Episode 58: The Stars of Victory.
This episode I will attempt to bring an end to the war with the following being the return to their adventure through the Unova region. It will also start with a flashback as well.
"Raichu, I need you to stay here for me, I need you to look after the girls for me," Ash told his starter pokemon while looking over his shoulder to see Salvia giving Madeline some food, the trainer looked outside to see his legendary pokemon resting on the ground, 'in the next fight, I cannot have those two in any form of danger,' Ash thought while returning his attention to his starter pokemon before sensing the presence of his father-in-law behind him, "you know I sense that I will be the spearhead of the next stage of this war," Ash stated while the king heard the trainers words with awe.
Brian looked away knowing that it would concern his daughter greatly, "yes you are, and I will be helping out with Latios at the same time," the king decreed with a heavy feeling.
Ash shook his head and pet his Raichu on his head, "no, just in case I need you to stay here, to keep Salvia and Madeline out of the next battle," Ash told the king who looked at the trainer with disbelief.
"Going alone? That's foolish of you," Brian whispered as to not get the attention of his daughter and Madeline.
Ash laughed slightly knowing that the king was right, "well I am reckless after all, but I promise not to do anything that would cause your daughter any amount of pain," Ash replied with his promise to his father-in-law. Ash looked up to see Salvia trying to give Madeline a plate filled with vegetables, Ash watched the little girl refuse while pushing the plate away, 'plus I doubt Madeline would be happy if she found out about the next part of the plan,' Ash thought while Salvia tried to force the vegetables into the girls mouth, but Madeline refused to open her mouth, "hey Madeline!" Ash yelled out.
"What?" Madeline replied before having a carrot pushed into her mouth, the little girl immediately spat the carrot out while glaring at the laughing princess, "what are you trying to do poison me? I will never eat my vegetables!" Madeline angrily remarked while then turning to Ash who was laughing at her.
"Come on Madeline, you need to eat your vegetables, otherwise you might end up getting sick," Ash replied while walking towards the table, Ash picked up a piece of Broccoli and placed it in his mouth, he chewed the vegetable and swallowed it quickly, "see, I am still alive," Ash joked while trying to get the girl to eat her vegetables.
"That's right Madeline, we all must eat our vegetables and fruit every day," Salvia commented with a smile, she grabbed the carrot and handed it to the little girl, "come on Madeline, it isn't that bad," Salvia assured the girl with a bright smile.
Meanwhile Brian was watching Ash and Salvia trying to talk Madeline into eating her vegetables, 'those three get along really well,' he thought while thinking about how close they were, "I wonder what Ash and Salvia's plans are after the Master's challenge will be," the king thought out loud while watching Madeline eating her vegetables.
"That wasn't so bad," Madeline stated while looking at the plate of vegetables.
"Ash and Salvia seem to have a good influence on her, too bad they can't teach her any manners," Brian reminded himself as he turned around to see his friend standing behind him, "Colin, we have a change of plans," Brian decreed with a proud smile.
"Sire, why don't you admit that Madeline is a good girl? Regardless of her lack of manners, she seems to keep Ash and Salvia really close," Colin stated with a cheeky grin.
Brian sniggered knowing that his friend was right about his actions, "I guess it's pride that's getting in my way, or the fact that it makes me feel older than I already am," Brian laughed at himself with shame, "Ash will be going in alone," Brian told the shocked royal guard.
"But, that's almost suicide," Colin stated while looking over to his friend with a concerned expression, before turning his attention to Ash and Salvia whowere having a laugh at the expense of Madeline, "how do you think the princess will take it?" Colin asked with worry as he watched the trio laughing at one of Ash's jokes not knowing what was being said by Colin and the king.
"Not well I suspect, I am staying to make sure that those two stay here, plus I am guess Ash will leave his Raichu here to keep Salvia and Madeline protected," Brian stated while walking passed a group of Ash's friends who were concerned about the conversation between him and his friend, "we will wait for our chance to attack," Brian instructed still feeling a little uneasy about his change of plans.
(1 hour later)
Brian walked up to Ash who was standing outside the Pokemon Center with his pokeball in hand, "Ash, I am entrusting Latios to you," Brian stated while handing over the legendries pokeball to Ash.
Ash grabbed the pokeball and smiled at his father-in-law, "extra incentive to return I guess," Ash questioned the king with a smile.
"I don't need to give you that extra incentive, you already have that," Brian returned with a smile while Ash looked over his shoulder to see Salvia standing near the entrance of the medical facility, "I told her what you were planning, but I have faith in your safe return," Brian stated calmly before turning back towards the Pokemon Center.
"I have heard rumours of a rare pokemon, I want to see it for myself," Salvia stated with a nervous grin, she turned around to see the lighthouse in the distance, pointing towards it with her right hand she looked to the ground and started to shake, "Ash, I will wait for you," Salvia promised while crossing her arms not wanting to show Ash her fearful expression.
"Dad, I know he wants to do this alone, but I will be involved in the final battle of this region, whether he likes it or not," Salvia whispered while her father nodded with a proud smile.
"Salvia, you have become a very strong person, perhaps stronger than me," Brian professed proudly while standing next to his daughter seeing Ash talking to his legendary pokemon, "I want you to keep getting stronger, no matter how long it takes you, see the sites of the world, Ash is the one that can do that, not me or Colin," Brian told his daughter while putting his arm around his daughter.
"Dad, you haven't done that in years, is it now that you are getting softer, more caring for your own family?" Salvia asked her dad with a smile.
"As a leader I cannot be shown as soft, even to my own family, but even I know that this façade must come to an end someday, I love my family and I am proud to consider Ash and Madeline apart of," Brian admitted with a prideful smile as he looked back to see a tearful girl standing behind him.
"So the king is a real big softy?" Madeline questioned the king while trying to build up a smile, "don't think for a second that I will be your foster daughter, because that role has already been taken," Madeline said harshly as she crossed her arms and tuned her head away, the king started to laugh and messed up Madeline's hair, "not you too!" Madeline screamed out much to the delight of Salvia.
(End of Flashback)
"Reshiram full speed ahead," Ash instructed his pokemon, while he thought about Salvia and Madeline, 'I will not let them down, my friends and my family,' Ash thought while spotting the city ahead of him and his legendary pokemon, he pulled out the borrowed pokeball and nodded ready to start the first wave of the battle on his own, he looked towards the distance to see Team Magma getting ready to make their move against the enemy, 'they shouldn't have too many more men left over, this is Reshiram, let's end this war!' Ash told his pokemon before it formed a powerful ball of blue flames, lowering its head and sending a powerful stream of bluish white flames towards the ground.
'You're right, leading from the front, time to end this pointless war,' Reshiram told Ash telepathically while another large dragon zoomed up to Ash, 'Zekrom, it seems like we will be fighting side by side again,' Reshiram stated in a pleased tone.
"Don't think you can fight this alone Ash, I will be helping out, Hilda and Hilbert will also be involved as well," N confirmed the presence of Ash two other friends, he looked back to see the Unova royals approaching the battle.
"Somehow I knew that I wouldn't be doing this alone, but at least I have my friends," Ash replied happily while his thoughts soon turned towards his mother who he knew was in the city and then towards his new family, "Salvia, Madeline, I will be back I promise," Ash declared while his pokemon charged towards the ground with Zekrom charging towards the enemies with an electrically charged fist, before landing in the area, Zekrom sent a large wave of energy in every direction sending member of the enemy forces flying in every direction.
Meanwhile four pokemon appeared from the forest's entrance preventing any Plasma and Rocket soldiers from leaving the battle, 'no more, no more hurting people and pokemon, we four shall bring you to justice,'Cobalion decreed while the four swords of Justice leapt off in every direction to capture the remaining enemy forces.
Ash looked back and smiled to see the enemy forces dwindling, but that was soon erased with the full force of Chris'army appearing in front of him, "so it seems like they had a few extras," Ash commented while his mighty pokemon let out a powerful roar.
"So you intend to finish this war here, you truly are a pitiful tactician," Chris stated while sneering at Ash.
"Tactics were never really my strong point, I prefer to call it a gamble," Ash replied with a cheeky grin.
'Bring Darkrai out now,' a voice called out to Chris who obliged with the pokemon, Mewtwo landed in front of Ash and got ready to face the legendary dark type pokemon, 'Darkrai we finish this now,' Mewtwo demanded of the powerful legendary pokemon with great confidence.
Ash noticed an injury from the previous battle against Darkrai, "Mewtwo, you're still injured," Ash gasped in shock as the pokemon hovered towards the battle, he watched as the legendary pokemon charged towards one another not flinching.
'Yes I know, but Darkrai isn't one hundred percent either,' Mewtwo confirmed with a smile, the two pokemon fired their attacks at one another causing a massive shockwave that sent the two injured legendries flying towards the buildings in opposite directions.
Ash turned his attention back towards the leader of the opposing forces, "well then, I have a few surprises for you Chris, Team Magma, it's time," Ash called out for his reinforcements shocking Chris greatly, the Magma forces appeared and attacked the remaining forces of Team Plasma and Team Rocket.
"I also have a small surprise as well, the Plasma people who are loyal to me," N pointed out as a small force of Plasma grunts appeared behind him with an elderly man wearing mostly brown and sporting a thick moustache.
"Now is the time men, bring an end to this war," Said a man wearing a bandana, with a black shirt and pants, the Team Aqua forces attacked the remaining forces of Chris's army leaving the enemy crippled, "Chris, you are surrounded, outnumbered and outclassed, surrender now," Archie remarked while the man pulled out two more of his pokeballs glaring at his foes, he threw out his two pokeballs calling out Kyurem and Suicune, he then clicked his fingers with a hypnotised Delia coming to his side, "what is he planning?" Archie asked while seeing a seething Ash glaring at Chris who was still in control of his mother.
"It ends here Chris, I will save my mother even if it means…" Ash cringed at the possibility of what he might have to do, "no, I refuse it, there is no way I would do something like that," Ash commented clenching his fists and the five legendary pokemon glaring at his Reshiram, Ash watched as three more legendary pokemon appeared next to his dragon. "Salvia's dad entrusted me with this pokemon, so there is no room for Failure, Latios I choose you!" Ash called out for yet another dragon type pokemon, the ten legendary pokemon stood in the middle of the city ready to face off against one another, "you guys deal with the Kami Trio, Chris and his pokemon are mine," Ash growled while turning his attention to his mother, "and after I deal with you Chris, you're next mother," Ash decreed with a stern expression causing the enemy leader to stare in shock.
"What you would even defeat your own mother in battle ad not hold back?" Chris asked in disbelief knowing that Ash was more determined than ever, he started to tremble knowing that something was up, why the trainer was so determined in such a gloomy situation was beyond him, he stepped back knowing that his fear was starting to become realised, "what's going on, you and Salvia are showing the same confidence, what are you hiding?" Chris asked the trainer with his fists clenched, "this war was to lure out my brother and forcing him to surrender the throne to me," Chris admitted with a dark grin but still his fear was too much for him to handle.
"You want to know, don't you Chris? Or should I call you Uncle Chris?" Ash asked with a playful grin.
"What you lie, Salvia is only seventeen, she isn't at the right age to marry you," Chris returned with a shocked expression, which soon turned to a smile, "you're bluffing, there is no way, you need to be of royal blood," Chris pointed out while sneering at Ash.
"Wow, that's a new one coming from you that is, you did exact same thing to my mother who isn't of royal blood either, but you did it for greed," Ash commented while pulling out his wedding ring from his pocket, "I did it to protect the Sinnoh Kingdom and I did it for Salvia," Ash explained his reasoning behind the ring.
"What do you mean?" Chris asked while the legendary pokemon from both sides crashed into one another sending a shockwave in all directions, the two trainers stood their ground while Delia feel to the ground, "you two are now cousins!" Chris stated with a dark grin still thinking that Ash was bluffing from what he was saying.
"No, she isn't my cousin, just because you seem to think that when you forced my mother into marrying you against her will, it doesn't change a thing between me and your niece," Ash replied while the legendary pokemon continued to battle against one another, the winds from the Kami Trio caused the other legendary pokemon to fall back but it wasn't enough to stop them from going on with the battle while the two pokemon from Ash and Chris continued to battle around them as they stood their ground, "now you want to know about that law right?" Ash questioned the opposing trainer with a smug look in his eyes.
"Salvia did say something about a law," Chris asked in a more composed manner.
"So, Salvia almost spilt the beans, well then I shall tell you right here and now, as you know this war is over," Ash commented while the ten legendries continued to fight against one another with the Kami Trio fell to the ground while Delia continued to coldly look at her foes. "You see the law that I am talking about was put in place to protect the throne from you," Ash commented with a grin, Ash smirked at the shocked leader knowing that had Chris' attention, "a law that was set up the day Salvia entered this world," Ash confirmed with a cheeky grin.
"You mean my parents set up a rule that only effect my niece?" Chris asked with shock.
Ash clapped to congratulate the man he was facing in battle, "so it finally clicks, that's right and if that law is used, any attempt you make to take the throne in any way is rendered useless," Ash remarked with a chuckle while the opposing trainer looked to the ground shocked at what was going on, "now you maybe asking why I am saying this, because the answer is simple, I will protect the Sinnoh Kingdom even from….. my own mother if the need is there," Ash remarked with slight hesitation leaving the man in shock at what he had just heard, "enough talk this war is now over, Reshiram attack Kyurem with Fusion Flare, Latios attack Suicune with Lustre Purge!" Ash instructed the two mighty legendary pokemon.
Suicune landed and was hit by a powerful purple beam emanating from the dragon type pokemon, while the other dragon type formed a ball of flames with a flaming cross surrounding it, the attack was cannoned into the boundary pokemon with incredible force knocking it back, the two opposing pokemon began to pant while Darkrai crashed into Suicune knocking it out of the battle, Mewtwo hovered in front of Ash's two pokemon before the sounds of another battle broke out behind him, Kyurem looked up with Chris smirking at the trainer.
"What is he planning?" Ash asked himself while Kyurem started to glow a pure white.
'Ash, this is Absofusion, meaning that Zekrom or me could become one with Kyurem, if that were the case don't hesitate to defeat it,'Reshiram instructed Ash as he watched the powerful dragon aim its tendrils towards Zekrom, 'so Kyurem is aiming for the unsuspecting Zekrom,' Reshiram stated while unleashing a powerful pulse of energy towards the dragon type pokemon, but as the attack landed Kyurem succeeded in taking the deep black pokemon absorbing it into its being.
"Crap, he managed to," Ash hissed while watching the dragon type pokemon changing its forme, one black arm with one icy arm a turbine like tail and a black face appeared in front of the two, the more powerful pokemon stared at the three pokemon and got ready to attack them, the pokemon put its claws together and formed a ball of ice with lightning surrounding it, "what is this move?" Ash asked as it sent the ball of iced towards the three pokemon.
'That's Freeze Shock, we must hurry,' Reshiram told the trainer.
"Right Reshiram, attack with Blue Flare, Latios attack with Dragon Pulse," Ash instructed the two pokemon under his command.
'And I will attack with Psystrike,' Mewtwo declared while using a powerful psychic wave on Kyurem, Reshiram flew up and formed a large ball of blue flames, its tail started to sprout out a vortex of red flames before lowering its head to send a powerful stream of blue flames towards the legendary pokemon as Latios sent a blast of dragonic energy towards the still charging Kyurem, the three attacks landed causing a massive crater in the impact zone Ash waited for the smoke, dust and rubble to settle down to see the results of the attack.
Ash crossed his finger hoping that the attacks were successful, 'come if I win this battle, this war for Unova is over,' Ash thought while seeing Zekrom flying away from the battle, injured from the attack, "yes we did it," Ash commented before being hit by a stray attack from the dust and smoke, "what just happened?" Ash asked while his right arm froze, Reshiram knew that if it didn't quickly use the flames that it would lose Ash in this battle and knew that Salvia would be extremely upset with the loss of her prince.
"Victini, help Ash out now," a familiar voice instructed a small pokemon, a pokemon with a red v shape ears and a mostly cream body appeared and saved Ash from the increasing ice forming around his body, "I will not let anything happen to Ash, not as long as I am here," she said with a confident grin.
"That's it Salvia you tell them," said another female voice as she cheered on the royal.
"Salvia, Madeline, what are you two doing here?" Ash asked in shock while falling to the ground.
Madeline walked over to Ash and slammed her foot down on his right foot, "saving your ass, that's what we're doing," Madeline replied with a cheeky grin.
Ash looked up to the bluenette with a proud smile, he noticed the small red and cream pokemon hovering next to Salvia, "well I guess I am just that useless, especially since I am being saved by you," Ash said with a submissive smile. Ash nodded knowing that Madeline was right about his being saved by them, "so when did you get Victini," Ash asked his wife with a proud smile.
"About an hour ago," Salvia replied blissfully knowing that her uncle still hadn't given up in this battle.
"I refuse to lose, I don't need Darkrai anymore anyway," Chris decreed while taking Darkrai's pokeball and throwing it onto the ground before smashing it beneath his feet, "I will find a way to rule this world, I will rebuild my army and strike back but with thousand times the power I have now," Chris said while climbing onto his legendary pokemon, he quickly instructed Delia to climb onto the legendary pokemon leaving behind the injured Kami trio and recalling his Suicune, "don't think this is over yet, my plans will come into fruition," Chris laughed while flying away with his dragon type pokemon.
"Coward, escaping from a battle that was far from over!" Ash yelled out, his fists clenched in rage and looking around to see the allied forces capturing the leaders of Team Plasma and Team Rocket, "alright take the prisoners away from this city," Ash ordered the allies with an angered expression, knowing that he was so close to saving his mother.
"Ash must be hurting," Salvia thought out loud, feeling guilty that Ash was almost within reach of saving his mother.
"Nothing to worry about, we won the war, but I doubt your uncle will be giving up anytime soon, I might even have to do the unthinkable to save my mother," Ash replied while explaining the direness of the situation to the princess who walked up to him, she placed her hand on the trainers face and smiled at him, "my dad always said that a leader must make the toughest choices, I know that when that time comes, that you will have to make that choice," Salvia said while trying to encourage Ash.
"Yes you're right, both you and dad are expecting a lot from me," Ash replied while placing his hand over the princess', he took her hand walked towards the king who's men had captured the rest of the enemies, 'mom, I hope you're doing just fine,' Ash thought while looking back at the smouldering city and the injured Darkrai, "Salvia I am going to help out Darkrai," Ash said with a smile before letting go of her hand, the prince walked over to the pitch black pokemon and stared into its blue eye, "so what do you intend to do now? You're free from that bastard," Ash questioned the dark type pokemon with a smile.
'I committed so many crimes under his command, and I feel responsible for what happened to your mother,' Darkrai replied while looking away, the dark pokemon tried to get up but soon collapsed from its injuries.
"Come with me, I can help you redeem yourself, but you need to give me that chance," Ash told the dark type with his hand extended out. The people from the army surrounded Ash and Darkrai, "become Chris's nightmare, I am willing to bet that you want to settle the score with him, after you do that I will release you back into the wild, you have my word," Ash promised the legendary pokemon while pulling out his pokeball to offer Darkrai a second chance, "that or face Mewtwo in battle again," Ash joked with a cynical smile.
'With that sense of humour I can easily refuse, but then again you're right, I have a score to settle against Chris, so count me in,' Darkrai acknowledged while tapping the pokeball, the ball opened up and immediately signified the capture of the legendary pokemon.
Ash walked up to Salvia and Madeline sighing with relief knowing that they had a powerful new ally, it was time to help rebuild the region after the war, "finally this madness is over, now it's time to rebuild this region!" Ash yelled out while causing the crowd of men to cheer on the trainer leaving Salvia in awe with Ash's aura.
Salvia walked next to Ash and grabbed his hand, "if we can work together the people who lost their homes will be happy again, so let's put a smile on their faces," Salvia told the soldier with equal confidence to Ash.
"Right and my first stop is in Himilau City where there are refugees that need a smile," Ash commented with a grin while looking over to his legendary pokemon with a knowing smile.
"Ash, Salvia and Madeline, leave the rebuilding to me and the rest of our allies, focus on the Master's Challenge and saving Delia," Brian stated with a proud grin as he turned around to help with the rebuilding, it was then that three dark shadows appeared behind him.
Ash tried to catch up but it was too late, the Shadow Triad had taken their target, "Brian no!" Ash yelled out in horror, he quickly ran up to the man who had been stabbed in the back multiple times, each by the three shadows, "The Shadow Triad, the cowards, they will pay for this," Ash said while kneeling down next to the kings body.
Salvia collapsed next to her father, "dad, no, we were finally getting closer as a family, you can't leave me and mom," Salvia cried as her father placed his hand on her face, he cleared up the tears while Madeline started to cry lost for words knowing that the man she was in a rivalry with was soon to leave this world.
"No old man, you still need to keep your promise to being at your daughter's wedding to Ash again," Madeline cried while sitting on the ground.
"No, I will be there, I was expecting something this to happen," Brian replied with a smile.
"Sire, no, what will I tell the queen now?" Colin asked the king with tears flowing from his face.
Brian smiled at his old friend and gave him thumbs up, "look after these three, Ash, stop my brother, please make my daughter the happiest queen in the world," Brian instructed Ash before his arms fell from his daughter's face passing away from with a smile on his face.
Salvia screamed out after the loss of her father, "Dad, no, don't leave me," Salvia cried while crying over his lifeless body.
Ash still coming to terms with the last request of King Brian knew what he needed to do, he got to his feet and looked towards the sunset, "Shadow Triad, Chris, I have a score to settle with you," Ash swore his revenge on the people who were responsible for the kings death, he clenched his fists angrily and looked over to his legendary pokemon before seeing four more pokemon approaching the kings body.
'For this act of cowardice, we the swords of Justice swear allegiance to the Sinnoh Kingdom,' the four pokemon decreed while forming the swords from their heads, they crossed their swords over the kings body an knelt down in respect.
'I too have a score to settle with Chris, I Mewtwo, will be helping out as much as possible, then there is the Shadow Triad, they will be made to pay as well,' Mewtwo promised while floating over the crowd before noticing the Kami Trio flying off towards where Delia and Chris went to, 'I will follow them,' Mewtwo decreed while flying off towards the distance to chase after the Kami Trio.
Ash took a blanket and wrapped it around his young wife, she fell asleep crying for her father, Ash picked her up and carried her away, "I will make sure you stay safe," Ash stated with a frown while keeping the bluenette close to him in a tightening grasp followed by Madeline and Raichu, "Colin, I am leaving the rest to you," Ash said while looking over his shoulder to see his friend nodding in approval.
"Sire, I will make sure everything is set, we will do everything to follow the kings wishes, he had a final wish for me in case this day did happen," Colin stated but didn't want to say much knowing that the events were too traumatic for Ash to handle, "rest up Ash and continue your journey," Colin ordered Ash with a solemn smile.
Ash walked slowly with the princess in his arms tears streaming from her eyes, unable to believe at what she had just witnessed, Ash knew that he had to remain strong, noticing that Madeline was quiet after the loss of her much older rival, "Ash, I want a pokemon, to train to help in battle against Chris, and I will not be taking no for an answer," Madeline dictated with a determined expression, leaving Ash with a smile, "I might have been too proud to admit it, but I did consider the old man my friend," Madeline said with tears rolling down her face.
"Madeline, you're still too young to be having a pokemon of your own," Ash replied with a saddened expression.
"But I don't want to be standing on the sidelines anymore, from now on I want to fight alongside you and Salvia," Madeline said while crying at while still taking in the loss of her friend and rival.
"You're a brave girl, but I think we have important stuff to sort out first," Ash replied while looking down at the grieving royal, they walked into the entrance of the forest and towards the main city of the region, "now I know what it's like to lose a parent Madeline," Ash remarked while thinking about the loss of his father-in-law and potentially what he might have to do later on as they continued through the forest towards their next destination, "Colin please make sure everything is alright," Ash said while being followed by Madeline and his legendary pokemon.
With the rebuilding now underway, tragedy has struck Salvia's family with a cowardly attack that cost the king his life, how will this affect the life of the young royals? The next episode will take place just after Ash's nineteenth birthday.
Please review and tell me what you think so far, and the battles against Chris are far from over, because there is another two regions to complete, then I have the intention to have Ash and Salvia journey again in the Kalos region.
Next up: episode 59: the lights after tragedy