Max

Ash and I were outside of the base. Ash indeed grew a lot since I last saw him.

We were silent for a while, then I started a conversation with him.

"So... after what happened all those years ago, you were kidnapped by a Legendary Pokémon named Arceus?"

Ash nodded then chuckles, "It is hard to believe, but it's true. Arceus is the Legendary Pokémon of Time, and I had no idea that I was destined to be a Pokémon Guardian. It was hard decision I ever had to make."

I said, "But it was worth it. Look of what happened! You and Lucario seemed so in synch when harassing all that Aura within you!"

Ash looks directly at me with a shock look on his face. "Wait, when this personality come from? From I remembered five years ago, you told me to give up my dream of being a Pokémon Trainer."

My face turns to red as I turned away from the Guardian. "I know. I'm so sorry Ash. I didn't realize that I hurt your feelings like that and I thought it was all my fault that you ran away from us for all those years!"

Ash touched my shoulder, which was a surprise to me.

"Max, what I've learnt as a Pokémon Guardian is that everyone has their own path, no matter how things would've been."

"You really think so?" I asked. He smiles, "Yeah. Besides, you risked your life to help me out in the crisis. I thought I was done for, but you rise to the challenge anyway. You really become a Trainer."

Ash touched his pocket and I asked, "Ash, I know that look. You're hiding something. What is it?"

Ash sighs as he pulled out what was in his pocket. I couldn't believe it.

Ash

After what happened with Lysandre, I picked up what I didn't believe was possible. It was a Mega Stone and Keystone.

Max's eyes widen in shock as I revealed it to him.

"Is that what I think it is?" He asks me as I handed them for him to see.

I nodded, "Yeah, it's a Mega Stone and a Keystone. I was actually shocked as you were after I left Prism Tower."

Max asks, "Do you think you should tell the others about this discovery?"

I said, "Not yet. I'm not entirely sure if it's a Mega Stone for Charizard and me. Maybe I should let Arceus know first and let him decide if it meant for us to use."

Pikachu said, "Come on, Ash! It's not fair that you get all the cool stuff! And you did promise me that we will get special training with my Thunder Punch!"  

I laughed at the young Trainer's enthusiasm.

"Wow, even through I was away for five years, I still see the little boy I had met in Petalburg City. You really think that you would beat a Pokémon Guardian?" I asked.

Max said, pulling his glasses, "I have seen you in action, Ash Ketchum. Now, let's have some special training!"

We went to the battlefield to train.

Red

It still hard to believe that I almost literally killed Ash when I was under the control of Lysandre and Team Flare.

Uh, it was totally reckless and stupid. As I was thinking, a voice ask, "Red?"

I thought it was Ash, but in my total surprise and amazement, it was actually Serena!

"Serena! What you doing here?" I asked the Leader of the Resistance.  

She touched the blue Ribbon in her outfit, "I actually was thinking about how you were doing, you know of seeing Ash again."

"Yeah... I still can't..." I sigh.

"Awe, come on, Red. It wasn't really your fault that you were under influence of Lysandre and Team Flare. Ash saved you and Charizard and that is what matters." She said, trying to cheer me up.

I looked at her with amazement. I asked, "How you act so calm about this? Ash is well, different now, as a Pokémon Guardian."

"I know that it's weird to see him again and in top of it, I almost killed him! Uh, what kind of brother am I?" I groaned.

Serena said, "Red, you and Ash are quite similar than you realize. You both wanted to protect the people you loved and would do anything in your power to do the impossible.

Ever since I met your brother, he is quite the battler and has insane, but positive attitude when it comes to Pokémon."

I begin to smile at her as I hear my brother, "Pikachu, I choose you!"

Serena asks, "How about we watch Max and Ash's battle? That would cheer you up. It worked for me."

I took Serena's hand as she helps me off my feet as we walked to watch the Pokémon Guardian and Trainer battle one other.

Author's note: Here is Chapter 16! What you guys think of it? What would happen next? Find out soon! - Jan