Serena felt tears, welling up in her eyes, as she watched Ash carry the unconscious Lucario out from the middle of the battlefield. Inside, her heart was aching; a sense of dread, building up, began to create panic in her already emotional state.

She gasped, as she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Gary softly smiling at her.

"Hey. Don't worry," the young professor began. "This is Ash we're talking about. He's got this."

Serena could only muster a nod before she turned her eyes back to the battlefield. Oh, how she wished that she had the confidence that Gary and the others seemed to have. With a shaky hand, she wiped the lone tear that made its way down her soft cheek.

She looked through the room and could see the tension on their faces, the nervous twitches from May, while playing with her hair, or Max fumbling with his Pokédex, were undoubtedly noticeable.

Serena turned and silently gasped again. Behind the rest, leaning against the back wall of the suite were Cynthia and Lance. Lance, the man who had been tense throughout the whole tournament, seemed at peace and Cynthia had a smile that adorned her beautiful features.

The sight caused Serena to relax a bit and finally breathe. Her eyes returned to the battlefield, like a bolt of lightning collided with a beam of red, causing a massive explosion.

---

Pikachu released the massive attack with every bit of energy that he had in his body. The sparks, from his cheeks, created a dazzling bolt that streaked across the battlefield. Not to be outdone, Persian released the fierce rock type attack. The attacks hit in the middle of the battlefield. The attacks created an explosion that ripped through the air in an orange upheaval. The explosions caused Ash and Giovanni to go skidding backward, but neither stopped their attacks.

"Pikachu, use Volt Tackle!" Ash pressed on the assault.

Pikachu responded by lifting himself off the ground, from his own skid, and bursting across the field with everything he has got.

Giovanni saw this and growled. His competition wasn't pulling any punches.

"Earthquake!" he commanded.

Persian slammed its tail down, onto the ground, and created shock-waves to tear into the ground. Pikachu felt his feet begin to slip. In a desperate attempt to land his attack, he lurched forward, throwing his body at his target. He was met with a glowing white tail that slammed him into the ground.

Pikachu snarled, as he looked up at his opponent. Above him, with a paw on his back, was a grinning Persian. The electric mouse looked up with widening eyes, as the gem on its forehead began to glow red. He reacted quickly, upon command, and created a ball of electricity at the end of its tail. It swung its tail, colliding the ball into the gut of the classy cat, sending it flying. The red beam blasted into the ground near Pikachu, causing it to go flying into the air and landing across the stadium floor.

---

Come on, Pikachu! Get up! Please, get up! Serena pleaded, with her hands clasped in front of her, as her body began to shake with anxieties.

The thought of Ash losing and going away again, made her begin to silently cry. The nightmares began to play through her mind, which she had pushed back by sheer willpower.

---

She stood there, dressed in black, tears staining her face. She stood there, chilled to the bone, but she didn't care. She stood there and stared, stared through the tombstone, past the pain, and into the distance, while hoping beyond hope that his figure would appear.

The quiet graveyard, on the outskirts of Pallet Town, had a different air to it today. The usually quiet and calm air was saddened, darkened beyond the normal attitude of a place of solemn remembrance. Hundreds came out, traveling from all six regions, and even from the Orange Islands to the funeral of a hero, of her hero. She had cried and cried, friends tried to comfort her, her Pokémon tried to comfort her, but none would help her. Not now, not here. Staring at that tombstone, at his name, brought her so much pain, but she couldn't pull her gaze away from it.

There wasn't a dry eye in the crowd. Even the hardened Champions and Elite Four members cried for the boy that they all had come to admire. Even the heavens cried as if Arceus itself was saddened by the loss of this hero while soaking her figure with the cold bite of rain.

She couldn't tell anymore between the tears and the water droplets that cascaded down her hair and clothes. This had to be a dream. A nightmare that she'd wake up from and stare into his auburn eyes, his ebony hair, and his dazzling smile. But it wasn't, and she knew it. Her tears had long since stopped. It wasn't that she was fine, she simply couldn't. Her eyes were red and puffy from the constant tears that had dried up already.

She heard the splash of footsteps touching the wet surface of the grounds. She turned to see the group of people, who had become her lifeline and greatest support. In their presence, she could feel his warmth. Stories they had told; the past month had brought her faint smiles. They laughed and cried together, but it was the person, at the head of the group, that had kept them emotionally stable.

Delia Ketchum stood there in a black dress and hat, with a thin black veil that was turned up, to show her soft brown eyes unimpeded. She took a few steps forward until she was standing in front of the Kalos performer. Without a word, she opened her arms and enveloped the young woman in a hug. Serena felt another surge of sobs racks her body. She returned the hug and held on for dear life.

The rest of Ash's friends, those that had traveled with him on all his random journeys or escapades, looked on. They knew it would be hard to move on; but together, they could accomplish it. They looked to each other, as a silent agreement passed among them. They would stay connected. Across their new journeys, they would stay in touch and help each other overcome the pain of losing their comrade, who had connected all their hearts as one.

Serena sighed, as the sobs had ceased. She looked up into the soft auburn eyes of Delia; and for a moment, the pain passed. She was glad to be free from the ache, in her heart, even if it was just for a moment.

"Thank you," she whispered softly.

Delia just smiled and put her arm around the lithe form of the girl, as she began to lead her out of the place of mourning and into her house, for a nice warm meal.

Serena paused, a distance away, and turned back to his tombstone. A last look at what could have been.

"I love you, Ash," she whispered while hoping her small statement would reach him, wherever he was.

---

Serena let out a breath, which she didn't know she was holding, as she saw the small electric mouse get up. There was still hope. She knew, deep down, Ash would win; but still, there was a nagging feeling that she couldn't fight, a feeling like this battle had still a long way to go, before finally being over.

---

Ash and Giovanni both hesitated, as they caught sight of each other and; for the first time, looked at who they were fighting. Both saw a man desperate to regain what he has lost, to protect those closest to him. They saw desperation, anger, and sorrow. They also saw a will to win and that spurred a fire within their souls. Neither would back down, not today.

Pikachu got up and brushed himself off. He had taken harder hits before; but now, he was feeling the effects of his earlier battle as well. His cheeks still sparked with energy that had yet to fail him, but the longer this battle would go on, the less energy he would have.

Pikachu and Persian started to circle each other. Ash felt a suffocating tension, which bathes the stadium, making him want to gasp for air. He needed to act; but then, images of Charizard and Lucario lying unconscious flashed in his head. He put a hand on his stomach and breathed, while forcing his nerves, as well as his lunch, down.

Giovanni felt every muscle, in his body, beginning to twitch. The weight of the situation, along with the tension, was driving him insane. He eyed Ash, waiting to counter and a chance to win, anything. Suddenly, he saw Ash move and his mind seemed to have frozen. He breathed a sigh of relief, as he saw the tension of the young man dampen; while at the same time, dampen his own nerves too.

"Persian, Quick Attack! Go!" Giovanni had had enough of waiting, for his opponent to make a move.

Persian launched itself, with everything it had, towards the electric mouse Pokémon.

Ash had a counter already set up. "Pikachu, use Counter Shield, and then, Quick Attack!" he commanded.

Immediately, Pikachu responded by laying on his back and spinning rapidly, while also sending out a wave of electricity. The play managed to work, as Persian hit the wall of lightning and cried out in pain. It flung off the shield, and before it hit the ground, the classy cat Pokémon was struck again, by the speedy form of the Kanto native.

"Persian, Iron Tail!" Giovanni yelled out, as panic began to cloud his mind.

Persian grunted and swung his body, as the connection between the two bodies was lost. The glowing tail met its target, with a devastating blow, across the side of the head. Pikachu hollered in pain, as he too was sent flying.

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt! Now!" Ash shouted.

"Double Team, and then, use Earthquake!" Giovanni countered.

Ash's eyes widened, as the singular Persian suddenly multiplied into vibrating copies. The electric type attack slammed into multiple copies, but none were the real McCoy. The real Persian sat back and off to the side. It raised its tail, victoriously, and slammed it onto the ground, causing a massive shock-wave that shook the stadium floor.

Pikachu was sent rocketing into the sky. He gasped in pain. Time slowed for him, as he turned to his right and noticed the smirking Persian, at his side, while its tail was glowing. He closed his eyes, while mentally preparing for impact. The attack struck him in the stomach, causing a silent cry of pain to come from his mouth, before colliding into the ground below. He opened his eyes and was met with shaky vision. He could faintly hear the cries of his trainer, begging for the mouse Pokémon to get up.

Ash looked on with a horrified look in his eyes. His hope was beginning to sink, as a feeling of dread began to sit in his stomach.

This can't be happening . . . No. No! Not again! Not if Pikachu and I are standing!

A determined look made its way back onto his face. He wasn't done yet. He and Pikachu were the ultimate team and that no one would be able to beat them.

"Get up Pikachu!" he yelled with everything he had, "You can do it! I believe in you! It has always been you and me, buddy! We can do it!"

---

Ash woke up to a soft light. He slowly opened his eyes, before shutting them again and grasping his throbbing head. He moved his arms; and suddenly, searing pain shot through his ribs. He grabbed his ribs and began to cough. After the pain had died down and his breathing settled, he began to look around. He was resting with his back against a tree, in a small clearing, on what seemed to be a mountainside. Lying sprawled out, next to him, was his partner, who was battered and bruised, with burn marks covering his body. His mind began to replay the last seconds of his fight, in the lab, before the explosion.

His eyes widened at the realization. He wasn't in the lab anymore. Where was he? How did he get here? A black piece of fabric, just beyond Pikachu's sleeping form, caught his eyes. It was a black jacket, with a hood, and on it, rested a black scarf.

Something soft landed on his nose. He painfully craned his neck upwards to see the sight of snowflakes, as they were dancing across the grey sky. It was late, in the year, and around the time for the mountainous region of Kalos, to begin getting flurries. A breeze came by, causing the young trainer to shiver. He looked down at his clothes, to see them torn to shreds, beyond any use. The only pieces of clothing, that were barely usable, were his pants and shoes.

Ash, painstakingly, leaned over his partner, and grabbed the jacket and scarf. He used the trunk, of the tree, to hoist himself up off the ground. He slipped the jacket and hood on, so only his face could be seen. He leaned down and picked Pikachu up, while attempting to wake him, but to no avail. He slipped the Pokémon into his jacket, for warmth, and wrapped the scarf around them, with Pikachu's cheek against his own.

He stumbled along until he came to a road. Deciding that descending the mountain was the best choice, he turned left. He continued his trek, as the snowstorm picked up to a near blizzard. The biting wind and ice were making him shiver and shake, for even the slightest warmth. He constantly checked for the steady breath of his starter. The reminder. that he was alright. gave him hope to continue.

He trudged on for what seemed like hours; until finally, he could see the dim light of a cabin, in the distance. He quickened his pace, as best he could. He stumbled up the steps of the small cabin before he fell into the door. He slid to the bottom of the door, before hoisting himself up. He leaned against the door-frame, as he frantically knocked on the door.

"Please! Open up!" he yelled, while his ribs were aching from the exertion. "My Pokémon needs medical attention! Please, it's an emergency!"

He heard shuffling sounds, coming from behind the door, before it slowly opened and revealed an elderly woman.

She was a bit shorter than him, with snow-white hair. Her delicate form was hidden, under her pink dressing gown. She looked at her tired visitor. She eyed him with suspicion, before seeing the small Pokémon in his arms. She gasped at the condition it was in.

"Oh yes. Quickly, come in," she said, as she motioned for the two to come in. "Please, take a seat here and set your Pokémon on the pillow. I'll be right back."

She escorted Ash to a large couch that was near the entrance. He sat down, with a thud, into the soft material, but didn't allow his body to rest. He took one of the throw pillows, which was at the edge of the couch, and place it on the small wooden coffee table, in front of him. Unzipping his jacket, he delicately took his beloved partner out and placed him gingerly on the pillow.

As soon as Pikachu was on the pillow, the old woman entered the room with a first aid kit and bowl of warm water, along with a few rags. She began to work on Pikachu's injuries, while using an assortment of ointments and berries, grounded into a salve, to cover the cuts and burns. After a while of constant treatment, she pulled back and sighed, before taking her last clean rag and dabbing it into the warm bowl of water. She gingerly placed it on the small Pokémon's head. She got up, made her way over to a cushioned chair, and sat down, with a thud.

"Thank you for helping my Pokémon." Ash managed to say. His gaze moved from the injured Pokémon to the older woman. His eyes met a soft gaze.

"Mind telling me why you were up on the mountainside, this late into the season?" the old woman asked. "After all, most Pokémon goes into hibernation by this time of year and the ice types haven't started to move down the mountain yet."

Ash shifted his gaze from the woman back to his Pokémon. He began to think through his options. Who he could and couldn't trust? The revelations of how far Team Rocket's reach was indeed terrifying. It truly seemed like you couldn't tell between who a member was and who wasn't. As he did this, his eyes danced across the table, until he came upon a newspaper. The title caught his attention.

The picture depicted a scene that would forever be imprinted into his mind and pang his heart. It was Serena, kneeling on the ground, while crying, over a blue handkerchief, with a smoldering pile of rubble, which was lying in the background. The caption reads:

HEARTBREAK: A HERO DIES TOO SOON!

With shaking hands, he grabbed the newspaper and brought it up to eye level, examining it closer.

"Wh-What is this?" he asked, with a shaky voice.

The elderly woman frowned at the question. "It's sad really." she began, "It seems a young man sacrificed his life while saving the girl, he loved, from the clutches of that despicable Team Rocket. They say he died while trying to free a Pokémon that they had captured, but the building blew up before he could get out. The caption says it right. He certainly was a hero. They say he got information that'll destroy the entire organization." Her eyes softened from the slight exuberance she had shown. "It's really depressing. They said he had just won the Lumiose Conference and was getting ready to face the Elite Four. That girl, you see there, was the person he saved. It seems that she really loved the boy. It's a crying shame."

"D-Did they find any traces of survivors?" Ash asked, with a shaky voice again.

"Can't say for sure. That happened two days ago, but it sounds like the bodies of both him and that bastard Giovanni was too close to the explosion. It's possible that they were incinerated. If that's the case, then I don't think they'll be finding any remains at all."

Ash's eyes again went back to the newspaper, as he set it down on the coffee table. He felt like throwing up, but nothing was left in his stomach. He was tired and hungry. As if she had read his mind, a bowl of chicken noodle soup appeared before him. He looked up and the woman gave him a sad smile.

"Thank you." Ash managed to say, as he slowly ate his food. Every bit hurt, as it went down his throat; but still, it was warming his insides.

"Don't mention it, young man." the elderly woman said. "It's been my job, for years, to care for the trainers and Pokémon that come up this way."

"Who are you?" The young man asked.

The elderly woman smiled again, as she moved to a picture frame that hung on the wall, above a small fireplace. "My name is Nurse Joy. I used to live in the ranger station, closer to the top of the mountain," she said, as she took the picture down and sat next to Ash. She handed him the photo and pointed at herself. "It has been a few years since I retired. I decided to call it quits, as both myself and my partner, Wigglytuff, were getting old in our years. So, I came down here to this small cabin. Don't get many visitors, except for my daughter and granddaughter, who live in Cerulean City, but I still have an occasional trainer wander into my neck of the woods, every now and then."

Ash smiled weakly back at the old woman, who returned it with a warm one herself. "Thank you, again. I don't know what I would have done without you." His eyes returned to Serena's picture, which was plastered on the front page.

"I'm guessing you knew the young man?" she asked, after a while. Ash looked up with a shocked expression. "You seemed to recognize the girl, so I just assumed . . . Was he a good friend of yours?"

Ash slowly nodded. "You could say that. She definitely was."

"What's your name, young man?" The elderly Nurse Joy questioned.

Ash hesitated for a bit. There was so much left that was unknown, so many questions that needed to be answered. Yet, there was one that was certain: Giovanni was still out there somewhere. He pondered the question, before turning back to Nurse Joy.

"My name is Aaron Tajiri."

---

Pikachu staggered to his feet. He looked over at the classy cat Pokémon, who had also picked itself off the ground. Pikachu's legs were shaking, his lungs burning and head throbbing. He shook it off and lowered himself to the ground, leaning back and getting ready, as if he were a rubber band that was ready to launch.

Persian was astonished that the little mouse Pokémon was still standing. It was feeling the effects of the two earlier battles. Every muscle, from its head to its tail, was beginning to ache. It spits out some dirt, which caused its mouth, to be encased in a thin layer of mud.

"Persian, use Power Gem!" Giovanni commanded.

Persian roared. He leans his head backward, before shooting it forward, accompanied by an intense red beam of energy.

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt with everything you've got!" Ash shouted, throwing his arm forward.

His Pokémon responded to his intensity. Pikachu jumped into the air, extending its body, before quickly curling himself into a ball and shooting out a blinding bolt of lightning.

The two attacks collided in the center of the battlefield. The conflicting energies began to twist and entangle with each other until they came to form a sphere, composed of the two attacks. Powerful winds began to kick up, causing dirt to fly throughout the stadium. The ball suddenly descended and connected to the ground, before exploding into an awe-inspiring mixture of red and yellow colors. The explosion blinded the crowd, who cried out in terror, at the spectacle of power, but the trainers weren't deterred.

"Pikachu, use Quick Attack and Iron Tail!" Ash called from behind his arm, which shielded his eyes.

"Persian, counter with the same thing!" Giovanni cried out, with his back turned from the explosion.

Each Pokémon threw themselves into the epicenter of the massive energy pulse, neither presenting any fear towards the power of the other. Their initial connection was a headbutt, with Pikachu jumping off the ground, causing him to be the higher body. He bounced up into a spin, with his tail glowing white. He swung down for the normal Pokémon to barrel roll out of the attack.

Coming out of the roll, the classy cat Pokémon spun on his front paws, its tail also glows white. Pikachu ducked, under the attack, before jumping again, at his opponent, with streaks of white trailing him. Persian was in a prone position. It cried out in pain, as the electric mouse struck its vulnerable ribs and was sent skidding across the stadium floor. It quickly found its footing and shot back at its opponent.

Pikachu managed to jump out of the way. He spun around and swung his tail, aiming for the opponent, who was making a second pass by. Persian jumped, at the last second, to avoid the steel type move. Again, stuck in a vulnerable position, it took a shot to the stomach. It curled its body, to take the hit. With its new position, it was able to grab ahold of Pikachu's tail. It curled around again and fell to the ground, with Pikachu leading the way.

Ash's eyes widened, as he saw the duo collide into the ground, with Pikachu taking the brunt of it. Pikachu cried out in pain. It twisted its body again with an Iron Tail, at the ready, to shed its opponent. Both Pokémon jumped back into a ready position.

Persian's front left leg buckled. It winced in pain while catching itself before it was able to hit the ground. It hissed at its opponent. It gazed with one eye closed, as its labored breath brought in much-needed air.

Pikachu wasn't fairing much better. His body littered with cuts and bruises. With an attempt to take in a deep breath to settle its nerves, a pang shot through its chest. It coughed, as his body shaking with each violent upheaval; and along with it, came splotches of blood. Finally calming down, he looked up to his opponent, while meeting its one observing eye with his own intense gaze.

They were at their limit and they knew it. Whatever commands their trainers chose next, it would most likely be the last ones of the battle. They stood on willpower; but eventually, they both knew that their bodies wouldn't be able to match their determination. They saw it in the other's gaze. This was the grand finale, the last curtain call, and the last-second shot for it all. They were ready.

Ash and Giovanni made eye contact, while a simple conversation was passing between the two enemies. The end was now. No holding back. What they had started five years earlier, was now finally over.

"VOLT TACKLE!!!!!!!!"

"GIGA IMPACT!!!!!!!!"

A blood-chilling scream came from both Pokémon before their bodies were engulfed in energy. Pikachu erupted into a brilliant yellow, while his form was outlined by grey. He gave everything he had, as he threw himself towards his opponent. Persian became enveloped in pink swirling energy. It hissed, as it lowered its head, before careening towards the electric mouse Pokémon.

In their wakes, came destroyed earth with boulders being ripped from the ground. as they passed. The two combatants met at the center of the battlefield. When they collided, there was no immediate explosion. They stood there while pushing on each other. Their eyes locked with each other, as every bit of energy was expunged from their being.

With one final cry, they gave one final push, causing mayhem.

The final push caused an initial shock wave of electricity, which resulted in the lights of the stadium to be shattered while throwing the stadium into complete darkness. The darkness wouldn't last for very long, as a column of pink and yellow twisting energy erupted, bathing the stadium and the entirety of Saffron City in a blinding light. The ground shook and winds carried boulders, which crashed into what little of the stadium walls still existed.

Just as quickly as the column appeared, it vanished. The stadium fell into an eerie silence. The darkness was masking the result of the attack, before the faint clicking of the backup lights turning on and the hum of backup generators being awoken from their slumber.

Every soul, in the stadium, looked on, as the two forms of the final Pokémon stood mere feet from each other.

---

Sabrina was shaken from her peaceful thoughts by the shock wave that pounded into her head, making her and her psychic type Pokémon to cringe and fall in pain. So, it was finally over, but there wasn't the feeling that she was expecting. Her confidence began to falter. Who had indeed won?

---

Lance looked down, with shock lining his face. He was finally pulled from his stupor, as a sound came over his walkie-talkie. The voice muffled through the static.

He took the device and pressed the send button. "All agents be ready. We make our move after the ref makes his call . . . no matter what the outcome is."

---

Serena was leaning forward, with hands, steadying herself, against the railing of the suite, as she took in the sight before her. She prayed for the yellow mouse Pokémon, to stay strong, to stay standing, and to win.

Please, Pikachu! Hang in there! You must! I don't want to lose Ash again!

---

He stood there, barely conscious. Every muscle, cell, and fiber, of his body, told him to go down; but still, he stood. He looked at his opponent, who could barely keep himself up, as well. In his opponent, he had the greatest respect, maybe in a different life, different circumstances, they could have been friends, but he wouldn't change anything.

He turned to the man, who had given him a home, friends, food, and love. In his eyes, he saw the desperation, to return to everything he had lost, to fill those holes in his life that had been missing, for five long and painful years.

He winced in pain, as he looked at him. His face was contorted into a look of sorrow, of sadness. He had failed him. He couldn't win this fight. He was done. He looked at his trainer. Their eye contact had said everything that needed to be said. His trainer's eyes flashed back into that loving gaze he was so used to, the one he had missed since this whole fiasco had started, all those years ago. How he missed that loving look that drew him to his trainer.

With agony, he took a step towards his master, wanting to be in his arms, before finally succumbing to his pain and falling to the ground. With his last bit of consciousness, he looked up to see his master fall to his own knees, in defeat.

He whispered a faint, 'I'm sorry', before finally succumbing to the darkness.