Silence fills the entire cathedral for a good long moment. All eyes are on the lifeless body of Captain Powuru. Timothy looks at his bloody sword and tosses it on the ground next to his dead opponent before turning to face his pokemon, Powuru's defeated men, Brock, Happiny, Holly, King Oak, and his men. Finally, everyone begins to roar with thunderous applause, overjoyed that the wicked captain is dead. Timothy smiles at this before he finds himself tackled to the ground by Electchu, Odyssey, Shockwave, Sonata, Howl, and Aloe. All of his Pokemon hug or nuzzle their master and he laughs and hugs them back. Brock and Happily smile at the moment before they see Ash and Pikachu.

"Ash!" Brock shouts.

"Happiny!" Happily cries happily.

Ash, Pikachu, Serena, Sylveon and Braixen turn to the tall man and his egg-shaped Pokemon as they run over to them.

"Brock?" Ash asks in surprise as he finally lets go of Serena. "You're ali- ULLK!"

The pauper gets the air knocked out of him as Brock wraps his arms around him tightly, picks him up and spins him around, laughing happily. Serena giggles at the joyous moment as Ash eventually hugs his friend back. Meanwhile, Pikachu and Happiny happily greet each other while Sylveon is still holding the yellow mouse in the air with her feelers. Finally, Brock puts his shorter friend down and notices Serena before clearing his throat.

"So...Ash, I understand you got married during this whole thing," he states. "What happened to not needing any companionship apart from just Pikachu?"

Serena frowns and glares at Ash with a raised eyebrow.

"You said that?" she asks with her hands on her hips.

"Uh, yeah I did," Ash admits nervously before turning back to Brock. "But that all changed when the two of us fell in love and I realized I had never been so wrong in all my life. Now I would never want a life without Serena, and Pikachu can't stand being without Sylveon. Isn't that right, buddy?"

"Pikachu!" Pikachu replies happily as he licks Sylveon on the cheek and she blushes lightly before they begin to nuzzle again.

"Aw, Ash," Serena says before she hugs him again. "I could never want a life without you either."

Brock stares at the newlyweds, surprised to see his friend act this way before he smiles.

"Well, I'm happy to see you found that certain someone to make you happy, Ash."

"So am I, Brock," Ash says with a toothy grin.

"Actually, speaking of happy..." Serena says flirtatiously before she suddenly smashes her lips together with Ash's. The raven-haired man's eyes widen and his face turns red as his wife fiercely kisses him for several seconds before pulling away and giving him a proud look. "I saw you bravely call Powuru out on the stage before we came in. You were simply magnificent, Ash."

"Wa-wa-was I really?" Ash asks with a goofy look, dazed from the kiss.

"Misty's husband, Gary, could not have done better," Serena answers as she holds on to her husband with pride. "I can't wait to tell our children of this day!"

Ash's already red face turns redder at the thought as his wife snuggles her head against his shoulder with her eyes closed and a bright smile. Brock chuckles in amusement until he hears someone clear their throat and he turns around to see Holly looking at him bashfully.

"H-h-hello," she says nervously.

Brock stares at the handmaiden with his mouth hanging open. Even though he saw her earlier, he wasn't able to get a good look at her with his mind determined to save his best friend. But with nothing to occupy his mind, the tall man stares at the auburn-haired woman, unable to look away at her beauty.

"H-h-h-hi," he manages to say.

Ash and Serena break from their embrace and turn around to see Brock and Holly act so shy in front of each other.

"Um..." Holly begins, playing with her fingers. "I uh...want to say thank you for rescuing us and you were really courageous fighting those soldiers."

Brock's tan face turns red at her compliment. He speaks incoherent words and scratches the back of his head bashfully, which makes Holly giggle and feel more comfortable around him. Ash and Serena smirk at each other before a cold voice interrupts the celebration.

"Halt!" Markenal commands as he emerges from his hiding spot and storms at Timothy who stands up to face him with his Pokemon surrounding him.

"Sir Markenal," Timothy says coldly. "You have some gall to show your face again."

"Spare me your insolent words, Your Highness," Markenal growls. "You should be ashamed of yourself switching places with a commoner and barging in here with your wretched Pokemon in the cathedral of all places. I shall have to see you punished severely for this."

"No, I think punishment enough is having you as a tutor all my life only to learn that you were willing to sell me and my father out," Timothy growls. "But as the head of the royal family, I am all too ready to remedy that. You are hereby stripped of your position as head of the household."

Markenal stands there nervously and spits out, "You cannot do that. You're not the king and you need me to aid you in learning to be a king."

"Like I need to learn to grow a third leg," Timothy rebukes before Odyssey raises his hand in front of him.

"Allow me to handle this, master," the Lucario says as he walks over to Markenal who smirks confidently at him.

"Sir Markenal," Odyssey says. "Ever since I was a Riolu, I had nothing but respect for you."

Markenal becomes more comfortable until he sees the prince's Lucario create another bone rush.

"But now, I side with my master with his bitter feelings for you, for once," Odyssey says before smacking Markenal hard in the face with his bone rush. The old man groans in pain as the prince and his Pokemon smirk in amusement. Then Timothy turns to Ash who walks over to the prince with Serena hugging his arm. The two men smirk at each other before they speak at the same time.

"Oh boy, am I glad to see - I mean what I time I - I mean," they say simultaneously before they both chuckle with Serena and all of their Pokemon. They continue to laugh until Bishop Sycamore re-enters the stage, still holding the crown.

"Right, let's continue the coordination, shall we?" he suggests before he notices how the two raven-haired men look alike and begins to stammer. "Wait a minute, which one is the prince?"

The two young men look at each other and snicker before Timothy raises his hand, showing the Seal of the King and says, "I'm Prince Timothy. Ash here is just dressed as me."

"But you're dressed like a pauper," Sycamore says hesitantly. "And he looks more like a king...but you have the ring...but he's standing next to the princess...and yet -"

Everyone looks at each other unamused before Serena sighs and says, "How about this, sir, crown the one who isn't occupied at the moment."

"Occupied? What do you mean -?" Bishop Sycamore asks before Serena turns Ash's body around to face her, puts her hands on his cheeks and gives him a sweet, loving look before she begins kissing him passionately. Ash chuckles despite Serena covering his mouth with her lips before he wraps his arms around his wife and kisses back. Odyssey rolls his eyes, Shockwave and Howl raise their eyebrows, Electchu, Pikachu, Sylveon and Braixen snicker, Aloe smiles gleefully, Sonata nods her head in approval, and Brock, and Holly smile fondly at the sight of the princess and her pauper's affection. Timothy smirks at Serena, amused by her idea before turning to a baffled Bishop Sycamore.

"You heard the princess," he says pointing the top of his head. "Plant it."

Sycamore chuckles nervously, uncomfortable with the newlywed's display before he collects himself and raises the crown above Timothy who turns around to face the crowd.

"Right," Sycamore begins. "Therefore in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, I now pronounce you prince of - I mean king! King! King! King of Kalos!"

The embarrassed bishop places the crown on the raven-haired man's head and the audience cheers happily. The Pokemon cheer joyfully and even Ash and Serena stop kissing to applause for the newly appointed King. The nobility begin to chant "Long live the king!" as Ash takes off his cape and puts it around Timothy. The new King stands tall and proud as the applause dies down.

"This day does not belong to me alone, but to everyone," he says. "Let the peace that my father before me worked so hard to achieve continue now that those who dared attempt to bring back chaos and tyranny are no more."

The crowd cheers in agreement as King Oak walks over to Timothy and shakes his hand.

"Congratulations are certainly in order, young man," the fellow king says with a pleased smile before turning to the Powuru's surrendered/unconscious soldiers and then to Ash and Serena. "However, there is much that I feel we must discuss concerning your kingdom and what has become of you, my daughter and this man she apparently claims is her husband."

Timothy nods in agreement and says, "I agree. Do you think your men can handle our prisoners while we all discuss things back in the castle."

King Oak nods in agreement before turning back to Ash and Serena with a disapproving look. The princess and her husband and their friends stay close together as they dread what they know is coming next.

******************************************************************************************

With the help of Brock retrieving a series of chains he found in the dungeon, King Oak's soldiers arrested Markenal, Calem, Absol and the rest of Powuru's men and looked after them while King Oak, Timothy, Ash, Serena, Odyssey, Electchu, Pikachu, Sylveon, Braixen, Shockwave, Aloe, Sonata, Howl, Brock, Holly and Happiny went back inside the castle where the new king of Kalos, his Lucario, the princess, the handmaiden and the two paupers explain everything at the throne room. King Oak listens intently as they share everything that has transpired within the last week and a half with Ash and Serena leaving out their moment with Aloe. Holly and Odyssey didn't hesitate to testify to Serena's father that they, Pikachu and Sylveon witnessed her officiating hers and Ash's wedding completely with her giving him her ribbon and Ash shows the king that he has it in his pocket, proving that they are indeed legally married. When they all finish, the old man lets out a long sigh before he speaks.

"Well, I must say that is quite a series of events," he says. "To think that Captain Powuru was trying to do all of that just to destroy the peace for his own bloodthirsty desires is something that I could call preposterous if I didn't see him try to kill you with my own eyes, King Timothy."

Timothy nods in understanding before King Oak turns to Ash and Serena.

"That said, while I am glad that you have prevailed against Sergeant Calem's advances, my daughter, that does not excuse you from going against my wishes by marrying another man."

Serena frowns disapprovingly at her father's words and grabs Ash's hand firmly.

"I am sorry you feel that way, father, but I am not ashamed of my decision," she says. "I love Ash more than anything The Lord has put into this world, I am proud to have married him, and there is nothing you can do to change that."

"But he is not of royal blood," King Oak says. "You know your rights as princess will be forfeit by law because you married this pauper."

"I don't care if my Ash is a homeless fisherman," Serena says firmly, earning a touched look from her husband. "Frankly, father, being a princess only had any true worth to me when I used my power to unite myself with the man I love. But now that the deed is done, being a princess means very little to me now."

Oak frowns sadly and sighs, dreading what he knows what he must say.

"Very well," he says. "Serena of Kanto, under the laws of our forefathers, you are henceforth stripped of your title and power as princess and banished from Kanto. As king, I dare not question our laws, but as a father, I hope you can cope with being poor just for the sake of marrying a man you met as children."

Serena's firm look winces slightly as it does sting to hear that she is not allowed to see her homeland, her father or her sister ever again. Ash places his free hand on her shoulder for support and she places her other hand on top of his before Timothy suddenly speaks.

"Now, who says either of them have to live poor just because your daughter is no longer a princess?" The new king challenges.

King Oak frowns and says, "King Timothy, I appreciate that you wish to help my daughter and my apparent son-in-law, but if you're offering them a place to stay in your castle just for aiding you today -"

"I didn't say anything about them staying in my castle for free," Timothy says with a smirk. "It turns out that thanks to these recent events, there a number of positions in my castle open."

Ash and Serena's eyes widen and they look at each other happily as Timothy walks over to them and turns to Serena.

"Prin - er, Lady Serena," he begins. "In the time that we were locked in the dungeon with our companions, you proved to be a cunning and thoughtful advisor. If you will not rule by my side as my queen, then perhaps you can still aid me with my royal duties as my royal counselor."

Serena's face lights up at the offer.

"Oh yes, Your Highness, I would love that very much. I only ask that perhaps I can also fill in as the royal tutor as well?"

"The royal tutor?" Timothy asks in confusion.

"Yes, please," Serena says. "I would serve you better as your counselor with all the knowledge your study possesses and I vow to educate any children you have to the best of my ability. Knowledge is one of my passions."

"It's true, sire," Ash says. "Serena has shown me her passion for reading and learning while you were gone. I may be biased since I am her husband, but I can't think of a better person to occupy Sir Markenal's study than her."

Serena looks at Ash sweetly while Odyssey steps in and says, "Speaking a somewhat unbiased opinion, master, I have seen for myself her thirst for knowledge."

Timothy scratches his chin and smirks.

"Very well," he says. "Counselor Serena, the royal study and all of his contents are yours. Use them well... just try not to overuse your tutoring duties as your predecessor did."

Serena giggles and says, "I shall do everything in my power to restrain myself, sire."

Timothy nods in approval before turning to Ash.

"As for you, sir, I require a new head of the household," he says. "Would you be willing to take on such a responsibility?"

"I would be honored, sire," Ash says happily.

"Excellent," Timothy says pleased. "That covers our beloved newlyweds."

King Oak raises his eyebrow for a moment before he sighs and relents by giving Ash and Serena an approving smile. Serena smiles and hugs her father appreciatively and the King of Kanto allows the former pauper to shake his hand. Just then, Brock steps forward and gets down on one knee in front of Timothy.

"Please, sire," he says humbly. "If you have found favor me and am still need of a position filled, I'm willing to do whatever you wish."

Timothy chuckles and shakes his head.

"Please, rise, my friend. There's no need for that," he says as he helps the taller man up. "I told you your deeds will not be forgotten and I stand by it. Besides, I can think of no one nobler or caring to become the new Royal Provisioner. Furthermore, my first order to you with your new occupation will be to bring the food back to all of my subjects. You will travel throughout the land to give back to all of the people and Pokemon of Kalos. Leave no belly in my kingdom empty. Understood?

"Yes, sir," Brock says happily before Holly steps forward.

"Please sir, I would like to join your Provisioner on his quest," she asks humbly.

Timothy raises his eyebrow and notices Brock blushing at her request.

"Would that please you, Brock?" he asks half teasingly.

The tan man blushes furiously and avoids eye contact with the handmaiden.

"Yyyyyyyes, it would," he answers shyly. "To be honest, I think I shall require all the help I can get apart from Happiny with such a grand assignment, Your Majesty. I would be delighted if the lady would accompany me."

Holly's heart skips a beat and smiles with glee much to Brock's bashfulness and Timothy, Ash and Serena's amusement. Even King Oak and Odyssey chuckle at their moment before the former turns serious again.

"What do you want to be done with the sergeant, Sir Markenal and the rest of the prisoners, King Timothy?" He asks.

Timothy's face turns grim and turns to Serena who feels uncomfortable while Ash rubs her back as the first prisoner her father mentioned is the only one on her mind.

"Well, I honestly don't have the manpower to throw them all away in my dungeon and keep them all there for the rest of their lives," the new king admits. "I don't suppose it would be possible for you to bring them back to Kanto in your own dungeon?"

King Oak hesitates before Serena steps in and says, "Please, father, we would only ask this once while we would work on rebuilding the royal guard. Furthermore, while I have no desire to have anyone executed, I know my husband and I would feel safer if Sergeant Calem spends the rest of his days rotting far away from my new home."

King Oak sighs and says, "Very well, my child. For you, I will see to it that, that man never sees the light of day ever again. But, I would rather you leave one prisoner behind so that I have enough space on my ship to bring the rest to Kanto."

Timothy nods in understanding and says, "In that case, leave Sir Markenal with us. Let him experience the full extent of his betrayal here knowing that the very people he helped imprison and/or attempt to kill are living better lives than him."

King Oak nods in agreement, pleased with the new king's decision. Timothy clears his throat as he faces everyone in the throne room.

"Right, now that all of that is settled, there is much to be done," he announces before turning to Brock. "Royal Provisioner Brock, you and your team are to go through every piece of food in the castle including the royal guard chambers and take all that can be spared and put them in carts. Tomorrow you are to begin your journey bringing back food to every man, woman, child, and Pokemon in my kingdom."

"Yes, sire," Brock says with a smile.

"Head of the household," Timothy then says to Ash, "Gather every postal Fletchling available to spread the word throughout the country that the tyrant, Captain Powuru is gone and food will be restored to all."

"With pleasure, sir," Ash says with a grin earning a pleased smirk from the King before he continues.

"Once their preparations are complete, we will have a small feast in celebration of our victory and my crowning and then publicly burn the body of our fallen enemy and all of his possessions. In the morning, we shall see Brock, Holly and Happiny off shortly before King Oak and his men begin their journey back to Kanto with their prisoners."

********************************************************************************

Within several hours, Ash and Brock's assignments were complete and true to Timothy's word, there was a small but filling banquet in celebration. Timothy, Electchu, Odyssey, Ash, Serena, Pikachu, Sylveon, Braixen, Brock, Holly, Happiny, Aloe, Shockwave, Howl, Sonata, and King Oak ate, drank, laughed and danced together. Ash and Serena, in particular, slow danced a lot with their hearts blissfully beating as one as they held onto each other and swayed back and forth to the rhythm of the minstrel's music. Pikachu and Sylveon danced happily together with Braixen keeping an eye on them despite not feeling spiteful to the mouse Pokemon anymore. Even Brock mustered the courage to ask Holly to dance with him and she bashfully said yes. It took a song or two before they became comfortable and silently became as happy to dance together as Ash and Serena.

Once the festivities ended, King Oak's men gathered Powuru's body and all of his possessions and placed them on top of a large pile of wood before a group of fire Pokemon set it on fire. King Timothy and his friends watched intently from a balcony as the bonfire slowly consumed everything. The two kings even had Calem, his Absol and all of Powuru's men brought to the courtyard in chains to watch. Whatever spirit the wicked soldiers had left were crushed into nothing as they watched what was left of Powuru from his body to his beloved sword burn until there was nothing left but ashes.

Calem, in particular, felt everything he knew amount to nothing as he watched the man he looked up to burn. Eventually, he turned his head to look up at the balcony where the kings and their company watched. His eyes were focused on Ash and Serena as the woman he wanted hold on to her husband lovingly from behind as they watch the bonfire with cold looks on their faces. His defeat feels more real as Ash takes one of his wife's hands that are holding him and kisses it earning a soft smile from Serena before she whispers something in his ear and the two of them lock lips briefly before going back to looking at the bonfire. The honey blonde woman's last words to the former sergeant rang in his ear as he watched them be silently happy and he began to cry loudly and bitterly like the cruel, greedy child he is deep down.

The next day, King Oak and his men take Powuru's men out of the dungeon and prepare to drag them with their chains to his ship in Ambrette Town which will take them all to Kanto where the soldiers will be imprisoned. Meanwhile, Brock, Holly and Happiny prepare for their journey throughout the land to carry out their mission. Serena, Timothy, Ash, and Pikachu give them their own personal goodbyes as they finish up.

"Take care of yourself, Brock," Ash says with a smile as he hugs his best friend.

"Pika!" Pikachu says.

"You too, Ash," Brock says before turning to Serena. "You better take care of my buddy, Lady Serena."

"I most certainly will," Serena says proudly as she takes her husband's hand which makes Ash smile until he gets an idea.

"Hey, Lady Holly, you better take good care of my buddy too," he says teasingly.

Both Brock and Holly blush furiously before the latter shyly says, "Yes...um...I certainly will do my best."

Everyone else laughs at their embarrassment before Timothy walks over to Brock and gives him a friendly handshake.

"Be generous yet equitable on your journey, my friend," he says.

"I will," Brock says sincerely.

Timothy smiles satisfied and says, "Then may The Lord be with you all on your journey and we will be waiting for you when you return."

Ash, Serena and Pikachu nod in agreement before Brock, Happiny, and Holly get on the two carts of food and with a "hiya," from both Brock and Holly, the Gogoats begin to pull on the carts and head to the castle gate where, King Oak, Electchu, Braixen, Odyssey, Sylveon, Aloe, Shockwave, Howl, and Sonata are standing by and saying/calling out their goodbyes as their friends exit the gate and begin their journey. After that, King Oak sighs and turns around to see that his carriage is ready and his men are set to carry the train of Powuru's chained soldiers.

"Well, I guess I must be on my way as well," he says with a sigh before turning to Timothy. "Best of luck to you, King Timothy. Long may you reign Kalos as your father did before you."

"Thank you, King Oak," Timothy says as the two kings bow their heads before King Oak turns to Serena and gives her a fatherly hug.

"No matter what title you have, you are still my daughter and I love you, Serena," he says. "And know that I am proud of you."

"Thank you, father," Serena says smiling as she hugs him back.

The old man then turns to Ash and gives him a skeptical look.

"You better take good care of her, young man," he warns.

"Sir, your daughter means too much to me for me to do otherwise," Ash says sincerely. "I will die before I stop giving it my all to make her happy."

Serena's heart melts and she gives her husband a loving look as Ash puts his arm around her tightly and gives her his own heartfelt look to back up his words. King Oak smiles and gives the former pauper a respectable nod before he shakes his hand firmly. Then the King of Kanto gets on his carriage and his carriage driver orders the two Ponyta to move. As the carriage drives away, the prisoners walk behind in chains with King Oak's men keeping an eye on them while riding on their Ponyta.

At the end of the train of chained prisoners are Calem and Absol. The pale man drags his feet as he reluctantly walks while his Pokemon follows with his head facing the ground. Shockwave smirks at his fallen rival, pleased to have beaten Absol in a Pokemon battle at least once before he had to be taken away and imprisoned for life with his wicked master. Ash and Serena glare at Calem who hides his face in failure with his long hair. Nothing is said nor needs to be said as the married couple watch their fallen enemy exits the gates and begins the long walk to his fate. Everyone else continues to wave farewell to King Oak as the convoy gets farther and farther away until Timothy nods to his servants to close the gate.

For a few moments, there is silence between Timothy, Ash, Serena, Electchu, Odyssey, Pikachu, Sylveon, Howl, Shockwave, Aloe and Sonata. Then the King sighs and turns to everyone.

"Right," he begins before turning to Serena. "Counselor Serena, are there any royal duties we should get started on today."

Serena chuckles at the king's question before she scratches her chin and says, "Well, I do believe you owe your Pokemon an awful lot of Poke puffs for some time, perhaps you can start carrying out your promise."

"I suppose that's true," Timothy admits. "Shall we all take a stroll to the gardens and relax while the chefs prepare that?"

"That sounds nice," Ash says with a smile as everyone but Odyssey silently agrees and begin heading to the gardens.

"Master, aren't you forgetting one little order of business?" The king's Lucario questions.

Everyone looks at Odyssey confused and he rolls his eyes before he says, "You still don't have a queen."

Timothy blinks before he smirks and says, "That's okay, Odyssey. I think we're gonna want to focus on bringing everything back to normal and having myself, Ash and Serena get used to our royal duties before we get serious with that."

Odyssey sighs and says, "Yes, that is acceptable, master."

Timothy nods as the group continues moving and Ash looks at the King.

"Seriously, though, have you thought about how you're going to handle getting your own wife?" He asks.

Timothy smirks at his friend before he says, "Well, since my father and the nobility were focused on all of our eastern allies like Kanto, Hoenn, Sinnoh and so on, I could look at the western kingdoms instead. Maybe somewhere in Varpathion or Ewupato or Helliemstyar, there is a princess The Lord has intended for me to meet and fall deeply in love with together."

"Who says it has to be a princess?" Serena challenges with her own smirk as she holds her husband's arm.

"Good point," Timothy says chuckling. "Either way, though, I should very much like to get to know any of the eligible ladies I meet long before thinking about marrying any if them this time like my mother and father or even you two before me."

Ash and Serena smile at the King mentioning them before they turn to each other and lean in for a brief but tender kiss.

"Well, just don't take too long to look for your bride, master," Odyssey suggests. "And you should learn how to court with women if that is what you're after."

"Well, then it's a marvelous thing I have a smart, married woman as my royal counselor, isn't it?" Timothy answers with another smirk.

"You are absolutely right, Your Highness," Serena says proudly, earning a laugh from everyone as they enjoy the rest of the day.

Within a couple months, Brock, Happiny, and Holly returned and began to stay in the castle while carrying out their duties as royal providers for the king. By then, Brock and Holly had gotten to know each other and ultimately fall deeply in love. Within the next year, the two of them were married much to the joy of Ash, Serena, Pikachu, Timothy, Electchu and all of their friends. Ash and Serena, and Brock and Holly were blessed with many children - each one a joy to the married couples and everyone else living in the castle. Even Sylveon laid eggs over the years which hatched into adorable Pichus and Eevees for her and her beloved mate, Pikachu to raise.

And so with his loyal companions, Ash, Serena, and their children, Brock, Holly, and their children, Pikachu, Sylveon and their children, Braixen, Electchu, Odyssey, Aloe, Shockwave, Howl, Sonata, and Happiny by his side, King Timothy ruled Kalos with compassion and justice for all like his father before him and everyone in the kingdom lived happily ever after.

Of course whether or not the king himself found the love he desired is another story yet to be told.

The end.