November 28, 2012
The jumbo jet stopped just short of the end of the runway. Cosmoenix gently put Ash and Pikachu on the ground.
"We did it…gang." Ash said in the Aura Network before his vision blurred. Ash then faints out of exhaustion and collapses on the ground followed by Pikachu, Cosmoenix, Aegislash, and Aero. He could see Serena, Chupi, Manaphy, Tias, Shauna, Ali, Arkana, and Aergon frantically deplaning and then running towards them. He could feel Serena and Tias gently touching his face as they tried anything to help him stay conscious. At the corner of his eye, he could see Chupi Lady Goth, Cresselia, and Skye check up on Pikachu, Aegislash, Cosmoenix, and Aero respectively. As Ash loses consciousness, he could hear ambulances, police cars, and choppers of various news agencies arriving at the scene.
November 30, 2012
It was almost 6am at Professor Sycamore's Lab with the sky slowly turning to blue, and Ash slept in a makeshift bed with his head resting on Serena's lap while Serena gently lingers her hands near his hair and face. Tias, Pikachu, Chupi, and Manaphy also sat nearby eager for Ash to wake up. Much to their delight, Ash slowly wakes up.
"Oh my head." Ash groaned while clutching his head, but he sighs out of relief as he feels Serena's warm embrace.
"Ash, you're okay!" Serena exclaimed happily with tears in her eyes as she held Ash tenderly in her arms while kissing him on the forehead a few times.
"Thank goodness! You made me so worried!" Tias chimed in and joined in the hug followed by Pikachu, Chupi, and Manaphy.
"Yes, I'm glad we're all okay. At least we're made it to Professor Sycamore's Lab instead of a hospital." Ash replied while returning the group embrace and taking note of his surroudings. "How about the rest of the gang? What about our folks and Shauna's cousins?"
"They are here as well, and all of our Pokemon are fully recovered and are eager to see you." Serena stated happily. "Also several folks you would know have arrived to see you."
"No kidding!? Well that is very nice of them." Ash said. Serena beamed seeing Ash happy, but she became sad.
"Truth is that you were knocked out for over a day. No one could sleep as we were all worried thinking about what we went through and whether you would be okay. Also they also saw the footage of Aegislash's memories and the footage of Archyamis following you, and they were too emotional after seeing all that, especially your mom." Serena croaked with tears in her eyes. Ash as usual gently placed his hands on Serena's cheeks making her blush and relaxed.
"I guess I put you all through too much." Ash sighed and had a guilty expression. "And my anger and my anxiety got the best of me when I had to battle Archyamis the second time and which ended up putting everyone in danger and me like this."
"Ash, it's not your fault. " Serena reassured and affectionately rubbed Ash's shoulders. "You're so brave out there. Otherwise you wouldn't be the Ash Ketchum we know and love." Tias, Pikachu, Chupi, and Manaphy nodded in agreement. Ash then smiled which made Serena beam right back at him.
"Thank you Serena." Ash replied back. "I wonder how Aegislash is holding up. He has been through a lot."
"Aegislash is fine. He is spending time with his mother after so long." Serena confirmed.
"His mother? Right, it's Mom's Gothitelle." Ash replied.
"I can't imagine what is on their minds now." Serena said. "Maybe that's why Gothitelle was freaking out last time upon seeing Aegislash."
"Yeah possibly. Let's go and meet all of our friends and family. They'll be relieved knowing I'm okay – argh!" Ash grunted and collapsed in pain as he tried walking. It seems his body took too much toll from the recent encounters with Archyamis. Plus since he was knocked out for over a day, he lacked energy due to not eating a single meal.
"Ash!" Serena and Tias exclaimed and hurried over to Ash and hoisted him by his arms to help him walk.
"I'll be fine." Ash reassured.
"But Ash, are you sure you want to rest a bit more?" Tias asked out of concern, and the rest nodded in agreement with her.
"No I'm fine." Ash repeated. "I'm concerned about how Aegislash is doing. I have a feeling he has something important to tell me, like something important that I must do."
"Something important?" Serena asked. "What could it be?"
"I'm not sure, but I do think it has to do with what we saw in Aegislash's memories Archyamis extracted and presented on the plane." Ash said.
"I hope this is not part of Archyamis' plot for you to do something reckless and hurt yourself Ash." Serena said worriedly. "What if Archyamis simply made up the footage to trick you?"
"Aegislash would know since he was there with Dad back then. I trust him." Ash replied as he, Serena, Tias, Pikachu, Chupi, and Manaphy reach the lab's indoor Pokemon area to see friends, family, and Pokemon. There, Delia, Chu, and Avia received morale support from Momma Ty, Meema, Grace, and Aunt Luna. The rest of Ash's siblings Ali, Artie, Azul, August, Apollo, Ares, Aarya, Axel, Adroush, Aergon, Arkana, Ailene, Ariel, and Aolani (except for Tios who was still in Altomare with Kanon and Lorenzo) interacted with Ash's cousins Moon, Solidad, Astrid, Titan, and Triton. Eventually Ali joined Shauna and spent time chatting with her cousins Baraz and Meray, and Hoopa about their adventures and the terrible ordeal from the flight. Professor Sycamore, Cosette, and Sophia were preparing breakfast for the big group and the Pokemon. All the Pokemon, namely those belonging to Ash and Serena, intermingled with other Pokemon in the lab and were watching Lady Goth facilitating the touching and precious mother-and-son moments between Aegislash and Gothitelle. Ash noticed the other Pokemon in the lab and was sure that he knew that their trainers are around and are the people Serena referred to as the folks who came to see him. But he had to hold on to those thoughts when family members, friends, and Pokemon all cheered seeing he is up and about and rushed to see him, but Serena and Tias had to calm them down.
"WHOA!" Serena and Tias hollered, and they all halted.
"Serena and Tias, you didn't have to holler like that!" Ariel exclaimed.
"Yeah, we're all glad to see Ash is okay. We have been worried sick since we arrived here." Ailene chimed in earning many nods.
"Yes, but Ash has been through a lot and has very little energy. In fact earlier, we had to carry him by the arms to help him walk properly." Serena stated.
"Plus he hasn't eaten since he battled Archyamis on the plane." Tias added.
"Serena and Tias, it's okay. I'm fine." Ash reassured with a smile which really lightened the mood.
"At least, can I hug my Ash?" Delia asked with a warm smile. Ash beckoned and soon was engulfed in a tight embrace with his mother.
"Ash, you were so brave out there." Delia whispered. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine. Trust me." Ash replied back, and Delia let him go in order to address the group. "Serena told me everything. If anything, I'm the one who should be sorry for putting all of you through all this."
"No don't be so hard of yourself Ash. So no need to worry!" A familiar cheerful voice exclaimed. Ash immediately turned his head to one of his former traveling companions who regularly uses the 'no need to worry' catchphrase.
Whoa it's Dawn! Ash thought seeing her bubbly cheerful expression and then noticed the rest of the folks as they greeted him. But Dawn isn't alone. There's May. I bet she and Dawn flew in after the Hoenn Grand Festival. Wonder how that went. Alexa and her sister Viola are here. I wonder if Alexa is writing an article about my encounter with Archyamis. No joke! Misty, Iris, and Liza are here coming from the wedding; I'm glad they're okay after Archyamis' attack in Blackthorn City. I got to stay focused! Aegislash is the one I need to talk to. Not only I want to check if he's okay, but I know he must be meaning to tell me something important. I just know it!
"Okay everyone, Ash has a lot on his mind now. Perhaps let's eat first and then we go from there." Serena suggested out of consideration for Ash's state. Ash nodded to Serena out of agreement.
"Good idea Serena. Breakfast is ready." Professor Sycamore announced. Soon breakfast was underway: for the Pokemon it was Pokemon food filled with lots of carbohydrates and nutrients; for Ash and company, it was scrambled eggs, sausages, butter toast, warm croissants, Kalosan crepes, pancakes, fresh fruits, and Miltank milk. During breakfast, Ash learned that Blackthorn City is recovering thanks to the efforts of Lance, Ethan, and Brock as organized all the logistics needed. He inquired with Baraz and Meray about any knowledge of Archyamis, but unfortunately they don't know at the moment. After breakfast concluded, Ash and Delia had a moment together with Serena, Tias, Avia, Grace, Aunt Luna, and all of their Pokemon keeping them company. Everyone else watched.
"How's Ash doing?" Misty asked while the rest nodded.
"I'm sure he's fine." Professor Sycamore replied. "Give him some time. I know we all have a lot of questions for him."
Meanwhile with Ash and his group…
"Ash, we saw the whole thing on TV. You scared us out of our wits!" Aunt Luna exclaimed.
"All this time, I thought your father Red was so selfish that day when he went out on your eighth birthday for his 'training mission', but now after confirming Aegislash's memories from both Gothitelle and Lady Goth, I realized that he and his Pokemon sacrificed their lives to protect us." Delia said softly. "Ash, the only thing I wish is that you and your Pokemon do not do anything that would put your father's sacrifice in vain."
"I second that." Avia added.
"I know, but the battle is not over yet." Ash replied. "It seems that I'm not just fighting for myself. I'm fighting for a legacy that I don't know much about. Mom, is it true that I'm part of a line of Battle Legends?" Ash asked discretely to Delia.
"It is complicated, but yes." Delia whispered back.
"Is something bothering you Ash? You can tell us anything." Tias reassured.
"No I'm fine." Ash replied. "I hope Aegislash is okay."
"Aegislash is doing fine. He and Gothitelle spent a lot of time doing much needed catch-up. They missed each other." Delia confirmed. "Serena and Lady Goth told me and Gothitelle everything about Aegislash from the moment he met you and your group. Look here they come." Aegislash arrived accompanied by Lady Goth and Gothitelle. The rest of Ash's and Serena's Pokemon made way
"Ash, I owe you an apology for what I did." Aegislash began. "I did a lot of unforgivable things, but keeping an important secret from you was my biggest mistake. I should have told you earlier." Aegislash bowed to Ash out of shame, but Ash remained calm.
"Aegislash, I don't blame you and never will." Ash replied via Aura. "I know it is hard for us watching Dad's last moments, but at least we know now rather than later." Aegislash sighed in relief as his friends and family nodded in agreement and as his mate Lady Goth and his mother Gothitelle affectionately hugged him out of love.
"Aegislash, were you supposed to give something to Ash?" Lady Goth asked.
"Yeah I remember. Please Aegislash, if you have it with you, then please let me have it if Dad says it will help me defeat Archyamis." Ash pleaded.
"Ash, please forgive me but I do not have it with me." Aegislash responded. "I hid it somewhere north of Lumiose City."
"What do you mean that you don't have it?" Serena asked.
"Since that narrow escape 8 years ago, I traveled far and wide and hid in seclusion while protecting the item Red entrusted me with. Despite having to defend myself from wild Pokemon and other trainers who wanted to capture me, I become strong and eventually evolved from Honedge to Doublade and finally Aegislash." Aegislash recalled. "All was well until I was targeted by four rogue Pokemon." On cue, Lady Goth glowed and conjured a set of Aegislash's memories detailing the events. Everyone watched with shock.
**Aegislash's Memory Flashback to March 25, 2012**
Aegislash glides through a forest dodging several incoming rounds of Psycho Cut and Signal Beam, but then a Flamethrower and a Dark Pulse hit him sending him crashing into a tree. In hot pursuit of him were four sinister, yet familiar, Malamar.
"What do you want?" Aegislash asked with an angry growl. The Malamar cackled evilly and pointed to the special glove Aegislash was entrusted with by Red to deliver to Ash.
"No! You won't have it!" Aegislash growled and began to fight back. "Eat my FURY CUTTER!" Aegislash's Fury Cutter was enough to drive away the four evil Malamar, but Aegislash was badly injured in the fight.
**End Aegislash's Memory Flashback**
"Why do I have the feeling I have seen these Malamar before?" Ash asked while Serena looked at Ash with concern. Then Aegislash continued.
"I was badly injured, and I knew that I would not be able to fend off another attack like that. Plus I knew that while things got very dangerous, I had to figure out how to stay alive, protect the item, and somehow make sure it ends up with Ash one way or another." Aegislash continued speaking through the Aura Network. "Eventually, I arrived at the wetlands north of here and met the Pokemon there who agreed to protect the item."
"No way! You hid it in my home!?" Goodra asked out of shock.
"Wait, there has to be a reason." Serena added while everyone nodded.
"I'm terribly sorry Goodra, but the Blue Flower Florges and the rest of the Pokemon agreed to help." Aegislash apologized. "They know and trust you and Ash and even said that you would have done the same if you were there Goodra."
"Of course I would have agreed to help if I was there, but does that mean my friends and my home are in danger again? What if something bad happens and I'm not there?" Goodra asked worriedly.
"Then we can only hope they are okay." Aegislash replied grimly.
"But how did you manage to find us?" Lady Goth asked, and the group listened in carefully.
"The Blue Flower Florges told me that Goodra went with Ash to the Kalos League Championships. So since then, I used all the clues I needed to eventually catch up with you all. I did plan to tell about this to all of you, but unfortunately I was too late. Still we don't have to travel too far to find it." Ash nodded to Aegislash signifying that he believes him.
"Ash, I know what you're thinking." Serena began. "If you want, let's go and find it." Ash smiled at Serena who smiled back, and the rest of their Pokemon roared in agreement. Then Ash became serious.
"Right! Let's go right now to Goodra's home and retrieve that item! The more we stay here, the more potential danger Goodra's home would be in and the more difficult it becomes for us to fight Archyamis!" Ash spoke loudly enough to attract everyone's attention, and this brought up more concerns. Friends and family came over as Ash and Serena gathered and recalled their Pokemon except for Pikachu, Chupi, Manaphy, Aegislash, and Lady Goth.
"Please don't be reckless Ash!" May pleaded. "You are putting yourself and your Pokemon at even greater risk and danger if you don't rest!"
"I can't rest with Archyamis on the loose plotting something bad or becoming stronger and invicible!" Ash replied back while his Pokemon nodded.
"Ash, we know how serious your circumstances are, and we care about you!" Iris voiced her concern. "Why don't you let some us help you with what you need while you rest?"
"Iris, I know you and everyone else mean well, but I have to do this!" Ash refuted. "You don't know how dangerous this is."
"Ash is right. This is something he must do. He'll be fine as long as I'm there with him." Serena added. The rest of Ash's and Serena's Pokemon.
"Alright enough!" Professor Sycamore hollered loud enough to cause silence. "Ash, if this is something that is essential, then by all means do what you need to do. Serena, make sure Ash gets all the help he needs." Ash and Serena nodded.
"Um, we have bad news here. Take a look outside the lab." Alexa warned, and everyone rushed to look outside the windows to see a huge crowd of hundreds of people.
"Why are these people surrounding the lab holding signs? Are they protesting?" Viola asked.
"Either way, those people need to get out of our way!" Ash growled as he exited the lab followed by Serena, Pikachu, Chupi, Manaphy, Aegislash, and Lady Goth.
"Wait! Don't go!" Grace hollered and rushed out along with Ash and Serena. The protesters then noticed and began jeering.
"Look it's Ash Ketchum! Stop that troublemaker!" One protester shouted.
"Troublemaker?" Ash questioned.
"How is Ash a troublemaker?" Liza asked.
"Yeah that's right! You locked up our pride of Vaniville Town Calem Xavier!" Another person from the crowd yelled.
"If anything, you're the terror here putting many innocent lives at danger wherever you go!" Another protester screamed angrily.
"Which is why we denied you entry into the Lumiose Hospital! Yeah we can afford to lose one troubled life such as yours rather than risking the lives of all of our precious patients! We don't want a repeat of what happened at Blackthorn City few nights ago!" Another protester, presumably a hospital worker, taunted rudely.
"No way! Serena, did that really happen?" Ash asked Serena out of disbelief.
"Yes that's true. I never thought they would do such a thing which was the reason we all worried for your health and safety for the past two days." Serena replied apologetically.
"It's the same reason why I fled Vaniville Town." Grace added much to Ash and Serena's shock. "I had enough with the negative rhetoric about how Calem should have won the PWT-Aces Cup and how Ash is the sore cheater and loser. I'm not sure what has gotten into those people."
"Well if you're picking on me, you're picking on the wrong person at the wrong time!" Ash countered back at those protesters.
"Ash! Don't get distracted! Your plan is not beating these people up remember?" Aegislash reminded while restraining Ash.
"Ash you monster, you should be locked up!" Another protester shouted at Ash.
"YEAH! LOCK HIM UP! LOCK HIM UP! LOCK HIM UP! LOCK HIM UP!" Several protesters chanted violently and brandished out their Pokeballs ready to battle Ash.
"Ash! Serena! Get back here!" Ali and Shauna hollered worriedly as the protesters advanced towards Ash and Serena like a pack of blood-thirsty Mightyena. Suddenly, several attacks came out of nowhere and kept the protesters at bay.
"Serena, now's our chance!" Ash exclaimed as he and Serena used the stirred smoke and dust for cover and made their escape. Their families and friends still remained at the lab and stared at the group of trainers and Pokemon who arrived in time to give Ash and Serena time to escape: Kanto Battle Frontier's Salon Maiden Anabel and her Espeon, Sinnoh Champion Master Cynthia and her Garchomp, Hilda with her Audino, Rosa with her Musharna, and Kalos Champion Master Diantha and her Gardevoir.
"Where's Ash and Serena?" Delia asked worriedly.
"They're fine! We all saw the protesters ganging up on them and decided to give Ash and Serena some room to escape!" Anabel exclaimed while paying attention in fending off the protesters.
"Let us fend off these people. The rest of you stay safe inside and then we will talk." Diantha said.
"Don't leave us out of this battle royale! Go Absol and fend off those protesters!" Astrid exclaimed and called out her Absol.
"I agree! Let's go Starmie!" Misty exclaimed while calling out her Starmie.
"Right! Go Blaziken!" May yelled while calling out her Blaziken.
"Let's do this for Ash, Piplup!" Dawn squealed as Piplup rushed forward.
"These protesters need to grow up, right Dragonite!?" Iris asked rhetorically while her Dragonite growled angrily in agreement.
"Vivillion, time to focus and drive away these crazy people!" Viola exclaimed while sending her Vivillion out to fight.
"Hoopa wants to fight for Ash-kan!" Hoopa wailed while comically trying to join the fight.
"No Hoopa! Stay here!" Meray exclaimed as she and Baraz tugged hard on Hoopa to keep him close.
While the chaos intensified near Professor Sycamore's Lab, Ash, Pikachu, Serena, Chupi, Manaphy, and Lady Goth followed Aegislash in the forest north of Lumiose City.
"I wonder what has gotten into those people!" Ash grunted angrily. "How sick can they get?"
"Focus Ash!" Aegislash exclaimed. "We can't do anything about those people right now! They are not acting like themselves!"
"Wait! How would you know that!? Are you saying someone or something is making those people go after us?" Ash questioned.
"I'll explain later! Let's move!" Aegislash exclaimed hastily.
As they ventured further into the forest, Ash caught a glimpse of a majestic golden bird-like Pokemon flying in a circle leaving a trail of sparkles with the colors of the rainbow.
"Ash, do you see something?" Serena asked.
"Yes. It's Ho-oh. " Ash replied while staring for a bit longer. "Ho-oh is flying in a circle high above. No doubt it is a sign that I will find my answers soon."
After what seemed like hours, they all arrived at the wetlands which is the home of Goodra's friends.
"Goodra we're here." Ash announced as he brought out Goodra who took a good look at the wetlands before giving a loud roar to the horizon. Soon, all of Goodra's friends as well as the wetland's caretaker Keanan and his Bellsprout arrived.
"Whoa! Goodra! Ash! Serena!" Keanan exclaimed while rushing up to them.
"Keanan, long time no see!" Ash said. Everyone watched as the Blue Flower Florges ran up to Goodra, thrusted her arms tightly around him, and buried her face in his chest while having happy tears. Florges' daughter, a Blue Flower Floette, also arrived crying happy tears.
"I'm fine you two. You don't have to worry anymore." Goodra reassured as he held Florges and Floette affectionately in his arms while receiving a barrage of kisses from them.
"Florges and Floette missed Goodra dearly." Keanan said.
"Wow, to think that last year, Florges and Goodra were enemies at first. Then they became allies, then friends, and now a couple." Ash added.
"Goodra is like a father for Floette and a husband for Florges. They make one adorable family." Serena commented, and she and Ash stare at each other while blushing.
"Did you see the news from the other night Keanan?" Ash asked.
"You mean the part where you fought that strange thing on top of the plane? Yes I did." Keanan replied. " Florges and Floette were worried sick about Goodra since then. All of us were."
"I'm glad everyone here is okay, right Goodra?" Ash said and Goodra nodded happily.
"OKAY! I'm glad too, but can we PLEASE get back on track!?" Aegislash screamed impatiently catching everyone present by surprise.
"Aegislash! Please won't you be a bit more considerate?" Lady Goth pleaded out of disbelief seeing Aegislash's rash behavior.
"Hmm, that is the same Aegislash who arrived here months ago sometime after Goodra left with Ash." Keanan said. "Aegislash was badly injured and trusted us with something that may belong to you Ash."
"Aegislash told me about that." Ash replied. Then the Blue Flower Florges gestured to a group of Pinsir and Yanmega who went away and came back holding the item.
"Yes, this is it!" Aegislash exclaimed. "Thank you for protecting it while I was away trying to find Ash." Aegislash bowed to the Blue Flower Florges and the rest of the wetland Pokemon who nodded reassuringly and grunted as if saying "you are welcome" or "no problem at all". The Blue Flower Florges walked over to Ash who accepted the item.
"It's just like what I've seen in your memories Aegislash." Ash said while examining the item. "I wonder how this glove works?" Out of instinct, he places his left hand into the glove.
"Ash look! Your Keystone!" Serena exclaimed. Ash watched as his Keystone began glowing, detached itself from his Mega Ring on his wrist, re-attached itself to the wrist area of the glove, and stopped glowing.
"It's good you already got a Keystone. Now you just need a Z-Crystal to go in the other slot." Aegislash assured as Ash stares at the diamond-shaped slot located next to the Keystone slot on the wrist area.
"Yeah, so how do we find a Z-Crystal?" Ash questioned.
"That's a long story for another time." Aegislash replied. Suddenly, Ash's senses peaked and detected a strange rumbling sound followed by a brief flash of crimson red meandering through the nearby forest.
"What the?" Ash asked.
"What's up Ash? Are you okay?" Serena asked worriedly seeing Ash's state.
"No. Something is not right." Ash replied as he became more tense and alert which worried everyone.
"Is he always like this?" Keanan asked.
"It seems that more strange things are happening each day with Ash." Serena replied with concern. Suddenly, the rest of Ash's Pokemon appeared out of their Pokeballs stored in Ash's special Pokegear looking as alert as Ash. Even Pikachu, Aegislash, and Goodra also took battle stances.
"You all sense it too?" Ash inquired with his Pokemon
"Greninja was the first one to sense it, and then we all decided to come out and be ready." Lucario replied.
"It's coming!" Greninja warned.
"LOOK OUT!" Serena shrieked as suddenly a giant dark crimson root shot out of the ground and began swaying and priming for an attack.
"Get back everyone!" Keanan hollered to the wetland Pokemon who kept their distance.
"Those roots! They're just like the ones back in Lumiose City many months ago!" Serena exclaimed.
"But I thought Squishy got rid of them back then! Could Team Flare still be out there?" Ash asked.
"Ash, we got to destroy these roots now!" Greninja exclaimed as he and Ash felt the urge to act now.
"LET'S DO THIS! STRONGER! STRONGER AS ONE!" Ash and Greninja chanted together as Greninja transforms into Ash-Greninja with his giant blue Water Shuriken on his back.
"Greninja, use Water Shuriken!" Ash commanded. Ash-Greninja leaps high, detaches his giant Water Shuriken, and slams it hard destroying the root completely. Just when things seemed to calm down, several more root pops out sending the wetland Pokemon into panic. A set of roots went straight for the Blue Flower Florges and Floette.
"Goodra, use Dragon Pulse!" Ash commanded via the Aura Network, and Goodra stopped and destroyed the set of roots on the spot with Dragon Pulse. Then another set of roots appeared and were aiming straight for Serena! Serena turned her back to shield Manaphy, Lady Goth, and her advanced Pokegear to protect her Pokemon and stared out of fright as the roots zoomed closer to her.
"I'LL PROTECT YOU SERENA!" Ash hollered and got in between her and the dangerous roots bracing for some serious impact, but then Aegislash rushed into the rescue
"KING'S SHIELD!" Aegislash roared. Ash felt another surge of power when looking at Aegislash who nodded right back at him.
"LET'S PROTECT THE ONES WE LOVE!" Ash and Aegislash chanted as Aegislash transforms into Ash-Aegislash hence increasing the strength of King's Shield. King's Shield absorbed the power of the roots' attacks, and then Ash-Aegislash let it loose by releasing a powerful ice-blue beam of energy which completely froze the roots into huge ice blocks and destroyed them.
"Ash! Please stay strong!" Serena pleaded while she, Lady Goth, Manaphy, Chupi, Pikachu, and Ash-Aegislash were checking on Ash. Ash was panting and clutching his stomach in pain.
"Ash hold on!" Ash-Aegislash exclaimed, but Ash stared at the flickering rainbow crystal on the palm area of the glove, but he didn't have time to ponder and quickly got back up as more violent roots kept popping out.
"We have to stop them once for all!" Ash exclaimed and clenched his fists. At that moment, his left fist which had the glove on glowed brightly and emitted continuous energy bursts radially picking up dust. All eyes stared at Ash's newest appearance and features: his eyes glowed bright gold instead of brown; his raven hair became much more spiky; his red-and-black collar shirt got unbuttoned and hung loosely like a cape revealing his black undershirt; his entire body was outlined in a multicolored aura. Serena stared at Ash out of awe and wonder. In his newly enhanced vision, Ash could see the source of dark crimson energy underground powering up these roots.
"Ash, I don't understand what's going on, but we're seeing what you're seeing!" Pikachu squeaked while the rest of Ash's Pokemon nodded with expressions full of wonder and surprise. Ash nodded as well while remaining calm as he made his next move.
"We have to attack the source! We won't give up to the very end! It's all or nothing!" Ash exclaimed with a slightly deep and commanding voice. First the golden aura of energy spread from Ash to all of his Pokemon and cloaked them. Then Ash tapped his Keystone which got Pidgeot, Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Gyarados, Gengar, Heracross, Tyranitar, Sceptile, Aero, Gallade, Glalie, Metagross, and Garchomp to Mega-Evolve to Mega Pidgeot, Mega Venusaur, Mega Charizard Y, Mega Blastoise, Mega Gyarados, Mega Gengar, Mega Heracross, Mega Tyranitar, Mega Sceptile, Mega Latios, Mega Gallade, Mega Glalie, Mega Metagross, and Mega Garchomp respectively. Ash gave the signal, and then all of his Pokemon began attacking the base of the roots with their strongest moves they mustered.
"THUNDERBOLT!" Pikachu squeaked and let loose Thunderbolt which was apparently more powerful than before.
"BUG BUZZ!" Butterfree squealed while unleashing Bug Buzz which seemed to be at least twice the power of a regular Bug Buzz attack.
"SKY ATTACK!" Mega Pidgeot screeched while dive-bombing at the dark crimson roots with blinding speeds and striking with Sky Attack that could rival that of Moltres.
"FRENZY PLANT!" Mega Venusaur boomed as he violently stomped on the ground conjuring large green vines more devastating than normal that easily wrestled against the dark crimson roots.
"BLAST BURN!" Mega Charizard Y roared and punched his fists on the ground to unleash a giant chasm with a raging inferno beyond imagination heading towards the dark crimson roots.
"HYDRO CANNON!" Mega Blastoise bellowed and fired not one but several rounds of Hydro Cannon like a tank at the dark crimson roots.
"CRAB HAMMER!" Kingler yelled and charged forward with both pincers using Crab Hammer which delivered blows with the force of a large truck.
"SURF!" Mega Gyarados roared and unleashed Surf as strong as a tsunami.
"SHADOW BALL!" Mega Gengar yelled and fired several rounds of Shadow Ball which were abnormally larger and stronger.
"CLOSE COMBAT!" Primape shrieked and unleashed Close Combat with the attacks in a blur.
"FLASH CANNON!" Magnezone screeched in his robotic voice and fired Flash Cannon stronger than before.
"DRAGON RUSH!" Dragonite screamed while homing in with a Dragon Rush out of this world.
"DOUBLE EDGE!" Tauros bellowed and rampaged with Double Edge that had the power of ten Tauros' Double Edge.
"HYPER BEAM!" Snorlax bellowed and unleashed a destructive Hyper Beam.
"PSYCHIC!" Espeon chanted and hurled an explosive burst of Psychic.
"HYDRO PUMP!" Feraligatr roared and fired Hydro Pump with the power of several firehoses.
"MEGA HORN!" Mega Heracross yelled while delivering blows with Mega Horn triple its normal size.
"ERUPTION!" Typhlosion roared and let loose Eruption which exploded more violently than an active volcano and sent several plumes of fiery debris towards the dark crimson roots.
"EXTRASENSORY!" Noctowl screeched while firing a devastating Extrasensory attack with pure focus, precision, and accuracy.
"EARTHQUAKE!" Donphan bellowed and stomped the ground to unleash Earthquake that was strong enough to topple several skyscrapers.
"STONE EDGE!" Mega Tyranitar roared and unleashed Stone Edge more explosive and destructive as ever.
"LEAF BLADE!" Mega Sceptile exclaimed and slashed swiftly and violently with Leaf Blade which was twice its normal size.
"NIGHT SLASH!" Crawdaunt roared while delivering powerful strikes with Night Slash.
"OVERHEAT!" Torkoal screamed while unleashing his best Overheat white-hot as ever.
"LUSTER PURGE!" Aero screamed and fired Luster Purge beyond comparison of any Mega Latios' Luster Purge attack.
"PSYCHO CUT!" Mega Gallade exclaimed while firing several powerful rounds of Psycho Cut from his blades.
"SHEER COLD!" Mega Glalie grunted while unleashing Sheer Cold that brought temperatures down to dangerously freezing levels.
"METEOR MASH!" Mega Metagross screeched in its robotic voice while shooting himself at the dark crimson roots like a rocket with Meteor Mash.
"BRAVE BIRD!" Staraptor screamed and dived like a daredevil with Brave Bird.
"LEAF STORM!" Torterra roared while conjuring Leaf Storm which took form of a deadly tornado of glowing green leaves.
"FLARE BLITZ!" Infernape screamed and unleashed his most powerful Flare Blitz ever.
"AQUA JET!" Floatzel roared while zooming around faster than ever with a stronger Aqua Jet.
"GIGA IMPACT!" Gliscor screamed while homing in with a devastating Giga Impact attack.
"AURA SPHERE!" Lucario boomed and fired the largest and strongest Aura Sphere ever conjured.
"DRACO METEOR!" Mega Garchomp roared and shot Draco Meteor which ended up pelting the dark crimson roots with fiery meteors which were very explosive.
"SOLAR BEAM!" Roserade screamed and fired the strongest ever Solar Beam despite his small size.
"SHADOW PUNCH!" Dusknoir hissed with a powerful whisper and struck with several blinding rounds of Shadow Punch.
"NIGHT DAZE!" Zoroark roared and unleashed Night Daze stronger than ever and perhaps surpassing his Meema's Night Daze attacks by a longshot.
"RAZOR SHELL!" Samurott screamed while using Razor Shell with his seamitars longer and stronger than before.
"FIRE PLEDGE!" Emboar boomed as he stomped the ground to unleash giant columns of flames shooting out of the groud towards the dark crimson roots.
"FIERY DANCE!" Volcarona yelled as he conjured his best Fiery Dance which transformed into a powerful fire wheel.
"POWER GEM!" Gigalith roared as he fires Power Gem which became a more powerful beam of Rock-Type energy.
"DARK PULSE!" Krookodile growled as he fires a Dark Pulse almost twice the power of a regular Dark Pulse.
"SIGNAL BEAM!" Scolipede screeched while firing Signal Beam which was stronger than ever.
"ELECTRO BALL!" Rotom buzzed and rapidly fired powerful orbs of Electro Ball.
"FIRE BLAST!" Talonflame shrieked while firing a large powerful kanji-shaped Fire Blast.
"GUNK SHOT!" Dragalge roared while blasting with several powerful rounds of Gunk Shot which were much larger than ever.
"X-SCISSOR!" Hawlucha yelled and rapidly fired several rounds of X-Scissor.
"DRAGON PULSE!" Goodra cooed and fired Dragon Pulse which resembled a powerful three-headed dragon.
"MOON BLAST!" Klefki squeaked and used the power of the moon and fired several supercharged orbs of Moon Blast.
"ACROBATICS!" Noivern screamed as he swooped in at incomprehendable speeds and struck the dark crimson roots with Acrobatics.
"HEAD SMASH!" Tyrantrum roared and charged in head-on with Head Smash which proved to be even more destructive than before.
"HAMMER ARM!" Pangoro growled and smashed the dark crimson roots with several powerful blows with Hammer Arm.
"FLAMETHROWER!" Rapidash neighed with determination and unleashed a powerful stream of flames nearly as strong as Entei's Flamethrower.
"KING'S SHIELD!" Ash-Aegislash yells with all of his might as he absorbs the power of some of the dark crimson roots with King's Shield, and then he unleashes several rounds of potent toxic purple arrows which severely poisoned and destroyed those rogue roots.
"WATER SHURIKEN!" Ash-Greninja yells as he unleashes a spiraling water veil which further enlarged his Water Shuriken on his back, and he slams the giant Water Shuriken at the dark crimson roots.
"PHOTON BLAST!" Cosmoenix roars as he fires his powerful Photon Blast.
KA-BOOOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Soon in a matter of minutes, the dark crimson roots and their source were vaporized in several huge explosions the shape of a huge fiery mushroom plumes.
"What just happened?" Keanan asked as he couldn't believe the sight. "It looks like a war zone here!" The rest of the wetland Pokemon were stunned seeing what transpired and were concerned about Goodra. The Blue Flower Florges and Floette called out for Goodra hoping that he is okay.
"Ash! Ash are you okay?" Serena asked. "Please say something Ash!" The smoke and dust settled revealing Ash back to his normal self taking a knee as he was exhausted while all of his Pokemon were already checking on him. Serena, Chupi, Manaphy, and Lady Goth immediately rushed over to check on Ash. The rest of Serena's Pokemon also came out of their Pokeballs in Serena's Pokedex to check on their mates. Lapras came out, and since she didn't have a mate yet, she spent time helping Serena check on Ash. The Blue Flower Florges and Floette rushed up to check on Goodra while the rest of the wetland Pokemon stayed with Keanan.
Moments later, Serena helped Ash sit down with his back against a rock. The rest of Ash's and Serena's Pokemon and Manaphy watched. Keanan and the rest of the wetland Pokemon watched from afar.
"Ash, have some water." Serena pleaded as she offers him her pink bottle of water.
"Thank you Serena." Ash replied as he gratefully accepted and drank the water from her bottle. He stared out of shock at the widespread destruction.
"Ash, I know it's not your fault," Serena began, "but you need to be careful when using that – hey, where did your glove go?"
"Serena, it actually blended in." Ash replied while examining his hands. "I guess this happens after I'm done using it – though it would be nice for me to see that I actually have it when I need it."
"That's good." Serena said out of relief. "Still, you need to be careful. I'm curious as to how those attacks were so powerful. I'm worried that you might get hurt if you act recklessly."
"It's going to be okay Serena." Ash reassured while making her blush by caressing her cheeks with his hands. "Now, we can only hope that Squishy and its friends are – hey what's that noise?" The group became alert as strange sounds grew louder and louder. Suddenly – VROOM! A large dark gray truck with a red flaming 'F' insignia speeds from the forest and kicks up dust while braking. A green container full of green cells appeared from the truck's top.
"That sign on the truck! Those are Squishy's cells in the container! Team Flare!" Ash exclaimed followed by gasps from everyone else. Then the truck's driver got out of the truck. The man wore a red jumper suit and sophisticated goggles, and he scans the area.
"Malamar, come out and use Psychic." The man commanded while letting out Malamar and pointed in a direction, and his Malamar uses Psychic to pull another set of cells into the container.
"It's him!" Ash-Aegislash silently growls angrily at the sight of the Malamar.
"Hey you! Stop it now!" Ash hollers angrily while quickly getting back up. The man and the Malamar turned and faced him.
"Well, you are standing face to face with me Xerosic, leader of Team Neo Flare!" Xerosic announced.
"Team Neo Flare!?" Ash exclaimed.
"Yes Ash Ketchum! I know all about you. Lysandre sought your power as part of his ambition for a world only worthy for the chosen ones, but instead you contributed to Alain's defection and Team Flare's demise!" Xerosic growled angrily. "As former chief scientist of Team Flare, it is only right if I finish what Lysandre has started! Soon after I gather all the cells and gain control of Zygarde's Complete Forme, Kalos – no the entire world – will be bowing to the invincible strength that Team Neo Flare and I will possess!"
"That's not going to happen! Greninja, Water Shuriken go!" Ash exclaimed, and Ash-Greninja detached his large Water Shuriken from his back and hurled it towards the container of cells.
"Malamar, intercept with Signal Beam!" Xerosic commanded, and Malamar's Psycho Cut collided with Water Shuriken causing a misty explosion that obscured everything. When the mist subsided, Xerosic, his Malamar, and the truck were gone. But what was more puzzling is that…
"Greninja is gone!" Serena exclaimed as Delphox became worried for Ash-Greninja. "Ash! Huh?" Serena became even more shocked seeing that Ash already activated his glove and transformed once again into his mysterious form. His eyes were glowing golden and his body got outlined in the same multicolored aura. Ash had a calm expression.
"Greninja is fine." Ash said. "He's following Xerosic's tracks."
"Ash, you literally know where Greninja is?" Serena asked out of awe and amazement.
"Yes I do." Ash said with a grin. "Ok, rest of you return!" All of his Pokemon, except Pikachu and Aegislash, roared in agreement. Suddenly the glove glows again and an orb appears and then shapes into the right hand glove. Then Ash's Pokegear gets outlined in a golden aura and fused with the right hand glove. Then the right hand glove then blended in with Ash's right hand.
"What just happened?" Ash asked. Then at the moment, all of Ash's Pokemon except Pikachu and Aegislash morphed into red beams which went inside Ash's right palm.
"Did you just recall them to their Pokeballs?" Serena asked. "On second thought, Aegislash don't you want to rest?"
"Not just yet." Ash-Aegislash replied.
"We need to get moving!" Ash said. "Keanan, please call Officer Jenny and let her know what's going on. Xerosic needs to be stopped!"
"Understood Ash. You all be careful!" Keanan said. As Ash and his group left the wetlands and disappeared into the forest, Keanan and the rest of the wetland Pokemon head back to his house. The Blue Flower Florges and the Blue Flower Floette looked back at the forest with sad expressions knowing that Goodra once again had to leave.
Meanwhile, Xerosic stopped his truck somewhere in the forest and begin checking the area for more of Squishy's cellular friends.
"There! Malamar, use Psychic." Xerosic ordered and pointed in the direction, and Malamar brought more cells into the container with Psychic. Unknown to them, Ash-Greninja spied on them from the nearby trees.
C'mon Ash, I hope you see what I'm seeing! Ash-Greninja thought and pressed his hand on his head. Farther behind, Ash, Serena, Manaphy, Pikachu, Chupi, Ash-Aegislash, Lady Goth, and Delphox continued running trying to catch up.
"Greninja caught up with them." Ash said while in his transformation.
"Ash you are amazing!" Serena praised with a smile which quickly got replaced by a look of concern as Ash began to grimace.
"Drat! Greninja's cover is blown!" Ash exclaimed and quickly reversed his transformation back to his normal self. At that very moment with Ash-Greninja, he stepped on a twig which alerted Xerosic and the Malamar.
"We're being followed! Use Psycho Cut!" Xerosic exclaimed as Ash and his group arrived at the scene. Malamar fires Psycho Cut which stopped Ash-Greninja briefly as he easily swatted the attack away.
"Water Shuriken!" Ash commanded via Aura, and Ash-Greninja detaches and hurls the large Water Shuriken on his back and manages to hit damage Malamar.
"Retreat!" Xerosic yelled, quickly recalled Malamar, and jumped into his truck to get away.
"No you don't!" Ash-Greninja growled and jumped in front of the truck!
"WATCH OUT!" Ash yelled as the truck sped towards Ash-Greninja.
"NOOOO! GRENNIE!" Delphox shrieked as it appeared that Ash-Greninja got ran over by the truck and turned into roadkill. Delphox began hyperventilating and sobbing hard while Pikachu, Chupi, Manaphy, Ash-Aegislash, and Lady Goth tried comforting her.
"Oh no!" Serena wept and covered her eyes as she couldn't bear to look.
"It's okay." Ash said calmly after transforming again to his mysterious form with his eyes glowing golden and his figure outlined in a multicolored aura. "Greninja managed to slip under the truck." Delphox shoved everyone out of the way and then grabbed Ash.
"A-are you sure Ash? Are you sure he is alive?" Delphox asked in a shaky voice.
"Yes Delphox, he is. He's smart and bold." Ash said. Delphox sighed out of relief and blushed thinking about Ash-Greninja. Serena simply smiled in awe of Ash.
"So what do we do?" Serena asked.
"We'll keep following Greninja's tracks." Ash replied. Over time with Ash-Greninja's help, they saw that Xerosic drove to his ship and began flying away with it and making the ship invisible. Ash-Greninja still managed to get a good grip as the ship began flying.
"We need to get to higher ground to sneak on that ship." Ash informed. After some climbing, the group reached the top of a mountain.
"But how do we find the ship? Isn't the ship invisible?" Serena asked.
"Greninja will know." Ash said confidentally. After sometime, Ash got a vision of Ash-Greninja on the invisible ship being able to spot the group on the mountain.
"Looks like I'm gonna have to jump on to that ship." Ash asserted making everyone worried.
"What!? Jump? Are you sure about this Ash?" Serena asked worriedly.
"It's the only way Serena." Ash confirmed. Then Serena grasped his hand.
"We're doing this together." Serena stated with a smile with the rest of the group nodding.
"You can count on me to Teleport all of us onto the ship." Lady Goth added.
"Alright, go!" Ash exclaimed. Despite the difficulty in getting the timing of the jump and the teleportation, the group managed to sneak to the top of the ship with Ash-Greninja using his long tongue without being detected.
"Ash and Greninja, you both are awesome." Serena complimented with a big blush. Ash smiled modestly while reverting back to his regular form. Ash-Greninja was caught by Delphox in a tight-knit hug. Soon the group infiltrated the ship and managed to find Xerosic who looked very displeased.
"Why you pests! You won't get in my way!" Xerosic spat. "Crobat! Malamar! Go!" Xerosic called out his Crobat and his Malamar.
"Let's do this!" Ash exclaimed and gave the signal for Ash-Greninja and Ash-Aegislash to battle and for Serena and the rest of the group to stay back for safety. Ash-Greninja faced Crobat while Ash-Aegislash stared at Malamar who had a sinister smirk staring back at him.
"Crobat use Air Slash!" Xerosic commanded as Crobat fired several rounds of Air Slash.
"Greninja, use Night Slash!" Ash commanded as Dark-Type Ash-Greninja easily cut through Air Slash with Night Slash and strikes Crobat hard.
"Crobat, get up and use Wing Attack!" Xerosic ordered harshly, and Crobat swooped in with a Wing Attack.
"Water Shuriken!" Ash exclaimed via Aura, and Water-Type Ash-Greninja sends Crobat flying with a well-placed large Water Shuriken to the cockpit causing some of the controls to go haywire and some circuits to fry up. The ship started to descend dangerously fast.
"Ash!" Serena screamed as she was about to lose her balance, but Ash caught her by the with one arm.
"Serena, stay with me!" Ash exclaimed and Serena nodded.
"I will still win! Malamar, Signal Beam!" Xerosic roared angrily as the Malamar aimed Signal Beam straight at Ash-Greninja.
"Aegislash, protect Greninja with King's Shield!" Ash quickly ordered. Ash-Aegislash got between Ash-Greninja and the incoming Signal Beam and activated King's Shield which absorbed Signal Beam. Then to everyone's surprise, Ash-Aegislash's King's Shield glows blue-green and emits a powerful blast of buzz sounds which were very detrimental towards Malamar. The force of this powerful attack caused Xerosic and his Malamar to be sent flying into the cockpit and joining the Crobat. The resulting collisions caused the ship to descend faster.
"Over here!" Lady Goth exclaimed. As soon as the group converged to her, Lady Goth teleported everyone back to the wetlands where the ship crash-landed. There they see Xerosic, his Malamar, and his Crobat all knocked out. Sirens became louder as several police cars led by Officer Jenny arrived. Even Keanan and the wetland Pokemon also arrived.
Soon after slapping Xerosic awake, Officer Jenny had him handcuffed.
"You will pay for this Ash Ketchum! I swear!" Xerosic vented.
"Xerosic, save your swearing for later because you already booked yourself behind bars." Officer Jenny said tersely to the former Team Flare scientist but then beamed at Ash and his group. "Thank you all for helping us arrest Xerosic. He has been on the run since the Team Flare crisis all those months ago. That means one less person for Malva to track down."
"Not a problem." Ash replied and then asked. "So what about Xerosic's Pokemon?"
"His Pokemon will be confiscated so that they hopefully won't fall into the wrong hands." Officer Jenny replied.
"Officer Jenny, we got bad news! One of Xerosic's Pokemon has gone missing!" One of the officers exclaimed.
"What!?" Ash, his companions, and even Officer Jenny exclaimed out of disbelief.
"Which one?" Officer Jenny asked.
"Ma'am, it's Xerosic's Malamar. We already got the Crobat secured." The officer added.
"But I saw it already knocked out cold." Ash said.
"Are there any traces or hints of that Malamar?" Officer Jenny asked. "Or perhaps, did YOU secretly gave your Malamar tips on how to escape, Xerosic!?" She vented at Xerosic who paled.
"N-no! I didn't! I was knocked out cold the entire time until you slapped me awake!" Xerosic exclaimed. "I know my Malamar would never desert me! It is a very loyal Pokemon!"
"The only thing we found is the Malamar's pokeball which is snapped in half." The officer said while showing the red and white pieces of the pokeball.
"Squad, search the area now for the Malamar! It can't have escaped far!" Officer Jenny ordered sternly, and her squad saluted her and began the search for Xerosic's missing Malamar.
"Officer Jenny, I sure hope that Malamar gets caught." Keanan said while the wetland Pokemon all nodded with concern.
"I understand this area is the home of many Pokemon. We don't want any rogue Pokemon terrorizing it." Officer Jenny said.
"Ash, what can we do?" Serena asked Ash.
"I don't know. There has to be some way we can find that Malamar." Ash said.
"That Malamar definitely escaped on his own! Xerosic didn't play a single part in the escape!" Aegislash vented.
"What?" Ash asked rather loudly.
"Um, what's up with your Aegislash?" Officer Jenny asked out of curiosity seeing how Aegislash kept flailing his arms.
"Sorry Officer Jenny. My Aegislash can get worked up sometimes." Ash said sheepishly.
"Yeah, he is also quite stubborn." Serena added with a giggle.
"Alright then." Officer Jenny sighed. Ash and his group were relieved and then continued listening to Aegislash whisper in the Aura Network.
"Don't be fooled by that Malamar! He was not really Xerosic's to begin with! He's only pretending!" Aegislash whispered vehemently.
"Aegislash, what are you trying to tell us now?" Lady Goth asked.
"Okay remember when I told you that I was being pursued by a bunch of rogue Pokemon?" Aegislash asked.
"Yeah, I remember in those memories, those were four Malamar." Ash replied.
"Correct, but there is more! One of them back then was the same one we battled earlier today. As for the other three, I'm sure you and Serena have encountered them several times before." Aegislash stated.
"Several times before?" Ash pondered.
"Ash, the first time was when we had to rescue Pikachu from one of the Malamar in the abandoned observatory where that Malamar brainwashed an Officer Jenny to make her think she was Madame X. Then that Malamar brainwashed Clemont, Bonnie, and several wild Pokemon to make a Pokemon army!" Serena exclaimed.
"Of course. Then when we were at Grace Tower, that psychopathic Malamar along with two other psychopathic Malamar tried using some energy source to change the world to make it their own! Of course, they escaped after we foiled their plan." Ash said.
"Then, remember when we were going to the Coumarine Tag Battle Tournament before the Kalos League, you had to rescue me from the same three psychopathic Malamar." Serena whispered.
"You're right Serena. Then, those same three Malamar caused lot of trouble for us since they got recruited by Team Rocket, especially during the PWT-Aces Cup and even during our journey now." Ash concluded.
"I wouldn't say that Team Rocket wanted to use the Malamar, or that Xerosic caught that Malamar for his own use. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if those Malamar allowed themselves to be caught and recruited so that they could manipulate your enemies to fulfill even more sinister objectives."
"Just as we saw back in the observatory." Serena said.
"Right, now here is the second fact: those same four Malamar pursued me because they were after that special glove that Ash now has. Now Ash, do you remember what your father told me about that glove minutes before I had to flee for my life while he and his Pokemon sacrificed their lives for you!?"
"Dad said that this glove would help all of us defeat Archyamis." Ash replied, but then he gasped. "No way!"
"I'm afraid so. Then here is something you should know Ash: it takes a psychopath to turn others into psychopaths. So who is the psychopath those Malamar pledged their loyalty to all this time?" Silence followed as Ash and the group came to the dreadful answer to that question but didn't say it.
"Ash, what do we do now?" Serena asked Ash worriedly while embracing him for comfort. Pikachu, Chupi, Manaphy, Greninja, Delphox, Aegislash, and Lady Goth stared at Ash awaiting his decision. Ash took a deep breath.
"We're going back to Lumiose City! Our friends and family are there, and they are in grave danger!" Ash announced. After seeing Greninja and Aegislash nodding in agreement, Ash extended his right hand towards them, and his special glove appeared. Ash recalled Greninja and Aegislash, and then the glove disappeared.
"Delphox and Lady Goth, you will need your strength." Serena said. Delphox and Lady Goth agreed while getting recalled by Serena.
"Wait! Did you say you're going to Lumiose City!?" Officer Jenny asked. "You can't go in there Ash! It's too dangerous, dangerous for especially you!"
"We don't have much choice." Ash said while he and Serena brought out Gallade and Lady Gard. Gallade and Lady Gard nodded, and then the group disappeared via Teleport.
"Drats!" Officer Jenny growled, but then she picks up her walkie-talkie which began to sound. "Yes? What? Ok I'm on my way!" She put away her walkie-talkie. "Squad! Abandon the search! We already have Xerosic arrested! Let's move out!" Officer Jenny commanded.
"Yes Ma'am!" Officer Jenny's Squad agreed in a salute, and Officer Jenny and her squad rolled out of the wetlands. Keanan and the group of wetland Pokemon stood there silently thinking about the day's events, and the Blue Flower Florges and the Blue Flower Floette remained melancholy given that Goodra is gone again.
Meanwhile at Team Rocket's Headquarters somewhere in Kanto, Team Rocket Boss Giovanni sat in his office with his trusty Persian by his side. He had a cup of coffee on his desk. He was also watching the news about Ash's encounters with Archyamis and saw everything including those flashbacks.
"Memories." Giovanni muttered which perked his Persian's interest. "I can't help but loathe at the fact that Ash Ketchum is still stubbornly alive. Archyamis should have killed him just as he killed his father Red all those years ago. Perhaps if I could be there helping Archyamis, the job would be done, right Hamur? Hamur?" Giovanni looked around his office for Hamur the evil spirit King of Pokelantis, but Hamur wasn't around.
"Hmp, he's probably in the building somewhere doing his usual stroll." Giovanni muttered. Then he noticed his laptop making a few beeps alerting him of a new email message.
"What's this? Team Rocket's Pokemon Storage room had three Pokeballs damaged beyond repair." Giovanni said and then browsed through a log of the Pokemon associated with the specific pokeballs. Eventually, he found information regarding those three pokeballs.
"Those pokeballs were for the three Malamar, but what kind of a fool would sneak into the storage room, break open those pokeballs, and release the Pokemon inside?" Giovanni asked himself. His Persian stared at Giovanni intently afterwards…
Meanwhile at a cliff overlooking Lumiose City from a distance, the Malamar formerly belonging to Xerosic paced back and forth waiting for something or someone. Soon joining him were the three other Malamar and the evil spirit King of Pokelantis Hamur. The four evil Malamar began chatting, but Hamur interjected.
"Now now! We don't want to attract any unwanted attention. Our leader wouldn't approve of that." Hamur said coldly. Suddenly a shadow passes over them. Soon Hamur and the four Malamar bowed as their leader arrived.
"My lord, it's been far too long, but the time has come." Hamur said to the leader, a figure with dark energy with red eyes full of hate and malice.
"So, have all the preparations been made?" The leader asked with a cold voice that could send shivers down the spine, and Hamur and the four Malamar nodded.
"Yes my lord Archyamis." Hamur said and bowed.
"Good." Archyamis said with a cold whisper and then absorbed Hamur into his figure. Then he stood at the edge of the cliff fixating his red malicious eyes at Lumiose City. Two of the Malamar were on his left while the other two were on his right side.
"Very soon, Ash Ketchum will walk into our trap." Archyamis said coldly while the four Malamar laughed evilly. "And soon, he will be just like his father…as good as dead!"
**Notes and Trivia**
Sorry for the major delay. My life kept me busy. The next update would come latest by mid-December 2017. Hopefully after that, things should settle down for good.
Thank you to all readers who continue to follow my profile, read my stories, commenting on my work, and adding my stories to their favorites list.
Regarding my comment about the crazy guest review from a site user, that site user known as Citylover96 has been randomly targeting other authors (most notably an author named Lady FNAF16) with the same negative rhetoric. I know that is very despicable, but the most important thing to do is to simply brush all that negativity off. So to the mysterious reviewer who doesn't have a site account and happens to be a die-hard Amourshipping fan, I do apologize for the confusion since I was talking about Citylover96 the entire time and not about you.
**End Notes and Trivia**