This is the one hundred sixtieth chapter in Pokemon Heroes. The season finale has finally arrived, and the end of a season with SOOOO many late updates. Next season should return to normal with some chapters in, so the regular Monday (or Tuesday) updates will return. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or any of the songs.

(Opening Song)

Ash stabbed his fork into a hotcake, placed his butt back in his seat, and then shoved the whole thing into his mouth. He barely chewed and swallowed the whole thing. He coughed immediately after as his six year old hand hit the table a couple of times.

A cup of orange juice was placed near him. He quickly took it and swallowed half the drink.

He wiped the orange juice that fell from his lips and smiled.

"You're cooking is the best, mom! I can't get enough if this."

Delia Ketchum sat opposite from him on the table and smiled.

"I'm glad you like it," she said as she placed another plate with a whole stack of hotcakes on the table. "You're free to take more."

"Thanks!" said Ash, and he took another and shoved it into his mouth. He remembered to chew this time, and then he swallowed. Delia took a couple for herself and ate.

Ash stopped before taking another one and looked around.

"Where's dad?" he asked.

"Your father left this morning," said Delia. "He's been busy a lot lately. But it's his job as an Aura Guardian, so it's understandable."

"Can I hang out with Gary and Drew today?" asked Ash with a mouth full of his breakfast.

"You've been so attached to those guys. You go out with them more than staying at home. It makes me jealous."

"Don't worry, mom," said Ash with a wide grin. "No one can replace you."

Delia gave a warm smile.

She was happy for her son. He had always been so lonely, but after meeting those two boys, her son was finally truly happy. It made her happy, too. Ash deserved it.

Before another word was spoken, the doorbell was rung violently followed by rapid knocking.

"Someone important?" asked Ash.

"I'm not really expecting anyone," said Delia, rising from her seat. "Stay here."

She went toward the front door. Ash was happy he could get more hotcakes to himself, but then he noticed the speed the person was talking as soon as the front door was opened. It was rapid and frantic.

Ash slowly got out of his seat and went for the front door.

He slowly and quietly walked behind his mother.

He noticed his mother's alarmed expression, and tears coming down from the woman who was speaking to her.

Ash stood where he was, not uttering a single word or even making a sound.

He couldn't exactly understand what the woman was saying, but he heard words that stood out to him the most.

Oak. Fire. Explosion. Dead.

When they were done, the woman walked out quickly. Delia slowly closed the door, and then she turned to Ash.

Ash saw tears forming in her eyes.

"I've got to call your father," she said, and she hurried off.

Ash didn't move. His young brain couldn't understand, but he instantly felt worry for the person whose last name was Oak.

"Gary..."

Ash and Gary 3 (Mistake)

Gary tried comprehending the punch that Ash gave him before the boy got surrounded by raging aura.

"What the hell?"

"Gary!" yelled Ash. His foot slammed onto the ground, and then he charged forward.

This sudden movement shocked Gary, but he was still focused.

He turned into a spark, and then appeared behind Ash. His fist was aimed for the back of Ash's head.

But it didn't make contact. His fist missed its mark after Ash's elbow rammed into his gut. Blood escaped his mouth. He struggled as he moved back, holding onto his stomach.

"What is this?"

Ash immediately came after him. Gary saw him coming and moved his head as Ash's swift fist brushed past his cheek.

Punches and kicks were thrown, and Gary moved back at every strike, dodging each attack.

Ash threw another punch, and Gary saw it as his opportunity. He took Ash's wrist and held it, pulled Ash closer, and then reversed gripped his sword. His aimed his sword's edge to Ash's neck.

Gary had him this time.

But Ash ducked. It was impossible at this rate due to the speed of Gary's blade, but Ash had ducked.

Gary didn't have time to think about this more for an Aura Sphere suddenly formed on Ash's palm, and he rammed it onto Gary's gut.

Gary was pushed back continuously with the Aura Sphere. It was going to explode at any second. Gary disappeared and reappeared away from the Aura Sphere, watching it fly by and explode.

He breathed heavily as he watched the smoke slowly fade away.

He looked back at Ash.

His fists shook.

Then a smirk formed on his face.

"I see," he said. "You caught me off guard. I was sure I weakened you to the point of never standing up again, but it seems I just didn't injure you enough."

Fierce lightning formed around him.

Ash could feel the ground shake beneath his feet. His fists were then engulfed in aura.

Suddenly, Gary pulled the lightning into one spot and shot a full powered thunder bolt toward Ash.

Ash moved his upper body to the side, and the hot attack went past him and continued on, having rock formations crumble down until it came to a stop and caused a large explosion.

Gary's eye twitched. Ash was able to dodge something like that, even when they weren't that far from each other.

He gripped the handle of his sword tightly.

"I'll kill you, Ketchum."

Brendan and Dawn were running toward the battle. May was left behind with Misty. Pikachu was on Ash's shoulder.

"Ash, we'll help!" yelled Brendan.

"We have to knock him out quickly before he does something worse!" yelled Dawn.

Gary glared at them, and then the sound of a Pokemon being released reached their ears.

Brendan took Dawn and pushed her back. He made his arms iron hard and held his left over his head.

From the sky, a large Pokemon came down with a fist covered in electricity and rammed it down onto Brendan's arm. He was pushed in deeper within the ground. Lightning bolts shot out everywhere as the attack got stronger and Brendan didn't know if he could hold on any longer.

Luckily, the Pikachu on his shoulder made its tail as hard as iron and rammed it into the face of its opponent.

This was able to push the opponent back far enough.

Brendan went on one knee and checked his arm. The attack had ripped off his sleeve and hurt his arm a little bit.

He looked up at the one who attacked him. The sight of it caused Brendan to wince.

It was Gary's powerhouse Electivire. Electricity circled it, and a smirk was on its face. It was focused on Brendan.

"Are you kidding me?" asked Brendan.

"Electivire, make sure they don't interrupt this time," ordered Gary as the tip of his sword was pointed at Ash, who was looking at the commotion. "I'm going to make sure no one gets in my way to power, no matter how many lives I have to take."

Ash's eyes connected with his Pikachu, who looked back at its trainer. They spoke with their eyes, and then Ash turned to Gary.

"I'm not worried about them at all," he said.

Gary glared at him, and then fierce lightning engulfed his body.

Raging aura surrounded Ash.

With a roar, they charged at each other and collided.

Pikachu had sensed it.

It didn't know what, but it sure as hell sensed it.

It watched how Ash fought Gary. It watched as its trainer fought bravely and focused, but something was different now.

Something had changed in Ash. Pikachu didn't know what, but it sure as hell could feel it.

It looked over at its opponent.

Electivire, the Pokemon Pikachu had vowed to itself to defeat for Ash's sake, stood there. It was to prove that its trainer was training with his own Pokemon just as hard as Gary.

That would bring Ash one step closer to beating Gary.

Now, Ash was getting his chance to fight against Gary until one fell, but not like this.

Ash wanted to fight Gary fairly, not in a way that meant one of them had to die. This was not his time.

So that meant it was not Pikachu's time either, but in order to protect the people behind him, he was going to fight anyway.

Brendan had reached for his Pokeballs, but Pikachu stopped him as it hopped forward while picking up speed.

"Pika!"

Lightning formed around it, and it soon developed into a Volt Tackle.

Electivire snickered and held one arm up. Pikachu crashed onto the Pokemon, pushing it back, but there was no damage anywhere on its body.

The antennae on its back went on both sides of Pikachu's cheeks.

Suddenly, the electricity around Pikachu vanished, and they went along the antennae and into Electivire. Sparks formed on its face, and then it moved a fist back. Flames surrounded that fist, and it was rammed onto Pikachu, sending the Pokemon rolling on the rocky ground until it came to a stop.

"Pikachu!" yelled Dawn. "We can deal with Electivire! You don't have to-"

"Pika!"

Pikachu stood once more with a struggle.

Honestly it should've known. With Electivire's ability, Motor Drive, and Pikachu's ability, Lightning Rod, they prevented them both from receiving major damage from Electric-Type attacks, and they were both Electric-Type Pokemon.

That just meant Pikachu had to attack without Electric-Type moves for it to have a chance.

It charged at Electivire with a Quick Attack. It went between Electivire's legs before Electivire's fist crashed down on it. Pikachu jumped up and used Iron Tail to the back of the neck.

It hit, but Pikachu had forgotten about Electivire's strong and sturdy body.

While Pikachu was still in midair, Electivire turned around and used Fire Punch once again launching Pikachu away.

Pikachu got to its feet pretty easily. When it stopped, Pikachu didn't even have time to execute another move, because Electivire was using Giga Impact, and it was coming in fast.

Pikachu got out of the way quickly, but Electivire suddenly stopped near it. Using the momentum of its attack, it directed all of the energy to its fist, and that fist crashed down on Pikachu.

Pikachu's scream was continuously heard as Electivire beat it down. Brendan and Dawn watched in horror, wondering when they should jump in.

Pikachu took the blows with pride as Electivire took its tail and crashed it left and right on the ground.

When it was finished, it held Pikachu by the tail and looked into Pikachu's eyes.

On instinct, Pikachu used a Thunderbolt, but it was use. Electivire absorbed it and then tossed Pikachu to the ground far away.

Pikachu landed harshly. Its eyes looked at Electivire as the powerhouse slowly walked closer. Pikachu painfully got to its feet as it breathed heavily.

"Gary's way stronger than me because he always evolves his Pokemon, letting them get stronger. How about I help you guys evolve? If we evolve, we can beat Gary! Is that a deal?"

That was the day in Snowpoint City, after defeating Team Rocket for the first time. The day Pikachu battled against Gary's Pokemon for Ash, but failed. It was the day it swore to become stronger for Ash, and it wasn't going to go back on that promise.

It wasn't allowed to.

It launched a powerful Thunderbolt at Electivire.

As expected, Electivire simply absorbed the attack, but Pikachu didn't stop there.

It kept going and going. Electivire was obtaining more and more energy.

"Um, Pikachu, I don't think that's a good idea," advised Dawn.

Pikachu didn't listen. It let out all of its power, giving it all to Electivire freely.

It knew what it was doing, and it only prayed it was going to work.

With one final push, it stopped, giving away every last bit of its energy. It was on the verge of falling unconscious.

On the other side of the battlefield, Electivire stood slumped over. Pikachu took one good look at it.

Then massive shockwaves were released. Electivire straightened up with bright yellow eyes. Its body was outlined in electricity. It was on 110% power.

"Now is the time to step in," said Brendan, but before he could do anything at all, Pikachu rose a paw to stop him.

A second later, Electivire was screaming. It held onto its head as it moved around.

It was overloaded.

Pikachu smirked, and Electivire didn't like it.

In its rage, it shot a massive Thunderbolt at Pikachu, a power that could kill someone with a single blow, but Pikachu stayed where it was.

"Pikachu!" yelled Dawn, placing her fist on her palm to quickly create an ice shield for Pikachu, but she was too late.

The attack struck Pikachu head on. They could only watch in horror as the attack continued to destroy land as far as the eye could see. They didn't know what they would be expecting once the attack died down.

Slowly, as it did, the feeling that came next was shock.

Pikachu stood, sparks coming out of the pouches on its cheeks.

Electivire was slumped forward again. It looked dizzy, moving around in one spot, trying to not fall. That was because of the massive amount of energy it had just released.

"How is that possible?" asked Dawn.

Brendan understood, but he was still shocked. Why was it not dead? It most definitely took the hit, evident by the added bruises and burned spots on its body, but it being an Electric-Type negated some of the attack, but Pikachu's Lightning Rod ability absorbed some of it as well.

That meant Pikachu had more energy than Electivire now.

Slowly, Pikachu moved forward, and then it broke into a run. Sparks exited its body, and then finally, electricity surrounded it. It was using Volt Tackle, and it was heading toward Electivire. Electivire raised the antennae on its back, prepared to absorb Pikachu's attack.

Pikachu jumped, but then the Volt Tackle disappeared, so there was nothing to absorb.

Pikachu struck Electivire on the head with a simple headbutt.

The massive Pokemon came falling down, and as soon as it made contact with the hard ground, it was unconscious. The dizziness, the headbutt to the head, and a massive fall was enough to bring any large Pokemon down.

Before Pikachu hit the ground, it was caught by Brendan, who used Mightyena's power to quickly get to Pikachu.

"Whoa," said Brendan as he watched Electivire's swirly eyes. "That's actually impressive."

Pikachu smirked, and then it fainted as well.

High, wide rocks were torn down, their rubble crashing into the ground. Once one was brought down, another followed a second later.

Gary was using his lightning powers to dash through the air. Following him was Ash, propelling aura from his feet to catch up with Gary.

Gary expected Ash to tire out, but Ash wasn't letting up even for a second. Everytime they got close enough to each other, their weapons clashed, and then they were once again playing the game of cat and mouse.

Gary quickly made a sharp turn, causing Ash's fist to miss. Ash quickly made the turn and followed Gary.

Gary looked back and lightning formed on his fist. He tossed a large thunderbolt at the boy, but Ash covered his fists in aura and broke right through it.

Gary proceeded to grind his teeth, thinking of another way, but Ash suddenly appeared above him. Gary didn't even have time to react. Ash took the collar of his shirt and then held a fist back. The fist proceeded to get engulfed in aura.

The impact of Ash's strike to Gary's face sent Gary into the ground, causing rocks and dust to rise up. Gary quickly got out of the crater and landed on his hands and feet.

Ash landed on the ground and charged at Gary. Gary quickly rose his feet and directed a kick to Ash's head. Ash blocked the kick with his arm. Gary lowered his legs and instead used them to trip Ash. It worked, and Ash fell on his two arms. Ash used his arms to turn his body and direct a side kick to Gary, but Gary got out of the way and landed on his feet. Ash quickly got up, and they charged at each other, their arms colliding as aura and lightning surrounded their bodies.

The impact caused an explosion. Ash was pushed back, and then his face was grabbed as Gary flew toward him with his lightning powers.

He crashed Ash's body into the face of a rock, pushing him deep inside, immobilizing the boy.

Gary just watched him, and then he smirked.

"Look at you now," he said.

Ash proceeded to raise his head to meet Gary's eyes, but Gary's fist always crashed into his gut.

"How does it feel to be powerless, huh?!"

Gary's lightening covered fists struck Ash's immobilized body over and over, and the Aura Guardian had no way to counter them.

"Maybe if you obtained just a bit more power, you would've been able to avoid this, right?!" asked Gary. "But no! You chose to get stronger in the stupidest way imaginable, while I pushed myself to get stronger! And yet, it still isn't enough! Why, huh?!"

Gary's knees struck Ash. All of the air left his lungs, but he took the blows while glaring at Gary. Gary's words only made him angrier.

Gary's hand then grabbed onto his head. Gary moved Ash's face forward so their faces would be close to each other.

"You're going to regret ever trying to catch up to me," said Gary, with a sinister tone in his voice.

Volts of harsh electricity then circulated throughout Ash's body from Gary's hand. The boy was in tons of pain, but he avoided yelling. He avoided being at the mercy of Gary's power.

"Those who are weak are better left to die," said Gary.

Those words. They were the exact same words Gary had told him back then, and they were the words that awakened an emotion Ash hadn't felt for Gary Oak for so long.

Pity.

FLASHBACk

It started on a path by a pond. It was one of the most peaceful places in Pallet Town. One could just sit down and enjoy the view or take a stroll around the pond.

On this path were two friends, Ash and Drew, at the age of their days in Pallet Town. It was supposed to be a trio of friends, but one was missing from the group: Gary Oak.

It had been a whole week since the death of Professor Oak. They felt bad for their friend, but whenever they tried to get in contact with Gary, he pushed them away. They had went to Professor Oak's funeral, but they still were unable to talk to Gary.

He was too distant from them now.

"We've got to do something about Gary," said Drew as his finger scratched his cheek. "I feel horrible doing nothing."

"Me too," said Ash. "But whenever I try getting into his house, his mom tells me he doesn't want to see anybody."

There was silence. They got closer to the pond.

"You think Gary's gonna be okay?" asked Drew.

Ash turned to him with a smile.

"Of course. Gary's our friend. He wouldn't change for anything."

"Yeah," said Drew, placing his hands behind his head.

"I just wish he would at least speak to us about this," said Ash, lowering his head.

"We should head toward his-"

Then he was silenced. Ash felt Drew tapping him on the shoulder, causing him to stop. He looked to where Drew was pointing at, and he saw Gary walking toward them, but not looking at them.

"Gary..." thought Ash.

Drew and he looked at each other, and then Ash nodded.

"Gary!" he called out, and the two boys ran toward Gary. They walked in front of Gary, halting his movement. Ash waited for Gary to say something, but he was just averting his gaze from them.

"Hey," said Ash. Gary still kept his mouth shut.

"Maybe he's still sad over what happened," thought Ash. "I should try cheering him up."

"Are you still upset?" asked Ash.

Gary walked around him. Ash and Drew watched him go. But just watching him go caused something to switch on in Ash's head. He could see Drew, prepared to tell Ash that they should just leave, but Ash couldn't do that.

"I can't leave him alone," thought Ash. "I can't make him go on by himself."

He ran toward Gary, walking behind the boy.

"Hey! Where are you headed? Can me and Drew come?"

Gary suddenly stopped and turned to Ash.

"No. You won't be able to reach where I'm going."

He turned back around and walked away. Ash watched with confusion.

"What?" thought Ash. "Reach? I'm not that short. Mom told me this is a good height for a boy my age."

"What?" asked Ash.

"You will inherit your father's weakness. You are that Aura Guardian's son."

"Aura Guardian? You mean my dad? He's not here right now. He went off somewhere for a while."

"He's wasting his energy. Those who are strong should take care of the things that are important. Helping the weak overcome their problems is a waste of time to others and to oneself."

"What?" asked Ash. He turned back to Drew, who stood where he was, completely speechless. He looked back at Gary and watched him get farther and farther.

He just felt it. Something had surely changed within Gary. A change that made Gary the

person he was acting like now. But...

It was a change Ash didn't like at all.

He ran toward Gary.

"I'll help him!" thought Ash. "Maybe he's not okay because of the Professor! If that's the case, then I'll help him out of that sadness right now. I'm not leaving until I do! I promise!"

His hand grabbed onto Gary's shoulder.

"Gary! What-"

Then the unexpected happened. Gary grabbed onto his arm and tripped him, causing him to fall into the pond.

Ash was sinking within the water. He knew how to swim, but he was too shocked to do anything. An air bubble escaped his mouth, heading toward the surface.

"Why did he do that?" he thought. "Gary would never do that without a reason. This isn't Gary. This can't be him. This...can't possibly be him."

Then he saw someone jump into the water. It was Drew, who swam down to him and grabbed onto the boy. He pulled Ash to the surface and back onto land. Ash was coughing up water. Drew looked toward Gary sadly.

"Why did you do that?" asked Drew.

Anger unexpectedly welled up inside Ash. Whatever Gary was trying to be right now, Ash Ketchum didn't like it.

"What the heck was that for?!" he yelled out.

"As I expected," said Gary as he glared at Ash. "Weak. That's all I need to prove the Aura Guardians are powerless."

"What are you talking about?! When did you get so into this power and weakness business?! That doesn't matter!"

"In order to live in this world, you must be strong," said Gary, walking off. "That's all."

Ash's fingers trembled. He was clenching his teeth.

He knew that if he stayed where he was and did nothing, Gary was going to change forever. Ash didn't want it. He didn't want it to continue. In order to stop Gary from going on the road he was spiraling down into, Ash had to do something. It could be anything.

"I'm going to save him!" thought Ash, and he suddenly jumped up before Drew could calm him down.

"GARY!"

He went to punch Gary, but the brunette easily moved to the side and punched Ash right on the face. Ash fell to the ground, got up and continued trying. The fight continued on like that, with Ash getting back up after Gary easily brought him down. Kids passing by started to notice, but they didn't help. They laughed.

"Hey guys!" yelled a kid named Joseph. "Come over here! Ketchum is getting his ass kicked!"

Ash saw Drew trying to stop the fight, but he honestly didn't want Drew to.

He had to keep trying. He had to knock some sense into Gary.

This was not Gary. Gary Oak was a better person than this. No matter how many times Gary hit him, Ash wasn't going to go down until Gary yelled out "Ha, I was just playing with you".

But he couldn't go on for much longer. He eventually did fall to the ground. He quickly tried getting up, but he had scraped his knee. He winced in pain and stopped. He was beaten and Gary was unscathed. Ash wasn't really trying to hurt Gary that much, but Gary didn't hold back against him at all.

Gary was walking away again.

"Those who are weak are better left to die," he said.

The kids that were around them started cheering and laughing at Ash's failure.

"Ash, you alright?" asked Drew, quickly coming and checking on him.

Ash didn't pay any mind to Drew at all. He held onto his knee and glared at Gary.

He was just watching Gary go, and it caused a tear to fall from his right eye.

"I'll show you! I'll show you Aura Guardians have power! Just you wait! I'll beat you and prove it, Gary! This is not over yet!"

Gary didn't turn back. He just kept going.

Ash lowered his head to the ground, and he broke into tears.

Drew stood and glared at the kids laughing, prepared to fight them all if he had to, but Ash didn't care for them at all.

"I-I'll help you Gary...I-I will."

Gary was holding onto the thought that his power was superior to others. It had corrupted him. So in order to bring the boy back, Ash had to destroy that illusion.

Ash could only think about what this meant for his friend.

Although Ash had lost a friend that day, it was only the beginning of the countless amount of times Ash would challenge Gary to show the boy his illusion of power was wrong.

Then, just maybe, Gary was going to return to them.

Ash was going to show Gary that Aura Guardians did have the power to protect people, including him.

Ash was sure to prove it.

END OF FLASHBACK

The pity that Ash felt quickly evolved into strength.

"Just stop it!"

With a roar, aura raged around the boy, destroying the rock he was stuck on and stopping Gary's attack.

Ash quickly grabbed onto a large rock that fell from the sky, and then smashed the object on Gary's head, destroying the rock as the pieces fell to the ground. Blood fell from the side of Gary's head now.

"Just quit it already!" said Ash, aura forming around his fists. He charged at Gary. Gary swung his sword, but Ash ducked and rammed a fist into Gary's gut. "This isn't you, dammit! You never allowed this! You were kind, loyal, and fought for what was right! Power didn't matter to you!"

"That's not me anymore!" yelled Gary, holding onto his stomach as blood fell from his mouth. "I'm different now!"

He swung his sword again with lightning surrounding it toward the top of Ash's head.

Ash simply held onto the blade on both sides of the flat ends. He then took it away from Gary's hand and tossed it away. It dug into the ground away from them.

"No you're not!" yelled Ash as he held a fist back. "You're Gary Oak of Pallet Town! You're the grandson of Professor Samuel Oak! You were my friend!"

His fist rammed into Gary's face. The boy stumbled back, but then another fist struck him.

A punch came immediately after the last. Gary tried evading, but Ash was too fast. When Gary used his power to get away from Ash, Ash suddenly caught up, and then a fury of fists struck Gary once more.

"There he is!" exclaimed May, running toward the battle. Misty, Dawn, and Brendan were behind her, and Pikachu was resting in Brendan's arms.

Misty stopped and watched Ash throw multiple punches at Gary without giving the boy time to dodge.

"I was right," thought Misty. "It all makes sense."

Watching Ash right now made it all clear. Watching Ash overpower Gary made the pieces comes together.

Those times when Ash was beaten by Gary, those times when Gary stood over Ash were fake, and this battle proved it.

Ash had always been stronger than Gary, but he was just holding back. He had always held back.

Why?

Because Ash never hated Gary. He only wanted to prove himself. He wanted to prove to the boy that his path to power was all wrong.

Gary was the one who was weak the whole time, and this brought a tear to Misty's eye.

Gary moved back, but a fist crashed onto his face, causing him to fall back.

He quickly straightened up and slammed his fist onto Ash's face. Ash was hit, but he didn't fall. He roared, and then his fist hit Gary's gut and aura shot out from his hands, pushing Gary back.

Deep skid marks were left behind after Gary stopped, still standing. He glared at Ash.

"How?"

Ash came again and Gary dodged, but Ash's elbow struck him.

"This doesn't make sense."

Another punch followed.

"All that vigorous training, all of those battles, and still it wasn't enough. I reached into the darkest areas of power, areas Ash wouldn't dare to enter himself, and yet he was superior."

He blocked a punch, but Ash's foot tripped him. He felt himself slowly falling to the ground.

"What was I lacking? What does Ash have that I don't?"

His eyes went for the people who were watching their battle the whole time.

"Friends."

A kick struck his gut before he hit the ground.

"I wanted to get stronger to kill Marluxia for what he did to my grandfather. I wanted to protect others so they wouldn't end up like him. But somewhere along the line, I lost my place. I fought so people could fear me. I fought to become the strongest. Ash...Ash had a better reason to get stronger. He had people by his side, growing with him, and helping him grow. He fought to protect the lives of others. I fought for myself. I walked alone."

He got to his feet. Ash was coming for him. He crossed his arms in front of his face. Ash's aura covered fist broke through it, and the fist struck Gary's face.

At this point, Gary had no more fight left in him.

"But...I'm sure I was stronger than him. At some point, he exceeded me, and he continued to get stronger. I stayed where I was. I was in his shadow the whole time."

There was another strike.

"But I can't blame others for this. It was all my fault. I had people who tried to stand by me, who tried to be my friend, but I shoved them away. I pushed Misty away. I...I even tried to kill them."

There was another strike.

"I was weak the whole time. There was no way I could get strong. I was someone who walked in the dark that was leading me nowhere. I let my pain destroy me. Ash's friends helped him get stronger from the pain."

He was pushed back. He held his stomach, and he breathed heavily. Blood was falling from his face, his arm was nearly broken. His face was bruised up.

"GARY!" yelled Ash, charging at Gary, directing his right aura covered fist to Gary's face.

Gary didn't move. He didn't have the strength to.

The fist got closer, and closer, and closer, until it was only mere inches from him.

And only one thought crossed the spiky haired brunette's mind.

"What...the hell was I doing this whole time?"

Then the fist crashed into his face, and he was launched back.

His limp body rolled across the ground until he came to a stop on his stomach.

Gary Oak was down, and he wasn't getting back up again.

Ash stood, his arm extended, and his breathing was rapid and heavy.

"That's what real power is," said Ash. "Never forget that...Gary..."

Ash fell to his knees.

It was all over. Ash had won. He fulfilled his goal to get stronger than Gary

The next thing he heard was the sounds of his friends. He slowly turned to them.

There they were, running toward him with smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes, except for Misty. They were happy for Ash. Ash had did it.

"Ash!" exclaimed May, who got to her knees and held the injured boy in her arms. "I was so worried for you! I can't believe you actually did it! You were great! Wait, you're injured, let me-"

"No," interrupted Ash, and then a shaky finger was pointed toward Gary's unconscious body. "Help him first. Help Gary."

They all turned to the boy. He was lying on his stomach, and his head was turned to them.

Tears were falling from Misty's face. She was happy Ash did it, but at the same time, she felt pity.

How it looked now, Ash was surrounded by people, congratulating him and checking if he was okay while Gary was all the way over there, unconscious and with nobody by his side.

It felt so...lonely.

Misty took steps toward Gary, but she stopped.

Suddenly, a dark portal opened up by Gary, and they all froze. From their times with The Dark Signers, they had always seen those portals pop up, so they expected who was going to step out.

But the person who stepped out was more unexpected.

The man who stood by Gary was none other than Sephiroth himself.

"Hello there," said Sephiroth with a soothing voice.

"Uncle...?" asked Misty.

"Misty, my niece, do you realize how rude it was to just leave like that. I was lonely."

"Why are you here?"

"I came to pick up the trash, of course."

"Trash? What do you-"

Sephiroth's foot rammed into Gary's gut, causing blood to escape his mouth.

They were all shocked, seeing this random man pop up and proceed,to repeatedly kick the beaten boy without any restraint.

"After all this time, you still had nothing!" yelled Sephiroth, continuing his onslaught. "You were a waste of my time! No matter what I did, you just didn't fall into the darkness deep enough! How dare you do this to me?! How dare you disappoint me?! Do you realize what you have done?! I was so close to completing my goal, but you just had to be weak AND RUIN IT!"

The kids had no idea what they should do. When should they get between the two?

"Stop it."

Sephiroth stopped.

He placed his foot on the ground, and then slowly turned to Ash, whose eyes were wide.

"Excuse me?"

"I said stop it," said Ash. "Stop that right now."

His voice sounded shaky.

Sephiroth chuckled.

"My, my, excuse my manners," he said. "I forgot to congratulate you. Congratulations on your victory! I see you're getting used to being a Nobody, huh? I remember you coming to my island like a lifeless doll, but look at you now! I apologize for sending this boy to you. He was only a waste of time, wasn't he? He was merely one PIECE...OF...SHIT!"

With every break at the end of his sentence, he gave Gary another kick. He then started to stomp on Gary's side.

"A PIECE OF SHIT WHO COULDN'T GET STRONGER FOR HIS GRANDFATHER!" continued Sephiroth. "YOU'RE WEAK! WEAK! WEAK! WEAK, DAMMIT!"

"It was you the whole time."

Sephiroth stopped once again, but he didn't turn to Ash this time.

"Huh?"

"It was you," Ash continued, his voice even more shaky. "You were the one who changed Gary. You made him into this! It was you the whole time!"

Sephiroth was silent, and then he smirked.

"What a wonderful detective you are."

Rage covered Ash's face. His eyes turned blue, his hair stood up, and fangs were developing.

"How about you replace this worthless piece of shit and become my apprentice instead," asked Sephiroth. "You need a replacement after what happened to Lnoki, right?"

May couldn't stop him. He was already gone.

Ash had used the last bit of his power and charged at Sephiroth. He jumped up and held his fist back.

His eyes were completely blue, with teeth were sharp. Aura shot out from his body. It was shot out in all directions, and unlike the times when aura felt calm and soothing, it felt sinister and hot now. It was the aura of a beast that shook the ground they stood on.

"DAMN YOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

Sephiroth slowly turned toward him with the smirk still plastered on his face.

Ash's fist was lurched forward.

The next thing that happened was the sound of ground breaking open.

It was Ash's head, digging into the ground. The aura was gone. Ash's eyes were white.

Sephiroth stood with one arm extended, and his hand was in the position of a karate chop.

A stern look was on his face.

"Watch who you're talking to, boy."

When it was all over, the others were pushed back into reality and realized what had just happened.

"Ash!" yelled May, and she ran toward the unconscious boy quickly.

She suddenly stopped as soon as she got close enough to Sephiroth. Their eyes met. This was their first meeting, but why did May feel weird?

"I...I've seen him before. But when?"

Sephiroth smiled and then turned to Gary.

"Don't worry, Princess," said Sephiroth. "This is not over yet. This was merely plan B. Plan A has yet to come. I didn't want to finish the game so quickly, so I made Plan B to pass the time. I shouldn't have placed all my trust in this boy."

He then started to maniacally laugh. His crazed looked turned to May.

"I will be sure that Plan A works! This is not the end! IT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING!"

May didn't feel fear nor defiance. She was confused.

Sephiroth then turned to Gary again and picked the boy up and placed him over his shoulder roughly. He extended a hand and a dark portal opened up.

He turned back to Misty.

"Are you coming?"

Misty didn't respond to him. She still had the horrified look she had since Sephiroth came here.

"Whatever," said Sephiroth, taking a scroll from his pocket and tossing it to the ground by Misty. "You'll return eventually. You have a reason too." He shook Gary, and then he looked back at the portal and rose his hand while waving it.

"See you kids later."

He walked in and the portal closed up behind him.

They all stayed where they were.

May slowly got to her knees and pulled Ash's bloody face from the ground and held it in her hands.

What just happened simply just happened. There was no way to comment on it.

But they did feel one thing, though.

A dark time was coming.

They just didn't know when.

(Ending Song)

Next Time on a new season of Pokemon Heroes: The group heads back into Sootopolis City to find Ash and Pikachu treatment. The battle ended, but the thoughts that come after plagues their minds, and they force Misty to decide what side she's really on. What will be Misty's resolve, and what will happen to Ash in his condition? Next Time: After the Battle.

That was that chapter. And now that was the epic end to this season! Ash and Gary's battle has now concluded, but what will be the future of these two? You'll have to find out next season :-P

If you had noticed, the flashback for the time Ash and Gary fought for the first time was the exact same one that was seen in last season's season finale. This one was in Ash's perspective, to show Ash's reason to grow stronger than Gary. Everything has a start.

I also revealed that there may be history between May and Sephiroth. That old bastard has so many secrets.

Pokemon Heroes will now enter a new stage, and this stage will be something you guys have been waiting for, but I've always diverted from it to focus on other things. New things will happen, and epic fights are yet to come, so be prepared.

Next season will come very soon, before the weekend. I've already thought about the story of the first ten chapters. Normal Monday updates should be returning soon, but don't expect it to be too soon.

Also, a new poll has been posted on my profile, so go vote!

See you on the seventh season!

Read and Review please :-)

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