Last Chapter
Ash stared at the screen, completely disoriented in his body. He had feared it was not true, but it was. Professor Oak had been working with a group, but it wasn't Rocket as he had assumed; it was Flare. Not Giovanni, but Lysandre had approached him all those years ago. Lysandre, not Giovanni, was the boss? Professor Oak had no idea Blake was the man who slaughtered everyone on Team Flare?
To be honest, Ash had no idea Oak had visited the beach or the headquarters building. Ash was well-versed in the locations of their outposts and headquarters in Kalos. He did, after all, travel there. Ash had only been leader for a few months when the invasion began. He saw this as an opportunity, not an invasion. He took off with it.
But this was not the cold, calculated Blake of today. The Blake who defended those beaches was not frightening, but he was merciful. No, this was the Blake, who would vaporise anyone who got in his way or threatened his domain. This Blake would slaughter any man, woman, or Pokémon who dared to oppose him or his domain. Every single one of them would pay for it. He saw this as a test to prove that he was capable of not only leading but also defending his region.
Remember, Paldea was only used to the cretins known as Team Snagem, and they had no trouble dealing with them. When word spread that a group known as Team Flare planned to invade Paldea, panic ensued, and Ash knew he had to intervene before they could deploy their troops. He'd seen them in action in Kalos and knew he couldn't afford to waste time. So he went to the beach with nothing but his 13 Pokémon. He had given orders to his elites to simply ensure that no Pokémon made it to the roads, and that he would slaughter them all.
Flare clearly hadn't expected anyone to make a move, because he wiped a section of the base before anyone ordered an attack on him. It was too late by the time they were mobilising soldiers to fight. Ash gave his Pokémon the order to kill on sight. These were the scum of the earth, and they deserved to be treated as such. They determined that they had the authority to control legendary Pokémon as they saw fit. He'd be damned if he allowed them to corrupt his region.
Of course, he got in on the act as well. Using some of the high-tech weapons from Aether Paradise, which had yet to be linked to ALT City, Blake ensured that everything was burned to the ground and that no survivors remained on the island.
He didn't give them a chance to explain or defend themselves. Everything was gone in an hour. He'd watched as the survivors sped away, inevitably returning to their base to regroup, lick their wounds, and plot their next move.
That's when Ash would go on the attack. He was well aware that the Lumiose City Café base was nothing more than a fortress within the largest city. He had to tail them because the true HQ was somewhere else. And he did it. They hadn't been expecting him, and he mowed his way through the grunts there as well. With the exception of Malva, who was not on site at the time, the admins were eliminated.
He had brought Lysandre to the roof as well as brutally snapped his neck while he was mid-sentence, then promptly threw him off the building, a loud 'SPlAT' signalling the end of Flare's leader. And that was the end of it for him.
He had defeated the threat and was regarded as a hero. The Pokémon League was initially outraged by his actions, but when it was revealed that Team Flare was planning a massive invasion of Alola and had already landed troops there, they understood Blake's predicament. In the end, he did not receive a single punishment. He retaliated after they threatened his region.
Diantha had been horribly embarrassed by the performance, not because of her region, but because of her image. Blake BL had publicly chastised the Kalos strike force for being so inept that they not only couldn't stop Flare on their own turf, but also allowed Flare to flee to Alola and then made Blake clean up their mess. It was one of the reasons Ash disliked Diantha.
She seemed to have forgotten about the whole thing. He most emphatically had not. The screams and cries of pain began to haunt Ash as he transformed into a cold, calculating, but merciful leader. He'd taken so many lives, but it was all for a good cause, right? It was his duty to protect his people if he allowed them to invade!
And, until recently, he had finally put an end to the hauntings. He was afraid they'd return. For a moment, Ash held his head in his hands, taking in all of the new information he had just learned. He then clicked the 'Next' button to see the entries below. There were none to be seen, much to his surprise. Oak's final appearance was when Blake slaughtered his entire unit. The question was whether Oak was aware of Blake's old uniform. If that was the case, why hadn't he reacted differently when they spoke face to face? Was he really that talented as an actor?
Ash remembered something important after a few seconds of thought. He needed to look through Oak's financial records. He exited the entries section and went to his target, italicised as Bank Records. A small grin appeared on his face, and the slaughter of Team Flare was temporarily forgotten. Ash was ready to see Oak's total funds after just a few clicks. He grinned as a coloured wheel appeared on the computer screen and began to spin, indicating that it was loading.
He waited patiently for the system to load, making a mental note to check the Transcripts section of Oak's mainframe as well, as he wanted to see recent transactions the Professor had made.
The champion then heard a soft 'ding,' and Ash awaited his results with bated breath. When he saw the first few numbers appear, his smile grew bigger with each one. When no more numbers appeared, it faded. Ash frowned and muttered to himself. "What?"
When he refreshed the page, he was taken aback to see the same number appear on his screen once more.
Available monetary value: 70000 Pokedollars
Ash shook his head and leaned back in his chair. "No…" He immediately went to the transcripts section and began sifting through file after file, praying that it wasn't true. "It... it cannot be!" The more he looked, the more he felt a sense of dread weighing him down.
There was nothing on his Pokémon that stated where they'd been sold to, how much they'd sold for, and so on. But Ash knew that with Flare gone and all accounts frozen, Oak shouldn't have had that much money, but it was always more money than the computer told him. That meant there was a piece missing from the puzzle.
Why was Oak so poor if Flare was gone? As a world-renowned Pokémon Professor, Ash was well aware that Oak made a tidy profit every time it rolled around. However, there was no money, no trace of it, and no proof of anything. Like Delia, Ash didn't feel like he'd gained much true evidence outside of Diary entries, other than what they'd specifically told him.
And entries from three years ago. Ash was now 20 years old. Everything he had was a result of circumstance. He couldn't arrest Oak for the same reasons he couldn't arrest Malva. Knowing that he'd only gotten answers to questions he hadn't even asked was beyond frustrating. He wasn't sure if either person was to blame for the betrayal. Ash carefully snatched the flashdrive from the Professor's computer, leaving no trace of himself behind. He began to ponder what he knew about the betrayal up to that point.
Ash thought and realized that Professor Oak was likely not responsible for his supposed death but his mother was very suspicious. But what was the trigger that lead to his so-called friends betraying him and leading to his supposed death. He did not know that.
Present
Lusamine was sipping a hot cup of coffee in her office. While it wasn't first thing in the morning and it wasn't a particularly busy day, she found herself craving that cup of joe from time to time. She hummed happily and the taste and texted her daughter, who was on vacation with her boyfriend over the weekend. Lillie was content with the powerful trainer, and as long as her daughter was content, there was no reason to unleash Lusamine's wrath on the boy.
She turned to admire the view of the ocean. It was her responsibility to protect this beautiful area. Thankfully, she wasn't alone in defending Alola; some of the world's most elite trainers were also assisting her on the island, as the Alola league was linked to Aether Paradise. At least in some ways.
Glaseado City linked everything together. So, yes, it was connected, but only to a point. In any case, she valued her position, her friends/family, and her job more than anything else. Lusamine knew she was fortunate to be in her current situation, and she knew it was only a matter of time before it all came crashing down.
"Uh... ma'am?" She turned around to see one of the Aether Paradise employees, a young girl named Star Withers, standing there tentatively. "Yes? Star? What exactly is it, dear?" She failed to notice the girl's grimace. Star swallowed and cleared her throat. "I have a man here who claims to be the champion, but he doesn't exactly look the part—"
"Please let him in." She casually waved her hand.
Ash walked in quickly, not looking at the worker. Star gave them a look before slowly closing the door behind her. Lusamine frowned as she noticed Ash's face was etched with Anxiety.
"You're thinking about something, aren't you? I can tell because your face is like an open book to me. Express yourself." She made a motion.
After a few moments of hesitation, Ash sat down on a nearby couch. He took a deep breath and began what he knew would be a lengthy conversation if his suspicions were correct.
"Can you tell me anything about the Rainbow Gauntlet?"
Lusamine's pupils dilated. She gauged Ash's reaction by repeatedly opening and closing her mouth. He appeared determined to obtain the information. She whispered because she couldn't think of anything else to say. "When and where did you hear those words? Where?"
"A journal. Lusamine, please respond to the question. What are your thoughts on it?"
For the time being, his response was silence. She didn't say anything, but her horrified expression said everything. She took a deep breath and uttered a single word after a few moments.
"Come."
Ash followed Lusamine to a nearby corner of the room and watched as the bookcases lining the walls opened up to reveal a secret passage after a few seconds. Ash's breath hitched softly; could this be the location of the Gauntlet? Was it possible that they had already taken possession of the Gauntlet?
Ash followed her through the dimly lit passageway. It appeared to be lit by torches rather than natural light. "This passageway is off the grid, off the map, and completely unknown. As far as I know, only myself and the creator of this tunnel are aware of this passageway. It serves not only as a safe haven, but also as a library."
Ash gave a quick blink. "Is it a library?" They arrived at the end of the tunnel, and Ash found himself free to gape.
Lusamine proudly smiled at his stunned expression. "Library, yes."
There were mountains and mountains of books scattered about, ranging from information on legendary Pokémon to the history of the region, and so on. Pokémon experts would kill for this knowledge. Ash was at a loss for words. As a result, he said nothing. Lusamine continued from where she'd left off because he was completely speechless.
"I'll tell you everything I know about the Rainbow Gauntlet. I only know about the Gauntlet because of these books. I'm not sure how you came across this information, but it's critical that you don't share it with anyone, not even the Guardians or your Elites. With this device, the world's balance could be restored."
Ash sat nearby on the floor and felt the dark red carpet beneath him. Ash blinked and looked around the room, admiring the wood-carved walls and marvelling at the elaborate ceiling with a small chandelier. This room looked like it could've cost a fortune.
"I've heard a lot about this device... but I'm still not sure what it does." He agreed.
Lusamine sat down next to Ash and began the Rainbow Gauntlet's speech. "Then I will tell you everything I know, trusting that you will not reveal any of it to anyone." She looked to Ash for assurance. Lusamine began after two nods from him.
"According to legend, people existed much earlier than we imagined. These people had not yet bonded with Pokémon in the same way that they do now. Humans were initially terrified of Ultra Beasts before they were terrified of Pokémon. Instead of acting rashly, they befriended the beasts. However, in the event that Ultra Beasts were truly out to destroy, they secretly developed a device that would grant them supremacy over the creatures."
"Gauntlet the Rainbow." Ash made a quiet guess.
Lusamine did not confirm, and she did not need to. "It's golden all over, with two green crests carved into its side... The Gauntlet is designed in the style of an arm-gauntlet. When strapped on and activated, there are no limits to what this device can do in terms of Ultra Beast power."
She stood up and began pacing. "The issue was one of trust between the two parties. They collaborated, but it was done reluctantly. In any case, as one might expect, neither side fully trusted the other for many years. Both parties were aware that it would only take one event to blow the metaphorical dam wide open. That event occurred, ironically, not from either side, but from Pokémon itself. A single mutiny began to rise, and as the Pokémon mutiny sparked others, tensions finally broke."
"Both Ultra Beast and Human settlements were attacked by Pokémon. The Humans and Ultra Beasts were supposed to fight, but the Ultra Beasts refused. Once the original mutiny was dealt with, the Pokémon tensions vanished. However, because the Ultra Beasts refused to work with Humans, the Gauntlet was used to banish the Ultra Beasts to the realm where they are currently trapped."
Ash scowled. "So, theoretically, if someone was looking for the Gauntlet... It would only be to control the Beasts, who have already been exiled?"
Lusamine gave a nod. "Exactly. Again, all of this is based on legend and folklore. I'm not sure how much of this is true and how much is fiction. This is a difficult topic for me to discuss, especially because the Rainbow Gauntlet is supposed to be known only to me. Nobody else is supposed to know anything about the existence of the Gauntlets. Back in the days of the original Ultra Beasts, it was heavily guarded."
"But isn't there more to this story?" Ash spoke softly.
Lusamine frowned. "Yes. As we all know, just because Ultra Beasts have been exiled does not mean that some of them cannot breach the barriers that separate our worlds. That is why the Humans devised a backup plan in case something went wrong and Ultra Beasts found their way back onto our planet. The Ultra Guardians were founded many years ago as a safety net, a defence system to eliminate all Ultra Beast threats."
"For years, nothing came of the Gauntlets' exile, and humans thought their world was truly safe. Now that the Pokémon uprising and Ultra Beast fear had subsided, Humans concentrated on developing relationships with the Pokémon. We all know what happens next; Humans and Pokémon have been allies since the beginning of time. While not entirely true, it is, for the most part, correct."
"The Gauntlet was in the right hands after Humans used it. They knew that if the wrong person or group got their hands on the Gauntlet, the Ultra Beasts would be under their control, so it had to be kept safe. However, they knew that if the Ultra Beasts returned, the Guardians would not be able to stop them. As a result, they were unable to destroy the Gauntlet. Nobody would know where to find it unless you were truly worthy of wielding the device, so it had to be hidden or locked away."
Lusamine looked at Ash, who was taking in all of the new information. "Mr. Champion, do you have any questions?"
Ash paused before speaking. "Do we have any idea where the Gauntlet is right now?"
The tall blonde woman shrugged. "The Gauntlet was said to have been placed in a sort of bag for safekeeping. Nine other identical bags were filled with an identical feeling object of a similar weight, and each bag was given to a different runner. Each bag was secured with a strange device that prevented the runners from opening the bag; this way, if the runners betrayed their leaders, there would be no way of knowing which bag actually held the Gauntlet. In any case, the Gauntlet has lain dormant for millennia. Nobody alive knows where the Gauntlet is, which is both a blessing and a curse."
The man agreed with a nod. "Right; as long as the Ultra Beasts emerge one by one rather than by the dozen, the Gauntlet can remain hidden. But, if the Ultra Beasts manage to enter our world uninhibitedly, we need the Gauntlet to send them back, assuming it must be worn in order for its powers to fully manifest."
Lusamine let out a sigh. "Exactly. What I've told you is everything I know about the device. I'm afraid it's just rumours and such, but I hope it helps you Blake."
Ash gave a single nod. "Thank you very much, Lusamine. How do you propose we leave here?"
She simply smiled and pointed up.
Ash and Pikachu stepped onto the battlefield opposite to Falkner and his Crobat. The wind was howling as the two trainers made their respective choices for the battle ahead.
"Go, Pikachu!" Ash called out, holding up his Poké Ball as a bolt of electricity danced between his fingers. "We've got this!"
Falkner nodded, his expression serious as he released his Crobat. The Pokémon let out a piercing screech as it soared into the air, flapping its powerful wings.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded, pointing at Crobat with determination. "Let's knock it out of the sky!"
Pikachu's cheeks crackled with electricity as it let loose a massive Thunderbolt attack, sending a jolt of lightning hurtling towards Crobat. The Flying-type Pokémon managed to dodge out of the way at the last second, soaring through the air to avoid the attack.
"Good job, Crobat!" Falkner called out, a grin on his face. "Now, let's hit Pikachu with a Wing Attack!"
Crobat dove down from the sky, its wings glowing with a fierce energy. It slammed into Pikachu with a powerful blow, sending the Electric-type reeling.
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack!" Ash shouted, hoping to catch Falkner off guard.
Pikachu charged forward, moving at a lightning-fast speed. It slammed into Crobat with a powerful tackle, sending the Flying-type tumbling backwards.
Falkner gritted his teeth, his eyes narrowing as he prepared his next move. "Crobat, use Confuse Ray!" he shouted, hoping to turn the battle in his favor.
Crobat's eyes glowed with a strange light as it unleashed a burst of psychic energy. Pikachu stumbled backwards, its movements becoming more erratic as it struggled to regain control.
Ash knew he had to act fast. "Pikachu, use Thunder Wave!" he commanded, hoping to paralyze Crobat and give himself the upper hand.
Pikachu sent a wave of crackling electricity towards Crobat, hitting it dead on. The Flying-type Pokémon let out a cry of pain as its body seized up, leaving it unable to move.
"Now, Pikachu, finish it with a Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted, his voice filled with determination.
Pikachu's cheeks crackled with energy as it unleashed a massive Thunderbolt attack, hitting Crobat square on. The Flying-type Pokémon let out one last cry before collapsing onto the ground, defeated.
Falkenr then said "Honchkrow, go!" and sent out Honchkrow.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded, and Pikachu released a powerful bolt of electricity towards Honchkrow.
Falkner had prepared for this and quickly ordered Honchkrow to dodge. Honchkrow flew to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack.
"Honchkrow, use Dark Pulse!" Falkner called out, and Honchkrow unleashed a wave of dark energy towards Pikachu.
"Pikachu, dodge and use Quick Attack!" Ash instructed, and Pikachu nimbly dodged the attack before charging towards Honchkrow at lightning speed.
Honchkrow was caught off guard by Pikachu's speed and was hit by the Quick Attack. However, it quickly recovered and retaliated with a powerful Drill Peck attack.
"Pikachu, use Iron Tail to defend yourself!" Ash shouted, and Pikachu's tail glowed as it used the move to block Honchkrow's attack.
The two Pokémon clashed, with sparks flying as they battled it out. Honchkrow then used Sucker Punch, catching Pikachu off guard and dealing a powerful blow.
"Pikachu, get up and use Thunderbolt!" Ash yelled, and Pikachu shook off the damage before unleashing another Thunderbolt attack.
Honchkrow tried to dodge, but the attack hit it head-on, causing it to stumble backwards. However, it quickly regained its composure and retaliated with a powerful Night Slash.
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack to dodge and then follow up with Iron Tail!" Ash instructed, and Pikachu quickly dodged the attack before slamming its tail into Honchkrow.
The attack sent Honchkrow flying backwards, and it hit the ground with a loud thud, unable to battle any longer.
Falkner then said "Pidgeot, go!" and sent out Pidgeot.
Pidgeot took to the air, flapping its massive wings as it soared high above the battlefield. Pikachu watched carefully, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Falkner wasn't going to give Ash an easy win. "Pidgeot, use Aerial Ace!" he commanded.
Pidgeot swooped down at high speed, aiming its sharp beak at Pikachu. But Pikachu was quick to react, darting to one side and launching a Thunderbolt attack.
The electric attack hit Pidgeot head-on, causing the Flying-type Pokémon to lose control and plummet towards the ground. But Falkner was just as quick to recover. "Pidgeot, use Quick Attack!" he shouted.
Pidgeot quickly regained its composure, launching itself at Pikachu with lightning-fast speed. Pikachu tried to dodge, but Pidgeot was too quick. The attack landed, sending Pikachu skidding backwards.
Ash knew he had to act fast. "Pikachu, use Iron Tail!" he yelled.
Pikachu charged towards Pidgeot, its tail glowing with a bright metallic sheen. Pidgeot tried to dodge, but Pikachu was too fast. The Iron Tail attack landed with a resounding thud, sending Pidgeot crashing to the ground.
Falkner gritted his teeth, determined not to give up. "Pidgeot, use Whirlwind!" he shouted.
Pidgeot flapped its massive wings, creating a powerful gust of wind that buffeted Pikachu, threatening to throw it off balance. But Pikachu stood its ground, using its own strength to resist the attack.
Ash saw his chance. "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" he yelled.
Pikachu launched a powerful electric blast that hit Pidgeot with full force, sending it crashing to the ground in defeat.
The referee said "With all of Falkner's Pokemons unable to battle, Blake, the Paldea Champion, of Zekrom Bracket moves into the quarterfinals."
Falkner smiled, impressed with Ash's skills as a trainer. "Well done, Blake," he said. "You and Pikachu make an amazing team."
Misty and Koga faced off in a fierce Pokémon battle. Misty sent out her trusty Gyarados, while Koga chose his nimble Toxicroak.
"Alright, Gyarados, let's show them what we're made of!" Misty yelled, pointing at Koga's Toxicroak.
"Gyarados, use Hydro Pump!" she commanded.
Gyarados opened its jaws wide and blasted a powerful jet of water at Toxicroak. Toxicroak nimbly dodged to the side, but the attack still hit it, knocking it back and leaving it slightly drenched.
Koga scowled. "Toxicroak, use Poison Jab!" he ordered.
Toxicroak quickly closed in on Gyarados, its fists glowing purple with toxic energy. It landed a solid punch, but Gyarados shrugged it off and retaliated with a fierce Dragon Rage attack.
The two Pokémon exchanged blows, each one trying to gain the upper hand. Gyarados used its massive size to its advantage, lashing out with its powerful tail and knocking Toxicroak back with a fierce Bite attack.
But Toxicroak was quick and nimble, dodging and weaving around Gyarados' massive bulk. It landed a few more Poison Jabs, each one weakening Gyarados further.
Misty gritted her teeth, trying to come up with a plan. "Gyarados, use Ice Fang!" she shouted.
Gyarados opened its jaws again, this time unleashing a blast of frigid air. The icy fangs dug deep into Toxicroak's flesh, causing it to shiver and slow down.
Misty seized the opportunity. "Now, Gyarados, use your most powerful attack, Hyper Beam!"
Gyarados roared and fired a massive beam of energy at Toxicroak, blasting it backwards and knocking it out cold.
Koga countered with his speedy Crobat and said "Crobat, go!"
Misty knew that Crobat's speed would be a challenge, but she was confident that Gyarados could take a few hits. "Gyarados, use Hydro Pump!" she commanded. The water-type Pokemon unleashed a powerful blast of water from its mouth, aiming straight at Crobat.
Koga was quick to react. "Crobat, dodge and use Poison Fang!" he ordered. The purple bat Pokemon deftly avoided the Hydro Pump and swooped in, its fangs glowing with a poisonous energy. It sank its teeth into Gyarados, injecting poison into the water-type Pokemon.
Misty winced as she saw the poison take effect on Gyarados. "Gyarados, use Aqua Tail!" she commanded, hoping to finish the battle quickly. Gyarados's tail glowed blue as it swung it around, aiming for Crobat.
Koga wasn't about to let that happen. "Crobat, use Double Team and then Air Slash!" he countered. Crobat split into several illusions, making it difficult for Gyarados to determine the real Crobat. Suddenly, one of the illusions became real, and Crobat slashed through the air with a powerful gust of wind.
The attack hit Gyarados hard, sending it reeling back. Misty gritted her teeth, knowing that her Pokemon was in trouble. "Gyarados, use Dragon Dance and then follow up with Ice Fang!" she commanded.
Gyarados started to dance, raising its attack and speed. It then charged towards Crobat, its fangs now glowing with an icy chill. It chomped down on Crobat, freezing the bat Pokemon solid.
Koga was surprised by the sudden turn of events, but he wasn't about to give up. "Crobat, use Cross Poison!" he shouted, hoping to finish off Gyarados before it could attack again.
But it was too late. Gyarados shook off the effects of the poison and slammed its tail into Crobat, knocking it out cold.
"Let's see how you fare against my Muk," he said as the purple sludge monster appeared on the battlefield.
Misty knew this was going to be a tough battle. She had to be careful not to let Muk get too close to Gyarados, or its toxic body would start to wear the dragon down. "Okay, Gyarados, start with a Waterfall attack!" she commanded, hoping to catch Muk off guard.
Koga was ready for this, though. "Muk, use your Sludge Bomb to counter the Waterfall!" he shouted. The attack collided with Gyarados, sending it reeling. Misty gritted her teeth, knowing that Gyarados was going to need to be more agile if it was going to win this fight.
"Alright, Gyarados, use your agility to dodge Muk's attacks and counter with a Thunderbolt!" Misty commanded. Gyarados leapt into the air, dodging a stream of toxic sludge, and unleashed a bolt of lightning that struck Muk head-on.
Koga wasn't about to let Misty take control of the fight so easily, though. "Muk, use your Minimize to dodge the Thunderbolt!" he yelled. Sure enough, Muk started to shrink in size, making it a harder target to hit.
Misty wasn't about to give up, though. "Gyarados, use your Ice Fang attack to freeze Muk in its tracks!" she shouted. Gyarados dove towards Muk, jaws wide open and icy fangs glistening. It caught Muk off guard, clamping down on its body and causing it to freeze up.
Koga scowled, knowing that Muk was in trouble. "Muk, use your Sludge Wave attack to break free and counter with a Poison Jab!" he yelled. Muk's body erupted in a wave of toxic sludge, breaking free of Gyarados' icy grip, and lunged towards the dragon with its razor-sharp claws.
Misty watched in horror as Gyarados took the full force of the attack, feeling its body weaken under the poison. "Gyarados, hang in there! Use your Hydro Pump attack to finish this!" she yelled, hoping that Gyarados had enough strength left to take down Muk.
Gyarados reared back, gathering energy in its jaws, and unleashed a torrent of water that slammed into Muk with incredible force. The sludge monster was sent flying, crashing to the ground with a loud thud. Misty breathed a sigh of relief, watching as Muk fainted.
The referee said "With all of Koga's Pokemons unable to battle, Misty, the Kanto Champion, of Giratina Bracket moves into the quarterfinals."
Koga smiled ruefully, knowing that he had been defeated. "Well done, Misty. You and your Gyarados make a formidable team," he said, returning his fallen Pokemon to its Pokeball. Misty grinned, feeling proud of her hard-won victory.
He was in a white world, standing on a sort of ridge. It appeared to be a peaceful world of some kind. Ash was well aware of his current location.
"Greetings, Chosen One."
When Ash looked up, he saw the exact being he had hoped to see.
"We have a lot to talk about," Arceus said.
Ash had previously looked up at the massive being.
"I have some questions—"
"I understand why you've requested my presence, Ash Ketchum. As you might expect, I don't do these... meetings very often... if at all. However, since our last meeting, I've done some research myself. This will take some time... and it will be quite a shock to hear, I assure you. This will not be simple."
For a brief moment, Ash was deafeningly quiet. Arceus went on. "Are you certain you're ready?"
"I'm certain."
Arceus remains silent. "All right, then, allow me to tell you the whole story... the story of the Chosen One."
Suddenly, the white background faded to black, and pictures began to flip through as if Ash were watching a slideshow presented by the universe's most powerful Pokémon. For anyone else, this would be the stuff of nightmares. This was just another day at the office for Ash.
As images began to morph, Arceus began its story. "Since the beginning of time, people and Pokémon have prospered alongside one another. As the years passed, creatures beyond humans' wildest imaginations appeared, and even I, the God of Creation, have no idea how they came to be. My own suspicions include that humans themselves were able to morph Pokémon with their own creations, but this is just my theory."
The image was flipped once more. "These creations were called Ultra Beasts, and they were... well, abominations. I had consulted my own legendaries and scoured any way they came to be on this planet," Arceus said, puzzled.
"I found nothing, not a single thing that could explain their existence, and it was with this information that I concluded; perhaps we are not the only beings in this fair universe."
Ash gave a quick blink. "But you're the Creator God."
Arceus actually laughed when he heard this. "At that, I am. However, even I cannot control some things in this universe. There may be other universes connected to this one... I do not know. And this adds to the mystery of these Ultra Beasts."
Ash was taken aback; the most powerful Pokémon ever to exist didn't understand how Ultra Beasts were created?
The scene changed yet again. "In any case, the Ultra Beasts began living with both Humans and Pokémon alike, remembering that pokeballs had yet to be invented. This would continue for many decades, but tensions would begin to rise exponentially—"
Ash severed the Pokémon's tail. "Yeah, and then Humans and Pokémon teamed up to defeat Ultra Beasts."
Arceus went on as if Ash didn't exist. "And all three sides completely lost trust in one another, deciding to form their own territories."
Ash's jaw shifted. "W-what? Pokémon and humans separated?" he asked, shaking his head and closing his eyes in surprise. "Y-You're telling me Pokémon betrayed humans? Pokémon turned their backs on humans?"
Arceus gave him a condescending look. "As you can imagine, the rules that the three races would live separately were not strictly followed; some Pokémon had bonded with humans, while others had bonded with Ultra Beasts, and tensions remained high due to fear of conflict..." The Pokémon quieted, and the screen swapped again.
"It only needed a single spark to ignite. It got one. Ironically... it was in a village where a Pokémon was in charge of a city of Ultra Beasts. These beasts were much smaller in size than usual, but it still repelled humans easily. Pokémon were also repelled from this group, despite some question from the subjects."
Ash exhaled deeply. "Wait, what happened after that?"
"The Beasts had heard whispers of betrayal and rebellion and began to question their leader, who did nothing to quell the whispers, and thus tensions only rose from there, until... the dam broke."
The image behind Arceus changed yet again. It gradually transformed into something out of a horror film, with blazing fires, destroyed homes, crushed buildings, and bodies... so many bodies. Ash stared at the scene in morbid terror; it reminded him of how ruthlessly he had slaughtered Flare and their people. It was simply... death. He couldn't think of any other way to describe what he was seeing.
"The rebellion that so many feared came true. A revolution broke out. I was there to witness it all. I was horrified by the destruction that so many Ultra Beasts brought. This one revolution sparked revolutions across the entire world... between the Pokémon and the Ultra Beasts." Ash's face was filled with shock once more.
"Wait, the revolution wasn't between Humans and Ultra Beasts?"
"Oh no, there were humans involved."
For a brief moment, there is silence. "They were the fight's victims."
Arceus continued solemnly as the scene changed once more. "When word of the rebellion spread, Pokémon and Ultra Beasts were pitted against each other, and Humans were forced to choose a side. Believe it or not, despite mankind's natural selfish nature, this was a rare time when Humans chose the correct side; none. They did not know what to do; for they did not have the whole story. As some humans sided with Beasts and others with Pokémon, they did not wish to choose a side."
The Creator God sighed. "What the humans did not realise was that the same battles that the Pokémon and Beasts were fighting in would break them. This war devastated all parties, and no party was truly victorious. The bond between Humans and Ultra Beasts was shattered, due to the lack of trust that had already been built between Humans and Ultra Beasts prior to the separation."
"What about the bond between Pokémon and humans?"
Arceus gave him a brief glance as the image faded to black. "When it came down to it, Humans and Pokémon knew that at one point, they were the closest of friends, brothers... sisters... they trusted one another once more, and the bond they shared then is the bond trainers have with Pokémon now, and this bond has lasted thousands of years, if memory serves."
The image returned, with Ultra Beasts vastly outnumbered by Humans and Pokémon. "The war, which had lasted several years and claimed many lives, came to an end when Humans finally chose a side; the Pokémon."
"How did they decide on that? Was it solely based on old bonds?"
Arceus had the solution. "No, this is not the case; while this had a positive impact, what truly made a difference was the original revolution; somehow, a version of the original revolution had spawned."
"Is there a version?"
"Correct. In the false version, the one Humans were told, Pokémon revolted against a dark Ultra Beast, one that craved power and was determined to conquer all. In a cruel twist, the first group to directly attack a group of humans... were the Ultra Beasts. This only reinforced the story, and Humans were given no reason to believe otherwise. To this day, I do not blame them for believing the lie that was fed to them."
The image changed once more, this time to show a group of legendary Pokémon, who appeared to be having a heated debate. "After the great war, the legends... or those who existed at the time, got together and prepared what we called the great discussion; of course, the Ultra Beasts had been defeated by this time, and humans and Pokémon were once again allies."
"The Beasts were banished to another realm. I'm not sure how the Humans got the Beasts there in the first place, but I do know how they could reopen a portal to go there. The Humans created a device, one that was capable of controlling or repelling Ultra Beasts. This object was called..."
"Rainbow Gauntlet."
Arceus let out a sigh. "Exactly. While it seemed like a well-thought-out idea at the time. The lone issue... I have no idea where the Gauntlet resides. The device is hidden, and only the original humans who hid the device would know of its locations. How anyone will uncover this information is beyond me."
"Where should I begin looking?" Ash inquired of the Pokémon.
The ghost of a smile appeared on Arceus's face. "Well... I believe that information will reach you soon."
Ash let out a sigh. "I suppose I can't argue with that."
Arceus went on. "All right, back to the story."
The image was transformed from its original size to one of the planet. "After I saw the Beasts banished, all was at peace for many, many years, and I began to believe these Beasts were truly the issue, and I still believe this today, because I did not create these creatures, and I feared they would break free and revolt once more."
The image shifted yet again. "As fate would have it, more reasons for me to act began to emerge; Humans had begun to search for the Gauntlet, and I know not all had good intentions, so I took all precautions to uncover how the Gauntlet worked, and thus... I did. I learned almost everything there was to know about the device... all except the location... and a few other things."
"Those who originally hid the device were pure of heart. They didn't want the device to fall into the wrong hands, so they protected it with a failsafe or two." "First, as you well know, to hide the device without it falling into the wrong hands, the device was locked in a very secure bag and sent with a runner. There were ten runners total, and none had been told which bag had the device.
"Secondly, the device could only be activated in areas where Ultra Beasts could reign alone, supreme, and peacefully, preventing the user from gaining immediate control of the Beasts even if they had possession of the device."
Ash frowned, trying to process what the legendary Pokémon had said.
"Because of these keys, I knew it was my responsibility to prepare a warrior, a human who would have to do the impossible task of saving the world... if the need ever arose; this person had to be strong-willed, ambitious in the face of overwhelming adversity, and perhaps most importantly..."
"Capable of quickly bonding with Pokémon."
Ash blinked as he realised what Arceus was saying to him. "… Me."
Arceus gave a nod.
"You."
The image faded again, and Ash appeared, standing on the ledge of a cliff, overlooking a green meadow. "You see, Ash, as I keep an eye on as many Humans and Pokémon as I can... I once caught a glimpse of you at a young age... I didn't know you were special right away, but I could see the goodness in your heart from the first time you knew what a Pokémon was... I had some suspicions you were a special character, but what I didn't count on..."
The image changed once more to show Ash surrounded by legendary Pokémon.
"There were so many of my children who loved you, supported you, and believed in you."
Arceus returned its gaze to the image and continued. "Ho-Oh. Moltres. Zapdos. Mew. Mewtwo. Entei. Suicune. Manaphy. Meloetta." Arceus returned his gaze to Ash, who was clearly embarrassed. "You met so many of my children... so many times you were told to catch these Pokémon... but you never did."
Ash shook his head. "I suppose it's because I was your chosen one, right?"
However, Arceus' silence quickly cast doubt on his previous statement. "Are you sure I'm the Chosen One?"
The words that followed were unexpected by Arceus. "You're now..."
"...But you weren't back then."
Ash's mind went blank. "Wait... What?!"
Arceus slowly nodded. "As I looked for someone worthy of becoming the Chosen One... someone who can protect the bonds of people and Pokémon while keeping these Beasts at bay, there was a young boy who constantly ran into my children and never once attempted to catch them; these Pokémon trusted this boy with their lives, and he led them down the right path."
Arceus nodded its head once more. "After the tenth or so story that my children had regaled, I knew it was time to meet the one known as Ashura Ketchum. After meeting you, I could see why my children loved you so much. You were pure of heart, you truly cared about the wellbeing of your Pokémon, despite having such ambitions to win tournaments. I could understand at that moment, that you were indeed to be, the Chosen One."
Ash made a shaky motion with his head. "So, why don't I remember that meeting, and why can't I remember anything that was said?"
The God of Creation gave a sad expression. "Unfortunately, I believe I have the answer to the statement." The picture morphed again, and the Pokémon spoke again just before the picture was revealed. "I believe this place will stay with you... quite vividly."
The background changed into a mountain covered in a reddish-orange substance. It wasn't a mountain, either.
"The Volcano," Ash grumbled.
"Yes, you see, this scenario did not occur to me at the time of this happening. On the day you were betrayed, Ashura, I was caught horribly... off-guard. Because I had marked you as the Chosen One, I was able to sense your emotions, where you were, and so on. The day you were betrayed, I lost all contact with you. I could no longer sense your well-being, which horrified me, as I originally believed you were gone."
Arceus calmed down. "I didn't know what to do for a split second, and what I ended up doing is something I've only ever done once."
Arceus turned to face Ash, who appeared perplexed by the story so far.
"I stepped in."
Ash's pupils dilated slightly. 'It was you!' That day, you saved me from the Volcano? "
"In a way, yes," the white and gold Pokémon nodded. I sent my presence, not my physical form, to your location and healed you to the point where you could be brought back from the brink of death using Mew's teaching. I didn't have to mourn your six Pokémon you kept with you because your hand was wrapped around your Pokémon belt."
"How bad... was I?" When did you heal me? "
"You would have been dead within a minute, give or take," Arceus said solemnly. Your skull was fractured to the point where it might not have been repairable. Your spine had nearly shattered in two places. To be honest, Ashura, you should have died on impact."
"What happened next?" Ash wondered.
"I sent a messenger to retrieve you; the closest thing I could do to ensure your safety; a Dragonite," said the God of Creation.
"I remember Lance telling me that something seemingly possessed Dragonite to dive into the Volcano despite the fact that death loomed large... was that you?"
"Indeed."
"After I realised you'd been betrayed, I knew how fit you were to be deemed the most powerful trainer... the most powerful Human the world had ever known," Ash said quietly. Only someone with the purest of hearts could find a way to lead a region to glory despite the fact that everyone they know has turned their back on them."
The image behind Arceus faded away, revealing a clear image of the gauntlet. Ash examined the entire device, looking at every cut, mark, and crevice. It truly looked like a golden arm-gauntlet of sorts, one that would snap onto your wrist and leave your hand barren. As Ash continued his inspection of the device, Arceus' monotone cut him off.
The image faded to black, and then the area went completely white, with no trace of a magnified slideshow to be seen.
"Your destiny is to lead your people, exact vengeance on those who have betrayed you, find true peace in your life, and, of course, defend the world with the power you've gained through your perilous journey."
"Arceus, wait I—" Ash's vision began to blur.
"You must now locate the Gauntlet."
"Arceus—" He got out, the light becoming far too much to bear, forcing him to cover his eyes instinctively.
"One piece of advice before you leave; sometimes the people who live in a house make it what it is. If you want to start somewhere, that is where I would start."
And then Ash jumped out of bed, the words of the God of Creation still echoing in his mind, and his gaze darted to the nearest clock, wondering how long he'd been sleeping for.
'Seven hours? It's almost morning; I hope Bail and Arch kept their word.'
He pushed the doors to his room open and frowned as he saw Axel sitting on a rickety old chair, head bobbing and lightly snoring. Ash fought the urge to chuckle as he carefully walked past the so-called guard and made his way to the rooftop, where he did his best thinking. Of course, Axel didn't wake up as he passed him, his sleep fully masking the presence of his now-awake leader.
On the rooftop, Ash had begun to comprehend Arceus' words more fully.
Flare must be defeated.
Get your vengeance on the traitors.
He was Arceus' Chosen One, the most powerful trainer on the planet, and anyone who stood in his way would perish.
It was time to feel Arceus' true might; he would open the Gates of Hell to reclaim those who meant something to him: he was Blake, the most feared trainer in the Region, in the World! It was time to show Team Flare why nobody dared to mess with the one called Blake.
Everyone would be afraid of the Chosen One Vengeance.
As Ash and Misty approached the entrance of Team Snagem headquarters, they were both on high alert. "We need to be careful," Misty whispered to Ash. "Team Snagem is dangerous, and we don't know what kind of traps they may have set up."
Ash nodded, but he couldn't help feeling a sense of excitement. As the Paldea Champion, he was used to facing dangerous foes, and he knew that he and Misty made a formidable team. "Don't worry, Misty," he said reassuringly. "We've got this. Just stick close to me."
Misty smiled at Ash, feeling grateful for his confident words. As the Kanto Champion, she was no stranger to danger either, but it was always comforting to have Ash by her side. "You know, Blake," she said, using Ash's alias, "I never get tired of fighting by your side. It feels like we were meant to be a team."
Ash smiled back at Misty, feeling his heart swell with affection. "I feel the same way, Misty," he said, taking her hand. "We make a great team, in battle and in life."
As they approached the entrance, they were suddenly ambushed by a group of Team Snagem grunts. "You two are trespassing!" one of them yelled. "You'll pay for your insolence!"
Ash and Misty wasted no time in getting into battle mode, sending out Pikachu and Gyarados to face their opponents. As the battle raged on, Ash and Misty fought with skill and precision, their years of experience serving them well.
Pikachu jumped to be on top of Gyarados and Misty said "Hydro Pump!" and Ash said "Thunderbolt!"
The Hydro Pump attack by Gyarados and Thunderbolt attack by Pikachu combined and defeated the Tyranitar and Salamence released.
As the battle came to a close, Ash and Misty emerged victorious, their opponents defeated. They stood together, breathing heavily, as they looked out at the defeated Team Snagem grunts. Misty turned to Ash and smiled, feeling proud of their teamwork. "Great job, Blake," she said. "We make a pretty unbeatable team, don't we?"
Ash grinned back at Misty, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over him. "Yeah, we do," he said. "And nothing can ever come between us."
Ash and Misty walked and then saw Iris, Cilan, Max, Bonnie, and Dawn.
Ash and Misty looked at the group of trainers standing in front of them, their expressions hardening. "What are you all doing here?" Ash asked, his voice cold.
Iris stepped forward, her eyes narrowed. "We're here to stop you, Blake," she said. "We can't let you interfere with Team Snagem."
Misty stepped up beside Ash, her own eyes blazing with anger. "What's wrong with you guys?" she demanded. "Team Snagem is a criminal organization! They need to be stopped!"
Cilan stepped forward, his expression stern. "You don't understand, Misty," he said. "We have our reasons for supporting Team Snagem. We can't let you or Blake get in their way."
Ash felt his blood boil at Cilan's words. He had never forgiven these trainers for what they had done to him, and their support of Team Snagem only made his anger burn hotter. "You're making a big mistake, all of you," he said. "Team Snagem is dangerous, and they need to be stopped. We won't let you stand in our way."
Misty nodded in agreement, her fists clenched. "We'll fight you if we have to," she said. "But we won't let you stop us."
The group of trainers stood their ground, their expressions determined. Ash and Misty braced themselves for a battle, ready to defend their beliefs and their love for each other.
Ash and Misty stood in front of Iris, Cilan, Max, Bonnie, and Dawn, their Pokemon ready for battle. Pikachu and Gyarados stood next to their trainers, crackling with electricity and dripping with water.
Iris stepped forward, her Dragonite at her side. "You two should leave now," she said firmly. "We can't allow you to interfere with our mission."
Misty stepped forward, her eyes blazing with anger. "Your mission is to help Team Snagem, a criminal organization," she said. "We can't allow that to happen."
Cilan spoke up next, his Simisage at his side. "We're not here to argue with you," he said. "But we won't let you stop us from doing what we believe is right."
Ash narrowed his eyes, feeling a sense of frustration. These trainers, who he used to call friends, were now his enemies. "We won't let you get in our way," he said, his voice firm. "We'll do whatever it takes to stop you."
The battle began with Pikachu and Gyarados charging towards the group of trainers. Dragonite met Pikachu in the air, exchanging powerful attacks as they battled for dominance. Meanwhile, Simisage and Piplup teamed up against Gyarados, trying to take it down with a combination of Grass and Water moves.
Misty's Gyarados roared in defiance, dodging the attacks with ease and retaliating with powerful water blasts that sent the opposing Pokemon reeling. Ash's Pikachu, with its lightning-fast movements, managed to outmaneuver Dragonite and deliver a powerful Thunderbolt that sent it crashing to the ground.
As the battle raged on, it became clear that Ash and Misty had the upper hand. Despite their opponents' best efforts, they couldn't seem to gain any ground against the skilled trainers.
Finally, with a final Thunderbolt and Hydro Pump combination, the group of trainers fell to the ground, defeated. Ash and Misty stood victorious, their Pokemon standing proudly by their side.
Breathing heavily, Ash turned to Misty and took her hand. "We did it," he said, smiling at her. "We're unstoppable together."
Misty grinned back at him, feeling a sense of pride and love for her partner. "Nothing can ever stop us," she said. "Not even our former friends."
As they walked away from the defeated trainers, hand in hand, Ash and Misty knew that they were stronger than ever before. With each other by their side, they could face any challenge that came their way.
As they walked down the dimly lit hallway of the Team Snagem headquarters, Ash and Misty couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. They knew that the boss of the organization was a powerful and dangerous figure, but they were determined to stop him and put an end to his criminal activities.
"We need to be careful," Misty said, glancing around nervously. "We don't know what kind of traps or guards he might have."
Ash nodded in agreement, his hand tightening around Misty's. "We'll need to stay alert and be ready for anything," he said, his voice low and serious.
As Ash and Misty made their way to the boss's room, they encountered a team of trainers guarding the entrance. The trainers were ready for battle, their eyes filled with determination as they saw Ash and Misty approaching.
"Looks like we'll have to go through them," Misty said, a fierce expression on her face.
Ash nodded, his own determination showing in his eyes. "Let's do this," he said, gripping Pikachu's Pokeball tightly.
The trainers sent out their Pokemon, and the battle began. Pikachu darted forward, launching a powerful Thunderbolt at the Houndoom. Gyarados followed, its body twisting and turning as it launched powerful water blasts at Houndoom and Houndoom was knocked out.
Misty's Starmie and Ash's Charizard worked together, their moves perfectly synchronized as they fought off the opposing trainers.
Charizard used Flamethrower and Starmie used Psychic to slam Dragonite while Dragonit was hit by Flamethrower and Dragonite fainted.
Meanwhile, Ash's Infernape and Misty's Lapras teamed up, their fiery and icy moves creating a powerful combination that left the other trainers reeling.
Fire Blast and Ice Beam combined and hit Machamp who fainted.
Despite the tough battle, Ash and Misty stood their ground, their love for each other and their desire to do what was right fueling them. They exchanged a look of understanding, knowing that they were stronger together than they could ever be alone.
As the last of the opposing trainers fell, Ash and Misty made their way to the boss's room. They kicked the door open, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
The boss sat at his desk, a confident smirk on his face. "I've been expecting you," he said, his voice dripping with malice.
Ash and Misty stepped forward, their Pokemon at their sides. "Your reign of terror ends here," Misty said firmly.
Ash and Misty exchanged a determined look as they faced off against the boss and his powerful Pokemon. Pikachu and Gyarados stepped forward, ready to take on the challenge.
The boss's Pokemon, a Gyarados and a Tyranitar, charged forward, launching a powerful attack. Pikachu darted forward, dodging the attack and launching a powerful Thunderbolt at the Gyarados. Gyarados retaliated with a powerful Dragon Pulse, but Pikachu was able to dodge just in time.
Misty's Starmie and Ash's Charizard stepped up to help, launching powerful attacks at the Tyranitar. Starmie used Psychic to lift the Tyranitar into the air while Charizard used Flamethrower to blast it.
The boss's Gyarados countered with a powerful Hydro Pump, but Gyarados was able to dodge it and retaliate with its own powerful water blast. The two Gyarados clashed in mid-air, their attacks canceling each other out.
Meanwhile, the boss's Tyranitar broke free from Starmie's hold and charged forward, launching a powerful Earthquake that shook the entire room. Ash's Infernape and Misty's Lapras stepped up, working together to create a powerful combination of fire and ice.
Infernape used Flame Wheel to create a fiery vortex while Lapras used Ice Beam to create a wall of ice. The Tyranitar was caught in the middle, unable to break free from the powerful combination.
As the battle raged on, the boss grew increasingly frustrated. His Pokemon were strong, but Ash and Misty were able to work together in perfect sync. They launched a final, powerful attack that left the boss's Pokemon defeated and the boss himself cornered.
The boss snarled, sending out his final Pokemon, a powerful Shadow Lugia. The Pokemon was shrouded in darkness, its eyes glowing red with an eerie light.
Ash and Misty exchanged a worried look, but they knew they had to face the challenge head-on. They sent out Pikachu and Gyarados, their Pokemon ready to take on the powerful foe.
The Shadow Lugia launched a powerful Dark Pulse, but Pikachu was able to dodge it and launch a powerful Thunderbolt. Gyarados followed up with a powerful water blast, and the two attacks hit the Shadow Lugia at the same time.
The boss let out a cry of defeat as his final Pokemon fell to the ground, defeated. The room was quiet for a moment, as Ash and Misty caught their breath and looked at each other, relieved and victorious.
The police then rushed in and arrested the boss, putting an end to Team Snagem's reign of terror once and for all. Ash and Misty exchanged a smile, knowing that they had worked together to make the world a safer place.