Disclaimer; I don't own Pokémon

A/N; One moment it was August, and now it's December and where did the time go?! I honestly didn't realise it had been so long since I updated. Thank you for your patience, especially with me leaving you right in the middle of the battle. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter Twelve;

While Ash hadn't expected Suicune to save him, he was far from ungrateful, and somehow not too surprised when Charizard burst out of his Pokéball. Now involved in the battle with Zapdos, he could only hold tight as Suicune bounded all over the place, ensuring that none of Zapdos' attacks could get either her or her rider.

The problem, though, was that they could not get high enough to get to Zapdos like he needed to. He needed to be on one of the flying Pokémon, but he was somewhat wary about getting close to Zapdos now, and had held off calling for Charizard for the moment. Perhaps Giratina and Charizard would be able to drive Zapdos to the ground, closer to he and Suicune.

Almost as though he was aware of that plan, however, Zapdos was managing to evade them every time they tried.

"Ash, we'll help!"

Ash glanced down, and was surprised to see his three friends down there. When had they gotten here? There wasn't time to question them, however, as Suicune leapt out of the way of another wave of electricity and his friends each threw a Pokéball, allowing Gyarados, Arcanine and Croagunk to appear in a flash of light.

Instantly, Arcanine and Croagunk leapt onto the rooves as well, while Gyarados roared from the ground, intent on providing support from there. Keldeo leapt nimbly in front of Gary, Misty and Brock, and nodded to Ash, his message clear; he would protect his friends from harm.

He couldn't hesitate any longer, he realised. He had to get closer to Zapdos.

"Charizard!" he yelled.

The large flying type responded instantly, abandoning the battle to fly down to Ash and Suicune with a roar. Gently, Ash picked up the surprised Pikachu and deposited him on Suicune's head.

"Charizard, I need you to take me to Zapdos," he said seriously, and Charizard nodded. Ash turned to Pikachu and smiled at the indignant look on his face. "Pikachu, you stay here with Suicune."

"Pika!" Pikachu protested instantly, shaking his head. "Pikapi!"

"You've seen what happens, Pikachu," Ash said with a sheepish grin. "I don't think it's a good idea to be on my shoulder when that happens at this height. Charizard, I'm relying on you to catch me, alright?"

Charizard made a noise of agreement and Pikachu crossed his arms before reluctantly nodding as well, seeing the sense of what Ash was saying. Easily, Ash leapt from Suicune to Charizard, thrilled to be with the large Pokémon once more. It had been a long time since they had flown together.

"We'll be back!" he said to Pikachu as they flew off.

Now, the hardest part. With Ash officially part of the aerial battle Zapdos would instantly focus on him, which would make it hard to get close. That was where the other Pokémon would come in, though. They were all attacking from different directions, making it difficult to focus on any one area. Croakgunk, in particular, was leaping everywhere, dragging Zapdos' attention away continuously every time he turned up somewhere different. All Ash and Charizard had to do was wait for the right moment.

"Try and fly over the top of Zapdos, Charizard!" he called over the wind rushing passed his ears.

He thought he heard Charizard roar back understanding, but it was hard to tell over all the other sounds in the area. Seconds later, however, they were flying up, higher than the battle, unnoticed by even Zapdos, who was currently occupied with fending off Giratina's attacks.

"Let's see if we can get closer," Ash said, leaning forward. "Hopefully Zapdos won't notice us."

Charizard beat his wings, forcibly slowing himself down, and then dived slowly, circling around as he looked for his moment. He knew what his trainer wanted to do, and he needed to make it as safe as possible.

Finally, they saw it. Zapdos turned his head, facing away from them, and Charizard rushed down, intending on taking those few precious seconds for granted. Ash was already getting ready, tensing himself in preparation, and, as soon as they drew even with Zapdos, he leapt the short distance from Charizard to Zapdos' back.

Immediately he hooked his arms around Zapdos' neck as the bird Pokémon screeched in surprise, bucking at the sudden weight on his back. The other Pokémon quickly backed off, not daring to attack while Ash was in range, until only Charizard was nearby, preparing to catch Ash if he fell or was blasted backwards.

But Ash wasn't intending to fall. He drew up every bit of experience he had with riding on the backs of Pokémon and tightened his hold as Zapdos attempted to throw him off. Closing his eyes, he concentrated hard, trying to bring up that familiar warmth that had rushed through him every time he had touched a Legendary Pokémon for the first time. It was there, he could feel it simmering somewhere deep inside him, and he tried to ignore the fury and hate he could feel emanating from Zapdos.

'I'll save you Zapdos,' he thought fiercely. 'You and everyone else!'

Except… the power wasn't working. He could sense it, could almost feel it flowing from him to Zapdos. But nothing was happening, not the way it had the last four times. Zapdos was still shrieking and trying to get rid of him, and he could still feel his rage.

What was going on?

Panicking slightly, because the entire plan hinged on his ability to do this, Ash screwed his eyes shut tightly and tried to dig deeper within himself. Why was he suddenly unable to do this? It didn't make sense! He could feel that flash of building heat, sense the way it was connecting him to Zapdos, but nothing was changing.

Was Zapdos too angry? But Suicune had been angry too, and he had saved her. Reluctantly, Ash opened his eyes… and got his second shock.

He and Zapdos were glowing with a pulsing blue light.

It was the same colour that had appeared every time he had tried this. But usually it was just a quick flash of light that he barely caught before he was being blasted backward. He had never seen it light up this.

Was it getting brighter? It was though it was getting more and more powerful, and he realised it was trying to fight off the darkness that was overtaking Zapdos. For some reason, though, it was taking longer than it ever had before, and he shuddered as a wave of deep tiredness suddenly washed over him. What had Uxie said, after he had saved Suicune? He had used more aura in one day than he ever had, and it had driven him to the brink of exhaustion. Yet now he was feeling similarly after only a few moments?

The only answer ('Take that, Gary, I can think logically!') was that he was using more aura that he normally did in a short space of time. Something was making it take longer with Zapdos, something…

It was then that Zapdos got tired of being unable to throw him off. Ash only had time to blink before Zapdos gave a chilling cry and let off a close-range Thunderbolt.

The electricity that zapped through him was intense, and he almost lost his concentration, unable to help the cry of pain escaping him. He could feel Zapdos moving, but he was struggling to comprehend anything, suddenly, except agony and aura. It was far more powerful than any of Pikachu's shocks; the only time Pikachu had ever come close to this type of power was when he had shocked him with intent to harm, for one reason or another.

But this… this was another thing all together. Ash could feel the malicious intent behind the attack, and he could do little more than hold tighter as it went on and on and on, black spot beginning to crowd his vision…

'I won't give up!'

He didn't feel the attack stop. What he did feel was the wave of heat that went through him, so intense that it was almost more painful than Zapdos' attack.

'Come back, Zapdos! Fight it off!'

Zapdos let out one last shriek, which echoed in the air hauntingly. The world stood still for a brief moment as the seconds hung in the balance, just waiting until something happened.

And then the world exploded.

Later, Ash wouldn't even remember landing.

POKEMONPOKEMON

Misty didn't wait to see whether Gary and Brock were with her. She was running as soon as she saw Ash go flying in one direction, still glowing faintly, not even pausing to consider Zapdos as he went in the other. Charizard made a frantic grab for Ash, as confused as everyone else by the suddenness of it all, but he missed, and the trainer went crashing through the window of a bakery, disappearing from sight.

"Pikapi!"

If she had thought she was fast, she had forgotten that Pikachu was currently riding on the back of one of the fastest Pokémon in existence. Suicune flashed to the ground and Pikachu leapt off, disappearing into the shop as well and calling for Ash desperately. Misty almost wished that she could go through the window, too, but instead she paused momentarily to wrench open the door before darting inside.

It didn't look like it had been a comfortable landing, though at least he had hit the wall rather than any tables or shelves. Ash was slumped against the wall, and Pikachu was shaking him; if she could understand Pokespeech, he would no doubt be begging his trainer to wake up.

"He's unconscious," she said tersely to Brock and Gary as they entered behind her, rushing forward.

"Wait," Brock said, catching her arm. "He's probably injured. I might only treat Pokémon, but I know a thing or two about first aid, as you know."

Misty forced herself to relax and nodded, stepping aside to let Brock crouch down beside Ash first. Uxie hovering in the air over his head, and she felt the irrational urge to yell at the small Pokémon and ask her why she had stayed on the ground with them while Ash risked his life in the air.

But it wasn't Uxie's fault. All four Legendary Pokémon had been there, and not one of them had been able to prevent this. They had all tried their best, but Zapdos had been too angry, too powerful. She looked around and saw that they were all there; Suicune was still at the window, staring in solemnly, Keldeo was fidgeting anxiously in the doorway, and Giratina had landed on the ground, waiting. They were all there, hoping that the one they were supposed to protect would be alright.

"Uxie, what happened out there?" Gary asked finally as Brock checked over Ash. "Why did it take so long for Ash to use his aura on Zapdos?"

"…I do not know for sure," Uxie said slowly. "Zapdos has been under control for a long time, however."

"So it takes more time and effort when the Pokémon has been corrupted for longer?" Misty asked incredulously.

"I believe that might be the case."

Finally, Brock sat back, looking a little perplexed.

"Well, Ash is a little bruised, but otherwise fine," Brock said, confused. "Which doesn't make sense, after a landing like that."

"I cloaked the Chosen One in psychic energy moments before he hit the house," Uxie said quietly. "Between my power and his aura, the Chosen One remained safe."

"Thank you, Uxie," Brock said, heartfelt, with a small smile.

Misty wished that the small Legendary had thought to tell them this while they were stressing about how badly hurt Ash would be, but she had come to realise, over the short time that she had been with them, that Uxie was neither talkative nor prone to saying anything without prompt. Her role was mostly advisory, answering questions when they were unsure and not offering information unless she felt it was necessary… though she had shown today that she would act to protect them and Ash without question.

She supposed that was the difference between ordinary Pokémon, most of whom had grown up with or near humans, and a Legendary Pokémon that had very little human contact over the course of a very long life.

The sound of a groan jolted her sharply from her thoughts, and Misty looked over to see Ash stirring. His eyes flickered open and he attempted to move, only to wince; the aura hadn't protected him from the blazing lightning attacks, it seemed.

"Ow, what hit me?" he asked dazedly.

"You hit a wall," Brock said, deadpan, as he helped Ash sit up. "And a Legendary Pokémon."

Ash blinked, looking confused for a moment, and then realisation flared across his face as memory returned to him. Heedless of his own aches and pains, he straightened quickly.

"Zapdos!" he said. "Is Zapdos okay?"

Misty, Gary and Brock glanced at each other. They hadn't really thought much about Zapdos, to be honest, because they had been too busy trying to get to Ash. Now that he brought it up, however, what had happened to Zapdos?

As if in answer, they heard a loud cry from outside. Ash struggled to his feet and, rolling his eyes, Brock helped him up and allowed him to lean on him as they made their way out of the small shop. As they stepped out of the door, Zapdos landed on the pavement beside the fountain, causing Gyarados to look warily at him and tense, ready to protect both his trainer and her friends if necessary.

It didn't look like Zapdos was about to attack, however. He regarded them solemnly, that awful, shadowy presence gone, and Misty realised that she was breathing a sigh of relief. Slowly Zapdos bowed his head and, grinning, Ash reached out to pat him.

"It's fine, Zapdos," he said, and Misty wondered how it was he knew exactly what to say. He had done it with Beedrill, too, she suddenly remembered, though she hadn't thought much of at the time. She doubted he had thought about it, either. "We're all fine, now. I'm glad you're feeling better."

Zapdos let out a sound that could only have been a soft croon before straightening. He directed a short nod toward the other Legendary Pokémon before spreading his wings and taking off.

"Where's he going?" Gary asked, startled.

"He is aware that he is unwelcome here for now," Uxie said, and Misty narrowed her eyes when she noticed Ash had also opened his mouth to answer, seconds too late. "He will re-join us on the way to Samiya, which is located near his island."

"That means you could get a boat to Shamouti Island," Brock said thoughtfully, mentally tracking the journey as he remembered the story Ash and Misty had told him long ago. "You can get some supplies there, and maybe a guide."

"That sounds like a good idea," Misty agreed. "Except…" She gestured helplessly to the wreckage around her. "It might be a while before we can get a boat from Vermillion City."

"I'm sure we can come up with something for you."

Everyone started, not expecting a new voice to suddenly enter the conversation. Swinging around, Misty noticed that Officer Jenny was standing, with her arms crossed, near the building Ash had jumped from. How long had she been there? And, beside her…

"Lance!" Ash exclaimed, eyes wide. "Officer Jenny told us you wouldn't be here for ages."

"I asked her to say that," Lance said bluntly, his expression serious as he took a step forward. "I know you, Ash… every time you appear somewhere, something happens. I wanted to see why you and your friends were sneaking into Vermillion City. Officer Jenny and I followed you all here."

So, he and Officer Jenny had seen everything that had occurred here… including the strange aura that Ash was using to save the Legendary Pokémon. Unconsciously, Misty took a half step to the side, almost as though she was trying to shield Ash from the Champion, barely noticing as Gary and Brock did the same.

Lance smiled slightly, noticing the protective actions. The Legendary Pokémon already present were staring at him steadily; not one of them had fled, despite his sudden appearance, and it was all too apparent that they would protect Ash too if he made any sudden movements.

"If I asked, would you answer?" he asked, uncrossing his arms to appear more open to the wary group.

"I… maybe?" Ash said unsurely.

Lance couldn't help but laugh. "Ash, you're obviously doing something very important. You're helping the Legendary Pokémon somehow and, as a G-Man, I won't fault you for it, or get in your way. I won't ask any more. But… please know that I am available if you ever need help, at any moment."

Ash smiled, touched. "Thanks, Lance."

"Don't thank me yet," Lance said, pulling a slip of paper and stepping forward to hold it out to Ash. "Take this; with this number, you can reach me at any time."

Surprised, Ash took the paper. To be given the contact number of a Champion… it showed how much trust Lance had in Ash, that he was willing to let him go on his way, despite the evidence that Ash was doing something incredibly dangerous. Misty couldn't help but grin at the way Gary's jaw was dropping; he'd never met Lance in person, and didn't know why the Champion and his childhood friend had such a good rapport.

"Now, you need a boat to Shamouti, right?" Lance asked, stepping back.

"If you can manage it," Misty said, finally relaxing.

"I certainly can," Lance said with a nod. "But not until tomorrow morning." He eyed Ash, who was still leaning on Brock. "I think you all might do well with a rest, anyway. The officers are currently directing people back into the city, and Nurse Joy has already been told to expect you all. Please get some sleep tonight, and meet me down at the pier tomorrow."

"Thanks, Lance," Ash said again, grinning. "For everything."

"It's my pleasure," Lance said with a nod.

"I'll take you all to the Pokémon centre," Officer Jenny said, and Misty suddenly noticed that there was a police car half hidden on one of the side streets. "Please come with me."

There wasn't much to say to that. As Officer Jenny ushered them all to the car, Suicune darted off and Giratina melted back into the fountain as Ash, Misty, Gary and Brock returned their Pokémon. Pikachu jumped onto Misty shoulder, eyeing his trainer worriedly, who was being all but carried by this point, his eyes drifting closed even as he got into the car.

As such, it wasn't much of a surprise when Ash's head dropped onto Brock's shoulder as the car started. He was likely still exhausted from his excessive use of aura in a short period of time and, remembering what Ash had said about using too much aura, as well as Lucario and Sir Aaron's fate, Misty found herself watching him closely throughout the entire drive.

It was difficult to persuade Ash to wake up enough to get out of the car and into the surprisingly intact centre, but they managed between the three of them, and he dropped off to sleep as soon as he landed on the bed in the room Nurse Joy showed them to, curling up around Pikachu, who seemed intent on staying with his trainer. Keldeo and Uxie, who had disappeared after they got into the car, appeared again at that point, coming in through the window, and settled in the room as well, their intent to stay with the trainer clear.

Despite the fact that they wanted to follow Ash's example, Brock turned and left the room after making sure the trainer was alright, Gary at his heels, and Misty found herself drifting after them. As soon as the door was closed, Brock turned to them seriously.

"I'm going back home tomorrow," he announced, and Misty's heart clenched; it had been good to have Brock's steady presence with them for even the short time he had travelled with them. "I'll ask Nurse Joy if I can use the kitchen so that you'll have some extra supplies." He turned to look at Gary. "If you'd like to help, we can talk then."

"I'll help," Gary said, nodding.

With that, the two turned and walked downstairs. Misty knew what they were going to discuss; Gary wanted to know just how perilous Ash's journey had been up until this point, just how reckless he had been in everyday situations. And Brock would tell him, because Gary was already starting to suspect what Ash had been like and probably needed to know how often he would have to save Ash from himself.

Misty wavered for a moment and then followed. She had been present for the first part of Ash's journey, but…

She was interested in knowing exactly what she had missed, too.

POKEMONPOKEMON

Gary wished he could say he was surprised by what he was hearing. But he had already realised a few home truths about Ash in the last few days, and Brock was only confirming his own thoughts. He knew Brock was only skimming over situations, providing examples and mentioning, briefly, that things like that had happened more than once. But it all came down to one thing.

When it came down to the safety of Pokémon or the people he cared about, Ash was more than willing to throw himself into the line of fire.

Had Ash always been so self-sacrificing, he wondered? He cast his mind back to the small, obnoxious kid he had been friends with, the one who laughed too loud at the cinema and declared that he was going to be the best Pokémon trainer ever despite not even remembering that Pidgey was a flying-type. He wanted to say no, that kid had never been like that.

Until he remembered a summer camp when Ash appeared from the forest with a sniffling girl in tow, the directors panicking because they had lost a second child while they were searching for the first. Or the time some older kids had been teasing Ash because his dad was never around, and he had been all set to cry and run until they started on his mother, and then he had thrown himself into a fight (in which he came out worst off, naturally) with reckless abandon.

Or the time a Kangaskhan had rampaged on the preserve and Ash, who had been there that day, had thrown himself straight in front of it to grab a small Nidoran frozen in fear.

'Huh,' he thought numbly. 'Ash has always been like that, hasn't he?'

He'd just never really noticed because there hadn't ever been much cause for that side of Ash to come out when they were children.

He wanted to storm up to Ash's room, wake him up, and maybe yell at him for being so reckless. His heart had all but stopped when he watched Ash leap from that building, and everything afterward had not made things any better. Even now, his mind was replaying, over and over, the moment Ash reached for Zapdos and missed before he plunged down toward the unforgiving ground…

Yelling at Ash, however, wasn't going to do him any good. Ash probably wasn't even aware that he was doing anything wrong. He could almost see Ash's reaction now, if he brought up the dangerous stunts he had pulled today. He'd look at him, confused, and say. "But I'm alright, aren't I? So everything's fine, Gary."

Except it might not be fine next time. How had Brock and Misty and everyone else who had travelled with Ash dealt with all this? Then he remembered how Brock had said he had gotten used to it, that running around and solving all the problems that came their way was normal when travelling with Ash, and that he'd ended up being a little reckless, himself, along the way as well. Seeing Misty nod in agreement, the only contribution she'd made to the conversation at that point from where she'd been quietly listening, had not been reassuring.

From what Gary had gathered from Brock, Ash was reckless and self-sacrificing, and his friends managed to get pulled into this, as though he was the strong tide that you simply couldn't swim against and had to swim with if you didn't want to go under. It was a fairly apt metaphor; Ash had always been a whirlwind intent on taking everyone with him that he could.

"You aright, Gary?" Brock asked, pulling him from his thoughts.

Gary looked down at the carrots he was chopping, noting that they were all different sizes, and smiled slightly before looking up and nodded.

"Yeah, just contemplating that Ash is more of an idiot than I thought he was," he said dryly.

"That's one way to put it," Misty sighed, propping her chin on her hand; Brock had utterly refused to let her anywhere near the food, and had warned Gary that he wasn't to let either Ash or Misty have anything to do with the cooking… ever.

"Little Ashy-boy kind of grew up, though, didn't he?" Gary continued after a moment, disquieted. "I never even noticed."

"…'Grew up' might be going a bit far," Brock said with an unexpected laugh. "You know what the best thing is? You didn't notice because he never changed." He gave Gary a warm smile. "That's worth it all, right?"

Gary blinked at him, stunned. He was right; even after everything he had been through, even after all the stories and the pressure and the danger, Ash had barely changed at all. He had gotten a little more mature, a little more prone to thinking his decisions through… but he was still reckless, and foolhardy, and stupidly cheerful over everything, and easy to tease. It was somewhat amazing, to be honest.

Though recent events had forced him to acknowledge that Ash Ketchum was far more amazing than he had ever given him credit for.

"We'll just have to have his back," Misty said, smiling. "Just like always." She laughed. "He really can't do anything on his own."

"True," Gary said, amused. "We'll just have to get stronger so he doesn't have to keep doing stupid things."

"Good luck with that," Brock and Misty chorused.

As they laughed, the serious air that had hung around them dissipated. It didn't stop the fact that Gary knew, just as Brock and Misty did, that Ash was unstoppable when he was truly determined and that, sometimes, they probably wouldn't be able to do anything at all. But Ash wasn't alone in this, he never had been.

Ash's job was to protect the Legendary Pokémon? Fine.

Gary's job, then, would be to protect Ash. And that was not something he was ever going to fail again.

Coming Up; Chapter Thirteen; With Zapdos on their side, the team leave for the Orange Islands, determined to get to Manaphy. But more awaits them within those familiar waters than they expected.

Thanks to;

bankerrtx01, FabulousMoonie, Dr Mad and Co, 23StellaOrgana, Hilte, L'assassin orange, philly cheese dude, Kiri Kaitou Clover, Bubblekins1010, Aera Fairy Light, Yami-chan and Unrealistic, Mists, Kiomori, multifangirl20, Anime100, The Forgotten Silent Maiden

Thank you for all your reviews. Next chapter, I swear I'm going to try something out called 'replying to your reviews when they come in rather than months later when I post a new chapter'. Promise!