Part CXLVIII: Visions of Unknown Power
Everyone looked to Olympia in shock as she let out her gasp and suddenly glowed blue the way one does when psychic power or the move Psychic is being used. Suddenly, the Anistar Gym Leader was raised into the air and thrust her arms wide opening her cloak fully as her eyes bulged at the vision she was seeing before her. As all this was happened her hair and cloak began to flutter as if there was a strong wind all around her as she held her pose in the air though there was no wind in the gym.
"What's going on?" Professor Sycamore asked worried as he'd never Olympia experience a vision before.
"Lady Olympia is experiencing a vision of the future." Charlene said as she gaped at her boss, all the acolytes did despite having seen this before as it was always a startling sight when it happened. "Give it a moment, she'll tell us what she sees."
Ash, Misty, May, Serena, and Professor Sycamore just had to stand there in shock and trust the senior acolyte that this was normal for Olympia. This was a new experience to them, and they were not going to look away from it for a moment.
Almost as soon as Charlene was done speaking, the air before Olympia turned a misty, almost sickly, green. No one could see into it, but this was what happened when Olympia experienced a vision and only she could see what was in the cloud.
As with most of her visions, Olympia could only make out vague things of the potential future she was being shown, but she still spoke to all as she saw them so that none would forget what she saw. This way they all knew what might come to pass.
"I see it, the time is nigh for the evolution to happen." Olympia said as she saw the generational ability only a Greninja could possess manifest. "A battle, one where normally none are held, shall take place. Fate shall chose Ash as one of the combatants, that has already been determined by past actions. Only his and Frogadier's bond and love can accomplish victory in this battle, however, and through victory it shall be achieved. The Battle Bond phenomenon is almost upon us, but their bond must be unshakable to achieve it."
Olympia paused as they all looked at her in shock. Not even the gym leader could say what had triggered it but perhaps the battle itself and the aftermath of such an intense match with a trainer who's love for his Pokémon outpaced almost all caused it.
That or the simple fact that Olympia had finally battled someone like Ash who seemed to be favored or destined by Arceus himself to play pivotal roles in the world, to have the love and strength needed to be with the Froakie born to hold the Battle Bond ability, to be so chosen by that Froakie and to finally bring him, now a Frogadier, to Olympia. Whatever the case, this vision was important, and she wasn't going to miss any of it.
"Should this come to pass, there will be trials for sure." Olympia said as the vision moved forward to the next spot in the future. "Decisions both in and out of the control of the bonded pair will cause this. Events will shake their bond but through pain, cold, and trust can it be restored, and the passion reignite to burn away all doubt and unlock the full potential of this bond. These trials must be faced alone however for only trainer and Pokémon can manage it; none must get involved. All must fall into place for this to work, for this to happen."
That was certainly odd to everyone watching. It seemed like there were a lot of moving parts for this to occur but then again the future was fluid and always in flux and what Olympia was seeing was but one potential path forward for Ash and his friends, not the only path they might walk.
"Should it do then all will be complete and a bond stronger than any between Pokémon and trainer will be forged, the only way two hearts can become one without the need for additional energy shall be achieved." Olympia continued fully in the thralls of her vision. "More challenges shall await but this bond with be the foundation upon which all shall be built for them. Should all fall in place then the final hurdle will be clearable."
"Does that mean the Kalos Conference?" Ash asked before he could stop himself, even he could tell that this vision was about him and his Frogadier, but he couldn't make out what the hell it was all about, but it sounded like it might refer to the Conference at the end of the year that he was one gym badge away from qualifying for.
"Shut it, Lady Olympia has no control what she sees." Carrie said angrily. "Just listen and then you may discuss it with her if she so wishes to talk about it."
"Either the same or greater, never back but for one time already gone, shall happen as it always has." Olympia said as her vision took control of her. "It shall happen again, and this bond will be instrumental in it, but all must play their parts to achieve the desired goal. It will be to light or dark that the crown shall fall as two who epitomize strength in different ways duel for it. A moment is all it will take and the coin hangs on its side for I cannot see how it will land. One path leads to a rematch that will rock Kalos, one to a new path away from here. Which will it be? Only Ash can decide for the future is now in his hands and the love that he bears in his heart."
With that the green mist dissipated and Olympia fell slowly to the ground as she drew her arms in and closed her eyes in the aftermath of the experience. Seconds later she was standing on the ground in front of Ash and his companions, and Professor Sycamore, her head bowed as all gaped at her. Even her acolytes, who had seen the vision the year before that foretold of the incident to come that could annihilate Kalos were gaping at this. While not as disastrous as that vision, this one was clearly important.
"Um, what just happened?" Misty asked when finally everything had settled down. "That was certainly a vision of the future but what did it mean?"
"I am not sure." Olympia said as she opened her eyes and raised her head to look at Ash. "But I know one thing, it had to do with Ash and his Frogadier and the path that they will walk together going forward."
"Yeah can you explain it?" Ash asked. "I'm pretty confused by all of this."
"Alas foresight is not a power that can be explained, not like the other psychic abilities you've encountered like telekinesis, telepathy, empathic communication, or even your one dalliance with transmutation." Olympia said with a shake of her head causing Ash to shudder at the last one, he may not have personally experienced that one, but it was one that he hoped would never manifest in someone again. "It is not as set as those other abilities for it is much more nebulous than they are."
"How so?" May asked. "You foresaw the incident last year and that we would win."
"No, I foresaw what was needed to win in that outcome." Olympia said. "That is why I did what I could to ensure that it came to pass by talking with Diantha and the other gym leaders so that we may lend our aid when the time came as my vision foretold but it was only through Alain's redemption and your own intervention May that it could be done. To save Kalos you needed to draw upon your own past experiences at the Sea Temple and the Tree of Beginning. Only one who had saved the world before and thus knew the stakes we were facing could be the key. Last year that was you and your Blaziken."
"Oh, I see." May said trying to understand what Olympia was saying. "You saw the future where the incident occurred but in your vision it was the future where it was prevented."
"The incident was unstoppable, at least that monstrosity's creation which was what triggered it was so the whole this was inevitable." Olympia said. "The moment that Chespin fell into a coma the creation was inevitable, but as you noted, I saw the future where it was stopped. However, all I saw had to come to pass for it to occur."
"It did?" Serena asked.
"Yes for the future is never set but always in flux." Olympia said. "Any little change in the present can alter the future in innumerous ways for it is the past that sets the path to the future. When I see the future it is usually either events that are coming to me or major events that will play big roles should things fall the way they must. I can help ensure that if I am a part of it, as was the case last year, but otherwise all I see is a potential outcome and sometimes even then I can't see how things will play out just as I did now."
"Yeah I didn't get that part." Ash said. "You saw me and Frogadier in a moment that could go either way, right?"
"Correct." Olympia said with a nod. "It is not common but sometimes there are moments so momentous that not even my power will allow me to see how they might fall but rather a glimpse of the two or more potential outcomes."
"So, you didn't see which way it would go?" Ash asked confused by what Olympia was saying. "Just that the moment will happen?"
"That the moment might happen if all else prior is met." Olympia corrected. "And no, I did not see which way it will go for you. That moment that I saw, and I don't even know when it will take place, is so pivotal that it can go either way. Depending on how it goes, both scenarios lead to a path opening up that can have major consequences. Alas, all of the moment that I saw was that light and dark will class in a singular, life altering, second but how it falls I do not know as each has a major future pathway from it. Of course, you can only get there if other things are met."
"Yeah that I don't get." Ash admitted. "So, the evolution of Frogadier is coming?"
"Potentially, at the very least the moment in which it can happen is coming and that is the only guarantee due to what has already been shaped by the past." Olympia said. "But the evolution is the key to it all, the first drop that will set this ripple flowing so to speak. Should you use Frogadier in a battle that you are destined to engage in, and should he evolve during that battle, your bond will reach that point and trigger his unique ability to both bring you victory and show the phenomenon."
"I see so that much is going to happen, the battle at least." May said as she started to get it though Ash was still struggling with it. "But the next part you saw is only one of many futures that could come to pass."
"Correct, the stage for this future has already been set so to speak." Olympia said with a nod. "From there, it is all in Ash's hands and heart on how he goes forward. Little is known of the Battle Bond ability, the one Ash's Frogadier will gain upon evolving, for it hasn't been seen in Kalos in over a century at least but what is known is that just triggering it is not enough. That is but the first, incomplete, stage of it. From that point you must continue to grow it until you unlock it's true and full nature of which I do not know."
"I don't get it." Ash admitted. "I'm lost. I've never heard of a Pokémon like that until you mentioned my Frogadier was special the other day."
"No, you wouldn't because I do not think anyone knows much about it." Olympia said shaking her head. "The last Greninja known to possess this ability belonged to a village chief of one of the many insular and secretive clans that exist in Kalos, one that came her from your corner of the world in fact. Alas I know little about them or where to find them, let alone their records, and I doubt they know more than the phenomenon as it was so long ago. Just because the ability is generational for Froakies does not mean that the right trainer is, it is the pairing that is so rare. Should you manage it Ash, we will learn a lot about Pokémon and this ability."
"Yes, I'd very much like to study it should it happens." Professor Sycamore said. "So should you manage it do tell me Ash. It sounds like it is like Mega Evolution, but something is off about it."
"Of course, if it does happen I'd like to know about it as well." Ash said. "Though I don't understand when this will take place."
"That I cannot say." Olympia said. "All I know is that it will occur in a situation where battles are not expected, a situation that will come to pass for whatever trigger was needed to get to that part of the future has already been met, and that fate itself will chose Ash as one of the combatants. As for the others, that I do not know."
"So, what can we do?" Misty asked.
"Let the future come to you for now seeing as the first part is already in motion." Olympia said simply. "The first stone has already been cast so all you can do is walk up to that point. In all my visions, the first point in the future is the one that doesn't change. It is the ripples afterwards that will be up to you."
"I see so like with last year, Chespie had already been comatose by the time you had your vision, so the formation of that monstrosity was guaranteed." Professor Sycamore said rubbing his chin. "It was our own actions that helped Alain find redemption that ultimately led to your vision coming to pass."
"That is a good way of looking at it though it is far more complex than that." Olympia said. "Things will occur from that first stone that, in this case, will be in Ash's hands. Decisions that he makes going forward that will determine how the bond develops and grows or doesn't if he makes the wrong choices. Key moments, trials of sorts, will come and how he handles them will determine the next stage of the future, but only certain ones will lead to the future I have just seen. I saw but the best way for the bond though the final moment I could not, that is where light and dark clash."
"That sounds ominous." May said. "Light and dark clashing isn't usually good in our experience."
"It does but it may not be for not all that is dark is bad and not all that is light is good." Olympia said. "And for that matter both can be neutral which this may be for all that we know. I will be keeping a close eye on you though Ash."
"You will?" Ash asked now confused, all this was starting to get to him.
"Of course, I will." Olympia said with a nod. "You have been the subject of many visions of mine even before we met the other day. Be it your revelation of the new fairy type, your chance of meeting the right Froakie and showing him that you are that potential trainer that he's been seeking who can unlock the Battle Bond phenomenon, and of course out impending battle in which you used two rather unconventional Pokémon against me in a battle that I will never forget, you have appeared in my visions before. You even once appeared in a vision many years ago that foretold of me meeting Sabi should you save her though I did not know it was you until recently, that is how frequent you have appeared to me."
"Huh I wonder why that is?" Ash asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Olympia asked a little confused, but all the girls instantly understood, obvious and Ash didn't often mix well together and to show it Ash shook his head at this. "There is something special about you Ash, something that draws the eyes of the powers that be to you and your actions and that can move or change even the hardest of hearts or most corrupted of minds. You are a magnet for the unexplained, the revolutionary, and the supernatural and you have the ability to break through even the strongest of barriers set up in your way."
"Tell us about it." Misty said as May nodded in agreement. "Arceus knows we've had many adventures like that, and I've heard Sabi's tale, I know what Ash did for her."
"And we're just part of it, not even half of all the shit Ash has gotten up to if I had to guess." May said. "Brock and Dawn had many more in Kanto, Johto, and the Orange Islands with him though Brock wasn't part of the last one."
"And I wouldn't be surprised if he had some in Unova as well." Misty said. "I mean when I was there and saw him we ran into a Meloetta."
"Piplup." Piplup said from Misty's head remembering yet another of his many lost loves. "Pip, Piplup."
"I'll admit I've had one or two strange adventures in my time." Ash said a bit sheepishly causing May and Misty to turn and glare at him. "Ok so maybe more like a dozen and a half or so but still…"
"That is unheard of." Olympia said her eyes wide. "Few even have one such adventure. That incident last year with Zygarde was the only one any of us but May had had in our lives."
"And I only had the 5 or so previous ones because of Ash." May said. "And Misty has had at least the same amount and hers have been wilder if that's even possible."
"Well, Sinnoh is where the creator himself and his three eldest sons seem to be based." Misty said with a shrug. "Arceus appeared to ancient Sinnoh, at least as far as I can recall from that adventure where the Pokémon of Time, Dialga, sent us back in it. Add in that Dialga is part of the Creation Trio with Palkia and Giratina who I believe are the first generation after Arceus and, well, our adventures with them were wild."
"Those are some serious Pokémon deities there." Olympia said amazed that Misty and Ash had run into some of the oldest and greatest of all legendary Pokémon no matter which region you were from. "And you met all 4 of them?"
"Arceus only once." Ash said as the acolytes began gaping at them. "Dialga we met about 4 times, Palkia 3 and Giratina twice though the last one did take us to the reverse world where he is based. He's actually a good example of something appearing dark that is not evil though I do not think his type is dark."
"Legendary Pokémon are hard to determine the type unless they are obvious in appearance or style." Professor Sycamore said. "Though Rowan does theorize that the Creation Trio share a secondary type with each having a different primary one."
"That would make sense." Misty said. "It seemed that way when they were battling Arceus at least."
"Well, whatever the case, all this shows that Ash is something else." Olympia said recovering from the revelations and pushing forward. "And no wonder why Ash was chosen by the generational Froakie. No doubt Ash's history, and the battle we had, was what triggered this vision for me and what a battle that was. I'll admit, I've never seen a trainer do what you did Ash though it is Pikachu I should really be praising, he was the one who got it right and changed everything in the end."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said sheepish at the praise but still enjoying it. "Pi, Pikachu."
"Yes I was wondering what Ash and Pikachu were doing." Professor Sycamore said. "I couldn't figure it out."
"Yeah he was moving his tail the entire time after that second Future Sight." Misty said looking at Ash. "What crazy plan did you come up with to win this time?"
"Oh well it was simple really." Ash said rubbing the back of his head. "Olympia said that the time was now or something like that just before the first Future Sight attack hit and that got me thinking, it has to have a set time limit that she knows so that she can order her Meowstics back. I couldn't battle and focus on it as well but as Pikachu wasn't in the battle but at my side I realized that he could do that for me, so I asked him to count the time between the balls vanishing and reappearing later on when the next Future Sight was used. He did so by swinging his tail in a set beat to his words."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said with a nod demonstrating with his tail as he began his chant to really show what he was doing with each word corresponding with the movement of his tail. "Pi, pi, pi, pi."
"And as such he got the timing and count down when the second attack happened." Ash said. "Given how well coordinated Olympia's Meowstics are it was clear that they are used to battling together, well that and their moves are so in sync that they're clearly designed for that purpose. I wouldn't be surprised if their abilities are as well. I heard that the female had Keen Eye but not what the male had."
"Prankster." Olympia confirmed impressed by Ash's deductions of her battle tactics with her Meowstics. "It allows for status moves to get off first hence why the Light Screen, a move my male Meowstic knows to protect both during a battle, was activated before either were hit. With their mobility, physical attacks are hard to land so Light Screen adds to their defense as trainers are usually forced to rely on ranged attacks against me."
"Ah that does explain it." Ash said understanding now. "So, you see, I had to use something different to win and that was Pikachu's count to get the timing of the Future Sight right. He began with the third Future Sight and would let me know when they would appear. I already had the plan for that with Sigilyph's Psychic and what I saw last year with that move a few times. All I had to do was last that long, which I knew my Pokémon could though learning of Sigilyph's ability was a surprise."
"It was all well done and perfectly coordinated for a double battle." Olympia said. "I wanted Ash to find the timing for that would be his key to victory and he did."
"Wow, that's impressive." Serena said her eyes wide.
"This is Ash, he's good at this stuff." May said.
"Yup, battles are where Ash is in his element." Misty said. "It's hard to get something past Ash in a Pokémon battle and if you manage it you'll only succeed once because by the next time he faces you he'll have a strategy to counter it. The best example of that from our time in Sinnoh was how he developed the counter-shield tactic to best Fantina's battle style."
"So, he doesn't get even the most obvious of hints when it comes to certain social cues." Serena began looking at her friends and rivals even if they'd all lost to Misty on this front. "But the most subtle of nuances in a battle are clear to him after one time seeing it?"
"Pretty much." May said with a sigh. "Don't question it."
"It's for the best." Misty said. "Remember what was needed to finally break through his denseness."
"Yeah though having met her I can see how she managed it." Serena said.
"What's going on?" Ash asked completely lost by the girls.
"Nothing Ash, just girl talk." Misty said.
"I see your point ladies; most men are like that though." Olympia said with a smile at them before turning to Ash to move the conversation to the final thing she wanted to bring up with him. "There is one thing you must know before you leave Ash."
"Um ok, what?" Ash asked still confused, the whole post battle chat had been a rollercoaster for him and at this point he was just riding it until it ended.
"While I believe that you and your Frogadier will achieve the greater heights that I have seen based on the battle we just had for I can see how much you love all your Pokémon, I have some advice for you that you should heed to achieve it." Olympia said recalling what had been the overarching thing during her vision. "It will be this love that will achieve it. However, one thing about this love, if the two of you do not go forward with sincere purpose then great danger awaits you both. So please do not lose sight of your dream."
"Right." Ash said, he understood that part at least because he knew his dream by heart as he'd been following it for years getting ever closer to it and this time he knew he'd manage it in Kalos. "I will not lose sight of it, don't worry about that."
"Good I can hear your conviction and will be watching you." Olympia said. "You have one more badge to get, I wish you luck in it and the coming Kalos Conference in Lumiose City for I expect to see you in it."
"You will." Ash said with a nod.
"Pika pi." Pikachu added as Sigilyph and Dunsparce, who were both still out, made their own noises of agreement.
"Then go forward on your path, wherever it may take you." Olympia said to Ash before looking over the three girls present. "The same to the rest of you. I will be watching the Anistar Contest tomorrow so I will see May and Misty's judging during it. I suggest you get ready for it now that Ash and mine's battle is over."
"Right, we should do that." May said bowing her head. "Thank you Olympia."
"Yes thank you, for everything." Ash said as he recalled his Pokémon other than Pikachu of course.
"Remember my vision and words Ash and know that the future is always changing." Olympia said. "Now get moving forward along your paths and I hope the future that I have seen comes to pass."
"We will." All four teens said before they turned and left, Sycamore behind them knowing that if Olympia wanted a word she'd seek him out.
Olympia would do that at some point as she watched the group leave to continue their unusual but impressed journey through Kalos starting with the Anistar Contest tomorrow before they moved onto their next adventure that would appear in their path. Even without foresight Olympia could tell that they'd all make it to where they were aiming, they had the spirit and drive to do so, but how far they got once they were there was up to them and the bonds they had with their Pokémon.
All that was in time though. For now, Olympia turned and swept from the battlefield to retire to her own office. She had a call to make for there was someone who'd want to know what was coming and should things fall as Olympia had seen challenge Ash herself regarding this new phenomenon that might occur in Kalos for the first time in over a century. Ash was certainly going to be in for an interesting time going forward, that was for sure as it was time to alert the Kalos Champion to his potential.
Soon the time would come, and Ash would face a test that could change his fate and that of his tester. Soon, should all go as Olympia had foreseen, Ash would learn the true extent of the Battle Bond phenomenon when he was challenged by Diantha.
