Present Day
Ferno is flying in the night sky with Charizard and Haunter.
"It really is a peaceful night, isn't it?" Ferno says.
"Char."
"Haunter." Both his Pokémon say in agreement.
Ferno is about to say something when he is cut off.
"Crash!"
He looks down to see an all too familiar sight.
"Oh, Arceus. Not those three." Ferno says. He sees none other than the Team Rocket hot air balloon. He sees Ash's Pikachu and Mabel's Mawile trapped in a cage underneath it.
"Prepare for trouble, your question is flawed."
"We're out of this world, so you should be awed."
"To protect the world from devastation."
"To unite all people within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love."
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jesse."
"And James."
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now, or prepare for a fortitudinous fight!"
"Meowth! That's right!"
"Wobbuffett!"
"Let's wait for them to explain who they are to Mabel. Then use Flamethrower on Meowth." Ferno says.
"Char." Charizard agrees.
"Haunt! Haunter!" Haunter argues.
"Haunter, Meowth is a Normal-Type Pokémon. Ghost-Type moves won't have any effect." Ferno explains.
Haunter deadpans. He then uses Psychic on Meowth.
"Hey! What the?! What's happening?!" Meowth says.
Ferno facepalms. "I forgot that you know Psychic, okay?" Ferno says.
"Haunt."
"Anyway…" Ferno starts smirking. "Preparing for trouble is what I do best. Even if it's double, I'm up to the test!"
"Boo!" James shouts at Ferno. "Copyright infringement!"
"Get your own motto!" Jesse shouts.
"Flamethrower!" Ferno shouts.
"Chaaaaaaaarrrr!" Charizard fires a stream of flames at Jesse and James.
"Wobbuffet!" Jesse cries.
"Wooooobbuff!" Wobbuffet uses Mirror Coat and sends the Flamethrower right back at them.
"Barrel roll, barrel roll, barrel roll!" Ferno shouts frantically.
Charizard rolls to the side, narrowly avoiding his own Flamethrower.
"Get in close. Dragon Claw!" Ferno says, leaping off of Charizard's back.
"Ferno!" Korrina cries.
Ferno pulls a Pokéball off his belt and throws it towards the ground.
"Kirlia!" Kirlia pops out. He then catches Ferno with Psychic.
"Arceus, I love Psychic-Types." Ferno says. "Thanks, Kirlia."
"Kirlia." Kirlia says with a smile.
"Wobb!" Wobbuffett shouts when Charizard's Dragon Claw hits him.
"Wobbuffett!" Jesse cries.
"Wobb…" Wobbuffett says before falling unconscious. Then, a glowing orb of white light floats from him to Charizard. All of a sudden, Charizard crash lands on the ground.
"What?!" Ferno says. He dashes over to Charizard. "Destiny Bond." He says. "Return, buddy. You did your best. There's no escaping Destiny Bond." He calls Charizard back.
"Thanks, Wobbuffett." Jesse says with a smile as she calls Wobbuffett back into his Pokéball.
Lucario growls at Korrina.
"You're right! They've got to be rescued, and we can do it." Korrina says. "Ready, Lucario?"
Lucario leaps into the air.
"Lucario, Mega-Evolve!" Korrina touches her hand to her keystone and Lucario Mega-Evolves.
"This might not end too well." Ferno says. He takes out his Pokédex and presses the 'TRANSFER' button.
"Ferno?" A voice can be heard. "You want to switch out Pokémon from your party?"
"I'm kinda in a rush, Cossette. It's Team Rocket. I need Swampert." Ferno says.
"Who are you switching?" Professor Sycamore's pink-haired assistant, Cossette, asks.
"Charizard. He got hit with Destiny Bond. Can you take a look at him for me?" Ferno says.
"Of course. Swampert's on his way." Cossette says. The call ends.
Charizard's Pokéball teleports away from Ferno's belt and is replaced by a Dive Ball. Ferno grabs the Dive Ball. "Come on out, Swampert!" He throws it.
A massive Swampert pops out. "Swampert!"
"Hey, bud!" Ferno says. "I need your help." He pulls a keystone out of his bag. "You ready?"
"Swamp." The Hoenn starter nods his head.
"Wait, what?!" Ash cries when he notices Swampert. Then he notices a bandanna around his neck with a blue stone attached to it.
"Swampert, Mega-Evolve!" Ferno shouts, holding the keystone above his head.
Swampert's shape begins to change as he glows. When he stops glowing, everything about him is larger. He has grown a third fin on his head and every part of him that was orange before is now red. "Swampert!" He roars.
"Another Pokémon that can Mega-Evolve?!" James says.
"We'll add Swampert to our collection, too!" Meowth says.
"When did you get a Swampert?" Korrina asks.
"I got this guy as a Mudkip as a gift from Siebold." Ferno explains. He grabs another Pokéball and throws it into the air. "Come and help, Electrike!"
"Electrike!" Electrike pops out of the Pokéball.
"Use Rain Dance!" Ferno says.
"Trike!" Electrike summons a rain cloud and it starts pouring.
A red aura forms around Swampert and he feels lighter on his feet.
Swampert smirks eagerly. "Pert." He thanks Electrike.
"Trike." Electrike responds happily.
"Lucario, Power-Up Punch!" Korrina says.
"Swampert, Hydro Pump!" Ferno shouts.
Mega Lucario leaps into the air and charges his fist.
"Swampert!" Mega Swampert shoots water out of his mouth at Jesse's Pumpkaboo.
"Not today!" James says as he throws out a Pokéball. "Okay, Inkay! Psybeam!"
Inkay pops out of James' Pokéball. "Inkay!" He fires a beam of psychic energy at Mega Lucario.
Mega Lucario growls as he is hit by the Psybeam.
Hydro Pump hits its target and Pumpkaboo stumbles backward.
"Nice one, Swampert!" Ferno shouts.
"You're such an annoying rat!" Jesse says. "Pumpkaboo, Shadow Ball!"
"Pumpkakakakakakakaboo!" Pumpkaboo forms an orb of ghost energy and hurls it at Mega Swampert.
"Shield yourself with Muddy Water!" Ferno says.
"Pert!" Mega Swampert surrounds himself in a dirty wave that protects him from the Shadow Ball.
"Now!" Ferno says.
"Swampert!" Mega Swampert then sends the water flying at Pumpkaboo.
"Dark Pulse!" Jesse shouts.
"Pumpkaboo!" Pumpkaboo fires a beam of dark energy at the water, protecting herself from the water.
"Another Shadow Ball!" Jesse shouts, pointing at Mega Lucario.
"Inkay, use Psybeam!" James shouts.
"Kakakakakakakaboo!" Pumpkaboo creates another orb of ghost energy and hurls it at Mega Lucario.
"Inkay!" Inkay fires another psychic beam at Mega Lucario.
Both attacks hit Mega Lucario, knocking him over. When Mega Lucario gets up, Inkay and Pumpkaboo float on both sides of him. Then he emits a powerful wave of aura as he growls primally.
"Oh boy." Ferno says. "This just became a three-way battle."
"Pert?" Mega Swampert says, confused.
"I'll explain later, Swampert. For now, all you need to know is that Lucario has gone primal." Ferno says.
"Swam." Mega Swampert nods.
"Alright, Swampert use Muddy Water!" Ferno says.
"Swampert!" Mega Swampert creates a large wave of dirty water and sends it at Pumpkaboo, Inkay, and Primal Lucario.
All three of the Pokémon dodge the attack. Primal Lucario turns his attention to Mega Swampert. He uses Bone Rush, creating and energy bone and dashes straight at Mega Swampert.
"Swampert, dodge!" Ferno says.
"Pert!" Mega Swampert avoids Primal Lucario's attack with immense speed for a Pokémon his size.
"How is Swampert moving that fast?" Ash asks.
"Pika." Pikachu says.
"Mega Swampert's ability is Swift Swim." Ferno says. "That means that he can move twice as fast when it's raining."
"Whoa!" Ash says.
"Pika!" Pikachu shouts.
Eventually, though, Primal Lucario proves to be too fast for Mega Swampert and finally lands Bone Rush, knocking Mega Swampert into the ground. He continues to attack Mega Swampert.
"Swampert!" Ferno cries. Then he notices that Mega Swampert is giving off a red aura that is unlike the one from before. "Wait, are you learning Bide?"
"Pert!" Mega Swampert nods in pain.
"Alright. Swampert, use Bide!" Ferno says.
"Swampert!" Mega Swampert fires a white beam at Primal Lucario.
Primal Lucario, unfortunately, dodges the attack and hits Mega Swampert with a Power-Up Punch, causing the Hoenn starter to devolve and pass out.
"Well, that could've gone better. That is one strong Lucario." Ferno sweatdrops. "Swampert, return. You did your best." He calls Swampert back into the Dive Ball.
"What do I do, now?" Korrina says to herself.
Mabel grabs Korrina's wrist. "I have faith in you."
Primal Lucario dashes at the Team Rocket balloon.
"Shadow Ball, more!" Jesse says.
"Use Tackle!" James shouts.
"Electrike, Thunder! Kirlia, use Psychic!" Ferno says.
Pumpkaboo hurls a ball of ghost energy at Primal Lucario, only for it to be destroyed by Primal Lucario.
Inkay slams into Primal Lucario, knocking him down to the ground, causing both Thunder and Psychic to miss.
Primal Lucario lands on his feet, growling.
"Lucario!" Korrina says.
Primal Lucario roars.
Korrina gives a determined look.
"Kirlia." Korrina says. "No matter what happens, I want you to hold Ferno in place with Psychic."
"Kir?" Kirlia says.
"Just do it!" Korrina says.
Kirlia shrugs and uses Psychic to restrain Ferno.
"Kirlia, what are you doing?" Ferno says. "Stop this right now!"
Primal Lucario dashes at the balloon again, only for Korrina to step in his way.
"Huh." Ferno says. "My girlfriend is either super brave… or crazy."
Primal Lucario charges again, at Korrina this time. She puts her arms in a cross guard just before Primal Lucario bites her wrist.
"KORRINA!" Ferno cries as he tries to fight against Kirlia's Psychic. "Arceus, I hate Psychic-Types." He says. "Thanks, Kirlia." He says, sarcastically.
"Lia." Kirlia sweatdrops with a sheepish smile.
"Lucario, please listen to me." Korrina says. "One heart, two viewpoints. Remember that?"
Korrina and Lucario stood there for a moment before Korrina continued.
"We've got to bring them together and turn that into strength!" Korrina says. "Lucario. Lucario! Remember, our hearts are one! Let your aura take over your body!"
With that, Lucario's pupils dilate to their regular size.
"Save the mushy stuff for later. Pumpkaboo, use Dark Pulse!" Jesse says.
"Boo!" Pumpkaboo fires a beam of dark energy.
"NO! KORRINA!" Ferno cries. "Haunter, Shadow Ball! Electrike, Thunderbolt!"
"Haunter!" Haunter forms an orb of ghost energy at the Dark Pulse.
"Electrike!" Electrike sends a bolt of electricity at the Dark Pulse.
"I don't think so! Inkay, Psybeam!" James says.
"Inkay!" Inkay's two white tentacles glow a pink color and he slashes in mid air as two psychic blades fly at the two attacks. When the attacks collide, they explode. Pumpkaboo's Dark Pulse shoots through the dust cloud.
"NO!" Ferno cries.
Suddenly, Lucario pulls out a bone and blocks the Dark Pulse, protecting Korrina.
"Lucario." Korrina says.
Mega Lucario turns his head to Korrina and nods with a grunt.
"Korrina's voice got through!" Serena says.
"Yeah! You go, Lucario!" Ferno says.
"Inkay, what was that?" James asks.
"I know that move! That was Psycho Cut!" Meowth says.
"Inkay, you learned Psycho Cut?" James says.
"Inkay!" Inkay does a flip in the air.
"Alright!" James says.
"Kirlia, you can let him go now." Korrina says.
"Lia." Kirlia stops using Psychic, releasing Ferno.
"Arcanine, let's go!" Ferno throws Arcanine's Pokéball forward.
"Canine!" Arcanine says.
Ferno runs up next to Korrina.
"Together?" Ferno asks.
"Together." Korrina agrees. "One heart, two viewpoints."
"Uh, two hearts, four viewpoints." Ferno corrects.
"Shut up." Korrina says.
"Right." Ferno says.
"Alright, ready?" Korrina asks.
Mega Lucario growls in response.
"How about you, Arcanine?" Ferno asks. "Haunter, Kirlia, Electrike?"
"Arcanine!"
"Lia!"
"Haunt!"
"Electrike!" Ferno's Pokémon respond in the affirmative.
"Then let's go." Ferno smirks.
"Now, Inkay. The third Psybeam's the charm." James says.
"Pumpkaboo, Leech Seed!" Jesse says.
"Inkay!" Inkay fires another Psybeam at Mega Lucario.
"Kaboo!" Pumpkaboo fires a seed into the ground in front of Arcanine. Large branches sprout from the ground, trapping all of Ferno's Pokémon and draining their energy.
"Okay, counter it." Korrina says.
"Arcanine, Flame Charge. Burn through the branches." Ferno says.
Mega Lucario growls and leaps into the air with his bone.
"Canine!" Arcanine engulfs herself in an inferno, burning the branches that bind her. She escapes the branches and a red aura surrounds her as her speed rises.
"Now, Flamethrower!" Ferno says.
"Shadow Ball, again!" Jesse shouts.
"Nine!" Arcanine fires a stream of fire at the rest of the branches, burning them and freeing the rest of Ferno's Pokémon.
"Trike…"
"Lia…"
"Hau… Haunt…" The rest of Ferno's Pokémon pant, drained of energy. They all fall over, unconscious.
Ferno and Arcanine both sweatdrop after seeing this. Ferno calls them all back into their Pokéballs.
"Kaboo!" Pumpkaboo hurls a Shadow Ball at Mega Lucario.
"She's attacking from the left!" Korrina says. "Dodge upward and hit the Shadow Ball!"
Mega Lucario uses his aura to push him upward. He hits the Shadow Ball with his bone, destroying it. The Psybeam flies right by him and hits Pumpkaboo.
"Now! Bone Rush!" Korrina says.
Mega Lucario repeatedly strikes Pumpkaboo with his bone, sending her crashing into the cage on the Team Rocket balloon.
"Pika!"
"Mawile!"
"Pikachu!" Ash catches the electric mouse.
"Mawile." Serena catches the deceiver Pokémon.
"We're not gonna take that lyin' down!" Meowth says.
"Isn't that a coincidence? Neither are we." Mabel says, touching the keystone on her cane. "Mawile, Mega-Evolve!"
"Mawile!" Mawile shouts as she Mega-Evolves.
"No way I'm missing out on this party!" Ferno says as he takes out a Max Revive and Swampert's Dive Ball. "Come back out, Swampert!" He throws the Dive Ball into the air. Swampert pops out, still unconscious. Ferno puts the Max Revive in Swampert's mouth. Swampert wakes up after a few moments and stands up.
"Swamp!" He roars.
"Why didn't you use that on Charizard?" Ash asks.
Ferno sweatdrops. "I forgot I had it." He takes the keystone back out. "Anyway, Swampert! Mega-Evolve!" Ferno holds the keystone above his head as Swampert Mega-Evolves.
"Pert!" Swampert roars.
"Wrap it up with Dark Pulse!" Jesse says.
"Kaboo!" Pumpkaboo fires another Dark Pulse at Mega Mawile.
"Now, use Fairy Wind!" Mabel says.
"Mawile!" Mega Mawile leaps into the air and spins around, creating a wind that blows the Dark Pulse back at Pumpkaboo.
"Inkay, use Psybeam!" James shouts.
"Inkay!" Inkay fires a Psybeam at Pikachu.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt, go!" Ash says.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu leaps into the air and hits Inkay with a bolt of lightning.
Mega Lucario holds his hands out to his side and forms an orb of energy between them.
"Lucario, that's it…" Korrina says. "You learned a new move!"
Mega Lucario growls in response.
"Then let's let 'em have it!" Korrina says. "Aura Sphere!"
Mega Lucario leaps into the air, doing a three hundred sixty degree spin before throwing the Aura Sphere straight at the Team Rocket Balloon.
"Hydro Cannon!" Ferno shouts.
"Swaaaaaaaaaammmmmpeeeeeeeerrrrrrrt!" Mega Swampert blasts a huge stream of water from his mouth, much larger than Hydro Pump.
Both attacks hit the Team Rocket balloon and send the criminals flying.
"We're blastin' off…!" Meowth starts.
"... again!" James finishes as Team Rocket disappears into the night sky.
"Yay!" Bonnie celebrates.
"Wow, that Aura Sphere happened because their hearts became one!" Ash says.
"Pika!" Pikachu says.
Ferno tackles Korrina onto the ground.
"What? What was that for?!" Korrina says.
"That was for turning Kirlia against me." Ferno says. He punches her in the arm, lightly. "That's for making me worry," Then he kisses her passionately for a few moments before breaking away. "And that's for being amazing."
Mega Lucario lands on the ground with a burst of aura that throws Ferno off of Korrina.
"Ow…" Ferno says, rubbing his head.
Korrina gets up and runs over to Mega Lucario. "Lucario, we did it!"
Mega Lucario growls, happily. The two partners high-five each other and then grab each other's hands, looking at each other with determination.
Ferno recognizes that look in her eyes. It's a look he's seen many times before.
The next day, everyone, including Lucario, Charizard, and Arcanine, is standing out on the mountain path, outside of Mabel's front yard.
"Thank you for everything." Korrina says to Mabel. "We're really glad we came here to see you."
"Despite initial thoughts." Ferno adds, at which everyone laughs.
"You're most welcome." Mabel says. "Remember, although you're now able to control Lucario's aura, you must continue to work hard and improve."
"Right." Korrina says. "We sure will."
"Korrina," Ash says, "guess this is goodbye."
"Huh?" Korrina says.
Bonnie pulls on Ash's sleeve. "Why? Aren't we all going to the same place?"
"Yeah, we're all going to the Shalour Gym together so you can challenge Korrina." Serena says.
"Serena's right." Clemont adds.
"Yeah, even I'm confused, and that doesn't happen very often." Ferno says.
"Korrina and Lucario can control his aura, so we need to train even harder." Ash explains. "We'll get stronger and stronger and then we can challenge her and win that badge." He turns to Korrina. "We'll do our very best to win."
"I understand." Korrina says. "Then we'll see you there."
Lucario gives an affirmative growl.
Korrina bends down to touch a button on the side of her shoe. "Come on Lucario. You too, Ferno." Two pairs of wheels pop out of the bottom of her shoes.
"You two go on ahead, we'll catch up in a bit. I just wanna say my goodbyes." Ferno says.
"Alright." Korrina says before rolling over to him and kissing him on the cheek. She rolls away with Lucario running behind her.
Ferno turns to the rest of the group. "So, this is the end of my travels with you all." He says.
"What do you mean?" Clemont asks.
"I think I'm going to be staying with Korrina for awhile." Ferno explains. "Don't tell her, but two years ago..." He tells them all about Olympia's warning to him.
"Will we see you again?" Bonnie asks. "I'm going to miss your music."
Ferno chuckles, crouching down to the young girl's height. "Don't worry, Bonnie. You'll be seeing me again… and again, and again. Trust me." He says. "And I promise to have a new song finished by the time you all arrive at Shalour City."
"Really?!" Bonnie asks.
"Really." Ferno says before he leans to her ear. "And I have an important job for you." He whispers. "While I'm gone, your job is to try and get Ash and Serena together."
A huge, mischievous smirk appears on Bonnie's face. "You can count on me."
Ferno smiles at this. He stands back up and walks over to Serena. "I'll see you later, Serena." He says before giving her a hug.
"Oh, Ferno…" Serena says.
"If you and Ash aren't holding hands by the time you get to Shalour City, I will tell him about the night." Ferno whispers to her.
Serena's face turns red as a tamato berry.
Ferno stops hugging his ex and turns to Ash. "No Ghost-Types, okay?"
"Deal!" Ash says.
"Pika!" Pikachu agrees.
"Alright, Ash. You better give her the best battle she's ever had!" Ferno says.
"You know it!" Ash says.
"Oh, and do take care of Serena, while I'm gone." Ferno says. "And honestly, take a hint."
"What?" Ash says.
"See you!" Ferno climbs onto Arcanine's back. "Alright, girl. Let's catch up to them."
"Canine!" Arcanine starts dashing away, after Korrina, Charizard flying behind them.
"Oh, he is so getting an Ember to the face the next time I see him." Serena says.
I know what you're thinking:
"FINALLY! Some Team Rocket!"
Yeah, I couldn't stay on that one episode forever. It had to end at some point. I also kept skipping the Team Rocket scenes. I felt a little guilty about that, so I dedicated this entire chapter to the Team Rocket scene in episode 34.
And I also apologize to those of you who wanted to see Ferno in the other episodes leading up to Ash's Shalour City gym battle. I want to do those episodes, too, but I want to do this even more. I think it's time Gurkinn finds out. And, also, Ferno's aunt in Shalour City. You know, the one who stopped him from killing a smuggler.
But don't worry, there is a certain series of episodes that take place before the gym battle that I will be including Ferno in.
Anyway, see you all next time!