Authoress' Note:

Yep, miscalculated again… I don't know if this is good news or not, but there will definitely be an extra chapter for the things I didn't manage to fit into this one; basically an epilogue to seal any remaining plot-holes and some more interactions.

Anyway! Enjoy!

Chapter 15 'Freedom'

The same mountains, the same rock and the same sunset. All was just as back then. A content sigh beside Fenriar got its attention to the side, where Tyrus was standing, looking at the horizon.

"Just like old times…"

Fenriar looked questioningly at him, feeling confused. All that anger and sadness a dull ache in its chest as a melancholic feeling invaded it instead. It all felt like a bad dream, but Fenriar knew that was not the case. The council had tricked it. Deceived it with false promises. And then Tyrus had come... and it remembered. The Aura Guardian, who had sworn to always be there on Fenriar's side, had sealed it away. Just like the council wanted. Fenriar's trust had been turned to pieces then; the feelings of betrayal just fulling its rage.

Fenriar's confused expression turned to a scowled.

"You have every right to be angry at me," Tyrus stated. "No apology could ever repay what I made you go through… but I hope you know it all was in good will."

Fenriar considered his words for a moment before letting out an indignant snort.

"Yeah, I know I don't sound very convincing," Tyrus smiled sadly. "And I'm actually surprised you haven't tried to attack me yet."

Fenriar turned away and growled its reasons, making Tyrus blink a bit surprised.

"He did that, huh?" Tyrus said after a bit. "I should have known," he continued with a smile. "That saves me the trouble of babbling excuses, I guess."

The muffled blowing sound coming from Fenriar's mouth let Tyrus know he had managed to get the beast as close to laughing as it could get.

"Still… I'm sorry, old friend."

Fenriar turned back to the Guardian and growled reproachfully.

"What do you mean you'll forgive me by the time we see each other again?" Tyrus was the one looking indignant now. "You know I'm kind of death, right? It'll be a long time before that happens," seeing Fenriar's deadpanned expression he relented. "Right… not as much as you had to wait inside the seal. But hey, good news! The council no longer exists in this era."

They both sobered up at the thought. Tyrus petted the beast's muzzle one last time and smiled in reassurance.

"You'll be… completely free this time."

.:oOo:.

The battle had ended up in a standstill. Just as most of the scientists had been defeated, Celosia and Ariana had revealed to have captured more than just the sentient Poké Dex, pushing a couple of trapped Pokémon clones into view. Even Tapu Koko had stopped fighting, choosing to hover protectively in front of the still unconscious group instead. Rowlet was perched beside his trainer in worry and Charizard stood next to Kiawe also guarding the group.

A low beeping coming from one of Xerosic's monitor got the scientist's attention to the energy flow graphics. What he saw made him smile. Apparently the child had finally stopped resisting. His chuckles got a few of the present people's attention. Professor Kukui specially had been keeping an eye on the screens himself, so when he saw the data showing the energy flow had started to run steadily and without restrain he blanched.

"Whatever you are doing, stop!"

"Oh, you got it all wrong, Professor. This is all the kid's actions, I am merely observing results," seeing confused faces, he felt the need to elaborate further. "The only reason the Aura energy wasn't flowing steadily as it is right now, it's because the kid was stubbornly refusing to let go of it. Which means… he stopped fighting."

"What?" Kukui turned back to his student not ready to believe Ash had given up; the kid's determination was too strong for that.

The Pokémon around him suddenly jumped awake as if they had just waked from a nightmare; Pikachu practically launching himself forward to check on his trainer.

"Mewtwo, what happened!?" Clemont was fast to ask; his panic rising.

"It's Ash! He-"

Then came the bright light pulsing angrily around the red crystal; the intensity going progressively stronger as the crystal started to crack.

"W-What's going on!?"

"The seal is breaking!"

"Pi?" with everyone's attention on the weakened seal, only the closest to him noticed Pikachu perking up at seeing his trainer's hand twitching slightly.

"Nin-ninja?"

"Row! Rowlet!"

"H-huh?" Ash finally regained consciousness, tilting his head slightly upwards. Just that simple action felt like the hardest thing he had to do in his life.

Still clinging to him, Bonnie noticed him stirring and let out a happy cry at seeing him awake; her wordless exclamation gaining the attention of the others.

"Ash!" Serena's hands went to her chest as she made to step forward.

"You are awa- Wh-what?" Clemont's words froze.

Following his friend's gaze, Ash lifted a hand to find it was fading. He blinked at the oddity a couple of times ignoring the gasps around him; his brain having a hard time processing how wrong that was supposed to be. Human skin wasn't translucent like some Pokémon's, right?

"Pikapi!" Pikachu downright screamed in aggravation, already understanding what was happening to his trainer.

"W-what is going on? Why is Ash's hand… fading?!" Kiawe asked completely unnerved.

It wasn't just his hand, they soon noticed, the rest of his body was starting to gain a translucent appearance. Still holding his trainer tight, Greninja addressed Pikachu with a croaking question, which the little mouse answered in desperate mannerisms; small tears already forming beneath his eyes. His two teammates suddenly tensed at whatever they had been told; Greninja showing a panicked uncertainty in his face that was alien to his normally cool headed behavior and Rowlet entering into a teary and more subdued version of its usual panic mode.

A low chuckle turned everyone's attention to the chamber's entrance, where the recently detained Director stood beside Officer Jenny. "You would understand if you had seen the second memory," Lysandre commented in amusement. "That is what happens when you don't have enough Aura to sustain you."

"Y-You mean, Ash is…" Lillie couldn't finish the sentence.

"Fading out of existence," Lysandre answered gravely.

Serena's train of thoughts suddenly stopped and crumbled. Her eyes went wide and lost, unable to focus, and her face had gone three tones paler. She hadn't heard right, that must have been it. Because… because that was just impossible. Ash was strong and unbeatable... and also… kind, and brave… There was no way he was… dying. Not like this!

"Serena!" Mallow barely managed to catch the honey-blonde girl as she collapsed into a mental breakdown.

Just then, the crystal broke into pieces, liberating an explosive light that blinded everyone with a flash. As the light diminished, they finally saw an imposing dark figure standing high over them. Its wolf-like features more prominently intimidating than ever. Red terrifying eyes scanned the surroundings in wary curiosity as most humans and Pokémon stood in nervous readiness should they need to fight.

"T-That's Fenriar?" Kiawe asked; sweat falling down his forehead.

"So magnificent…" Lysandre whispered to himself in astonished adoration.

Mewtwo had stepped forward, arm raised with a Shadow Ball forming, but after a few seconds of tension, he dissipated the attack and lower his hand. As if understanding his actions, Tapu Koko was next to do the same, hovering back down to the group.

"You shall not worry about Fenriar anymore," Mewtwo finally spoke. "He is no longer consumed by rage."

"Impossible! The beast wouldn't have listened to you!" Xerosic exclaimed. "The negative energy coming from it was off the charts!"

Mewtwo shook his head gravely as he explained. "It was all Ash's doing. He is the one who managed to calm Fenriar down."

Nobody spoke, too bewildered and hesitant to say anything. Lysandre's eyes went wide in disbelief. Just how far did this kid's strength go?

Ignoring the stares, Fenriar walked ahead towards the Psychic Pokémon and growl as in question.

"Yes, he is here," Mewtwo answered as he moved aside, looking over his shoulder. "But he won't last much longer."

With another passive growl from the back of the throat, Fenriar approached the fading human child and bend its head down enough to be at hands reach; the others around him tensing in nervousness.

Taking his time to focus his gaze, Ash looked at Fenriar and smiled in relief, causing it to freeze in confusion. How could someone so young going through their last moments even found it in themselves to smile so sincerely? Its answer came in the child's next words.

"Are you feeling better, Fenriar?" Ash asked in a quiet tone; his translucent hand went to pat the beast's head as if in reassurance. "It must have been really lonely being trapped in there for so long… I'm glad you are finally free."

Fenriar's eyes glisten in gratefulness and it leaned into the child's touch before closing his eyes and concentrate.

"You have my thanks, kiddo," if he wasn't so out of it, Ash would have questioned if he was hallucinating or if Tyrus' ethereal figure was really standing there beside Fenriar, with his hand outstretched towards him. "We will get you back in shape… literally."

Fenriar opened one eye to gaze at the Aura Guardian and growl as if in reproach.

"Sorry, bad joke," Tyrus admitted with a smile, not looking repentant at all.

Seconds passed before anything happened but soon enough, a dim light started to envelope them both. Feeling warm and comfortable, Ash closed his eyes and welcomed the soothing energy going through him; the action causing him to miss the moment Tyrus vanished away.

"Pi!" rubbing his tears away, Pikachu looked on a bit startled.

"Ash is shining brighter…" Bonnie said in wonderment.

"Is that… Aura?" Kiawe asked.

"I think… Fenriar is sharing its Aura with Ash," Clemont commented, adjusting his glasses over his nose.

Mewtwo nodded before explaining. "Somehow, Fenriar is transferring back enough Aura for Ash to recuperate."

"So, Ash will be okay!" Bonnie exclaimed as she watched the transition with sparkling eyes.

The relief Serena felt then was too much for her and she kneeled down with a faint exclamation of happiness; tears cascading down without restrain.

Mallow, still holding her in a supporting hug, knelt beside her and smiled brightly. "What a relief, right Serena?"

Serena looked back gratefully and nodded her agreement, unable to form words for fear of releasing the knot in her throat into unstoppable sobs.

"D-Does it means… Fenriar isn't going to d-destroy anything now?" Sophocles asked, still feeling a bit nervous.

Lana frowned. "Maybe not anything we care about."

The kids beside her blinked in confusion before following her disapproving gaze to the small group of criminals at the other side of the room; their plan of taking hostages suddenly not sounding like their best idea.

"I kindly suggest you release those Pokémon," Mewtwo's calmed suggestion contrasted with the cold edge in his voice, freezing the criminals in place; the two female admins being the only ones who still showed some kind of stubborn resistance.

Lysandre on the other hand, stared as the same kid that had been dying just a few seconds ago, rose from the ground with the help of his friends and smiled reassuringly before glaring at the two admins; three legendarily powerful Pokémon backing him up from behind, ready to lend him their strength while his own team surrounded him protectively.

The man was mesmerized by the scene, somehow finding it fitting. He had yet underestimated his enemy and it had cost him. Lysandre finally closed his eyes in acceptance. If only he had gotten to meet more people like Ash…

At the midst of his defeat, the Director tried to convince himself that if there were truly more people like him, then maybe the world wasn't entirely doomed to humanity…

"Aliana, Celosia, let the hostages go," Lysander ordered. "We had been defeated."

.:oOo:.

Officer Jenny had been fast to take charge of the situation, ordering a few of her teammates to escort the children out of the ruins while the rest took care of the criminals within the chamber.

"Koko!"

"Thanks, Tapu Koko!" Jenny exclaimed as the Deity Guardian dropped a few paralyzed grunts that had tried to escape. "I think we got everything else under control. You can wait with everyone else outside if you like."

Nodding its agreement, it flew out of the volcano's ruins, finding the group of kids and Pokémon not too far away.

"Great job, everyone!" Clemont was congratulating his team, receiving excited exclamations in response; from all except one, who was having none of it... "Um… Dedenne, what's wrong?"

"Dede-denenne!" the little rodent turned his head indignantly and somehow managed to crossed his little paws to complete the look.

"I know I said you needed to get into your Poké Ball just while we teleported, but once we arrived, a lot of things happened!" Dedenne heard him, but that didn't seem to be enough of an apology, seeing as how the electric type didn't budge from his rejecting position, causing Clemont to slumped depressingly and looking close to tears. "I'm sorry!"

Deciding to play peacemaker Bonnie came forward and took Dedenne in her arms. "Don't worry, brother! I'm sure Dedenne will forgive you once you buy us some delicious honey-filled donuts!"

Dedenne seemed to think about it, then nodded his agreement with as much seriousness as a cute rodent could give.

"See?"

"I'm reduced to bribing with food…" Clemont murmured in resignation.

Bonnie laughed at him before turning to their side. "At least you are not the one taking a lecture from Pikachu."

Following his sister's gaze, Clemont winced, suddenly not feeling that bad about the resolution he reached with his own resentful Pokémon.

Just a few steps away, Kiawe and Greninja were helping Ash to sit down against a rocky wall, all while the later was patiently listening to a very aggravated Pikachu, who was squeaking reproachfully at his trainer about something only other Pokémon and possibly Ash himself; judging by his apologetic smile; could comprehend.

"I'm sorry I worried you again, bud," he said when Pikachu seemed to be done. "I just couldn't think of any other way to help."

"Pi-pika pikachu!" by his expression, Pikachu didn't agree.

"Come on, you know that was the right thing to do, right?" Ash tried to reason.

Pikachu deflated a bit, but frowned again. "Pika pika, Pikapi! Chu pikachu-pi!"

"Bzzt! You did what?!" Rotom came forward in panic, apparently done with pestering both Fenriar and Mewtwo with photos for his data recollection. His yell got the rest of the group's attention to their conversation.

"Is something wrong?" Lillie asked.

"Pikachu is just mad at me for almost dying," Ash explained sheepishly grinning her way.

"Don't say things like that sounding so cheerful!" Kiawe admonish with annoyance.

Getting the general idea of the conflict, Serena kneeled down beside the yellow mouse and smiled lightly. "I know you were upset, Pikachu. We all were. But you can't really blame Ash for what happened, can you?"

"Pika! Pikachu!" he yelled his answer with a resolute nod, making Serena blink in confusion.

"Pikachu says he surely can!" Rotom translated before getting into Ash's face. "And I agree! What were you thinking!?"

"Not you too, Rotom…" Ash said pushing the PokéDex aside. "It wasn't a big deal. After all, everything was okay at the end, right?"

He turned to look at his other two Pokémon for support, who were the only ones of his team who weren't chastising him for his actions; though Rowlet didn't really count since he was sleeping using Greninja's head as his perch.

"Gren-grenin…" Greninja's passive answer made Ash wince.

"Pikachu is just saying what all of us think, so there is no need for our input," Mewtwo explained with the same passiveness.

Knowing he wasn't going to win this one, Ash sighed with slumped shoulders, before addressing his starter again. "What can I do so you forgive me then?"

"Pi-pika, pika-pika-pikachu!"

"Yeah, you can start with that!" Rotom exclaimed his agreement. "No more suicidal rescues next time!"

"What is RotomDex talking about?" Sophocles wondered.

"Whatever it is, the conversation can continue once we are out of here," Professor Kukui interrupted, coming over after he was done talking with one of the officers. "It's too late at night to take rides out at sea for now. But we'll still need to move to the coast so we can camp there," the reason being how the adults wanted the children as far away from the arrested criminals as possible was left unsaid.

"So we can't go home until tomorrow?" Sophocles asked with disappointment; his hopeful illusion of eating warm homemade food breaking apart.

"The Pokémon we are riding home need to rest," Kukui explained. "Not to mention the open sea could be dangerous without sunlight."

Sophocles froze in fright at the prospect of being in the middle of nowhere with no lights but that of his Togedemaru.

"What kind of danger?" Bonnie asked in curiosity.

"If you are unlucky enough, you might find yourself victim of Gyarados' Dragon Rage!" Lana suddenly said in full storyteller mode; Ash perking up in recognition.

"Gyarados' Dragon Rage?" Serena asked sounding intrigued.

Lana nodded and continued. "There is a sailor's tale about a colony of Gyarados that roam the seas… when they find a ship in their way, they attack with all their fury, using a collaborative Dragon Rage attack!"

"Wow! What does it do?" Bonnie asked in eager anticipation.

To their surprise, Ash was the one who answered, falling into Lana's same wavelength. "It's a super powerful attack in which they start swimming in circles!" he began, using his hands for dramatic representation visual aid. "When they reach enough speed, they create a huge water cyclone that reaches the sky! And once it started, it can't be stopped!"

"Pika pika," Pikachu nodded sagely with arms crossed and eyes closed.

"Can't be stop? Surely there is a way to get away from it, right?" Kiawe asked, totally invested in the tale.

"No one has ever escape from one before," both Lana and Ash stated in a sinister tone.

A shiver passed down through the group as the idea of getting caught by the force of such an attack set into their minds.

"But that's not all…" Lana continued, this time getting Ash curiosity as well. "As the ships are sent spinning through the air out of control, the last thing their crews see, is Kyogre charging a hyper beam in the cyclone's direction!"

"Kyogre!?"

"Now that's terrifying!"

"B-But I don't remember that!" with so many exclamations going off at the same time, Ash's own went mostly unheard. "We must have missed it, Pikachu!"

"Pika!?"

"Wait, what?" Kiawe turned his way.

"Just joking," Lana suddenly said sticking her tongue out.

And the reaction was immediate. Everyone deflated at the same time with some of them even face-planting on the ground.

"The point is. It is too long a trip to go at this time," Kukui redirected the conversation. "So we'll have to wait until tomorrow to leave. Be sure to check you are not leaving anything behind by then."

"Ghaaa!" Kiawe's sudden yell made everyone jump and look his way. "I have yet to find Turtonator!"

.:oOo:.

Meanwhile, somewhere deep in the forest…

"Hey! Stop kicking me!"

"It's not me!"

"We'll never get down from here, if you two don't stop bickering!"

Turnonator sighed. It was the fifth time these humans fell into a trap. He understood it was hard not to fall in them when it was so dark. But calling it unavoidable when there was a colorful net waiting in the ground without anything to conceal it was really stretching it.

.:oOo:.

"Tapu-ko-pukokoo."

"He chose to be left behind with the officers that rescued them," Mewtwo helpfully translated.

"I'll go find him!" Kiawe announced. "Let's go Charizard!"

"Wait, Kiawe. I rather we don't get separated again," Professor Kukui said. "We still don't know if there are any more Team Flare goons out there."

"And with so many traps, it might be dangerous to go on your own," Clemont reasoned.

Fenriar sighed in something akin to contentment just as the Kiawe kid prattled on dramatically about how he couldn't leave his partner behind and wondering if the officers he was with were treating him well. It had been silently watching their interactions with curiosity, finding the group strangely entertaining.

"I'm glad to see they are back in good spirit," the Slowking beside it suddenly said, as they watched on.

Fenriar didn't answer, but it agreed. There was something soothing about seeing them all smiling without any worries.