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Identity

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Ash's POV.

"Hello?" I asked into the phone.

I felt excited knowing the call was from Gary. Finally, some news.

I sat in my tent, being as quiet as I can as I responded to Gary. Luke was sleeping, I didn't want to disrupt him.

"Ash, I found news. First, let's talk about the scary thing. Do you know someone named Aaron? In his 40s kind of?" Gary asked.

I gasped, realizing that the Aaron he was talking about was a choice to be my mentor.

"With black hair?" I replied.

"Yup." Gary nodded. "Anyway, he's working for Team Flare."

"What?" I responded.

I was shocked beyond belief. I could've been training with someone who worked for Team Flare? I shivered at the thought.

That means that Luke isn't even entirely trustworthy. Luna either. My girlfriend could be sleeping in a tent right next to a Team Flare member.

"It's not one hundred percent confirmed; however, evidence is there. He wore a Team Flare shirt and broke the tracker right when I got into the data," Gary replied.

"Probably found you through the tracker," I sighed. "Well, did you find anything or was it too late?"

"One thing - Lysandre has the Pokémon Giratina. Which means you'll need Arceus to fight off his Pokémon," Gary explained.

"I'll need to have the actual Arceus' fricking aid??" I replied.

"Yep. Don't know how you're going to do that, but, whatever. Now, down to the real business. You're a prince?" Gary asked.

I shivered as I heard him say that. Something about telling him about it made me gulp. Like... like I shouldn't be one. But I am one.

"Yeah," I managed to reply.

"That's awesome, and Serena's your princess," Gary chuckled.

My face lit red when he said that.

"Y-Yup."

"So you left Dawn and me behind, huh?" Gary asked.

"I- I guess we did."

A tear slid down my cheek, but I wasn't going to show or tell Gary that I was crying. I wouldn't do it.

"Oh," Gary sighed. "This will probably be our last phone call for a year or two, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Well, if I'm leaving your story for awhile, just know I'll always be with you in spirit in a brotherly way. Dawn will be with you, too. If you ever need something, don't hesitate to call me. Though, you're royalty, so you'll probably have a lot of people to talk to. Just... don't forget about me, okay?" Gary sighed.

"Right," I replied. "Love you, brother."

"Love you too."

I hung up the phone, and sat in my tent.

So, there goes my last phone call with Gary.

I sat in my tent as I watched a shooting star fly over my tent.

Gary... I'll never forget you. I'll never forget the day when Lucario told Serena and me about the bomb that would fly over Pallet Town. I'll never forget the text message I sent to you. I'll never forget when I sang There's Nothing Holding me Back straight to your face. I'll never forget the sleepovers and gossips about idiots at Ashborne High.

Most importantly, I'll never forget your cheerful attitude and dirty, hilarious mind. You always made me laugh, bud. Sometimes, I wish you were here right now.

I looked at the shorts I was wearing. There were tears on the tips of the material. I took a few deep breaths to stop the tears.

I'm okay.

I looked up through the sky roof, and soon I saw a light blue flame. Again?

I dashed out of my tent to see the alien-like creature standing in front of my tent.

"Deoxys."

"Deoxys, I-"

"Get Serena so we can talk together as a whole. I mean you no harm." The Pokémon said through telepathy.

And once the message was sent, Deoxys flew off. I sighed, realizing that there's way more to this whole situation than I thought.

Something about this determined on space itself if that's where I'm getting this Deoxys character from. And what's "this"? I had so many questions.

Who is Deoxys?

What does Deoxys want?

How am I supposed to get Arceus' aid?

How did Lysandre even get Giratina in the first place?

Does Deoxys tie in with Team Flare?

Is Aaron actually working for Team Flare?

Is Serena safe, or is Luna dangerous?

Is the aura village really just a Team Flare base?

I sighed, confused and overwhelmed. Deoxys' voice echoed through my mind.

"It's urgent."

My hands tightened into fists. I'd have to tell Luke that we have to delay the battle bond process. I had to tell Serena about this tomorrow, no matter what that may do to my training schedule.

I drifted off into a deep slumber just after all the ruckus happened. Maybe... maybe some questions will be answered.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Gary and Ash said that they loved each other brotherly, not romantically, if you got confused.

Love you all 💙 Sorry for the weird schedule this week.