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The bird and the dragon duel within the sky, trading blow for blow. Moltres, the specter of doom and gloom, hatred incarnate, and the noise bat dragon out of hell. If this were WWE, people would probably pay pay-per-view to watch the dragon biting at the Moltres, the Moltres swiping at Bass' eye and hitting, causing a good amount of blood. But no matter what, Ashley didn't look. Because Bass was doing this for him. He trusted Bass with his heart.[break][break]

He doesn't have a plan. While Moltres is fended off, all he can do is try something. But those words Kepler's apparition stated, that being within him? They weren't wrong. He can't hurt Kepler. He never could... when he sees that neck cocked to the side, it nearly breaks him.[break][break]

Even flimsy, he continues to look with confidence to Kepler. "You're right. I am. I can't hurt him." He gives the most heartfelt smile he can. If he is being judged to kill someone he loves, he fails. That is where honor dies for him. He can't do it. He won't do it.[break][break]

Tempest pulls off the most badass move possible, and literally chucks a frickin' boat at the Moltres. Deadass, with a Dhelmise, the ghost ship itself comes out and literally mows down that bird with enough force for Ashley to wonder if it can die a second time. Bass just happened to get out of the way in time, and lands on the ground protective of Ashley, but looking to Tempest ecstatic about the boat-related violence with one good eye. The Noivern makes the happiest chime, and in fact, creates a new little chiptune for Tempest in a familiar tone.[break][break]

The Moltres flails angrily, squawking, fire burning from its beak as it angrily fires flame after flame upwards, but with a certain ghost boat-related injury quite literally knocking the wind out of the Moltres, who was also a vengeful spirit and all, it was gonna take a minute to get itself back up. That's a boat. You don't just walk off getting hit by a boat. Those kill people usually![break][break]

"So beat me until you're satisfied." Though unconsciously, he would no longer let blame drown him. He would take responsibility, and let it burn him if it needed. But he wouldn't let himself die.[break][break]

Those were the words coming out of his mouth, as Kepler plays his final gambit, and with it comes a world of pain to Ashley. His smile disappears, as his words come out. Their conversation at the Verdanturf Town bar comes back. "Dialated cardiomyopathy-" The terrible realization damn near presses the weight of the world upon him, as he trips over himself to get to Kepler, every step taking an eon. The world slows down, before he even realizes it, he's on his knees. He's holding Kepler in his hands. His right arm hurts. Tears are running down his face, his silver eyes matted. His vision is glossy, his heart is beating out of his chest.[break][break]

"Kep." Is all that can come from his lips.[break][break]

Isaac's words are so far off from him. They are distant. He can hear his friend, he can hear the heal pulse, he can hear the way he compels Arceus to get out of Kepler. He does the first thing that comes to mind. He kisses Kepler's forehead. If the Heal Pulse works, if the exorcism works, great. If they don't...[break][break]

"I'm so sorry. I love you so much. Please stay with me. Eyes on me, okay? You're gonna make it through this." No time for what ifs.[break][break]

Whoever this spirit was, let it judge him. He would not lay a finger on Kepler. Ash was all talk. All he wants now, all he ever wanted, is to come out of this okay. All of them. So he holds Kepler tightly, quietly crying. If they got out? He was going to take Kep to do everything. Spoil him. Give him the world.[break][break]

He holds his forehead to Kepler's. He doesn't pray often. But he hopes for once in his twenty-five years of life that Arceus listens.[break]

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