Often, but not always, I use specific music to write certain sequences, as opposed to just whatever random piece will come up on my themed playlists. In this case, for the opening segment of this chapter, I used the song "Pain" from Noragami Aragoto. I think it sets the tragedy of it quite well, and I hope you'll think so, too. Time for Chapter 25!
Chapter 25
A Rescue
His hand was shaking. No, his whole body was shaking. There was a numbness spreading throughout his entire system. The others around him were staring, oblivious to the rain falling around them, soaking their hair, their skin, their very bones.
Because for Ash, what he was feeling pierced down to his very core.
"What…did you say…?" he gasped out, breath traveling upwards as frosted air. Gladion didn't answer, he just looked at Ash. There was something behind his eyes, like an honest plea for help, but Ash couldn't hear it. Didn't want to hear it. "She's…Lillie's…"
"Your sister," Serena also gasped out. Clearly the revelation that Gladion had dropped wasn't affecting just him, but rather all of them. Ash wanted to clutch for his chest, feeling a sudden burning pain inside. Clemont pulled Bonnie closer, as though the words now exchanged had firmed his resolve in protecting his sister.
"Yes," Gladion said, all emotion gone from his voice, like he had died. Ash felt his eyes grow sharp and narrow, and he had to consciously stop his hand from shaking. This wasn't possible. Couldn't be possible. "I…That's why I've been trying to protect her. Save her from our mother. But I couldn't. She's like this dark shadow haunting our every step, and the only way to protect Lillie from her was to make a deal to bring her back!"
"Protect…?" Ash said, his breath shuddering out. Images flashed before him: his father, Zinnia, Dalton, all people who had tried so hard to protect the ones they loved. Some of them had lost their way; but they still never betrayed the ones they wanted to protect. "You think…you think you protected her?"
"It was the only-"
"She's…she's family!" Ash cried out, his teeth gritting against each other. The burning sensation increased, causing him to tremble. His father was staring at him, smiling. "You…You don't do that to family! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Chuuuuuu!" He didn't care anymore; didn't care how attacking Gladion and Null wouldn't change anything. Wouldn't help anyone. All he cared about was what the boy had done. Pikachu's Thunderbolt went soaring out and Gladion leapt back. The Electric attack barely missed him, scorching into the ground powerfully, leaving charred grass behind. Ash dug his feet into the dirt, the calves of his legs already splattered with mud from the battle with Nanu earlier. He reached Gladion in no time and punched him violently across the face.
"Ash! No!" Serena cried, sounding distressed. Ash couldn't hear her, though. He was too lost in that moment, like he had been with Guzma in Malie City. This, however, felt like more of a betrayal than anything else Ash had ever experienced in his life. It didn't even have to do with himself, but with Lillie.
"She was your sister!" Ash cried, punching forward again, only to have that blow batted away. Pikachu was running across through the mud, looking as remarkably fierce as ever. "She was your sister and you betrayed her!"
"I did what needed to be done! For me! For…for her…For both of us!" Gladion roared, spit flying from his mouth. He punched forward, barely missing hitting Ash. The raven-haired boy jabbed forward with a headbutt, slamming into the boy and knocking him back. "Null, Crush Claw!"
"Counter with Iron Tail!" Ash screamed. He briefly caught a glance of his friends, staring at the abominable scene with looks of shock on their faces. They clearly couldn't comprehend what was going through his mind; now that he tried thinking of it, though, he didn't even know what was going through his mind. Soon, the rage took that thought from him.
"Chu pika!" Pikachu cried, his glowing tail intercepting the blood-red claw and straining against it. Sparks flew off, but Ash couldn't be bothered in the moment. His rage was shared with Pikachu, and he charged forward to make an uppercut that punched Gladion in the stomach. The boy gagged, spit flying from his mouth before his hand reached up. He grabbed Ash's hair and pulled him down into a headbutt. "Pikaaa!"
"Pikachu!" Ash called, seeing his partner blasted back from the Crush Claw. Null was charging forward with that silvery gleam of Iron Head. "Electro Ba-"
Gladion's fist socked across his face once more. This wasn't a Pokémon battle, Ash had to remind himself. Pikachu acted on his own, finishing his trainer's incomplete command by summoning an Electro Ball and firing off his crackling orb towards the opponent. Null took it head on, blasted back in time for Pikachu to come flying in and crack him on the head with a glowing tail. Null howled while Ash kicked out, sweeping Gladion's legs out.
The blond tumbled with a grunt, landing on his back. Ash punched down, his fist sharing the words that he wanted to scream. Gladion rolled out of the way, forcing Ash's hands to make contact with the dirt. Pain rippled up his arm, mud squelching in between his clenched fingers. Gladion's own legs swung around, nailing Ash behind his knees and causing him to nearly collapse to the ground. His knees hit the slick surface of the grass as Gladion punched at him. Ash caught it.
Behind the two, Pikachu and Null were going at it, with Pikachu racing across the grass, streaks of white light flying behind him as he slammed into Null's side. A sudden screech filled the air, causing Ash to squint his eyes at the horrific noise. Pikachu did as well, before Null came in and swiped him upward with another Crush Claw. Gladion's other fist came up and snapped into Ash's jaw, causing him to fly back.
"I don't think so!" Ash cried out. He curled his body backwards, feet close to his chest as Gladion got up. Then, like a coiled spring, he came forward, his feet nailing Gladion's chest and sending him sprawling back on to the ground. Pikachu recovered, sending a Thunderbolt of immense fury hurling right at Null. The strange Pokémon took the attack, the brightness pulsing and shivering with unbridled, electric fury. Null dropped to a single knee from the force of it.
Ash reached Gladion now, but his own fist was caught. On the wet and muddy ground, they began to grapple with one another, rolling around. They didn't stop, oblivious to all else around them until they slammed into a loose rock, causing Gladion to cry out in pain, his back touching the wet surface. Ash reared back, his fist raised before he brought it smashing down on Gladion's face.
"We don't do that!" he screamed, tears leaking from the corners of his eyes. "We don't hurt family like that! We're better than that!"
"I'm protecting my family the only way they can be! I have to believe that!" Gladion roared at him. "And what would you know about that? Your father died! You should know what it takes to save someone when you couldn't!"
"Shut up!" Ash screamed, and his fist once more hit Gladion's face. He couldn't stop, the absolute primal anger in him causing the want to beat Gladion black and blue. He punched again. More tears were flying, though he wasn't sure from where. "I'm not! I'm not the same as you! I protect the ones I love! Clemont! Bonnie! Lillie! Serena! I'm not you!"
"STOP IT, NOW!" Ash felt his hand suddenly grabbed by a strong and firm grasp. It was soft, too, trying to impart peace. He suddenly realized where he was, soaked by rain, standing above Gladion with heaving breaths. The boy's face was bruised, a little bloody, while Ash's knuckles hurt. To the side, Pikachu was heaving, just the same as Null, neither willing to back down from the fight they had started. "Please, stop."
"Serena…" Ash breathed out, realizing just who had stopped him. Then he felt a different pair of arms hooking underneath his arms and pulling him up. The owner of those arms spoke in his ears, surprising Ash to find that it was Clemont saying those things.
"You're right; we're not like that, but we can't sink further," he spoke. Reality slammed into Ash like a ton of bricks. He had given in to anger, and had started mercilessly beating upon Gladion. The blond was heaving on the ground, letting out gasps that sounded almost like sobs. He was crying. "If we do that, are we any better than Team Skull? Or DARC?"
Ash had no words. His hand lowered and his breath began to slow, calming himself. Despair set in just a little: he had allowed himself to become someone else from the rage. Maybe Nanu's comments about not knowing who he really was had some merit to them. Serena let go of him and walked forward, embracing him, resting her head on his shoulder, just holding him there. Ash returned the hug, holding her tightly, smelling her hair, even if it smelled like the rain around them.
"I'm sorry," he said, though only Serena and Clemont could hear him. Serena nodded, clearly understanding all of the things he was apologizing for. His eyes slid over to Gladion, and he felt himself clench just a little. The boy had betrayed them all. Maybe it wasn't on as big a scale as whatever had happened with Alain back in Kalos, but this hurt more. It felt far more personal, especially seeing the boy sit up with clouded eyes. Null abandoned its faceoff with Pikachu to approach its trainer.
Regardless, things would never be the same. He could never trust the boy again, at least, mostly. His heart yearned to forgive him, but Lillie had been family to both of them in a way. He would never understand someone betraying family. His body still shook a little as Serena pulled back.
"Gladion, you were foolish," she spoke sharply. He didn't look at her, even when she walked over to him and kneeled down at his level, trying to look into his eyes. She seemed to resonate with something there while Clemont was letting go of Ash, as well. Bonnie had run over now, though Rotom appeared to be missing. Ash rotated his body, looking towards Pikachu. He instantly ran for his exhausted partner.
"Pikachu, I'm sorry for putting you through that. Forgive me?" he asked. Pikachu nodded, shaking his fur a bit to show that he was still as energetic as ever. That was all their conversation consisted of, given that Serena was speaking.
"What you did just hurt everyone," she said sternly, definitely sounding more like a kind, but firm, mother than ever. "I know you must be confused. I can tell; you're wearing the same eyes she wore when she couldn't decide what to do, but what you did goes beyond!"
"You should have trusted us more," Clemont agreed. Gladion sat up, placing a hand to his matted hair. Ash wasn't sure if he was crying or not, and if he was, what the reason was. The blond didn't respond; all his bravado at doing things alone seemed to have shattered. There was a brief stretch of silence.
"I couldn't," he spoke, huffing out a little. "My mother made me trust no one, and then once I figured out her relationship with Guzma, I couldn't even trust the man who took me in. All they wanted was to use me, to get their hands on Cosmog."
"You could have trusted us!" Serena insisted, reaching down to grab ahold of his sweater. "We were supposed to be your friends, or at least Ash was! Not everyone is cold and manipulative."
"But-" Serena didn't give him a chance. She hauled him to his feet, still gripping tightly. Ash looked away, noticing that Rotom seemed to be returning to a waiting Bonnie. It was all so bizarre.
"No, there's nothing you can say," Serena told him. "Trust in your real friends a little more. If you do that, we still have a shot at saving Lillie."
"If the group will, Rotom suggests they do it soon!" Rotom was back now, a collection of pictures displayed on its screen. Bonnie jumped for it, pulling it down swiftly.
"What did you see?" she asked, all business, like she and Rotom had been figuring all of this out on their own. Ash walked over, looking at the shots of Po Town that Rotom seemed to have taken surreptitiously. There were still the ruined houses there, but the pictures were of so much more than that. Rotom chose to explain.
"There is a mansion in the back, which the Aether Turbojet is parked by," Rotom explained, showing its long-distance shots. Serena was with them now, as was Clemont, each of them looking over it. "Rotom would assume they're bringing Lillie there. Bzzt, however, there are many many Skull people from here to there."
"That's no problem," Ash said, his face contorting with determination. He slammed a fist into his open palm; whatever his problems with Gladion, they could wait until later. Now was the time for action. There was just the hope his momentary rage hadn't cost them that chance, though he shook his head, realizing he couldn't waste time lamenting it.
"Well, then, the problem Rotom sees is the big steel gate that protects the entrance to the town," Rotom pointed out. Bonnie looked concerned, glancing up towards her brother.
"Can't you hack the gates or something, brother?" she asked. Clemont looked a little doubtful. Ash knew he likely didn't doubt his ability to actually get the gate open, but the question was whether or not he could get it open before Lillie would be handed off to Lusamine. That was the real question.
"You're all insane," Gladion muttered, leaning on Null as he did so. Ash looked back towards him with a scowl. "You heard Plumeria, if you-"
"If we don't do anything, Lillie will be hurt. Nebby will be hurt," Ash insisted angrily. Gladion was taken aback, slipping slightly on the grass. "I don't trust Guzma or anyone associated with him to keep their word. And Lillie was crying when she walked away. Can you imagine what she would do if Nebby was hurt? She might try to stop it. Would your mother still keep her word then? She'd probably throw away your deal in a second."
"So, if we don't do anything, no one else will," Serena concluded. "It's up to us to rescue her. The only question is whether or not you'll help us rescue your sister and Nebby. I don't want to imagine what Lusamine has in store if she went to such lengths to get her back. Unless you know the exact reason why she wants Nebby."
"I have no idea. I just had the terms set before me: tell them where to catch Lillie and Cosmog. I knew you were heading to Po Town, so I told them and followed. That's it." Gladion still sounded extraordinarily conflicted, but Ash had stopped caring. Lillie was far more important than Gladion's moral compass going haywire. Nebby was more important, and it seemed Gladion was starting to realize the sort of position he'd just put his sister in. The kind of position that would make his deal null and void.
"All this is getting us nowhere!" Bonnie pouted suddenly, letting go of Rotom. "We need to get to Lillie!"
"Right," Ash said, facing back. He looked up, realizing that his hat was on the ground now, next to the dirt splattered pokeball that Lillie had left behind. Goodbye. He clenched his teeth and walked forward to grab his hat, placing it on his head as he picked up the pokeball, feeling the saddened Komala inside it. He whipped around. "Let's do this. We won't let Team Skull, Aether, or anyone have their way with her or Nebby."
"Definitely," Clemont agreed, throwing his hand on top of Ash's. Serena's response was more silent, but she mimicked Clemont in Ash's action. Bonnie, too, threw her hand in, prompting Dedenne and Pikachu to do the same. Even Rotom decided to float in with a fierce expression playing on its screen. Their hands joined, they all looked round to Gladion. He stared at them, until, finally, Null nudged him.
"Hu." Gladion blinked at his Pokémon and then closed his eyes. It was that way for all of a second before his eyes snapped open and he strode over, slamming his hand on top of theirs.
"All right, fine! But only because I don't want Lillie to do anything stupid," he said brusquely. Their very tentative alliance formed, Ash raised all of their hands into the air, clasping his fist tightly before turning towards the wall that surrounded Po Town. At least Gladion was a source of physical strength. Assuming he doesn't betray us again, Ash thought viciously.
"You all set then?" Nanu's voice called. Ash hadn't even realized that the Kahuna had returned from when he left so nonchalantly earlier. Though, his words seemed to imply that he had expected them to come to this decision. Ash nodded curtly, causing Nanu to smirk a little. He raised a hand and appeared to beckon Rotom, of all things, over. "I can get you in there, but I'll need this thing's help. You just have to do one thing."
"What's that?" Ash asked. Nanu's smirk grew ever larger once Rotom reached him, question marks flying across its screen. The Kahuna grabbed it, and held a small chip up which he then inserted into Rotom. Numbers flew across the Pokédex's screen.
"That is a program for hacking. I've been trying to get into Po Town for the longest time. Recently, I figured out how, though there wasn't much chance for me to do so. Decided to negotiate with Guzma first, but you saw how well that went," Nanu said, almost lacing his explanation with a chuckle. "As for what I want you to do…consider it the final part of your Grand Trial: expose the dark."
It seemed a little vague, and rather open to interpretation, but Ash felt he understood the intent behind it, kind of. He nodded as Rotom suddenly shot upward, spinning around. "Rotom has updated! Let Team Ketchum kick some Skull butt!"
"Team Ketchum, huh?" Serena said, sending a sly grin to the boys. Ash and Clemont grinned back, even if it masked the pits gnawing at their stomachs. That was a name they really hadn't heard in a long time. There was no time to reminisce, though, as Bonnie and Rotom were already proceeding towards the gate in the mist. Ash breathed in and out swiftly before taking one more look at his companions, including the reticent and conflicted Gladion. The boy locked eyes with him and nodded. For a brief second, Ash could see the love for his sister that he held, yet that need for his own safety; the same need that had doomed them all. Ash proceeded to ignore it.
"Let's get Lillie back. We won't let anything happen to her," he said, and then he started running after the already advancing duo. The sound of tromping footsteps behind him told him that the others were following. Likely not Nanu, who seemed content with remaining behind and watching them with a satisfied smirk, but that mattered little as they dove into the mist. The only thing he hoped was that Gladion wouldn't waver when it counted. His hands were twitching again with righteous fury.
"Rotom sees a control panel!" Rotom called out as soon as the Pokédex became visible. So, too, had the gate, looming large above their heads in an ominous fashion. Next to it was a panel for inputting a password to let them in. Rotom zoomed over to it, and Clemont ran forward, a screwdriver in his hand.
"Gladion, you'll help, right?" Serena asked harshly, as Clemont began to take apart the control pad.
"I'll do what I can, I guess," the boy spoke sullenly. "She is my sister and..."
"We do anything for family." It was Ash's harsh words that made Gladion nod, a sigh on his lips as he ran his hands through his mud-splattered hair. Clemont quickly managed to break the casing of the panel off, pulling out a wire that he attached to Rotom.
"I just want to know she'll be okay, too. That was part of the deal. But if she tries to save Cosmog, our mother…" Even he didn't sound like he believed himself, or was realizing the truth of what he'd done for himself. Perhaps, Ash thought, punching him had given him a sharper shock to reality than he could have imagined; that maybe the deal he had made truly meant nothing. It had just been an impulse of selfishness.
"Rotom has it!" Rotom shouted and Ash turned to the gate, ready to open. He grabbed four of his pokeballs, tossing them outward as his companions did the same. They were clearly working again. Lycanroc emerged with a howl, Passimian stamping the ground as Jangmo-o did the same. Toucannon flapped above them with a fierce expression. Braixen and Primarina were out there, too, just as Clemont had called Bunnelby and Charjabug to one another. Pikachu leapt down like a leader, cheeks sparking, and Ash clasped Lillie's pokeball close to him. Each one of them was sharing the others' feelings.
"We'll return you in just a second, Komala. It doesn't matter what they're doing, we're gonna let Lillie make her own choice!" Ash called. All of the Pokémon cried out as the gate suddenly hissed and began to slide open. As it did, Ash's face became set, his mouth in a thin line at the sight being revealed beyond its iron defenses.
"Yo! Big Sis Plumeria was totally right! They're here!" one of those Skull grunts behind the gate cried. They didn't look nearly so sinister or menacing as the ones that had surrounded them before. Ash walked forward.
"Move," he told them calmly. They cowered for a second, but one of them seemed to straighten their back.
"Nah, you move, yo! We're the big, bad Team Skull, and this is our town!"
"Besides, we on orders, yo!" another cried out. "You can't scare us, right?"
"Totally, yo! We gonna wreck you!" Ash sighed. He was done with this. Done with those who hurt those he cared about. Right now, they were the only things standing between them and Lillie. They had their mission.
"Then let's go. Accelerock!" Lycanroc howled and blazed forward swiftly, almost vanishing before she collided with them. Some of the Skull grunts had been foolish enough to not even call out their Pokémon and were blasted back along the wrecked stone walkway. Ash took a step forward as Lycanroc continued.
"Aqua Jet!" Serena cried. Primarina was veiled in her water and shot off like a stunning mermaid. A Magmar appeared to come out of nowhere, called by one of their opponents, but before it could attack, Primarina had drilled into it.
"They're not very good at holding a formation," Clemont chuckled out, adjusting his glasses by their sides, giving a rather menacing expression. "Bunnelby, Mud Shot, Charjabug, wrap them up with String Shot!"
"Dedenne, Parabolic Charge!"
"Yo, these kids are total monsters!" one of the grunts yelled as Dedenne ran up to the guy. He looked down, blinking at the little Pokémon, like he didn't expect it to do anything. The Antenna Pokémon grinned at him and then began rubbing his cheeks, quickly gathering electricity. Then an orb shot from his body and rained shocks down around the entire area, including the grunt in front of him.
"Passimian, Shadow Ball! Jangmo-o, Dragon Tail! Push forward!" Ash yelled. Passimian leapt up towards one of the broken houses, his berry glowing with the writhing shadows before he tossed it to a group of grunts that was already trying to get away. The sooner they communicated, the less well this rescue attempt would go. Jangmo-o finished them off by slamming his glowing green tail into them, the lemur and dragon grinning at one another.
"We need to get to the mansion, right?" Clemont said as Bunnelby blasted forth with a Wild Charge, the sparks hanging in the air as some of their opponents were flung back. "If these guys don't stop, I don't know if we'll make it in time before Lillie gets handed over."
"Well, this is their stronghold," Serena noted. Bonnie pouted at the notion, while Ash turned away, focusing on what was going on right in front of them. Lycanroc had grabbed ahold of what looked like a Mareanie's tentacle with her jaw and was flinging it round and round before tossing it to Toucannon.
"Toucannon, use Echoed Voice!" Ash cried. Toucannon's large beak opened wide and sent a powerful vocal chord through the air. To Ash's surprise, some parts of the street that weren't broken chipped off, and a number of the grunts flew backward. It was only met with Pikachu's Iron Tail, and a surprising Iron Head by Null. "It doesn't matter. We just have to push through right now. If Lillie gets beyond us, who knows what will happen to her and Nebby."
"Rotom just wonders why Aether would want Nebby. There is so little data available," Rotom mused. Clemont looked at the Pokédex, seeming to have a sense of an idea. Ash had to wonder what was on his friend's mind, though he had his own conjecture.
"I don't suppose you would have any ideas, would you, Gladion?" Ash spat out. He was willing to work with the boy, but it didn't mean he approved of his methods; not for something so personal.
"I left right after my mother got crazy," Gladion said, his voice low. Null seemed to look back, but struck right alongside Pikachu, who was blazing forth with a Quick Attack. "I have no idea what she's been up to in recent years, other than her attempt to replicate the RKS Project and something about the Ultra Space, but that's only because Guzma won't shut up about it when he's partying. Otherwise, he never shares anything. But…he seems to think it's a world where all their dreams will come true."
"I somehow doubt that," Clemont confirmed. They all watched as their Pokémon were suddenly surrounded by a pack of Golbat. Ash looked to Clemont and they nodded, giving the command for Pikachu and Charjabug to join forces. "Nebby is connected to the Ultra Space, and after the beasts that came from there…I have to wonder just what Lusamine is thinking of if she wants it and Lillie."
"She just wants Lillie so she can control her, the same as me, even if I'm not valuable to her at all," Gladion said. Pikachu was atop of Charjabug, being supplied energy to let out a large Thunderbolt that scorched the air. Golbat dropped like flies, making rather audible thuds. The blond walked forward, through the mess of twitching Skull grunts. "That's all she really wants, but I wouldn't let her…or I thought I wouldn't."
"Mm," Serena mused, as though she had no words to truly share on the subject. Ash could only imagine what her mind was going through at hearing that. It really and truly sounded just like Reeree.
"That kind of stuff won't matter if we save Lillie! Rotom, give us a battle strategy!" Bonnie demanded of the Pokédex. The two easily set aside their differences as Rotom saluted heartily.
"Aye, aye, Commander Bonnie!" it called, floating down to their level.
"Yo…so…uncool…" a Skull member on the ground was groaning out, reaching forward with his hand. "Gladion, yo, I thought you was one of us…"
"I was never one of you," the blond spat, kicking the guy in the face and knocking him out. "You were just the only ones that took us in. Thought it was somewhere safe, but now, I know why."
"Rotom has it!" Rotom called, displaying its map upon the screen that was compiled from the pictures it had taken. Ash looked close, seeing the red line that was drawn to indicate their path through, which seemed to consist of climbing over hedges. "Ash will fly over the hedges to get to the manor on one side, while Serena should use Aqua Jet over the other. Clemont and the blond one can go through the center."
"Then we all join up!" Bonnie cried, pumping her fists. She reached up and gave Rotom a happy high five.
"Then let's do this! Passimian, Lycanroc, Jangmo-o, you help Clemont charge through the center. Pikachu, with me!"
"Pika!"
"You, too, Braixen!" Serena cried. The group immediately split off, aiming for what would be their pincer attack. The closer they got to the row of hedges that separated them in the small, walled off town from the incredibly large manor that was the focal point, the more Ash could see the Skull grunts amassing. Not that they all were; some seemed to be marching in a line towards what was likely the Aether Turbojet.
"Toucannon, let's go!" Ash called as he branched off. A sudden army of Fomantis, Gumshoos and Salandit were blocking the center path, but Passimian brought a Brick Break upon them. Lycanroc also howled, creating stones that slammed through the barricade between them and Lillie. Ash grinned at that as he ran down the side street towards the hedge.
"Toucah!" Toucannon cried, her wings extending outward majestically. She soared for him, tough talons outstretched. Ash jumped up at the last second and felt her grab on to his shoulders, digging into his vest. Nevertheless, she retained a hold of him, looking proud as she raised upward.
From his new altitude, Ash had a better sight of the town as a whole. It was much smaller than the wall would have suggested, to the point that Ash wondered if Team Skull simply packed every house to the brim with its members. At least, he wondered it until he saw the looming mansion and the airship beyond. There were some Aether employees standing outside the jet as various members of Team Skull were boarding it, leaving behind their companions to protect the town they'd been inhabiting.
That was when he saw her, dismissive of everything around her. At the top of the steps to the front door of the manor was Lusamine, right next to Guzma. Plumeria was there, or approaching there, too, Lillie firmly in her grasp. She was clearly so confident of the situation that she wasn't even picking up the pace. Ash adorned a scowl, one that deepened when the leader of Team Skull seemed to look up with a smirk. He thought of diverting himself and going straight for them, but quickly decided against it.
"Flame Charge, let's go!" Ash cried as Toucannon lifted him over the edge of the hedge and back towards the clustered Skull thugs that were holding Clemont and the others back. Toucannon's body lit on fire, blazing forth while Pikachu leapt upwards. "Use Electro Ball!"
"Pika pika pika pika pika pika chu pi!" Pikachu cried. He sent his pulsing orb of electricity straight into the center of the amassed army before them. A giant orb of water was doing the same with Serena and Primarina arriving. The two attacks combined, both orbs mixing and melding together despite their different sizes. Then they exploded, leaving a small crater in the ground as their enemies flew backwards. Toucannon let go of Ash, letting his feet run across the ground now, as the bird slammed into a member of Team Skull with a Golbat behind him.
"Nice timing," Ash called to Serena, who had skidded into the area. It was remarkable how Primarina's Aqua Jet had so effortlessly carried them there. The others hadn't broken through yet, still struggling their way, but Ash took hold of Serena's hand as the two agreed to thin the herd. "Toucannon, Beak Blast! And Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Disarming Voice," Serena yelled out. Toucannon hung back in the sky, her beak glowing red hot. Pikachu and Primarina had no such compunctions about attacking. Pikachu's own fur bristled with electricity and sent it soaring towards the army of people and Pokémon, while Primarina's cry split the air, sounding melodious, but deadly. Some of the opposing Pokémon fell as the lightning and heart-shaped soundwaves impacted, while their trainers twitched, collapsing to the ground, though it really served to draw more attention.
"Hey, if their trainers are back there, yo! We can totally take 'em out without them doin' nothin'!" one of the thugs cried, and it seemed to rally the other troops. Ash looked back, seeing that Lillie was almost up the stairs, her gaze cast downwards. Ash gripped to Komala's pokeball.
"Canna!" Toucannon cried, soaring forward into the mess of the crowd and making impact with her beak. It exploded powerfully, sending multiple grunts flying through the air. Some were caught by their Golbat while others flopped upon the ground, though it hardly made too much of a dent.
"Lycrrr!" Lycanroc growled, and Ash could see the bright light of Accelerock as she attempted to carve a path. Passimian was doing the same, though it was to no avail. Next to him, Serena was ordering a Bubblebeam, but some of the numbers were so thick, Ash had to wonder if it was even doing anything to their forces at all.
"Jang jan!" Ash looked down, seeing Jangmo-o at his feet, jumping up and down with combat-readiness. He had to have broken through in the confusion.
"Great timing, Jangmo-o! X-Scissor!" he called. Jangmo-o was extremely energetic at the command, clearly enjoying the fight as a cross shape appeared while he charged forward. Some grunts turned, but in no time, Jangmo-o slammed into them, sending one into the other. He didn't stop charging. "Now, Dragon Claw!"
"Jangja!" Jangmo-o cried, now swiping upward with his glowing green claw to hit some of the enemies into the air. His claw was extending, too, like it was part of an arm. Jangmo-o's body glowed blue, elongating just the same as his arm did. His other arm came soaring out, glowing with a blindingly white light as it slammed upward.
"Sky Uppercut…" Ash breathed. It was more than the new move, he realized. Jangmo-o was evolving, coming to stand on two legs rather than four, looking like a prized fighter. The scale on top of its head elongated and changed color, it seemed, same as its tail. Rotom, still near Clemont, was whirring around excitedly. It was an evolution that changed their fortunes.
"Haka!" the now evolved Pokémon cried. A Raticate leapt at him, but Ash's Pokémon whipped around with his green tail to slam into it before slamming it upward with Sky Uppercut. With that done, he turned to face Ash with a grin.
"Ash, Jangmo-o has evolved into Hakamo-o!" Rotom informed him, but that was the extent of it, its voice soon lost in the chaos. There was the sudden sound of engines whirring.
"Ash," Serena spoke, "we can't keep letting this battle go on."
"I know," Ash said. He turned. Lillie had been delivered to Lusamine, though she seemed to be saying nothing to her now reunited-with mother. The woman in question was wearing a cold expression as an Aether employee stepped forward, bringing forth an energy box. "We need to shut this down…Maybe we should just…"
"Go to Lillie," Serena said, placing a hand on Primarina. Pikachu looked up at Ash while in the midst of the crowd, Hakamo-o seemed to have joined forces with Passimian, like the two of them were having a contest to see who could defeat the most. "If anyone can handle them, you can. I'll break through the rest of them here."
"Right. Everyone, if Serena gives you a command, do it!" Ash called to his team. They responded positively as well as they could, given the battle situation. Knowing it wasn't exactly a time to show affection, Ash called for Pikachu and stepped away. At the very least, they'd join up soon, considering he could already see Bonnie through the thinning crowds.
"Pikapi," Pikachu said, confirming that he was with him every step of the way. Ash continued holding on to Komala, and considered calling the exhausted Decidueye out once more, but chose against it to let his partner rest, just in case.
"Yeah." Ash didn't stop, his feet stamping through puddles and broken cobblestone. The mansion was now looming above him, some windows smashed while some other things looked like they'd been bedecked in all manner of Skull regalia. He shook his head, especially when he heard the low whining of the Turbojet starting up. His feet skidded to a stop at the foot of the mansion stairs. "Lillie!"
"Well, damn, Madam President, you were dead on. Not that your boy Guzma ever doubted you," Guzma snickered out, his voice fully heard. He was leering at Ash as the boy took a step on to the stairs, breath heaving. Lillie didn't look at him, but he wasn't going to let her pass without coming back.
"Lillie, you don't have to do this! You don't have to go back!" Ash screamed to her, but she still refused to look. "Komala still wants to be with you! We want to be with you! You don't need to protect us by going with them, because we'll all protect each other."
"Such quaint naivete," Lusamine sighed out. Ash snapped a glare to her, but the woman hardly paid him any mind. At best, she was looking past him, to where Serena was, with an amused expression. "You can't have everything in this world."
"Shut up!" Ash snapped. He took another step upwards. "Lillie, if you do this, Nebby-"
"I know," Lillie breathed, her voice choking. She still wouldn't look at him, but her body was shaking. Suddenly, Lusamine grabbed her daughter's face roughly.
"Now, now, Lillie, what did I tell you?" the woman said, her face cold. "Crying is unbecoming of a lady. Attachment is unbecoming, as well. Had I known of your little excursions to the lab, I would have never allowed them. Your attachment to Cosmog has been a thorn in my side these last six months. You don't wish to disappoint your mother, do you?"
"Stop talking!" Ash roared. He could hear the control and manipulation in the woman's voice. It explained everything about Lillie: her fear of getting scolded, her panic at thinking she'd lost even a single thread of clothing. Lusamine had gripped her mind and never let go. Knowing that, Ash and Pikachu ran straight up the stairs, only for Guzma to step down and punch forward. He barely dodged the attack, trying to get past him, only for Guzma's other arm to nail him in the stomach and push him back.
"You better be movin' ahead, Madam President. I'll buy you some time to get the jet runnin'," the leader of Team Skull called back. Lusamine arched an eyebrow, letting go of Lillie's face to put a hand on her shoulder. A thrill of fear gripped Ash's heart and body when he saw Lillie in full. She looked almost dead, tears of pain and anguish leaking from her eyes. It screamed that she didn't want to do this, didn't want to go home, but knew she had no other choice no matter the strength she'd found if she wanted to protect everyone, including Nebby. Worse than that, seeing Lusamine holding to her daughter's defeated shoulders, it was like tentacles that were wrapping around her, suffocating her.
A smirk was on Lusamine's face. "You're too sweet, Guzma. Come, Lillie. It's time you returned home. I've had Wicke prepare quite the welcome feast for your return. We can wash all that grime off you as well, so it can be like old times."
"Yes, mother," Lillie said, her voice dull and defeated. "Just don't hurt him…"
"I have no plans of hurting him…needlessly. If you fear that, you should have never gotten attached. It would have made this so much easier, but I suppose I have your worthless brother to blame for that," Lusamine said. She started walking, pushing Lillie forward. Ash wheezed, having been pushed to the sides of the manor stairs. Guzma was there, too, Golisopod out front with a sinister expression. He pushed himself, trying to get up and intercept the pair of mother and daughter. "His rebelliousness turned him ugly and nearly took you over, but now that's all over. He had his use in the end, and now we're reunited, after all."
"Yes, mother…" Lusamine seemed pleased with the response.
"No! Lillie! Nebby!" Ash screamed. Guzma was there again, grinning ferally. "Pikachu, Iron Tail!"
"Brick Break," Guzma said. Pikachu swung upward, his shining tail meeting with the shining claw of Golisopod's. The clash resounded through the air, causing Lusamine to stop at the bottom of the stairs for a just a moment.
"Don't tarry too long, Guzma. What would I do without my handsome, strong bodyguard?" the woman said, a slight giggle on her lips. It made Ash shudder and swallow. Guzma seemed to grin at that. "Now, Lillie, did you have fun? No doubt you have many adventures to speak of. I have some work to do, but once you've cleaned the filth off yourself and your clothes have been laundered, we can spend some time together. I'd like to know of how much more beautiful you may have become since I allowed you to dillydally around."
"Lillie!" Ash screamed once more, but the response fell on deaf ears. Lillie could do nothing, make no move. She was wrapped up in her mother's tentacles, ones that seemed almost familiar to Ash, even if they were no more than his own imagination interfering. More than that, she was showing her nobility in saving Nebby, who Ash noticed was inside the box from earlier as it twisted and squirmed, boarding the turbojet with Lillie and her mother. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Chuuuuuuuu!" Pikachu roared from his locked down position. Thunder jetted from his body, engulfing Golisopod, whose attack broke and allowed Pikachu to swing upward. Ash turned around, planning to run straight for Lillie.
"Nuh-uh, kiddo!" Guzma snapped out, his fist impacting with Ash's chest and driving him back yet again. "Yer not gettin' anywhere near Miss Lusamine."
"Out of my way, Guzma!" Ash stared into Guzma's eyes, facing him down in a challenge, but the man didn't budge. Pikachu broke off of Golisopod and returned to Ash's side. Guzma's lips twitched upward, almost like he wanted to cackle or something.
"I don't think so. I'm your boy Guzma, the hated boss that beats you down and beats you down and never quits! Who the hell do you think ya are to put a stop to Miss Lusamine? Yer nothin'! Nothin' to me! Nothin' to her! But I'm not lettin' you take that happy ending away."
"I have no idea what you're talking about, but no happy ending is gotten by hurting others!"
"Of course, it is!" Guzma called, pointing forward. The whine grew louder as Golisopod rushed in with crossed arms, straight for Pikachu. "Break ya down to build you up! Isn't that a maxim of the trials? Huh? It's a load of crap! The only way you get anythin' in this world is by destroyin' everythin' else and reducin' it to nothin'!"
"That's not true!" Ash screamed. Guzma was punching at him again, and Ash met the blow head on with his own fist, straining against it. Guzma's fist opened, grabbing Ash's own and pulling him close to headbutt him, that ever-present leer taunting him so thoroughly.
"Oh, I can't wait for ya to realize how wrong ya are! When you feel that despair and know that you're nothing. The whole damn world's gonna burn, and I'm gonna watch it happen!" he said gleefully. Ash struck out with his other fist, knocking the man on the side of his head as Pikachu dodged the X-Scissor. A Flamethrower came rocketing from the top of the steps, nailing the Mouse Pokémon as Plumeria walked down calmly.
"You're getting way too involved in this mess, boss," she said with a matter-of-fact tone. "Returning to Aether is more important."
"Of course," Guzma said. He jammed his head forward to make contact with Ash's head, and the raven-haired trainer flew back a bit, rubbing at it from the pain. "The president is anxious to get started, and I'm pretty excited, too. A brand new world; one where we're the chosen ones. Once we make that little thing open the way-"
"You won't lay a hand on Nebby!" It was Clemont's voice that had joined the fray as Charjabug zipped forward, slamming right into Golisopod. The beast stumbled a little from the surprise attack as Clemont ran to the edge of the stairs. Beyond him, Ash could see Serena and Gladion still fighting against the Skull grunts as they pushed back towards the turbojet. "We won't let you hurt any part of our family!"
"Family? Don't talk to me about family, kid!" Guzma snapped. "You've been beatin' down on my family since you got to this region, and yer still actin' like yer takin' the high road? Just because some Kahuna acknowledges you, or because yer doing the trials or somethin' big for the League ya think yer some chosen kids or somethin'. It makes me sick. At least the president has the ability to see sense: she knows who are the real chosen ones."
"Boss, you talk way too much, too," Plumeria said, her Salazzle landing deftly near Charjabug and taking a swipe at it. Guzma had to chuckle at that one.
"Ya have a point," Guzma said. He raised his hand and snapped his fingers together. The sound was surprisingly loud over the whine of the turbojet that was beginning to rise into the air, despite the engines whirring. "Boys, sorry to do this to ya, but have some fun!"
"You got it, boss!" came the cries from above. It was a split second, but Ash looked up to see all the Skull grunts that were presently hanging from the balconies or teeming out of the mansion. They had reinforcements. Ash snapped back to Guzma. The man was backing away, his place soon filled with Skull grunts.
"I'd love to beat ya down further, twerp," he spoke with that same grin, "but the president needs me. She chose me, and all the others as the winners and sometimes, ya gotta have priorities, am I right?"
"Guzma," Plumeria said shortly, leaping off the stairs as she coaxed him along, "you're not going to be seeing any world of yours if you don't hoof it."
"Yeah, yeah," Guzma said, still walking backwards. A sudden explosion landed near the stairs, a Sludge Bomb having been launched at them from the newly encroaching army. "Later, loser. Try not to die; I wanna see your face when we take everything that little one has to give. Maybe then the two of you will match!"
With another barking laugh, Guzma backed off, recalling Golisopod and jumping after his subordinate towards the rising turbojet. Plumeria's Salazzle showcased extraordinary jumping skills as both her trainer and Guzma latched on to it and they bounded on to the airship. Serena and the others were nowhere near close, and the jet was nearly out of their reach.
"Ash, look out!" Clemont yelled just in time. Ash turned his head to see a swarm of Air Cutters heading right for him. Pikachu leapt back and Ash nabbed him, just as the attack slammed into the stairs. The explosion lifted him off his feet, sending him into Clemont as the two skidded across the poorly manicured lawn of the Po Town mansion.
"Ash! Clemont!" Serena cried. There were no words or questions that needed to be asked. They had failed in rescuing Lillie. Gladion approached, Null swiping aside a pack of Gumshoos with Crush Claw, his fists trembling.
"Damn that woman…she had Lillie in her grasp the moment she caught sight of her," he spat. Ash pushed himself to his feet as his Pokémon gathered round, ignoring the blond. Instead, he helped Clemont up and looked around, both on the ground and in the sky. The Aether Turbojet was gone, Lillie and all of their shared foes with it. No matter Lusamine's lies to Lillie, Guzma had revealed the truth of it: they'd utterly destroy Nebby if it meant achieving their "new world", whatever that meant in their case. Ash could only guess it was something to do with the Ultra Space, which wasn't a pleasant thought at all.
"I think we have bigger problems," Bonnie said, balling her fists in anticipation of the fight. Each of the assault group were together, drawing close to one another. The Skull grunts had most certainly gotten their second wind and were preparing for the next round, encircling them.
"Yo, best to give up!"
"We got yous surrounded like…like…like we got yous surrounded!" another one said. Some of them were back to their silly posing, while others were tossing their pokeballs up and down. Ash flashed a glare at all of them, drawing close to his friends even more now that they were together, even if surrounded. His Pokémon took a front position, Hakamo-o and Lycanroc nearest him with growls on their lips.
"Yo, it's best to give up. Then I can be promoted to admin!" the first one called, holding his hand out, like he was offering it to them.
"Hey, why do you think you'd be promoted to admin? I want that position, too!"
"Yo, bro, you realize only Plumeria is admin. You'd have to beat that woman to get your admin position!"
"Woman? Plumeria is too scary to be a woman! I still wanna be promoted but…" Ash felt like he was watching a circus, yet they were so thoroughly surrounded that he couldn't see a way out of this situation without at least one of them getting hurt. Pikachu looked around worriedly, finding no way out, as well.
"Then why don't you promote this!" pierced another cry, though this one didn't sound like it was coming from the ground below or from the mansion, but…further up above? "Seed Bomb and Leech Seed!"
"Bubblebeam!" The cries sounded familiar, prompting Ash to look up just as the Seed Bomb struck, blasting the inner ring of Skull grunts that were surrounding them. Then came the seeds, striking into the heart of it all and wrapping tightly around the enemy to hold them in place before a Bubblebeam and Psybeam struck home, cutting through the crowd. As if a coup de grace, a giant shadow suddenly landed between Ash and the ring of Skull thugs, rising up to reveal the face of a smug Bewear.
"Yo! Who's doin' damage to our town? !"
"Who? Prepare for more town damage if that's what you think!"
"And make it a double, this rain's enough to drink!" Ash couldn't believe the grin that was widening on his face as he was finally able to look up and see the all too familiar balloon floating in the sky above them, a big blue shape lowering a ladder to them rapidly.
"To protect the world from ugly thugs!"
"To unite all people in sweeping them under the rug!"
"To denounce the evils of beauty queens!"
"To extend our reach and achieve our dreams!"
"Jessie!" Serena cried out at the same time as the magenta haired diva.
"James!" Ash could have sworn he heard Clemont's voice in there.
"Team Rocket's blasting off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now, Team Skull, or you'll lose the fight!"
"Dat's right!"
"Wobba wobb wobba!" The remnants of Team Skull were staring up with dumbfounded expressions before looking amidst themselves. It was almost like they didn't even know what to do or how to think for themselves now that something had deviated from the script they had been given. After a second of staring, Jessie finally leaned her way out of the balloon.
"Stop staring and gawking, twerps!" she snapped angrily, kickstarting their brains. "We're here to stop Team Skull and their leaders for the glory of Team Rocket! So, are you coming aboard or what?"
To that, Ash could only grin. They weren't done yet.
Author's Note: Things are heating up real fast here! To talk about the beginning of the Ash and Gladion slug fest, we've seen Ash snap enough to wrestle with someone (Lucario) but in this case, it feels very personal to him, because he felt connected to Gladion and he cares about Lillie like family, so seeing Gladion betray his family…yes. On top of it, I needed a good reason for Gladion to go with them on their rescue attempt. Being socked in the face and realizing how badly you screwed up is a good incentive, though do note that it's not like our main group trusts him after his major flub up.
More importantly, though, is everything with Lusamine and Guzma, where I hope I portrayed their personalities and relationship with each other as well. For Lillie, as well, despite them coming to rescue her, it was this conflict for her; being faced with her mother for the first time in six months really does a number on her, psychologically. There's also Hakamo-o and Team Rocket, but who cares about them, right?
Well, either way, let me thank everyone supporting this story: Aipom4 and TheShapeH31 for favoriting; Vibora1996 for following; and that really big thanks to Armorshippingfan, AdvancedAlto, RWBYSanctum, AmourshippingCanon, Vivian Gray, fantasyLover88, Tenzalucard123, Nina The Fangirl, ultimateCCC, blue-analystic, thatsmybusiness43, Omegaz, potat lasaro, ChE clarinetist, Nega Mewtwo, aliensinnoh, Cottonmouth25, David Wilsberg, jlogan2748 and 1 guest for reviewing. I'm really excited for the next batch of chapters, so I hope you all are, too! Until then, however, please Review and Dare to Be Silly.