114: Five Years Later
(In the Stadium)
"Dragon Emperor!" Grace shouts.
"Where are you?" Delia shouts in a harsh tone.
The entire stadium echoes with their pain, desperation and helplessness. They call and call, but no one answers. The bystanders merely look on, not sure what to do or say.
After shouting their fill for a good ten minutes or so, the mothers break down. Unable to take it, they collapse onto their knees and sob away, inconsolably. Almost as if, everything that they hold dear to themselves, everything which gives them a purpose in life has been ripped away from within their chest, leaving behind a hole which shall never fill.
"Delia, Grace," Oak says after silently walking over to the grieving mothers.
The moment Oak puts a hand on their shoulders both mothers turn around and instantly bury their faces into Oak's chest, crying a raging torrent of tears to slake their unquenchable need for comfort. Oak instinctively puts his hands around their heads as they continue to cry away. Everyone looks at the two mothers as they bite their lips, not sure what to do.
"Shush, shush," Oak consoles them as they refuse to be consoled and cry their hearts out.
He's about to say something more when suddenly a crackling sound catches everyone's attention. Everyone looks up only to see the clouds getting dark and rumble with electricity. Before anyone to say anything a huge bolt of sparkling azure lightning lands a little away from the grieving mothers. Everyone is forced to cover their eyes from the blinding nature of the lightning bolt. A few moments later, the bolt subsides and the Dragon Emperor is seen standing with his Dragon Staff in his right hand.
The moment he opens his eyes Grace and Delia push Oak away who falls on his back. They run and come to a desperate stop in front of the Dragon Emperor. Dragon Emperor gives them an expecting look following which Grace and Delia sink to their knees.
https://youtu.be/n9wdhuzC7j0
They pleadingly bring their hands together and say, "P-P-P-P...Please bring our children back. Please return them to us."
The Dragon Emperor doesn't reply. Instead, he merely looks back at them with nerve-wracking silence and his characteristic cold facial expression.
"Why are you not saying anything? Please say something," Grace shouts in a louder tone.
"Your children are gone," Dragon Emperor finally speaks up.
"No. You're lying. Please say you're lying," Delia says in a shaky voice, causing Dragon Emperor to take a deep sigh.
"I am not lying. I warned you what will happen if you didn't let them go with me. You placed your bet and now that everything's gone wrong you're coming to me for help. I offered you my help and you refused me. That boat has sailed long back Delia," Dragon Emperor says.
"No. I don't believe it. You're lying," Grace says as she repeatedly shakes her head sideways in disbelief.
"If they are dead then you should bring them back to life," Delia says.
"Have you lost your mind? You know that would be breaking the laws of nature. I can't interfere in the balance of life and death. He who dies goes into the ground. The dead never come back. Even if I had the power to do so then also my answer will be no. There are some laws by which even I am bound. And I can't break those laws," Dragon Emperor answers.
"But, but you, you brought the others back to life after they were hit by Yveltal's Oblivion Wing. If you can bring them back from the dead then why can't you do it for your own apprentices?" Delia asks.
"Because the people who were hit by Oblivion Wing were not dead. They were petrified. At the cusp of life and death," Dragon Emperor says.
"What do you? What do you..." Grace asks.
"What I mean is that Oblivion Wing sucks out Seventy-Five per cent of life force from the body leaving it in a petrified state set in stone. The remaining Twenty-Five per cent of the life force leaks out of the petrified body at a constant rate. While there is even a fraction of life force left in the body then the effects of the Oblivion Wing can still be reversed and life restored. Had we waited a little longer, even the people hit by Oblivion Wing would've been beyond my help. Your children, on the other hand, are... regrettably dead." Dragon Emperor says in a sad tone.
"This is your fault," Grace says.
"Here we go again. What more do you want? Did I put them in danger? Yes. Did I offer to protect them until they remained in my care? Yes. Did two mothers allow me to do that? No," Dragon Emperor says.
"You were talking about taking them away from us? How were we supposed to react to that?" Delia asks.
"Now they are gone forever. How are you going to react to that?" Dragon Emperor says.
Grace and Delia look like they're going to explode, but after a while, they break down in front of him.
"Please bring them back. You can take them away for ten years. But please... bring them back," Grace desperately pleads.
"I warned you straight up. I told you that defying my will shall have consequences. Whenever the Dragon Emperor's will is defied, destiny always acts in accordance with that defiance. It is the way of things," Dragon Emperor replies.
Grace and Delia don't say anything as tears keep pouring down their cheeks.
"You have my sympathies but nothing more than that. I'm sorry, but your children are gone and you have to deal with that fact. You made your bed all those months ago when you didn't let them go with me. Now, you must lie in it, regardless of the consequences. I'm sorry," Dragon Emperor quietly says.
"Please don't say that," Delia whispers, not having the strength or the will to shout anymore.
"I know what you're going through. I, too, have buried my wife and daughter. All I will say is that, while crawling into a hole and dying might seem preferable, the best way to commemorate the memory of your children is to honour their last requests," Dragon Emperor says.
"Last requests?" Grace asks, sounding quite confused.
"Before I left your children, on your saying, I asked them to make a will in case something like this were to happen. Serena told me she would have her lawyer draw it up, though I have no clue who that is," Dragon Emperor says to Grace and Delia who refuse to lock eyes with him.
"Do not think, that I am not grieving. I am, for they were, in a way, everything to me. All that effort and months of planning. All my plans... everything... gone. All of it is... gone," Dragon Emperor says in a mournful tone before reluctantly turning around and proceeding to walk away.
"Goodbye. I'm so sorry for your loss," Dragon Emperor says one last time before teleporting away, shattering the last glimmers of hope that the mothers held.
(4 Days Later)
Grace, Delia and some of their close friends are watching a video left by Ash and Serena for them with Serena's lawyer.
"Hey mom," Serena says in the video.
Ash comes and sits next to Serena in the video.
"If you're watching this video then this means something has happened to me and Ash. Just like the Dragon Emperor predicted. He said we'll be safe for at least 5 months before things go wrong again. He's never wrong in such things," Serena says as she cracks a smile.
She then takes a deep breath before saying, "Umm. I don't know what to say. Never made a video like this or have been in a situation like this. I guess I should say that I love you both. You both are family to me and Ash. We... umm... count each and every moment that we spent with you as a blessing. I just hope, I guess, that you don't have to see this video but then again the Dragon Emperor's prediction never goes wrong."
Serena then becomes clearly emotional on the screen, causing Ash to take over.
"I know, from the bottom of my heart, that you both are in mourning. I really hoped that you never had to see this video but I guess circumstances aren't in our favour. All I will ask you to not blame yourselves or the Dragon Emperor or for that matter anyone else. It was destiny, who knows what might happen when? Funny world we live in, right?" Ash says before chuckling to try to stop the pain, of emotions he's experiencing, get the better of him.
Grace who's sobbing with every passing moment reaches out and touches the screen where Ash and Serena are and whimpers, "Oh, my baby!"
Serena and Ash are softly crying on the screen too but they use a handkerchief to wipe their tears and take a few deep breaths to reinforce themselves.
Ash then continues, "Please don't blame yourselves for what has happened to us. It was destiny and I know that you in any way can't be at fault for what happened to us."
"That's right. Because we are alive..." Serena says before her voice trails off.
"Alive inside your hearts forever," Ash completes her sentence.
He then continues, "You have to carry on. Not just for yours' but our sakes as well. This is what we want, for you to be happy and content."
"We know it will be difficult but promise me, mom. Promise me that you'll do so," Serena says with tears shining in her eyes.
Grace and Delia cover their mouths with their hands before sniffing their noses a few times.
"We pr-pr-promise my dears. We promise," Grace says.
"Since we are here in the video, we hope you do as I ask. Making this video is difficult for us and difficult for you to watch. Truth be told, we don't know how long we can do this. So we'll just cut right to the end," Ash says before turning to Serena and giving her a nod.
"We, Ash and Serena. With sound judgement, of body and mind. Will, that in the events of our untimely deaths, all of our possessions including assets, bank accounts etc. will be transferred into the custody of our mothers. Our mothers will be responsible for the management and supervision of our possession on the condition that they will remain in their custody for a period of ten years. In these ten years, the assets can't be sold, auctioned, donated or transferred to the custody of any third party. After the ten year period has passed then they will all be given away to support charities for people who don't have the means or the money and who wish to aspire to become Pokemon trainers or Pokemon Performers," Ash and Serena declare in unison.
"I guess. This is... goodbye... please don't blame yourself and take care of Harry and the others. Tell Dawn, Paul, May, Bonnie and the others that we love them and they should live their lives out to the fullest," Serena says as tears start streaming down her cheeks.
Grace tearfully nods in response to Serena's sentence.
"Tell everyone we miss them. And of course, most importantly of all, we love you. Always have, always will and always shall," Ash says as he blows his nose.
"Bye, keep smiling," they say quietly before the video goes black.
Grace and Delia burst into tears as Cynthia and Diantha hug them to comfort them. Diantha and Cynthia emotionally sniff their nose as they gently rub the back of Grace and Delia's head.
(Five Years Later)
All the champions are seated in the VIP Box watching a showdown between two trainers.
"Remind me. Why are we here?" Grace complains to Diantha.
"Because you and Delia have been moping for the past five years. You need to let it go and resume living like normal people," Diantha answers back.
Grace throws Diantha a 'whatever' look before she continues drinking her Pecha berry smoothie.
"You hate Pecha berry smoothie. Yet, now you drink it every other day," Cynthia observes.
"Yup, it's disgusting but now I find I can't live without it," Grace says before finishing the smoothie.
"Why?" Alder asks.
"Because it was Serena's favourite," Diantha answers for Grace who's staring at the empty smoothie cup as she reminisces all those times when Serena used to drink it.
She sighs then turns to Diantha, "Any more news on Team Rocket?"
"No, it's almost as if they've vanished. Gone to ground. Disappeared off the face of the earth. Sure, we have had six skirmishes with them but the Anti-Terrorist task force of the International Police Agency has not been able to put any kind of an impactful dent on their operations," Diantha answers.
"How does it feel?" Delia asks suddenly.
"How does, what feel?" Diantha asks back.
"Knowing, that within the week you champions would give away your titles to the winners of the international champion tournament. How does it feel?" Delia reiterates.
"Oh! That? I'm fine with it. To be honest ever since we were beaten by," Diantha pauses before sighing, "the Dragon Emperor the way we were. Since that day, everything changed for me... scratch that for us actually. Since that day I always wake up and I feel as if I have not done the title of champion, justice. And I can't live with that, not after what happened to Ash and Serena. Giving the title away, to a worthy successor is what's expected of me and that is what I intend to do. So do all the other champions."
Grace and the others look at the other champions, only to see them nodding in agreement with Diantha's sentiment.
"We would've stepped down earlier but due to the hunt for Team Rocket, we were advised by Goodshow not to do so. Today the winner of this final match will be crowned the new Kalos champion. Tomorrow Unova, then Hoenn, then Sinnoh and finally Johto and Kanto," Alder says.
"Speaking of the devil. Has anyone heard anything about the Dragon Emperor?" Clemont asks which casts a stark silence over the entire atmosphere.
"He hasn't been seen or heard from in the past five years. It's just like with Team Rocket. He's vanished without a trace," Diantha says.
"I think Ash and Serena's death hit him just as hard as it hit us, if not more. Do you remember the music compositions he played at their wedding? I mean, the man was despicable, the things he did... but he did care for them in his own twisted damaged way," Diantha says.
"What do you think about the tournament rules?" Alexa asks.
"Needed. Ever since Ash and Serena fought in the Tri-School Tournament with so many mega stones, they started a trend. There was a surge in the number of Mega Stone and Z rings and crystals being used in battles with several being sold on the black market. So when the Pokemon league finally decided that the time was right to restart the league, the decision was made that in the champion deciding tournament there will be no Mega Evolution, no Z Moves and no legendaries. Fighting on pure skill and raw talent with normal Pokemon. Just as it was in the good old days. The only thing still the same is the rule for no substitutions once the battle commences," Oak says.
"Tobias was furious. Quite understandable," Cynthia chuckles.
"Yet, he's still here in the final round," Diantha remarks.
"But he's not doing so well. Is he?" Sycamore solemnly says.
"Yup. That hooded trainer by the name Z is formidable. His Sceptile, alone, took out Tobias' Gyarados, Skarmory and Walrein. Not to mention, his Talonflame drew with Tobias' Zoroark. Now, his Incineroar is facing off against Tobias' Mismagius," Rowan says.
"What kind of a name is Z? And what's with that hood?" Cynthia asks.
"According to his medical records he's from Hoenn and he has facial scars, which is why he wears the hood," Diantha says.
"I see," Cynthia answers as everyone turns towards the match.
"It's a shame after this tournament, Charles Goodshow will be stepping down from his seat as the president of the Pokemon league," Grace says.
"Yes. That's is a damn shame," Brandon, the pyramid king, acknowledges.
(In the Battlefield)
"Mismagius, Dark Pulse," Tobias orders.
"Mismaaaaa," Mismagius fires the Dark Pulse.
The Dark Pulse meets its target and causes an explosion. The smoke clears, to reveal Incineroar merely smirking back at Mismagius.
"A weak attack like that won't do anything to even tickle my Incineroar," Z says.
"Then try this. Thunderbolt!" Tobias commands.
"Darkest Lariat," Z commands.
Both of Incineroar's palms explode with flames. It spins very fast and then spins its way over to where Mismagius is. Before Tobias can do everything Mismagius gets slammed to the ground while screaming in pain.
"Throat Chop," Z orders as Incineroar leaps onto a hurt Mismagius while baring its fangs.
It slams its right hand, glowing purple, onto Mismagius' head causing an explosion. When the explosion clears, a victorious Incineroar is standing over an unconscious Mismagius. Tobias gives a mild snarl as he begrudgingly recalls Mismagius back.
"Alright Lucario, I am betting it all on you," Tobias says as he launches his last Poke-ball.
"Alright Lucario, use Thunder Punch," Tobias orders.
"Darkest Lariat," Z commands.
Both opponents fiercely clash before being sent back, sliding.
"Use Extreme Speed then Bone Rush," Tobias commands.
"Counter-Shield with Flamethrower," Z whispers. Incineroar jumps in the air and then start to spin in random directions while using Flamethrower.
The Flamethrower is sent in all directions like ribbons which cover the entire battlefield within a matter of moments. A few seconds later Lucario, with two Bone Rushes in his hand, falls on its back after being hit by one of the Flamethrowers. It winces in pain as it tries to get back up on its feet. It gets hit back and forth due to being pummelled left and right by the Counter Shield.
"Use Iron Defence to minimize the damage, then Dragon Pulse," Tobias orders.
"Dodge that Dragon Pulse then Bulk Up," Z calmly commands.
(In the VIP Box)
"Wait a minute! That...that manoeuvre!" Dawn shouts as she, Paul and Brock stand up in unison. After a moment, Cynthia stands up too.
"What? What is it?" May asks.
"That... that is Counter-Shield!" Dawn exclaims.
"Counter-Shield?" Diantha asks.
"It was a technique Ash developed when he was travelling through the Sinnoh region. He developed it to deal with the unpredictability of ghost types in order to beat Fantina," Brock says.
"Maybe this guy saw a video of Ash fighting and decided to use it?" Alder suggests.
"Yeah but this was Ash more than eight years back. Back when he didn't become famous. I mean, it's plausible that someone checked his previous battles but battles from that behind. Doesn't quite make sense," Brock says.
"Interesting. What Pokemon has he used?" Diantha asks.
"Let's see here," Lance says before typing a few buttons.
"Aah. There we go. Typhlosion, Feraligatr, Tauros, Bisharp and an Alolan Golem," Lance says.
"Interesting," Oak says after a while before he takes a sip of water.
A thought rises in his mind only for him to push it away after a few moments.
(In the Battlefield)
"Use Flare Blitz," Z commands, intending to finish this bout once and for all.
"Me First," Tobias shouts.
Both fiercely collide which results in an earth-quaking explosion. After the dust settles, a victorious Incineroar is seen standing over a fainted, badly burnt and bruised Lucario.
"Lucario is unable to battle. The trainer Z wins," Referee announces as everyone cheers.
A few minutes later, Diantha comes walking with the Kalosian victory trophy along with Charles Goodshow by her side.
Diantha takes the microphone from the referee and says, "Citizens of the Pokemon world. It's my pleasure to announce that the new champion of the Kalos region has been delivered to us after an entire intense day of battling. Once, Z accepts the trophy he also has the right to choose his own Elite Four."
Diantha then turns to Z and says, "Young man, this trophy represents not just your accomplishment, but also your responsibility towards the Kalos region. I hope that you, as my successor ever-strive to make the Kalos region better than I ever could make it."
Z gives a brief nod. Diantha smiles before she proceeds to give the trophy to Z. She is about to hand the trophy over to Z when suddenly she stops as a flashback occurs in her mind from when Brock pointed out that Z was using a technique Ash had developed during his training journey.
'I know it's just a pointless stupid doubt but I suppose it can't hurt,' the thought crosses Diantha's mind as she comes to a stop in front of Z.
She says, "To honour the responsibility you're accepting. You should receive your trophy without your hood on. It would only be proper. As soon to be, the former champion, I request you to fulfil my last wish."
https://youtu.be/pxYVEOVgCUQ
Z doesn't react for a few moments. Diantha and Goodshow's eyebrows narrow as people start whispering, all around the stadium.
"Did you hear me?" Diantha reiterates in a louder yet respectful tone.
Slowly, but surely, after a few moments of tense silence, Z's right-hand reaches for his hood. Everyone's eyes in the stadium are on him as he slowly proceeds to pull his hood back to reveal his identity first time, publicly.
<Author's Note Begins>
Now the story is about to enter its most important ark. But the most important question:-
How was the new soundtrack?
https://youtu.be/n9wdhuzC7j0
<Author's Note Ends>
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