Part CLXXII: Overcoming Emptiness

"It should be over this hill." May said looking at the map in her hands and then up the rise they were climbing. "At least that's what the map says, and the Professor should be waiting for us when we get there."

It was several days after the Master Class had ended and after almost all of those days spent on the road and camping out the quartet were finally nearing their latest destination: the Chamber of Emptiness. They'd headed straight here the day after the Master Class had ended with Aria retaining her crown for another year in a fun and stellar final against Jessilee who'd bested Misty and Kayleigh in the last round of the Master Class to reach the title Freestyle and for once they had encountered nothing distracting along the way.

Likely that was due to the fact that they were basically at the end of the year so there really wasn't much to distract them at this point short of the traditional Team Rocket shenanigans that they dealt with from time to time. They had their plans and with the Kalos Grand Festival and Lumiose Conference coming up they had to focus on them. True they could handle a distraction or two, but for the most part they had to stick to their designated path to ensure that they got to Lumiose City in time for the final events of the year there.

That path was taking them to Aquacorde Town, a town south of Lumiose City and just north of Serena's hometown of Vaniville where a Contest was being held in a little over a week. That Contest would decide their path as Serena would continue on to another Contest nearer Lumiose if she won but if she lost then they'd all probably just go straight to Lumiose City and get there a little early for the events.

This was because Serena already had 3 ribbons so was eligible for the one-off Wildcard Qualification route but of course she wanted the full 5 to avoid it if at all possible. It would likely be close if she did manage to avoid it, similar to how May kept winning the final Contest of the year in her early years as a coordinator, but they'd manage it if Serena won in Aquacorde.

Regardless of what happened in Aquacorde, once they reached Lumiose, where they'd almost certainly reunite with many from the year as all would be converging on it for the two competitions there, they'd prepare for first Serena and then Ash's big events. On the way, however, they had one key stop to make for Misty that had been requested by Professor Sycamore and that stop was almost on them.

This had been planned ever since their time in Anistar City when Professor Sycamore had met them and asked for Misty's help in retrieving the Mega Stone that his assistant Alain had discovered in a cave known as the Chamber of Emptiness. Alain couldn't get it when he went there because he apparently needed the right Pokémon to retrieve. That Pokémon was a Banette, a rare Pokémon in Kalos with few registered to trainers and only one that Sycamore was certain of had the bond with its trainer to Mega Evolve that didn't already have a Banettite.

Naturally that Banette was Misty's hence why she'd been asked to retrieve it. Misty was more than happy to undertake the task with her Banette as it would ensure that she finally got a Mega Stone, she was allowed to keep it after retrieving it for her efforts though Sycamore wanted to be present when she first used it, but only if it fit their schedule. After all, she had the Master Class qualification to focus on and at the time Ash still had two gym battles to win, plus there was the Wallace Cup and a few other things that needed sorting first.

All those were now over with Serena the shock winner of the Wallace Cup and Ash securing his 8th Gym Badge in Snowbelle City in an epic rematch after his first gym loss of the year. All they needed was a path that took them from Gloire City where the Master Class had been and past or near the Chamber of Emptiness so that Misty could hit it on the way to a Contest for Serena that was within striking distance of Lumiose City. That Contest was determined to be the Aquacorde one, and all had fallen into place since then.

Now, at last, they were here at last as they crested the hill and looked out over a large field of yellow wildflowers that seemed to be a plateau of sorts until it reached a rocky protrusion at the other side of the field that rose over it. Off to one side was a small pond that was fed by a stream from the mountain, likely something that bubbled up from within and had the source in on the top, with a waterfall falling away to the side.

However, their eyes were drawn to the far corner of the field where the rocky protrusion extended partway towards them along that side of the field and where a rough hole was in the side of the rock. Inky blackness could be seen past it, and they all knew at once that it was the entrance to the Chamber of Emptiness.

None of them knew much about the Chamber itself and Sycamore had been vague when he told them about it only saying that his assistant Alain had been in and wouldn't say what happened when he did or go in again. That had been ominous, but Misty wasn't deterred, she'd been asked to do this, and she would.

Thankfully, Sycamore himself had said that he'd be here when they told him they were on their way after the Master Class. He'd made the journey from Lumiose City and reached the Chamber a few days ago to set up a campsite along the base of the protrusion but a decent distance from the Chamber's entrance. He'd said that he had two of his assistants with him but what surprised the quartet as they approached the camp was that it wasn't his two usual female assistants as they'd expected.

Instead, it was a young girl of around 12 or 13 who was currently playing with a Chespin in the flowers and an older guy who appeared to be in his mid-20s or so. The latter was chatting with Sycamore as they approached so Misty focused first on the girl.

The girl was short, with spikey, auburn hair under a large, green golf hat with orange spikes around the base and a yellow poof on the top. She wore a yellow ¾ length shirt with a light green robe thing over her shoulders and dark green ¾ shorts held up by brown suspenders. She finished the look with brown shoes, gray stockings and a yellow ascot at her throat. Overall, it was a cute look that worked well for her, whoever she was. Thankfully for Misty and Ash, May knew who the girl was.

"Hey Mairin, I wasn't expecting you to be here as well." May called out as they crossed the field to get her attention, and that of Sycamore and his male assistant. "This is a pleasant surprise as we thought it would be Sophie and Cossette with him not you and Alain. You and Chespie doing well?"

"Oh, hey May." The girl, Mairin apparently, called out as she came running over as May inadvertently confirmed to Ash and Misty that the man with Professor Sycamore was the Alain they'd heard a fair bit about. "Yeah we're doing great, been on the road all year helping Alain like old times only now he's more accepting and less brooding."

"Chespin." Chespie said with a nod.

"Well, the whole Lysander thing is over and what not so that makes sense." May said as Mairin reached them and began to lead them to the campsite. "I know Alain had a lot to work on with his guilt and atonement but it's good to see he's less brooding."

"I think it's cos his old friend is back in Kalos and saw him a few weeks ago." Mairin said before adding in a stage whisper. "The one he really, really, likes who he failed to mention to me was also beautiful and a little older than him."

"Now Mairin, it's not nice to tease Alain about her." Professor Sycamore said with a grin as he rose from the campsite to greet them. "They both have a long way to go before they can move forward with whatever they have."

"Yes, I'd rather not address that." The other man said and for the first time Ash and Misty got a chance to see the Alain they'd heard about up close though he was smiling with a faint blush as he spoke. "I still have a long way to go before I'm the person she deserves."

As he spoke, Misty noted that Alain had shaggy black hair that fell down past his ears and a flame like quaff on the top and noticeable sideburns though they could be just long strands of hair it was hard to tell. The one really striking thing about him was his blue eyes that held a depth beyond their years as if he'd seen and done things he regretted though as Misty had seen Sabrina's eyes, incidentally the woman the other three had just been referring to, she knew they didn't hold the same level of regret that the psychic specialist of Kanto held.

As for his outfit, it was the same as what he'd worn the year before when he'd first met May and Serena. Alain wore a black jacket the fell to just past his elbows and he likely had a ¾ length purple shirt on under it as she could see the tips of it poking out under his sleeves, and fingerless black gloves with baggy gray pants with a black center and black boots.

To cap it off he had a light blue scarf thing that flared out behind him for some reason. However, May noted that he still hadn't replaced his Key Stone or the Mega Ring he once wore on his wrist so apparently he still didn't feel like he'd found his own one yet.

It was kinda a mix of bad boy with wannabe gloomy goth and a side of brooding, angsty, teenager to it. May had felt that it had suited Alain's attitude the year prior but now it was a little much though he seemed a bit happier, and May had a good idea why that was. Naturally, she couldn't resist teasing him a little.

"Relax big guy, we all know Sabi well as Serena and I are some of the girls she's been helping." May said with a grin. "Or would you rather I confirm I know who she is by using her full name and occupation."

"I…" Alain began going a red again before it all clicked and he looked past May to the two he didn't recognize, a red haired girl with a Piplup on her head and a raven-haired boy with a Pikachu on his shoulder, addressing the latter of the pair so that he could avoid any needless teasing from the Hoenn girl he'd fought alongside the year prior. "You must be Ash Ketchum, I presume. That means that the girl with you is Misty, I've heard a lot about both of you but you in particular Ash."

"One and the same." Ash said holding his hand out to Alain. "And you're Alain, I've heard a fair bit about you as well."

"Not my greatest moments but I'm atoning for them." Alain said taking Ash's hand and shaking it. "And I wish to talk more with you as you may be able to help me, or so I've been told, but in a moment, there is something more important to deal with."

"That there is." Sycamore said as he looked to Misty. "Misty, I have a portable transporter with me, but I believe that he's on you right now."

"Yup, I brought him in for the Master Class just in case and would have used him in the second round but for facing Amelia as I had to use Espeon against her." Misty said pulling out her Poke Ball and opening it. "Come on out Banette, it's almost time."

The Poke Ball burst open Misty's Banette formed before her. He unzipped his mouth and laughed for a moment before it zipped up and he floated up to hover by Misty. He'd been thrilled when his beloved human had recalled him to her side a few weeks back, even more when he was told he was one of the potential 6 for the Master Class that he'd helped Misty qualify for, and now he had an even rarer experience with her. It was time to find his Mega Stone and he couldn't wait.

"I saw your Banette at the lab one time, along with your Spiritomb, Misty, but to see him in person and up close." Alain said holding his hand out to Misty to shake as well. "He really is an impressive Pokémon. There aren't many Pokémon that can claim to be a Grand Festival winner, but your Banette is one of them. I can't wait to see how strong he becomes when you Mega Evolve him."

"He's like all my Pokémon, precious to me." Misty said as she shook Alain's hand before releasing it to rub Banette's head as he nuzzled her hand affectionately which given that he was, well, a Banette was a strange sight. "And he was extra with me after the effort he went to to join me."

"Banette." Banette said with a nod.

"Yes it is that very story that convinced me that your bond is a special and close one that should ensure you can Mega Evolve Banette." Professor Sycamore said as he began to lead them to the entrance of the cave though noticeably Alain remained near the back of the group. "And I know this is all quick and sudden and we haven't really had time to chat and get you lot set up, but I'd like to retrieve that Mega Stone as soon as possible."

"Best to get it early." Alain said seriously. "You're going to want plenty of time to recover after venturing into the Chamber."

"It's ok, we've been on the road for a while with nothing to do but train Ash and Serena for what is to come and that's it." Misty said noting the tone of Alain's voice as the others nodded. "I could use something different and challenging. Plus, this way I can get the Mega Stone with Banette while everyone else sets up."

"That is part of it, as is something Alain wants to do, but that's not all." Professor Sycamore said as they reached the soil before the entrance of the Chamber where no flowers grew. "There's a bit more that lends to why it should be sooner rather than later."

"There is?" Misty asked confused as she and Banette looked towards the inky black maw of the Chamber unable to see more than a few feet into it. "You keep mentioning stuff like that but what do you mean by it?"

"The Chamber of Emptiness, it's not a place you want to spend any amount of time and should only venture into if you absolutely have to." Alain said and they all heard the pain in his voice. "When I learned that there was a Mega Stone here I was told that none enter it twice and that those who do enter it don't speak of it but even if they did they're experiences wouldn't be the same as yours for all who enter it experience it differently. I didn't heed the warnings. There's something off about this place, its name is well earned, and I won't speak of my own experience there other than that it will be different to yours Misty."

"That serious?" May asked with a shiver at what Alain said.

"Anything that gets the name Chamber of Emptiness has to have a reason for earning that moniker." Professor Sycamore said. "I have not entered it though I theorize that the whole oddness of it could be tied to the Banettite in there and thus why only a Banette capable of Mega Evolution can retrieve it, but it may be something else entirely. The old legends I found on it say that it is a void but not much more than that and I'm not sure what that really means."

"All that the Chamber contains is a single room with the Banettite on a pedestal in the center of it." Alain said. "No Pokémon call it home and no human goes in a second time. Given the lack of spiritual tribute it's not tied to that or else I'm sure a Spiritomb would have formed here so something else is at play. You should be warned about what you are stepping into Misty. Brace yourself for whatever the Chamber has in store for you."

"I won't take this lightly." Misty said seriously as Banette nodded to her side deciding that it was best to heed the warnings she was getting but knowing that she was entering the Chamber no matter what. "But you need me and Banette to retrieve that stone and we both want it as well."

"Banette." Banette said just as serious as his trainer.

"So, we will endure whatever we will face there." Misty said. "And enter to claim it as ours."

"That's good to hear." Alain said. "There is one more thing that I think you should do as an added chance of retrieving the Banettite."

"And that is." Misty said looking to him.

"Enter with only Banette." Alain said. "I don't know why I think it will work but given how strange this place is it might be safer for it to only be you two."

"Very well." Misty said reaching up to take Piplup off her head and look at him. "Sorry Piplup, looks like you will be staying here with the others."

"Pip, Piplup." Piplup said agreeing with Misty, he had a bad feeling about that cave thing in front of them so it was best to leave this to Misty and Banette, he would protect them from out here. "Pip, pip, Piplup."

"Hold onto them for me." Misty said as she placed Piplup on the ground before reaching to her belt and pulling off her 4 remaining Poke Balls and handing them to May as she felt Ash would be a little busy given who else was here and all she'd heard about him. "I'll be as fast as I can."

"We'll have the camp ready for when you return." May said taking the Poke Balls from Misty. "Be safe Misty."

"And be careful, time will feel different inside the Chamber as I was in there for hours according to Mairin, but it felt like only moments to me." Alain said as Misty and Banette move to face the entrance. "And good luck. If you can retrieve the Mega Stone then I am sure that it is a sign that you were meant to have it."

"And then when you return I can give you a lead on the other Mega Stone you can use Misty." Professor Sycamore said. "We've got a theory on what it might be and it's not too far from here. Hopefully, it shouldn't be as hard as this one."

"Well, I'll focus on this one first." Misty said as she looked back at the others and smiled meeting Ash's eyes to convey her love for him through her own eyes. "I'll see you lot soon."

With that Misty turned back to the entrance of the Chamber of Emptiness and walked into it with Banette floating by her side. Almost immediately she was swallowed up by the blackness and disappeared from view.

"Don't worry, for some reason there's light in there to see once you get past the entrance." Alain said. "It's just another quirk of the place."

"Ok that's good." Ash said with a breath of relief.

"Professor, you said that the other Mega Stone that Misty can use is nearby." May said looking at the Kalos Professor. "Where is it?"

"Well, we aren't sure it's for her exactly but there is a Mega Stone in Santalune Forest that is being guarded by a Pokémon." Sycamore said. "But it's not the Mega Stone for that Pokémon or else it would have taken it as Pokémon are intrinsically drawn to their own Mega Stones. Given what we know of that species, it's highly likely that the stone is for a rival Pokémon species."

"One that Misty has." Serena deduced. "Fortuitous as after Aquacorde we have to traverse Santalune Forest on our way back to Lumiose City. We're circumventing it to get to Aquacorde from here as it is fastest to do so but we'll have to go through it after we're done in Aquacorde."

"Correct." Professor Sycamore said as he turned and led them back to the campsite. "But we can discuss that when Misty returns as she's going to have to swap some Pokémon out to get it, including Banette as I theorize that you can't have two Mega Stones in the same party. Let's make sure that everything is ready for her return."

"I hope she's ok." May said.

"It's Misty, I know she will be." Ash said reassuringly showing his complete trust in her the way only Ash could. "She's strong, she'll overcome whatever it throws at her."

"That is what I've heard about her though as I said I've heard a lot more about you Ash." Alain said and Ash looked to him. "And a close friend suggested I seek you out to help as I am still a little lost following the events of last year. It was she who said that you might be able to help me in your own special way."

"She did?" Ash asked confused by pretty much everything that Alain was saying. "How?"

"Sabi suggested that I request something from you and give it my all." Alain said with a grin. "And so, I will. Ash, will you and your most unique Pokémon battle me and my Charizard here and now as we wait for your girlfriend to claim the Banettite from the Chamber of Emptiness."

"With pleasure, I do often discover things in battle and I'm never one to turn a good battle down." Ash said grinning back at Alain, he'd heard of Alain's skills and couldn't wait to test them himself with Greninja, something that Sycamore was now eager to see having heard of the strange transformation Ash's Greninja had and really wanting witness it for himself. "Let's find a spot and have a battle."

With that Ash and Alain headed out into the field to mark off an unofficial battlefield while the others set up camp before coming to watch it. This would be their distraction while Misty was in the Chamber of Emptiness with Banette but they all couldn't help but wonder how she was doing in there as they began to set up camp and got ready for what promised to be a good battle.


Meanwhile, Misty and Banette had entered the Chamber of Emptiness for a moment all they could see what blackness. Misty cursed herself for not bringing a light and was about to turn back when she felt the blackness begin to lessen and decided to keep walking knowing that Banette was floating by her side as she could feel his presence next to her.

Misty wasn't sure if it was her eyes adjusting to the gloom, some rock that illuminated as she'd seen in other caves in the past, or at least heard stories of from Ash's various adventures, or the Chamber itself but soon she could see and what she saw wasn't reassuring. Misty was in a narrow corridor of rock that had likely been naturally formed over millennia, though why it was in a straight line was a mystery to Misty, with an opening at the end in front of her.

It was eerie and to add to it the air felt stale, and she could tell that only she and Banette were present in the Chamber as she walked forward and towards the opening before her. It was certainly a place she didn't want to linger any longer than was absolutely necessary.

That feeling was intensified as she reached the opening and stood in it to gasp at the room that she could clearly see before her. Even Banette let out a surprised sound next to her as they looked over the room that was the entirety of the Chamber of Emptiness.

Misty was in a room that did not feel naturally made mainly because, well, it was clearly an octagonal chamber seemingly carved from the rock with the entrance to it behind her in one of the faces while the remaining 7 were rocky but unmarred though only 3 were smooth, those being the one opposite Misty and one on each side while the other faces of the octagon were more rocky. The only thing in the room was a narrow pedestal of rock in the very center of it and on it was a glowing stone that illuminated the whole room with a strange pink glow.

While Misty couldn't make out the coloring of the twist withing the Mega Stone from this distance she knew at once from the glow that it was a Mega Stone. She'd seen several now, Ash had two that Misty knew of and May had one, plus she'd seen a few others with Korrina, Wulfric, and unfortunately Kenny all owning one that she had seen over the year. Now it was her turn to claim a Mega Stone and it was right in front of her.

However, the biggest reaction she got was when she turned to Banette. The Marionette Pokémon was gazing at the stone with a strange look in his eyes. It was a mix of longing, yearning, and desire for the stone as if it was calling to him which in a way it was. Misty didn't know it just yet but when a Pokémon who could Mega Evolve found its Mega Stone they had an intrinsic draw to it, especially if that Pokémon knew that it could use it.

In this case Banette was certain that he could use the Banettite before him. He was still confused by the whole Mega Evolution thing. Sure, that Garchomp at the lab he'd spent most of the year at, along with his human's mate's Charizard and Pidgeot spoke of the experience, and he was aware that he could do it as well if his bond with Misty was strong enough, which he didn't doubt it was, but he still didn't get how it worked. Even now, in the presence of the very item that would boost his power, Banette didn't understand it.

What he did know was that he had to have it, that he was destined for it. Only a Banette and only one who's heart was one with its human could retrieve the stone before him and Banette was certain that he and his human could get it.

Alas, the Chamber of Emptiness had earned its name, nothing existed here, one could see why the legends said that it was a void, possibly existing between this world and the next given the type of the Pokémon that the one item in it had. Regardless, strange things occurred in the chamber for unknown reasons though Banette felt that it was all a test to ensure that only a worthy Banette and human got that Mega Stone.

"Well, Banette." Misty said turning to look at her Pokémon and he looked back at her. "Shall we go get your Mega Stone."

"Banette." Banette said with a nod.

Misty smiled as she turned and stepped forward and walked fully into the Chamber of Emptiness. That was when it happened.

Despite being asked afterwards, Misty could never find the right words for what happened and ultimately decided not to speak of her experience though she saw the sympathy in Alain's eyes as he too had been here and knew what the Chamber did to those who entered it. It was in part what she experience but also in part because, well, it was hard to explain because the moment Misty and Banette were fully in the room it shifted before her eyes.

One minute Misty was in a rocky chamber, the next there was a hazy shimmer, and she was now walking forward alone in a pure white void with no one around her. Not even Banette was there as Misty walked forward confused.

Then, as she was about to call out to Banette, she felt it. Something indescribable pierced her chest and she staggered before she fell to her knees in the Chamber clutching her right hand over her heart as she looked around her eyes wide in fear because what she'd suddenly felt was a crippling sense of loneliness, of, well, emptiness stab her in the heart and wash over her entire body.

It was as if her very soul had been ripped from her body and she'd become a shell of herself, an empty vessel in human form. No one was there for her, no one was around or with her, she had no one and she didn't understand it. Love, happiness, friendship, compassion, joy, hate, anger, rage, fear, hope, and more emotions left her as Misty's eyes bugged out looking forward no longer able to feel a thing. It was as if the Chamber was dragging it all out of her and she didn't know what was going on.

Then the images began to fill the room. She saw Ash, the boy she loved, who she'd dated for almost two years winning out against a multitude of rivals to claim his heart, walking with Pikachu on his shoulder in front of her in the void. He was just as he was outside, and she reached out to him as she felt her love for him slowly return to her.

"Ash." Misty called out. "Ash, I'm here."

Void-Ash turned but she saw that he wasn't looking at her but rather past her. He raised his hand a waved at someone behind Misty.

"Hey, you're here." Void-Ash called out. "I've missed but I've come back for you just like I promised I would."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." A new, very happy, voice called, one Misty knew well, and she watch as Dawn ran through her, well void-Dawn, and to void-Ash. "I'm so glad I told you how I felt about you after my bike was fixed. Thanks for coming back for me from Hoenn, I knew you'd hold true to your word, it's one of the many reasons why I fell for you. Now we can see the Battle Frontier together."

"Of course, I'd always come back for my love." Void-Ash said, and despite some part of her knowing that this wasn't real Misty felt the pain that came from Ash telling another woman he loved her, and for the first time actually began to understand what the others must have felt when they learned they'd lost Ash to her. "I know your sisters made you run the gym, I'm just glad we're together again."

"As it should be, like hell I'd let them keep me from you after I finally found the courage to confess to you." Void-Dawn said with a smile, the love dancing in her eyes as she reached void-Ash and kissed him passionately on the lips that void-Ash enthusiastically returned as he held void-Dawn close to him. "I've waited a long time for that my love, it's just as magical as our first kiss before you left for Hoenn."

"It was and with you by my side, the Battle Frontier will fall and then I'll show the Indigo League again." Void-Ash said as he took Dawn's hand once they broke apart. "And when that's over who knows but I promise we'll see the world together."

"Just as it should be." Void-Dawn said smiling at void-Ash.

Misty could only stare in horror and pain at the scene before her, her chest empty from it all as scenes of Ash facing the various Frontier Brains and winning first time against all but the last one Brandon who he beat on the second attempt with Dawn cheering from the side began to play before her eyes.

She watched all their kisses at Ash's victories and the love between them, a love she held for Ash as well but in this scenario she'd never even met Ash before losing him to Dawn. She was Misty's first rival and the only one she'd ever felt threatened by as their closeness showed that had they continued Ash would have fallen for Dawn as well just like this vision was showing her. Hell, in this vision Misty never even met Ash as was shown by what came next.

It was hard to watch, and Misty didn't understand it but in the scenario before her Ash continued with Dawn and then won the Indigo Conference on his second attempt right after the Battle Frontier victory as he had the time to do so. Part of Misty's brain, the logical part, knew that this likely wouldn't have happened, Ash's general progression wouldn't have allowed it, but that part was currently scrambled by her own situation and what she was feeling in the Chamber, not that she was even aware that she was in the Chamber anymore.

All she could do was watch as this Ash and Dawn left for other parts of the world, missing Sinnoh entirely as they first went to Alola or Galar as it was a place Misty didn't recognize and ensuring that Misty never met Ash, so she wasn't shaped by her friendship and love for the boy before her. That was tough to watch and her already emptiness deepened at the thought of never meeting the boy who changed her life on her first day as a trainer and what that meant to her.

Alas, the room wasn't done with Misty yet though because as soon as void-Ash and void-Dawn walked off hand in hand into the void showing a happy future for them a new image appeared before her. This one showed a new void-Ash in Cynthia's villa after Misty had left him back when they'd briefly reunited in Unova. He was at a computer phone and on the other end was a void-May who was calling from Sinnoh.

"Really, you just saw Misty in Unova?" Void-May was saying.

"Yeah we ran into Cynthia in Virbank City and Misty was staying with her, so we got to see her again, but she just left for the Wallace Cup." Void-Ash said. "It was hard to say goodbye to her so soon after being reunited, but your call really helped. Besides, I know that this best for Misty anyway as Unova doesn't have Contests."

"What a coincidence, I'm in Sinnoh this year competing in Contests and after recently taking a break at Lake Valor I was reminded of seeing you here last year, so I decided to call but I didn't realize you were staying with the Sinnoh Champion at the moment even if it's not in the Sinnoh region." Void-May said with a smile. "I'm actually going to the Wallace Cup tomorrow myself to go for my 5th ribbon there so it will be good to see Misty again, I just decided to call you first."

"Small world." Void-Ash said with a chuckle. "How is Sinnoh?"

"Great, I loved coming here last year so when I lost in Johto I knew that I had to come back here for a true fresh start, it was just what I needed." Void-May said happily. "I've only lost once this year as well, so I think this is my time hence why I'm going for the Wallace Cup because I want to win it this time but if I fail I've got plenty of time here before my last ribbon. I'm actually the favorite to win it all for once but I try not to think about that as I don't want the pressure to get to me."

"Really?" Void-Ash asked. "No challengers?"

"Nope, Harley beat me in the Johto final last year so doesn't need to compete and Solidad got so much flack for her selfishness in competing as a Top Coordinator that she's taking a year off at least and might just retire all together like most Top Coordinators do." Void-May said though even in her current state Misty was able to note that she didn't mention Drew. "There isn't much of a challenge for me so I'm going to win it all."

"That's great." Void-Ash said with a smile. "You deserve it after all this time May."

"Yeah, and, um, Ash, can, can I ask you something." Void-May said blushing a little and getting all shy not that void-Ash was any less dense than the original. "Um, if I win, can, can we travel together again."

"Sure, I'd like that." Void-Ash said, and Misty knew at once what void-May was up to not that void-Ash would. "If I don't win in Unova I'll need a new region to go to and if you're done with Contests then we can see it together if you want."

"You don't know how happy that makes me, and how much that makes me want to win the Sinnoh Grand Festival now." Void-May said beaming at Ash. "Do your best Ash and I will as well and then we can meet in Pallet Town when the year is done and decide."

"Sure, I'll see how Vertress goes and see you when you're a Top Coordinator." Void-Ash said.

"Excellent." Void-May said before checking her watch. "Oh, I'd better go, gotta pack for the Wallace Cup in Johto. See you soon Ash."

With that void-May left and Misty watched a void-Iris appeared and suddenly make fun of Ash while a void-Cilan just ranted about the flavor of the conversation. All Misty could do was keep watching as Iris now broke Ash's density but for May not her and as such Ash didn't go to Johto after his loss in Vertress but took a cruise through some islands and met Alexa, Viola's sister, there and got invited to Kalos by her after learning she was from that region.

All Misty could do was watch as Ash accepted and told May about it when they met up in Pallet Town after he learned of her win in Sinnoh. There she told him that Kalos was perfect as Contests were expanding to that region so she could help with that while he challenged the Kalos League, but she added that she had something to tell him before they left. Misty watched as May confessed to Ash in Oak's Ranch and Ash accepted it, confessing back thanks to Iris's work and they kissed only adding another stab to Misty's heart and deepening her emptiness.

With that the image faded only to change to a new one thankfully not going through more images of void-Ash in a relationship with void-May. This new image was different from the last two as it didn't start with a rival. Instead, it showed her leaving Ash in Unova and him running into Cameron on the jetty. From there Ash seemed to have forgotten about her and helped Cameron out in getting his final gym badge, a story Misty knew to be real, and the rest of his Unova adventure played out for her only sped up.

Misty was so numb after the last two visions that it took her a moment to realize that she was watch another alternative timeline, one in which no external factor like May calling or density breaking Iris existed. In this one Ash just followed his path through Vertress, the stupid loss to Cameron in the quarterfinals, the cruise through some island chain that Misty didn't catch the name of, meeting Alexa, bidding farewell to Iris and Cilan as they headed to Johto, and Ash headed to Kalos with Alexa.

Finally, Misty realized that she was watching what might have happened had Ash alone gone to Kalos in the year after Unova and started another solo journey there like he did in Unova. On this journey he quickly met Clemont and Bonnie, almost died to help Sycamore's Garchomp but was saved by a Mega Blaziken that wasn't May's, and then went to Santalune to face Viola. After that Serena met them there having tracked Ash down after seeing him on the TV and he invited her to join him after he finally beat Viola on his second attempt which she accepted.

From there, Misty watched a sped-up version of Ash in Kalos for a year, a version that showed him travel Kalos slightly differently to how they did as he faced Clemont 5th not 2nd, went through the wetlands where he released Goodra after learning where he was from and dealing with an evil Florges for some reason, and continued through the region. He even met and battle Alain with Greninja at one point and seemed to ignite a fire in Alain, one that Ash matched as Alain and his Mega Charizard bested Ash and Greninja, so they wanted a rematch.

Parts were similar to this year such as his struggle with Wulfric though the lack of trust was different, and other than his loss to Viola his wins were all first time like this year. However, Ash used different teams and didn't have Pokémon like Lucario, Conkeldurr, Sigilyph, and Dunsparce with him though he did try to catch the last one only to realize he didn't have any Poke Balls on him.

Regardless it was a classic Ash year filled with ups and downs as he faced Team Rocket, Team Flare, won battles, lost battle, and helped people the way Ash did, along with some legendary adventures for good measure. He even reached the final of the Lumiose Conference only to lose to Alain in an epic full battle before he saved the region from Lysander the way May had.

It was all hypothetical and the vestiges of the rational part of Misty's brain that remained knew it was fake, that it hadn't and would never happen, but it was still hard to watch Ash in Kalos without her and seeming to have forgotten about her. She felt empty because of the year they'd had here in this new region together, the fun they'd had and now she was seeing it as Ash with Serena, Bonnie, and Clemont. It was a classic Ash year; one she'd loved for the last two years but this was one which she wasn't part of it. However, the worst part was the end.

In this alternative, fake, timeline that Misty was forced to watch, she saw Serena's performances and her loss to Aria, she saw the offer Palermo made her and she saw Serena's rejection. She also saw Palermo's suggestion that Serena go to Hoenn to compete in Contests which Serena agreed as it seemed this timeline had no Contest expansion for some reason, and so it was decided that Serena would part ways while Ash went back to Kanto and Bonnie and Clemont stayed in Kalos.

This was confirmed when she saw Ash, Bonnie, Serena, and Clemont in the Lumiose airport ready to say goodbye to each other. Ash going to Kanto and Serena going to Hoenn, the latter leaving earlier.

This was shown by Serena standing with her back to a down escalator to her flight, Ash in front of her with Pikachu by his side and Clemont and Bonnie flanking him. This was their separation; one Misty knew well but her gut told her something was different to the ones she'd had with Ash in the past.

"Ash." Void-Serena said happily. "Thank you, I'm glad I traveled with you this year. You're the kinda person I want to be one day."

That clearly surprised Ash but made Bonnie and Clemont happy though Misty understood it. She was like that too; Ash inspired her daily and she strove to be like him but also herself at the same time. It wasn't a surprise that another girl who'd fallen for Ash felt the same way too.

"Next time we meet you're going to like the kina person I've grown into." Void-Serena continued with a wink. "I promise you that."

"Awesome." Void-Ash said with a smile clearly missing void-Serena's point. "I can't wait to see that."

"Ok, see you." Void-Serena said turning and heading to the escalator behind her and getting on it as void-Ash stepped forward to wave her goodbye.

Misty felt the pain intensify as she knew what was coming and why she'd seen all the build up to this specific moment that seemed to slow down for her. She saw it in Serena's face and eyes as determination set in as she left Ash. Then the blonde girl turned around and looked back up at Ash ready to do something none of those who'd fallen for Ash before, in this timeline at least, had dared to do.

"Hey Ash, there's just one more thing before I leave." Void-Serena said up to him causing him to look confused.

All Misty could do was watch as Serena ran up the descending escalator and to the end, never leaving it, and as she reached the end she lent up and gave Ash a chaste kiss on the lips before the escalator took her away which prevented her from deepening the kiss, likely part of her plan. She had a small smile on his face while everyone looked shocked at the boldness Serena had just shown, but all Misty could do was feel the emptiness deepen at the sight as the scene before her faded away once again.

What followed was a few more scenarios though these were shorter and by this point Misty was so empty all she could do was watch as the tears she didn't notice streamed down her face; she couldn't even listen to them. One showed some alternative future where Anabel came for Ash, though for some reason she was in a sharp, black, female suit with long hair in a ponytail that looked on her, and they had some strange adventure in a region Misty didn't know that culminated in them getting together at the end.

Another showed Angie joining them in Sinnoh and then confessing at the end of the year before joining Ash in Unova where they got together during the year thanks to Iris while another showed Miette holding true to her a claim to Serena to tell Ash and they got together at Pierre's party thanks to Miette's confidence. There was even one with a girl with twin pigtails and fire type Pokémon beating Dawn in battle and taking Ash on a date that Misty recognized as her one remaining rival to face in Macy.

Oddly, there was an 8th girl shown at the end who made the very bold and dangerous move of kissing Ash on the cheek right in front of Dawn who was on a boat on a body of water that Ash was about to board and causing Dawn to drop her Togepi onto her lap. The girl wore a simple green blouse with a white collar and white skirt and had short brown hair cut in a bob-like style though with two strands sticking up on the sides of her head. Based on Ash's outfit and age, and the fact that Dawn and Brock were with him, Misty figured this was at least one if not two years into his journey.

The final scene just confused Misty as she wasn't sure if it was real or not, where it was, or even who the girl was. She'd heard many stories of Ash's past, but he'd never really told her of cheek kisses he'd gotten, and Dawn wouldn't tell so this one just baffled Misty. That didn't mean that it didn't hurt to see it especially as this one felt like it had actually happened and wasn't some alternative timeline where Misty didn't end up with Ash.

By this point Misty had no idea how long she'd been where she was, hell she didn't even know where she was anymore, or why she was here seeing all these visions of pain play out before her eyes. All she felt was a numb emptiness at the visions she'd seen. The pain was there but she was a shell as she looked out. Then a new vision came into view.

This one wasn't Ash related. No, it showed Piplup, her Piplup she realized, waddling away with a different trainer and looking happy with it. Her oldest friend, her constant companion, was with someone else and it felt like the emptiness in Misty was complete. She'd lost everything and she was now fully lost herself.

It was as she thought of the loss of Piplup, of Ash, of never meeting her friends and Pokémon, that she felt it. It was a tug at her heart, a warmth that came from the bond a trainer had with her Pokémon. Misty hadn't even realized that she'd fallen forward and onto all fours as the tears continued to stream down her face, but now she noticed the warmth from that bond begin to fill her.

For the first time in what felt like forever Misty felt something more than emptiness, more than loss and pain, and she drew on it. It was a connection with a Pokémon, one that was strong and familiar, one that felt unbreakable after all that the Pokémon had done to be with her. It was as if her heart was one with that Pokémon's.

Suddenly Misty let out a gasp at that feeling. Hearts as one, that was it, that was why she was here. Misty had come to this seldom visited corner of Kalos, braved the reputation of the area, and entered to get a Mega Stone and not just any Mega Stone, it was Banettite for her darling Banette.

Misty smiled as she pushed herself up and knelt on the ground, the warmth in her chest growing as she felt it fill her when she remembered the Pokémon who she'd come here with, who she was facing this challenge for. Banette, a Pokémon unique even amongst Misty's many unique Pokémon because he hadn't been caught right away, or at least soon after meeting them, like all of her other Pokémon.

Instead, she'd met him back as a curious and cute little Shuppet in the Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town when she and Ash had gone to investigate the oddness of the town at Sabrina's request and discovered it came from the town's Pokémon Tower. Shuppet had played with her and helped calm her down in that spooky place, showed them where the Gengar causing the problems was, and even enjoyed one of Misty's poffins with her as Ash helped the Gengar out in the way only Ash could.

Alas Ash had to finish helping Gengar, so Misty had bade farewell to Shuppet, but he hadn't forgotten the nice girl who played with him and given him taste treats. He wanted to get to know her and in the end join her team, so he followed her without her knowledge all the way from Lavender Town to Celadon City and then onto a plane to Petalburg City in the Hoenn region and back to Fuchsia City in Kanto and finally onto the islands cruise ship.

All this time he'd been watching and cheering for her, happy when she won and sad when she lost that one time to her mate in one of the Contest things she liked doing, all the while waiting for the right moment to reveal himself. That moment came when the nice girl's dumb mate had triggered that Spiritomb, and she couldn't beat it, so he came in to help her by beating it. He hadn't expected the girl to catch the Spiritomb, but she had, and it had shown her compassion by helping out his fellow ghost type when it needed it the most.

He'd already decided to join her, that just solidified it and he accepted the capture with a smile and became Misty's. He was almost immediately called back to her side to learn more about Contests, watch that painful loss in her next Contest where she was blasted into a wall at the end, and commit himself to helping her win the next one.

Well, the first time she used him was in a normal trainer battle where be bested an Espeon of a rival female and evolved into Banette having reached the point of evolution and doing so when he beat Espeon. Then he helped take down the Metagross by taking it with him as was their plan and Misty had shocked herself with the win that he'd set up. He then continued to help her win the final Contest and was paired with that Spiritomb, now a close friend as well, to bring home his trainer's dream of winning the Ribbon Cup at last.

He was one of the two who'd won the Grand Festival for Misty, a point of pride in the team that he had brought it home, but he thanked all the others for getting them that far as they were team so he wouldn't have had that chance without them. Regardless it was their dear trainer Misty who'd won it for them, and he'd been even closer to her for it.

Their bond was unbreakable, their hearts one, and Banette knew it. That was why he didn't doubt or waver when the room triggered, and he saw Misty go into that trance as she fell to her knees. He just poured his love into their connection to break her out of it and now it had paid off as Misty felt it and remembered why she was here, remembered their history, and finally with gasp broke the trance.

For Misty this only lasted a few seconds before the white void around her exploded and she was back in the octagonal Chamber of Emptiness. She was panting and knew that tears streaked her face, though they no longer fell, but she also felt a warmth in her chest and oddly on her back. That was when she realized that Banette was hugging her from behind, his right arm over her right shoulder, his left under her arm as he held her tight, he'd done so ever since she fell into the trance to help show her his love as she saw what she saw.

"B, Banette." Misty croaked out as she raised her right hand to pat his arm and smiled. "I'm back, I'm here my friend. I survived what this place just threw at me."

She felt Banette shift and float around her to look her in the eye and see her tear-stained face. She gave him a weak smile before pulling him into a hug, still on her knees, and held him tight as he held her back. Once again the tears fell only this time they were of joy at having made it through whatever the hell she'd just had to endure.

"Thank you Banette, you saved me again." Misty said through her tears. "That, that vision, visions actually, they felt so real. I've never experienced that before, never known that emptiness, that pain but now I know the pain the others have suffered and what I might have suffered had I not been the one to win Ash's heart. This place, it's well named but thanks to your love and our bond I overcame it. I couldn't have done so without you."

"Banette." Banette said happily as he hugged her back.

"I'm just glad that I overcame that and didn't lose my mind." Misty said as she choked on her tears. "It was so hard, but it wasn't real, and I know that now. Thank you."

"Banette." Banette said again glad that his human was back. "Banette."

"Right, we shouldn't stay here any longer." Misty said letting go and getting slowly to her feet before rubbing her face with her scarf to do her best to clean it. "That Alain guy was right, this place is something else. Let's get that Banettite and leave, I never want to be near here again."

"Banette." Banette said with a nod as together they made they way over to the pedestal.

Misty was wary as they walked but nothing was triggered so she let out a sigh of relief when she reached the pedestal without any more visions haunting her. She looked down on the perfectly round pink Mega Stone and noted that the swirl inside was the same gray color as Banette with a yellow streak in it. It was a pretty stone and Misty already knew where she wanted to put it when she had the chance.

"They said that only a Banette can get it." Misty said looking to her Pokémon and smiling at him. "Go for it, we more than earned it after that shit."

"Banette." Banette said with a nod as he reached out his hands and placed them on the Banettite.

Instantly he felt the connection to it, the draw it had on him, and the power that came from it. It was as if he was in deed destined to have this Mega Stone and with ease he lifted it off the pedestal with both hands and held it there, looking at it with wide eyes eager to one day experience the power that this stone would unleash within him. He then turned to Misty and extended his arms to her.

Misty just smiled again as she held out her right hand and Banette dropped the Banettite into her palm. It was smooth and felt a little warm to the touch. Misty had never actually held a Mega Stone but as she held the Banettite she felt the connection to it though not as strong as Banette had. It was hers, she knew it, and she couldn't wait to use it.

"This is ours Banette, we went through hell for it and soon, when I have the chance, I'll borrow Ash or May's Key Stone and we'll use it." Misty said as she clenched her fist around the stone and held it out to Banette who placed his hands on her fist to show that they were together in this. "And I know just how and when I want to do it for the first time. We'll have to wait, we need to recover after this, but soon I'll Mega Evolve you and our hearts will be one."

"Banette." Banette said with a nod. "Banette."

"First though, let's get back to the others and show them our success though I'm not going to tell them what I just saw." Misty said as Banette let go of her hand and they turned to the exit. "I want to get out of this accursed Chamber right away and never return to it."

"Banette." Banette said with another nod and together they headed to the exit with the Banettite still clenched in Misty's fist.

It had been a strange and painful adventure, one Misty wouldn't share the details of, but it had been worth it in the end, she knew it. Despite all she'd been through, Misty couldn't help but smile as she left the Chamber of Emptiness behind her, prize in hand, ready to rejoin the others and see what they'd been up to in her absence.