Ash Ketchum: Unleashed

Chapter 27- The Death of God

Arceus stirred from unconsciousness, but he was breathing heavily.
'I cannot begin to be indebted to you, Ash, for what you have done. My sons and my daughters may have died, but they have died content, thankful for having managed to repay your debt. You have, though, saved my life, saved all my sons and daughters at least once, and you have saved the world, from destruction, yet again. What do you want here? Because I have not repaid debt. '
'What... I cannot...' Ash was dumbfounded.
'Something, Ash. You can ask. '
'Erm...' Ash uttered, 'Well... Er, Arceus, I have something I want. Can you bring back all those who died?'
Somehow, he already knew that the answer was a foregone conclusion.
'I am quite tempted to, Ash, but I cannot, for two reasons. First, I do not have the power to return the dead, even if I attain the Jewel of Life. Secondly, if I could do that even, I will not do so. You need to reconcile with the idea of death, Ash, and I believe you are old enough to understand. '
Ash sighed and hung his head in defeat, biting his tears back, at the loss of his last chance.
'I do.' He agreed.
'However, there is something I can give you in return. Enlightenment. Of death. Related to your closest people. You will understand. And one day, maybe... you will tell your family...'
Ash Ketchum stood his ground, as a jet of light gradually turned into a beam, and Arceus virtually transferred all his power through it... and as Ash was revitalized, he breathed his last.
Ash stood in shock, looking at the scene in front of him- as were the others: Arceus and his Legendaries, and their clones, all dead in the chamber.
God was dead.
Divinity had gone.