Sigh…okay. I'm gonna say this to you all one last time from an update on this story. I became the coauthor of a Xenoblade Chronicles 2 story, and we are doing a lot of work on that. I want to remind everyone, especially those that have been demanding updates from me, that this and another story I'm writing are being scarcer, meaning that updates will take a bit longer than normal. If this keeps up, this will be my second discontinued story that I didn't want to have happen. I apologize for how long it took, so hopefully we can forgive and forget. Let's finish the first round, shall we?
"…"-normal speaking
'…'-thinking and Pokémon talking.
Ash and Blake woke up the next morning. Tomorrow was the start of the second round of the tournament, and they decided to get things prepared for tomorrow.
"So have you seen who we're facing tomorrow?" Blake asked as she got into her breakfast.
"Let's see here." Ash said as he pulled out his schedule and scrolled down the list until he saw that matchup. "Uh oh! Jaune and Pyrrha Arc." Ash answered with a bit of worry.
"Two very close friends of mine as opponents in an official tournament? That'll be a challenge for me. Especially since they helped out with so much with me and my team for the past several years." Blake said while looking at the schedule. "Looks like we are one of the first to partake in the second round. But first, we got Ruby and Penny's match against Gary Oak of Pallet Town and Lindsey Snatch of Geosenge Town." Blake added on.
"Well then what are we waiting for? Let's get going and show Penny and Ruby our biggest support. Especially since Gary is one the traitors." Ash said as he finished breakfast.
They left the hotel, and they were heading for the colosseum. Blake took Ash's hand and smiled at him. Ash looked at the cat Faunus and smiled back. This was the first time that Ash truly felt more at peace with himself, but not completely though. What he did know was that he was with the right people now.
When they arrived at Amity Colosseum, they met up with Ruby, Penny, and Teams RWBY and JNPR.
"Hey Ruby." Blake said as she joined her teammates.
"Hey Blakey! You here to cheer me and Penny on?" Ruby asked with a big smile.
"You know it. It seems that Gary is one of Ash's traitors. Show no mercy." Blake said with a sneer.
"I'll give him a taste of my eyeballs just in case he gets hostile." Ruby said as her eyes shined a bit, startling Ash a bit.
"Your…wha…?" Ash asked while looking at Ruby as he had no idea what she was talking about.
"Let's just say that my eyes are connected with some of the most powerful magic Remnant has had in millennia. The Tale of the Silver Eyed Warriors, gifted from the Brother of Light himself before he and his brother, the Brother of Darkness, departed after Salem and her army attacked them and…took magic with them. Well, most of them." Ruby explained.
"All there ever were left were the Seasonal Maidens, the Wizard Ozma, and the relics left behind." Weiss said.
Ash pondered this for a moment.
"I've heard stories of all of them, but I thought it was just mumbo jumbo of fairy tale stories. But I guess given how things are for me these past years kinda gave me a unique reality check. But anyway, Ruby, Penny?" Ash asked the two of them.
"What is the matter Ash?" Penny asked while tilting her head.
"Well, it's about Gary Oak." Ash started.
"He's the descendant of the famous Samuel Oak. He's gonna be a tough cookie to break." Penny said.
"It's more than that. He's been known to get into your heads with his knowledge of Pokémon. You have to be extremely careful with him." Ash warned them with a serious tone.
"Okay. Thanks for the warning Ash, but…about your depression." Ruby said as she began to get unhappy.
Ash then looked away and stared at the ground.
"I figured it out myself the day we met. My semblance picked it up not from your body itself, but from your aura. I chose to keep quiet about it until we reached to our sleeping area where I asked my teammates to keep quiet as well for the time being." Ren explained while looking at his arm. "However…it's different this time. It's almost as if…you shared it with Blake a bit." Ren added.
"I really am sorry that we pressured you a bit from before. Maybe after this, we head out somewhere together as a big team of nine and just do what we do best." Jaune suggested.
"That sounds like a great idea. However…I can't be on any missions. I'm not an official Hunter like you guys." Ash reminded them.
"Have no fear Ash. Leave that part to us." Blake said.
"Anyway, come on Penny. It's time we kick butt!" Ruby yelled while holding her friend's hand.
"RUBY!" Someone shouted nearby. They saw a boy a few years younger running towards them.
The boy had tan skin with a handful of scars on his exposed body, short dark brown spiky hair, hazel-colored eyes and few freckles on his cheeks. He has on a white t-shirt underneath a long green trench coat. He wore long dark gloves while holding a cane The Long Memory. He had long brown pants covered with armor and had some tear marks on it. Had on long black boots with silver armor on the edges and had a scabbard on his back that contained a backup sword that he made while in Vacuo last year that he dubbed the Sandstorm.
"OSCAR!" Ruby shouted as she ran to him and hugged him. "You made it!" Ruby yelled before she pulled back and kissed him, to which he returned it graciously.
"Of course I made it. Did you really think I wouldn't?" Oscar asked with a teasing look.
"Oh you!" Ruby yelled while playfully pushing him away, casing the others to laugh.
"Ruby…even after our victory, you have not changed. But…is that?" Oscar asked as he turned towards Ash, who just looked down at him. "Ash Ketchum…no way." Oscar said as he slowly approached him.
Ash sensed his aura, and he immediately saw within him that he was a friend, an ally, and loyal to a vault.
"I see my reputation precedes me more." Ash said while smiling.
"So it seems. I'm Oscar Pine, a Huntsman and a Pokémon Trainer like you…huh?" Oscar stopped when Ash raised a hand at him.
"I'm no Huntsman. I dropped out of Oak Academy in Kanto many years ago. Call me a rouge." Ash said.
Oscar was confused by what he meant by that, up until Ash briefly explained more of his past.
"Oh…I see. Anyway, good luck Ruby, Penny." Oscar said while looking back at the two of them.
"Right! See you guys! Love you Oscar and Yang!" Ruby said as she hugged Yang tight and then kissed Oscar. She left with Penny to head for the arena.
The rest of them were making their way towards front row seats so they can be right there by the field so they can cheer Ruby and Penny on. The two of them arrived onto the field, along with Gary and Lindsey.
Gary remained much as Ash remembered him since they met all those years ago. This time around, his hair was long enough to have a ponytail, wore black robes over a blue tunic that was armored. He had grey pants and had twin scabbards on his side that contained his weapons called Twin Justice. He wore long brown combat boots and had a multitude of belts for his ammunition, his Pokémon, and more.
Lindsey was just an ordinary woman that wasn't a Huntress. What she lacked in being a Huntress, she made this up for her love, understandings, and high marks in her studies, making her a personal assistant for Professor Birch from Hoenn. She had dark colored skin, green eyes, long black hair with silver linings in them, and wore spectacles. She wore a tight pink t-shirt that had a picture of a Jigglypuff on it, a black mini skirt, grey stockings, and pink high heels. She had a long white lab coat that had a single belt strapped around her waist that held her Pokémon. What really made her stand out was that she had long pointy ears sticking out of the top of her head, making her a cat Faunus. She had a choker and had sharp canine teeth.
With Ruby and Penny
"So Monsieur Gary, shall ve take zem down?" Lindsey asked with a French accent, making her native to Kalos.
"We got this. From what we learned from their previous fight; this will be a walk in the park. Too bad it's not against Ketchum. But ah well, these two twerps will have to do." Gary said while eyeing his partner.
"The next battle of the second round is about to begin. Ruby Rose of Patch and Penny Polendina of Mantle faces off against Gary Oak of Pallet Town and Lindsey Snatch of Geosenge Town. This will be a double battle with each combatant uses two Pokémon each. If one side loses all four Pokémon, the match will end. Furthermore, there will be no substitutions throughout the battle." Glynda announced.
"Lady's firs! Now chère Sylveon, toot-sweet!" Lindsey yelled as she sent out her first Pokémon onto the field.
Sylveon LVL 88 Fairy Pixilate Lax Incense
Misty Terrain Reflect Last Resort Swift
"Now for my star of the team of Gary Oak! Arcanine!" Gary yelled as he sent out his large, legendary fire canine onto the field.
Arcanine LVL 93 Fire Intimidate Charcoal
Extreme Speed Scorching Sand Howl Fire Fang
Ruby and Penny stared at their opponents while choosing their first Pokémon.
"I'll show you just how far we've come! Goodra! Show them a thing or four!" Ruby yelled as she sent out her slimly dragon with an attitude onto the field.
Goodra LVL 92 Dragon Gooey Dragon Gem
Muddy Water Toxic Mud Shot Dragon Pulse
"Time to aide my best friend to the best of my knowledge. I call forth my beloved Magnezone!" Penny yelled as she sent out her floating magnetic Pokémon that channeled electricity with ease.
Magnezone LVL 95 Electric/Steel Analytic
Magnet Rise Thunderbolt Lock-On Zap Cannon
"Battle commence!" Glynda yelled.
"Alright Arcanine, use Fire Fang on the Magnezone!" Gary yelled to him.
Arcanine charged forward and his fangs sprouted fangs. He then jumped towards it and attempted to slam his jaws onto it.
"Tank it!" Penny yelled to it.
Magnezone took the hit and was able to resist it quite well, confusing Arcanine and Gary.
'EGH! Not this time!' Magnezone spoke while throwing the Arcanine off.
"What in the!? Steel types are weak to fire!" Gary yelled.
"Remember Monsieur Gary, type advantages don't always mean anything 'ere. Besides…ve have ze advantage. Allow me to show you oui? Sylveon, use Reflect." Lindsey said to her companion.
Sylveon's bows began to glow blue. A large blue barrier began to shield the whole team from physical attacks. The barrier faded after a few seconds.
Ruby began to ponder about what to do. She knew that she had to make these moves count. Penny noticed this and smiled at her.
"Ruby…remember what we trained for. Keep you vigilante constant." Penny said.
"Right. Goodra! Time to make some mud. Use Muddy Water!" Ruby yelled.
'Righto Ruby!' Goodra yelled before channeling dirt and water underneath her body and created a powerful vortex of mud. 'Open wide!' Goodra yelled as she shot the stream of water right at the opposing Pokémon.
Arcanine and Sylveon were slammed by the water of mud. Arcanine felt its accuracy being lowered.
"Why…you! YOU PIECES OF TRASH! YOU VILL PAY FOR ZAT!" Lindsey screamed at them for making her Sylveon look unsophisticated.
"Well now things are going to be tipped in my favor now. Magnezone, Lock-On to Sylveon!" Penny yelled.
Magnezone's eye looked towards Sylveon and a targeting system initiated within.
'Target locked.' Magnezone said.
'It's a good thing that I was gonna last for this. If I play my part well, as well as Ruby's, we'll have this match. But Magnezone might not last another Fire Fang from Arcanine, unless however…' Penny was thinking to herself.
"Alright Arcanine. Go for Scorching Sand!" Gary yelled while pointing at Magnezone.
Arcanine howled before kicking the ground at Magnezone. Thanks to his fiery feet, the sand turned to embers and they were being shot at it. Magnezone saw this coming and was able to evade it thanks to the lowered accuracy on Arcanine.
"YES!" Ruby screamed happily.
"DAMMIT!" Gary shouted in frustration.
"Now use Mud Shot!" Ruby yelled with confidence.
'At once Ruby." Goodra said before she opened her mouth and it glowed orange. She then shot out multiple shots of mud right at Arcanine, dealing tremendous damage at him.
"I got to end zis now. Sylveon, use Swift!" Lindsey yelled.
Sylveon's ribbons glowed once again, and energy stars formed around her. She then used her tail to shoot them at the opposing Pokémon.
"Oh no!" Ruby yelled when she saw the stars turn from yellow to pink thanks to Sylveon's Pixilate ability.
"While Magnezone will be impervious to the attack due to it being a Steel-type, I can't say the same to Goodra." Penny stated while Goodra was taking a hit.
Goodra was suffering from the barrage of pink stars hitting her. She was limping but was still going.
"Penny, it's up to you now." Ruby said with a bit of worry in her eyes.
"No worries. Magnezone, use Zap Cannon!" Penny said.
'Target locked on!' Magnezone said while charging up a ball of powerful electricity. 'FIRE!' It shouted while firing it at Sylveon.
The ball of electricity was hurling right at Sylveon. Sylveon tried to dodge it, but thanks to Lock-On, it was turned into a heat seeker and it hit her square in the face. The blast sent her flying and she was out cold.
"Sylveon is unable to battle. Goodra and Magnezone take the win!" Glynda yelled.
"Alright! Now that's teamwork!" Ruby yelled while giving Penny a high five.
"Agreed!" Penny yelled after returning the high five.
Lindsey returned her down companion and held the ball to her heart.
"I will not let zes be in vain." She whispered before putting it away. She pulled out her next Pokémon. "Alright zen. Chère Eelektross, toot-sweet!" She yelled when she sent out her floating electric eel onto the field.
Eelektross LVL 90 Electric Levitate Magnet
Discharge Giga Drain Toxic Charge Beam
"Battle commence!" Glynda yelled.
'That is one tough Pokémon to take on. In fact, if that Eelektross takes out Goodra this upcoming turn, it'll be a situation that I may not be able to worm out of. And Magnezone isn't looking to good. I need to finish this fight fast.' Ruby thought to herself.
"Arcanine, use Extreme Speed on the Goodra!" Gary yelled.
Arcanine howled and his body began to glow green. He then charged at Goodra with blazing speed and slammed into her torso. She was sent several feet back and landed onto her back. She was able to hold on by a thread.
"Goodra! Hang in there. Use one more Muddy Water." Ruby said.
Goodra channeled more mud underneath her and shot them at the opposing side. The vortex hit them, this time knocking out Arcanine.
"Arcanine is unable to battle! Goodra and Magnezone take the win!" Glynda yelled.
"Alright! Two down, two to go!" Penny yelled.
Gary returned Arcanine with rage. He then gripped the Poke Ball as his anger grew. He knew that this was now or never.
"Alright…I never thought I had to bring out the big gun for this. But fine! Go Kingdra!" Gary yelled as he sent out his king size seahorse onto the field.
Kingdra LVL 93 Water/Dragon Swift Swim
Hydro Pump Rain Dance Dragon Dance Dragon Pulse
"Battle commence!" Glynda yelled.
"Alright Magnezone, use Thunderbolt!" Penny yelled.
Magnezone charged up its body and fired off a powerful burst of electricity at Arcanine.
"DODGE IT AND USE DRAGON PULSE!" Gary shouted.
Kingdra juked to the left and fired off a powerful burst of purple aura that formed in the shape of a dragon. It then collided onto Magnezone, and was sent flying to a wall, knocking it out.
"Magnezone is unable to battle! Kingdra and Eelektross take the win!" Glynda yelled.
Penny looked down in shame while she returned Magnezone. She clenched the ball while sighing. She knew what needed to be done, and it wasn't going to be easy. She slowly glared at them and pulled out an Ultra Ball…and she was pissed.
"Penny…?" Ruby asked with concern.
"I didn't want it to come to this…but so be it." Penny growled.
"Uh…you're starting to freak me out here." Ruby said as fear grew within.
"I choose you…Duraludon!" She yelled as she sent out a pile of metal forged together with an attitude onto the field.
Duraludon LVL 93 Steel/Dragon Heavy Metal Metal Coat
Metal Claw Dragon Pulse Metal Burst Hyper Beam
With Ash and Blake, they were shocked about what she just sent out.
"She never busts that Pokémon out unless if she gets serious." Blake said.
"Duraludon?" Ash asked while pulling out his Rotom Dex. It hoped to life and aimed at Duraludon.
"Duraludon, the Alloy Pokémon. A Steel and Dragon type. Duraludon sports a metallic body with a beautiful luster of polished, shining metal." Rotom stated.
"Whoa…never knew this one existed." Ash said while putting his Dex away.
"Battle commence!" Glynda yelled.
"Goodra! Use Dragon Pulse on the Kingdra!" Ruby yelled.
'Righto!' She yelled before she opened her mouth and began charging up her own purple aura. She then fired it at Kingdra. It hit Kingdra, causing him to take some serious damage.
"Zis is getting old! Eelektross, use Toxic on zat Goodra!" Lindsey yelled.
Eelektross inhaled and shot out a large purple sludge right at Goodra. It collided with her, causing her to be badly poisoned.
"Kingdra! Use Dragon Dance!" Gary yelled.
Kingdra began to spin around and an aura of purple and red formed around him. When he stopped, it gotten stronger and faster.
'This isn't good. I have to make this next turn count. In fact, if this misses come Goodra's turn to make a move, I'm gonna lose the match! The other Pokémon I have might not be up to snuff, but it's a risk I have to take.' Ruby thought to herself.
Penny took noticed of her, as well as Goodra. They looked into her eyes and smiled.
"We got this Ruby my friend. I guess I'll just have to prove it. Duraludon! Use Metal Claw on the Kingdra!" Penny yelled.
'Eat my steel!' Duraludon yelled while his claws began to glow. He then charged forward and gave a slash right for Kingdra. The attack missed due to him being quicker thanks to Dragon Dance.
"NOW RUBY!" Penny shouted.
"Alright! Goodra! Blast Kingdra with Mud Shot!" Ruby yelled while she saw the opening.
'COMING AT YA!' Goodra shouted before inhaling and roared. Glowing mud shot out of her mouth and began pelting at Kingdra, knocking him out.
"Kingdra is unable to battle! Goodra and Duraludon take the win…oh!?" Glynda was saying as she took noticed that Goodra just collapsed and fainted due to the poison. "Goodra is also unable to battle! This round is a draw!" Glynda yelled.
Both Gary and Ruby returned their Pokémon and Gary just backed away out of pure hatred. Ruby, on the other hand, looked down and her hair was covering her eyes.
"Ruby…?" Penny asked.
"Competitor…? Ruby!" Glynda yelled out to her former pupil.
Ruby then looked up and her eyes were glossy. She slowly pulled out her second Pokémon. She then sighed and looked at it.
"I guess…I have no other option left but to go for it." Ruby whispered to herself. She then gripped the ball tight and looked up. "Alright mom…this is for you. VOLCARONA! TAKE FLIGHT!" Ruby shouted as tears shot out of her eyes while sending out her atlas moth in the form of the sun onto the field.
"SHE HAS A WHAT!?" Penny screamed with shock.
Volcarona LVL 100 Bug/Fire Swarm Silver Powder
Quiver Dance Fiery Dance Bug Buzz Amnesia
"Battle commence!" Glynda yelled.
Lindsey was shaken by the very presence of Volcarona.
"ZIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING! EELEKTROSS! DISCHARGE!" Lindsey screamed with horror.
Eelektross's body began to channel blue electricity and blasted it out of her body. The attack his both opponents. While Duraludon easily tanked it, Volcarona got it a bit badly, but not for long.
Ruby continued to cry when she sent her last Pokémon. This Volcarona belonged to her mother, and her father passed it down to Ruby since he believed that she would protect Ruby like she aided Summer in their youth before her passing. She learned of her true fate, and she never recovered from it. Salem was partially responsible for her death, but her silver eyes overtaxed her body to the point when she was found…as a statue. She learned that her mother's magic turned her into stone. She vowed to never use her eyes again unless if it was necessary, especially that this magic is unlike any other.
"Alright…Volcarona use Fiery Dance!" Ruby yelled.
'Of course Ruby.' She said before her wings began to glow and they burst into flames. She began flapping them hard at Eelektross, and she was getting pelted by the flames.
"Duraludon! Finish it off with Hyper Beam!" Penny yelled.
Duraludon opened his mouth, and a black ball of energy began to form. He then roared and the ball turned into a beam of destructive energy. The beam hit Eelektross in the chest and sent her flying into Gary and into a wall, knocking them both out.
"Eelektross is unable to battle! Volcarona and Duraludon take the win. The winner of this match of the first round goes to Penny Polendina of Mantle and Ruby Rose of Patch!" Glynda yelled.
The stadium exploded in cheers as the match ended. Penny and Ruby returned their Pokémon and Penny hugged Ruby tight. However, Ruby still seemed a bit down despite the win.
"Ruby? Talk to me!" Penny yelled.
"Just…a painful memory." Ruby whimpered.
"Come on. Let's go." Penny said while gently pulling her away from the field.
Back with Ash and Blake, they were cheering for Ruby and Penny for their victory. However, Ash stopped because he sensed something off about Ruby. He began to realize that Ruby seemed to be from excited to worry to depressed. Blake took noticed and raised an eyebrow at first, but then she also recalled from about a year ago when she and the others learned of Ruby's mother's fate.
"That's right. Volcarona belonged to her mother. She was fine while using her for years, but things were different when she found out about her mother's death." Blake said while losing her smile.
"What happened?" Ash asked.
"I'll tell you later, but right now we need to get to Ruby." Blake said as she took his hand and pulled him.
Soon enough, the two of them met up with the rest of Team RWBY, along with Oscar in the lobby. Penny, Oscar and Yang were surrounding Ruby while Oscar held her hand and Yang allowed her to lean on her.
"Ruby…are you gonna be okay?" Blake asked as she sat in front of her.
"I…why did I pick her? I don't know anymore…why?" Ruby whimpered.
Ash just looked down at her with pity. He knew all too well what she was going through especially since he was having a terrible flashback of Pikachu.
"Ketchum!" Someone yelled out nearby. Ash slowly looked back and saw Max and May walking towards him. "Still here I see." May said.
"What is it? Can't you see I'm tending to a real friend here?" Ash asked.
"Don't care about that. You really shouldn't have come back Ash. Especially since that you'll only be making matters worse on yourself." Max said.
"And how's that?" Ash asked.
"Simple, you'll just have to deal with a blast from the past six years ago." Max answered.
"Good thing I'm here to fight that fear of the past. I won't be able to move on until I face it head on." Ash countered.
"Oh? Well then, I guess you'll have a bigger challenge when you hear this: Max and I saw you and that Faunus making out at the park yesterday. Would be a bad thing if Kuo Kuana's chief and chieftess hears about this." May said with a wide grin.
Ash grunted a bit when she said that. He can't call her out for being a liar because he can sense that she was telling the truth. He chose to stay silent afterwards, much to the amusement of the siblings. But for Ash, he didn't care in the slightest.
"You really think you can be happy being with someone who's pretty much next in line to rule a location for Faunus only? I say your relationship won't last a couple days. Rumor is that they are already on the way. Later loser." Max said as he and May walked away, leaving Ash behind and he glared at them.
"Ash? What did they say?" Blake asked while returning to him when she saw Max and May.
"I…nothing important. They were just trying to make me lose my cool." Ash half lied.
"Well in any case, I'm gonna go with my team to cheer Ruby up. What are you gonna do?" She asked him.
"I need to check something…I think the traitors might have another motivation to get rid of me once and for all." Ash said as he assumed more of what the traitors have been doing to not only him, but to those closest as well.
"Okay. Love you." Blake said before she kissed his cheek, only for Ash to grab her wrist and yanked her into a passionate kiss. She happily obliged and held his head while kissing him. When they broke the kiss, she looked deep into his eyes. "Stay out of trouble for me, okay?" She asked.
"Of course Blake." Ash said before cupping her cheek.
After the two of them went their separate ways, Ash decided to take some time to meditate at the park where he and Blake got together. When he got there, he saw from a distance Jaune and Pyrrha underneath a tree. He smiled as he saw the both of them making out a bit before Pyrrha rested on his shoulder.
Ash decided to head for another location to meditate as to not disturb them. Along the way, Ash began to think about more of his mother.
'Mom…I hope you're okay wherever you are.' Ash thought to himself.
Back with Blake, she and the others finally made Ruby calm down as she was having a few cookies. She knew that learning of Summer's fate was the worst thing that ever happened to Ruby. She knew it would be a matter of time until she would break again.
Suddenly, her scroll buzzed. She saw the caller ID, and much to her shock, it was her mother.
"Mom? What's up?" Blake asked after she answered.
"Hello Blake. We saw your match with Ash. Hope you two are getting along well." Her mother Kali said.
"We are mom. I can't believe that I finally got to meet him, let alone be his partner. Yet…he isn't what he used to be all those years ago. With all that has happened that day, his life has turned pretty bad." Blake explained while looking down.
"Well I know you'll get through to him, just as your friends did the same. Anyway, we're on our way to the tournament to watch." Kali said.
"Really? I thought you would be busy with…wait 'we're?'" Blake asked as she realized what her mother said.
"Yep. You're father and I. We want to meet your partner. Plus, from what we gathered; he seems to be your special someone. See you tomorrow sweetie. Love you!" Kali said before hanging up.
Blake just looked at her scroll with a stunned look. She slowly put it away and starred out into space.
"Ah…shit." Blake whispered with worry.
With the first round completed for the Pokémon Vytal Tournament coming to a close, Ash and Blake are moving on to make preparations to face Jaune and Pyrrha in the second round. How will this play out? Will another traitor bite the dust, or will they succeed? Find out more as the story continues.
HAHA! Yes, and there you have it readers. Thank you so much for reading as always. By the time I got into writing this chapter, we reached the end of the second half of Volume 8….well, I can't say I didn't see some of this coming. At least in this story, Penny lives on as a human. Cool right? On the plus side, we have Vacuo to look forward to, and maybe seeing a return of Team CFVY. Anyway, next time, we get into the second round and we see how the fight between Ash and Blake against Jaune and Pyrrha play out. Thanks again for reading. TheD-Rock900 is signing off, see you guys next time.