Thor94- I realised a few chapters ago that I'd accidentally created two Mewtwos and the story would quickly become confusing if I didn't address it. The original Mewtwo took care of the new one when he found out from the Meeting of the Legendaries that work was underway on a new creation. It hadn't been created just yet, but it was not far off being completed. He destroyed all information and every scientist that was working on the project is now creating a lab on New Island with him. So, there's just one Mewtwo now. Hopefully that clears things up.
Chapter 32-
Another meeting was due to take place at the Hall of Origins. Arceus was waiting on the last few Pokémon to arrive when everyone felt a massive spike of aura originating from Northern Kanto. Concerned, Arceus turned to the Kanto birds who disappeared from the hall. Roaring to the sky the picture changed to the view of Lady Moltres who was flying as fast as she could in a certain direction. Not long later she was joined by her brother and sister who were also headed in the same direction. Soon enough they arrived at Cameran Palace in Rota and overheard the words of the champion. Arceus was very concerned when she heard Moltres interfere with the plans to arrest the Chosen One. It seemed that several of her children were actively rebelling from her edicts and had willingly shown themselves to be on the side of a human. Shaking her head, she watched on as Zapdos and Articuno joined their sister in laying down the law.
The rest of the hall watched on with interest. They would never have suspected that the first major act of defiance of Arceus' laws would come from the Kanto birds yet here the stood watching it take place. They all knew that their mother would be furious. What was even more interesting though was the power the Chosen One displayed. His Pokémon made short work of an army designed to protect the Queen of Rota. It seemed that Arceus had chosen wisely. Hours later the Kanto birds had landed in their respective homes and projected themselves into the Hall of Origin.
As they all appeared the silence from everyone else made them slightly concerned but as one they greeted Lady Arceus and waited.
"Explain yourselves" Arceus commanded.
"Explain what?" Zapdos asked.
"Explain why you disobeyed my edicts and interfered directly into human affairs" Arceus boomed.
"Are you really that obtuse?" Moltres asked shocking everyone "for the last decade you've been telling us how important the Chosen One is going to be to Pokémon-kind world round. But when he needs us most, you're happy to let him suffer on his own?"
"He was not suffering!" Arceus said walking down the hall to stop at Moltres.
"Yes, he was" she said defiantly "we all felt his aura. That doesn't happen on accident. For the last year you have let him get into dangerous situations and done nothing to help him. We nearly lost him at the Porta Vista incident and still you have done nothing to aid him. My brother was minutes away from perishing because of the villains who captured him and still you did nothing."
"Is it any wonder why Ash has stopped believing you will aid him?" Zapdos asked further shocking Arceus "he has long since come to terms with the fact that you will never step in when he needs you most."
"I heard from Lord Venusaur that his own Pokémon have given up believing you will help him." Articuno said "when I told my siblings this, we all agreed that if you won't help him then we will. And if I'm to be erased for doing the right thing then so be it."
Zapdos and Moltres nodded in agreement. "For nearly a millennium now I have followed your edicts, often at my own peril." Zapdos said "and if the Chosen One is to be the one to bring balance, then I would have him know that he is not alone in his quest as he believes himself to be."
"He needs our help" Ho-oH said walking forward "even if its just a point in the correct direction. I agree with them. You stood in that very spot less than a decade ago and told us that we would have to aid the Chosen One. You cannot create an issue and then get angry when we're left to pick up the pieces."
"I did not create an issue" Arceus said glaring at everyone as she walked back to her podium.
"Yes, you did" Darkrai said "we've told you repeatedly that your edicts hinder us. And only you have the power to change them. Yet you don't."
Looking up at the sky he noticed that Ash's perspective was being displayed for everyone to see. They watched as he made his way to the heart of the Tree of Beginning. Listening in they all began to worry as Ash's words began to make sense. His own Venusaur saying the tree was dying caused them all concern. His capture of the Regis and promise to release them had mixed views. Some were disgusted by how easily they had been beaten; most were happy that they'd be released. But it was the final view that caused the most outrage. Everyone felt the wave of anguish come from Ash as he picked up Mews body and cradled it.
"You let her die?!" Groudon shouted at Arceus "how could you let Mew die?"
"I thought Ash would reach her in time" Arceus said shocked at the image "how could he fail?"
"Oh no" Groudon said "you don't get to put the blame on Ash for this. I might still not like the idea of willingly interacting with a human, but you've known about Mew being captured for years now. And I know you knew where she was being held. YOU are to blame for this. YOU let her be experimented on by those scum. Are we to be next? When the time comes, and we're captured are we to be left to die too?"
"You promised me she'd be found" Mew said crying "you promised you'd help my sister? How could you do such a thing?"
Arceus was genuinely lost for words. Looking around she had never seen such hostility come from every legendary there. Usually, they'd be on her side in knowing what she said went. But this time she had failed them all. Shaking her huge head, she tried to focus on what she could do. Finally, she came up with some sort of plan.
"Celebi" she said, "is there a world in which she was saved?"
"Just one" Celebi said knowing where this was going "your edicts however interfere with the outcome so I cannot see it. If you're asking what I think you are then remember this, where there is death, there will always be a death."
"It's a risk we will have to take Celebi" Arceus said looking at the assembled crowd "see it done. Dialga, aid her. Please."
"You know doing this risks everything?" Dialga asked slowly "this requires something that once done cannot be reversed and sets a dangerous precedent in the future."
Arceus simply nodded and looked up at Ash and Mew. "The Chosen One is necessary for the world. He will help Mew, no matter what it takes."
Immediately Celebi started glowing, Dialga roared and they both disappeared. As one they all looked up at the scene.
Elsewhere
Mewtwo felt the wave of aura again, this time though it was pain. What on earth had happened? For some reason he was driven to his knees by the pain. He had not felt pain like that in such a long time. The last time had been when his friend disappeared. She too had been an experiment, one that hadn't survived. He had mourned her for such a long time and then blanked it out. Whatever had happened had unsealed that block and for the first time in years Mewtwo felt a tear fall. Angry at himself he stood back up, wiping away the tear. He couldn't afford to show any weakness.
"Why are you crying?" a voice asked.
Turning around his gaze narrowed on the man who had spoken "it's no concern of yours."
"You forget your place Mewtwo" the man said growing angry at the disrespectful tone.
"It will soon be watching from afar as you are pulled apart and your corpse sent to all four corners of the planet" Mewtwo said.
"Maybe" the man said smirking "but you won't be around to see it. Do not forget, my little slave, I own you."
"For now." Mewtwo said as he teleported away leaving the man with a thoughtful frown on his face.
Rocket HQ
Jessie and James had been summoned to see the Boss for 8am. They were both very nervous as the last time this had happened it had been to report on Blaine. They thought that they'd get at least a few more weeks to gain more information on Ash for their boss. Apparently not. Walking down the familiar hallway they sat down at the reception and waited for the boss to summon them. Soon enough they were, and they walked through the door and stopped in front of the chairs facing the boss.
"I have received intelligence that Ash Ketchum has attacked Rota. Why have you not informed me?" he asked without any preamble.
"We didn't know Sir" James said looking confused "we haven't seen him since Cinnabar."
"We saw him from afar in Viridian City a few days ago" Jessie said "but all we knew was he was challenging the gym leader there. He exited the building a few hours later and then sped away the day after. We heard that Giovanni left in a hurry after the battle. We have no idea why."
"Did he now?" the boss asked smirking "at any rate Ketchum made short work of the guardians at Rota. And if my report is correct the three Kanto Legendary birds appeared. I assume you know nothing of this either?"
"No sir" James said "we read the report of the Power Plant months ago where he saved the Zapdos' life from one of your cells. Maybe they felt they owed him?"
"He has an affinity with Pokémon I've never seen before sir" Jessie piped up "it's like he can understand them, their feelings too."
"I have reason to believe he can" the boss said "I have reason to believe he is gifted in aura. His father was."
"You knew his father?" James asked.
"We met. Our last encounter left its mark on me" the boss said rubbing his hand unconsciously "for now though I wish to give you two a gift." Reaching into his drawer he pulled out two lapels. Handing them over Jessie and James were shocked.
"A promotion?" James asked quietly.
"Yes" the boss said "I value intelligence. Your actions had me questioning the wisdom of keeping you two alive at times but I'm glad I did. Your intel on Ketchum and other trainers as well as your loyalty to Team Rocket has been well received. I considered making you Admins or Executives, but you're far more useful out in the field so instead you'll be captains. This comes with more responsibility of course but I'm sure you two can handle it. You still report to me as well as the executives I place in charge of you on missions. Your budget has been slightly increased as has your wages. You are still required to justify major purchases but given the contraptions you two have built on the budget you had I can't see this being an issue."
"Thank you, Sir" Jessie said attaching her lapel to her top, James mirroring her.
"Yes, thank you Sir" James said.
"Dismissed" the boss said watching as they walked out. Ringing his receptionist, he asked for Proton and Domino. With the M2 plans halted due to all his scientists going missing he needed to come up with a new way of world domination.
Ash
Sorrow. Anguish. Pity. Anger. He felt all of these things at once as he cradled the body of the Mew. She was battered and bruised, with puncture marks all over her little body. Ash tried to heal her but with no life force to interact with he knew it was futile. Standing up he walked out of the tunnel to see the assembled Pokémon. Walking to the bank of the stream Ash took off his jacket and began to wash her, getting rid of all the grime and dirt that had accumulated on her. There were signs that she'd tried to heal herself, but it was clear that she'd overexerted herself with escaping Team Rockets clutches. Ash knew immediately who she was, this was the Mew he was asked to rescue, the one that was being experimented on the create a new Mew clone.
"Why didn't Arceus rescue you" Ash whispered to Mew "I know she knew where you were, she apparently knows all. Or why didn't she point me in your direction sooner?"
"Ash?" came a voice from behind him. Looking over he saw Lucario.
"At least we know why this place is dying Lucario" Ash said looking back down at Mew "everything that we can see is connected to Mew and her lifeforce. With none to be found for over a decade its withered and is decaying."
"Can we do nothing? What if we gave the tree our Aura? I'm willing to sacrifice my life to do so, just like Sir Aaron" Lucario said.
"Sir Aaron transferred his aura into Mew, not the tree." Ash said sadly as he walked over to his jacket and laid her down on it "unfortunately, even if both of us gave up our aura we don't have a conduit strong enough to accept it."
"So, we can do nothing?" Lucario asked furiously.
"Unless you have a spare Mew hidden away somewhere…" Ash said trailing off. All of a sudden Ash and Lucario looked up as they felt a huge spike in the world's aura. In front of them a rip in the very world started to open up. Concerned Ash hid Mew behind him as he turned to face whatever came their way. Amazingly a Pokémon that must have been easily over fifteen feet tall came through the rip which sealed itself behind him. Ash knew that his Pokémon would struggle to take this behemoth down, but they would all do what they could to protect Mews body. A flash of green drew Ashs attention as on top of the Pokémon's head a tiny green Pokémon floated downwards towards Ash. He knew who she was. He had seen various sketches in Sam's books of this Pokémon. Why would a Celebi be here?
"Human" the huge Pokémon said telepathically into Ash's head. Automatically Ash's aura spiked as he tried to get the voice from inside his head. He found that he was winning whatever mental battle was happening, and soon enough he had forced it out. Panting with the effort Ash glared at the being. Without warning the voice appeared again and said in an irritated tone "stop struggling, this is the only way I can communicate with mortals."
"Then tone it down" Ash said grabbing his head in pain "you have no need to shout."
"Apologies" the being said in a much quieter voice "I am unaccustomed to speaking with humans. It has been several millennia since I last did."
"Who are you?" Ash asked, "I've seen sketches of you somewhere before, but I cannot recall where."
"My Mother named be Dialga at my birth" Dialga said. Recognising the name Ash nodded "Good, I see you're familiar with me?"
"Bits" Ash said nodding as the pain had receded "when I first met Arceus I researched everything I could about her afterwards. She was said to have created three beings. One over time, one over space and one that was banished to the underworld for its violence. However correct that is though is a mystery as the records are centuries old and truth is often lost in translation."
"You are essentially correct in your summation." Dialga said "I am Dialga, Lord of Time, my sister Palkia is Lady of Space, and our brother Giratina is Lord of the reverse world. The stories of his violence however are incorrect. He wasn't banished, more like he's in a time out for levelling cities in his anger at Mother."
"Ah right ok, seems reasonable to me given what I've experienced over the last year" Ash said, "so what are you doing here?"
"We have been ordered by mother to correct a wrong" Dialga said looking at the body of Mew.
All of Ash's rage returned instantly. "So rather than doing something herself she's getting you to do her dirty work?"
"Your rage is misplaced Human" Dialga said "mother did not do this to Mew; those vile humans did so. Do not forget that."
"And Arceus knew she had been captured, was being experimented on was in pain" Ash retorted "she told me herself six years ago that Mew had been captured. And we all know she knew where she was being held. If she had any love for her creations, she would have done something about it herself."
"Again, your thoughts are misplaced. However, I can understand your thought process as many of my brethren share your opinion." Dialga said "that does not mean you are correct though."
"And it doesn't mean I'm wrong either" Ash retorted.
"No, it does not." Dialga said agreeing "however Mews death is a terrible tragedy, one that we seek to undo. Celebi and I have been instructed to fix the issue. But to do so we need your aid Chosen One."
"What do you need me to do?" Ash said looking concerned.
"Where there is death there shall always be a death" Celebi said flying around Ash's head.
"Speak sense and not in riddles" Ash said losing his patience "If you can revive Mew then do so. Otherwise everyone's time here is being wasted."
"Oh, my brother would love you" Dialga said sarcastically "As Celebi said, where there is Death, there will always be a death. What this means is should we reverse time to save Mew, someone or something equal to her needs to take her place."
"What is equal to a Mew?" Ash said bewildered.
"It's the feelings behind the sacrifice that will power it" Celebi said, "for instance should you give up your aura it will be deemed acceptable, should you give up your shoe it wouldn't as its replaceable."
"And how can I save the world without my aura?" Ash asked sarcastically "if you've talked to your mother then you know who I am and what my destiny is. Normally I wouldn't hesitate, but I can't give up something I need."
"It was an example" Dialga said ignoring the sarcasm "the point is every being on this earth has the same value as each other. Just because Mew is important doesn't mean a lone Pidgey is not."
For several minutes Ash struggled to come up with something that he could give up. His Pokémon and mother were out of the question. Ash didn't really have anything else he could give up. Everything else was materialistic. Realising he had nothing he said as much.
"What if I sacrificed my life and aura?" Lucario said stepping forward.
"Unfortunately, no, we have been instructed to reverse Mews death with the Chosen Ones aid" Celebi said, "he must be the one to give something up."
"Well, there's a surprise" Ash said bitterly "yet another thing I'm sacrificing for Arceus amusement." Shaking his head Ash walked back to the river and thought over what he could give up. As if by magic a lightbulb went off in his head. Would it be deemed enough? Walking back over to Dialga and Celebi, he told them of his idea.
"It is acceptable" Dialga said "but it is not reversible, so if you go ahead with this only death will release you from the oath. Do you still want to proceed?"
Looking over at Mews broken body he nodded. "let's get this over with."
"Very well. Hold onto Mew, she will disappear but when she reappears you must think about your sacrifice, let it encompass you and direct it into Mew using your aura" Dialga said as he roared to the heavens and a split appeared. Celebi started chanting and the world around them began spinning as time slowly rewound around them. Gradually the spinning became faster and faster, and Ash watched amazed as he saw himself leave with Lucario from inside the tunnel where he first found Mew. Ash watched as Pokémon disappeared from the surrounding area as the world kept spinning. Without warning a pink flash went off inside the tunnel. Racing inside Ash picked up Mew, who had clearly just escaped whatever torture she was being subjected to.
"Now Ash" Dialga shouted from outside the tunnel "Mew has just appeared, think of what you're sacrificing and direct it to Mew."
Ash immediately thought of what he was sacrificing. He was very surprised to find himself crying when suddenly a pink life force came out of Ash's body and dangled over Mew. Knowing instinctively what to do he formed an Aura Sphere, wrapped the pink force around it and plunged his hand into one of Mews many wounds. Her screams nearly had Ash stop but he knew he couldn't until it was over with. When the last drop of Pink had left Ash's hand Mew dropped onto her platform and Ash staggered outside where he collapsed at the side of the river where he had lain Mew. Barely conscious Ash head Dialga roar again and this time the world started spinning the other way. Twenty minutes later the world started slowing down for Ash. As soon as it finished Ash passed out and he knew no more.
Dialga, Lucario and Celebi watched as Ash passed out. "Normally I would erase this from a humans mind" Dialga said "however Ash must learn to live with this. It is not fair; it is just how it is. Very few humans would give up what he gave up. He has my respect, and I shall convey it to Mother. Celebi, we must go. Lucario, when he awakens, he will need your aid in restoring the tree. Mew is very much alive but will need your help. Farewell." Ripping open the world again Dialga stepped through with Celebi following just as it closed.
Lucario looked at Ash with both concern and amazement. He thought Sir Aaron was brave, it was on par with what his descendent had just done. As Ash began to stir, he made his way over to him and helped him sit up.
"I feel hollow" Ash said quietly "I didn't realise what giving up that would do to me. But I feel hollow. Like a part of me is missing."
"A part of you is missing" Lucario said "come on. I was told by Dialga that once you regained consciousness that Mew will still need our help restoring the tree."
Nodding Ash stood up and nearly fell back over. With the help of Lucario he made his way down the tunnel to find Mew waiting for them barely conscious on her pedestal. She was still bruised but her aura was strong. He made his way over to her and placed his hand on her head and started to heal her. After a few minutes she was able to help herself and Ash stopped, panting with the effort siting with his back to the crystal. After ten minutes Ash looked up as he felt Mew hovering in front of him.
Smiling he nodded to her and said, "You're alive, that's good."
"I am" she said confused "but I feel like I shouldn't be."
Lucario explained what happened so that Ash could recover more from his ordeal. When he got to the part about his sacrifice Mew glomped him. Chuckling he prized her off as Lucario finished his story.
"Come on" Ash said standing up "the sooner you're healed the sooner the tree can start to recover. Plus, I still have a meeting with my mother to have today." Standing up Ash gathered his aura into his hands and began to shoot it into Mews pedestal where it was quickly absorbed. Lucario did the same and within a few minutes they could feel something impeding them both. Calling a halt, he walked around the tree and began to examine it. Something was off, something Ash had felt before. Casting his mind back he suddenly gasped as he reached a hole in the crystal formation and remembered where he had felt this.
"Lucario" Ash said quietly "in my bag is a scarf, can you go and get it please. It's very urgent."
Nodding Lucario did as was asked and within a few minutes he had returned. Gently Ash broke off a piece of the crystal revealing what was stopping the tree from healing. It was a stone, only it was pure black, with strange markings on it, oddly curved as if it fit into a puzzle of the Earth. "I once found one of these at the Heart of the Forest in Viridian Forest. It was infecting the forest around it and if I had not found it, within a few years the forest and all its inhabitants would have perished. It was placed there on purpose. It was then taken from me by my mentor due to him knowing what it was, and I completely forgot about it until now. Be careful not to touch it" Ash said as he wrapped his hand in the scarf and grabbed hold of the stone. It was stubborn and refused to move. That was until Ash punched the rocks around it with his other hand and it came loose. Quickly wrapping the stone up Ash ran outside and placed it inside his bag. Walking back into the tunnel Ash and Lucario began healing the heart again. After an hour they were exhausted but during that time Mew had recovered and took over. Every hour they would take over in shifts until six hours later, very exhausted Ash, Lucario and Mew walked outside the tunnel and gazed in amazement at how lush the surrounding area had become.
"Thank you for your aid" Mew said, "but I think you have two of my friends."
Remembering Ash pulled out two pokeballs and called out Regirock and Regice. As they materialised, they gazed impassively at Ash, as much as a robotic looking Pokémon could at any rate. Pressing a button on the lid of the Pokeball it glowed blue before dying out. "you're free to go" Ash said putting the empty pokeballs back into his bag. They simply beeped and dug underground, vanishing in seconds.
"Should you need me Chosen One, just call. There is a tunnel over there that leads to the entrance" Mew said before she turned away and went back to her pedestal where she promptly fell asleep. Ash shouldered his backpack and with Lucario he made his way outside. It took several hours but they found a path that eventually led outside.
Taking a deep breath Ash turned to Lucario and asked, "what are your plans now?"
"I plan to return to Rota where I will spread the true tale of Sir Aaron" Lucario said "After that I may travel, or I might train up the Rota Lucario. The fact they were beaten by one person, however skilful you might be is incredibly shameful."
"I wouldn't hold your breath" Ash said laughing "they've had centuries of mediocre training. It will be tough knocking that out of them. Plus, with the world learning about accessing Aura through my book maybe you should travel and give classes to them instead."
"That seems to be a worthwhile endeavour. I'll give Rota a chance first. It has been an honour Sir Ketchum." Lucario said bowing.
"It's just Ash to my friends" Ash said bowing back "I am no knight and you're the only tolerable Lucario I've met. If you need aid, or are simply passing by, my house is being built on the outskirts of Pallet Town and is always open, my mother owns a restaurant in Pallet too should you wish to find me. I'm sure Professor Oak at the lab would love to meet you too. We need to keep what happened to Mew between us two, the death of a legendary dispels any myths about them and we cannot have that. Farewell Lucario" calling out Charizard he climbed on his back and took off leaving the tree far behind very quickly. Lucario watched until he disappeared before making his way to Rota. He had several guardians to talk to.
Hall of Origin
Arceus watched on as Ash interacted with Dialga and Celebi. She was very concerned about the choice of words Ash used. Had she really fallen from grace that quickly in his eyes? In the span of a year, she'd gone from being Lady Arceus to just Arceus, someone who abandons others at mere whims. When she heard what Ash chose to give up, she was shocked. He could not be allowed to give that up! It was what drove him to get up in a morning and fuelled his desire. She watched as Dialga and Celebi did their thing. Making a decision she stepped forward onto her plinth and roared at the scene. From nowhere a golden mist appeared from Arceus' body and projected itself into the scene. It quickly intermingled with the pink aura Mew was made of and the blue of Ash where it disappeared back into Ash once he was done.
Panting from the effort Arceus looked around, taking in the shocked faces of her assembled children. She had never once directly interfered with humans after the Michina Town incident where her five plates were stolen. To see her do so astounded them all. All of their focus was quickly directed to the scene of Ash healing the tree. When he pulled the black stone from the tree though Giratina, Palkia and the recently returned Dialga all looked shocked at Arceus who made no move to give any indication that she knew what it was. Soon the scene faded as Ash and Lucario parted ways.
Looking over the assembled crowd she waited for the inevitable questions.
"What was that?" Darkrai asked "what did you do?"
"I did something I haven't done in centuries" Arceus said "I aided directly with a human life. Ash could not give that up. It's what drives him to be the best, it's what makes him the human he is. So, I simply locked it away rather than erase it. Over time he will get it back, but for now he has to believe he has lost it."
"You're leaving him in the dark, again?" Ho-oH asked incredulously "you've seen what that does to him! Have you learned nothing?"
"Enough" Arceus said angrily "I permit you to question me, but do not think I have to answer you."
"What was that black rock?" Azelf asked curiously.
"Something that doesn't concern you" Arceus said sharply trying to hide her own concern but failing to do so successfully.
Knowing that they were all at a tipping point Dialga interrupted "I think we should leave it here for today before Judgement is called and we say something we may all regret. Palkia, Giratina I need to speak to you before we leave."
Nodding the various legendaries disappeared until it was just the four of them.
"Your Egg is being discovered" Giratina said to Arceus "it was forgotten about for a reason."
"It is most concerning" Arceus said "Ash has found two pieces in the space of a year. Is he destined to find more?"
"It would seem so" Palkia said "it seems you're not the only one playing with the Chosen One."
"I am not playing with him" Arceus said defiantly.
"As you say" Giratina said "but he only has five more pieces to find. The odds are heavily in his favour. Perhaps you should meet with him and explain what is happening."
"It would go a long way to mending the rift between the two of you" Palkia said "and if he's on the lookout for them then he'll be forewarned about what completing the Egg will do."
"I shall give it some thought" Arceus said "I've already interfered with humans enough for one day. I shall inform you three at the next gathering of my decision. I feel the Chosen One will be kept busy in the very near future. I can feel his destiny approaching and don't want to overburden him."
Nodding they all faded away until it was just Arceus. She was still feeling the effects of what she did today. If doing such a small thing winded her then what would openly helping Ash do? No, she couldn't interfere, not until she was whole again. Her Egg being discovered was of great concern though. It had shattered into seven pieces when she was born at the beginning, scattered to the universe itself. And then she created the Earth and everything in it. She felt her Egg make its way back towards Earth, as though it was magnetised and soon enough, she felt her Egg enter Earths atmosphere where it landed in different places, quickly becoming lost to the ravages of time. It seemed that time was now working against her as in the space of a year Ash had uncovered two pieces. Was the Chosen One destined to unite them? Did he have more of a role than she intended him to have? Perhaps that was why he had found them, she already knew that he was destined to make her whole again soon, was her Egg integral to that? Sighing she knew that again, only time would tell.
Ash
He asked Charizard to take his time getting to the Plateau. Normally it would only take a few hours, but Ash didn't want to appear less than 100% when he presented himself to the Elie Four, Champion and Goodshow. He still had his aura, he still had his Pokémon, and he still had his dream. For now, that was all that mattered. He knew he'd tell his mother the entire story, but she was the only one he would tell. The rest didn't need to know. As the league building came into view Ash started to get nervous, soon he would be hearing and seeing his dad. He had never heard his voice and pictures only tell so much of a story.
Landing at the Plateau he made his way up the huge staircase and walked into the League HQ building. He showed the receptionist his Pokedex and told her the Elite Four was expecting him. While he waited to be called, he walked around the huge lobby taking in the photos of the various winners. There on one wall was his dad with his Pokemon standing behind him. They looked strong. He wondered if that's how he would look when he became champion.
"That was taken three days after the Championship match" a voice said behind Ash. It was Blue who quickly joined Ash's side "Our battle still remains to this day one of, if not the most ferocious match ever witnessed at the Plateau. It came down to our starters in the end. The battle raged on for half an hour between the two of them and it all came down to a flinch from my Blastoise at the most inopportune time which settled the fight. After that your father's strength and that of his Pokémon increased by the day. I know that in less than a year after this picture was taken, I would have struggled to beat him given his development. There's a reason he became the youngest Pokémon Master ever. For myself I was very content to have become Champion, even if it was just for a few days. I often joked that 'that meddling Red did me in' but that was the only dream I ever had; your father had greater aspirations than I. I'm sorry you never met him, more than you know Ash."
"He may yet be still alive" Ash said wiping away a tear "let's go find out, shall we?"
Nodding Blue clasped Ash on the shoulder and led the way to the elevator where he scanned his card and they rose to the very top of the building in silence. The door opened to a huge office, furnished in deep green with royal blue walls. Behind a massive mahogany desk was one wall of window, overlooking the main stadiums pitch. Just off to the side of the office was a door that was open. He followed Blue into the room and saw there was a huge table, evidently a boardroom where his mother was seated along with the rest of the Elite Four, Charles at the head and Queen Ilene next to him.
Ignoring the others Ash rushed up to his mother and hugged her tightly. He whispered into her ear that he had something important to tell her. She squeezed him in acknowledgement and let him go after giving him a kiss on the forehead. Sitting down at the side of her Ash waited for the questions to start. He decided to pre-empt them.
"First of all, The Tree of Beginning is fine, Mew is happily playing with the various Pokémon there. Sir Aarons story is the same as Queen Rins. He sacrificed his Aura to help Mew destroy the armies of the Abominations led by Malokei. It was Aaron that ended the Great War at Rota. His Aura still to this day powers the life force of the Tree. Lucario is on the way back to Rota to confirm this, I've been given his gloves by Lucario. When we're done here you can have his staff back. It's an heirloom of Rota after all and I don't need a staff."
"I am glad his story is correct" Ilene said nodding "his staff will be placed in the Great Hall in a place of honour."
"Do of it what you will" Ash said "now, before we see what my father said, what did you discover about my father?"
"Nothing" Charles said handing over the page from Fuji "the contract we signed has disappeared as has the report on what happened in Viridian Gym. We all remember signing a contract, we just can't recall what was actually in it. As for myself I corrected something that has long held to be believed true. You were all apparently under the impression that you attended Red's funeral. That was incorrect. What I presided over was a celebration of his achievements."
"We were all there" Delia said furiously "we all know what we were there for too. How dare you lie about that?"
"I am not lying" Charles said patiently "I had a meeting with Red a few days before his disappearance to go over this ceremony. We planned everything. As such it didn't surprise me when he never turned up for the occasion. I was of course told that he had died but given the topic of conversation we had in here I believed he had simply hidden himself away while hunting Team Rocket. It was only when his name was brought up in conversation the other day that I remembered him. I've often wondered what became of him."
Looking over the page Fuji had replaced in the file concerned Ash and Delia. It was clear that Fuji was behind the memory wipe of the Elite Four and Charles. It was also clear he was responsible for exchanging the contracts.
"So, he has Mewtwo" Ash muttered to his mum "Fuji is either controlling or working alongside Mewtwo. It's the only explanation as to what's going on here."
"I fear you're right" Delia said, "but to what end?"
"I have a theory, nothing more" Ash said "Fuji was going to be executed for crimes against humanity, so he had Mewtwo destroy the gym and kidnap dad. With dad gone, the main witness for his trial…the courts had no choice but to clear Fuji."
"You're correct" Charles said interrupting their talk "the NDA we all signed was about not being able to discuss in public about what happened at Cinnabar and Viridian gym until such time as Red came forward with evidence. And as he never did Fuji was relocated to Lavender Town."
"Where he took over the minds of everyone there with the amplification device" Agatha said sourly.
Waving it away Charles said "No, that was only in the last year. We kept a close eye on him and apart from going on vacation every now and then he did not leave Lavender Town. It appears as though he's out and about these days though due to the various reports I've received. There's not just been the incidents Ash has been involved in. A Laboratory was destroyed a few months ago thirty miles off the coast of New Island, every scientist there disappeared, one of whom was our mole inside what we believed to be Team Rocket. There's also been a few isolated incidents of people going missing and turning up days later with no memory of what happened. And then there was Blaine's mysterious death a few weeks ago."
"Fuji did that" Ash said surprising them all "I found Blaines journal in the old hidden lab. The volcano wasn't responsible for demolishing the lab. In fact, the Volcano didn't even touch the lab, just sealed several passageways into it. It was still very much there, just smashed to pieces with evidence of Mewtwos rage. Blaine wrote several times in the journal detailing his fear that Fuji was after him alongside Team Rocket. I have no proof of this other than what was written in his journal, but it's not a leap to imagine Fuji tying up a loose end before he was captured by Team Rocket and spilling everything he knew. I handed Lance Blaines journal. And Mewtwo could easily place Blaines body on the beach and not be seen."
"You've mentioned that name a few times now" Ilene said confused "who's Mewtwo?"
"Mewtwo is a Pokémon" Ash said ignoring the warning look he received from Charles "He was the only successful experiment in a series of them that had been cloned from the DNA of a Mew fossil. He was created by Team Rocket over a decade ago in order to gain World Dominance, only they didn't account for him rebelling and destroying the lab and the very people that created him. You may have read about the eruption on Cinnabar many years ago. That was attributed to Mewtwos rage, destroying the lab he was created in underneath the volcano and setting off the eruption. Only that's not what happened, Charizard and I found evidence that Blaines Magmar was the one to erupt the volcano as Blaine had been ordered to find a way of covering up what they had done by his boss in Team Rocket. Where he has been hiding the last ten years is a mystery though. Pikachu and I have found evidence of him travelling but nothing concrete."
"And how does this tie in with your father's disappearance?" Ilene said earning a glare from Delia.
"I still don't know why you're here" Delia said, "You have had a crucial piece of evidence in your bloody bedroom for the last ten years that could tell us what happened to him and have kept quiet out of pure spite."
"And you gained your revenge, rather brutally" Lorelei said "but her question remains something we'd all like to know. So, if you would?"
Glaring at Lorelei, who was unmoved, Delia pulled out from her bag the Time Flower. Placing it on the desk they all marvelled at it.
"How do we activate it?" Charles asked.
"I touch it" Ash said standing up and observing it "only someone with Aura can activate them. Ilene has none so would not have been able to play it. And I suspect if she'd have asked Riley, despite him being an arsehole, he would have refused knowing what it was." getting a shameful nod from Ilene he shook his head in disgust. "So, I touch it and it activates. What it does is then play out a video and a message, like a recording to all of us. I suggest you all take notes."
Taking in a deep breath Ash reached forward and as soon as his fingers touched the Time Flower it bloomed and everyone in the room watched on in awe.
"So, it's you, is it?" the man asked "I suspected you would be the cause of all this destruction. I should have ended your miserable life the first chance I had. Never mind, I can do it now. Nidoking, come forth" at his command a massive purple Pokémon appeared from its poke ball and stood in front of the man "Nido!" it shouted causing the air to tremble.
"I always knew it was you. Every time I saw you, I always knew you were hiding something. It seems my instincts were right. You're not leaving here alive Rocket. Let's go Lapras!" Red shouted as a blue dinosaur shaped Pokémon appeared in front of him "this is life or death Lapras so show no mercy".
The man came into view, it shocked Ash as he'd been expecting Giovanni only it wasn't. the man bore a resemblance to him though. Ash heard his mum mutter something under her breath and he looked at her. For Ash though he was mesmerised by the visage of his dad. he was the sitting image of him, his nose was different though and his eyes were Blue to Reds brown. Other than that they were similar in every way.
"We thought he'd died a few years before this" Delia said, "Red seems very familiar with him though." Shaking her head, she watched her husband demolish the man in battle.
"You're finished Rocket, as is your entire business. You should have stayed dead." Red shouted as he recalled his Pidgeot from the battlefield "I suggest you come quietly."
"You have no idea what you're talking about" the man said as he charged at Red. He had clearly been trained in hand-to-hand combat as Red struggled to hold the bigger man at bay. The man hissed as Red threw an Aura Sphere at him where it grazed his hand and burned his flesh. Crying out in pain the man backed away. Just before he could say anything though a huge explosion rocked the building throwing them both to the ground. Red saw a brief flash of purple before he was bodily thrown into the wall where his head hit hard, and his head became fuzzy and his hat flew off to near the door. Shaking his head as he tried to get up a pair of feet came into view. Looking up into the face of the other man he saw him smile cruelly.
"I always have a back-up" turning to something behind Ash he continued "Kill him, leave no trace of us behind."
The man called out a Kadabra and teleported away leaving Red with whoever he had been talking to. he felt something try and invade his mind and tried as hard as he could to push it away. Shockingly he was successful causing the other being to stumble. Standing up Red got a clear view of what it was.
"Mewtwo" Red breathed out before he was hoisted into the air and began to be choked. Red called upon his aura and sent it at Mewtwo who was thrown backwards. Mewtwo began to gather a purple ball as Red did the same. Launching them at each other the collision of the attacks sent them both flying backwards. Red hit the crumbling wall hard and was struggling to stay alert as bits of the ceiling began to rain down on them. He felt Mewtwo head in his direction and called his aura into his hand creating a Time Flower before his vision went black as did everyone else's."
Coming to Ash saw his mum trembling with grief. He didn't expect to see what he saw but clearly his father was a gifted trainer. And his usage of Aura was very commendable. Ash felt an enormous sense of pride in how his father handled the situation. It was clear that he had beaten the strange man before Mewtwo interfered. Could he have beaten Mewtwo at full strength? Maybe not. Ash was certain that he could put up more of a fight though. He felt shame hit him as he got rid of that thought. His dad fought to the end. He was a hero.
"So that was the leader of Team Rocket" Blue said, "he looked familiar."
"His name is Silver" Delia said shocking them all after she had pulled herself together "we thought he had died a few years before the incident at Cinnabar. He was one of the lead scientists, working alongside Fuji and Blaine. Red was devastated when he died. Its one of the few times he openly cried in front of me."
"But who is he?" Ilene asked looking around the table.
"He is the son of an unknown woman, borne from a one-night stand thirty years ago." Delia said turning to Ash "he is the son of Giovanni; he is your cousin."