Chapter 32/Final: Hoenn on New Adventures

Ansem stood toward Ash, Sora, Merida, Orihime, Kairi and Pikachu from where Maleficent once stood. "Sora, you claim that you fought me before," he reminded. "However, what you defeated was a mere shadow, a... Heartless per say. Maleficent stole some of my blood and manipulated it to create the abomination that was my Heartless form." Sora felt rather upset with this information. To learn that he, Goofy and Donald took out a Heartless Ansem and not the real person got under his skin.

"This whole time, it was another Heartless?" he mulled. He felt violated mentally. "My victory was worthless?" To Ansem, Sora was tricked to thinking he's the key to the Heartless when it was Maleficent the entire time. Kairi comforted Sora's glum.

"So that daft of a witch manipulated your rear and fooled this young kiltsman to thinking he wiped you out," Merida tried to understand. "That's rather cowardly." Ansem bobbed to the last assessment about the fallen fairy.

"We can no longer worry about Maleficent anymore," he reassured. "Perhaps her death will keep the darkness aside and Kingdom Hearts safe." Will the Heartless also go? Ash felt relieved that his adventures around the multiverse sounded over.

"So that's it, then?" he wondered. "I'm done?" Ansem came over to and put a hand on Ash's head, softly petting his hair.

"It is because of you, we can live peacefully for the time being. The darkness may strike again and it would be best for your support should the need arise again." For Ansem, Ash had proven himself worthy to carry the keyblade around. After the accepted offer to help if called upon, Ash and Pikachu sat on the beach watching the waves of the ocean cresting and crashing shy of shore. He had been through a lot on an adventure while on their way to another.

"The multiverse... there's so much out there for us to understand, Pikachu." Endless possibilities. Pikachu understood Ash's awe.

("There's so much indeed!") he agreed. ("I'd want to tell the other Pokémon about our bonus journey.") For Ash, talking about the trip around space would make others jealous of their brief adventure. Just then, Kairi came to Ash and Pikachu, thankful for their service.

"How are you feeling?" she asked. Turning to the redhead, Ash wondered about any plans for Sora and his friends.

"Pikachu and I can't be any better now that we don't have to deal with Maleficent again," he sighed. "What about you and Sora? King Mickey might still be shorthanded for a little while Goofy's on the sidelines with injuries." Kairi though about Mickey's defenses but knew it would be a long time before the darkness came back.

"If there is another evil out there, we can keep you in touch but it may be awhile before the Heartless can rise again." Ash giggled as how she viewed his skills with the keyblade. "In the meantime, I did discuss with Orihime about visiting your world." This interested Ash and Pikachu. Could they go to their world and show the rest what it looks like?

("Why not?") Pikachu encouraged. Hearing the Pokémon's agreement, Ash didn't need to think too long about a choice.

"If Pikachu says it's okay, I have no problem with it either," he acknowledged. Kairi helped Ash on his feet before they talked about the visit to Sora, Merida and Orihime. To Ash and Pikachu, home awaited. With everyone agreeing on going to Ash's world, all boarded the Gummi Ship and left Destiny Island. "Hoenn, we're finally making it." The flight took sometime and before long, the waters below had fish jumping out which Ash and Sora looked down upon. Ash recognized those fish. 'Pikachu and I have returned.' The Gummi Ship viewed land soon and a ferry caught Ash's and Pikachu's eyes from the bridge along with Sora and the girls.

("That's our ferry!") And there was a part of the ship missing an escape boat... the one Ash and Pikachu were knocked in and drifted to Twilight Town. Another thing about the ferry was that it docked itself at a port town. Ash immediately realized where they were.

"It's the Hoenn Region! We can finally start that journey!" Even Pikachu was excited about the new adventures waiting on the new land.

"So this is your home world but not your home land?" Orihime questioned.

"Right. I was raised in Pallet Town in the Kanto Region." Merida snickered at Ash's clarification.

"The laddie likes to explore new lands!" she joked. "Maybe if I act like you, I may find someone suitable that even me own mother might accept." The Gummi Ship passed over the ferry where people cleared a spot for the ship to land. The center was empty and the Gummi Ship descended onto the spot. All outside wondered if their land was being invaded by aliens.

"Is that a spaceship?" one woman asked.

"Maybe it's some new Pokémon," suggested one man. Theories and assumptions vocally polluted the air as the door opened. Out came the trainer who wanted to come here in the first place.

"It's a trainer and his Pikachu!" a girl voiced as Ash breathed in and out, trying to get comfortable with being back on the land he normally walked on. Soon, Sora, Kairi and Orihime exited but not before she turned to Merida who wasn't going to join.

"You sure you wanna stay here?" Orihime asked. Merida woke her hand saying she's fine in the Gummi Ship.

"After all that excitement, I'd just wanna rest up before returning back to DunBroch," she requested. To Orihime, Merida's worn out. "If the laddies get in trouble, make sure to help." The other redhead nodded as someone ran toward the group.

"Ash!" voiced the captain of the ferry, his Machoke by his side. Ash turned to the relieved sailor. "Thank goodness you and Pikachu are okay! What happened?" So much happened with Ash, he didn't know where to start.

"It's a long story," he simplified. "Some of it really hard to believe." The captain pondered about the shorthanded tale but with him coming out of the Gummi Ship and with a few friends who weren't on the ferry to begin with, an explanation would leave him confused.

"I'll bet. Anyway, I held on to something you forgot when you disappeared." He presented a red baseball cap to Ash who gladly took it and put it on his head.

"Thanks. Now I'm all dressed up." The girls chuckled to his words.

"You mean you were naked all this time?" Orihime joked. Pikachu figured out what the busty redhead mocked on and joined in a few laughs himself.

"I get it! I should have chosen my words better!" Now uniformed, he was ready to travel. The captain had a little more to say.

"Since you're gonna compete in the Hoenn League, you'll need to see Professor Birch first," he advised. "When you leave here, go around the mountain to Littleroot Town and the professor's lab should be there in a couple of hours." The directions should help.

"Thanks," Sora complimented. "We'll make sure Ash and Pikachu make it there safely." With Ash leading, the group began heading out toward Littleroot Town but not prior to the captain's last words.

"And Ash?" The call had Ash and Pikachu turning back to the original guide to Hoenn. "Good luck! I'll be rooting for you!" Ash didn't mind the extra support and pumped his fist to praise it. He led the group who wondered what to expect on this walk.

"So will we see some Pokémon along the way?" Kairi asked.

"We might," Ash thought. "There may even be Pokémon that I haven't seen yet. After all, this is the first time I've been in this region and it'll be the first time meeting this Professor Birch." Anticipation filled the air as they came across a road wrapping the mountains. Along the road was a silver vulture perched on a stalagmite peak. The sight got Ash to point at it. "And there's a Skarmory right now!" The Skarmory eyed the group, waiving a wing out to them in a welcome. "Hi Skarmory! Everything looking good?" The steel vulture squawked happily. No problems on the mountain so far.

"I gotta say," Sora awed. "That Skarmory looks fierce!" Ash couldn't agree more.

"Yeah, but let's leave it. No need to chase it and get caught up in its talons." They proceeded down the road and sometime later, they made it to a small town.

"So according to the captain, this must be Littleroot Town?" Orihime assumed. It appeared that way to Ash.

"Let's ask around to make sure." Entering the town, a resident confirmed the name of it being Littleroot and pointed the way to Birch's house.

"Well, that was easy," Sora huffed. Ash and Pikachu walked up to the door and knocked.

"Professor Birch?" No one answered. Not thinking that he could be sleeping, he turned the knob which showed the door unlocked. They entered with the rest, the inside looking like any ordinary house. Nothing seemed out-of-place... except for three red/white balls lying on a table. Orihime approached the balls. Each ball had a symbol on top: a green leaf, a blue droplet and a red flame.

"Hey, Ash?" she called out. "What's up with these three balls here?" The rest came over to Orihime and found the balls as well.

"Knowing this is the region's professor, these three Pokéballs hold the starter Pokémon for new trainers. Each trainer has a choice between a Grass-Type like Bulbasaur and Chikorita, a Water-Type like Squirtle and Totodile and a Fire-Type like Charmander and Cyndaquil." This intrigued the rest to know what lied within the Pokéballs. Before anyone touched one, a yell from outside got everyone to exit and find the noise. When they did, they found a somewhat young brunette adult man wearing a white lab coat and sandals clutching a tree branch over a small pack of gray hyena pups. The white coat clued Ash in on who this could be. "Professor Birch?" The brunette spotted the youngsters, his stubby beard plotting a way out.

"Hey, could you help me with the Poochyena?" he asked. "I was trying to feed them when they ganged up on me." The Poochyena barked up at the professor anxiously. Kairi spotted a bag and pulled canisters filled with pellets. Sniffing the pellets, the Poochyena raced to Kairi who hand-fed the pups each. Soon enough, the pups pounced on Kairi, licking her face and tickling her. The others chuckled at the amusing sight. "Thanks! I'll be down in a second." That's when the branch along with his rather heavy figure broke of and fell to the earth with a harsh thud. Those standing cringed at the fall of branch and Birch.

"Well, he did say he'd be down in a second," Sora joked. Ash shook his head, a sense that he didn't mean it literally. Orihime helped Birch on his sandals before he looked at Ash.

"Appreciated that. Now then..." The moment he eyed Pikachu, he remembered something. "So you're the Pikachu trainer Professor Oak told me was coming here. It's nice to meet you at last." Both Ash and Birch shook hands. "I'd thought you'd be here sooner." All Ash did was itch his capped head.

"Don't blame him for the delay, Professor. He had some errands to run for us." Birch wasn't upset at all with Ash's extra duties.

"Well, there's no rush in registering for the Pokémon League. Let's get back inside and get you in the database." Ash helped Kairi out of the Poochyena tongue bath and all proceeded inside with one of the pups tagging along. Inside, a computer screen had Ash's picture on it, reading "REGISTERED" under. Afterward, Birch brought out a pair of wands attached to the computer and placed it on Pikachu's cheeks. "Don't worry, Pikachu. I'm just measuring your electricity levels." Pikachu wasn't concerned about it. Orihime observed the screen, viewing the needle exceeding far past the middle.

"Looks like the electrical output is really high," she studied. Birch glanced to the monitor, a little bothered by it.

"No doubt Pikachu's level far exceed that of normal Pikachu... but considering how shiny Pikachu's fur and cheeks look, I'd say this Pikachu's in great health." Pikachu's squeak was a compliment to Birch's conclusion.

"That's good to hear," Ash sighed. "And now that I'm registered, I can finally try the Hoenn League." With Ash registered and Pikachu checked out, all that mattered was the journey ahead. That's when Orihime wanted to know about Birch's Pokémon.

"Anyway, Ash told us about you having starter Pokémon," Kairi opened up. "Is it possible for us to see what you're offering to new trainers?" The request didn't quite sit well with the good professor.

"I don't know. As a professor that gives new trainers their first Pokémon, I can't simply show you who my Pokémon are," he refused to a point. "And even though Ash is a trainer himself, he's already got Pikachu." That was a letdown until...

"Excuse me!" a new voice emerged. All turned to the girl's voice, spotting a brunette girl in a red spandex t-shirt, black biker shorts and a red bandanna covering most of her hair. All had a hunch about why she was here. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Sora was the first to respond.

"No, we're just discussing about trainers and Pokémon," he clarified. "Did you come for your starter Pokémon?" The new girl nodded.

"I'm May. I got here from Petalburg City so I can be a trainer myself." To Birch, this was perfect timing.

"Well, I'm Professor Birch, May," Birch introduced. The rest allowed May to approach Birch so that she could see the creatures he had. "Do you know what Pokémon you want?"

"No but I'm interested."

"In that case, here are the starter Pokémon you can choose from!" First Pokéball Birch picked up had the droplet. When opened, a blue mud-fish with orange spiked cheeks emerged. "The first one is Mudkip, a Water-type." Every girl awed the little mud-fish.

"It's adorable," Orihime cooed.

"It sure is," May agreed. However, Mudkip spat water in May's face. The bandanna, the top of her shirt, her hair and face were soaked. "Was that supposed to happen?" Ash and Sora laughed at May's misery.

"Doesn't seem like you and Mudkip would get along," Ash pointed out. The assumptions left Birch to see if another Pokémon would work and grabbed the ball with the leaf.

"How about this?" he voiced as he opened that, revealing a small green gecko with a large green tail. "This is Treecko, a Grass-type." Treecko looked up at May who smiled right back.

"I kinda remember my brother saying that he liked Treecko," she thought back. "I'm not sure about having one for me." Treecko got a bit huffy about the denial. There's one more ball and Birch opened it to bring out an orange baby chick with yellow crown-like feathers on top.

"This is the last of the starters, Torchic, a Fire-type." May's face beamed at the baby chick. The Torchic looked up at the glee painting her face and Orihime believed she made her choice.

"I think we've got a winner!" she believed. Further cementing the decision, May picked up the baby chick.

"Professor Birch..." she chose. "I want Torchic!" All smiled at May's verdict.

"Then Torchic is yours," Birch acknowledged. Torchic chirped in excitement that it got chosen. Kairi petted May's first Pokémon to the creature's enjoyment. Birch came back with two red hand-held devices and five red/white marbles. "Okay Ash, May... these are your new Pokédex devices with up-to-date information and May... your Pokéballs as well." Both named grabbed their devices and May snagged the balls offered.

"Thank you, Professor Birch," they praised. Birch smirked until he saw the clock. It's almost evening already.

"Oh boy. I guess you can stay here for the night." The offer let Orihime stand up with an idea.

"Well if we're staying here, I'll go and make dinner for everyone," she suggested as she walked to the kitchen with Kairi close behind.

"Let me help you!" she called back. This left May with the boys and Sora wanting a test-run by snatching Ash's device.

"So how does this work?" he pondered as he opened it up, a flip-cover exposing a small screen.

"Point it at Torchic so we can understand it more," Ash instructed. Sora saw a small camera on the cover and pointed it as explained. The screen popped up Torchic and a voice computed.

"Torchic, the chick Pokémon," it read with a female voice. "Torchic can breathe fire up to 1,800-degrees." A frightening piece of information. The focus now was on Pikachu and Sora scanned him. "Pikachu, the Electric Mouse Pokémon. If there's a group of Pikachu, their electrical attack can cause lighting storms." A good thing there's only one now.

"Fascinating..." May sounded with intrigue. "Do you have any other Pokémon?" Ash shook his head.

"Pikachu's my first Pokémon and best friend," he cleared up. "And since we're great friends, he's the only one I brought to challenge since I want to try a new tactic in using the Pokémon from here." This confused Sora.

"Wait a second..." he jumped. "Didn't you say that a professor only offers a Fire-type, Water-type and Grass-type?" Ash had an explanation for why he had an exception.

"You see, the day I got my first Pokémon, I overslept and couldn't get either Charmander, Squirtle or Bulbasaur. That's when Professor Oak had one more and Pikachu became my buddy." Pikachu squeaked to confirm his human master.

"That's actually really cool," May huffed as she petted the Pokémon. That's when Sora reminded himself of something.

"Hold on, there's something I wanted to give you for your help," he spoke up as he presented a shiny pearl crown necklace with black beads strung. "This is your symbol of your accomplishments. If we need your help, we'll let you know." Taking the necklace, Ash draped it around his neck, the crown dangling in front.

"Thanks," he accepted. Unable to help herself, May cupped the crown and stared at the mesmerizing shine.

"It's pretty!" she awed, the jeweled crown shimmering to her eyes.

"So what's the deal with the necklace again?" Birch questioned. All Sora did was scoff.

"A symbol of his courage and demeanor in the time of crisis," he answered. It didn't help May or Birch. After they ate and slept, the next morning rose. Pikachu and Torchic got breakfast from Ash while Orihime fed the rest. Afterward, the kids were heading separate ways. Ash and May, who had a bicycle, were going around Hoenn while the others would return to the Gummi Ship and return to normal lives.

"Ash, I think it's a good idea to have May help you around Hoenn," Birch suggested. Ash wasn't willing to argue the point.

"So, you Kairi are heading back to Destiny Island after you get Merida back to DunBroch and Orihime to Karakura Town?" he listed plans to Sora.

"That's the idea," he confirmed. Both Ash and Sora shook hands, a testament to their friendship.

"We wish you luck on your new outing," Kairi prayed.

"And we may stop on by to see how you're doing," Orihime reminded. Humored, the veteran and new trainer giggled in wondering how that may go.

"So I guess until next time, take care of yourselves," May wished. Smiles from the departing crew shone until a familiar barking had Kairi looking down and spotting a Poochyena rubbing its fur on her leg. "Isn't that one of professor's Poochyena?" Kairi lifted the pup to her as Sora had a hunch to why this Pokémon came by her side.

"I think Poochyena wants you to take care of it," he guessed. Kairi's eyes widen to the concept of raising a Pokémon on Destiny Island.

"You want me to raise you?" she asked. Poochyena happily licked her face. Everyone laughed at the love the pup was giving to the redhead Princess of Heart.

"I think Aerith could give you some advice." Good idea, Sora. Now with Ash and Pikachu having a new traveling companion and Kairi acquiring a new pet, both sides left Birch's lab on different paths, knowing one day or more, they'll see each other again.

(1 Month Later/Lakeside)

Ash, Pikachu and May were waiting by a lake with two other boys. A raven-haired wore a green polo t-shirt and shorts while sporting a pair of glasses. He appeared younger than Ash. The other looked older. The other was a brunette teenager who wore a brown short-sleeve jacket and slacks. It wouldn't be long until Pikachu saw someone coming.

("Misty!") it loudly squeaked. Hearing the Pokémon had everyone turning, excitement shown on their faces.

"There she is!" the teenager cheered. Coming in from afar was a redhead girl with a tuff of hair in a psuedo-ponytail out of the side. She wore a yellow track suit with a red midsection. In her arms was an egg that had a yellowish head shaped like a crown, arms and feet sticking out of the shell.

"Hey!" Ash shouted with glee. "Misty!" Finally, the redhead arrived to see everyone.

"Hi guys!" she greeted with the egg cheering.

("We see you!") it chirped. May and the younger boy watched on as the three welcomed each other.

"I know it hasn't been that long but it feels like it has since we separated," Ash huffed. Misty would relate.

"Tell me about it," she chuckled. "Seeing you, Pikachu and Brock again is like old times. Speaking of, how's Pikachu?"

("Doing great, Misty!") Pikachu replied. The teenager then focused on the egg.

"Togepi's looking good, too," he noticed.

("Thanks, Uncle Brock!") the egg chimed. To May and the little boy, this was a reunion of Ash's friends before he came to Hoenn.

"How's life in the Cerulean Gym been treating you?" Ash wondered. A sigh with a slight smile told the boys a lot.

"Busy," was her response. "Luckily, my sisters gave me some time off to come here for an invite." That's when she noticed the necklace on Ash. This mystified Misty. "So you don't like perfumes but you don't mind necklaces?" Ash was quick to counter her suspicion with a lie.

"Someone gave it to me as a good luck charm and so far, I can't argue with its track record." A lie that even Uncle Brock backed up.

"He told me the same thing and so far, I got nothing against it myself," he added. For a fib, it sounded realistic. Misty bought it: hook, line and sinker.

"Sorry I questioned the necklace," she apologized. "It does look pretty with the pearl-like crown and the black beads." Out of the corner of her eyes were peering eyes to the new girl. "Hello. You must be May... and little brother Max, right?" May sprinted past the boys to greet Misty.

"HI!" she greeting with her volume on high. "We've heard so much about you!" Max wasn't so hyper in seeing the redhead like May.

"Hi there, Misty," he introduced with a more sensible volume. Togepi was enjoying the company already, one May couldn't help but coo at.

"Adorable!" She pulled out her Pokédex to know about the Pokémon in Misty's arms.

"Togepi, the Spike Ball Pokémon," it computed. "Togepi emit an aura that brings luck to those who treat it nicely." More cheering from the Spike Ball itself. That's when Ash remembered what Misty brought up when she made the scene.

"Anyway, you said something about an invite, right?" he returned to the subject. Misty reached to her pocket and showed a pamphlet with Togepi printed on.

"It's for a Togepi Festival around here," she informed. Ash and Brock observed the invite, something not feeling right.

"It says that the event's for all Togepi trainers," Brock read. "Which is weird since none of us have seen another trainer around here at all, let alone those who have a Togepi." It did seem weird and it even got to Misty who turned to an arch-style structure just behind her.

"Well, this is the building where it's held at." Suddenly, the building's door opened by themselves. To those by the building, they were granted entry. "Well, should we?" Hesitant, the trainers and Max started entering when the door suddenly closed after Misty passed through. Suddenly, a rumbling. The front wall started breaking away from the building, forcing everyone to retreat. Finally, the truth showed itself... as a blimp! The invitation was a setup.

"Misty!" Ash and Brock cried out as they ran back to the blimp leaving the ground, May and Max tailing behind. A rope dangled from a door that was left open. The group got a handle on the rope but the blimp lifted them higher and higher. All Ash and his friends could do was hold on for deal life.

"Now, May's Expedition will soar to new heights!" May cheered on with the belief of a new adventure.

"May, it's not the time for that!" Max scolded. Suddenly, an odd odor found its way to Ash's and Pikachu's noses.

"Aged rum?" he guessed. Another whiff had Ash and Pikachu twisting around to see a sight that was impossible to believe: the flying Black Pearl appeared. Considering Captain Jack Sparrow helping him while going from Konohagakure to DunBroch, no doubt the good pirate and Iago have come to save the day. He never told anyone else about riding on a pirate ship among... oh, everything else!

"Is that a pirate ship?" Brock gulped.

"...And it's flying?" May gasped. Talk to Ash, he knows that flying pirate ship.

"It's the Black Pearl!" he answered. The rest turned to Ash, surprised to learn about the name.

"You sure that's the name?" Max questioned. "Not the Flying Dutchman?" The speed of the Black Pearl helped reach the blimp but instead of Barbosa's former crew, Chad appeared and grabbed the rope while having a swarm of Naruto clones anchor him down on the Pearl's deck. While they held themselves in place, Aladdin's Carpet and Joey flew to aid in the rescue, reaching Ash.

"Joey, Carpet, awesome timing on everyone!" Joey didn't mind the welcome.

"Hey, I'm just returning the favor bringing Téa back to Yugi," he huffed. "Look, everyone get on board the Pearl."

"We will if you can rescue Misty and Togepi. I don't know what's going on but they could need a way to escape." Joey flicked a thumb up, getting the message.

"No problem! Let's go, Carpet!" Listening, the flying carpet reached the doorway and Joey searched around for the redhead.

"Where are we going, Togepi?" Misty wondered. Hearing her, Joey dashed over to find her and the Pokémon.

"You're Misty?" The Cerulean City Gym Leader on vacation nodded. "Okay, get on the carpet and to safety." Misty wasn't sure to believe him or not. After all, this was the first time seeing each other.

"I don't understand what's going on." Someone else had a hunch.

"That cat and his humans will never learn, will they?" Gatomon, who somehow was by Joey's side on Carpet, scented. The notice had Joey ripping the door to the cockpit. Surprise, it's Team Rocket. They jumped when Joey propped the door open.

"Yikes!" they screeched.

"Land the blimp or else, chumps!" Joey demanded.

"We don't listen to big mouthed twerps, Blondie!" Jessie snapped back. James brought out a Pokéball but Gatomon started scratching away with Lightning Paw attacks. The swift strikes left Team Rocket discombobulated while those dangling on the rope were finally on the deck. That's when one last attack blasted the Rockets out of the cockpit windows and a black dragon swooped out of nowhere to scoop up the kidnappers and throw them on the ship where the Naruto clones caught and wrangled them by tying them to the mast. Still shocked as Joey, Misty, Togepi and Gatomon rode Carpet back down to the Pearl.

"Wow, Ash!" excited Max. "I never knew you rode a flying pirate ship and made friends like these guys!" Even May and Brock couldn't hold their shock.

"Now this is worthy of May's Expedition!" she chimed with joy. "Aboard the mysterious flying ship, known as the Black Pearl, we are met with vigilantes who ride this vessel in fighting the undying forces of evil and bring prosperity to the lands they hover above!" Gatomon leapt on May's shoulder, someone in need of a reality check.

"You'd wish!" she mewed. "We came by to see Ash and how he's been doing ever since repelling the darkness around the multiverse." The correction helped clue in Ash's company in Hoenn.

"Hoy, Ash!" sounded... a girl trying to act like Jack? There stood a pirate in black from head to toe but was about Ash's height. One whiff told Ash who he... or rather she really was. He clasped and removed the pirate hat to show the other Sora from the DigiWorld.

"The captain lent you the Pearl to see me again, as well?" he assumed. Sora giggled at the guess.

"Hey, I thought we'd explore the high seas while the rest learn about Pokémon," she cleared before removing his cap and locked lips. Ash's friends gawked in thunder-struck at Ash's love from Sora.

"Wait a second!" Misty jumped. "Who is this?! And why is she on Ash?!" All Chad did was laugh.

"My guess is that they found their own Kingdom Hearts," he murmured with a smile. As the Black Pearl carried those far away and to a police station to turn in Team Rocket, Ash's friends wonder about what he had gone through between Johto and Hoenn. Maybe exploring the Multiverse could help them understand his journey... one that will be with Ash for the rest of his life and maybe with the redhead that loves him like the Crest of Love. Light and Darkness may be two polar opposites but without one, the other will never understand the delicate balance, one Ash has acquired with friends and a lost foe alike.

THE END