Before we begin, I want to make one thing clear to my readers.
Serena: What's that?
me: Gah! First Ash, now you?! What are you guys doing here anyway?
Serena: I don't really know. You just brought us here.
me: Is this going to be a regular thing with you guys?
Serena: Maybe.
me: *sigh* Alright. But first, what I want to say.
While I get some people don't like some of the ways I write, that doesn't give you the right to dictate how I should write. As an individual, I have my own style. So to the reviewers who have given me feedback that is not story related, while your intentions 'might' be understandable (and I emphasize might greatly), how it comes across is less than desirable. If you want to correct my writing, just be an editor. Right now, I already have three that I trust, and they give honest critiques that help me see more from another perspective. Yours just seems to be completely biased. Also, walk the walk before talking the talk. I looked at your profiles, and feel underwhelmed you think you know how to write when your writing is mediocre. Not bad, just not to a level that shows you know more than me. I will not say names, but you know who you are. Everyone else, leave them alone. I know you have reasons, but this is something I need to confront alone. And I prefer to leave bystanders out of my fights.
Serena: But, aren't you bringing them in by posting this?
me: I know. But this will not stop unless someone steps up. Evil will only win when good people stand by and do nothing. I may be burned, banned, slandered, and what have you. But I will speak my peace, because this affects me greatly.
Serena: Can't we just get to the story?
me: *deep breath* Yeah, let's go! People want to enjoy a story, not listen to a rant.
So anyway, here is the second prologue of Galactic Hero. And here's where things get real serious. Just warning you, some parts may get dark.
Serena: Like what? Is it with Ash?!
me: No. Just do the disclaimer so we can read already.
Serena: Alright, don't be so sour about it. Anyway, RSBCS does not own Pokemon. All content belongs to Game Freak and Nintendo.
me: And with that all cleared up, let's move out!
Prologue 2:
Mark Fulfilled
The room was dim and quiet. Only Ash and Pikachu's soft snoring filled the quarters. That is, until,
"Ash, Pikachu, up and at 'em!" The two cadets shot out of bed, landing hard on the ground. Upon recovery, Colonel Iris appeared on the holo-monitor and instructed, "Cadet, we have a situation. I need you to team up with Cadets May and Kenny, patrol Sector 27 immediately. Now go!" After her transmission cut off, Ash groggily got his suit and helmet on. He wasn't sure what Colonel Iris meant, but it had to be an emergency to wake him up in the middle of the night.
"Let's go Pikachu!" he beckoned, then wondered, "But, why Sector 27? Isn't that off-limits to all denizens?" Pikachu just shrugged, equally confused. With that done, Ash slapped on his remote controller to his wrist, and dashed off for their mission.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The first thing Serena woke up to were the sounds of explosions. The tower rocked with the force of something destructive outside. Afraid, yet curious at the same time, she ventured from her bed to the window to see something that horrified her. Down below, the wall barricading the town and castle was demolished, awash in fire. The energy shield it supported was visibly shattered at the entrance point the enemy penetrated through. The town was in shambles, and the townsfolk were either fleeing for their lives, or fighting back against the attackers. Whatever this force was, it was making its way towards the castle.
Misty came in urgently, immediately yanking the princess to her side. No words were needed to be said about what would happen next, as Serena quick-changed out of her gown, and they made their way to the central staircase.
But barely partway down, Serena gasped as she realized, "Braixen! Pancham!" Rushing with all her might, the princess hurried back to her room with Misty hot on her tail, urging her back. They made it back up, and Serena quickly retrieved her Pokeballs from her nightstand. But it was in that moment that another explosion rattled the tower. When Misty went to investigate, she found that the stairwell and lifts were shattered and blasted away, while some strange men in orange suits like the men yesterday were slowly approaching the room on the backs of flying Pokemon like Skarmory, or being lifted up by a Beehyem's Psychic. Misty quickly barred the door as she looked for an exit for her and/or Serena.
It was then that Cilan rushed in and called, "Princess, this way! The servant's passage!" Serena found herself being directed to a passage in a wall. Cilan ushered her and Misty into the wall as they heard pounding coming from the entrance.
"Wait, Cilan! Come with us!" Serena pleaded as Misty tugged her in.
"I can't. You are my responsibility. Your safety is my mission and utmost priority." Cilan told her.
"Cilan please! I can't leave you behind! I won't leave anyone behind!"
"Don't worry Serena. When you are safely away, I will gather everyone and come find you. That's a promise."
"We'll hold you to that promise Cilan." Misty retorted, "Pleasant tidings and fair winds to you."
"And to you two as well." With one last smile, Cilan closed the wall behind him, and prepared to face the ones pursuing the princess. Two men blasted the door away with their Pokemon's help, and confronted the well-dressed connoisseur. They were surprised to see that the princess was not present, unlike what their informer relayed to them.
"Where is she?!" One of the men interrogated.
Holding out his Pokeball, Cilan challenged, "Defeat me, and you may find out. Crustle, let's go!" And from his Pokeball came a large hermit crab Pokemon with a huge slab of earth on top of it like a shell. The two men prepared to attack, but backed off when they heard a mighty below outside. And Cilan had just enough time to see a vague shadow of a Pokemon with wings on its back as it shot blue fire at him.
Serena and Misty retreated to the underground hangar using the servant's lift. It didn't feel right to Serena to leave Cilan like she did, even to protect her. She felt like wanting to just forget about her own sake, and go back to help. But not only was she too far down to do so, but blue fire spewed from the passage above them. Seeing the fire coming from where Cilan was, Serena feared the worst for her friend. Misty, on the other hand, held out hope that Cilan would be alright. With those thoughts, the two continued on and arrived at the hidden hangar.
Prepped in the center was a blue spacecraft, that was spherical in shape with two turrets on the supposed front, and two jets attached on either side. The bottom hull was metallic and blue, while the top was a plexiglass dome. Working to prepare their escape vehicle were Drew, Dawn, and Queen Grace.
"Mother!" Serena cried as she rushed to the queen and hugged lose to her.
Grace returned the hug, and grieved, "Oh Serena, I wish this day had never come."
"Your Majesty," Drew informed, "The ship is ready for takeoff."
"Wonderful. You and Dawn head on ahead and clear a path." Confirming the order, Drew and Dawn took off for the upper hangar.
"Mother, what will we do? Our people..."
"Fret not, Serena. I have my best riders protecting our people and getting them safely evacuated. They will be fine."
"Thank goodness."
"But that's not what's important right now. These marauders are attacking our home for one reason: you. We need to get you as far away from here as possible."
"Okay. But Cilan, and everyone-"
"They are doing all they can to keep you safe. You must ensure their sacrifice is not in vain Serena."
"My queen, we must go!" Misty barked out. With an understanding nod, Queen Grace gave Serena a crest that looked like a shield, with a sword and a lightning bolt crossed on its face over what looked like fire.
"Take this." She instructed to her daughter, "Give it to the one you sense will be your next hero. Tell him to guard it, and you, well."
Panicking from the gift, Serena gasped, "But what about you?! You're coming with us, right?!"
Shaking her head, the queen replied, "I must remain to see to our kingdom's survival until you return. I will be alright. Remember: 'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.'" As the hangar shook fro the fighting above, Serena gave her mother one last hug before breaking away and going over to Misty and boarding their escape. With a quick startup, Misty blasted the craft down the long corridor to the exit, emerging several miles away from the skirmish and blasting off into space. As they gradually drew further and further away, Serena watched as the fires of her former home faded to nothingness, while the blackness of space took over. But they weren't out of the woods yet, as three ships came upon their craft, and Misty prepared for evasive maneuvers.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
In another region of space, Ash and Pikachu flew the perimeter of the boundary to Sector 27. This was dubbed the "Forbidden Sector," for reasons unknown to most people. The Space Rule had declared the area off-limits to all space denizens, even for Space Defenders. The fact that Colonel Iris wanted Ash, Kenny, and May to patrol this area was quite perplexing. What could be so urgent that they needed to go here anyway?
"Pilot 05 to 03." May came in on the comm screen, "Ash, you there?"
"I'm here." Ash responded, "Any sign of trouble?"
"None so far. But, I'll be surprised if anything does happen out here. I mean, this is the Forbidden Sector. No one, not even the worst criminals, would dare come here."
"Yeah. But that just makes me wonder why Colonel Iris wants us out here anyway. If no one comes here, then what's our objective?"
"Pilot 11 to 03." Kenny interjected, "To answer your question Ash, there may not be any real reason. Maybe this is the colonel's way of saying she's relieving us of duty."
"No way! The colonel would never do that."
"Well, we've all messed up pretty bad in each of our missions, and haven't made a lot of progress since our first day on the force."
"The colonel's not gonna drop us like that Kenny!" May scolded, "You're starting to sound like my little brother.
"Well, it's always a possibility, isn't it?" As May and Kenny continued to argue, Ash and Pikachu suddenly saw something. An image flashed through their minds of a castle, torn and burned.
The vision lasted for nearly a second, and then they heard, Help me. Please. The two of them didn't know where the voice came from, or what it was trying to say. Yet they heard it again, begging, My home, my family. Someone, help up.
"Pikachu, did you hear that?" Ash asked his companion. Pikachu nodded apprehensively, just as unnerved as he was.
So Ash enacted open-channel communication, and announced, "This is Cadet Ash of the Space Defenders. Is there anyone within three parsecs trying to send out a distress signal?"
Drawn by the request, Kenny and May ceased their argument as Kenny asked, "Hey Ash, what's going on?" But Ash didn't respond, and continued listening for the voice he and Pikachu heard. For a couple minutes, only silence occupied the void.
So he tried again, "This is Ash Ketchum from the Space Defenders to all open channels. Is there someone requiring our help? Over." Again, nothing. But Ash was sure he heard someone calling for help. Thinking it was an issue with the power, Ash switched on the charger machine and instructed, "Pikachu, use your Thunderbolt to boost the ship's power and find what's out there." Plugged by its cheeks, Pikachu happily obliged and sent amps of extra electricity to power the radio. It was then that he, Kenny, and May picked up chatter on the open channels. But the voices were distorted, warped even, and not very friendly sounding.
"Rover 1 to command! Rover to command! We have the princess in our sights. Pursuing target."
"Command to Rover unit, be advised. We want the princess alive. Repeat, capture of Princess Serena must be made no-lethally. Failure to do so will not be tolerated."
"Affirmative. Switching to EMP for disabling craft. Moving to engage."
Shocked by what they heard, Kenny exclaimed, "What the heck was that?! Who are those guys, and who are they after?! And who's Princess Serena?!"
"I have no idea." May responded, equally dumbfounded, "But whoever she is, it sounds like these people are trying to kidnap her!"
"The tracker pinpoints the conversation originating within Sector 27, beyond the border." Ash relayed, "Pikachu and I are going in."
But right when he disconnected Pikachu, Ash heard Kenny protest, "Whoa whoa Ash! I know it's our job to protect people, but this is putting us in the Forbidden Sector! Shouldn't we wait for the approval before going in?"
"There's no time Kenny!" May argued, "If we wait for permission, whoever is in trouble might get captured. Ash, I'll follow your lead."
"Thanks May. Kenny, we could use the extra help. Will you please come with us?" Kenny contemplated the matter for a bit, making grunting noises as he decided.
Until finally, "Okay! I'm coming too! Not like I'm in good standings with the colonel anyway." With the matter decided, Ash met up with his friends within the boundary, then set off for the skirmish.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Serena held on with all her might as Misty bobbed, ducked, and spun out of danger. The Solar Flare ships tailing them had opened fire, bearing down on the fleeing craft as it made haste for the boundary. The border between their home system and the rest of the universe had been sanctioned by Galaxy Rule to protect Zion Arcadia, as well as its inhabitants. No one could go past it, save for the ones behind them that already violated it. When they make it out, Serena would send an SOS to the protective forces to rescue them, then assist in her quest to find the hero. But they were still thousands of kilometers away from the boundary, and the enemy fighters were drawing closer. Serena was afraid they wouldn't make it, and that she would fail in saving the universe when she gets captured. Misty had a contingency to see the princess to safety, at the cost of herself. Should they be unable to flee, Misty would eject her using the only escape pod they had, which was big enough for one person. It would tear at Serena's heart, but the faithful watcher knew it might need to be done.
It was in those thoughts that the pursuers had boxed their ship in, and were preparing one final blast. Misty desperately looked for an avenue of escape, but there were none to be seen. She then spotted a nearby world, just shy of the boundary: Planet Kyodonis. It wasn't an optimal planet to send the princess to safety, but it would have to do for now to ensure her future.
When she made a move for the escape pod transfer lever, Serena shouted in outrage, "Misty, what are you doing?! Don't you dare!"
Stilling her progress, Misty reasoned, "Princess, please understand. You are my mission. I must see to it that you get away safely."
"Absolutely not! Not if it means sacrificing you to do it!"
"I am prepared to make the sacrifice."
"I'm not! Misty, you mean too much to me. We've known each other for so long, we've become like sisters. I can't bear to lose you. I can't bear to lose anyone. Never again."
Turning her chair around, Misty comforted, "Serena, I thank you. Serving you has filled me with great joy. I'll never forget my time with you."
"Misty please! There's got to be another way!"
"There is no time. This must be done." Tears cascading down her face, Serena embraced Misty in a last-ditch attempt to keep her from committing what she was about to do. Misty returned the embrace, eyes watering from the princess's overwhelming compassion. No, not princess. Her sister.
But right when the enemy ship was prepared to fire the EMP, three other ships zoomed by and fired back, causing them to scatter. The two girls looked up to see the three new ships flying in a small V formation, pursuing the Solar Flare fighters away from them. It was a miracle! Misty and Serena thought it was Drew and the others, until they spotted not only the ship's emblem, but also their pilots. They were Space Defenders!
"Cadet 03 to sieged craft!" came a boy on the display, "This is Ash Ketchum of the Space Defenders. Are your passengers unharmed?" Shocked at being saved, Misty took a while to respond.
But soon, she did snap back and answered, "Yes, we're okay. Many thanks for your rescue, Cadet. You must escort us to your command ship immediately! We are bringing important cargo to you."
"Understood! May, Kenny, disperse the enemy fighters while I handle escort."
"Roger." a brown-haired girl affirmed.
"Go for it!" A boy with maroon hair cheered. So the other two defenders broke off, and started chasing away the enemy ships. While the ship piloted by Ash worked to begin escort.
"It's him." Misty heard Serena mutter.
Puzzled, she turned and wondered, "Who?"
"The one who is rescuing us." she spoke again, "Ash, he's the one. He's him!"
"Wait, are you saying-" But Misty didn't get the chance to finish, as Serena gave her three things: A Pokeball, a Keystone, and the Crest of the Hero.
"Take care of Pancham for me." she told her. And as Misty was about to protest, Serena pulled the lever to lower her bodyguard's seat down into the escape pod. Once Misty was inside, the floor sealed up as the ship ejected her down to Kyodonis.
After taking control, Serena contacted Ash and informed, "Ash, the important cargo is heading for Kyodonis. You need to retrieve it, and bring it with you to your commander. I'll draw Team Solar Flare away."
"What?! Hold on, we're almost ready. My team just about has the enemy in retreat."
"I'm sorry. But my pursuers will not desist unless I lure them away. You must have the time and freedom to train and become stronger.
Ash was gonna argue further, but he suddenly felt like there was something familiar about this person. It was like they had met before, and knew each other very well. Even more, Ash felt convinced that he had known her, from when he was very little.
Wanting to confirm his suspicion, and to stop her from enacting her plan, he asked, "Who are you?"
"I'm Serena. Ash, I will try to talk to you again. I promise, we'll see each other again, and I'll tell you more."
"Wait, Serena-"
"Good-bye for now, hero." Serena broke the connection, and broke away from the Space Defenders protection. Realizing where she was going, the Solar Flare ships resumed their original pursuit. They were themselves pursued by Ash's companions, still trying to dissuade the chase. While Ash followed the escape pod down to Kyodonis, just like Serena hoped.
With everything now in place, Serena set the ship to fly on a straight path. Then, she activated the self-destruct mode, and set the timer for one minute. Finalized and ready to commit, she laid down in a clear part of the floor, held Braixen's Pokeball on her chest with both hands, and committed. Tapping into her power, she began using a technique her mother warned her to use only as a last resort. Slowly, her body was surrounded in a bright light, and crystals began to form around her body, starting from her feet and working its way up.
"May you fulfill our hope, and rise above adversity, Hero Ash. I rest in your hands." Serena whispered as the crystallization finished, enveloping her in a smooth, fire-red, mirror-surfaced crystal. Once it was finished, the ship exploded.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
As Ash entered Kyodonis atmosphere, he and Pikachu glanced back to see the ship explode. The two were jarred by the sudden occurrence. Serena said she was gonna lead the other ships away, not blow her ship up. Ash wanted to turn around and rush to the wreckage in case, somehow, she had survived. But the escape pod was a bigger priority, and Ash had to make sure its occupants were safe.
Just to make sure everything was alright, Ash relayed, "May, Kenny, take a look at where Serena's ship exploded. Find out what happened, and retrieve whatever is there."
"Already on it Ash." May answered, "Be careful going down there. You know how dangerous Kyodonis is."
"I know. Wish me luck." After ending transmission, Ash made it into Planet Kyodonis.
The surface of the planet was quite tranquil, like a tropical paradise. Crystal clear water shone on one side of the planet, spanning beyond the visible horizon. The other end was dominated by a jungle grove, with several volcanoes rising prominently over them, all borderlining the sea with a sandy-white beach. But what made Kyodonis so treacherous was that, on random occurrences, severe weather disasters would shred across the planet, be they storms and hurricanes, or eruptions and drought. No living thing could survive these atrocious conditions, save for the plant life present.
Being wary for a sudden disaster to strike, Ash tracked the escape pod's location as it pinged its distress signal on his radar. Flying along the coast, Ash and Pikachu kept a watchful eye so they could rescue whoever was in the escape pod. It didn't take long for Pikachu though, as its ears perked up and sensed where their target was. Directing Ash to where it sensed the pod, Pikachu kept a very alert stance on Ash's dashboard, ears twitching and turning each time Ash needed to change direction. Before too long, they identified the crash site on the beach, and Ash landed close enough to help whoever was down there.
Upon descent, Ash urgently disembarked and rushed to the capsule holding whoever had been sent by Serena's ship. When they arrived, a hiss escaped from the door as it opened up. Ash looked into the pod cautiously, and found a red-headed girl wearing a blue-and-white space suit that appeared similar to his. She groggily emerged from the pod, her eyes adjusting to the brightness of Kyodonis's tropical environment. When she noticed Ash, her mind began to race.
Seizing him by his suit, the girl interrogated, "Is the princess safe?! Where are the Solar Flare pilots?! What has happened?!"
Pulling himself out of her grip, Ash coughed, "Calm down! My friends are still pursuing those ships that were chasing you guys. It'll be a while before we hear from them again."
"And the princess?" she pressed, "Did you ensure her safety too?" But she didn't even need to get an answer from him, as Pikachu drooped its ears and dropped its gaze. "You left her?!"
"Listen, the girl in the ship, Serena, told me the important stuff was with you!" Ash countered, "No one said anything about a princess, so i thought that was you."
"You abandoned Princess Serena?! How could you do that?! And why would I be the princess?!"
"How was to know?! And she told me she was gonna lead those ships away. My friends were following her. How could I have known she was going to make the ship self-destruct?!" Ash figured too late that he shouldn't have mentioned that last part, as he got floored by the stranger.
"How could you?! You're a Space Defender! You should have gone after her yourself! What did you think you were doing?!"
Getting back up, Ash yelled back, "Space Defender code states that we must put priority to ejected vessels, and provide rescue immediately!"
"At the expense of another person's life?! How heartless can you be?!"
"Look, I sent my friends to see if she somehow survived."
"There's no way she survived! You killed her! You killed Princess Serena!" The words hit Ash like a herd of Tauros. He never wanted to believe her words, believe he might have committed the biggest mistake any Space Defender had ever made. And yet, he could have done something back there. He could have done more to stop Serena, or Princess Serena as she was, from trying to protect them. He could have rescued her himself, or sent a Pokemon to get her. But, he didn't. He missed one of the few exceptions to his code.
Dropping to her knees, the girl sobbed, "I was... her protector. I was... her friend. I... was called... her... her... sister." Ash could understand her pain. But that understanding did not help him to cope with the idea that he had sent a young girl into the jaws of death. Pikachu could feel how crushing that felt, and being so closely bonded to him they practically thought and felt in the same way. But Pikachu did not feel that the girl's accusation was justified.
Charging over to her, Pikachu screeched, "Pika Pika Pi! Pikachu Pika, Pi Chu Pi Pika! Pika Pikachu Pi Pikachu?! Pikachu Pika Pika Pika Pi Pikachu!"
"Shut up!" the girl screamed, "Just shut up!"
"Pi Pikachu! Pika-"
"Pikachu, enough!" Coming up next to his partner, Ash spoke sternly, "We made a mistake, one that cost someone's life. Whatever happens, we have to live with it."
"Pika Chu Chu."
Kneeling in front of the stranger, Ash gingerly addressed, "No apology could make up for this loss you suffered. Even so, I would ask for your forgiveness."
Turning rather fierce in an instant, the stranger challenged, "If you want my forgiveness, then defeat me in a battle!" Putting some distance between herself and Ash, she called out, "Misty calls Gyarados!" In a flash of light, a massive sea-serpent Pokemon with a gaping mouth roared to life before Ash's very eyes. Gyarados were rare to be seen with a Trainer nowadays, especially with how destructive and temperamental they were. Still, in the right hands, they were supremely strong.
Sensing he would need strength of his own, Ash summoned, "I choose you! Charizard!" And with a thrust, he released an orange, dragon-like Pokemon with mighty wings and a flame on the tip of its tail. Charizard sized up Gyarados, and it belted out a burst of fire into the air as a challenge.
The girl wasted no time starting the battle, as she called out, "Gyarados, Aqua Tail!" Surrounding its tail in a vortex of water, Gyarados swung its Aqua Tail to swat Charizard into the sea.
But Ash calmly responded, "Counter that with Dragon Tail! Charizard!" Its tail becoming emerald-green and dragon-energy, Charizard parried the Aqua Tail, knocking Gyarados back. "Now use Slash!" It's nails elongating, Charizard rushed at the sea serpent and cut through with a critical blow.
Not giving in, the girl called, "Gyarados, Ice Fang!" Though Charizard was smaller and more agile, Gyarados used its long body to trap it and bit down on one of its wings. A bit of ice formed where the attack landed, but the fire dragon flapped it off with relative ease.
"Charizard, Flamethrower!"
"Use your Famethrower too Gyarados!" With mighty roars, both Pokemon belted out streams of fire that clashed and exploded. "Aqua Tail!"
"Use Slash!" soon, Charizard and Gyarados were skirting and flying around each other, each attempting to land even one hit upon the other. The clash stormed never-ending, as both opponents parried and swiped, charged and dodged. Each was ferocious enough to want to subdue the other. In the midst of the clash, Gyarados dove into the sea, much to Ash's surprise. Remaining wary, Charizard hovered on the shore as it eyed for Gyarados to resurface.
"I'm impressed, Cadet Ash." the girl complimented, "You certainly are not some little boy."
"When it comes to battling, I do not lose easily." Ash said proudly.
"Maybe. But this time, you will fall. Courtesy of Mega Gyarados." Revealing what she had hidden in her hair that made her side ponytail, Misty tapped a rainbow stone no bigger than a marble. Upon contact, tendrils of light stretched out from the Keystone.
"Beyond evolution! Mega Evolve!"
Within the instant she uttered those words, more tendrils of light shot out from where Gyarados rested. The two sets of tendrils connected, and the water began to glow as it returned above water. Upon resurfacing, it was revealed that Gyarados's new form made it more streamline and dragon-like. Red orbs dotted its sides while whiskers extended from its face. Ash had always heard of Mega Evolution, but he had never been given the chance to witness it himself. He should have been astonished and excited that he could see it in-person, but fear was what prevailed in the end.
"Meet Mega Gyarados!" the stranger proclaimed, "And now, to seize victory!" But Ash wouldn't surrender easily.
Pressing on, he called, "Charizard, Dragon Tail!" But before Charizard reached it, Gyarados dove under once again. Luckily, the energy of the attack protected Charizard's tail flame. And when Gyarados came up again, it slammed Charizard back to shore with its Aqua Tail. Charizard skidded into the sand, but it didn't stay down for long, rising with a proud roar to boast its power would not be overcome.
"Gyarados, Flamethrower!" Gyarados belted out more flames, now stronger than before.
"Charizard, dodge it!" Instead of dodging, Charizard fired its own Flamethrower back to counter. But its Flamethrower was weaker than Gyarados's, and it got overwhelmed. Ash hated how Charizard would sometimes do its own attack instead of listening to him, mostly just to show that it was stronger.
"Now, Hyper Beam!" Charging up its most powerful attack, Gyarados blasted the fire dragon with a black and purple energy beam.
"Charizard!" Ash cried out, rushing to his friend's side as the attack receded. Charizard collapsed to the ground, but had not yet fainted. It wasn't gonna give up this battle, not ever. "Charizard, are you okay?" Ash asked urgently.
"Pikachu?!" Charizard didn't respond. Instead, it tried to rise to its feet, a bit unsteady from fatigue.
"Persistent Pokemon." the girl remarked, "I'll give Charizard props for wanting to keep going. But this battle has ended." With all its remaining might, Charizard tried to remain standing and stare down Gyarados. But it was too injured, and it collapsed to its knees.
"Charizard, stop! You've done great, but we can't win." Still Charizard refused to submit, stumbling past its trainer and Pikachu to continue the battle. "Charizard, please! Don't do this!"
Sighing, the girl muttered, "Some people never learn. Gyarados, finish this!" So Gyarados began preparing one last Hyper Beam to blast the fire dragon with. Ash tried desperately to call Charizard off, to tell it to let the battle go. Tears poured as he began to fear for his friend. In one of Charizard's steps, it unknowingly uncovered a stone that was orange in color, with a symbol like a leaf inside.
With all his heart, Ash yelled, "Charizard!" And then, to the girl's utter shock and amazement, Ash's arm began to glow. A symbol became visible from under his suit, radiating out in the shape of a lightning bolt. As it did, the stone by Charizard's foot shined out, catching its eye in the process. Then, both mark and stone shot out tendrils that sparked and flared. Some of the stone's tendrils wrapped around Charizard, lifting the stone itself up to its chest. With a mighty cry, Ash's lights linked with Charizard's, and Charizard began to glow as power flooded in. It's wings extended outward, its arms developed wing fins, its tail flame grew larger, and a single horn protruded out of the back of its head. When the process was complete, Charizard had Mega Evolved. Now, it was Mega Charizard.
In the wake of this new power, the sun above intensified its heat, forcing the girl to shield her eyes from its immense glare. Charizard looked over its new form, astonished that it had become so much stronger now. It felt like it could roast an entire planet with its Flamethrower. Spreading its new wings, Charizard rose as it fired out again, in a roar even Mega Gyarados felt afraid of.
Feeling like this changed nothing, the girl shouted, "Gyarados, Hyper Beam!" Gyarados fired again, and scored a direct hit once more. But before she could claim victory, Charizard appeared from the explosion looking unscathed, like the attack never even touched it. This amazed her, and even Pikachu. When they both looked at Ash, he seemed different. His face had become stoic, battle-hardened, an aura of light shone around him, his eyes glimmered like a rainbow. And when he spoke, it was like two different people were speaking.
"Charizard, Slash attack!" Soaring with great might, Charizard tore past Gyarados as it sliced along the length of its body. The attack greatly hurt the sea dragon, shocking the stranger with its power.
So she retaliated, "Aqua Tail, quick!" It swatted down with its tail in an attempt to sink charizard. But the fire dragon caught the attack with its claws, and started lifting it into the air a bit.
"Big mistake." Ash stated, "Seismic Toss!" With Gyarados firmly in its grip, Charizard flew up high into the sky, and started making revolutions around an imaginary planet. After several of these, it dove straight down. Then Ash commanded, "Surround yourself with Flamethrower!" While it was still on its way down, Charizard spun and breathed fire that cloaked it and Gyarados, further damaging it. Like a meteor, they descended right into the sand, sending a mighty shockwave out like a nuclear explosion. Everyone but Ash braced themselves as the force washed over them, trying to keep the battle in view. When it all settled, Charizard stood over a normal Gyarados inside a glass crater, victorious.
"I-Impossible." the girl stammered to say, "Could it be true?" Flying out of the pit, Charizard once more roared out its fire to display its power. When it finished, Ash's mark faded, and Charizard reverted to normal. The aftermath made Ash swoon a little, and he held his head as he recovered. Pikachu looked to him, both in admiration and concern, unsure of what his master had just done.
Seeing the end of the match, and the weakened Gyarados sprawled in the crater made of glass, Ash questioned, "What happened?" Charizard came over to him, looking unhurt and bursting with energy. Elated, Ash flung himself onto his friend and cheered, "Charizard, you did it!"
"Pi Pikachu!"
"But, how did you defeat Mega Gyarados?" That question puzzled Charizard. How did its partner not know how they won using Mega Evolution?
Returning her Gyarados to its Pokeball, the stranger addressed, "So it is true, what Princess Serena said. You are him."
confused by the statement, Ash quizzed, "Him? Him who?"
"In our kingdom, there is a legend of a great hero. He loved Pokemon greatly, and was immensely compassionate towards others. And he could even give his Pokemon great power due to his strong bond to them all. Ash Ketchum, you are the Hero of Vaniville."
"Whoa, hold on. I'm no hero. You can even argue that about me too."
"Show me your arm." Ash wasn't sure where she was going with this, but he obeyed and showed his arm with the mark. "The Aura mark!" she gasped, "You really are him!"
"What, this? This is just a birthmark. Isn't it?" Intrigued, Pikachu and Charizard crowded over to hear more.
"I'd better explain a few things." the stranger began, "My name is Misty. I am... was... Princess Serena's bodyguard. We come from Zion Arcadia, a world protected and sanctioned by Galaxy Rule to see our legend fulfilled. That a descendant of the hero would be born, chosen by the princess to follow in his ancestor's footsteps, and protect the people from an ancient evil long believed to have been destroyed. Ash, that hero is you." Mind reeling, Ash looked to his mark, and thought back to what he and his Pokemon imagined it meant. Even in their wildest dreams, never once did they think he was descended from such a legend.
"How do you know?" he asked, both curious and battling doubt.
"Two reasons: Your mark is the mark the hero had when he was given a great power. It's been said only his line would carry it. And, the princess sensed what you were to be. She told me, before she sacrificed herself." Pushing grief away, Misty held out two items to Ash: a Keystone like what she had, and a leather crest with a strange coat of arms on its face. "These belong to you." Misty continued, "The Keystone, so you can Mega Evolve your Pokemon. NOw that Charizard has absorbed the Charizardite, it can Mega Evolve."
"Um, okay." Ash replied. Luckily, he had studied enough about Mega Evolution to know about Mega Stones and Keystones, but Charizard Mega Evolved eluded him. "This next item is the Crest of the Hero. I know little of its purpose, save that you must guard it with your life." Understanding, Ash took both items that were being given to him. When he took the crest, it dispersed into several lights that dashed to where his heart was, and became a symbol on his suit that looked like a pair of wings made of fire, with a sword hilt shooting a lightning bolt as its blade.
Before they could marvel at what had occurred, May came in on the comm link, "05 to 03! Ash, do you read?"
"Loud and clear May." Ash answered, "What's wrong?"
"In the wreckage from the ship, the one we were defending, those goons made off with something. A crystal of sorts. And here's the really weird part: that crystal seemed to have someone inside it."
"Can you and Kenny intercept?"
"No. They took off before we could even force them into Zero-G battles. Sorry Ash."
"It's alright. I'll come up soon, and we'll return to Colonel Iris with this news. Out." After ending transmission, Ash turned to Misty and relayed what May told him. Upon hearing this news, Misty seemed to cry tears of joy, much to Ash's confusion.
"She's alive." she muttered, "Ash, Serena is alive! She wanted to protect you, so she put herself to sleep so on one would find out that you were her chosen one."
"Wait, you mean..?" Ash gasped.
"Pika Pika Pi!" Pikachu exclaimed.
"Yes. There is still a chance." she cried, "There's still a chance." Sadly, the celebration was short-lived, as the earth began to rumble, the seas began to rage, rain torrented down like hail, the volcanoes bursting with fire and earth. Kyodonis had woken up, and it wasn't a pleasant wake up.
"We have to go! Hurry!" Ash shouted over the disaster. Returning Charizard, Ash and Pikachu led Misty to the ship. Once inside, he quickly took off for space. The storm fought him all the way up, and lava rocks threatened to clip his wings. But he piloted his companions to safety, and eventually the open blackness. With his friends coming up alongside him, Ash made way for the Opelucid. So much had happened so fast, and they had no idea what to make of any of it. Was he really to be... a hero?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Back with the Solar Flare ships, the goons were returning to base with the huge crystal they recovered from the wreck. It felt like a celebration to them. Soon, the power they needed would be theirs. And with it, the universe. Victory was won!
"Rover 1 to Deputy! Rover unit to Deputy!" the lead ship transmitted, "Mission accomplished! Princess Serena is secured!" Appearing on the screen, a man whose face was in shadow greeted him, making him only identifiable by the black Charizard behind him.
"Deputy responding. Status of the princess?" he demanded coldly.
"Status is... unknown. Cargo is encased in some kind of crystal."
"Very well. It makes no difference to the commander. Deliver her safely, and ensure her life is not extinguished. If it is..." Then he had his black Charizard come into the screen, and give him something of a death stare.
Gulping, the pilot replied, "Understood. Rover 1, out." And with it, he flew for base.
Serena: WHAT?!
me: Oh jeepers, here we go.
Serena: Why do you have Team Solar Flare winning?! This can't be the end of the story! I demand a rewrite!
me: Before you do, might I mention that there is still another prologue to go before we get to the main story.
Serena: Huh?
me: Don't jump to conclusions. Maybe they did win... this time.
Serena: What do you mean, 'this time?'
me: Don't worry your little head over it. You'll find out sometime later. Or maybe I'll leave you hanging till next year.
Serena: You wouldn't dare!
me: Of course I would. I'm a writer. And as a fun fact, most writers are sadists since we put you guys through some hard times.
Serena: That's just evil.
me: Relax. It's all for your growth. And besides, I'm not that cruel. It'll probably be another month anyway.
Serena: It better.
me: Sheesh! How were you considered to be someone to pair with Ash?
Serena: I could ask the same thing about Misty.
me: Hey! Let's not go there. In the meantime, see ya guys! *flees in a hurry*
Serena: Get back here!