Aoi Hyoudou: I am extremely happy with the feedback provided. Thank you so much for your assistance. It's possible that J's Apprentice will be divided into several volumes, which could explain why we haven't seen much of J or the other missing Elites yet. However, they will likely have a more significant role in the next volume. It may seem like a lot, but this could also explain why Gou/Goh and Ash's old friends haven't done much either, as there is probably a greater purpose behind why Ash is J's apprentice in the first place.

Chapter XIV

The Aftermath!

~(...)~

"Geeta! Geeta!" Amidst the chaos in the southwest district of Mesagoza, Nemona frantically searched for her mentor, Geeta, and the chairwoman of Naranja Academy. The Paldea Champion's shouts echoed through the streets as academy students and Pokemon trainers did their best to subdue the flames that ravaged the city. Water-type Pokemon worked tirelessly to extinguish the fire, yet the damage had already been done to most homes and businesses. While Anabel and other Pokemon Champions helped with evacuations and rescue attempts, Nemona focused on finding Geeta. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Nemona spotted her mentor lying motionless on the ground. Geeta!"

Nemona hurried her steps and sprinted towards the fallen chairwoman who was lying flat on her stomach. As soon as she reached her mentor's side, she kneeled down and gently turned her over before carefully lifting her up into her arms. "Geeta!" The scene was heart-wrenching as the Pokémon Champion desperately called out to the woman, trying to wake her up. Geeta remained unresponsive and tears started forming in the Champion's eyes. Her cheeks were wet with tears that threatened to fall any moment. "No..." She shut her eyes, trying to hold back her tears.

However, as Nemona sat there holding Geeta's hand, she began to feel slight movement coming from Geeta's body. This caused Nemona to open her teary eyes and glance down at the groaning chairwoman. Geeta's eyebrows were twitching as she slowly opened her eyes, her vision a bit blurry until they regained their focus and fixed on a relieved Nemona. A small smile curled up on her face as if to reassure Nemona that everything was going to be alright. "Nemona?" she said weakly, putting the girl's mind at ease that she regained consciousness.

"Geeta!" Nemona said happily through her tears.

"Sorry if you have to see me like this," Geeta's tired apology caused her student to shake her head and offer a sympathetic look.

"I don't mind," her student replied with kindness in her voice. "Is there anything I can do to help you feel better?" she asked, offering her support. Geeta sighed with relief and gratitude, feeling lucky to have such a caring student. But then, Nemona's expression became serious as she asked, "Who did this to you?" Her tone was suppressing anger.

Geeta's face showed signs of exhaustion as a small frown began to appear. She didn't want to be dishonest with Nemona, but she couldn't deny what had happened. "It was Ash," she admitted. Nemona's eyes widened in surprise as Geeta continued, "Ash and his group were here. I did my best to stop him, but he was too powerful."

"Why would he do this?" Nemona asked, trying to suppress her rage.

"I'm not sure about that. He never mentioned it," Geeta replied, wincing through the pain.

"We need to get you some help!" Geeta nodded her head in agreement as she heard the words.

Geeta received help from Nemona to stand up when suddenly they heard running footsteps and familiar voices calling out to them from behind. "Nemona!" Arven and Penny's voices reached their ears.

Arven and Penny were running towards the Paldea Champion, who glanced back and noticed them approaching. A wide grin spread across her face as she called out happily, "Arven! Penny!"

As soon as Nemona's classmates arrived, they immediately noticed that Geeta needed help. Arven stepped forward and offered to assist Nemona with supporting the chairwoman. "Here, let me help too," he said as he gently placed Geeta's remaining arm around his shoulders.

"Thanks, Arven, you're the best!"

Nemona's compliment earned her a smirk from Arven as he responded with a simple. "You're welcome."

"We should get going. It's not safe here," Penny suggested and both of her friends nodded in agreement.

"I agree, it would be best to head back and regroup with the others," Nemona suggested.

After coming to a consensus, the group set out to reunite with Anabel and the other Pokémon Champions who were occupied with clearing up the aftermath of Ash and his Elite Corp's actions.

Lance commanded his red Gyarados to put out the last of the burning buildings with a powerful Hydro Pump attack. "Gyarados, Hydro Pump!" he called out and the Water-type Pokémon obediently followed his orders.

The Shiny Pokémon let out a mighty roar as it unleashed a powerful stream of water from its mouth towards the blazing flames. It skillfully maneuvered its Hydro Pump, targeting the base of the flames until they began to diminish in height and intensity. Before long, the flames were replaced by steaming white smoke, a clear indication that the fire had been successfully subdued.

"Metagross!" came Steven's voice.

"Alakazam!" Soon it was followed by Anabel's voice.

"Psychic!" they shouted in unison, commanding their Pokémon to unleash their psychic abilities and clear the debris and rocks blocking the school campus.

Metagross and Alakazam swiftly followed their orders, emanating a bright light from their bodies as their eyes glowed in unison. The surrounding rubble and debris lifted off the ground, providing an escape route for those who were trapped underneath. With the immediate danger averted, the people emerged safely and joined the growing crowd at Naranja Academy's school grounds.

As Leon soared through the sky on his trusty Charizard, he couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility for the other passengers he was transporting. He had taken it upon himself to find and escort stranded citizens to the rendezvous point, using his Charizard as a means of transportation. With each person he safely delivered, he felt a small sense of relief, knowing that he was doing what he could to help in the midst of chaos. After safely landing on the school grounds, Charizard allowed the passengers to climb off its back and thank Leon for his help. Without wasting any time, the Trainer and his trusty Pokémon took to the skies once again to resume their search for more citizens in need of rescue.

Cynthia and Looker were tending to Sierra, who was wrapped in a blanket. Despite their care, Sierra was clearly depressed and had not spoken since Arven and Penny had left with the intention of finding Nemona. It emerged that Sierra had been a member of the Elite Corp, but had been abandoned by Ash for failing to follow his orders to detonate explosives around Mesagoza. It was clear that being abandoned by the one person she trusted had taken a heavy toll on her. Although Sierra was associated with Ash, Penny pleaded with the authorities not to arrest her and offered to take full responsibility for her care. Eventually, the authorities reluctantly agreed but kept a close eye on Sierra as she was their only lead to Ash's next move.

Looker muttered in disbelief, "To think she was nothing but a tool in Ash's goals." He couldn't help but feel sympathetic towards the poor, deceived former Elite.

"I can't believe Ash would do this," the Sinnoh Pokémon Champion said, struggling to process the mixed emotions in her mind. "Regardless, we can't turn a blind eye to his actions anymore," she let out a frustrated sigh. "As much as I respect Ash as a fellow Trainer, he needs to be stopped!" Looker nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of the situation.

As Anabel drew closer, her curiosity about the former Elite's progress grew stronger. "Anything?" she inquired, hoping to hear some good news from her partner. Unfortunately, Looker shook his head, indicating there were no positive results. "I should have known," she said with a frustrated sigh.

"I don't blame her for being completely out of it," Looker explained. Anabel understood how Sierra must have felt.

"I can see that she's devastated. The only person she looked up to has abandoned her," she said with a sad frown. "However, I want her to know that she still has people who care for her. It may take some time, but with their support, she'll be able to get through this." Looker's agreement with his partner couldn't have been stronger.

"That Penny girl is a good friend," he said, noting that Penny was the only person who had stood up for Sierra.

"I think I see Penny with Nemona and Geeta," Anabel pointed out, her gaze fixed on a group of people in the distance walking towards them. Looker and Cynthia turned their heads to see the figures approaching in their direction.

"Hey!" Nemona waved at Anabel, Cynthia, and Looker who were staring in her direction with her free hand while still helping Arven with Geeta.

Once the group reunited, and Geeta received medical attention from one of the Nurse Joys, they started discussing their next course of action. Nemona's burning passion was evident as she declared her plan to challenge Ash and seek revenge for what he did to Geeta. Her words were a mix of terror and childishness. The task at hand might not be as straightforward as Nemona made it sound. Anabel and the other Champions are still feeling uncertain about their next steps, as they remain unsure of what Ash's next move might be.

"So we still don't know where Ash's heading is next, I see," Anabel asked the group, looking around to see if anyone had any suggestions.

"There are a few locations he could be heading, but it's not guaranteed he's going there," Looker appeared to be frustrated as he pointed out.

"So a cold trail, great..." Anabel sighed, expressing her frustration.

"If I may-" Suddenly, a mysterious voice spoke up, drawing the group's attention to a new figure approaching them. As they turned to face the speaker, they saw an old man with white hair, a goatee, and glasses walking towards them with his hands behind his back. He wore an orange blazer adorned with Poké Balls, a black shirt, and white pants and shoes. When he finally stopped in front of them, Nemona's eyes lit up with excitement as she recognized him. "Maybe I can provide some assistance," he said with a smile.

With a smile, she greeted the director of Naranja Academy, "Director Clavell!"

Miles and miles away from Naranja Academy, Ash's airship was flying through the Paldea skies towards the location of Area Zero. After the Mesagoza incident, the group retrieved the book that contained the coordinates to the promised site of the Paradox Pokémon, a rare species that could rival the Legendary Pokémon. With the goal of catching them all, they were heading towards the Great Crater of Paldea, which was in the center of the region. According to the book, the only known access to get to Area Zero was at the mouth of the mountain. They were set to reach their destination within the next hour, giving them some time to prepare for their final mission.

Ash was deeply affected by the aftermath of Mesagoza. He sat silently in the holding zone of the craft, looking down at his goggles with a depressed expression on his face. Running his thumb back and forth across the clear visor, his mind was consumed with torn emotions. Sarah sat next to him, her face showing concern. However, when she noticed that Ash wasn't giving her any side glances, she looked down at her lap and clenched her hands on her black skirt. Leaving Stratos behind was a difficult decision for everyone, but it felt like Ash was affected the most. He wished he could go back in time and undo his decision, but it was too late. Now, he had to live with the consequences.

Cutlass sat across from her teammates, arms crossed and a frown on her lips. It was unusual to see her leader so quiet on a mission, especially when he was with them. She couldn't help but wonder if he was mentally prepared for the task at hand. After some time had passed, she decided to break the awkward silence and spoke up. "Hey," she said, her tone not firm but loud enough to grab the attention of her comrades.

"Yeah?"

Cutlass let out a heavy sigh, feeling a sense of defeat. She had expected that kind of response. Shaking her head, she looked up and asked with concern, "Are you absolutely sure that you're ready for this?"

Ash didn't respond immediately as he ran his thumb across the visor. He paused and closed his eyes as if he was contemplating. After a while, he stood up, startling Sarah and made Cutlass raise a curious eyebrow at him. "You should know by now, Cutlass, that showing remorse and regret is a sign of weakness," he said unexpectedly.

Cutlass maintained her silence and patiently listened, aware that her leader had more to say.

Ash slowly donned his goggles as the women watched with interest. "Therefore, in order to close out any silly emotions that J taught us," he paused, "I must stay true to who I am..." He took a deep breath before continuing. "I am Black Raven, not that weakling Ash Ketchum!" he declared proudly, drawing mixed reactions.

As she looked down at her lap, Sarah couldn't help but bite her lower lip. Despite her reservations, she found herself liking Ash Ketchum.

Cutlass had an amused smirk on her lips as she let out a chuckle. "Well then, you had us worried for a bit, Black Raven," she replied.

A cruel smirk accompanied Black Raven's response on his face.

~(...)~

Raven's Nest - 6th Floor - Carmen's Bedroom

The bedroom had a clear glass window that offered a stunning view of the Pinewheel Forest. While standing in front of the window, Carmen, a blonde Casuisan woman, was engrossed in a personal phone call. She was pretending to be a temporary Elite Corp member in order to infiltrate the base. So far, no one had suspected a thing. With her cell phone pressed against her face, she talked to someone whose identity she was concealing.

"I'm doing okay. Don't worry, everything's under control. As far as I know, they haven't noticed anything," Carmen assured her caller. The sound on the other end of the line was muffled, indicating that the person was speaking. "Yes, I know I should have been back by now, but things took longer than expected." More talking followed. "Lester's on board now. It took some convincing, but it's finally happening..." Carmen's face brightened up with a smile. "He's coming home!" More muffled chattering ensued, but whoever was on the other end sounded just as excited as Carmen.

"I know, right?" She quickly looked over to the recliner chair, which was still unoccupied, before turning back to the window with a wide grin. "I couldn't believe it either. He was so determined to stay with Black Raven, and guess what?" There was a momentary pause as if the other person was trying to guess, but then the conversation continued. "Black Raven is that kid Ash Ketchum who supposedly disappeared four years ago. Can you believe it?" she said with a sarcastic tone, followed by a laugh.

Soon, the conversation began to slow down as Carmen's expression softened. "Yeah, I understand. I'll make sure to be careful," she said. Then the person on the other end of the line said something that made her cheeks flush slightly. "You're so cheesy on the phone," she teased, a beautiful smile spreading across her face as she spoke the words the person wanted to hear. "I love you too. See you soon. Bye!" Carmen ended the call and let out a sigh, placing her arm with the phone still in her hand down by her side.

Glancing back at the window, the imposter Elite smiled at her reflection. "It's amazing how smoothly everything is falling into place," she whispered to herself.

"This fate seems to favor the bold over the native, doesn't it?" spoke a mysterious voice from behind the blonde woman, causing her to jump in surprise.

She fixed her gaze at the window, only to see a black mass taking the shape of a smirking figure in the recliner. Glancing over her shoulder, she narrowed her eyes at the unwanted visitor and stood her ground. "You...what the HELL are you doing here all of a sudden?" Her tone became serious, which seemed to amuse the mysterious visitor.

"Hello Carmen, mind if we have a small chat for old-time sake?" the smirking figure asked.

~(...)~

Mesagoza - Naranja Academy

Anabel approached the Academy director with a smile and extended her hand for a handshake. "Greetings, Director Clavell! It's a pleasure to meet you," she said with a respectful tone.

Clavell smiled as he took Anabel's hand and they shook. "The honor is mine, Miss Anabel," he said. Then he turned to Looker and extended his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Mister Looker!"

"Appreciate your cooperation, sir!" The International Police officer shook the director's hand and smiled.

"So what did you want to tell us, Director?" Cynthia asked, trying not to interrupt the introductions. She was curious about what kind of information Clavell had regarding Ash's next destination.

Clavell laughed at Cynthia's no-nonsense attitude. She was just as he remembered her. "You're absolutely right, Miss Cynthia," he said, nodding in agreement. He paused for a moment before continuing. "I have reason to believe that Ash Ketchum and his group might be headed towards the Great Crater of Paldea." Nemona, Arven, and Penny perked up at the mention of the name, having been there before and knowing what secrets lay within. Cynthia, who was familiar with the name, was the only one who wasn't puzzled, as everyone else tried to figure out what kind of place Paldea was.

"Uh, why there?" Leon asked cluelessly, scratching his head.

"In the depths of the Great Crater of Paldea lies Area Zero where strong Pokémon, known as the Paradox Pokémon, are dormant," the director chuckled and explained. The news caught the group's attention.

"Area Zero?" Steven muttered.

"Paradox Pokémon?" Lance blinked.

Cynthia couldn't help but feel frustrated as her colleagues struggled to comprehend the new information presented to them. She let out a small sigh and continued with the subject, trying her best to explain things clearly. "So, if I understand correctly, Ash is going to Area Zero to capture these Paradox Pokémon?" she asked, her tone laced with a hint of skepticism. The director nodded in response, confirming her suspicions.

"I believe so," he stated calmly.

"Then that settles in!" Nemona shouted, her eyes burning with passion as she clenched her fist. "We will go after Ash and teach him a lesson!" The group stepped back in surprise as they noticed the fiery aura surrounding her body.

Arven wiped his forehead with a sweatdrop and looked at Nemona. "That sounds like a plan, but wouldn't that be too obvious, Nemona?" he asked.

"I understand your point, but if we don't act fast, he might catch all the Paradox Pokémon before we even get there," she countered.

Anabel nervously agreed, "She does have a point... A frontal approach is probably the best option we have."

"I'm completely in favor of it!" Leon beamed, slamming his fist into an open palm.

Steven let out a deep sigh. "I guess the element of surprise is out the window, but I'm on board with this plan too," he said. Lance nodded his agreement.

Cynthia's calm demeanor belied the intensity of the situation as she gazed at the determined group gathered before her. Their shared goal of putting an end to Ash's reign of terror was palpable in the air. "So, we're all in agreement then. Area Zero is our next target," she said with a small smile as heads nodded in unison.

The group had finally reached their destination - the Great Crater of Paldea. Black Raven's ship was positioned right above it and Ash, along with his female companions, waited anxiously for the hatch to open. They stood in front of the backend of the ship, ready to disembark as soon as they got the signal. Ash reached up to his wireless earpiece and commanded, "Open the hatch!"

A thunderous rumble followed by screeching metal filled the air as the group watched their ship's rear rails and doors slowly open. A gust of wind rushed into the ship, bringing with it a flood of daylight that shone in their faces. As the backend opened completely, a sly smirk spread across Black Raven's face.

Operation Area Zero has begun.

Next preview - Chapter 15: "Area Zero!"

Ash/Black Raven: "What's up with these tents?"

Cutlass: "It seems like someone was here long before Elite Corp was ever established."

Scream Tail: (randomly appears and looks cute)

Sarah: "Oh wow, that's a Jigglypuff! It looks extra adorable today, but I can't help but notice the tail on its head. It's not something you see every day on a Jigglypuff.

Scream Tail: (acts aggressively and charges forward)

Cutlass: "Sarah, don't look now, but it seems like it's trying to consume you!

Sarah: "Not funny!"

Ash/Black Raven: "Chapter 15: Area Zero!"

Grunt: "Black Raven, sir! We have company!"

Ash/Black Raven: "Don't let them anywhere near Area Zero, you fools!"

The final arc for this volume is almost here, and I hope you have been enjoying the ride so far! Both Ash and Sierra are currently dealing with mixed emotions, and the pieces are slowly coming together for the final showdown. However, it seems like not many people are in favor of Ash and Anabel being one of the ships in the story, so I might go in a different direction with her after all. Maybe Ash and Nemona? We'll have to wait and see!