Tryst with Destiny: The End of the Beginning

116: El Renacimiento

(In the Smoking Battle Stadium)

"Hahahaha," Ariel laughs before taking a deep breath, "Five years you have been gone Dragon Emperor, Five years! Now when everything is about to go our way, you show up. Just like a bad penny, showing up in places you aren't needed. Bothersome... as always."

"Leave this place, or I'll water the ground with your blood," the person, is front, answers.

"In case you haven't noticed you're severely outnumbered, not to mention the number of people we have at gunpoint. You are in no position to make any form of threats or demands," Calem snaps back.

However, to everyone's surprise, a ripple of masculine laughter comes from the person in front of them.

"You find this funny? Besides what's with that hood? Too scared to face us in the broad of daylight?" Calem asks, scepticism highlighted in his tone.

"Pardon me. It's been a while since I have encountered a bullish moron like you," the person replies.

"Very funny," Calem says before turning to his sister, "Execute ten of the prisoners. Choose ten, with most of them consisting of his dead apprentices' friends. That should teach him a lesson."

"I don't think so," the hooded person answers.

Diantha and the others exchange nervous glances as all the team Rocket grunts train their guns at the hooded Dragon Emperor.

"And why is that? You and I both know that I hold all the cards in my hands. Then why will I even concede to a single one of your demands?" Ariel asks while giving off a shrill laugh of contempt.

"In that case, at least grant me the courtesy of giving me some time so that I can take off my hood when you execute the people you are threatening to execute," the hooded person answers as the Dragon Staff twirls in the left hand.

The very next second, the right-hand starts going upwards towards the hood. It clasps the top of the hood and pulls it back, rather sharply. The smug grins on Calem, Ariel and the Team Rocket grunts faces' get wiped off like a slate being wiped clean. Their jaws drop in sheer shock as they see the person standing in front of them. Diantha and the others mirror their shock when the hood finally comes off and they see long honey blonde hair escape from the confinement of the hood.

Serena merely smiles back as Calem, Ariel and the other grunts digest their shock. Serena then slowly turns around to face Diantha and the others, who're also shocked beyond belief. The moment she turns around completely she locks eyes with Grace and Delia. They take one look at her and unable to take the intensity of the situation they instantly faint, only to be caught by Diantha and Seibold. The others, paralyzed by what they're seeing, see a grown-up Serena with the Dragon Staff in her left hand. The brilliance of a thousand red hot suns blazes in her eyes and her face is much older, matured by the passage of time and wisdom. Serena gives them a brief smile before turning back to face Calem and the others.

"Hello, Calem. Long time, no see," Serena replies calmly.

Calem, who doesn't believe his own eyes, takes a rapid number of breaths to reinforce himself.

"You're... you're alive?" he splutters.

"I see you're still stupid as you were... all those years ago. It's true what they say. Once an idiot, always an idiot," Serena answers while amusing herself with the look on Calem and Ariel's faces.

"You're alone surrounded by all these agents. Not only are you outnumbered but you're in the worst possible position," Ariel says, being the first one to recover.