Professor Kukui's words sent shockwaves across the entire world.
Through the analysis of Ash's battle with Kukui, and after Alola's rise to prominence,
the principles and effects of Z-Moves had long since become common knowledge.
And precisely because of that, everyone understood what it truly meant.
Using a Z-Move without a Trainer… without a Z-Ring…
Even a Guardian Deity like Tapu Koko had required Kukui's assistance to unleash one in the finals.
Yet Marshadow had done it alone.
The strength of this Pokémon was terrifying beyond measure.
Facing such an opponent—
Could Pikachu… still win?
Within the Footage —
The small legs wrapped in overwhelming air pressure crushed the golden lightning bit by bit.
Even Pikachu, pushing his body beyond its limits,
was no match for Marshadow after unleashing a Z-Move.
The Seven-Star Soul-Crushing Kick struck Pikachu squarely in the face—
And detonated.
Ash was thrown back by the shockwave.
Even Makoto and the others, who were rushing in from afar, were forced back by the violent winds.
When the dust finally settled—
Pikachu lay on the ground, barely conscious.
His body was covered in countless wounds, his eyes barely able to stay open.
Not even when he had been chased by a flock of Spearow at the very start of the journey
had he ever suffered such damage.
Nearby, Marshadow returned to its normal form, half-kneeling, visibly exhausted.
Forcing apart Pikachu's final Thunderbolt had cost it dearly—
But compared to Pikachu, Marshadow was still in far better condition.
Ash rushed forward and pulled Pikachu into his arms.
Only after confirming Pikachu was still alive did he finally let out a breath—
But before he could relax—
A massive sense of danger surged from behind.
Ash turned.
A group of Pokémon, controlled by dark power, were advancing step by step.
Marshadow had lost much of its combat strength—
But the corrupted Pokémon remained.
Nidoking.
Nidoqueen.
Electabuzz.
Rhyperior.
Fully evolved. Powerful.
Pikachu's strength had earned Marshadow's respect—
But that "respect" now meant annihilation.
Audience Reaction
Lance: "Where is Ho-Oh?! Do something already!"
Diantha: "At this point… Ho-Oh has to appear."
Cynthia: "Otherwise… I don't see how Ash survives this."
Ash was completely isolated.
His Pokémon were blocked.
His companions were blocked.
Pikachu—their final hope—was barely breathing.
Only Ho-Oh could save him now.
Surely… surely it would come.
He was the Rainbow Hero.
The protagonist of this very story.
He couldn't possibly—
…right?
Within the Footage —
Ash ran, clutching Pikachu tightly, until he reached the edge of a cliff.
Ahead lay nothing but an endless abyss.
There was nowhere left to go.
A Nidoking roared—
A pillar of flame blasted toward Ash.
Exhausted from battle after battle, Ash had no strength left.
There was no time to dodge.
Instinctively, he turned his back to the flames—
And wrapped Pikachu tightly in his arms.
At the most critical moment, the only thing he thought of—
Was protecting Pikachu.
BOOM!
The explosion tore them apart.
Ash's body was burned, scorched by fire.
A normal person would have died instantly.
But Ash remained standing.
This was the physique of a Super Pallet Newcomer.
Pikachu was thrown aside.
Ash crawled toward Pikachu—
And Pikachu crawled toward Ash.
The sight shattered the hearts of everyone watching.
What kind of bond could make two beings think only of each other
even when death loomed?
Ho-Oh—
Please come.
The entire world prayed.
Ash finally reached Pikachu.
With trembling hands, he pulled out a Poké Ball—
The one marked with a lightning symbol.
Unused.
"Pikachu… get inside."
Pikachu froze.
"I know you hate Poké Balls… but if you go in… you might survive."
Ash forced himself upright.
Staggering, he turned to face the approaching Pokémon.
He flipped his cap backward.
And shouted.
"Do you know who I am?!"
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town!"
"I'm going to become the greatest Pokémon Master in the world!"
"How could I… lose here?!"
Just like on the first day of his journey.
Just like back then.
Only now—
He was stronger.
And the danger was far greater.
Yet his resolve had never changed.
Once again, he spread his arms—
Standing before Pikachu.
If they wanted to hurt Pikachu—
They would have to step over his body.
Energy spheres.
Hyper Beams.
Flash Cannons.
Flamethrowers.
Attack after attack was unleashed.
Pikachu tried to recreate the miracle from the Spearow incident—
He leapt from behind Ash, stepping on Ash's shoulder.
But this time—
There was no thunder in the sky.
And Pikachu was already too badly injured.
His final strength faded.
He fell.
Ash's eyes widened.
Somehow—somehow—his body found strength one last time.
He caught Pikachu tightly.
BOOM!!
A blast ten times stronger than before erupted at the cliff's edge.
Ash was thrown beside the Poké Ball.
Yet Pikachu remained unharmed in his arms.
Across the World
Kalos — Vaniville Town
"Ash… please be okay…"
Serena clutched her chest, eyes filled with worry.
Sinnoh — Twinleaf Town
"Ash… you've always overcome impossible odds…"
Dawn whispered, though her hands trembled.
Everywhere
Those who cared for Ash felt their hearts tighten.
Why hadn't Ho-Oh come?
Professor Oak's Backyard
"Ash… your physique surpasses anything I imagined."
Red stared in disbelief.
Those attacks would have killed even Elite Pokémon.
Yet Ash still lived.
A monster indeed.
Within the Footage —
Ash gently loosened his grip.
His injuries were too severe.
Without treatment… he wouldn't last.
"Pikachu… why… didn't you… go inside…?"
Pikachu smiled.
"Because… I want… to stay with you… forever."
The World Fell Silent
Pikachu… spoke.
Not with words.
But with his heart.
Ash's eyes widened.
Behind him—
The attacks charged once more.
Ash used the last of his strength.
He forced Pikachu into the Poké Ball—
And clutched it to his chest.
The attacks landed.
BOOM!!!
A cataclysmic explosion engulfed Mount Tensei.
The mountain shook violently.
The shockwave spread for kilometers.
The heavens trembled.
Still—
Ho-Oh did not come.
The Poké Ball rolled away.
Ash's cap drifted down—
And covered it.
Pikachu burst free.
The cap slid down.
Ash stood before him—
Transparent.
Fading.
Like scattered light.
Pikachu picked up the cap—
Reached out—
And Ash vanished completely.
The Rainbow Wing turned to ash.
Ash… was gone.
The World Broke
No one spoke.
Not a single comment appeared.
Ash Ketchum—
Had died.
Final Scene —
Pikachu screamed.
Golden lightning erupted across the sky.
Thunder illuminated the world.
Darkness was erased.
A power capable of annihilating legends.
But—
Ash did not return.
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