High Touch
It is the morning of the Knights' Tournament, and Ash stands in the hot shower and meditates. He imagines the hot water falling outside and burning Sangharsh's grave marker. "I wish he would leave me alone." "I wish that, too," Sangharsh said. "Go away!" Ash splashes water on Sangharsh. "Remember, I am a spirit," Sangharsh teases. "And an SOB." "Ash?" Allison calls from the hallway. "Are you okay?" "Yeah." "Do you need me to wash your back?" Ash thinks about it. "Sure," he answers. Allison enters the bathroom, washes Ash's back, and then gets pulled into the shower. "I need more help," Ash teases as he pulls Allison into a passionate kiss. Sangharsh gags. Later, Ash dresses as Allison fixes her mirror in her truth mirror. She looks in the mirror and sees Sangharsh poking Ash in the head. "What the fuck?" Allison says. At the Providence National Stadium, Ash stands in the waiting room as he thinks about the plan. "We have to play our cards right." Allison knocks on the door. "Hey," she said. "Cressila is ten minutes away." "Good. We need to stick to the plan while enacting our other plan." Allison hugs Ash and places his hand on her Heart Necklace. She puts their heads together and allows their arua to be in sync. Sangharsh walks up to Ash and laughs. "I don't think your plan will work. Kaante is strong, and so is Daah's willpower. I want Daah's body and soul to be free but from you? Fat chance in hell. "You know, you're lucky not to be in hell right now, right? It would be best if you rest in peace while you can," Allison said. Sangharsh and Ash gasp. "You can see me?" Sangharsh asks. "You can see him?" Ash asks. "Yes," Allison said. "What the fuck is going on? How long have you been haunting my boyfriend? Ash, why didn't you say anything?" "I thought I could handle it, and it was related to Kaante," Ash said. "Sangharsh?" "I don't know why I'm here," Sangharsh said. "I enjoy teasing Ash. But I don't know why I am here, and I can't go back." "It is related to Kaante. I think when Daah was trying to use the cotton ball to bring you back, it kinda did, but you are following Ash instead," Allison said, "So, what are you going to do to Daah?" Sangharsh asks. "We are going to get rid of Kaante's hold on her. Daah will be okay," Ash said. Ge checks his watch and says it is time to start the tournament. "Everything will be okay," Allison said. Sangharsh shakes his head in wariness.
In the seating area, Odd takes in the views of the stadium. "What a beautiful day it is." "It will be once this jumbie is gone," Margaret said. "What are you talking about?" "We know one of your classmates, Daah, is being controlled by Kaante," Robert said. "Where did you get that idea from?" "Everyone has their suspicions," Margaret said. "So, what are you going to do?" "The Knights have a plan, and we will come on and finish off. " "Good," Jessica said as she arrived with Ulrich and Walter. "The sooner Kaante is dealt with, the sooner Dean Kathin can focus on his job. "Does everyone know that Daah is Kaante's host?" Odd asks. "Yes," Ulrich said. "Which makes this easier." Soon everyone arrives and takes their seats. Daphne looks around and sees Daah cleaning her sword. "Something is going to happen," she said. "What do you mean?" Ash J asks. "Kaante is a powerful being; sometimes, she has a backup plan. "I think we're going to be okay." Allison arrives and takes her seat. "Is everything okay?" "Yeah, Mom is cautious," Ash J said. "As she should," Gary said. "I feel like the space-time balance is in danger." "My mother said the same thing," Aelita said. "Should we be concerned that everything already assumed Daah is Kaante's host?" Jeremy asks. "No," Hiroshima said. "Daah was in love with Sangharsh and had the hardest time moving on." 'Plus, when Kaante sent a mirror jumbie to Daah's party to attack her," Dawn said. "To get her vulnerable for a takeover." "We learned about it in the fall. When your heart is at a low point, you can be easily charmed," Yumi said. "This sounds like Miraculous Ladybug," Hiroki said. "It does. If we reach Daah, she can start to break free on her own, and we can swoop in for the cleanup," Brock said. "I agree with your mom, Allison," Rocky said. "I think there is a bigger issue than we realize." Moxie prays for the best outcome when she gets a text from Rocky's brother and smiles. On the other side of the stadium, Johanne, Haru, Jimmy, and Marina sit with Dexter and Apin. "I am ready for action," Apin said. "We need to make this quick so the new Knights can take their place," Jimmy said. "Are you sure I can help?" Haru asks. "Yes. It helps to have survivors of Kaante's attacks," Marina said. "As Dawn says, no need to worry," Johanne said. "I'm worried," Haru said. "Don't worry," Dexter said. "The is going to work." Rosé arrives and takes her seat. "Are you sitting with your parents?" Apin asks. "Nope!" Rosé crosses her legs and eats some cotton corn. Alexis shakes her head. "Wow, her parents must be the bee's sting." Once everyone arrives, the First and Second Class senior Knights look at all the other Knights in the audience and take a deep breath. "Are we ready?" Jared asks. "Yes," Ash said. "Okay, we have one shot," Sajin said. "We do, and we will do it," Cressila said. "I hope Mariam can do it." "She can. Devon talked to me about it." All of the Knight candidates arrive and take a seat on the field. "We can do it," Mariam said. "Yes, we can," Devon said. Silver waves to her parents. "We don't have to cheat this time because our daughter can do it," Savi said. Sangharsh looks on as Daah smiles sinisterly and waves her hands.
All of the spectators watch and listen as Sir Knight Ashton, Leader of the Knights, gives a speech about the accomplishments all of the future Knights have done throughout the year. Each new Knight receives their pin. "Upon completion of the challenges, each Knight will receive their class rank and specialty," First Knight Chemila said. "Remember," Arch Prime Jason said. "The goal is to push yourself and your Pokemon team through all the tasks of a knight: synchronization, connections, obstacles, rhythm, and equity. Also known as SCORE." The tournament begins with the first two tasks. After that, First Knight Daah sets up for the third task: obstacles. "Now, it is time to see if you can overcome obstacles with your Pokemon." First Knight Daah announces as she waves her hand and smiles. "Remember: I am coming!" First Knight Daah taunts everyone as she takes out her sword, and it turns back as it touches the field, and the ground turns black. Sir Knight Ashton nods as all the Knights in the audience jump from the stands and surround First Knight Daah. "Alpha Stance One!" First Knight Jared commands. All of the Knights raise their swords. "You too, future Knights," First Knight Aaral commands. Mariam is scared but sees Silver and Devon taking their place. "My brother's fuck boy actions will not affect us anymore," Silver said. First Knight Daah smiles as her voice changes to Kaante's." What's wrong? Can't handle me," Kaante teases as she raises her hand, creating a storm. "Alpha Stance Two," First Knight Sajin commands. All of the Knights channel their magic toward the center of the field. Their Pokemon get ready to attack as Kaante sends the storm toward them. "Pokemon, attack," First Knight Chemila commands. The Pokemon attack the incoming storm as Kaante reveals her proper form. She opens First Knight Daah's mouth and lets out a ten-foot shadowy figure with glowing eyes. The shadow creates a dark terrain. Everyone gulps. "Do we keep going?" First Knight Chemila asks. "Yes, we need our supporters," Sir Knight Ashton commands. "That's us," Omar said. The young Fairy Soldiers and their friends fly above First Knight Daah and Kaante, sending their magic over the field. "We have to keep it steady," Yasmin said. "We Daah starts to break free, we'll swoop in," Jeremiah said. Kaante looks around and sees that she is cornered. "I will not lose like this!" She stabs Daah's sword into the ground and shakes the stadium.
The students all wake up and get ready for final exams. Ash walks into the hallway and sees the fountain. "The water is clear again." He walks over and touches it, but Pikachu stops him. "Pika!" "Pikachu, what is wrong?" "Pikachu stopped you too?" Allison asks. "Raichu stopped me also." "I don't know why? Everything is fine." Dexter walks by with Sajin and notices some Lanturns. "They came back," Dexter said. "I know. I'm glad," Sajin said. Odd and Dawn arrive with some flowers. "Flowers for the fountain," Dawn said. "And now for my morning light," Odd said, placing a lily in Dawn's hair. "What a wonderful day," Jeremy said. "A day of peace," Aelita said. "Sometimes, I feel like we worried too much," Yumi said. "Now, it is over," Ulrich said. Brock arrives and kisses Cressila on the cheek. "My Knight," he said. "My Soldier," Cressila said. Hiroshima walks by and touches the fountain, but her Scream Tail blocks her. "Tail!" "Pinky, what is wrong?" "All of the Pokemon are stopping us," Aelita said. Gary sneaks up on Hiroshima and kisses her. "Gary?" Hiroshima blushes. "Hello, beautiful," Gary said. "What a bold move," Hiroshima said. "Wait, Gary is not that bold," Ash J said. "Yes, I am. Remember, I had a cheerleader group when I was a young trainer." "Guys, look at the fountain," Sam said. "Sam?" Allison asks. "Time and space are in trouble." The group looks at the fountain and sees Kaante laughing. "I told you. I was coming! Now, you are in my world!" "Where's Daah?" Sajin asks. "With me. Come if you dare!" Kaante crackles. "We need to find the others, quick," Ash said as the group split. Kaante looks at Daah, who is sitting on a throne. Sangharsh looks at her. "The group better come soon. Kaante cannot win. Even if it means I have to go back to peace." "I will win! No matter the pain!" Kaante crackles on.