A/N: This is it, the final chapter of this story, now I can focus on Drag Hunting, A new client, a new target, Hunter J has only just begun to cause havoc for the our young trainers check it out. But for now:

Chapter 12

A soft gray light pierced through the black haze, as soft voices murmured on. "How are the Pokémon" one of the voices asked quietly. Ash recognized that voice to belong to Dawn. "Fine." Another voice responded, which Ash recognized to be Brock. "I think they will be glad to get out of here though." The two continued to chatter, but Ash didn't seem to be listening. Confusion settled over him as he became more aware of his surroundings. He was currently lying in a soft bed with the steady beeps of machinery chirping in the background.

To his right he felt the presence of his partner Pikachu cuddled up by his side; his breathing in sync with his own as he lay there. Slowly Ash began to open his eyes. His vision blurred as he found himself starring up at an unfamiliar ceiling. He waited for a moment for his vision to adjust, but it never seemed to.

"wha-" he managed to utter after finding his voice, causing Pikachu to wake. "Pikapi!" he exclaimed happily upon seeing his trainer awake.

"Ash" Dawn exclaimed happily as she and Brock made their way over towards his bedside. "Good to have you back." Brock added as he smiled warmly down at him. Dawn nodded as she too finally began to smile knowing everything was finally going to be ok. "How are you feeling?" She asked him in concern, "Do you need anything?"

Still confused, Ash looked up at his friends and tried to voice his questions but his parched throat prevented him from speaking. Upon seeing this Brock left, and returned with a glass of water offering it to Ash. Ash gratefully accepted the water and downed it in no time.

"Take it easy Ash." Brock warned as he watched his friend gulp down the water. After quenching his thirst Ash's attention was back on his friends. He needed answers. "Where am I?" He managed to ask, his voice still hoarse from lack of use.

"The Pokémon center." Dawn answered him. "For about a week now." Ash was still confused. "A week?" He asked in disbelief. Had it really been a week? The last thing he remembered was fighting off Chase in a desperate attempt to prevent him from stealing his aura, but what did not make sense to him was how he could still here. He thought he was a goner for sure after that fight, unless it was all just a crazy dream. Ash pulled his left hand out from under the cover remembering that it had been covered by the strange black markings from the Kurai to examine it. He could still feel the dull throb in his palm, now that he was more aware of his surroundings.

He was very surprised to see that the black markings had disappeared from his arms, and his hand was wrapped tightly in bandages.

"Nurse Joy said that she had never seen a burn like that before, but in time it should fad away." Brock supplied after watching Ash examine his hand.

Okay now Ash was really confused. "What happened?" He asked completely baffled by how he could be lying in bed at a Pokémon center. "What is the last thing you remember?" Dawn asked him.

Ash thought for a moment, "fighting off Chase, and then waking up here. How-?" He began to ask, his confusion stealing the words from his mouth.

"It's thanks to Jayden that you're still here."Brock replied seriously thinking once again how close he had come to losing his best friend.

"Yes but it is thanks to you that Chase is no more." an unfamiliar voice cut in. Everyone in the room turned their attention to Jayden now standing in the doorway of the room. "It was the least I could do." He continued, and upon seeing Ash awake he smiled warmly at him. "Allow me to introduce myself," Jayden continued, "I am Jayden."

"He is a Kuric slayer." Dawn supplied upon seeing he seemed still extremely confused. "He and his father Ambrose hunt down and seal away Aura eaters like Chase."

"It's hard to know how to thank someone who just saved your life." Ash finally managed to say after nodding thanks to Jayden. "Hey, don't mention it, besides," Jayden continued as he smiled warmly at Ash, "you did most of the work."

"Jayden how is your father?" Brock asked after a moment of silence. Jayden looked out the window as the sun continued to shine brightly in the room. "Still a little mad, but I still believe it was the right choice, besides he will see things my way sooner or later."

Upon hearing this Ash grew even more confused, just what had exactly happened? He was about to ask the others when Jayden beat him, "besides the reason I am here is to warn you." Jayden said as he turned his attention back to the others in the room. "Warn us?" Dawn asked. "Yes, there are still five known Aura eaters out there." Jayden continued. In the short time Jayden had known Ash, he had really grown to respect him, one of the reasons he did what he did to save him, whether or not his father felt it was the right course of action. He just hoped Ash wouldn't have to go through this all over again.

"My father and I will be working hard to seal them away, but" Jayden paused a moment, "just be careful out there." Ash nodded in understanding, one of the few things that was actually clear to him since he woke up, it was possible that he might go through this entire experience again. "I hope you find them." He answered back. Jayden smiled in thanks. "Well I better get going; my father is waiting for me." Jayden said as he gestured towards the door.

Everyone watched as Jayden left the room, leaving the three trainers alone. Ash looked up at his friends and noticed the weird look now masking their faces. "What exactly happened?" Ash asked them.

Both Brock and Dawn exchanged a strange look, confusing Ash even more. "Don't worry about that now." Brock answered him. Jayden had requested for the others to keep from Ash what exactly had transpired to save his life. Brock and Dawn, even though they could not see the reasoning behind this, had agreed to honor his request.

Brock watched his friend as he eyed him suspiciously. Ash may be considered dense by most people, but Brock knew his friend knew they were keeping something from him. "Besides, you should focus on getting better so you can have your next gym battle soon." Dawn cut in hoping the change of conversation would get Ash to forget about it.

Brock smiled in gratitude at Dawn for the save, as they both listened on as Ash excitedly talked about his upcoming gym battle, eagerly asking when they could leave, when suddenly a load grumble filled the room. Ash smiled broadly as he began to rub the back of his head. "But first things first." He beamed. Dawn's smile grew even bigger as she thought how it was nice to have Ash back.

A/N: not satisfied with this ending, please let me know, may rewrite. I left it open like this that way if I or anyone else wanted to write a another it would not be limited to what was previously stated.