Hey guys! I am back with my last chapter of Battles of the Past. Honestly this entire journey has been amazing. To everyone who has read this, or will read in the future, I want to take the time to sincerely thank you for this amazing experience. This has been incredible. When I first started this I didn't think it would be as popular as it has turned out to be and for that I want to thank everyone of my readers. For those of you who have been there from the beginning some 6 months ago I want to say thank you and I hope you like the ending.

For everyone who has reviewed I encourage you to review one last time with just your thoughts on how I did with this fic and I can improve. If you haven't reviewed yet please go ahead and review this final chapter. Thanks guys!

Now, for the final time, sit back, relax and enjoy Battles of the Past!

Chapter 24

Ash stood there, 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 feel 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 Gio'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 shocked awake by the roar of the crowd. He had won; he had done it.

•••••

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

Her anxiety melted away when she looked to see the normal type pass out. Her hands flew up as she jumped up and down, screaming her heart out. She was shaking, her emotions finally being 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 shouted.

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. He screams were cut short when she was grasped by both arms. She squeaked when 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 eye closed and had 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 making its way across his cheeks. Both teens looked at each other awkwardly before turning to look at the battlefield and cheer harder.

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 aye?" he asked, slightly turning his eyes to his Grandson.

Gary could only chuckle as a faint smile played across his lips. "Yeah well you know Ash: he just has to make things 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?"

"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 he didn't trust, dodging the beam from his pokeball if he didn't like the person. So it became obvious that Ash had taken his pokémon and that you had helped him, probably 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 I made the right choice."

"Hey you two what are you waiting for?" The two professors turned to see Brock standing at the door of the vacant box. "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. We can't keep everywhere waiting can we Gary?"

"Not at all Gramps, not at all."

•••••

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, a tired smile adorning his face. "Pikapi, pikachu pi pi pika chu. Pikachu pi 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 steeled his gaze in front of his biggest enemy.

"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 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 and 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 again in a more . . . friendly environment."

"I would like that Ketchum," 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 pokeball 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 here by under arrest for crimes against human and pokémon alike during your tenure as the boss of Team Rocket."

Giovanni lowered his head before bring 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 is no going back, at least there is some closure." He looked back over to Ash who was looking around just as confused as the crowd. "Hey Ketchum 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 celebrate properly."

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, his head shooting back so his eyes were looking up. Lucario and Pikachu mirrored his motions. They screamed, the emotions from the last five years being released in a shout that rang 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 pokeball at the top. They again looked at each 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, 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 with Pikachu and Lucario each 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 crying Misty.

Brock and Misty let go of him for Misty to reach back and punch him in the arm. "Ketchum 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 your back."

She let him go for two more bodies to latch onto either of his sides. He staggered backwards 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 actually you," May managed to say through squeals and jumps.

"Finally things will go back to the way they were," 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 annoyed 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, 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 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."

"Hey what about me?" Ash turned his head to see Bonnie 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 blood'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 is much better."

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

Ash lurched forward when a strong pat hit him on his back. "Well done my boy," Professor Oak said enthusiastically. "You're battling skills sure haven't diminished during your little escapades I am glad to see."

Ash laughed and scratched the back of his head. "Yeah we did a little a training that is for sure," Ash responded. "I'm sorry what I did-"
"Please, don't apologize my boy," Professor Oak waved off the apology. "You had your reasons, I am just glad you are safe. I am sure your mom will be excited to see you after all these years. Be sure to visit ok?"

"Sounds good Professor. I miss her a lot."

Ash looked beyond the aged professor to see his old rival standing there with three miniaturized pokeballs in his hand. "I think I may have something that is yours Ashy boy," he said as he messed with the pokeballs in his hands. He walked over and shook Ash's hand as he gave the pokeballs to his friend with 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 the battle 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, smoke poured out of her ears. The other girls weren't happy either. "What do you mean you talked before?" she screamed. "You mean to tell me, Gary Oak, that you knew 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 is Serena?"

"You're queen is waiting for you over there," May said with a smirk as she pointed off to the side of the stage.

At the bottom of the stairs that were off to the side of the stage 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 Kalos 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 that resonated in his mind. "Thank you my friend," the voice said.

Ash looked up to the giant pokeball that was above the stadium to see Mewtwo standing next to it, 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 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 pokeball 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 and what were you thinking about," she said while turning around and placing her hands on Ash's chest and looking up at him.

"Just about what to do next."

"Oh and what is that?" she asked with a look of worry 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 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 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 bounding 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?" 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 hadn'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 mom 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 returned with force. They stayed together for a few weeks before they returned to their own journeys, each with now a renewed strength and vigor to seek their dreams and goals.

That is 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 she had never looked better.

Ash had turned his sights on the Pokémon League. He had still to use his challenge from his time he had won the Kalos Conference and decided to cash it in. Each fight with the Elite Four was a blockbuster event 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 what seemed like ease but he never once puffed out his chest or gloated in his accomplishments. He wanted to finally become Champion and that is exactly what he set his sights on.

His gaze danced across the stadium, the stadium he had won his life back in, until they rested on the presidential box. There, in the box, were 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 his face. He felt a wave of relaxation spread across his body when their eyes met.

He turned back when the roars of the crowds introduced the reigning Kalos Champion, Diantha. She rose from her place with a smile stretching across her face. She expanded a pokeball in her hand. "Well Ash you have defeated my Elite Four but this battle is going to be on a completely different level. I hope your ready."

Ash smiled back with a pokeball in his own hand. "I've been dreaming about this day 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 when he saw her beaming appearance. He was now ready too. He turned back and grasped his pokeball firmly.

"Charizard I choose you!"

The End