning ten and starting her Journey, or maybe we can go back a few years and visit Kyle and Lance as they do League stuff.
The Sequel will be called "Pokemon: Dead Islands"
And the Mini Stories will be called "Pokemon: Next Generation"
I hope everyone is excited for the upcoming stuff, and I look forward to hearing what everyone thinks!
One last note, there will be an epilogue! I repeat, there will be an epilogue :)
As always, let me know what everyone thought! Don't be shy, give me the good, the bad. Let me know what you thought of the final chapter, and tell me what you thought of the entire story as a whole. What you liked, didn't like. Be tough! Be kind! Be...opinionated! Haha