Chapter 20: Dawn of a New Power

When morning came the next day, the group, accompanied by Nia, Cynthia, and myself, discovered that, for inexplicable reasons, Ash was no longer on the island. Oddly enough, he left Pikachu behind to inform us of his disappearance and to help us find him again through his scent. With this odd information, Tails fired up the Tornado NX once more, and we took flight.

"Why would Ash not be on the island anymore?" Knuckles wondered aloud. "Did he fly away on Charizard again?"

"And why would he leave without us?" Iris mused. "That's not like him."

"There are plenty of things wrong with this picture," Serena muttered, tapping her fingers on the arm of her chair. "If we don't figure them out soon enough, there's no telling what will happen."

"I think you're overreacting," Bonnie said.

"No, I'm just worried."

"Sure you are...for you boyyyyyyfrieeeeeeend!" she teased.

"BONNIE!" Serena shouted. Everyone flinched, shocked at her reaction. She blinked, then realized what she did. "Oh, Bonnie," she said, "I'm sorry. I-I don't know what came over me."

"It's okay," Bonnie said, slightly reserved. "I-I shouldn't have teased you like that." She walked up and hugged her.

"Bonnie," Serena said, returning her hug.

"Is she usually like this?" Cynthia said, turning to Sonic.

"I don't know," he shrugged. "We don't hang out a lot. I heard she has a crush on Ash, but that's about it."

"Oh?" I said, putting my hand on my chin as I stroked it. "Interesting. Perhaps she's jealous?"

"Very," Sonic nodded. "After Ash and May started dating, something really changed in her demeanor. It's like she's an entirely different person."

"I'll say!" Hoopa agreed, popping up out of Sonic's shadow. "She was really friendly when I met her! Now she's a grump!"

"A grump, hm?" I mused. "I guess that makes Bonnie a not-so-grump."

"Hoopa!" Cynthia exclaimed. "What on earth?!"

"Hello!" Hoopa grinned, holding a ring to her. "Want a donut?"

"Um...no thanks," Cynthia shrugged. "But what's a rare Pokemon like you doing hiding in Sonic's shadow?"

"Sonic and I met after Eggman shattered the planet," Hoopa explained. "We've been tagging along together since then to stop him."

"I see," I said. "Well I don't think it will make much difference if we can't find Ash."

"No worries, Mr. Mordecai!" Tails called from the cockpit. "We're coming up on his location right now!"

Cynthia looked out the window and gasped. "He's here?"

"Where are we?" Knuckles asked.

She turned back to us, a surprised expression on her face. "Mt. Coronet!"

Spear Pillar, the summit of Mt. Coronet, was still largely barren. Only Ash was there, looking around curiously.

"It's here somewhere," he said to himself. "I know it." Then a glimmer shone from one of the pillars surrounding him, illuminating his black and yellow vest. "That's it!" he exclaimed, rushing over and pulling the Chaos Emerald out of the pillar. He looked at it with a confused look. "But how did it get wedged in the pillar?" He looked at the pillar again and saw that there was no wedged hole where the emerald had been. It was almost as if…

"...it was never there," he murmured. "But how can that be?"

GYAOO!

He flinched. "What was that?"

He turned and saw a very unwelcome sight facing him: Zapdos flew some distance above the ground, glaring at him with a very hostile gaze that would put an Arbok's Glare attack to shame.

"Hm! Finally decided to show up, eh? Fine, then. Let's kick some tail feathers!" He whipped out his Pokeball. "Let's go, Infernape!" He threw it, only for it to bounce on the ground lifelessly. His eyes widened. "What?!" He rushed over, picked it up, and threw it again, only to meet the same result. He tried a third time, but nothing happened. "What is this?!"

"Hahaha! You should have known better than to search for the Chaos Emeralds alone, Ketchum. You make this look too easy!"

Ash ground his teeth, recognizing the voice immediately. "Eggman," he growled. In response, the doctor emerged from behind Zapdos in his signature Egg Mobile. His face, as usual, had a grin on it.

"Surprised to see me?" he sneered. "Why else would Zapdos specifically target you?"

"Because you captured it!" Ash shouted. "And you captured Moltres too, didn't you?"

"You are correct, sir!" Eggman grinned. "Seems you're not quite as bird-brained as some of your friends would have me believe!"

"I've grown," Ash replied.

"What?" the doctor said, confused.

"I'm not a stupid kid anymore," the young man continued. "I know better than to come charging into danger recklessly like you'd think I would."

"Ha! Stupid brat. You say that when all of your Pokemon are trapped inside their Pokeballs. Even Pikachu is nowhere to be found!"

"Yeah?" Ash grinned tauntingly. "How do you know he's not hiding in the shadows, waiting to ambush you?"

"I've got electrical readings on every lifeform in the immediate vicinity," Eggman sneered. "You and I are the only ones here, and Zapdos, of course."

Dang it! Ash cursed. Guess that bluff didn't work. "Okay, you got me there," he conceded.

"You're helpless," the doctor chuckled malevolently. "No blue hedgehog is going to save you now, you brat. You're all alone!" With that, Zapdos leered down at him, energy crackling in its wings.

Alone a voice in his head whispered. All alone. No father, no mother...all alone…

"He's not alone, you devil!"

The other two froze on hearing the voice. "Huh?" Ash said.

"Oh no," Eggman whimpered, looking at something in his pod.

Suddenly, a ball of energy erupted from the shadows and slammed into Zapdos, knocking him to the side.

"Ash will never be alone!" came the voice again. "Not as long as I'm here!" Then, the voice's owner walked out, revealing herself and her Pokemon.

"Dawn!" Ash exclaimed, a smile emerging on his face.

"Hi Ash!" Dawn said, rushing up to him and hugging him, with Togekiss in tow. "Great to see you again!" She pulled away and looked him over. "Are you hurt? Did Zapdos harm you?"

"No," he shook his head with a chuckle. "I'm fine for now. Zapdos didn't get a chance to do anything before you showed up." He looked at the recovering bird. "That was an impressive Air Slash by the way," he said.

"Thanks!" Dawn smiled.

"Grrrr," Eggman growled. "I was wondering what those other two electrical waveforms were. No matter. You're pathetic Flying-type is no match for the might of Zapdos. Zapdos! Zap Cannon! Now!"

"Gyaaaaaaaaaaa!" Zapdos roared, unleashing an electrical ball of energy. However, it charged it so slowly that Ash and Dawn had only to walk to the side to avoid it.

"What?" Eggman said.

"Leave battling to the Pokemon trainers," Dawn taunted him with a wink. "Don't you know about Zap Cannon's abysmally low accuracy?"

"Why, you blue-haired, song-singing brat!" he growled. "How dare you insult me! Zapdos! Attack her with Drill Peck!"

"Uh-oh," Ash said. "I guess he did some research."

"Togekiss!" Dawn called. "Counter that with Safeguard!"

"Mooouuuuuuuuaaaaaaaaa!" Togekiss cried, erecting a protective shield of energy to block Zapdos' attack. The shield exploded, and the Pokemon got knocked back. Zapdos quickly recovered, while Togekiss needed a moment to catch its breath.

"I don't think Togekiss will be able to match blows with Zapdos," Ash warned Dawn. "Zapdos is much stronger."

"It doesn't have to," Dawn said. "We just need to buy ourselves some time."

"Time?"

"Yes. I called the police to apprehend Eggman. He's taken things too far this time!" She looked angry by the time she finished.

"Oh, I'm not even finished yet, brat!" Eggman sneered. "And don't waste your time trying to capture me. Zapdos! Drill Peck again!"

"Kyyaaaaaaa!" Zapdos cried, attacking Dawn. Togekiss defended against the attack with another Safeguard, meeting the same result as before. This time around, however, Togekiss didn't get back up.

"Now we're in trouble," Dawn said, her confidence disappearing. "What do we do? I only had Togekiss out because I brought it out outside of the electric interference."

"You're history, brats!" Eggman shouted. "Zapdos! Zap Cannon! NOW!"

Zapdos began charging energy once again. Before it could unleash its power, however, a sudden blue streak slammed through one of its wings.

"What?!" Eggman exclaimed.

"Attacking helpless foes? Even I'm shocked, Eggman!"

Ash and Dawn's smiles returned. "It's Sonic!" they exclaimed in unison.

"GAH!" Eggman cursed. "Why do you always have to ruin my plans at the exact moment they're coming to?!"

"The exact moment?" Sonic blinked. "I didn't realize you were so far along in this one. Guess I came just in time, huh?"
"That's what he said," Ash shrugged.

"Ha! Well, it doesn't matter," Eggman sneered. "If Deedee's Toge-smooch still had any juice in it, I'd be worried. But you can't stop the might of Zapdos on your own, Sonic! This time, you're going down!"

"Grrrrrr," a thoroughly incensed Dawn growled. "BEAT HIM DOWN, SONIC!"

"Whoaaa!" Sonic exclaimed, shocked by her outburst. "Okay! Sheesh...what got into her?"

"Eggman pushed her berserk button," Ash shivered. "A terrible idea, really."

"Zapdos!" Eggman commanded the bird. "Drill Peck!"

Zapdos obeyed and attacked Sonic. Predictably, Sonic easily evaded the attack and began running around, taunting the doctor and his powerful Pokemon. "Too slow!" he said, running backwards on the wall. "Is that all you got?"

"You irritating hedgehog!" Eggman retorted. "I'll get you for that! Zapdos! Thunderbolt!"

Zapdos unleashed a powerful bolt of energy. Sonic laughed and jumped to the side, avoiding it.

"Just as I predicted," Eggman sneered to himself. "Now, Zapdos! Use Thunder Wave!"

As Sonic landed, Zapdos unleashed a weak wave of electricity that struck the hedgehog, stopping him in his tracks and leaving him stuck in a contorted position. "What?!" Sonic exclaimed.

"Oh no!" Ash said. "He's been paralyzed!"

"Now we're finished," Dawn moaned.

"Ha ha ha!" Eggman roared. "Now, Zapdos! Finish him off! ZAP CANNON!"

Zapdos obeyed and charged a powerful electric blast. Ash looked at Sonic desperately. "Sonic!" he called. "You've got to break free! If Zapdos gets you, it's game over for us all!"

"Nnnngh!" Sonic said, trying to break out.

"It's too late!" Dawn said.

"Finally," Eggman sneered. No one noticed the stone around Ash's neck glowing progressively brighter.

"Come on," Sonic said. "I gotta stop him."

"SONIC!" Ash screamed just as Zapdos unleashed his powerful blast.

It was a direct hit. The resulting explosion forced everyone else to cover their eyes from the dust and energy flying around. "No," Ash whispered. "Come on, Sonic. I know you're not finished yet. Come on. Let's get this done!"

At that moment, Ash felt a strange energy surge through his being. His eyes shot open, immune to the dust and glowing brightly. "What?" he said. "What is this? I feel...stronger...more powerful…"

"What is this?" Sonic said, as the same power also affected him. "This is...incredible...it's like...the Chaos Emerald…"

As the dust cleared, Sonic stepped forward, his form obscured by the dust storm so Eggman couldn't see him. "Still got more fight in you after that, eh?" Eggman sneered at him. "Give it up. You're no match for Zapdos!"

"You're right," Sonic said. "I'm not."

"But we are!" Ash shouted.

"What?!" Eggman and Dawn said at the same time.

Then the dust cleared, revealing Sonic's form. To everyone's shock, he'd changed. Though he retained his blue fur and quills, many things about him had changed. On the top-most spike, a red stripe had appeared, much like the ones Shadow sported on his quills. On some of the lower quills on Sonic's head, similar stripes appeared, black in color. These quills arced upward like Shadow's. His eyes, meanwhile, changed from their natural emerald green to a golden hue. Red wristbands appeared on his gloves, and the spikes on his back stuck out more.

"W-What?" Eggman stammered.

"Sonic," Dawn breathed. "What's happened to you?"
"I don't know," Sonic grinned. "But I can feel a new kind of power surging through me."

"I feel it, too," Ash grinned. "Now let's see if we can use this power to take down a legend!"

"Don't waste your time," Eggman growled. "You can't defeat Zapdos. Nothing can!"

"There's only one way to find out," Sonic smirked. With that, he curled into a ball and, after spinning in place a moment, shot forward at a blinding speed and slammed into Zapdos, knocking it into the wall.

"GAH!" Eggman exclaimed in shock. "How did he do that?!"

"Wow! That's incredible!" Ash cried in glee.

"Zapdos, you fool!" Eggman roared. "Destroy him! Thunder Wave, NOW!"

"Grahhhhhhhhh!" Zapdos roared, unleashing the wave against Sonic. Though it hit him, he shrugged it off and attacked Zapdos once again, smashing its beak with a kick. Then he leapt into the air, slammed face-first into Zapdos' stomach, and began spinning the bird around in midair before rocketing towards the ground. The resulting impact unleashed a massive wave of dust that forced everyone to cover their eyes.

When the dust settled, Zapdos was knocked out, with Sonic standing on top of him.

"What–" Eggman blinked in absolute shock. "This...This is impossible! You can't possibly have done that!"

"I didn't," Sonic grinned.

"We did," Ash mirrored him, as they walked to each other and fist-bumped.

"You," Eggman growled. "YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!" With that, he flew away, cursing and screaming in rage.

"Unbelievable," Ash said, looking Sonic over. "It's just like whenever Greninja and I synchronize."

"It feels incredible," Sonic said. "It's almost like I'm becoming you."

"And I'm becoming you!" Ash agreed.

"Wow!" Dawn breathed, eyes sparkling. "I'd heard about you and Greninja, Ash, but I didn't believe it until I saw this!"

"Pretty cool, huh?" Ash winked.

"Ash! Sonic!"

They turned on hearing the familiar voice. "Tails!" Sonic exclaimed. "Great timing!"

"Whoa, Sonic!" Tails exclaimed. "What happened to you?"

"I'm actually trying to figure that out myself," he shrugged. "Suppose we talk about it on the Tornado NX. Or did Eggman shoot it down?"
"Nope! It's in great shape! We just landed over here. Come on!" With that, they went away, while Sonic slowly reverted back to his normal form.

This...this can't be. How could a pathetic human tap into that kind of power?

There's only one option, now. I have no choice. Ash Ketchum must die, and I must kill him.