Ash and Pikachu II: XYZ

by Ivy the Snivy

Sequel to Beauty in love. Ash and Oshawott recover from a mysterious coma after their brutal fight with Entei, Team Rocket has discovered a new Pokémon, and the nation is on the brink of war. As clouds of darkness continue to fall over the world and with the Kalos league approaching Ash and Pikachu, their kit Ashachu and their friends will soon face challenges PIKASHIPPING. Yaoi

35. Chapter 34 - Ash, Oshawott and Hikari I

Chapter 34 – Ash, Oshawott and Hikari Pt 1

Team Draconian's secret base in the Orre Region…

"This is your target. The giant rock. A Mega stone of yet unknown properties but containing high levels of energy. Although ultimate weapon two works by converting Zygarde's power construct, it's capacity is limited without a secondary energy source to power the conversion. The original weapon used aura drained from living Pokémon, but as it is not feasible to gather the amount of Pokémon necessary I have adapted the device to use Mega evolution energy taken from Mega stones. These do not contain enough energy for our needs, hence our need for the Giant Rock…"

Misty was sitting in a sort of large auditorium in the Draconian headquarters with a large group of other Peons. Ein was standing at a podium in front of the room giving a briefing to outline an assignment the group would soon be undertaking.

Beside him was a large monitor, similar to the one that Nascour used. On it, the image of a large rainbow coloured rock rotating round and around. The other admins Miror B, Lovrina and Dakim were standing against the wall.

"The rock is currently in the possession of Galaticia at the Space Centre on Mossdeep Island."

The image changed to the map of a town on an island with a series of landmarks highlight in yellow; A Launchpad, hangars and storage sheds and a tall grey concrete building.

"Most of it has been stored in a vault deep beneath the facility. However the agency is planning to send a sizeable sample of the giant rock into space for experimentation aboard it's next shuttle launch. This creates a prime opportunity to seize the rock. Reports given to us by Dragnor spies in Galaticia identify that the sample size cut from the giant rock is sufficient for our purposes. You're job will be to secure this sample."

The map changed to a 3D model of the island with a replica of the Plasma Frigate approaching it the space centre.

"We have acquired Team Plasma's Frigate and will use it for our attack. The craft will approach from the west and use it's ice cannon to create a barrier between the space centre and the rest of the island. It will then fire a beam at the control centre encasing it in ice before landing on the roof. With nobody being able to get in or out this will allow you to take the control. You will then reprogram the shuttle's flight path to cause it to crash land at a set of coordinates off the coast of Orre. It is of vital importance that this mission succeed."

[Pokémon]

Route 104, Hoenn region…

"Now. Riolu, Pikachu and Cyndaquil will listen to Deoxys. Every command Deocy's gives you will obey."

Ashachu, Hunter and Nova Stared transfixed at the crystal in Deoxy's chest, completely transfixed by the legendary physic type's hypotonic powers. The three Pokémon were completely under Deoxy's control. They each gave a nod and a whimper as they heard it's voice in their heads.

"Pikachuuu…"

"Cynda…"

"Riolu…"

"Deoxy's knows of a powerful object hidden in a fortress built by the human on an island close to this place," Deoxys continued. "A large fragment of pure Rayquazaite that the humans stole. Deoxys knows of evil humans who seek to use this power to bring forward a devastating calamity. Deoxys seeks to avoid this calamity, but to do so Deoxys needs the assistance of you three."

"Pikachuuu…"

"Cynda…"

"Riolu…"

Ashachu, Hunter and Nova nodded again.

"You will come with Deoxys and his comrades and assist in securing the Rayquazaite to prevent the humans from using it for their destructive ends."

"Pikachuuu…"

"Cynda…"

"Riolu…"

Another trio of hypnotised nods in reply.

"Good. Then let us prepare." Deoxy's outstretched it's arms the glow in it's eyes changing from blue to red. Blue shrouds of aura appeared around the three Pokémon causing them to rise a couple of inches into the air.

Then, before Deoxys could do anything else, a pink orb appeared in the air in front of Deoxys and a voice shouted, "Deoxys STOP…"

The orb materialised into another Pokémon, a feline creature with pink fur, large feet and a long thin tail. "Leave those kids alone."

"Mew," Deoxy's said telepathically. "What are you doing here?"

"Trying to stop you hurting these Pokémon and making a big mistake," Mew replied urgently. "They're only kits. Why are you attacking them."

Deoxys considered Mew for a moment then said, "They may be kits but Deoxys senses great strength in them. Deoxys needs their ally ship to prevent the coming calamity. To protect the Rayquazaite."

Mew frowned tilting his head slightly. "Deoxys really doesn't. What calamity are you talking about."

"Mew must have seen the calamity. The humans who call themselves Team Draconian desire a weapon of unimaginable power. And to create this weapon they will take the Rayquazaite from human fortress."

The frown on Mew's face deepened. "They're taking the what from the what?" He rubbed his chin with his paw and then realisation dawned on his face. "Oh right that calamity. Xatu did say something about something like that. It is a bit worrisome. But you're not going to stop it by hypnotising Ashachu and his friends."

"Deoxys will stop them. With the strength of Pikachu, Riolu and Cyndaquil's ally ship."

Mew sighed. "Okay. First stop talking like that. Second simply repeating yourself isn't a very good rebuttal. Third. If you want to use them. You'll have to go through me." New all but growled the last sentence, shifting in the air to take a more battle ready position.

"Very well." Deoxys suddenly shot up into the air and arched around then dived at Mew. A powerful blast of golden energy shot at the pink Pokémon from the crystal on in its chest.

Mew raised a paw creating a pink psychic barrier between them protecting from the attack. The attack hit the barrier and exploded creating a powerful shock wave but Mew was not harmed.

Mew retaliated conjuring a black shadowy orb between his paws and throwing it at Deoxys. It struck it in the shoulder causing it to reel backwards. Deoxys righted itself and fired another hyper beam at Mew.

Mew rocketed upwards to avoid being hit with the attack. The hyper beam hit the sand behind Ashachu, Hunter and Nova but none of them so much as flinched. Deoxys then summoned a portal, a hole in the very sky opening up behind it. It's eyes flashed blue again and the three Pokémon on the beach begun to rise into the air and drift towards it.

"No." Mew dived downwards to them and created a pink bubble around himself and the three kids, protecting them from Deoxys. He then teleported them away, the four Pokémon disappearing in flashes of pink light.

[Pokémon]

Petalburg Town – Pokémon Centre…

Jimmy, Lucario and Hikari had taken Shaymin to the Petalburg Pokémon Centre in Petalburgh City. They were watching the hedgehog creature from behind the window to the treatment room as it rest edon a bed in the treatment room. A machine of some kind with two large arms was rotating around it scanning it with purple lights.

"Hmm. It's not looking good," said Nurse Joy.

She was standing at a computer that was receiving information from the machine. Complex readings and images flashed across the monitor.

"Yeah," Jimmy muttered. "Shaymin's shaking even worse." Shaymin was lying under a blanket, it's body shaking. There was a small radiator on the bed next to it keeping it warm.

"It's running a high fever and it's temperature keeps dropping. If it gets too low, it's life could be in danger."

Jimmy, Lucario and Hikari each gave Joy horrified looks.

"Oh no."

"Pika…"

Jimmy grimaced and looked back at the poor Pokémon lying on the bed, placing his hand on the glass. "Come on Shaymin. You've gotta pull through."

"I think I'd better contact Professor Birch," said Nurse Joy before walking off towards her office.

Jimmy sighed closing his eyes and clenching his free hand. First Typhlosion and Nova had gone missing. Now this. Could this day get any worse? His mind was gripped with both worry about what was happening to Nova and what could happen to Shaymin.

Lucario sensed his feeling and put his paw on his shoulder to comfort him. "Hey! It's going to be okay." He knew exactly how Jimmy was feeling. Cameron and Hunter were still missing as well and he was desperately worried about them.

"Yeah," Jimmy muttered giving Lucario a weak smile. "I hope so."

"Pika." Hikari too gave a sad whimper, his ears and tails dropping.

A few minutes later Nurse Joy came back into the room. "I put in the call to Professor Birch but the line was down…"

Suddenly the lights in the room went out. The computer screen went black and the mechanicals arms above Shaymin stopped rotating.

"Power's out," Jimmy gasped looking up at the ceiling.

"Bad timing," Lucario muttered.

Then they noticed something that made Jimmy's heart stop. The light from the radiator keeping Shaymin warm went out. Nurse Joy gave a gasp as Jimmy exclaimed "Without the power to run the heater. Shaymin will really get cold."

"Wait a minute though," said Joy. "Whenever the power goes out. The emergency generators supposed to come on. I'd better go check it out…"

[Pokémon]

Meanwhile in the Petalburg woods…

"Pika…" Ashachu looked around him unsure what had happened. A mere second ago he, Hunter and Nova had been standing on the beach with Deoxys bearing over them. Now he was standing on a hill above the forest.

"Huh. What are we doing here," said Hunter as confused as Ashachu. "Weren't we just on the beach. And where's Deoxys."

"Deoxys must have hypnotised us and brought us here," Nova growled. "That's what that flashing light in it's chest was."

Ashachu felt a thrill of fear. "Y-You mean. W-We've been kidnapped."

"Not quite," said a voice behind them. The three whipped around and saw Mew floating above them with a big grin on his face.

"I-It's you," Ashachu gasped. "Y-You're…" Memories from the very first moments of his life came flooding to mind.

Nova stared at him with his mouth slightly open. "N-No way."

"That's right. It's Mew! At your service." Mew did a summersault in the air and then bowed. "It's good to see you again Ashachu. And you too Hunter."

"Hey I remember you," Hunter replied excitedly. "You helped us take down those red people."

Nova stared incuriously between Ashachu, Hunter and Mew. "Wait. Ashachu. You know Mew."

Ashachu nodded. "Yeah. Well kind of. We've met him a few time."

"It's a long story," said Mew. "Basically I'm his dads midwife."

"So. How did we get here," Hunter asked. "Did you bring us here .Where's Deoxys."

Mew giggled. "Yep. Deoxys did try to hypnotise you. He wanted you to help him with some task of his. It's a favourite trick. Seek out strong Pokémon and hypnotise him to doing his bidding. I got word of it and decided to stop him."

Ashachu tilted his head curiously, one ear dipped lower than the other. "What exactly did he want us to do?"

"Yeah. Why would he do something like that," Nova growled.

Mew shrugged, raising his paws. "He didn't say. Probably some personal vendetta. Deoxys has always angry because they're not real legendary Pokémon. They're created from virus that got exposed to lasers in space. So they've always got a grudge against someone. The scientists who created them for creating them, Rayquaza for living in the stratosphere. Humanity in general jus because. Kinda like my psychotic cousin Mewtwo. But that's another story."

Nova, with his ability to read emotion, was suddenly suspiciously. Something told him Mew wasn't telling them that truth. That he knew more about Deoxys motives then he was letting on. He thought about questioning Mew about it.

But then Mew continued, "Anyway. I think it's time you three got back to your parents. I'm sure they're worried about you."

As if on cue Ash, Pikachu, Cameron and Typhlosion's voices echoed through the trees.

"Ashachu."

"Pikaka."

"Hunter. Lucario… Where are you!"

"Ty-Typhlosions Ty."

Ashachu's heart swelled with joy. "Pikapi. Pikachupi."

"Hey. That's dads voice," Said Hunter happily.

Ashachu scurried off towards the sound of the voices, giving Mew a smile as he did so and calling back, "Thank-you for everything Mew."

Hunter looked and Mew and said quickly "Yeah. Thanks a lot," before chasing after him. "Hey lightening butt wake up."

Mew waved after them. "Give my regards to Ash and Pikachu."

Nova paused for a second, giving Mew a distrusting scowl before deciding to follow.

[Pokémon]

Back at the Petalburg Town Pokémon Centre…

Jimmy went inside the treatment room and sat down on the bed beside Shaymin. The small hedgehog like Pokémon was lying curled into a ball beneath it's blankets. It's eyes were squeezed tight and it's body was trembling violently. Jimmy couldn't tell whether it was conscious or not.

He picked the Gratitude Pokémon up and hugged it tightly against his chest to keep it warm. "Hey Shaymin. How are you doing?" He thought he felt the creature twitch but other than that it made no response. "I don't know if you can hear me or not. But I promise you. You're gonna be just fine?"

He slipped his hand under the blanket and ran it through Shaymin's fur. It's skin did indeed feel cold as if Shaymin had been dipped in a bucket of icy water. He grimaced and tightened his grip on it willing it to stay warm.

"You know. You remind me of my kit Nova. He was sick when he was born too. He had a fever kinda like yours. He was so cold. Typhlosion and I were scared he would…" He trailed off unable to say the last word. "So we stayed with him all night holding him close and trying to keep him warm. And eventually, he got better. And he became really really strong."

He smiled to himself for a second before remembering that Nova was still lost somewhere in the rain. "I promised Nova while I was holding him that I'd take care of him. That everything would okay…"

Lucario and Hikari were watching from behind the window. Lucario stated at Jimmy thoughtfully absorbing his aura and feeling his emotions. Hikari was looking around nervously.

"You know. Nurse Joy's been gone a long time. How long does it take to check a generator anyway."

"Hmmm." Lucario was brought out of his trance and glanced at Hikari. "That's a good point. I wonder what's taking her so long."

At that very moment, Nurse Joy reappeared, accompanied by a man in a blue set of scrubs and mask obscuring most of his face. The two were pushing a small gurney between them.

"Hmp. Speak of Giratina," Hikari laughed relieved.

Lucario however frowned his eyes narrowing. "Wait a minute…"

Joy and her companion made their way past Lucario and Hikari without a word and walked over to the treatment room pushing open the door.

"The ambulance is here to take the Shaymin," Joy announced as Jimmy looked up.

"The generator's been knocked out by a bolt of lighting," added the man. "So were forced to move all critically ill Pokémon to Rustboro City."

Jimmy gave a huge sigh of relief. "Nurse Joy. Thank goodness your back." He stood up and walked out of the room and over on the gurney, Shaymin held in his arms.

Before he could do so however Lucario stepped in front of him and stuck out a paw. "Hold on. That's not Nurse Joy."

"What," Jimmy questioned surprised. "Lucario."

Lucario suddenly threw himself at Joy, grabbing her hair with his teeth.

Joy squealed in protest. "Hey. What do you think your doing."

"Yeah. You bad Lucario," snapped the man.

"Lu-Lucario," Jimmy begun shock. But then to his and Hikari's surprise Joy's long red air was torn off her head, revealing that she was in fact wearing a wig. The woman's actual hair was long and dark purple, and instead of Nurse Joy she was in fact Jessie of…

"Team Rocket." Jimmy spat the two words out with utter contempt his eyes narrowing.

"PIKACHU," Cried Hikari.

"I knew it," Lucario growled his eyes narrowing as well.

Jessie pulled a face and shouted angrily, "Ugh. How did you know."

"You've been chasing us for the best part of a year," said Lucario. "I know your aura when I feel it."

The assistant, who was in fact James, tore the mask off his face exclaiming frustrated, "Alright then. We'll take it by force."

He lunged forward and tried to grab Shaymin off Jimmy seizing a handful of the blanket. Jimmy gritted his teeth and gripped Shaymin tighter.

"Come on. Give it to me."

"No way you're getting this."

They tussled for a few seconds, James trying to tug the Pokémon out of Jimmy's arms until eventually the blanket slipped off of Shaymin and James stumbled backwards. "Ahh Finally," he said as he righted himself then noticed to his disappointment that he was only holding the blanket. "Oh."

Lucario had had enough. Bearing his teeth viciously he snarled. "You have exactly five seconds to get the fuck out of here before I put my paw so far up your greedy arses it'll be coming out your mouths. One… Two…"

He raises his paws conjuring a bright blue orb between them. Jessie and James took the message. They turned and ran, Meowth emerging out from underneath the gurney and following. As the shot out of the front doors and into the rain the three of them chorused "Looks like Team Rocket's running off again…"

[Pokémon]

The next day…

"SHAAAAYYYYYY."

The group was woken up, hours before they would have liked, by Shaymin's ear-splitting cries. Ash and Cameron as well Pikachu, Lucario, Ashachu and Nova sat up in their beds bleary eyed.

"Ah man. What's that," Ash half yawned half groaned. Pikachu picked up his pillow and stuck it over his head.

"I think its Shaymin," muttered Cameron.

Lucario made and irritated growl and folded his arms. "Ugh. That Pokémon's sure got a set of lungs on it."

Ashachu rubbed his eyes sleepily and yawned "Pikaa," as Hunter, imitating Lucario, folded his arms grumbling, "If Shaymin doesn't keep it down I'm gonna kick it's ass."

Lucario scowled at him. "Hunter don't talk like that."

Unable to get back to sleep thanks to Shaymin's cries, the two boys stumbled out of bed, pulled on shirts and a pair of pants over their boxers and went over to the treatment room with their Pokémon to find a frazzled looking Jimmy cradling the screaming Shaymin.

"Hey Jimmy! What's wrong," Ash asked raising an eyebrow.

"Ugh. I-it just won't stop crying," Jimmy replied exasperated. He had dark bags under his eyes and felt exhausted after staying up all night to look after the sick Shaymin. "It was unconscious all night then it just woke up 10 minutes ago and started screaming."

"Ahh. It' like taking a drill peck to the head." Typhlosion was sitting on the bed, his paws over his ears. Nova was lying with his head under the pillow like Pikachu head been.

"Ughhh. It's times like this I wish I had a Pokéball to go into," the Cyndaquil muttered.

"Nurse Joy's tried everything to try and get Shaymin to settle," Jimmy explained. "At thought she thought it might be fever so she gave it some medicine. But that didn't help. So I wondered if it might be tired but it won't settle." He stroked Shaymin's fur and rocked it gently but no avail. Shaymin continued to scream.

"Ahh man. What's wrong Shaymin," Ash said. The noise was starting to give him a headache.

"Pikaaa."

"Well find something to shut it up," Hunter shouted over Shaymin's screams. "This hurts more than Lightning butts thunderbolt."

Ashachu smirked and Cameron said sternly "Hunter be nice."

Lucario tilted his head and looked thoughtfully at Shaymin. "You know I think Shaymin might be hungry!"

"Really," replied Jimmy wondering how such an obvious suggestion could have slipped his mind. But then he hadn't slept in 24 hours.

"Makes sense," added Cameron. "It just hatched."

"Good time for breakfast then," Ash suggested with a smile, his own stomach giving a rumble at the prospect of food.

"Pikachuu," Pikachu agreed.

[Pokémon]

Breakfast however was a nightmare as Shaymin proved to be a fussy eater. Ash, Cameron and Jimmy sat down at one of the wooden tables in the centres common area after letting the rest of their Pokéballs and severing them their breakfast.

Sharyming took a few sniffs at the bowl of Pokéchow Jimmy put down in front of it before knocking it aside with his paw, much to Jimmy and everyone else's surprise.

"SHAY…"

"Shaymin!" Jimmy cried in exasperation. "What was that for?"

"I guess it doesn't like the food," said Ash pointing out the obvious.

Cameron sniggered. "That's the gratitude Pokémon."

Jimmy shook his head looking almost defeated. "Bu-but that was a special blend for grass types."

hy you!"shawott the pancake defeated the gratitude Pokngle at the prosecthis mind. But then he ll night to look "Shay Shay." Sharymin suddenly went over to Hunter and started munching on his plate of pancakes. Ashachu, Emolga, Oshawott and Sniveon laughed.

"Hey!" Hunter barked in outrage. "Get your own!" He tried to tug the pancake away from Shaymin, but the gratitude Pokémon continued to eat the pancake accidentally biting Hunter's paw.

"Ouch…" He pulled his paw free from Shaymin mouth then rounded on the Pokémon. "Why you! Eat focus blast." He raised a paw conjuring a bright blue orb.

"Hunter. NO," snapped Cameron rising from his chair but too late. Hunter fired the attack at Shaymin.

"Shay." Shaymin squeaked with fright and jumped to the side then released a thick green cloud of dust from it's fur that filled the room.

Everyone started to cough and sputter. The cloud was full of tiny particles that caught in the throat and made it difficult to breath.

"Th-that's Shaymin's stun spore," Cameron sputtered. He covered his mouth with his sleave.

Hunter, along with Emogla, Oshawott Buizel, Sniveon and even Ashachu, all of whom taken a hard hit from the stun spore rounded on Shaymin. They advanced on the poor hedgehog forming a circle around.

"What in the voidlands is wrong with you," growled Oshawott.

"Can't you see what you've gone," Emolga barked, with a little spark.

"You shouldn' be so selfish," added Ashachu.

"Bui Bui."

"Shay…" Shaymin gave a frightened whimper, looking around nervously at the angry faces of the six Pokémon surrounding her.

"Guys. Knock it off," Ash said sternly, while Jimmy stepped over the ring they had formed and picked Shaymin up. "Shaymin's just a baby."

"Hunter. What have I told you about picking fights?" barked Lucario.

"Bu-but Shaymin started…" Hunter started to protest as he turned to face Lucario but seeing the snarl on his muzzle stopped. He hung his head sadly and said, "Sorry."

"Ashachu I'm surprised at you," said Pikachu as sternly as Ash. His paws on his hips and he tapped his foot. "You should have more sense."

"Pika." Ashachu hung his head like Hunter, his ears and tail drooping. He began to feel a sense of shame at his outburst.

[Pokémon]

Things did not improve as the day wore on…

After breakfast Ash and his friends set out on their way to Littleroot Town, to deliver Shaymin to Professor Birch. Shaymin was even more fussy than it had been at breakfast and Hunter was still grumpy about having his food stolen.

They set out along the forest path of route 102 with Shaymin sleeping on Jimmy's backpack. However after only a few hours of walking through the forest, the baby gratitude Pokémon woke up and started screaming again.

"SSHHAAAAYYYYYYY…."

"Awww. Shaymin." Jimmy groaned in frustration as he lifted Shaymin off his back and held it up. "What's wrong now?"

"It just doesn't shut up," said Hunter earning him a stern "Hunter," from Lucario.

"Pika.." Pikachu and Ashachu both grabbed their sensitive ears with their paws.

Typhlosion did the same growling in a slightly angry manner, "GRR. What the voidlands is it's problem now?"

"Man," Ash said looking flatly at the hedgehog like creature. 'You sure are one loud Pokémon Shaymin."

"You can say that again," Cameron agreed sticking his fingers in his ears. "At this rate I'm gonna have to buy a pair of ear plugs at the next Pokémart… Or did I pack some. I can't remember."

"Shayy SHAYMIIIIINNNNN."

"Are you hungry. Are you tired," Jimmy asked it desperately rocking Shaymin gently. "Do you need use the bathroom. Why are you crying?" He looked desperately at Lucario.

Lucario shrugged and said "Don't look at me. I don't know what the problem is," making Cameron chuckle.

"But I thought you could read minds."

Lucario shook his head. "I can see aura and emotion. I could tell Shaymin was hungry earlier because feeling hungry is a distinct emotion. Now it just feels like Shaymin's fussy."

Jimmy half sighed half groaned as he looked back down at the crying Pokémon.

"SHAAAYYYY."

Nova rubbed his head with his paw. "Ahh. I've got such a headache."

"I can't take this anymore," Typhlosion said exasperatedly. He closed his eyes for a second then rounded on Shaymin. "Alright you listen to me," he snarled, bearing his teeth at the crying Pokémon, flames erupting on his shoulders. "I've had it up to here with your constant crying." He raised his paw so it was level with the top of his head. "So either tell us what's wrong. OR SHUT THE FUCK UP. Because you're giving me a headache and driving us up the wall you little attention seeking brat. Seriously if you don't shut I'm going to burn you're ass with a flamethrower. GRAHH." He pivoted his head back and shot a column of fire into the sky.

Shaymin not only stopped crying, it froze with a mixture of surprise and slight fear on it's face. It was not alone. The three trainers and their Pokémon were all gaping open mouthed at Typhlosion, shocked that the normally kind Pokémon and threatened and intimidated a newborn. Even Nova looked a little scared by his dad's outburst, taking a step away from him.

Jimmy broke the silence. "T-Typhlosion. Was that really necessary."

The badger like Pokémon folded his arms and gave a snort. "That screaming was really getting on my nerves. Besides it worked didn't it."

Jimmy looked down at the motionless hedgehog in his arms. "Um. I guess. But that's not really the…"

"SHAY." Shaymin suddenly growled and attacked Typhlosion, shooting a brightly coloured leaf from it's fur at the badger like Pokémon that hit him in the face.

"Shaymin," shouted Jimmy.

"Grgh." Typhlosion snarled with pain and rubbed his cheek. Then he glared at Shaymin and growled. "Right. Now I'm mad. I'm…"

"Typhlosion stop it," cried Jimmy holding Shaymin up and away from Typhlosion. "Come on Shaymin's still just a baby."

"Aggressive for a baby," Typhlosion growled folding his arms.

"Err…Maybe we should take a break," Cameron suggested tentatively, trying to defuse the tension. "We have been walking for a while."

[Pokémon]

The group stopped to rest beside a small pond covered with lily pads. A Poochyena and two Zigzagoon were drinking by it as they approached, but ran off into the nearby bushes the moment they smelt the three humans and their tamed Pokémon approaching.

Ash, Cameron and Jimmy went through their usual routines of letting their Pokémon out of their Pokéballs so that they could enjoy the fresh air and sunshine as well.

"Alright guys. Come on out," Ash shouted throwing his five Pokéballs into the air. Cameron and Jimmy did the same. Sniveon, Buizel, Emolga and Hikari materialised before him in beams of white light.

Oshawott was the last to come out. Ash knelt down beside him and stroked his head. "Oshawott. I wanna work your synchro evolution."

Oshawott's eyes lit up. He picked up his Scalchop and held it up proudly. "Osha Oshawott," he said with a nod.

"That's the spirit," Ash said with a smile as he stood back up. "Cameron. Would you mind watching Ashachu and my other Pokémon for me."

Cameron nodded. "No worries man."

[Pokémon]

"Ready…Let's go."

After spending a few minutes stretching to warm up Ash and Oshawott set off, sprinting through the forest. Ash was amazed by Oshawott's speed and agility. While it might have been thought that his large webbed feet that made him such a fast swimmer, might make him clumsy and slow on land, Ash found himself struggling to keep up with the little sea otter.

Within minutes Ash was exhausted, breathing heavily, a burning in his throat and he was covered in sweat. His shirt was clinging to his skin. It didn't help that it was a particularly hot and humid day, the sun beating down upon him. Or that he was forced to weave in and out of trees and concentrated to avoid tripping over roots and branches on the ground.

"It's pretty hard to dodge when you're moving this fast," he said glancing at Oshawott.

"Osha." As if to show off, Oshawott jumped, drawing his Schalchop and used it to cut down a small tree that was in his way.

"Oh I get it. So that's how you can dodge like that. Great job Oshawott."

"Osha." Oshawott blushed slightly at the compliment, feeling warm and fuzzy inside. He continued to show off, jumping up onto the branch of a nearby tree, and then jumping to a second tree with ninja like reflexes.

"I can do that too." Ash tried to copy him, jumping and managing to grab hold of a low hanging branch. He pulled himself onto it, and used it to jump to the next tree. He managed to catch a thick branch, but as he tried to climb onto it, he lost his footing a slipped.

"Ahhhh." He hit the ground with a hard thud. "Ouch."

"Oshawott." At the sound of his trainer's cry of pain, Oshawott stopped and looked back. "Ahh. Ash." Oshawott jumped down from the tree he was in landing lightly on his paws, and ran over to Ash. "Are you alright?"

Ash saw the concern in his seat otter's eyes and gave him a pained smile and tried to reassure him. "I'm fine Oshawott. I need to do more of this."

He climbed gingerly to his feet. His heart was pounding from the effort and his body now drenched in sweat. His shirt sticking to him was starting to irritate him. "Man. It's hot today." He slipped off his blue jacket then peeled off his black shirt. Instantly he felt a lot cooler. "Phew. That's better."

"Osha." Oshawott stared at his now shirtless trainer. Ash was scrawny but not weak. There were muscles developing in his chest and stomach giving him a lithe form. Oshawott was drawn to the toning of his chest and the four pack just visible on his stomach.

His small otter mind was suddenly unable to focus on anything other than his lust for him. He blushed again, his cheeks turning a deeper shade of red than Pikachu or Ashachu's. Oshawott willed himself not to get visibly aroused, but that was difficult when a big part of him was screaming, 'Oh please Ash. Say it's too hot for pants too…Wait. What am I thinking?'

"C'mon." Ash set off running again. Oshawott followed and quickly overtook

[Pokémon]

Cameron, Jimmy and the rest of the Pokémon stood by the pond waiting for Ash and Oshawott to return.

"Leave it to Ash to develop a training strategy like that," he said to Lucario. "It's like he's trying to become a Pokémon."

"I know he wants to train hard," Mumbled Pikachu who was sitting on Cameron's shoulder, watching the trees with sad eyes. "But I hope he doesn't over do it."

Not everyone was thinking about Ash however. Shaymin and Hunter were fighting over a berry, while Ashachu, Nova, Sniveon, Buizel and Emolga watched. The little hedgehog Pokémon had a Pecha berry stuffed in it's mouth, which Hunter was trying to tug out with both paws. The Riolu had picked from a nearby tree intending to give to Ashachu before Shaymin had come along and snatched it off him.

"C'mon. Give it back you thief. It's mine," whine Hunter.

"Min." Shaymin gave a muffled cry, it's mouth full of Pecha berry and Hunter's paws.

Emolga and Buizel were both giggling, Buizel muttering jokingly, "fight, fight, fight," but in a low voice so Pikachu and their trainers wouldn't hear. Ashachu was watching with a slightly worried and horrified expression.

"Guys. Is this really necessary," he said though soft voice that neither Shaymin or Hunter heard. Nova just shook his head and scowled.

"Min–min." Shaymin fired a bunch of brightly coloured leaf shaped projectiles from it's hitting Hunter in the face and chest.

"Ouch." Hunter yelped with pain and fell backwards onto his tail, letting go of the Pecha berry, which Shaymin quickly swallowed.

"Grrr." Hunter growled and glared at Shaymin as everyone around him laughed, including Ashachu.

"Shay-Shaymin." Shaymin stuck its tongue out sarcastically at Hunter. That made Hunter snap.

"HEY!" Hunter yelled at Shaymin advancing at him, forcing Ashachu and Sniveon to pull him back.

"Hunter no."

"Puppy!"

Hunter tried to shake them off. "Let go of me you guys. I'm going to focus blast that thief right in his thieving face…And don't call me puppy."

The scuffle caught the trainer's attention just as Hunter managed to get free of Ashachu and Sniveon's paws and threw himself at Shaymin.

"Hunter," Cameron half shouted, half gasped as Shaymin jumped out of the Riolu's way and he fell on the ground. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Err… Shaymin stole my berry," Hunter said quickly pointing at the gratitude Pokémon.

"Shaymin," Jimmy groaned bending over and picking up the hedgehog.

Lucario's eyes narrowed. "Hunter," he begun making Hunter's fur stand on end. He was in trouble now. Luckily however they were distracted at that moment by the reappearance of Ash and Oshawott.

"Osh Osha." Oshawott came running out from between the trees, followed by a sweaty, shirtless, red faced and out of breath Ash.

"And Oshawott's the winner," said Cameron making Oshawott strike a proud pose, tapping his Schalchop with his paw.

"Osha."

"And Ash comes in second," he added as Ash ran up beside him.

"…Oh man…" The Kantonian gasped before collapsing on the ground from exhaustion, alarming Pikachu.

"Pikapi." The mouse jumped off Cameron's shoulder and ran over to Ash, pressing his cheek against him. "Are you alright?"

"I guess." Ash moaned as he turned over onto his back. "Man. Oshawott's just too fast."

"Here." Jimmy handed him a water bottle.

"Thanks." Ash accepted it gratefully and gulped down it's contents. The water was slightly warm from sitting in Jimmy's bag the whole day, but still was an immense relief.

"I'm not how this is going to help you and Oshawott improve your synchronisation," Jimmy continued. "I mean. It's not like a human could have the same physical abilities as a Pokémon."

Ash got back to his head and shook his head. "But I really feel like I'm catching up to Oshawott…No really," he added when Jimmy looked doubtful. "Even though it's just a little bit." He went over to his bag and pulled out a towel to dry the sweat from his torso. Pikachu and Oshawott watched him intently.

Suddenly, a sleek black helicopter swooped down from above them, hovering overhead. The three trainers and their Pokémon looked curiously.

"What's that?" Ash blurted out.

As they watched the door slid open and rope was dropped out of the chopper. A figure then emerged and, to everyone's great surprise, slide down the rope to the ground landing lightly on their feet.

"Hello Boys! Hope you don't mind my. Dropping in…"

The figure was a young woman. She had bubblegum pink hair, bright orange eyes and a slender figure, dressed in a black top that cut off above her belly button, red and black pants and black high-heeled boots.

Ash recognised her immediately, but before he could say anything Cameron blurted out, "I-It's you. What are you doing here?"

Lucario and Pikachu both growled, immediately running to stand defensively in front of their kits.

"Pikachuu."

"Lu-Lucarr…"

Jimmy, Typhlosion and Nova as well as Emolga, Sniveon, Hikari, Shaymin and Buizel merely looked on in conclusion.

"Wait. Cameron. Ash. Do you know her?" Jimmy asked.

At the same time Ashachu stared at her with a look of terror and Hunter shouted, "Dad. What's going on?" Oshawott clambered onto Ash's shoulder, his eyes narrowed like his trainers.

"Yeah we know her," Ash said his eyes narrowing. "She's Malva. She's part of Team Flare."

"Team Flare?"

"A bunch of bad guys who tried to destroy the world and tried to take Ashachu," Ash spat.

Lucario glared at them, his eyes alight with the contempt. "I have no idea what you want. But I'm warning you. If you try to hurt Ashachu or any of us…"

Malva laughed. "Hahaha. Aww. That vicious dog look would look so much more intimidating if I didn't know that you're trainer was a total moron," she said smugly. "As if you or any of these pathetic excuses for Pokémon would have a chance against any of my team. But you can relax. I'm not here to hurt any of you."

"Don't you dare talk about my mate like that!" Lucario snarled dangerously.

"Or what." Malva drew a Pokéball off her belt and held it up, tossing it and catching it again. "If you tried to take one step towards me, I'd send out my partner here to give you the burning of a life time."

At this Cameron stepped forward placing his hand on Lucario's shoulder to calm him. He glared at Malva as well and demanded, "What do you want?"

"I was looking for Ash," Malva replied coolly.

"M-me." Ash started to feel unnerved. What did she want with him?

"Yes you," said Malva. "I need to talk to you about one of your Pokémon. Which one of these little runts is the Pikachu called Hikari."

"PIKA." At the sound of his name, Hikari let out a loud frightened squeak and started shaking with fear.

Oshawott jumped down from Ash's shoulder and ran to stand protectively in front of Hikari, just like Pikachu and Lucario were for Ashachu and Hunter. "Osha Oshawott Osha." He pulled his Scalchop off his belly and brandished it threateningly like a sword.

Malva glanced at him and rolled her eyes. "Please. That's less threatening than Lucario. It would almost be cute if it weren't so pathetic…"

"What do you want with Hikari," Ash asked.

"Osha," Oshawott growled.

"I want to know if he's a Pikachu."

"What?" The glare on Ash's face changed to a quizzical frown. What did she mean if he's a Pikachu.

"Uh Duh!" Said Jimmy sarcastically. "Big round ears, lighting tail, yellow fur. Looks like a Pikachu to me."

"Alright. What's this really about," Cameron snapped loosing his patients.

Lucario, feeling the same way, snarled "don't play games with us!"

Malva's raised her eyebrows. "And how many Pikachu's transform into a Zygarde."

Ash, Cameron, Pikachu, Lucario, Ashachu, Hunter and Oshawott stared at her dumbfounded, while Jimmy, Typhlosion and the others exchanged confused looks.

"H-How do you know about that?" Ash shouted. There was that name again. Zygarde. It was the same name that Zinzolin and Mirror B had mentioned back at the Kalos League.

Hikari and Pikachu gave a chorus of "PIKA," Hikari shaking worse then ever.

"What does you mean transform into a Zygarde? What's a Zygarde?" Jimmy looked at Ash. "Ash what is she talking about?"

"I recently had an encounter with a Xatu," said Mavla. "It showed me a prophecy in which a Pikachu that looked a lot like your yellow friend here transformed into a Zygarde. And the three of you were there. Xatu left me with just one word Hikari. The name of your Pikachu."

"M-me," Hikari whispered to himself. "It saw me transforming into…Oh Arecus!" He stared to feel extremely worried. What had Xatu seen? What had he done?

"Xatu also mentioned the coming of a disaster to which you and your rodent friends face were linked," Malva continued. "I decided to find you and tell you about it. That's me being nice!"

"You spoke to a Xatu?" Cameron asked tilting his head. "That strange Pokémon that can tell the future."

"Olympia's Xatu," added Ash.

"Will someone tell me what Zygarde is," Jimmy demanded a note of frustration in his voice. "And why Hikari is turning into it?"

"It's a legendary Pokémon," Malva explained with a smirk. She took out a tablet computer from her pocket and held it up. On the screen was a picture of a green and black snake like creature with hexagon shaped scales and a thrill around it's neck. "Zygarde. The order Pokémon. They say it lives deep in caves. And when there's a crisis it appears with a mission to protect all of nature."

"Wow. All of nature," Ash gasped impressed. "Hikari can do that."

Hikari stared at the image his mouth slightly open. "That's it. That's what I become." He held his paws up to his eyes as if to check to see if he was still a Pikachu. "…But if I'm supposed to protect. Then why does there always destruction whenever it happens."

"Wait. How can Hikari be that," said Jimmy. "Does Zygade like, pretend to be other Pokémon to hide itself."

"And that doesn't look anything like what we saw back in Kalos," added Cameron frowning at the picture. "It looked more like a Herdier than that."

Malva shrugged as she put the tablet away. "Well I don't know anything about that. That's what I saw your Pikachu transform into. Maybe Zygarde has multiple forms. However…"

Suddenly, and before Mavla could finish her sentence, a metal claw shot almost out of nowhere grabbing Hikari.

"PIIIKKKAAAA…"

At the mouse's distressed shriek Ash, Cameron, Jimmy and their Pokémon whipped around to find two figures in red Team Flare suits smirking at them.

"I-It can't be," Ash cried a mixture of shock and hatred on his face.

"HIKARI," Oshawott screamed.

"Who are you people," Jimmy demanded.

Cameron and Lucario rounded on Malva.

"You lied to us. You said you weren't here to hurt any of us."

"I knew we couldn't trust a word you said. What were you doing, distracting us so your friends could attack us from behind. Let Hikari go now."

Malva started of laugh. "Ahahaha. Sorry about this boys. Did kind of lie to you back there didn't I. I was just about to mention that Xatu's vision showed not only your fate's being intertwined with the coming disaster, but also this Pikachu's existence being a catalyst for the disaster. This is simply us attempting to adverting it. Consider it a penance for Lysandre."

As she spoke the helicopter she had arrived aboard reappeared from behind the trees. It swopped around and came to land at beside the group, a flap in the back opening.

"But I'm afraid there's no time to discuss that now. My rides here. See ya…"

Mavla and the two Team Flare Grunts ran onto the helicopter, the flap beginning to close behind them. The helicopter begun to rise off the ground

"Oh no you don't," Ash screamed running fro the helicopter. "You're not taking Hikari."

"Osh Oshawott." Oshawott ran after him.

They lunged, managing to grab hold of the closing as the helicopter rose above the tops of the trees.

Jimmy, Cameron, Pikachu, Ashachu and the rest stood on the ground watching in shock and horror.

"Ash."

"PIKAPI"

"PIIIIKKAAAAAAA…."

As the aircraft climbed and begun to gather speed, Ash and Oshawott managed to pull themselves over the flap before it finally closed.

[Pokémon]

Orre Region…

"…It has been done Master Nascour. The Pokémon league has made announced the reholding of the finals. Z-chu's trainer so should have received the notification by now and will soon be on his way to Orre."

"Master Nascour. Final preparations have been made for the mission to secure the giant rock. We are ready to dispatch at your command."

Nascour smiled his evil twisted smile as his admins, Lovrina and Dakim delivered their reports, speaking out of the laptop sitting on his knee. Today he wasn't in his dimly lit chamber at Team Draconian's secret base, but instead sitting in the back of a black sedan off road vehicle as it sped through the desert.

"Very good. Provided the construction is complete on time, our ultimate weapon plan will soon reach it's final stages. Once the weapon is activated Pokémon Nation will be overwhelmed. The government will have no choice but to agree to our demands."

The vehicle suddenly came to a halt. "Mr. Nascour sir. We're here," the Peon in the drivers seat announced, while the Peon beside him got out to open Nascour's door.

"I will contact you later." Nascour slid the laptop shut and slid it onto the seat next to him, before climbing out of the car.

They were stopped in the middle of a vast desert with nothing around but sand and rock. Nascour, used to his dark dimly lit room, blinked a few times to get used to the harsh Orre sun as he looked upon what he had come to see… Realgam Tower. A gigantic ivory structure, rising out of the dunes and projecting into the heavens.

"Mwhahahaha. It's only a matter of time now."