Sorry folks that it took me a little while to get this done. You know with college and all. But in the end you won't be disappointed with this chapter. It has danger, suspense, action, and a little insight on the secret antagonist of this story. However, I will not hint anything concerning this character's personality because that would give away who it was. But don't you worry, because you will find out soon enough. Just not in this chapter. Or the next. But its soon. I promise. Anyways, on to chapter 12!

I own absolutely nothing concerning the Pokémon franchise except this story. Well, this story really isn't PART of the actual franchise per say, but I bet you all wish it was. I know I do.

Chapter 12: The Beast of the Storm

Sometime before Ash competed in the Orange League, we went through one of our greatest adventures: the three of us got caught in a freakin' storm, and washed ashore on Shamouti Island, set in the center of the Orange Islands. Learning of an island festival celebrating a mythical legend about the islands, which was about to begin, Ash was conveniently selected as the festival's chosen one by a girl named Melody, the festival maiden. She got under my skin pretty quickly as she not only accused me as Ash's girlfriend (ridiculous, right?... Ah who am I kidding, BUT I WASN'T GOING TO LET ON ABOUT THAT!) but she also kissed HIM! I mean, sure it was on the cheek and all, but still, the jealousy bug inside of me was going extremely ballistic and it did so every time that girl got near him or touched him for the majority of our time there! (ahem) So anyways at the festival's banquet, Melody explained to Ash that as the chosen one he had retrieve three glass orbs from each of the legendary birds' islands and take them to Shamouti's shrine, guarded by a talking Slowking, where Melody will end his task by playing the festival's song, which was actually the song of Lugia. Ash, bring the determined kid he was and is today, immediately set out, led by a troubled Pikachu. Taken to Fire Island by sea captain Maren, Ash and Pikachu found Moltres' treasure, but were interrupted by non other than who else but Team Rocket, annoying stalkers of the year. Me, Tracey and Melody arrived via Melody's multi-purpose boat, followed by Zapdos who was attempting to conquer that island. Suddenly, some weirdo Pokémon collector named Lawrence III appeared above in his hovercraft and absorbed Zapdos' electrical energy, capturing it as well as with me, Ash, Tracey, and Melody accidentally. Lawrence freed us (big mistake on his part) and attempted to capture Articuno, accidentally awakening Lugia in the process. Meanwhile, we managed to free Moltres and Zapdos who escape and brought down Lawrence's hovercraft. Afterwards, Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres engaged in all out war, unleashing all of their powers in a bid to destroy each other. We all manage to escape, gaining Zapdos' treasure in the process, and were transported back to Shamouti Island by a mysterious water spout revealed to be Lugia. Lugia at first tried to stop the battle himself, but was outmatched by the birds powers combined against him. Telepathically he then explained the birds and the deadly global weather the powerful birds were causing through their war can be stopped by the legend's Chosen One, which was Ash in reality. Ash of course agreed to go to Articuno's island to get the last treasure, but his progress was halted by the legendary birds. Team Rocket arrived on a speedboat made from a dingy and the helicopter's discarded propeller, wishing to save the world so they could continue their "villainy". The group raced up to Articuno's shrine and retrieved the treasure, but before they could escape, the legendary birds appeared once again. Zapdos destroyed the speedboat and Ash watched on as Articuno was knocked out by Moltres and Zapdos. Lugia rescued Ash and Pikachu, but Team Rocket heroically fell into the sea upon release, seeing that they were slowing Lugia down. Lawrence tried to catch Lugia, but Lugia used its Aeroblast attack to destroy his airship and took out Moltres and Zapdos before collapsing into the sea unconscious. I watched in horror as Ash also fell unconscious into the deadly waters with Pikachu trying to wake him up. Melody tried to run to save him, saying that he couldn't do this alone. I however stop her and go to save him myself. As I left her, I told her "Ash is never truly alone, because he has... me." So I dived into ocean to save the boy I loved with all my heart and managed to bring his unconscious body and Pikachu to shore. Tracey and I managed to wake him up with CPR (and yes, if needed I would've used mouth-to-mouth... IF CPR didn't work, mind you) and Ash right away ventured to Shamouti's shrine and placed the last treasure with the others. Melody played Lugia's song, ending the storms and bringing peace to the legendary birds. Lugia rose from the sea, bringing the true Beast of the Sea with him, an underwater current that had altered the climate. Later, after the birds returned to their islands, Lugia departed after thanking Ash. Afterwards, Ash's mom Delia and Professors Oak and Ivy arrived, Delia, having saw her son's actions, scolded Ash for his recklessness, but after I told her he saved the world she just told him to be more careful which he complied with. Afterwards, we continued with our journey, with me feeling closer to Ash than ever before as I pondered over the words I spoke to Melody earlier:

"Ash is never truly alone, because he has... me."

And you know what? It was true.

(cries) WAS true...

Later that afternoon...

Ash and the gang managed to exit the forest and found themselves in front of Kanto Ocean. This however confused Ash and Co. and all eyes fell on Team Rocket.

"You guys had better not have just led us into a dead end!" Ash said angrily at the three.

"Oh relax, Twerpo," exclaimed Meowth. "We's know's exactly where we's are goin'."

"You better," Ash grumbled under his breath.

Brock saw that Ash was getting seriously frustrated and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, calming his best friend down. "No need to worry, big guy. We'll get to Misty in no time."

"HEY WAIT A MINUTE! 'NO NEED TO WORRY' IS MY CATCHPHRASE!" whined Dawn.

Ash couldn't help but laugh a little at his friend's silly outburst and brighten up just a bit. "You're right, Brock ol' buddy. We'll get there. I know we will," he said determinedly with his fist in the air.

"There's the Ash Ketchum I know," Brock said, bringing Ash into a brotherly side hug.

"So then, TR HQ is across the ocean then?" asked Gary.

"Yep, just across the ocean is a little island with a HUGE active volcano," answered James. "That's where HQ is located."

"Of course it is," commented Dawn sarcastically. "All evil lairs have to be in obvious dangerous areas. Clichés, I tell ya."

"Um, I don't mean to be a downer," May said interrupting, "but IF this is the right way..."

"Of course it's the right way, Twerpette!" interrupted Jessie angrily. "With us getting blasted off daily, we should even know where the secret lairs of Teams Aqua, Magma, Galactic, Plasma, and Flare are!"

"Psst, Jessie," whispered James though still audible, "We don't actually know where any of those places are."

"I know but they don't need to know that! Now shut up!" The two Rockets quit their banter when they realized that the whole group was staring at them with huge sweatdrops on their heads, causing the Rockets to laugh and blush out of embarrassment.

"Um, yeah, anyways," continued May, still with her sweatdrop, "If the way to Team Rocket HQ is across this ocean, just how are we supposed to get across here without a boat or something?"

"We's could always find a boat somewhere's for us to steal," offered Meowth, thinking it was a good option.

Unfortunately for him, not everyone thought so. "You know, you guys may be ok with being thieves and all," said Max, "but the rest of us would like to keep our records clean, thank you very much."

"Humph. Killjoy," pouted the Scratch Pokémon.

"I think I might have an idea," Tracey said. "Whoever has a water-type Pokémon, release them now." Without question, everyone with a water-type threw out their Pokéballs and in a matter of seconds May's Wartortle, Gary's Blastoise, Tracey's Marill, Misty's Gyarados, and Ash's Squirtle were released onto the shore (Piplup was already present since he never went into a Pokéball). The sight of the mighty Gyarados frighten James off his feet and on his butt.

"So what's the plan, Trace?" Ash asked.

"It's really quite simple, actually. We'll grab on to our Pokémon as they swim across the sea over to the volcanic island."

"Hmm. Sounds like a pretty good idea," Brock said matter-of-factly. "I have no problem with it."

"I do!" whimpered James, still trembling under Gyarados. As a joke, the beast stared and smiled at 'em devilishly, making him even more petrified.

"Well, whether either of us has a problem with it or not," commented Ash, "its probably our only best bet for getting over there. That's LEGAL that is."

"I still think my idea was better," mumbled Meowth.

Ignoring Meowth, Brock took charge of choosing who was going with which Pokémon. Then everyone hid in different areas to change into their swimsuits and then went over to their respective water Pokémon and went out to sea. Ash, Pikachu, Brock, and Team Rocket rode on top of Gyarados' head (they had to force James up there who was squirming with fear and screaming like a girl as they brought him up there with them. Also note that Ash had to sneak his way up there since this was Misty's Pokémon and all of her Pokémon were very well aware of that argument), May held onto her Wartortle, Dawn, Piplup, and Gary rode on his Blastoise's back, Tracey held onto his Marill, and Max held onto Ash's Squirtle.

"Alright guys," Ash said determinedly as they headed out, "I have a feeling that we may not have much time! So, let's put our backs into it and get over there to TR HQ and take them down once and for all! Let's go, Go GO!"

"Right!" everyone else, except the Rockets, shouted out. And so the gang set off towards their destination, coming even closer to the Rocket base. Ash, Brock, and the Rockets led them on Gyarados as the others trailed behind them. As he watched the ocean in front of him, he had only one thing on his mind: Hang on, Mist. We're almost there. I'm coming for you. Question is: Will you accept me back?

Unbeknownst to the group, he watched from his lair in the shadows as a surveillance camera cleverly hidden somewhere on the beach caught sight of them heading towards their location. This is what he wanted: for Ash Ketchum and his crew to make their way right where he wanted him, just as if he was playing chess. And checkmate, was all in his favor.

"Well, well, well," the Marauder laughed as he watched the footage behind his boss's chair, "They're almost here. Oh, and look," he was now pointing to Jessie, James, and Meowth, "We have a few traitors in the mix."

"Not much of a loss to the organization, to be honest," he stated coldly. "My father always said they were useless. I myself thought so as well the few times I encountered those three weaklings. Their deaths for their betrayal will affect nothing to Team Rocket."

"So, your orders, my friend?"

He stayed silent for a few seconds before finally speaking. "A good host always sends his guests a welcoming gift. I believe we should give them something, entertaining, no?"

The Marauder smirked with a clever grunt in his throat, "What did you have in mind?"

He stood up from his chair and looked up at the Marauder. "I think it's about time we take Azrael out for a little, playtime. Meet me outside on the roof of the volcano with the Pokémon in five minutes." He then turned and left the room but not before saying one last thing. "DO NOT, keep me waiting," he warned.

"On your orders, sir."

"Good." He said, pushing the door-activation key. "We wouldn't want what happened to the Rocket Gals after they failed me to happen to you, now do we?"

Marauder couldn't help but gulp at the mention of the three late Rocket girls. After their failed attempt to take down Ash and co., Domino, Annie, and Oakley were punished by an incredibly deadly attack from Azrael. And this not only brought fear to the Rocket grunts, but to even Team Rocket's most powerful agents, including Marauder. "N-No, of course not, sir."

"That's what I thought." And with that, he disappeared into the shadows, closing the door behind him shut.

Marauder fell on the floor sweating as he tried to collect himself. Man, he thought, his father was never this brutal. I gotta be more careful around him.

Five minutes later, Marauder and a bunch of grunts met up with him on top of the volcano. He, however, still hid in the smoke of the volcano to hide his face (and his identity from the readers). By his side was a monstrous Pokémon whose figure was also completely hidden behind the smoke. But the outline of its body was still visible, yet just barely. At the first sight of him and Azrael, Marauder made his way over to where they stood with a pair of future-looking binoculars in his hand. He handed him the binoculars and he brought them up to his eyes to look for their important "guests." As he looked at the ocean below, he noticed that Ash and the gang were almost half way to the island on their Pokémon. He then lowered the binoculars, turned his head towards Azrael and Marauder and nodded. "Now Azrael, you know what to do," he said coldly. The man-made Pokémon nodded. Just then, the grunts watched in fear as they saw that behind the smoke, Azrael's evil, beady eyes started glowing deadly white as it stared out at the sky above the ocean. It then started moving his hands, which were now covered in a red aura, moving in circles. They all turned their attention at the sky as the most fearsome storm clouds, darker than the darkest night, started forming in the sky. Marauder started chuckling wickedly as he watched while he stayed with a stern serious expression on his face and one thing on his mind:

Let's see how you make it out of this one, Ketchum.

Meanwhile, Ash and the group had just about made the halfway point when suddenly they noticed the storm clouds forming, as big as mountains, above them. "Unusual weather we're having, ain't it?" Jessie commented.

"Wobbuffet!"

Ash looked closer to the clouds. They almost seemed... unnatural. Not to mention extremely deadly looking. Ash looked down at the water underneath them as the waves were starting to go uneasy. Oh no, he thought. "EVERYONE, BRACE YOURSELVES!" he screamed. They all nodded and did what he told them because at that moment, everyone was starting to think the worst was about to come.

And sure enough, it did.

In the skies hidden within the cloud's depths lurked power like an Ekans ready to pounce on its prey. White lightning struck like Arceus' wrath tearing through the air like a hot knife through butter leaving the waters growing restless with unchecked power. Thunder lightened the bronzy colored sky as the clouds watched down on the group with omniscient eyes feeling no emotion. White water pierced the air sending droplets to crash upon the ocean like meteorites causing havoc. Waters were becoming angry, furious, and hungry for the now panicking gang. The waves relentlessly licked the Pokémon as if tasting what was yet to come. Waves felt like a battering rams against the Pokémon as everyone was holding on for dear life, screaming in the process as they were thrashed around violently. The waves were now so high, even those on the mighty Gyarados' head had lost sight of the horizon as the bitter winds howled.

The group had to hold on tight as they now were riding a humongous wave. "HANG ON, EVERYBODY!" Ash screamed.

"WE'RE TRYING AS HARD AS WE CAN, ASH!" Gary screamed back. "GIVE US SOME SLACK, FOR CRYING..." Gary paused when he saw what was passed the giant wave they were presently on. "INCOMING!" Everyone looked at what he was panicking about and gasped in fear. A mighty and gigantic whirlpool made its self none to the group just past a few more big, angry waves. The group soon found themselves being spun round and round harshly by the sea current as they neared even closer to being sucked into the whirlpool.

The Rockets watched from the roof of the volcano as Ash and co. were ever closer now to a watery grave. However, he wasn't quite finished with them yet, not while his chess game was still at play. He turned back towards Azrael and nodded again. Azreal nodded back and closed its eyes but still kept his hands in its motion. By the look of it, it looked from the Marauder's point of view that Azrael was sending out a telepathic note to something out there under the sea. And sure enough, somewhere underneath Ash and crew and the furious sea, a huge sea creature received Azrael's telepathic message, awoken from its thousand-year slumber, and made it's way up above.

The Pokémon were doing every thing they could to swim away from the mouth of the whirlpool, but to no prevail as it slowly but surely pulling them in. "THIS IS THE END!" screamed James as he held on tightly to one of Gyarados' horns along with the rest of the group up there. "GOODBYE, CRUEL WORLD! GOODBYE, MY FRIENDS! GOODBYE, YOU EVIL AUTHOR!"

"COME ON, GUYS! WE GOTTA HOLD FOR JUST A LITTLE BIT LONGER!" Ash yelled encouragingly to the Pokémon. With that being said, all the Pokémon gained some more strength from Ash and pushed harder from the current.

"OH NO, GUYS, I'M STARTING TO SLIP!" screamed Max as he was losing his grip on Squirtle's back.

"MAX! HANG ON, I'M COMING!" screamed May as she did her best to steer Wartortle over to where he little brother was trying to stay afloat. Thankfully, she was able to grab his hand just in time as he slipped off of Squirtle and almost drowned. Squirtle himself, however, was still struggling to stay afloat, but even without someone holding onto his shell, he still couldn't hold on much longer. Thankfully, Ash, with his left arm still on one of the horns on Gyarados' head, was able to aim his Pokéball just right at Squirtle and return him inside it just in the nick of time.

But then things took a turn for the worse...

As Ash turned his gaze back to the center of the whirlpool, he noticed the center of it was starting to glow. Ash gasped as the light got brighter and brighter. "BRACE FOR IMPACT!" he screamed to the others. Just then, a huge Hyper Beam came shouting out of the whirlpool's mouth, causing the whirlpool to turn into massive waves that sent everyone, both human and Pokémon, flying and screaming in different directions into the water. Miraculously despite the angry waters, all the humans were saved by the Pokémon as they gathered them up from the waters and saved them all from drowning. Everyone was then placed on Gyarados' back as they all started coughing out water. "Is everyone 'cough cough' all right?" coughed Brock.

"Uh-Huh," they answered out of pure exhaustion, as they then returned the other Pokémon other than Gyarados, Piplup, and Pikachu.

"...Uh, twerps..." screeched Team Rocket, their faces completely pale as the gaze and pointed at the horrifying sight behind them. Everyone else was confused to say the least, that is until they looked behind them and gasped in horror at what they saw. Out of where the whirlpool was once located came a monstrous Shiny Gyarados that was about ten times as big as Misty's Gyarados. It turned its attention towards the trembling group and roared furiously at them.

"We're doomed," whimpered Dawn.

As soon as Dawn said that, Azrael sent another telepathic message to the mighty beast. In response, the monster started powering up another massive Hyper Beam but this time at the group themselves. Everyone gasped as they realized that a Hyper Beam at the magnitude and distance would instantly kill them all. The group braced themselves with tears and fear in their eyes, as they knew there was no escape. Ash watched in horror as his entire life flashed before his eyes. He then closed his eyes shut in fear as he waited for the attack. Just then he felt the Shiny Gyarados finally unleashing the Hyper Beam. As the heat of it came closer, Ash thought sorrowfully, Forgive me, Misty. I've failed you again... I'm sorry...

...

...

...

...?

...Wait a minute. I should've felt that Hyper Beam by now. Am I…..Alive?

Ash hesitantly opened his right eye and looked up and what he saw caused him to open both eyes and widen them. There, right in front of him, was Misty's Gyarados deflecting the Shiny Gyarados' Hyper Beam with its own powerful Hyper Beam, causing the monster's attack to hit 20 feet around the group at the water. No way, Ash thought in awe. The two Gyarados' were battling it out as the Hyper Beams were now pushing at each other back and forth. However, the Shiny Gyarados' attack was starting to overpower the smaller one. Suddenly, one of Ash's Pokéballs suddenly released the Pokémon within it. Ash turned around and saw Charizard himself flying over beside Misty's Gyarados' head and unleashed his own Hyper Beam attack to join his fellow Pokémon's Hyper Beam, giving it a little more power against the monster. Ash couldn't help but smile proudly at the sight of the two powerhouses fighting to protect him and his friends. By now the rest of the group had joined Ash in watching in awe at the heroic Pokémon. Suddenly a few more Pokéballs were unleashing the Pokémon within them. Ash's Snorlax managed to stay afloat in the furious waters despite its weight (don't ask me how) and unleashed his own Hyper Beam to join the other two while Blastoise blasted two powerful jets of water out from the cannons in its shell. Squirtle joined in by retreating into its shell and rapidly spun while it fired powerful jets of water from its mouth through all the shell's openings, flying like a frisbee toward the antagonizing attack. Ash's Glalie then fired his own orange beam of power from its mouth to join in. One by one, the Pokémon were unleashing their powerful attacks to help aid Gyarados in taking down its bigger counterpart till finally the attacks finally pushed the gigantic Hyper Beam back at the monsters sending its head to fly backwards. It turned its head back at the group but it was obvious that it was feeling the pain from the group attacks. It was now Pikachu's turn as the little electric type powered up his Volt Tackle move. Ash looked down and smiled at his powerful starter Pokemon and gave him a thumps up. "Go for it, Pikachu!"

Pikachu nodded determinedly and then started running up Gyarados' neck towards Shiny Gyarados, his yellow body now surrounded by golden electricity. And with a mighty jump and an even mightier "PIKACHUUUU!", he tackled the beast square in the chest sending it flying backwards and with a great splash fainted into the deep sea. The impact of the attack also seemed to effect Azrael as it groaned in pain and lost both its connection with the Shiny Gyarados but also lost its connection of the storm, causing it to stop completely.

Thankfully for the group, they had ironically made it closer to the shore of the island, so in a matter of minutes, the group finally made it. Upon reaching the shore, everyone jumped off of Gyarados, whom Tracey returned to its Pokéball, and fell to the ground, breathing heavily after going through that. James afterwards ended up kissing the ground which turned out to be a big mistake. "Ahh! BAD IDEA, BAD IDEA!" Everyone sweatdropped as James tried to brush the sand out of his mouth.

After everyone had gotten their breath back, Ash stood up and turned towards the volcano, his fists clutching with determination. He turned back around towards everyone else who were just now joining him. Ash then nodded and started walking towards the volcano with the others following close behind, unaware of what was in store for him, but was at this moment Ash was ready for anything.

Hang on, Mist, we are almost there. I'm coming for you.

And this chapter is finished. Hope you guys liked it. And yes we have about three or four chapters left of this story. I will try as soon as I can to get started on chapter thirteen but we'll see. I do hope to get this story done before the end of the year however so wish me luck. Well I gotta go. See ya. Oh yeah! Don't forget to review!