Whew, after withholding on author's notes for the previous four chapters, I finally have the chance to voice out my eternal gratitude. I lost count on how many different members and outsiders read this story to its entirety of fifty chapters. I just do not know how to express my thankfulness than by simply saying "Thank you!" Seriously, I don't. Other than that, I wish not to play specifics because as far as I'm concerned, you all, and I truly mean every last one of you out there reading this, contributed your support by simply reading and guiding me to proper story weaving. I really do not know where I would have been without all of you. My writing has greatly improved since I started out; learning from the writing styles of many authors as a basis and adding my own scope of extensive vocabulary to create the imagery and setting in your minds. I had no idea I had led you far into this story like this. Thank the Lord!
All reviews, signed and anonymous, have been helpful by either pointing out any flaws I had originally or just by being friendly. All of you should know my true purpose of forming and writing From Servant to Stardom. As it once was, there used to be quite a lack of AbilityShipping stories available on . I was frustrated a year ago, wanting to satisfy my own need for well-written, spellbinding stories. So instead of merely complaining about it, I did something about it and came up with the simple of idea of bringing Ash and Anabel together after the end of the Sinnoh journey. And thus, I registered and became an author here on . I initially wanted it to be a short ten chapter story, having Ash join the Battle Frontier out of boredom, but seeing more potential from reading other common adventurous works of Pokémon, mainly featuring PokéShipping, AdvanceShipping, or PearlShipping, I wanted to give AbilityShipping a shot of being the best it could be, possibly rivaling those three main popular pairings. Hey, someone's got to spend his time one way or another.
I used to read various wonderful stories, both in hard printed book series and in fan fiction, like the Great Butler's Enigma Shadow series, also featuring Anabel and the idea of featuring Shadow Pokémon, and even Matkin's Final Challenge, since it had partial AbilityShipping to the main AdvanceShipping pair and a wonderful storyline. As long as I came up with original ideas of my own while working in a broad topic like Ash's future, then I was confident that I would not be accidentally plagiarizing. That is the last thing I would ever do in this life. I was creative and resourceful, utilizing trace amounts of ideas from many stories I've read in my life, along with the culture I grew up in. So now, I ultimately acknowledge the fact that this story was produced by all of us.
And so, the decided sequel, Tale of Stardom, should answer some questions about the continuing plot upon its debut in the near future, just not now. Maybe sometime in February or March; I'm still a senior that has to solidify his future in a good college. Keep your eyes peeled by then, okay? I need breaks time and again.
And so, Ash getting a Lucario, his possibility of survival over death, Paul metamorphosing into the true Pokémon Trainer he searches for, Drew and Zoey continuing their small relationship; they will be answered. Just wait and read for the sequel. I just hate to be the one who spoils things. Just wait. And so, after this, I'm going to need some sleep. Well, these are my last words… for now anyway.
So now, please enjoy the last chapter…
Until we meet again, everyone… Ah ha ha ha! Ciao!
The Mysterious Mister P.
Awake and restless was he. Eager and anxious thinking about the departure he will attend to upon the rising, breaking dawn, Ash blinked repeatedly, staring at the starry lit ceiling of his own bedroom, light coming from the exposed window, continuously blanking out and falling asleep from exhaustion at random intervals of the passing night. Since he took the task of stopping Cipher and ultimately reopening the door to Giratina's heart upon himself, Ash was brightly dedicated and looked forward to the arranged seven tough months of aura training under Riley's guidance. Cresselia entering the latter's dreams and convincing him to lend a hand to the cause otherwise did not seem so surprising as Ash originally thought after witnessing Cresselia's steadfast resolve to save the natural balance of the world. He was independent for the most part, feeling empowered by the friendships he made with the creatures that shared his brief title of worldly fame. He was pretty much finished with his old journey and was about ready to settle down and resume responsibilities as a Frontier Brain before any of these events had happened. Regardless. But there were others eager and zealous to assist at any time, shape, or form possible.
Dear Anabel had fused with Cresselia's soul from Ash having utilized a lost, ancient technique of Aura Guardians of century's past without even knowing it. He had the feel and familiarity from practicing on them, learning on how to do it on his own without the Lunar Pokémon's invoking the process. Having pledged herself out of eternal love and loyalty since they finally became a legit couple several months ago, Anabel would follow Ash wherever he was needed while lending her new, blessed healing powers and breaking apart twisted illusions of the enigmatic darkness that awaited them. As far as anyone was concerned about their ultimate mission in life, Darkrai wandered off to find a symbiotic partner to give the host its saving grace, albeit aggressive abilities. The Pitch-Black Pokémon searched for the third hero.
His mind had been overwhelmed by these events, leaving him in a mess that required both physical and mental preparations to clean up and repair. Ash glanced at the lightly snoring Pikachu next to his pillow, mesmerized by the Mouse Pokémon's peaceful expressions in light of all the excitement. He wondered if he would ever be rested enough to perform his responsibilities as required. He knew that his Pokémon and his developing aura abilities, along with the assistance of the two other heroes, was enough to take down Cipher while seizing Giratina for purification with his own two bare hands. If the timing was right, Giratina may be willingly freed as they believed it to be. But as they prepare, the shadow Renegade Pokémon becomes stronger, darker, and more destructive with each obstacle obliterated in its way to the Orre region. Where ever in Orre it would reside, Cipher was sure to be there.
Ash needed his rest. Staring at the luminous hands of his alarm clock, it had read 2:30 AM. He needed more hours for his fatigued body. He needed the remaining time until the twilight faded and dawn began to envelop the sky in its rising red glow. He subconscious closed his eyes without much of a fuss, falling under the slumbering spell of a kindhearted presence from the room next to his.
At last, it was time.
A mental, unconscious reaction stirred within him, urging and forcing him out of bed. He had woken up to the desired time of 5:30 AM, the time that a tiny portion of the sun brightens the sky over their area. Pikachu's ears jolted; the Mouse Pokémon woke up, sitting up groggily.
"Chah," Pikachu yawned, rubbing his eyes of the sleepies.
"Pikachu, quiet," Ash requested. His face was in a meditative trance. Pikachu glanced at him, tilting his furry head. "I might as well start practicing working with aura since I've become a Pokémon Master. Too bad the feeling could not persist any longer since there's a threat to the universe running amok somewhere."
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
"The others in our house are beginning to move about," Ash said, reopening his eyes. "They're finally awake. Each aura signature is active around my house. Let's go meet up with them."
Ash quickly got dressed, choosing his regular clothes from Sinnoh. If he were to receive a new uniform from Riley for being inducted into the society of Aura Guardians, then he might as well enjoy his last moments being a normal Trainer that experienced fifteen minutes of fame. On the table next to his hat, six Poké Balls that included Pikachu's unused one were lying in wait for a purpose. The occupied five were Charizard, Sceptile, Floatzel, Gallade, and Tyranitar; the team that overthrew Champion Cynthia. In all seriousness, he needed his strongest Pokémon for a sense of protection and confidence.
"Ash, you ready yet?" a voice asked, knocking on his door.
"Almost ready, Anabel," Ash said, placing his cap upon his head after equipping his Poké Balls with him. He and Pikachu went to the door and opened it up for Anabel. The young Salon Maiden looked uneasy. "You two okay?"
"Cresselia and I are fine, or at least Cresselia is," Anabel replied. "Ash, this might be our ultimate adventure yet. Scott was so surprised to hear about our purpose, yet he allowed us to go about and save the world. I'm guessing that if the world ends, then Scott won't have enough Trainers taking on the Battle Frontier challenge."
"I know," he said. "People are sending me because they all agree that I'm the only one with Pokémon strong enough to last out against that monster. And with my awakening aura abilities similar to the great aura of Sir Aaron, I'm the only candidate that can reopen the door to Giratina's heart." Anabel stepped closer to him and leaned her head against his chest.
"People are just throwing whatever they have against the unknown just because they're too scared to do anything about it," Anabel said, feeling Ash's arms wrapping around her slim body. "That's why they're sending you to do this. And you know that I'm never letting you out of my sights again, no matter what the danger is. It would only make me look just as bad as them."
"I think everyone knows that you're not about to let me go anytime soon," Ash said, mildly chuckling. "While we handle those Cipher goons, our friends will find any wild Shadow Pokémon they can find, battle them, and purify them at the right time."
"Ash! Anabel! You guys ready yet?" Brock's voice yelled, coming from the front door.
"Stop making out so we can get going!" Gary added, much to the couple's chagrin; they have not even done much of anything but talk.
"We can't leave without seeing you two off!" May exclaimed. More yells coming from Dawn, Drew, and Zoey were heard; sounding more like an argument than a waking call.
Ash and Anabel exchanged looks, smiling to their amusement as they walked to the end of the stairs. Looking into each other's soft eyes, they kissed for luck as though an invisible force ushered them to do so. Perhaps it was Gary's suggestion, but otherwise they both agreed on the action. Their tensions and anxieties were relieved for now as the warmth and love in their simple exchange melted them all away. They promised, they swore to be together forever. From once having a lack of understanding what love was, Ash was fortunate enough to learn about love from someone who legitimately loved him for who he was with all her heart. Ash and Anabel had changed and matured for the batter. Their love remained pure and untainted by worldly influences, no matter what problems they had in the past; the past was the past. The couple was ready; ready to move on with saving millions of lives, a powerful Pokémon trapped in unnatural darkness, and the natural order of the universe.
"Hey guys," a man in blue greeted at the side of his large speed boat, docked at the Viridian City docks. "It's been quite a while, Ash. I received the word from a Cresselia. I ready to save this world whenever you're ready."
"Hey, Riley," Ash said, stepping up with Anabel in front of the Aura Guardian of the Sinnoh side branch. The group watched from behind, ready to bid farewell. "I'm ready to learn, as I'll ever be."
"That's awesome, especially since you have the legendary Sir Aaron's aura coursing throughout your body," Riley said, glimpsing at Anabel. "I see that this girl's aura and Cresselia's aura are intertwined. Did you perform Aura Fusion?"
"That is correct, Mr. Riley," Anabel said, politely bowing.
"Alright then; are you guys ready?" Riley asked. With a confirming nod from Ash and Anabel, he walked onto the deck of his boat, allowing passage for the power couple. The rest of the company watched anxiously, waiting for the perfect timing to send them off with their optimistic wishes.
"Hold it!" a gruff, low voice shouted. All heads were directed into one direction, discovering one person they never imagined being in the air that they breathed.
"It's Paul!" everyone exclaimed, glancing at the Trainer that once gave them a hard time with his rough style of training.
"Paul, what are you doing here?" Ash asked, running over to him. Paul looked away as though he was in remorse.
"I heard your journey as a Trainer coming to an end from some mysterious being, seeing as you've taken down Cynthia," Paul said, leveling the piercing black pupils of his eyes to Ash's. "I don't know what I'm doing here, but I'm here. And now I see that you're off playing a goody-goody, save-the-day superhero."
"What of it?" Ash asked, irritated by his scathing tone. "I didn't think you even cared about what I was going to do with my life."
"Hmph, I guess that's it then," Paul said, taking a small step back. "Just because you've had your greatest moment of being a Pokémon Master also means that you're pursuing a new dream on becoming the supposed greatest Aura Guardian."
"I still have all my Pokémon with me that live at Professor Oak's laboratory," Ash explained. "Professor Oak said to find any available videophone with a Poké Ball Exchange System in the scattered towns of the Orre region." Despite the explanation, Paul did not react to it. He continued to glare at Ash.
"Fine then," he finally said, turning away grudgingly. "Go ahead and save the world. Or not. I don't really care; I have my own things to attend to." He started to walk away, his back turned in front of everyone.
"Hey, Paul," Ash said, stopping the dark Trainer. "I don't know why, but it kind of means a lot to me for you coming here."
"Hmph."
"Ash, let's go!" Anabel exclaimed, waving for him on the boat next to Riley. Ash glanced at her before looking back at Paul.
"I guess I'll see you around, Paul," Ash said, holding a hand out to the skeptical, grimacing rival.
"Whatever," Paul said, glumly lifting a hand out from his pocket. His hand slowly reached over to Ash's hand. Before they could clasp together, few pedestrian screams were heard at the opening public areas of Viridian City. Both Trainers retracted their hands, hearing the screams that told of something strange flying through the city.
"Darkrai has found the one," Cresselia said, having taken over Anabel's body. Her eyes were alit of her light and their sweet voices were mixed. She glanced at a direction. Ash, Paul, and the others followed suit, discovering the Pitch-Black Pokémon flying towards Paul.
"What in the?!" Paul shouted, stepping aside quickly, avoiding Darkrai's aerial grasping attempt. "So, you want to fight? Gliscor, stand by for battle!"
"Gliscor?!" Ash shouted in reaction to the Pokémon's name Paul called out. Brock and the others caught up to him.
"Ash, didn't Paul say that he released Gliscor due to its performance in your battle at the Sinnoh League Conference?" Brock asked.
"Maybe Paul caught a new Gliscor," Dawn suggested.
"No, it's the same one," Ash said, narrowing his eyes upon the Gliscor Paul sent out to battle Darkrai. "He must have recaptured it after searching for it all this time."
"But why?" May asked. "He made it appoint to any living and nonliving being that he greatly dislikes weak Pokémon. Has he finally listened to the lesson you taught him at your last battle, Ash?"
"A lot of time took place since then, May," Gary said. "A lot can happen since his humiliation at the Battle Dimension. He might have done a lot of soul searching, as far I can see." They observed the battle between Gliscor and Darkrai. Each Pokémon's physical and special attacks continued to miss as the other swiftly evaded the barrage.
"Dark Void!" Darkrai shouted, throwing a black sphere with a blood red center at Gliscor. It flew in fast enough to capture the stumbling Gliscor.
"Gliscor!" Gliscor cried, having been enveloped in a Dark Void. The Fang Scorp Pokémon fell asleep, trembling in fear from Darkrai's presence seconds later. Bad Dreams had taken its twisted effect.
"How dare you!" Paul spat vehemently, taking a new Poké Ball out of his pocket. Darkrai narrowed its visible blue eye at him with a rough growl. "Torterra, stand by for—!"
"No!" Darkrai shouted, swooping in and trapping Paul in its clutches; the latter dropped the Poké Ball from the surprise trapping attack. They hovered four feet above the ground.
"Darkrai, you better let me go now," Paul warned, struggling as his arms were bound by Darkrai's hands. He kicked at Darkrai, but the distance was slightly far due to the Pitch-Black Pokémon's long arm length. "Damn you! Let me go!" The others continued to watch Paul's attempts to break out and swear, unable to reach for his own Poké Balls or to fight back himself.
"Paul, don't worry! We'll get you out!" Ash yelled, reaching for a Poké Ball of his own. "I don't know why Darkrai is doing this to you, but—."
"Darkrai has found its fusion partner in Paul," Cresselia said, walking towards him in Anabel's body. "Ash, you must fuse Paul and Darkrai. He is the destinied third hero to help save the world from Shadow Giratina's wrath. The 'foe once mean,' the grudging ally is Paul." Ash stared at her; his mouth gaped in astonishment.
"I did not see that coming, Cresselia," he said, regaining his composure. Darkrai floated towards him with Paul on hand.
"Wait a minute; you're telling me that this repulsive creature is going to be living inside my body?" Paul asked, furiously kicking his legs out. "Like hell you all are!"
"I can't get close enough to him," Ash said, noting that Paul was too dangerous to approach and to perform the Aura Fusion. The news only made him angrier. Saving the world with people he was not fond of was one thing to him, but fusing with Darkrai was where he drew the line.
"Lucario, Aura Sphere!"
"Rah!" Riley's Lucario shouted, tossing an Aura Sphere at Paul's head. Cresselia held her hand out pointed at the Aura Sphere. Her psychic powers condensed the pulse bomb attack. The shrunken sphere calmed Paul upon contact; he stopped flailing his body.
"Ash, do it!" Riley yelled. Immediately extending his arm out and opening his hand, Ash formed the translucent aura sphere; he was under much strain, suffering as a novice wielder of aura.
"A-Aura F-F-Fusion!" Ash shouted, performing his role as the catalyst for their third hero. Darkrai's body gave off a glow of multiple colors in darker shades, flowing in conjunction to the waves of the aura. The light in the fusion lit up the entire area, brighter than the sunrise. Once the light had dimmed, Darkrai was no longer to be seen. Paul stood motionless, emanating a distant, yet approachable vibe. His purple bangs covered his eyes.
"Paul?" Ash asked, waving his hand in front of his face. "Is Darkrai in there?"
"Fusion complete," he said, tilting his head up, his eyes peacefully closed. His voice was a brusque distorted mix between Paul's voice and Darkrai's voice. "I'm in charge now."
"It's nice to see that you found a suitable partner, Darkrai," Cresselia said, approaching Paul's inert body. His eyes opened; his pupils were black, wide slits as a clear blue light emanated from the whiteness of his sharp eyes. "I'm guessing you're ready to pitch in whenever."
"We go now," Darkrai said, testing the functions of his new body by picking up Torterra's dropped Poké Ball and putting it back in Paul's pocket. "I would otherwise not work with you, Cresselia. We stand as opposites, reunited by this young, brash, headstrong, and dimwitted Aura Guardian in order for us to fight this crisis. Just like the young man I now share this mortal body with." Ash trembled in anger from each vivid word Darkrai described him as.
"Agreed; we should get a jumpstart as soon as possible," Cresselia said, touching Ash on the shoulder and eradicating his pented fury towards Darkrai. The light from her eyes began to fade. Anabel's body staggered briefly, giving the real Salon Maiden back her control. Darkrai had done the same for Paul, allowing the indifferent Trainer to regain control over his own body.
"I guess that if the world ends, then there would no longer be any opponents to trash and humiliate," Paul said, forming a small smirk. "Hmph, I guess I have nothing left to lose by joining you now. I've lost my self-respect and dignity some time ago."
"So you are willing to go with us to Iron Island and hone in on your new powers granted by Darkrai?" Ash asked. Paul recalled his peacefully sleeping Gliscor back and placed his hands back in his pockets. He began walking toward Riley's boat.
"What are you two waiting for?" Paul asked, glancing back at the couple. "Anytime before Shadow Giratina tears us all apart would be nice." Ash and Anabel ran in after him, disregarding his sudden change of worldly perspective for now; the others watched the unlikeliest of Trainers boarding the boat blankly.
"This is getting pretty weird, even for them," Dawn said, glancing at Ash, Anabel, and Paul. "Fusions and rivals working together, that's something my mind has yet to process."
"You're not the only one, Dawn," Drew said. "But in some strange way, we were all brought together for one cause." Zoey went next to him, locking her arm into his.
"To stop Cipher and Shadow Giratina; that's what we all agreed on," Zoey said. "We also agreed into splitting into pairs, tending to the wild Shadow Pokémon in Kanto and Johto. I'm with Drew in the east half of Kanto." Drew smirked, sweeping her off her feet and planting a kiss upon her sweet lips. She was taken by surprise, but to everyone's astonishment, she went along with it. Upon breaking their mouths free, both stylish Coordinators were catching their breaths. "… Roses still have their troublesome thorns."
"… You're too goody-goody that it makes me sick," Drew replied. They ironically began kissing again; by that time, the others ignored them and moved on with their plans of pairing up.
"Kenny! Let's go together!" Dawn exclaimed, standing uncomfortably close in front of her sheepish rival. "We can compete in Johto Contests while looking for Shadow Pokémon."
"Eh, whatever you say, Dee Dee," Kenny said, shrugging without a care in the world. Dawn briefly glowered, forcefully tugging him along by his arm.
"Hey May, let's go to Johto together," Max suggested. "I haven't traveled with you in such a long time."
"It's actually a great idea, Max," May said. "I can compete for the Johto Grand Festival again and against Dawn and Kenny while watching your own progress." Max snickered; his glasses glinted.
"And so that Mom and Dad won't have a fit because of our safety in the wilderness of Shadow Pokémon, right?" Max asked. May grinned nervously, scratching her head.
"I am held responsible for you, so don't try anything stupid," May suggested through her gritted, grinning teeth.
"It looks like it's just you and me, Brock," Gary said. "We're patrolling the west part of Kanto while Drew and Zoey cover the other half."
"No problem, Gary," Brock said. "I need to make sure my family back at Pewter City remains safe. I trust Forrest enough, but extra precautions wouldn't hurt."
"So the pairs and destinations have been decided then!" May exclaimed. "Everyone, from here on out, we all go our separate journeys while purifying the infected wild Pokémon we bump into along the way, just to give Ash, Anabel, and Paul an easier burden!"
"Who in the right mind made her the leader?" Drew asked cynically. May snorted, turning her head away from his direction.
"Zoey, he's your problem now," May said, pouting. Zoey giggled sheepishly, smiling as seeing the entourage of friends, untied under Ash, retained their same unique personalities despite the recent stress them and the world will face.
Riley's steam boat blew its whistling foghorn. The trio's departure to train and master their new abilities and Pokémon at Iron Island has begun. As the boat began to life anchor and leave, the remaining group bid adieu to their main heroes. Ash and Anabel eagerly waved back; the latter holding an embroidered purple handkerchief from Lucian in her waving hand. Paul casually leaned back on the wall outside the steering room as Riley and his Lucario prepared for their usual route back to Sinnoh, to Iron Island.
"Good-bye, Ash! Later, Anabel! Good luck, Paul!" everyone exclaimed as their final hoo-rah.
They have said their last good-byes that the aura trio's seven-month training will be sufficient to survive the trials Cipher would throw their way in Orre. From the departure, they would have to report back to Professor Oak's laboratory, follow Namba's directions, equip themselves with Professor Krane's Purification Gauntlets and Aura Readers, listen to Michael's wisdom on handling Shadow Pokémon, and entertain Jovi. This was what they promised upon, no matter the troublesome cost.
By then, it had been predicted that everything will be desolate and ruined by the frigid gales and merciless claws of XD00∞, the ultimate Shadow Giratina. The Orre region was presumed as the first place to fall to Cipher's power, as well as the home base as Shadow Giratina roamed and craved more destruction, assisted by the unsuspecting, infected wild Pokémon. But what no one knew, not even the lowly Peon body of Cipher…
Ardos' new plans for world domination will become much, much worse…
Time may pass for a million eons. Space can distort in unimaginable ways. Darkness and hell might cover the entire world. Friendship can fade overtime if tension was allowed to build overtime. But the eternal love of Ash and Anabel will remain the same, strong and pure. This was the tale of a young Trainer with a dream as big as his heart, determined to work his way up in the world, from a servant of a lovely maiden to Pokémon Master Stardom.
To Be Continued…