The Semi Finals 3...

Chapter 47.75 - The Semi Finals 3...

The three of them reappeared in a secret garden with a pond near the end of one side of it. Ash and Pikachu had smiles form on their face as they watched Latias zoom around happily again since she was back home. "Hey! What are you doing here?!" came sudden yelling that made Ash and Pikachu whip around and Latias to stop her flying at once. "You have no right to…wait…ASH?!" Before he knew it, Ash was taken up into a bear hug that made him lose his breath. "I can't believe it's you!" cried the person.

Ash was turning blue from the lack of oxygen due to the girl's tight hug. "Can't…breathe…" he whizzed.

The girl realized she was choking him. She quickly let him go and he bent over forward, leaning against his knees as he took in gulps of air. "I'm so sorry!" said the girl hysterically. "Please forgive me!"

Ash raised one of his hands and waved them in front of him while continuing his heavy breathing. "Its…fine…" He took in a couple more breaths before feeling better. He straightened out and looked at the girl who almost choked him to death. She had grown older and more beautiful since the last time he saw her. She was wearing a white skirt and green short sleeved blouse. She had red like brown hair and brown eyes. "Hey Bianca, thanks for not suffocating me." She went red at that and he chuckled. Pikachu jumped into her arms and nuzzled against her cheek, happy to see her too. She giggled a bit as he did that. "How did you know me, Pikachu and Latias were here?" he asked her.

Bianca tilted her head as Pikachu jumped onto the ground. "I've been keeping watch since…wait, Latias?" She moved her gaze towards the pink pokémon who appeared beside the young man. "LATIAS!" The two hugged one another and let out some tears of happiness at seeing their best friend. "I was so worried about you! Where have you been? What happened? Why did you leave?" she asked the eon pokémon.

"It wasn't by choice and it's a long story," replied Latias through her telepathy. Ash was surprised that Bianca wasn't startled from that but then figured that since the two are best friends, she would've known about that. "But it was because of Ash that I was able to come back home."

The two separated and Bianca wiped her eyes dry with her hands. "Tell me everything." She turned to face Ash once more. "Thank you Ash for bringing my best friend back home." She hugged him again and this time he reciprocated since he was able to.

"No problem," replied back Ash. He smiled at her before looking at Latias who smiled back. "If either of you ever need anything, just let me know." The two nodded and then Ash and Bianca exchanged numbers on their Poketchs. "I'll tell Mist and Brocko that you said hello. Take care." Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder and two disappeared in a blue glow, making Bianca gasp.

The girl was frozen for a few seconds until she felt someone grab her shoulder. She turned her gaze onto the legendary and smiled. "It's good that you're home again Latias. I kept the Soul Dew safe and hidden as always. But, where were you? What happened? And what did Ash do?" she asked the pokémon.

Latias sighed before replying back. "Like I said, it's a long story. But I'll tell you everything." The pink dragon floated down to the grass and lied down on it as she started to explain everything. Bianca sat down on the ground next to her and listened to it all.

Ash and Pikachu reappeared in the balcony of his suite. The two glanced at one another and sighed. "What a day huh buddy?" he asked his starter.

"Pika pika," agreed the yellow mouse as he began walking to go inside the suite.

When he entered it, he saw that most everyone was in the living room as well as another person there too. Ash was surprised to see the Dragon Champion there. He was greeted with congratulations and words of praise over his victory from his family and friends. Before he could say anything, he was taken up into a group hug by the four who he had dedicated his victory to. After the hug, they thanked him for that and he smiled at them before facing the champion. "Hey Lance, what's up?" he asked.

Lance didn't say anything but gestured towards the balcony. Receiving a nod from the young man, the two moved out there to speak in private. Pikachu however went to the couch, curled up and went to sleep. Liza, Clair, Sabrina and Cynthia glanced at one another with one of them feeling like her heart was going to pop out of her chest. They wondered if Lance would tell Ash and if he did, what would that cause to happen.

When the two trainers reached the railings, Lance looked out over the horizon before facing Ash. "That was quite an entertaining battle," he remarked and the younger man thanked him. "I must say though that I'm surprised you caught Rayquaza of all legendaries and that you even used him."

Ash smiled a bit. "I wasn't planning on catching him. Not so soon anyways. I had plans to do so in the future for the coming war. But things happened that forced my hand," he explained.

Lance thought over what he was told. "I see. I assume the things that happened had pissed you off and you wanted to show him up. Am I correct?" Ash said nothing over that. "It's alright. I did the same when I was younger. But I took things too far." That made Ash raise his eyebrows in surprise. "A story for some other time because that's not why I'm here."

"Alright. Then why are you here? Not that I mind of course," said the raven haired guardian.

Lance chuckled. "Well, there are a couple things I need to tell you. First, I believe Cynthia told you about our meeting?" He said that she did tell him. "Good. And here's our proof." He took out the smart phone from his pocket and held it between the two. "I've had some of my most trusted and most capable try to crack it but none of have been able to. Even the two videos in it, one of which was a recording of the red head you rescued being tortured and violated…" Ash let out a growl at hearing that. "…have their sound choppy and we cannot make things out. But this is evidence that something is happening concerning you Ash."

The young trainer could say nothing over that. He hung his head and shook it slightly. "I'm sorry Lance but I just don't know why. It's not like I mean for these things to happen and you know the reason why I disappeared." He raised his head again and locked eyes with him. "But you know that I will also do anything to protect everyone. Especially the ones I love and care about."

Lance smiled at that. "I know. But here's the second thing I wanted to ask; would that include my cousin Clair as well?" he asked him.

Ash kept his expression neutral but inside his heart began hammering. "She is my friend so of course I will do so."

Lance gave a small chuckle in response that was almost a scoff. "Nothing more huh?" Again, Ash said nothing. "Well, between you and me, she does deserve someone great and I support whatever decision my cousin makes." Seeing the slightly surprised expression on his face made the champion laugh out loud. "Wasn't expecting that were you? I'm not all serious business." Ash couldn't help but laugh a bit himself over that. "One more thing about Clair though. Do you know what happened between her and Drax?" he asked him.

Ash quickly stopped his laughing. He took in a breath and nodded. "I do. But I'm sorry Lance. I cannot tell you what she told me. But I can tell you that she has overcome it and I believe she will be fine."

Lance was quiet for a moment. "Alright. Thank you for that at least. The final thing I have to say is this; you won the test. But do you know what else comes with winning the gauntlet of the Charicific Valley?" he asked him.

Ash turned his gaze towards the horizon. "I do."

Lance's eyes widened. "You do?! How did you find out? Then how come you haven't taken it? How come you haven't let it be known?! She may be older than you by a few years, but how come you haven't taken Liza in for your wife yet?!" He was beyond stunned as to why Ash would just give up something like that which held so much honor, glory and an attractive wife as well.

Ash turned his gaze back to Lance. He smiled a bit before answering him. "Because I don't believe that people should make decisions for others regarding such things. I knew about it so I went in disguise but left immediately after she gave me the mega stone so she wouldn't have to say it. Love, marriage and everything else related to that shouldn't be forced or based on some random things or even old traditions and customs that don't make sense anymore. And Liza deserves more than someone like me who won't have much time for her." Ash looked away from Lance. He was quiet for a bit before continuing. "They all do. I love my girlfriends with all my heart…but sometimes I wonder just what they see in me and whether or not I'm worthy enough for them."

Lance couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had always known there was something different about Ash. Their team ups against evil organizations in the past, what he had done in the stadium attack and the rumors and news about him all over the world. He had respected him but had allowed his jealousy to cloud his mind until recently. He may have gotten over it finally and had apologized to the young man, but never knew what he was going through. It had just hit him that this trainer who was over a dozen years younger than him, had more responsibility and worries that ones who are three times his age. That he never viewed himself as better than anyone else but instead thought if he was good enough. Hell, he doubted even the current pokémon master behaved in such a way as the young guardian.

At that moment, his respect for him grew and knew that this man was his equal…if not more. "A true man does not take things for granted and never believes himself better than others." Ash glanced at him, wondering where he was going with this. "You are that man. And I am happy to say that you have helped me become my old self again. For that, I thank you. And allow me to say this; you are being too hard on yourself. No one is perfect but if you continue thinking this way, you may make a mistake that could haunt you for the rest of your life. Trust me. You don't want that to happen."

If Ash was surprised before over his words, he was beyond stunned now. "Lance…" He took in a breath. "Thank you." He raised his hand to him who took it and two shook on it.

"You're welcome. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some things I need to take care of." Lance was about to call out his Dragonite but then stopped. "I almost forgot. I have no use for this. Perhaps you may get lucky in getting something out of it or know someone who may be able to do so." Lance gave him the smart phone and Ash put it in his pants pocket. Ash thanked Lance and asked him to not bring up the matter with anyone that involves Liza. "I will not. But you must be prepared if and when Liza speaks with you about it since you revealed it. Even if you hadn't, she would've known because of the mega stone and evolution your Charizard went through." The raven haired man nodded while the champion called out his pokémon and soon they took off into the air.

Ash watched them go for a few seconds before heading back inside. He saw that the living room was mostly empty except for his mother. "Where did everyone go Mom?" he asked her.

"They thought that you and Lance would talk for a long time so many went off to their own rooms while a few of the couples went out for a walk," said Delia. "Oh and everything is alright with Sabrina's parents. They left already but they are on board."

"That's great to hear. One less thing to worry about. Thanks Mom!" he told her as they hugged.

"No problem sweetie. Now, you should go to your room. There's a surprise waiting for you," she told him with a knowing look.

Ash titled his head and wanted to ask what she meant by that but she wouldn't say. Wondering what it could be as he went to his room, Ash was lost in his thoughts as he opened his room door. The instant he stepped inside and saw what was waiting for him, his jaw dropped. His girlfriends Leaf, Sarah and Anabel were sitting on the bed dressed in their respective night gowns. "Like what you see?" asked Sarah with a grin.

"Don't keep us waiting too much now," said Anabel with a devious smile.

"We won't bite. Much," smirked Leaf.

Seeing him still out of it, the three girls giggled before Sarah grabbed a pillow and tossed it at him. Ash snapped out of it when hit him in the face. "Thanks and nice throw Wiseman." He picked up the pillow and tossed it back to the grinning girl and she caught it. "I'll be right back. Just let me change out of my guardian's uniform," he told them. He went into the bathroom with his sweats only pajamas as the girls got into bed and waited for him to come back. When he came back into the room, he climbed into bed, gave each of the girls a kiss and then made himself comfortable. The three girls snuggled against him with Leaf on top, Sarah on his left and Anabel on his right. After some talking, teasing and joking around, the three girls told him that they are proud of him and so are his other girlfriends. They also told him what they decided on for tomorrow if he had no battles and he agreed to it. Soon enough afterwards, the four of them fell asleep.

As that occurred in the master bedroom, several other things were going on in the other rooms. In one of them, Liza, Clair, Cynthia and Sabrina were discussing about what they found out. How Ash was the one who won the gauntlet and how Liza is actually promised to him now. They talked for a long time about that and what they could do until finally the green haired girl snapped. "What do you want me to do?!" asked Liza as she faced Cynthia and Sabrina. "Nothing that you say will help me! I thought it was Drax and it nearly killed me! But finding out it was actually Ash has made me so happy!" The two girls' eyes widened and realizing what she let slip made Liza clap her hands against her mouth.

"Wait, what?!" asked Cynthia in surprise.

"What do you mean by 'made me so happy'?" asked Sabrina quietly.

Liza lowered her hands and swallowed the lump in her throat. "Nothing. I just meant that…that it's not Drax…and…and that…"

"Don't lie to us Liza," interrupted Sabrina. "You didn't like it when I lied to you so don't do the same."

Liza looked at the two for a moment before hanging her head and let her arms fall down. She then said three words in barely a whisper; "I love Ash." That made the two girls gasp and even surprised Clair that she just said it like that. Liza continued speaking towards the floor in a low voice. "Ever since the club, I've been developing feelings for him. I can't take my mind off of him. And when I saw him get hurt in his match against Damian, I felt like I my heart dropped into my stomach." The three other girls said nothing about that since that was how they felt as well. They continued listening to what she said after she raised her gaze back up. "I'm sorry but I don't know why him or why now. But I do know that I love him and want to be with him. But I will never jeopardize things between you and him." Liza moved her eyes to lock with Sabrina's. "Especially you Sab. You were there for me so many times and though I like to annoy you, you are one of my best friends." Sabrina had her eyes become watery over what she heard. Liza was doing the same thing she did before. The green haired girl faced the other two. "And so are you two. I will never hurt any of you intentionally and I'm sorry for what I'm feeling. But with my feelings for him, me being promised to him because of the gauntlet, you two being his girlfriends and his other girlfriends…I have no idea what to do." She was about to say some more when she was suddenly grabbed by the psychic prodigy and pulled into a deep hug. Cynthia joined in and so did Clair.

"It's alright Liza. I don't blame you," said Sabrina. The caretaker of the valley started crying into the embrace.

"And we're not that mad. In fact we have something to tell you," said Cynthia. When they separated after a few minutes, the champion of Sinnoh smiled at her before facing the blunette. "But first, do you want to come clean too or what?" she asked her.

Clair's heart started thumping loudly as she looked at Cynthia before facing Sabrina. "I…ah…" She took in a deep breath. "I love Ash too." She tensed up and closed her eyes.

"What are you doing?" asked Cynthia.

Clair opened one of her eyes and saw that she was sitting calmly down on the bed and so was Sabrina. "You're not mad? You're not gonna kick my ass?" she asked her. Cynthia burst into laughter before shaking her head and Sabrina merely chuckled. Clair opened her other eye and relaxed a bit. "Why aren't you though?" she asked them.

"What, you want to get beat up?" asked Cynthia in surprise. Clair shook her head but told her that she knew about her past and how she might feel a little threatened by all this. "You know, I think I would've been if it was someone else. But with Ash, somehow I have this feeling that it was always supposed to be this way." Clair and Liza titled their heads but Sabrina nodded in agreement. She felt the same way. "Maybe it's because it's you and the other girls but whenever I think about him being with one of them or you, it doesn't bother me in the slightest. But when I think of some other random girl with him, it pisses me off. Don't know why, how and I don't care. But I'm actually alright with it all."

Clair and Liza were stunned over what she said and glanced at one another before shrugging. They faced Sabrina and Cynthia before Clair spoke again. "Well, thank you I guess. But what about his other girlfriends? And there is something you two should know as well."

"That's right," started Liza. "It's not just us who…"

"Don't," interrupted Cynthia, surprising them.

"We know," said Sabrina, making the two have their eyes widen. "Don't say anything to anyone."

Liza recovered first. "But…but…how?!" she stammered out.

"Like you said, when Ash faced Damian, a lot of things were revealed. You may not have said it, but your actions revealed it," informed Cynthia.

"So does this mean that the other girls know that there are six others who have feelings for Ash?" asked Clair and the two girls nodded.

"Why haven't you said anything?" asked Liza in bewilderment.

"Because we didn't want to say anything about it and we wanted Ash to figure it out without us telling him," answered Sabrina. The psychic prodigy was asked why they would do that. "Firstly is because we trust him. We know that he won't do anything if and when he finds out how you feel before talking with us." The two girls nodded in understanding over that. They knew that he would be like that. "Second, for some reason, something is telling us to let him figure it out on his own."

"Really?" asked Clair and they replied back saying yes.

"So what about the other girls?" asked Liza.

"What about them?" asked Cynthia.

"Aren't you going to talk to them too?" asked Clair.

Sabrina and Cynthia looked at one another before grinning. "Well, our sisters will. But when it's the right time," revealed the psychic prodigy. Liza and Clair understood that and said no more on that subject. After some more talking that allowed the four of them to get on the same page, they decided to call it a night. The four went to bed with two of them feeling absolutely joyful that things were working out better than they dreamed it would so far. They fell asleep soon enough with good dreams visiting them.

In another room two people were in their beds. They had decided to sleep on separate beds that night. They had also decided to take a break from each other after another argument happened between the two after their friend's match. But they decided not to tell anyone anything for the time being since they didn't want attention on them right now. Both of them had just laid in their respective beds for a long time before one of them fell asleep. The other one, who was just about to fall asleep herself, was startled awake when she heard her now ex-boyfriend snore. She turned her head and gave him an annoyed look before facing the wall again.

She tried to go to sleep but couldn't. After a while, she turned onto her back and faced the ceiling. She thought of everything that she had gone through. All of her adventures with all the people that she traveled with. Her family and friends that she loves and cares for. Her dreams and goals that she had when she was younger. The choices that she made that she thought were for the best or made sense. She also thought of all the mistakes that she made. All the times that she quit when she should've pressed on and vice versa.

And that made her think of her relationship with the green haired connoisseur. The reasons how it started, the good and bad times they shared, what they did for one another and how they kept each other going. But then she thought about how even though she was happy with him, it wasn't what she originally wanted. That she had been keeping secrets from him. And it looked like he was keeping secrets from her too. Perhaps they weren't meant to be together forever. Perhaps they were only there to help each other take the next step in life before moving on from one another.

She wondered about all that for so long that she felt like she was coming undone. She took in some air through her nose before exhaling it out through her mouth. She did that several times to help her calm down and get a hold of herself. She glanced at her roommate and looked at him for a couple minutes. She then faced the ceiling again before closing her eyes and said a prayer in her mind. Please Arceus…help us figure out if what we had was right. Help us find what we're looking for. If we're not for each other, help us find the one who is. Please. After that prayer, the purple haired girl moved onto her side and faced the wall again. A couple minutes later, she fell asleep.

Not too far from the hotel, a man in his early thirties was resting on his couch while flipping through the channels on his TV. Seeing that there was nothing on to watch, he was thinking about turning it off when he happened to stop on a news channel. He listened to the report about the outcome on the latest match of the tournament. When it finished, he chuckled a bit while turning it off. "Should've known it would be you Ketchum. That so called dragon master had no chance against you. But I am glad. We will face off once more. I hope the first person who has ever beaten my Darkrai has become a lot stronger." After that statement, a dark shadowy figure rose up from beneath the ground until its form sharpened and became corporeal. The man grinned at his pokémon. "For we have made the ultimate team now and are much stronger. Are you ready for the rematch of the century Darkrai?"

The legendary dark figure that was hovering in the air crossed his arms and nodded. "I am Tobias."