This is a combination between the episodes The Synchronicity Test and Championing A Research Battle. Disclaimer- I don't own pokemon, you know the drill. Let's get to it.
Out on the fields, Alain was looking at the pokemon center down below. We were walking out after healing up our pokemon and resting a bit. Suddenly, Clemont looked at us, saying,"You know? I'd like to see what's going on between Ash, Greninja, Liz, and Sino. I say it's time for an analysis"! He then revealed what looked like a miniature version of Clembot. It was called Clembot Mini, with Ash replying,"Science is so amazing." Iris said,"He made that thing," with Bonnie telling her,"My big brother's an inventor. He makes all sorts of things." Meanwhile, Clembot Mini was playing some videos while Clemont was saying,"Up until now, Greninja and Sino have shown changes a total of three times. We also know that those changes occur when a battle is taking place. And during those times, Greninja's and Sino's appearance seem to resemble Ash and Liz. Plus, with Sino, we see that both it and Liz seem to feel the same pain and share the same movements. I believe this has something to do with a psychological element between them. In other words, a mental change. Because they have the same mental mind, their movements and emotion start to become alike." Serena then mentions,"This is just like what Olympia mentioned before."
She was right. As I remember, Olympia said that Greninja would reach new heights unlike anything we've ever seen and with Ash, they would accomplish it together and that Greninja was trying to earn Ash's love. I then say,"I remember Sawyer mentioning that pokemon who have deep bonds with their trainers tend to look alike. Maybe that's what's happening to us." Clemont smiled before saying,"So I think it's time to test my hypothesis," as he started to set up his experiment. Ash, Greninja, Sino, and I all got these weird looking bracelets, to which our Greninjas felt uncomfortable about. Clemont explained,"They're called Battle Pulse Meters, which collects and display changes in brain waves, heart rates, and other changes during battle. Any changes Greninja and Sino face are recorded, as well as the changes in both of you." I say,"Definitely sounds worth it," with Sino nodding in agreement. Ash was ready to test it out with Greninja as we were the same. We went out to the battlefield where Clemont was facing Ash with Luxray and Iris was facing me with another new face on her team, Gabite. Luxray used electric terrain to cover the field in electricity as Ash and I were ready, as well as Greninja and Sino. Greninja went in with cut as Luxray intercepted with thunder fang. Gabite went in with iron head as Sino intercepted with power up punch, creating a stalemate. So far, there was no holding back and no one giving in.
Luxray then went in with wild charge and Gabite was charging in with dragon claw. Both our Greninjas used double team to fool them. Greninja ended up getting hit by the wild charge while Sino barely dodged the dragon claw. Clemont noticed something on the screen as we battled. My pulse waves and Sino's were getting closer to each other while Ash's and Greninja's still remained separate. Ash then had Greninja use aerial ace as it hit Luxray hard. Meanwhile, Sino used water shurigen, hitting Gabite with brute force. Then, I shouted,"Sino, let's go," as the water vortex surrounded it before the transformation took place. Soon, after the water shurigen appeared, Sino was now Liz-Sino. Ash and Greninja were impressed as Clemont says,"My hypothesis was correct!! In order for the transformation to occur, a strong, psychological bond between trainer and pokemon must be in order." It was true. On screen, both our pulse waves were combined into one while Ash's and Greninja's were still separate. Meanwhile, Greninja and Luxray collided with cut and thunder fang again. Meanwhile, Alain came outside and saw that we were battling. I then tell Sino to use hydro cannon as it launches the move, knocking out Gabite. As Iris returned Gabite, Sino changed back to normal as we both knelt down in exhaustion and smiled at one another.
Clemont soon stopped his battle with Ash, noticing that there wasn't any changes with him. Ash says,"Guess it doesn't happen all the time," as I say,"Clemont, if I may? Maybe it's not battling entirely that triggers it." I then joined with the group, saying,"Battling again made me develop a hypothesis of my own. I agree with Clemont, saying that this change is mental. However, I believe that maybe it becomes clear when the trainer and pokemon think alike. In other words, have the same mindset. If the mind and emotions of the pair become one, then they physically become one as well. Look at me. Usually, when Sino and I battle, we always try to see things the same way and move the same way as well. We may have different perspectives and ideas, but we share the same determination, the same emotions and frustrations, the same feeling. That's what I believe is how the transformation occurs, at least that's what I've come to believe." Clemont, surprised, says,"Really? I never thought of it like that." Serena then remembered,"Same emotions and feelings...Of course! Ember told me the same thing," before calling her out. Serena then says,"Ember, you told me that since you've changed, you've been having the same feelings and emotions as me right"? Ember nodded and says,"Yeah. It may sound weird, but I know it's true. I can feel it in my chest." Ash then says,"How is it that Liz can do it, even my girlfriend's partner, but not Greninja and me"? I say,"Ketchum, don't be a sad Jigglypuff. I'm sure you'll get it soon enough. It takes hard work and a lot of practice."
Then, Alain, who was watching from afar, spoke up, saying,"Whenever we meet, you're in the middle of a battle. Hi." Ash and the rest of us say hi as Squishy hid deep in Bonnie's bag. This action didn't go unnoticed as Ember saw and thought Squishy is hiding from him? But why? He looks like a normal trainer. That's when Ember saw. She remembered Alain vividly. In fact, it was Alain who helped her escape the night she fled Lysandre Labs. ( You're probably confused. Let's turn our clocks back and revisit the beginning of that flashback ).
It was nighttime, about 2 minutes before she escaped. Ember, as a Fennekin, was whimpering in pain and fright. Suddenly, a shadow over loomed the container she was in as she at first flinched. Alain then says,"It's ok. I'm here to help you escape. You deserve to be free, not stuck in here." She didn't believe him until he opened the container, picked her up, and carefully placed her on the floor. He then says,"Run now before they catch you again." She nodded before darting off down the hallways. ( We all know what happened next. And now, back to our daily programming )
Ember sighed as she thought Can't blame Squishy. Team Flare can make anyone flinch, whether they're good or bad. Ash then says,"I got it! Let's you and I have a battle Alain." He smiled, saying,"I was hoping to face your Greninja Ash." As Clemont returned Luxray, I say,"This is perfect. Clemont can focus on his data and Ash will get to experience Alain's strength. When it comes to battling, he's tough all right." After healing everyone up, we came back out for the battle. I decided to referee the match as Charizard was called out to face Greninja. Iris looked at Katie before asking,"What's up with that Alain kid? He looks strong." Katie says,"He's a fellow friend and rival of Liz. His Charizard can mega evolve."
Alain sent out his first choice, which was a Metang. Rotom Dex snapped a picture, saying,"Metang, the iron claw pokemon and the evolved form of Beldum. A psychic/steel type. Metang is actually created from the union of two Beldums. When the two brains are joined together as one, It's psychic power gets a huge increase." Ash decided to go with Druddigon, giving his newest member a battling chance, much to Raichu's chagrin. Once all set, I called for the battle to begin as Alain and Ash were both ready.
Druddigon charged in with a fire punch as Metang intercepted with metal claw, with both moves clashing hard. Metang then used psyshock as Druddigon used flash cannon to counter, creating an explosion. Druddigon then fired a dragon pulse, hitting Metang hard before going in with another fire punch. Metang recovered and landed a maneuvering psyshock attack. Druddigon shook it off, despite taking a bit of damage. Metang charged in with meteor mash, which Druddigon dodged before catching Metang with brute strength. It fired a close rang dragon pulse, driving Metang to the ground. Metang then used metal claw as it met with a potent fire punch, creating an explosion. When the smoke clear, you can see that metal claw missed and Metang was hit face first with fire punch, delivering the KO and putting lights out for Metang. I say,"Metang is unable to continue. Druddigon is the winner. The first match goes to Ash." Ash praised Druddigon for a great battle as it roared a happy cry before getting returned by Ash. I say, watching,"Some powerhouse. That Druddigon is tough." Rotom Dex came over, saying,"It's definitely going to be a hard pokemon to beat in battle."
Alain returned Metang as both trainers sent their next choices, Charizard and Greninja. Clemont had everything set up, ready to collect any changes in the data for Ash and Greninja. Soon, I called for the next match to start. Charizard and Greninja were in a staredown, waiting for one another to make a move. Greninja used water shurigen as Charizard dodged them, preparing a dragon claw, hitting Greninja hard. Using its momentum in the air, Greninja used double team, creating a lot of copies. Charizard knocked the copies away as the real one appeared behind it. Greninja used cut as it landed, doing some chip damage on Charizard. Charizard seemed to feel its power as it motioned Alain to do it. With that, Alain pressed his keystone and Charizard mega evolved into Mega Charizard X. We were in shock of its presence, with Ember knowing Charizard well. It cared for her when she was ill at Lysandre Labs a while back. Meanwhile, Mega Charizard went in with thunder punch as Greninja met it head on with aerial ace, dealing more damage on fire/flying type. This was getting intense while on the screen, no visible change was seen yet.
Greninja went in with cut as Mega Charizard grabbed it with one of its claws. Then, it launched a close range flamethrower, hitting Greninja head on. It then flew in with thunder punch as Mega Charizard dodged it and hit Greninja with the electric type move. Greninja was staggering from all the damage it's taken, but not willing to give in. Then, Clemont and I saw something on the screen. Both Ash's and Greninja's pulse waves were getting closer to each other. It meant that their synchronization was starting. Soon, the watery vortex surrounded Greninja as the red diamond and black tufts appeared on it as well. On the screen, their pulse waves were together, totally in sync. Sino and I nodded at each other before looking out at Ash and Greninja. Greninja went in with cut as Mega Charizard barely dodged it in time. It used flamethrower as Greninja cut right through it with cut. Mega Charizard went in with thunder punch as it missed while Greninja landed a potent aerial ace. I noticed that Alain was smiling, invigorated by the battle. He's always had loved facing opponents such as me and Ash. In excitement, he says,"Oh yes! This, this is what I've been waiting for! Can you feel it like I can? Can you feel all their incredible power yet," with Mega Charizard agreeing.
Ash and Greninja were ready to ramp it up as Greninja went in with cut. Mega Charizard intercepted with dragon claw, creating a stalemate. Then, Greninja spun and used cut, delivering a critical hit. Mega Charizard was on the ground while Greninja still stood. Was the battle over? Will it still continue? Suddenly, Ash felt like all the energy just drained from the him, the same thing with Greninja. Clemont noticed that on the graph, the pulse meters were separating as Alain and Charizard prepared for anything. With two mighty thuds, Ash and Greninja fell and passed out. We all rushed to his side, shouting and trying to get him to wake up. We brought him into the pokemon center and tried to get him up and at it again. It took a while, but Ash finally soon woke up, with Ember being the first thing he saw. She sighed and smiled, saying,"It worked. You're awake." He looked around, saying,"Sorry about that." I say,"Take it easy the rest of the day. Synchronizing that much must've worn you out big time." Ash says,"Yeah, but I feel energized now. How come"? Ember says,"When you were passed out, I used Power Heal Pulse and got you to recover. It was pretty exhausting since I'm still new to the Music Powers gig, but I did it."
Ash then told Alain that once he's able to control this mysterious power, they should battle again. Alain agrees as the two shook on that. I then say,"Are you planning on entering the Kalos League again"? He said no as I respond,"You should Alain. Think of it as a way to see just how much stronger you've gotten since last time." He smiled before saying,"I'll think about it," before walking out of the pokemon center. He soon got a video from Lysandre Labs, showing a glowing yet sleeping Chespin and a girl by its side. She told Alain that "Chespie" was recovering well and she wished him good luck on his journey. Soon, he heard a rustle in the bushes as Ember popped out by herself. He says,"You're that pokemon with the girl that was with Ash. What are you doing out here"? She says,"First off Alain, I have a new name now, Ember. Second, I'd thought you'd recognize me. It's me, the Fennekin you saved a while back. Project RX065? Ring a bell"? That was enough to make him gasp in shock as Charizard nuzzled her slowly. She smiled, saying,"I can see you haven't changed old friend." He then says,"Where are you friends"? She says,"They are asleep at the moment. I snuck out here by myself. Listen, I came here to talk to you, old friend to old friend." He says,"Ok," offering a seat next to him as she sat down.
Ember then says,"How's life with Team Flare? Anything new"? He says,"Well, we're busy studying Mega Evolution. Lysandre says that the information in essential for the new world he's planning." That was enough to make Ember sigh and say in annoyance,"Again with the new world business. What's wrong with this one? We are all happy and living fine here." Alain says,"I don't get it either, though it's his words and mind, not mine." Ember then says,"Here's a question. What's with Team Flare and Z1 and Z2? The last time I faced them, they've tried to find it and force me to tell them what I know, but I don't even know what or who they are." Alain says,"They're supposed to be cell cores for Zygarde." He showed her a picture and Ember automatically identified the first one as Squishy. Squishy was a legendary pokemon cell core for the full legendary pokemon Zygarde. She couldn't believe it! Ember then says,"Why though? If it's to put through what I've been through, I'm not having it. Which leads me to what I really want to talk about. Why are you still relying on Team Flare and working with them?! You know that they are planning something bad and all you're doing is hurting yourself and others by helping them and lying to your friends about it." He then says,"I have no choice Ember. I need them," as she interrupted with,"To get stronger? You can do that without them. Look, I know the real reason for you still being with them. You're doing this for Chespie and Mairin. You want to be able to protect them from anymore harm. Am I right? Deep down, you know I'm right."
Alain nodded before saying,"I can't afford to lose anything else." Ember says,"Look. I can't convince you to leave Team Flare or anything, but just keep this in mind. If you continue with this, are you really helping or are you really setting something worse up? I've said all I've come to say. I have to go back. Nice seeing you again Alain and Charizard," before getting up and walking away. Her words rang in Alain's mind as he says to Charizard,"She does have a point Charizard. We can get stronger without the help from Team Flare, but why do we still rely on them? I know that we're doing this for Mairin, but we can help her and Chespie another way." He then got an idea as he says,"Charizard, are you thinking what I'm thinking," as his partner nodded in agreement. He then pulled out his Team Flare communicator and tossed it in the air as Charizard destroyed it with flamethrower, making a small explosion. He then says,"Let's go," as the duo headed off into the forest.