Last Chapter

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.

Present

Brock was laying on the bed and he thought of a memory.

Flashback

At the time, Brock Harrison didn't have much to his name. While he would eventually become a wealthy Pokémon breeder and doctor, money was a concern for him once he began his studies. He had anticipated people approaching him with Pokémon health-related queries and the like.

His flat was small, with only two bedrooms and one bathroom. There was also a small kitchen and a small living room in the space. There was a medium-sized table in that living room that was used to host the occasional coworker party or something of the sort. However, that table was currently being used to keep Ash Ketchum stable and off the ground.

Ash's twitching was the only sign that he was still alive. As his Blissey ran around the flat looking for the necessary medical supplies, Brock seemed to voice Leon's thoughts.

"How on… How is he still alive?"

Leon spoke softly. "Your guess... is far superior to mine."

Brock restrained Ash by his shoulders, which were bare because his clothes had been dismantled far beyond wear. Leon said quietly once more. "Can't we just put him in his room? I believe he would feel more at ease there."

"No. We must keep him flat, stable, and motionless. We require him to be at a perfect 180-degree angle. We have the supplies to keep him stable, but for a full recovery, I'm going to need a lot of help." Brock spoke quickly. He abruptly returned to Leon. "How did you even come across Ash?"

Under the opposing man's stare, the champion almost cowered. "A volcano, to be precise. At the foot... of a volcano. When I found him, I couldn't believe he was still alive; he should have been dead by now. W-Can you tell me about his injuries?"

Brock was thoroughly inspecting Ash. "Multiple fractures in the skull, a broken leg." Brock remained silent for a few moments before speaking again.

"Thank you very much, Leon. You literally saved his life."

Leon made a shaky motion with his head. "Dragonite deserves to be recognised. He was aware that Ash was present." The red-haired man then turned to a nearby desk, where he was wearing six of Ash's Pokémon on his belt. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but Pikachu always prefers to remain outside of its pokeball?"

"Yeah."

Leon inquired, perplexed. "How did you think it got into its ball in the first place? And why hasn't it shown up to check on Ash?"

Brock looked at the belt with interest, as if pondering the question. "That's an odd thought. Not an unjustified one, but an odd one." He shook his head lightly after another moment before returning to treating Ash's wounds. Brock stood up and licked his lips. "What exactly brought him here? Why not go to the hospital?"

Leon sighed as he sat on Brock's dark-red couch. "It was my first instinct as well. But then he began speaking in the third person, pleading with me to take him to you and only you. He also said I shouldn't tell anyone that I was bringing him to you in the first place, though I still haven't figured that out either."

'Now that I think about it, why was Ash speaking in the third person? What was he talking about? It's incomprehensible. Something very strange is going on here, and I need to figure out what it is.' The champion's mind was unsettled.

What Leon hadn't realised was that Arceus, and only Arceus, was the reason Ash hadn't died in that Volcano. Ash's will to live and save his Pokémon had gotten him this far, but Arceus had done most of the heavy lifting. Arceus was also the one who temporarily took control of Ash, as the raven-haired boy was his chosen one, and was able to give Leon the instructions he needed to keep him away from those who betrayed him. After all, only Ash and Arceus knew the full story and would tell it.

Brock shook his head as he looked down at his best friend's broken body. "This makes no sense. Why would Ash not summon one of his flying Pokémon? Why was he in there in the first place?"

Leon bit his lower lip. "I wish I had known. We can only hope he wakes up."

Brock appeared unsure. "I'm not being petty, but what about my job? I can't be with Ash 24 hours a day, seven days a week if I'm also working."

The man with red hair nodded. "In terms of money, I'll keep you covered with the league; as far as I'm concerned, you're a leading medical practitioner in Kanto, so you'll be compensated as long as you keep an eye on Ash. I'll personally retrieve the supplies. Because this was supposed to be my vacation period, the league will not be looking for or needing me anytime soon."

Brock cocked his brow. "Do you have a place to stay in the area?"

Leon smiled. "When we're in Pewter, the league always has this one place we like to rent out. Because it's a penthouse, I'll notify them that I'll be checking in."

The ex-gym leader nodded in agreement. "What should I tell my boss?"

"Inform them that you are on a special mission from Champion Leon himself. If they want proof, simply inform them that a fire-breathing Dragonite and the champion will be visiting them within twenty-four hours." He laughed.

"That sounds good."

Leon regarded the man with suspicion. "And you're okay with taking a leave of absence?"

The man's eyes were filled with unshed tears. "Leon, I know you never accompanied us on our trip. To me, Ash was like a brother. In every way except blood, we are brothers. If he were in my shoes, he would have to be coerced out of leaving my side. We travelled together through Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh. That's not even all of the places we've met and spent time together. I owe him more than I'll ever be able to repay. So, yes... I am certain."

Leon gave him a small grin and nodded, and Brock reciprocated. Leon spoke again. "Is there anything I can get you right now? Everything from groceries to medicine is possible."

Flashback End

Brock was sad on thinking about the memory. He was tired and soon slept.

Ash and Misty were in a party in The Party Starter building in which the Top 8 of the Pokemon Legend tournament were invited. Ash and Misty saw Trip, Max, Iris, Domino, Lance, Cynthia, and he saw other Champions Steven, Leon, Diantha, Gladion.

"Wait until you see who decided to show up!" Ash turned around to see Steven Stone as well as an unknown woman on his arm. "Hello, Blake! Congratulations on getting into the top eight!"

Ash smiled politely. "Thank you very much, Steven. I appreciate the gesture, but what are you up to here? To my knowledge, only the top eight and one other person were permitted to attend this event."

Steven gave a nod. "Indeed, the champions are expected to be there as well."

Ash smiled politely at Steven Stone and his date. "It's an honor to see you again, Steven. And who might this lovely lady be?"

Steven smiled warmly. "Allow me to introduce you to my fiancée, Lucy. We met during my travels in Hoenn and we've been inseparable ever since."

Ash grinned. "Congratulations to you both! That's fantastic news."

Misty beamed at the happy couple. "I'm so happy for you two. When's the wedding?"

Lucy smiled shyly. "We're planning for next spring. It's going to be a small ceremony, just close friends and family."

Ash nodded in approval. "That sounds perfect. I'm sure it'll be a beautiful wedding."

As they chatted, Ash couldn't help but notice that Iris, Cilan, Max, Bonnie, and Trip were also at the party. They were all former companions of his, but after the incident that nearly killed him, he couldn't bring himself to forgive them.

Misty noticed his unease and squeezed his hand. "It's okay, Blake. They're not worth getting upset over."

Ash nodded, grateful for her support. He knew that he couldn't let his anger consume him, but it was hard to forget what they had done to him.

As the night wore on, Ash and Misty mingled with the other champions and trainers, enjoying the lively atmosphere of the party. They danced together, their bodies moving in perfect sync.

Despite the presence of his former companions, Ash was happy. He was with the woman he loved, and nothing could take that away from him.

As the night drew to a close, Ash and Misty said their goodbyes and made their way back to the royal chamber. As they lay in bed together, Ash held Misty close, feeling grateful for everything they had been through and everything they still had to look forward to.

He knew that his past with Iris, Cilan, May, Max, Bonnie, Dawn, and Trip would always be a part of him, but he was determined not to let it define him. He was Blake, the Paldea Champion, and he had a bright future ahead of him.

Ash woke up and he and Misty got ready for the day and left the royal chamber to see Domino, Paldea's Dark-Ghost Elite Four member.

Domino said to Ash "Team Flare members tried to attack me but I defended myself and they are all arrested."

Ash nodded, relieved that Domino was safe. "Thank goodness you're okay," he said. "Did they say why they were trying to attack you?"

Domino shook her head. "No, they didn't say anything," she replied. "But I have a feeling that this isn't the last we'll be seeing of Team Flare. We need to be prepared for anything."

Misty nodded in agreement. "I agree. We can't let our guard down, especially now that we know they're here in Paldea."

Ash sighed, feeling a sense of unease settling in his stomach. He knew that Team Flare was a dangerous organization, and the fact that they were in Paldea meant that they were up to something big.

"We'll need to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity," he said, looking at Misty. "We can't afford to let them catch us off guard."

Misty nodded, her expression serious. "I'll make sure that the Kanto Elite Four and Gym Leaders are on high alert as well. We need to work together to stop Team Flare before they can cause any more harm."

Ash smiled at Misty, feeling grateful to have her by his side. Despite the danger they were facing, he knew that as long as they were together, they could handle anything that came their way.

"We'll stop them, no matter what it takes," he said firmly. "We won't let them harm Paldea or anyone else."

Misty nodded, a determined look on her face. "We'll do whatever it takes," she agreed, taking Ash's hand in hers. "Together."

Ash and Cynthia stood at opposite ends of the battlefield, ready to begin their battle. Ash's Garchomp and Cynthia's Milotic stood poised for action.

"Are you ready, Blake?" Cynthia asked, a hint of a smile on her face.

Ash nodded, his expression focused. "I'm always ready."

The referee signaled for the start of the battle, and Ash and Cynthia sprang into action.

"Garchomp, use Dragon Rush!" Ash commanded.

Garchomp darted forward, its body surrounded by a swirling vortex of energy. Milotic countered with a powerful Hydro Pump, but Garchomp was too fast, dodging the attack and slamming into Milotic with its Dragon Rush. Milotic staggered back, but quickly regained its footing.

Cynthia smiled. "Impressive. But let's see how you handle this. Milotic, use Ice Beam!"

Milotic launched a beam of icy energy at Garchomp, who dodged to the side. Ash countered with a powerful Earthquake, shaking the ground beneath Milotic's feet and causing it to lose its balance.

Milotic recovered quickly, however, and launched a dazzling display of light with its Hyper Beam. Garchomp managed to dodge most of the attack, but was still caught by the edge of the blast.

Ash gritted his teeth. "Hang in there, Garchomp! Use Stone Edge!"

Garchomp summoned a barrage of sharp rocks, launching them at Milotic with incredible speed. Milotic countered with Mirror Coat, reflecting the attack back at Garchomp.

The two Pokemon battled fiercely, each one unleashing powerful attacks and dodging the other's moves with expert skill. But in the end, it was Garchomp who emerged victorious, landing a final Dragon Claw that sent Milotic tumbling to the ground.

Cynthia responded by sending out her Togekiss, a powerful and graceful Pokemon that Ash knew would not be easy to defeat.

"Garchomp, let's start with Dragon Claw!" Ash called out, determined to make the first move.

Garchomp lunged forward, its claws glowing with a fierce dragon energy. Togekiss dodged nimbly out of the way, its wings flapping gracefully.

"Togekiss, use Air Slash!" Cynthia commanded, her eyes focused on the battle.

Togekiss flapped its wings, sending out powerful gusts of wind that slammed into Garchomp. The Dragon-type Pokemon grunted in pain, but Ash knew that he couldn't let up now.

"Garchomp, use Earthquake!" Ash called out, determined to turn the tide of the battle.

Garchomp slammed its powerful tail onto the ground, causing the entire battlefield to shake. Togekiss struggled to keep its balance, but Ash could see that it was taking damage.

Cynthia gritted her teeth. "Togekiss, use Aura Sphere!"

Togekiss gathered energy in its mouth, forming a ball of pure aura energy. It fired the sphere at Garchomp, hitting it squarely and causing it to stagger back.

"Garchomp, use Dragon Rush!" Ash commanded, hoping that this would be enough to turn the tide of the battle.

Garchomp roared as it charged forward, its body surrounded by a powerful dragon energy. It slammed into Togekiss with a resounding crash, sending the graceful Pokemon tumbling to the ground.

Cynthia then sent out Garchomp.

Ash and Cynthia's Garchomps stood facing each other, both trainers looking intently at their Pokémon. The two dragons seemed to be sizing each other up, neither making a move just yet.

"Okay, Garchomp, let's start off with a Dragon Rush!" Ash commanded.

Cynthia responded with a Dragon Claw. The two attacks collided, creating a powerful shockwave that rocked the arena. Ash's Garchomp managed to push through Cynthia's attack and slammed into her Garchomp with the force of a freight train.

Cynthia's Garchomp stumbled back, but quickly recovered and retaliated with a Dragon Tail attack. Ash's Garchomp managed to dodge, but just barely, and responded with a devastating Fire Fang that left Cynthia's Garchomp reeling.

Cynthia's Garchomp roared in defiance and unleashed a powerful Dragon Pulse that hit Ash's Garchomp head-on. Ash's Garchomp staggered, but shook off the damage and prepared to counterattack.

"Garchomp, let's finish this with a Giga Impact!" Ash called out.

Cynthia's Garchomp responded with a Dragon Rush of its own. The two Garchomps charged at each other, their attacks colliding in a massive explosion of energy.

When the smoke cleared, both Garchomps were on the ground, panting heavily. But it was Ash's Garchomp that managed to stand up first, having emerged victorious from the intense battle.

The referee said "With all of Cynthia's Pokemons knocked out, the winner is Blake, the Paldea Champion in Zekrom Bracket."

"That was an incredible battle," Cynthia said, a smile on her face. "Your Garchomp is truly remarkable, Blake."

"Thanks, Cynthia. Your Garchomp is pretty amazing too," Ash replied, grinning broadly.

Misty and Lance both stepped onto the battlefield with their Pokémon, Gyarados and Kingdra.

"Alright, Gyarados, let's show Lance what we're made of!" Misty shouted, her voice full of determination.

Lance smirked. "Kingdra, let's give it our best shot!" he called out to his own Pokémon.

As the battle began, Kingdra moved first, unleashing a blast of water at Gyarados. But Misty's Pokémon was fast, and dodged the attack easily, moving in to retaliate with a fierce Aqua Tail. The blow connected, and Lance's Kingdra was knocked back.

Lance didn't falter, however, calling out for Kingdra to use its powerful Hydro Pump attack. The blast of water was massive, but Misty was ready, ordering Gyarados to use its own Hydro Pump to counteract the attack. The two powerful blasts collided, creating a massive explosion that shook the arena.

Both Pokémon were momentarily dazed, but Gyarados was quicker to recover, darting in to strike with a fierce Bite attack. Kingdra countered with a Twister, but Misty's Gyarados was able to weather the storm and land another powerful blow with a Thunder Wave attack.

Lance's Kingdra was clearly struggling, but Lance wasn't ready to give up yet. "Alright, Kingdra, let's finish this with a Draco Meteor!" he called out.

The move was devastating, and Misty's Gyarados was sent reeling. But even as the dust settled, Misty remained calm, calling out for Gyarados to use one final Hyper Beam attack. The blast was blinding, and when it cleared, Lance's Kingdra was lying on the ground, defeated.

Lance countered with his formidable Haxorus.

The two Pokemon stood ready to battle as their trainers called out their commands. Misty ordered her Gyarados to use Ice Fang, hoping to take advantage of Haxorus's weakness to ice-type moves. However, Lance was prepared and commanded Haxorus to use Dragon Claw, striking Gyarados before it could attack.

Misty wasn't deterred and ordered Gyarados to retaliate with Hydro Pump, which hit Haxorus with a powerful blast of water. But Lance was quick to counter with Haxorus's signature move, Dragon Dance, boosting its attack and speed.

Gyarados continued to press the attack, using Aqua Tail to strike Haxorus with a powerful water-based attack. But Haxorus managed to dodge the blow and countered with Outrage, dealing a massive amount of damage to Gyarados.

Misty knew she had to act fast if she wanted to turn the tide of the battle. She ordered Gyarados to use Dragon Dance, boosting its own attack and speed. Haxorus tried to counter with another Dragon Claw, but Gyarados was too quick, dodging the attack and retaliating with a devastating Dragon Rage.

It was Misty's Gyarados that emerged victorious, taking down Lance's Haxorus with a final Aqua Tail.

"Misty, I hope you're ready for this," Lance said with a smirk. "Dragonite, show them your power!"

Dragonite roared as it took to the air, soaring high above the battlefield. Gyarados bellowed back in response, determined not to be outdone.

"Gyarados, use Hydro Pump!" Misty commanded.

Gyarados unleashed a powerful blast of water from its mouth, aiming straight for Dragonite. The dragon Pokemon quickly dodged the attack and retaliated with a Dragon Rush, slamming into Gyarados with incredible force.

Misty gritted her teeth, knowing that she couldn't let Dragonite gain the upper hand. "Gyarados, use Ice Fang!"

Gyarados's jaws glinted with ice as it chomped down on Dragonite's arm, causing the dragon to roar in pain. But Lance wasn't going to let his Pokemon go down that easily.

"Dragonite, use Thunder Punch!" he commanded.

Dragonite's fist crackled with electricity as it slammed into Gyarados, sending it tumbling backward. Misty winced as she watched her Pokemon hit the ground, but Gyarados wasn't about to give up yet.

"Gyarados, use Dragon Tail!" she yelled.

Gyarados's tail glowed with energy as it whipped around, striking Dragonite with a powerful blow. The dragon Pokemon stumbled, but quickly regained its footing and retaliated with a powerful Flamethrower attack.

Misty could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she watched the two Pokemon battle it out, each determined to come out on top. But in the end, it was Gyarados who emerged victorious, knocking Dragonite out cold with a final blow.

The referee said "With all of Lance's Pokemons knocked out, the winner is Misty, the Kanto Champion in Giratina Bracket."

The crowd erupted into cheers as Misty rushed onto the field to congratulate her Pokemon. "Great job, Gyarados!" she said, beaming with pride. "You really pulled through for us there."

Lance approached her with a smile, extending his hand in congratulations. "Well done, Misty. Your Gyarados is truly a force to be reckoned with."

Blake was no stranger to Aether Paradise, and the receptionist simply waved him in once he passed through the front door. After a few minutes and some decent walking, Ash found himself outside Lusamine's room. He was always in awe of the pure-white room, but he didn't find himself in awe this time. But he wasn't sure why.

*Knock Knock Knock Knock*

"Busy." From the other side of the door, a feminine voice called out.

"Blake is on the case." Ash spoke sternly.

There was a brief moment of silence before the door swung open to reveal Lusamine, who appeared to be in a hurry of some kind. "Is it a bad time?" With an eyebrow raised, Ash said.

"In a way. Energy levels in the area have been unusually high, and we're concerned that this is related to a possible Ultra Beast sighting." The blonde woman sighed, irritably pinching the bridge of her nose.

Ash's eyes narrowed as he heard this, not liking the news one bit. "How bad is it really? We haven't seen anything since the tournament began. It's unusual; we usually have at least one per month."

"Indeed." She gave him a hopeful look. "You know... maybe it's for the best that you're here right now."

The man looked to the side while maintaining eye contact, as if asking for clarification. Lusamine understood the message. "Consider this: the region where Ultra Beasts reside is a volcano. Every time they breach, it could be as if the volcano erupted. Consider the following:" She came to a halt when she noticed Ash grimacing. In an instant, her hand flew to her mouth. "O-Oh! I'm so sorry... that was beyond rude!"

The champion made a shaky motion with his head. "It's fine... continue."

The woman nodded, her cheeks flushed. "O-Of course... what I was saying is, given how long we haven't seen an ultra beast, do you think it's a safe bet that the next Ultra Beast sighting will be a massive one? After all, it's as if we're building up to something big."

Ash nodded slowly, his logic making sense.

"Come along with me. There's something you should see." Lusamine told Ash to follow her, and he did. After a few minutes of aimless walking through rooms filled with technology and some with Pokémon, they arrived at a room chock-full of computers. Despite the fact that the systems in use appeared to require at least a dozen people, Lusamine and Ash were the only two in the room at the time.

As the Alola region's leader looked on, Lusamine knelt over a panel and began typing quickly. As Ash waited for Lusamine's obviously bad news, seconds turned into minutes. Lusamine finally pressed a button with authority, and a chart appeared after what seemed like an eternity. Ash's pupils constricted as he took in the flurry of readings and visuals.

"What exactly are these readings? We've never seen anything like this before, not even in theory."

Lusamine gave a nod. "That is why I am concerned that something is wrong. This has never happened before, neither before you were champion nor during your reign. This is an event that has the potential to overwhelm our defences."

Ash shook his head before sitting, his fingers irritably rubbing his temples. "No, no, no, it's more than that."

The blonde lady scowled. "What exactly do you mean?"

The champion remained silent for a brief moment before speaking again. "Look. We've faced the best their dimension has to offer and come out on top. We have proof of this. Take a look at that reading. What appears to be out of the ordinary?"

Lusamine stared blankly at the screen. "Aside from the massive, massive energy reading that could vaporise the region and the world as we know it?"

Outside of the words he spoke, Ash had no reaction. "Look at the energy readings in numerical order."

"…one? So?"

"We've already fought the most powerful being. We know that these beings emit sharp bursts of energy rather than continuous droning. This is even more unusual than ultra beasts themselves."

Lusamine shook her head and sat next to Ash on a swivel chair. She pondered his words for a few moments, trying to absorb the wisdom Ash was imparting. "Are you trying to convince me that the reading isn't an ultra beast?"

"Maybe. But we know it's a one-of-a-kind interpretation. We know it could be anywhere, and that the reading itself could be from this world."

"Please excuse me?"

Ash went on as if he hadn't heard her. "That's unusual, to say the least. The reading could be from our world rather than theirs. Take a look at the heat signature; it appears to be far more severe than we've—" A thought hit him like a tonne of bricks, and the words died in his throat.

'It can't be...' No… 'It can't be...' Ash gradually connected the dots and realised what a terrible situation the league was in if his suspicions were confirmed. Nothing but silence accompanied the two powerful Alola region icons for a few moments. Lusamine suspected Ash had something to say, but he wasn't about to tell him until he was ready. Ash spoke up a few seconds later.

"The Rainbow Gauntlet."

Silence. "What exactly do you mean? What do you think?"

Ash sighed and rubbed his brow. "This is going to come as a surprise to you, but bear with me as I explain. I know you mentioned it briefly before, but please allow me to elaborate. The Rainbow Gauntlet has been kept hidden for generations. It is predicted that this device will prevent a great war and the extinction of humanity. Contrary to popular belief, the war was not between People and Ultra Beasts. It was a battle between Ultra Beasts and Pokémon. There were far too many casualties in this war. Humans, who were once allies with both Humans and Pokémon, were forced to choose a side. After a while, an event shifted human loyalties from neutral to Pokémon. The Ultra Beasts were banished to their realm with the help of Descendants of Delveon, where they remain to this day."

Lusamine's jaw had become dislodged as a result of the news. But Ash wasn't finished.

"The Gauntlet's controller could effectively enslave not only the ultra beasts, but the entire world if it could be found, controlled, and fallen into the wrong hands. Armageddon had truly arrived."

Lusamine took the floor. "I seem to recall telling you a similar story not long ago... Why are you revealing this to me now?"

"Because I've been tracking the device's location for quite some time. I have genuine reason to believe that Team Flare played a significant role in this. The Gauntlet had been on their radar for years, but their primary leads to the device were lost due to... unexpected circumstances. I only recently learned of the device and began my own search for it, fearing the worst. Until now, I assumed it had remained isolated, where no one could possibly gain access to this device."

"Up to this point?"

Ash shook his head and pointed to the computer screen. "Because of concrete information that I would trust any day of the year, I believed the device was in Lake Valor. In any case, I dispatched two of my best agents to scout the area for any suspicious activity when the information I obtained appeared to fall into the hands of Flare themselves. They were inserted into Valor after a reasonable amount of time had passed. They discovered nothing unusual, no equipment, no excavation team... everything was as it should be."

The older woman blinked, clearly not grasping the significance of Ash's words. "What exactly is the problem with that?"

"Nothing was suspicious, which is suspicious. For a while, I assumed they were hatching some elaborate scheme, but if Flare knew we had the same information as they did, I'm sure the mouse would've rushed to the cheese. It's always perplexed me why they'd devise such a complicated plan to obtain the Gauntlet when they could already have it—long story." Ash noticed Lusamine's expression and abruptly cut her off before continuing.

"I'm only thinking about it now, but maybe Flare did all of this to throw me off their trail. It has to be the only reason they'd do it if they already had it. I just never considered that this was part of a larger plan, and who knows how much time I cost the league as a result." Ash spoke solemnly, the realisation hitting him like a tonne of bricks.

For a few moments, there is silence. Then Ash abruptly stood up. "I have to leave because I need to put the league on high alert. You must remain here to find the mole."

Lusamine's face brightened. "It couldn't be... it couldn't be. Do you know if the device has been activated?"

Ash made a shaky motion with his head. "No, there would have to be an Ultra beast outbreak gone wrong, and the world would already be in chaos. Why?"

Lusamine raised a finger in the air, as if suddenly realising something. Within seconds, she was back on the nearest computer. She began typing quickly, as if his life depended on it. She was animated in her speech. "If everything you've told me is true, I might be able to find out if the Gauntlet was discovered."

"How would you go about doing that?"

The blonde spoke up, her voice full of excitement. "Okay, we've established that there was a security breach here. There is most likely still a security breach here. That security breach could now have downloaded anything they wanted and escaped. But I'm the only one who can freely download and distribute. We know that if the breach is still present, it is most likely for a reason." She returned to her computer and resumed typing quickly.

"If this device is what's causing the current surge, there's a good chance it's always been emitting this particular power."

The man was not persuaded. "How come we didn't notice it earlier?"

Lusamine's mouth opened and closed. "Oh, that's strange." For a brief moment, the two were silent before Lusamine began nodding rapidly. "Wait... of course!" Ash caught a glimpse of her, waiting for her to reveal her epiphany.

"We would have seen this glow regardless, you're right. However, we know that this glow isn't from an Ultra Beast. As a result, this must be the Gauntlet. However, if the Gauntlet is appearing now, something must have recently occurred that caused the Gauntlet to become visible to these systems. Remember, there's been a dry spell; we haven't seen an Ultra Beast in forever. We didn't need to be constantly stalking the computers. Remember that the mole may be aware of this. The information on the Gauntlet would have been obtained recently, when security would have been on low alert."

Ash spoke up abruptly, his voice filled with horror. "Do you think, if Flare truly has the Gauntlet, they got the device's location... from here?"

"So why not? Isn't it true that everything adds up?"

Ash made a shaky motion with his head. "No, not at all."

Lusamine responded. "How so?"

The raven-haired man remained silent for a brief moment before speaking again. "For one thing, you were just discussing an event that would cause the Gauntlet to begin radiating this power. You said it yourself; otherwise, we would have discovered the Gauntlet by now. What kind of event are you referring to?"

Silence. "You obviously know more about the Gauntlet than I do. List everything that has recently happened that is related to Ultra Beasts. What could be connected to the Gauntlet to cause it to activate?"

Ash tried to recall everything he could about the Gauntlet, delving into the depths of his mind to find the answer they sought.

Flashback…

"Those who initially hid the device had good intentions. They didn't want the device to fall into the hands of the wrong people. As a result, they safeguarded it with a failsafe or two. To begin, as you are aware, the device was locked in a very secure bag and sent with a runner to avoid it falling into the wrong hands. There were ten runners in total, and no one knew which bag contained the device. All were supposedly locked with some kind of failsafe, and no runners could tell if they were holding the device. Unless they were truly pure of heart, each runner was told to hide their bag somewhere no one could find it."

"Second, the device could only be activated in areas where Ultra Beasts could rule alone, supremely, and peacefully. Even if the device was obtained, the user would not be able to gain immediate control of the Beasts."

Ash frowned as he tried to process what the legendary Pokémon had said.

"Because of these keys, I knew it was my responsibility to train a warrior, a human who would be called upon to perform the impossible task of saving the world... if the need arose. This person had to be determined, ambitious in the face of adversity, and, perhaps most importantly..."

"Capable of quickly bonding with Pokémon."

Ash blinked as he realised what Arceus was saying to him. "… Me."

Flashback End...

"Well… I recall that three things are required for the device to be fully activated in our world. To begin, one must be pure of heart in order to locate the device. Second, the device must be activated in a specific location associated with Ultra Beasts above all else. Finally, the Gauntlet has a failsafe in the form of a key." Slowly, little by little, the raven-haired champion recalled.

Lusamine nodded slowly. "All right, what does that have to do with any sort of event that could've revealed the location of the Gauntlet?"

Ash frowned and attempted to summarise. "I'm not sure about the whole heart thing. Maybe they found a way around it? Perhaps they duped someone into finding it and then stole it from them? I doubt the good professor discovered it out of altruism. In terms of step two, it's possible that bringing the device here activated its power, which may have had something to do with the intensity of the power."

Lusamine appeared to give up on attracting Ash's attention and returned to typing on her computer. Ash continued his rant for a few minutes longer as more ideas came to him one by one. He eventually looked over for a few seconds and noticed Lusamine, who was completely unaware of his speech.

"W-What are you up to?"

"As I previously stated, if Aether Paradise was a hotspot for Ultra Beasts and the location from which Team Flare discovered the Gauntlet's location, then the mole most likely fed them the information. We keep an extremely detailed record of everything that has been searched for her at Aether Paradise."

Max Maple sat back in his hotel room, content in the knowledge that he was living the life of a true champion. He had reached the final four of a prestigious competition. He had a girl who made boys swoon. He had proven to be an effective trainer. All he had to do now was crush two insignificant trainers in his path, and he'd effectively become a legend among legends. There was nothing he could do now.

However, the lights in the room abruptly went out. "Hm?" The young boy muttered in perplexity. "Is there a power outage? Now?"

A voice rang out in the room. "Not quite."

Chills immediately ran down his spine. Max spun around, panic washing over him like a tidal wave. "Y-You!? Again!? What are you looking for!?"

Silence. Then came the depressing words. "Maple, your patience is wearing thin. You'll crash sooner than you think."

Max yelled to what appeared to be an empty room. "That's what you believe. You may have gotten the better of me once, but it will not happen again! Just try to keep up with me!"

A mocking chuckle echoed around the room. "Do you think you'll win the championship? Do you think you have a chance to usurp my throne?"

"I'm sure I do. Blake, your days are numbered; I'm coming for you and your league." Max spoke haughtily, a smirk appearing on his face for the first time during their conversation. The champion chuckles again. "Funny, I'd say the same thing to you about your little posse."

Footsteps clattered slowly somewhere in the room. "Let us now discuss the champion role. I'm sorry to break it to you, but winning this tournament will not grant you instant champion status or anything of the sort." Max shook his head in disbelief.

"W-What?"

"Do you really believe that simply winning a tournament will make you a champion? What a moron you are. It's actually quite amazing how someone so obviously inept can advance so far in a tournament." Blake smirked with delight.

"That's a lie; you're making everything up!"

Blake's snarkiness was replaced by seriousness. "Even if I was, it's not as if it matters. First and foremost, you will not defeat me in combat. I'm going to bury you so badly that your body won't be found for years. Your Pokémon will not be far behind; it amuses me that you believe you have a chance to win. Second, even if you win this tournament by the grace of Arceus, you will not become champion because that is not how the league works. What a shame." He took his time walking around the room, allowing the suspension to build up.

Max couldn't tell where Blake was by his movements, but it didn't take long for him to hear the words next to his ear. "Last but not least, don't forget about the past."

To say the least, the young man jumped a few inches in the air. He turned to look at the noise, but no one was there. "Past?" Max inquired. "What happened in the past?"

Blake said only two words. "Ketchum, Ash."

Max Maple simply growled in response to this statement. When he spoke aloud, it came out far more tentative than he had intended. "W-Wha… What exactly do you mean?"

For a brief moment, no words were exchanged. Then there were more footsteps, followed by malicious words.

"I know you murdered him. I've already told you this. Did you think I was faking it? I informed you of everything you required to know." The foreboding voice spoke up.

Max regained his footing. "But you haven't handed me over. You haven't turned in any of my acquaintances. This can only mean one thing: you don't have any proof. The courts will not listen to anyone without some kind of evidence, and you are well aware of this!" Blake laughed quietly from the corner of the room. To say that the situation was dark and eerie was an understatement. Blake spoke after a few minutes of laughter, his tone darkened by the darkness. "Do you think I'd do all of this without any proof?" Max remained silent, sweat slowly trickling down his brow.

Max, on the other hand, knew from where Blake was speaking. The Paldea Champion had emerged from a dark corner of the room, to be sure. "Kalos. Volcano. Betrayal. You had the audacity to call him a friend, only to push him to his death without hesitation. Ash Ketchum was murdered by you and his other friends." The champion moved closer to the boy, who appeared to be terrified. Blake spoke slowly and deliberately, emphasising each word. "Remember what I said to you? I was present." More footsteps slowed and pattered around Max, who was experiencing an unsettling sensation.

"I'm curious... why?"

He'd tried this method before. It hadn't worked before, and it didn't seem to work now. Max prepared for battle by grasping a pokeball. "I have no idea what you're talking about, you cretin. Please get out of my room."

Blake remained silent for a few moments before breaking the silence. "You appear to have made your decision... very well. Mr. Maple, since you don't appear to be cooperating, I'll let you in on a little secret: my entire league is aware of your actions against Ash Ketchum. Your entire group will be tried, you will be found guilty, and you will spend the rest of your lives in prison."

Blake took two steps closer, his red vest partially visible. "I'll give you one more battle, this time against yourself. I am here to inform you that, victory or defeat, I will be arresting you for your actions. Whatever happens in our battle, you will not be able to win the tournament." Max's breathing became more rapid as panic set in.

"N-No… That is not true! Direct arrests are not permitted!"

Blake burst out laughing. "Nonetheless, after my fight with Damien Dark, I had him arrested. He's been tried, convicted of Pokémon abuse, and will spend the rest of his days rotting behind bars." Max appeared to be frozen in fear, not moving as Blake approached him slowly. Blake whispered directly into his ear.

"Imagine what I'll do to you and your worthless posse if you're found guilty of first-degree murder."

Max couldn't stop himself from shuddering. "I'm going to make you the same offer I'm going to make your friends: confess to the murder of Ash Ketchum, and I'll lighten how hard I'll push you in the courts. If you refuse to confess, I will humiliate you all in court one by one, but not before I have ruined your lives as much as I possibly can."

Blake turned and walked to the balcony of the room. He returned his attention to Max, who was still frozen in place, holding a pokeball. "You have until midnight the day before our battle to make your decision." He took three steps closer to the railing and spoke once more. "Oh, don't worry about telling your friends... they're about to discover the same thing as you."

Max stood there in abstract horror as Blake leapt off the ledge and into the night sky, as if a mass murderer had escaped into the night to continue his reign of terror. Max was too preoccupied with realising the horrific truth to notice a trickling liquid down his left pant leg.

Blake, his nemesis, thorn in his side, and the world's most feared trainer, was privy to his darkest secret. Max was hit with the realisation.

Blake was on their tail.

To say Ash was perplexed would be an understatement. At the secret lair of the league, Ash found himself staring at a chained Malva. He had no idea if he could trust her or not. Before the league's officials could take any action, video cameras saw a masked individual throwing Malva's body in front of the league and running away. It was unclear how long she had been there.

She was alert and aware, scanning the space with an unrecognisable expression painted across her features. Although not knowing what to make of the situation, Ash gave Bail and Arch his commands.

"I must take sole responsibility for the league's security." The two nodded, with Arch escorting the man with the dark complexion from the room.

He scowled and considered his next move as he turned to face the shackled prisoner behind the glass panel. Surprisingly though, he made it there quickly. Ash entered the room in a creepy manner and slammed the door behind him to startle the girl. He found himself moving of his own volition. She wore only black clothing, along with a matching black headgear of some description.

"So, tell me, how did a Flare agent like yourself end up unconscious just outside of one of the island's most closely secured institutions."

Malva snorted. "No need for witticisms or sarcasm, Blake, please. Blake, you can't break me. You're just a big softie these days. I am aware of the manner in which you decimated those Pokémon and Flare grunts. Within the Flare Organization, we refer to it as the Great Slaughter. Even though you killed those defenceless men and their Pokémon in the prime of their lives, we will never forget who stole those lives from us. The difficulty was transformed into fuel by us."

'Huh? But I believed that.' Ash's mind briefly ceased functioning, leaving him only temporarily bewildered. But, he refrained from displaying that uncertainty on his face. The champion gave a menacing speech. "And what gives you the impression that I've changed?"

"Because people are no longer tortured in order to obtain information. You are haunted by that day of slaughter. You worry that the blood will swallow you whole if you take one more step into it. I don't blame you for having those thoughts; it's only normal to feel conflicted after killing hundreds or perhaps thousands of lives in such a short period of time. Nearly... impressive." Malva spoke while flashing a sly grin.

Yet, Blake was grinning this time. "Well, it was wonderful." His remarks astonished Malva, but before she could respond, he spoke again. "I no longer torment people, therefore most of what you've said is true. You're mistaken because, given the right circumstances, I have no problem eliminating people who get in my way. Towards the beginning of my reign as champion, flare threatened my area. Then, slaying them was no problem for me. While I do regret the decision I made to kill so many people today, you can count on me to do everything it takes to protect Alola from parasites like you."

Malva did make an effort to maintain her appearance, for what it was worth. "Blake, you don't frighten me." She gave him an abrasive sneer and appeared to dare him to try and shatter her.

After a little period of silence, the man began to chuckle ominously. "Oh… Though I will. Each bone separately."

"Bone?"

Malva was unable to think when Blake twisted and seized her wrist. The girl gave a horrible crunch and shouted out in pain, obviously not expecting the man to be so quick and harsh. The chains around the girl made it impossible for her to lean over and cover her busted wrist.

"What can I say considering that I'm certain several bones were just broken there? I'm a champion who takes initiative." Blake growled. The girl whimpered.

"I'll get to the important stuff, Ms. Keenfire. I have no idea why you were left at my door, but I intend to make the most of it. Tell me now—"

"Anything you want to know, I'll tell you! Just stop breaking wrists, please! — or something else! Please!" She pleaded.

'Hm… how intriguing'

There was a brief period of silence. Well done. Espeon showed up when the room was filled by a flash. "Be ready to be honest about everything, Ms. Keenfire. Who is Team Flare's leader, is the first question I have?"

Before answering with a very unsteady tone, the girl appeared apprehensive for a brief period of time and gave Espeon a close glance.

"O-Okay… The Flare's leader is..."

Blake awaited the words with eager anticipation. The words that he already knew came out as soon as she opened her mouth.

"Samuel Oak, a professor." Blake glanced to Espeon, who only gave a simple nod. He made a gentle exhalation, which could have indicated that everything written in Oak's diary was accurate and should be considered as such.

"Alright… You must be telling the truth, I suppose. You were discovered here after all. Next, I want to know why you were brought here."

Malva scowled as she sneaked another glimpse at Espeon. Why? "Because I abandoned him."

It was not at all what Ash had anticipated. "What?"

"I endured abuse. Since I left this shithole, he has been using me as his test subject. Why do you suppose I didn't return after Xavier was discovered? Why do you suppose I left when Flare kidnapped Xavier? Oak didn't want me to be making out with an ally of his enemy; he wanted me back." Espeon shook her head as Ash turned to look at her. Malva grew pallid.

"I am aware of her lies" He smirked as he turned to face her. "No one abused you. You arrived here without a scratch on your body, and according to the medical report, you were in excellent health. It implies that you might have been knocked out. But something tells me there's more going on. Furthermore, why would Oak leave you here to expose a secret that he thinks is secure and ought to be kept hidden if he had worked you to the bone?"

Malva groaned. "Fine! I trusted a friend to bring me here safely, if you must know. They mostly kept their promises. I diverged on the way to a mission. While I don't support Oak, I do support Flare. He's no more than the chewing gum on the sole of my shoe." Espeon indicated her statement was accurate by nodding.

"But you continue to serve him?"

The lady frowned. "I agree with the message, not the sender." Espeon gave Ash all the information he needed with a firm nod.

"Well, OK. Why were you recently captured on camera outside of the league? Why were you at this place?"

The girl spoke smoothly. I have no idea what you are talking about.

"I'm not sure what you expect from me. Can you be more specific? Or was it someone else you were able to view through this video?" The pink-haired girl spoke, appearing emotionless.

"We know you did it. We don't understand how you ended yourself here in the first place, though." The man scowled as he spoke negatively and saw the woman's lack of expression.

"I've told you already,"

I've said it before: I don't believe you.

The woman's sigh of frustration was heard. "You won't believe me, even though the statement is true. What else you want me to say, I'm not sure."

"Truth, please."