Devastation was all that Ash was left with in the wake of the Sinnoh league. Devastation that forced the young trainer to his knees. However, the future forces Ash to his feet as he strives to crush the darkness glittering on the horizon. Driven by nothing but his desire for tomorrow, Ash takes it upon himself to fly the banner of hope.

Survivors all around as the rescue party stumbles out of Hueco Mundo with Orihime in tow. As both sides prepare for the showdown at dawn, the leaders contemplate the severity of their decisions and why they will fight come dawn. In the process of these mental preparations, both sides find they have a rather odd commonality. One-shot. No romance. AU (sorta), gonna call it non-canon