Shout out to digi-fan111, of DeviantART, for their artwork above!

Ash stood there, with his mind frozen. He stood there and saw Pikachu, his faithful starter, standing in the center of the crater. He stood there, but with no energy. Any command given would be useless. He couldn't even dodge the next attack. His eyes shot up quickly to see Persian begin to move.

Anxiety gripped Ash, his stomach drop, and a feeling of dread began to fill him. Then, something happened. Persian turned to view Giovanni. His eyes followed the normal type's gaze. He saw the anger and desperation in Giovanni's eyes vanish, replaced by a look of love. His eyes went back to the Kanto Pokémon when he saw movement.

The classy cat Pokémon fell forward, after taking a step, and struck the ground, unable to move. His eyes darted back to Giovanni, who mimicked his Pokémon. He fell to his knees. He leaned forward and put his hands on the ground in despair.

He sat there, processing this turn of events before his mind was awakened by the roar of the crowd. He had done it. He had finally won.

---

Serena waited, with her hands clasped over her mouth, while tears raced down her cheeks. She silently urged Pikachu to stay conscious.

Her anxiety melted away, as she looked to see the normal type pass out. Her hands flew up into the air, as she jumped up and down, screaming her heart out. She was shaking, as her emotions were finally able to completely be let loose. A wave of relief washed over her, as she was hugged from the side. She turned to see Misty, the one person, in the group, who had been the hardest to be friends with, standing there and hugging her.

"HE DID IT!" Misty squealed, as she began to jump up and down.

Serena joined her again, as she began to laugh hysterically. She couldn't believe it! The nightmare was over; and this time, she wouldn't wake up from this dream.

"HE WON! HE DID IT, HE REALLY DID IT! HE ACTUALLY WON!" she screamed, at the top of her lungs.

May and Dawn were both hugging Brock, as the trio was laughing as well. Relief was washing over them. It had been so long since the entire group had shared in the enjoyment.

Bonnie was screaming her heart out. Her screams were cut short, as she was grasped by both arms. She squeaked, as she turned and was caught off guard by a pair of lips, crashing into hers. Her eyes widened when she saw that Max had his eyes closed and acted so boldly.

Max opened his eyes; and immediately, ended the kiss. He backed up to take a good look at who he had just kissed. A faint pink blush made its way across his cheeks. Both teens looked at each other awkwardly, before turning to look at the battlefield and cheer even harder.

"You did it, Ash," Trevor said as he leans back into his chair, with a sigh of relief that followed. "You've finally got your life back."

"That Ash," Brittany said, as she turned to view her husband's relaxed and peaceful expression. "He sure can surprise us. Isn't that right, my Pika Prince?"

"You're right, my Pika Pooh Angel. Ash is full of surprises." Trevor answered back, as he gives a quick kiss on the lips to his wife, who was sitting next to him before a certain little girl interrupted them.

"Did you see that, mommy and daddy?! Ash won with his cute and strong Pikachu! Isn't that amazing!?" Ashley exclaimed, along with her Pichu and Charmander, who both let out of cry of delight.

Both parents chuckled at their daughter's reaction towards Ash's victory, as the father picked up the 3 ½-year-old and puts her on top of him, with her legs resting on his shoulders.

"It isn't just amazing, Ashley, it's also incredible," Trevor said, with a smile across his face, as he looked up to his daughter, who smiled back.

"Are we going to meet them soon, daddy?" Ashley asked.

"Yes, my Pika Girl. Yes, we are." Trevor responded as Ashley expressed joy through her face.

With a sigh, Gary crashed into his chair. He didn't feel like cheering, more like passing out from anxiety relief. A soft chuckle caught his attention. He turned to see his Grandfather sitting in his seat with a far-off look in his eyes.

"Some battle, huh?" he asked, while slightly turning his eyes to his Grandson.

Gary could only chuckle, as a faint smile formed across his lips. "Yeah. Well, you know Ash, he just has to make things more exciting."

"Quite true, quite true." Professor Oak responded, with a laugh.

Gary looked down at the battlefield, before a thought entered his mind, something he hadn't noticed earlier. His mind began to piece together the clues before his eyes widened. He chuckled at his realization.

"So how long did you know that it was Ash?" Gary questioned the older professor.

"I had a clue it was him, who stole his own Pokémon, all those years ago." Samuel Oak responded. He paused, before responding. "It was interesting that Noctowl was also gone, considering that he was let out, at night, to enjoy his more natural environment. A few years ago, I realized he wouldn't have gone with anyone that he didn't trust, since he would dodge the beam, from his Pokéball, if he didn't like the person. So it became obvious that Ash had taken back his Pokémon and that you had helped him, probably by covering his tracks." Professor Oak was now smiling at his grandson, with a smile on his face.

"And you're not mad?" Gary asked shocked.

The Kanto professor shrugged. "He was your friend, your rival. I knew you would want to help him the best you could, so I decided to trust your judgment." His gaze drifted back to the battlefield. "It seems that I made the right choice."

"Hey! What are you two waiting for?" The two professors turned to see Brock, standing at the door of the vacant suite. "We're heading down with the Champions for the trophy presentation. Don't you want to come?"

Professor Oak just smiled and nodded. "Very well. Let's get going then. We can't keep everywhere waiting, now can we, Gary?"

"Not at all, Gramps. Not at all." The young professor responded before everyone exited out of the elite suite, leaving the room completely emptied.

---

Ash began a zombie-like walk out to his partner, who was now sitting on his haunches, breathing heavily. He knelt down and placed a hand on his back.

"You did it, buddy," he said softly.

Pikachu turned to his best friend, with a tired smile adorning his face. "Pikapi, Pikachu pi pika chu. Pikachu pi chu kachu," Pikachu stammered out.

Ash laughed slowly before his head snapped up to see Persian vanish into a red beam of light. Giovanni was standing, where his Pokémon once lay unconscious. Their eyes met. Ash hardened his gaze, in front of his archenemy.

"It seems you have won again, Ketchum," Giovanni said with a sigh. His steel gaze turned sad, as his eyes moved across the crowd. "I miss this. You know, when I was your age, I was a great trainer. I had a chance to be where you were at, but I guess I've lost that view. I was given a chance to have this entire organization at my feet and I forgot what it was like to be a trainer."

Ash looked Giovanni, then the crowd. His eyes danced through the cheers, before settling on his friend. He gently picked him up and rose. "It was quite a battle."

Giovanni grunted and snorted at the statement. "More like the fight of the century; maybe, in history, but this isn't over, boy."

Ash's eyes turned steely again before he noticed the smile on his opponent's face. "Maybe, we can have another fight, like this one, again, but in a more . . . friendly environment."

"I would like that, Ash," Giovanni said as he stuck his hand out to Ash. "But know that next time, I won't lose."

Ash smiled, as he reached his hand out to grasp Giovanni's before it was suddenly snatched and roughly placed behind his back. Giovanni grunted in pain, as his second arm was snapped behind his back, his Pokéball taken from him. Before Giovanni knew what was happening, he was lying on the ground, eating dirt. His Pokémon belt was ripped off of him, before being hoisted up into the gaze of the Kanto and Johto Champion.

"Giovanni," Lance spoke with authority, "you are hereby under arrest for crimes against human and Pokémon alike, during your tenure as the boss of Team Rocket."

Giovanni lowered his head, before bringing it back up, with a smile on his face. "Well, it was fun, while it lasted." He looked around to see the G-men surrounded the three figures. There was no escape. "At least, I know there's no going back. At least, there's some closure." He looked back over to Ash, who was looking around, just as confused as the crowd. "Hey, Ash. Make sure we have that battle someday." With a nod of response, Giovanni was escorted off the battlefield in custody.

Lance eyed Giovanni, as he was taken away, before turning back to the tournament winner. "Well Ash," Lance began. "now you can appropriately celebrate."

Ash's only response was a confused look before several blasts were heard from across the stadium. Ash looked up to see white, blue and silver confetti flying around. He began to laugh until he felt something wrap around his shoulders. He looked to see Lucario, bruised and battered, smiling up at him.

"We did it, Master," he said softly.

Ash smiled, wrapping his own arm around Lucario. Pikachu chirped, as he sat on their arms between them.

"WE DID IT!" Ash shouted, as threw up his other arm into the air, while his head was shooting back, so his eyes were looking up.

Lucario and Pikachu mirrored his motions. They screamed. The emotions, from the last five years, were being released in a shout that came out from their hearts.

They looked at their little group. Their smiles were shining bright, their eyes glistening with happiness. They heard a rumble and turned to see a stage, beginning to rise with the President of Silph Co. and the Champions, standing around a large trophy, with a black and purple Pokéball at the top. They looked at each other, once again, before Ash bent down, so Lucario could jump on his back. With Lucario's head on one shoulder and Pikachu on the other, Ash headed up the stairs of the stage, with confetti littering the ground.

His gaze drifted across everyone, that adorned the stage. Their smiles spreading from ear to ear, as they eyed the young trio. Drake took a step, in front of the group, and grasped the large trophy.

"Well, 'Aaron'," Drake said with a large smile. "On behalf of the Silph Company and the six regions, as well as the Orange Archipelagoes, I am proud to present you with the Master's Challenge Cup." With a large smile, he hoisted the trophy and handed it to Ash. "Nice job, Ash!"

Ash grasped it, along with Pikachu and Lucario, both laying a paw of the trophy, as cameras went wild. Caught up in the moment, Ash didn't notice the stampede that was taking place, behind him.

He gagged when an arm wrapped, around his neck, and knuckles crashed into his head.

"Nice to see you grew up a little."

Ash looked up into the squinting eyes of Brock before another body crashed into his right side. Hugging the life out of him, was a teary Misty.

Brock and Misty let go of him, for Misty to reach back and punch him in the arm. "Ash Ketchum, you son of a bitch, if you do that again, I will hit into next week!" she said with a stern look that quickly turned soft again. She went back in for another bone crushing hug. "But I'm glad you're back!"

She let him go for two more bodies, to latch onto either of his sides. He staggered backward, as the two bodies jumped up and down, causing him to lose balance. His ears shuttered in pain, caused by the squeals of the overexcited pair of Dawn and May.

"Ash! I can't believe it! You're actually back! It's really you!" May managed to say, through the squeals and jumps.

"Finally, things can go back to the way they were before!" Dawn shouted. "You'll have to come to all of our contests and cheer us on, just like old times!" The pair's laughter ringing in his ears, before a cough came from behind the trio.

They turned their head to see Max, standing with his arms clasped, in front of him, and his foot tapping the ground. "You know, we would ALL like to talk to him too!" he said with an annoying voice.

Both girls chuckled guiltily, as they backed off. Ash walked over but was stopped when Max grasped him in a hug of his own, with his head coming to Ash's chest. Ash laughed and patted the young trainer on the head. "It's good to see you too, Max."

Max backed up and sniffed. He ran his hand under the nose and chuckled. "Yeah Ash, it's good to see you too. Can we have another battle sometime, and maybe, you could show me how you train?"

"Sure, Max. That sounds like fun." Ash responded to the young trainer.

"Hey! What about me?!"

Ash turned his head to see Bonnie, as she's fake pouting. "I want another battle and training advice too!" When she got a nod, she launched at Ash and hugged him too. "I missed you, Ash! And Pikachu too!" Pikachu leaped into the blonde's arms, who scratched him under his chin. Pikachu cooed in satisfaction as if he was in bliss.

"Hey, I want some of that," Lucario muttered, as he worked his way over to Bonnie, who scratched him behind the ears. "Ah. That's much better."

Ash walked to Clemont. Each looked at each other, before clasping a hand together, as if they were arm wrestling. Everything, that needed to be said, was communicated between them.

Ash lurched forward, as a strong pat hit him on his back.

"Well done, my boy!" Professor Oak said enthusiastically. "Your battling skills sure haven't diminished, during your little escapades, which I'm glad to see."

Ash laughed and scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, we did a little a training. That's for sure." Ash responded. "I'm sorry for what I did-"

"Please. Don't apologize, my boy." Professor Oak responded as he waved off the apology. "You had your reasons. I'm just glad that you're safe. I'm sure your mother will be excited to see you, after all these years. Be sure to visit. Ok?"

Ash looked beyond the aged professor to see Trevor, standing there with his wife and child. He walked to them, before he and Trevor clasping a hand together, as he pulled Ash in for a hug.

"Way a go, Ash. You've finally done it. You've defeat Giovanni and avenged my father's death. Thank you." Trevor said, with a smile across his face, as the two parted from the hug.

"Thanks, Trevor," Ash responded. "For giving me that warm-up of a battle, before mine against Giovanni."

"No problem, Ash," Trevor replied. "We'll have to have a rematch, at some point, in the near future."

"I would like that," Ash said while giving a nod of approval from the trainer, before Ashley rushed up towards him, grabbing his legs, and holding them in a big bear hug.

"I knew you would win, Ash! You and Pikachu are my heroes!" The little girl excited, as Ash chuckled upon her reaction.

"Geez. Thanks, Ashley. I'm glad that your father told you about me. Maybe someday, when you become a trainer, we can have a battle." Ash answered back with a smile across his face.

"Really?" Ashley asked, as Ash gave a nod in response, which made her very happy. "Yay!"

Ash chuckled, as he walked up to Trevor's wife, who gives him a big hug.

"Thank you, Ash," Brittany said. "for bringing back Trevor's passion for battling."

"You're welcome, Brittany," Ash said, as he looked beyond the family and noticed his old rival, standing there, with three miniaturized Pokéballs.

"I think I may have something that belongs to you, Ashy-boy," he said, as he messed with the Pokéballs in his hands. He walked over and shook Ash's hand, as he gave the Pokéballs to his friend, using his off hand. "It'll be good to have all your Pokémon running around the ranch again. It's too quiet without those Tauros running around outside."

"Don't forget about the battle that you asked for," Ash said, with a smile.

"Hey. How could I forget? Been already planning for it, since we first talked." Gary responded.

There was a screech from the group. Misty was fuming, with smoke pouring out of her ears. The other girls weren't happy either.

"What do you mean you've talked before?!" she screamed. "You mean to tell me, Gary Oak, that you knew about this, for the entire time?!" She took a few steps forward, making Gary back up, with his hands held out in front of him.

"Not the entire time." Ash started. Gary let out a breath of relief, thinking his friend had his back. "He only talked to me after my battle with Iris."

Gary paled, as another screech came from the three girls. Ash laughed, but stopped the girls, with a question of his own.

"Hey guys, where's Serena?"

"Your Queen is waiting for you, over there," Brittany said, with a smirk, as she pointed off to the side of the stage.

At the bottom of the stairs, which were off to the side of the stage, there stood Serena, with her hands clasped in front of her, her eyes glistening with tears of joy. This had been her dream for five years; and hopefully, this time, she wouldn't wake up from it.

Ash walked down and didn't pause. He cupped Serena's cheeks and brought her into a searing kiss. Sparks flew, this is what she had been waiting for. Just as quickly as it happened, it ended. Ash placed his forehead against hers.

"Hey," he said with a laugh.

"Hey yourself." she laughed back.

They stood there in complete bliss. This is what they had been waiting for. They would begin their lives where they had left off. It seemed like yesterday, to the young couple, that they were doing this same thing at the Lumiose Conference. They smiled and looked into each other's eyes, giggling the entire time.

Ash was taken out his blissful state by a deep voice, which resonated in his mind.

"Thank you, my friend." the voice said.

Ash looked up to the giant Pokéball, which was above the stadium, to see Mewtwo standing next to it, with a black scarf blowing in the breeze.

"Thank you, for all you have done. I hope our paths cross again, Ash." Mewtwo said, with a nod, before vanishing. Ash just smiled, as he looked at where his psychic type friend had once stood.

Serena saw Ash smile, before turning and looking where he looked.

"Hey. What are you looking at, Ash?" she asked with confusion, not seeing anything there, except the giant Pokéball statue.

"Huh? Oh, nothing. Just thinking," Ash said, as he hugged Serena from behind.

Serena squealed with happiness when Ash hugged her. It felt like nothing had happened.

"Oh yeah? What were you thinking about?" she asked while turning around and placing her hands on Ash's chest and looking up at him.

"Just about what to do next." He answered back.

"Oh, and what's that?" she asked, with a worried expression on her face.

"Well, I was thinking that a Queen needs a Champion," Ash said, with a playful look on his face. "What do you think about that?"

Serena beamed a smile back at him. "I think that sounds perfect," she said.

"Yeah. I agree," he said while leaning down to steal another kiss.

He pressed his lips against hers. He wrapped his arms around her waist, as she laced her fingers around the back of her neck. Their hearts exploded with happiness, as they held each other in their arms.

---

They parted from their kiss. Their eyes were half opened in a blissful state.

"Good luck," Serena whispered up to the Auburn eyed trainer. She rose up and gave him another quick peck on the lips.

"Thanks. Will you be there, before the match?" Ash asked back, looking at the girl he held in his arms.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." She smiled up at him.

She broke away from his grasp and turned and walked to the stairs. His eyes glued to her with every step she took. She stopped at the stairs and turned around. She blew him a kiss, before bouncing up the stairs.

Ash waved back with a goofy smile on his face. He turned to his two partners, who were patiently waiting for him, on his platform. He walked up next to Lucario, as Pikachu jumped onto his usual perch on his shoulder.

"You two ready?" He asked his two loyal Pokémon.

A bark and a chirp were their response. They took their position on the platform before it rose up. They didn't squint or flinch at the roar of the crowd. They were hardened veterans now.

Life hasn't slowed down for the trio. They were bombarded with question after question about where he had been, how he had survived, and the next thing he would do. He answered each question with his two faithful Pokémon, next to him, and an arm draped around a smiling Serena. They had gone and visited his mother, where they had stayed for a few months.

People had traveled, from all over the world, to see him and ask him about his life after the incident. The life and laughter that had been missing, from the group, had finally returned with force. They stayed together, for a few weeks, before they returned to their own journeys, with each now having renewed strength and vigor, to seek out their dreams, goals, and happiness.

That's when their life began to speed up as well. After two months in Pallet Town, Ash and Serena returned to Kalos.

Serena returned to competing in showcases, stunning the audience, while glowing the entire way. She felt brand new like life had been breathed back into her performances. She won her first three, without even as much as a challenge. Reporters said that she had never looked better.

Ash had turned his sights on the Pokémon League. He still has the chance to use his challenge, from the time that he had won the Lumiose Conference, and decided to cash it in. Each fight with the Elite Four was a blockbuster event that was viewed across the world. He had been dubbed a hero and his every step was well documented by the paparazzi.

As far as the battles were concerned, there wasn't much to see. He had taken his opponents down with ease, but he never once puffed out his chest or gloated in his accomplishments. He wanted to finally become Champion and that's exactly what he set his sights on.

His gaze danced across the stadium, the one that he had won his life back in until they rested on the elite suite. There, in the box, were all his friends, screaming their hearts out for him. In the back, was his brown haired, blue eyed angel looking at him, with a smile adorning her face. He felt a wave of relaxation spread across his body, as their eyes met.

He turned back, as the roars of the crowds introduced the reigning Kalos Champion, Diantha. She rose, from her platform, with a smile, stretching across her face. She expanded a Pokéball in her hand.

"Well Ash," Diantha began. "you've defeated my Elite Four, but this battle is going to be on a completely different level! I hope you're ready!"

Ash smiled back, with a Pokéball in his own hand. "I've been dreaming about this day for my whole life." He looked to Pikachu and Lucario; each had a smile on their faces. "You two ready?"

"Pikachu pi!" Pikachu yelled.

"Let's do it!" Lucario answered.

Ash took one last look at Serena and smiled, as he saw her beaming appearance. He was now ready. He turned back and grasped his Pokéball firmly.

"Charizard! I choose you!"

THE END

Author's Note: It's finally over. I have to tell you, it's been fun remaking Mightyena's Shadow's original story, and to have put it on here, for everyone to read. I also want to thank everyone, who has left a comment, vote, and enjoyed reading this incredible remake of the greatest Pokémon fan fiction ever told.