Chapter 34
As Ash and his team headed back to finish the Silver Conference (which to them had started ages ago), they were teleported to the Hall of Origins for a final talk with Arceus.
"Excellent work Chosen One, you have completed your mission well. You all did so well that I have decided to give each of you a reward."
Arceus stepped back, revealing a pedestal with several items on it. He levitated the first into the air.
"Piakchu, I give you the Light Ball. With it, you will find that your attacks are much more powerful in battle."
Pikachu eyed the yellow ball and gave a little gasp as it sank into his paw. As it did, Pikachu felt a surge of energy go through his body and fired a small Thundershock to test it out.
"Woah!" Pikachu stumbled back as the Thundershock shot out of his body. "Thanks, Arceus! This is great!"
Arceus nodded. "Skye, will you hand me your amulet for a moment?"
"Sure!" Skye took off her evolution amulet and tossed it to Arceus.
Arceus caught the amulet with a psychic hold and it began to glow. After a few moments, he lowered it back to Skye. "Now your amulet will allow you to use any of your moves, regardless of what form you are in,"
"Really?" asked Skye. "Alright, Water Gun!" A turret of water shot out of Skye's mouth. "Wow, this is awesome!" she did a few flips in the air.
"Latios, Latias," continued Arceus, "your request has been granted, I wish you both good luck on your journey,"
"Thanks, Arceus," said Latios, "That means a lot to both of us,"
Latias, meanwhile, was too excited to speak. All she could do was fly around happily around the room.
"What request?" asked Ash.
Latios flew up to him. "Ash, when we started traveling with you, it was the best time we've had since our father died. You've treated us not just as friends, but as family. About a week after we started traveling with you, we asked Arceus if we could stay on as your Pokemon after we were done with our mission. Arceus told us that if we successfully defeated Team Void he would let us."
"You mean, you guys want to stay with me... forever?" asked Ash.
Latios nodded.
"That... thank you so much," said Ash, "that means so much to me,"
"Your father says he gives his best regards to both of you and hopes you will have the fun he's wished you had a long time ago," continued Arceus, "and Latias, he says to send you extra good luck," Arceus winked.
Latios and Pikachu immediately suppressed their laughter. Latias, who had calmed down a little, said nothing.
Ash, however, was just as confused as ever. "Extra good luck? What does that mean Latias?"
Arceus came to Latias' rescue. "I believe that's for her to tell you when she's ready." He took the final object from the pedestal. "Now Ash, I believe during your adventure with Team Void you were able to unlock more and more of your power,"
Ash nodded. "Yeah, I was able to free Nigel and Ho-oh but it took a lot of energy,"
"Since you have completed your task," said Arceus, "you have earned the right to use your true power,"
"True power?"
"Yes," said Arceus, "the prophecy states that the Chosen One will take the form of an Eon even more powerful than Raquaza. It is time that power was fully granted to you,"
Arceus reached out and tapped Ash on the head with one of his legs.
The effect was almost instantaneous. No sooner had Arceus touched Ash than his body began to glow with a rainbow-like light.
As waves of energy spread over him, Ash felt inclined to relax into them. When he did, he again felt the strange power that seemed to come from somewhere inside of him. This time, however, the feeling was much more tangible than during either of his battles with Ho-oh. As the glowing died down, the feeling subsided, but unlike before, Ash could still feel it. Wanting to test it out, he grabbed onto the energy and it instantly obeyed his command, filling him with extra power.
"Thank you Arceus," said Ash, "I'll be sure to never misuse my power,"
"I know you won't," said Arceus, "Just keep in mind, this may not be the last time you're called to help out,"
Ash smiled. "I wouldn't have it any other way,"
"Good," said Arceus, "and now that everything's settled, I'll take you back to Silver Town, I believe you have some unfinished business there,"
Ash nodded. "Thanks again Arceus,"
After speaking with Arceus, Ash and his Pokemon found themselves back in Silver Town, the giant coliseum still awaiting them. Ash switched back to his human form and they walked to the nearest Pokemon Center.
"Hello, can I help you with anything?" asked Nurse Joy.
"I was just wondering when the Silver Conference was going to start," said Ash, "since Team Void is gone and all,"
"You know about that?" asked Nurse Joy, surprised, "I thought only the police knew. I only heard about it because Officer Jenny told me,"
"Um.." said Ash, "I just... heard about it too!"
Nurse Joy looked skeptical but didn't ask any more questions. "Unfortunately, I can't tell you when the Conference is starting. Even though Team Void is gone, the league still has a pretty big mess to clean up. My guess would be around one to two months,"
"One to two months!" exclaimed Ash.
"Yes, I am sorry, but it's very hard to get all the trainers back to Silver Town, not to mention all the people."
Ash sighed, "I guess you're right,"
Just then, the doors to the Pokemon Center opened and Officer Jenny walked in. She turned to face Ash. "Excuse me, but are you Ash?"
Ash nodded.
"I don't know if you've heard," continued Officer Jenny, "but we've recently arrested the leader of Team Void, a man by the name of Nigel. I hate to bother you, but he told me he needed to speak with you."
"It's fine," said Ash, "where is he?"
"He's at the station," replied Officer Jenny, "I can take you there now if you like,"
"Alright," said Ash, "Pikachu, Skye, you ready to go?"
His Pokemon nodded and each jumped on one of his shoulders. Ash smiled at Latios and Latias who were following him invisibly as he walked out the door with Officer Jenny.
After a brief ride in Officer Jenny's car, they arrived at the police station. Ash followed her through several doors until they came to a small room. The room had a few chairs placed around a table. Nigel was sitting in one of them, and a police officer was sitting in another. Ash took a seat in the third chair which he assumed was for him.
As Officer Jenny left the room, the other officer turned to Ash. "My name is Officer Henry, but you can just call me Henry," he said, offering his hand to Ash.
Ash shook the officer's hand. "I'm Ash, nice to meet you,"
Henry took out a notebook and pencil. "Now, let's get straight to the point. This man here has been found guilty of theft, armed robbery, and terrorizing the Johto Region. Since he willingly turned himself in, we have reduced the punishment to a lifetime jail sentence. However, he has requested an audience with you. He wants to return the Pokemon he has stolen personally, but we are skeptical of his request. He says that you might be able to convince us otherwise,"
"Yeah, I think I can clear a few things up," said Ash, "for one, I am the one who stopped Team Void in the first place."
"You?" asked Henry, "but you're just a kid,"
Ash thought for a moment before deciding to use the only proof he could think of. "Henry, have you ever heard of the Prophecy of True Eons?"
Ash lay his head on a pillow (which was not easy as his wings kept getting in the way) as he watched the news with his Pokemon.
The bottom of the screen flashed BREAKING NEWS as a reporter began talking.
"Today, in a sudden turn of events, the leader of Team Void, a man named Nigel, turned himself in at Silver Town police headquarters."
The screen flashed a picture of Nigel.
"But that's nothing compared to what happened afterward," continued the reporter, "A boy named Ash Ketchum came to the station later that afternoon upon Nigel's request and not only reduced Nigel's sentence from a lifetime one to only 5 years but also convinced officers to give Nigel 6 months to return all Team Void's stolen Pokemon. Other members of Team Void have also received reduced sentences upon Ash's request."
The screen showed a picture of Ash at the police station with Nigel and several officers.
"Now, you might be wondering how he did it," said the reporter, "and this is where it gets exciting. About a month ago, we reported on the Guardians of Altomare; Latios and Latias, bringing a strange orange Eon the the shores of Altomare. Well, it appears in an ancient prophecy that Eon would be the one to stop Team Void. This prophecy, discovered around two hundred years ago, was thought to be only a legend. That is, until today. You heard it here first folks, Ash Ketchum is the Chosen One!"
The reporter rambled on, mentioning several other aspects of the incident. But Ash had heard all he needed to. As he turned the television off, he heard a knock on the door.
Ash switched to his human form before opening the door, expecting a reporter trying to get more details for a story. Instead, he was greeted by the two people who he most wanted to see.
"Brock! Misty!" Ash greeted.
"Hey Ash," said Brock.
"Hi!" said Misty.
The trio walked back into the room where Ash's Pokemon were waiting. After they finished greeting each other (Brock and Misty sent out their Pokemon except for Onix), Brock decided to get to the point.
"So Ash, I assume you were successful?" said Brock.
"Thanks to you two," said Ash, "Jirachi told me you guys wished to help me. How did you know exactly what I needed though?"
"It's a long story," said Misty.
"I don't see why we can't tell it now," said Brock, "we have plenty of time,"
After Misty and Brock told Ash of their adventures in Hoenn, Ash told them what had happened in Team Void's base. After they had finished their stories, Misty and Brock headed back to their room.
"So," said Pikachu, "what do we do now?"
"What do you say we head back to Altomare until the Silver Conference starts again?" asked Ash.
"Good idea," said Latos, "if we stay mostly in our garden and Lorenzo's house, we should be able to avoid the reporters,"
"Alright! Let's go!" said Latias.
"Hold on a second," said Ash, smiling at Latias' eagerness, "I'm going to grab Misty and Brock first, they wouldn't want to miss it,"
This story's coming to a close!
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