Disclaimer- I do not own the song or lyrics used today.
Ash was sitting on a log in the middle of the forest, trying to get his thoughts straight. Meanwhile, Nurse Joy had just informed us that Greninja has left overnight as well. Luckily, it has fully recovered, so, it wasn't in any trouble. Still, we couldn't help but worry. What if they both end up in danger? Out on a tree in a separate part of the forest, Greninja was sitting, thinking about what has happened over the past few days. Even Serena was in thought, worrying about Ash. No one could blame her, she was his girlfriend after all. Deciding on what to do, she ran into the forest to look for Ash, not knowing that Ember followed her in case anything went wrong. Ash was still thinking, muttering,"I want, I need to pull it together. I've got no choice. I have to." However, he had no idea how to do so. Back at the pokemon center, we all came out to try and relax, though it was hard when Ash's mental state was on our minds. Raichu had an idea as he released all of Ash's pokemon and told them something. We didn't seem to get it until Hawlucha karate chopped a tree and let snow hit it.
I say,"Of course. Raichu is telling them that they should train and prepare to be stronger when Ash returns. Smart." I went up to them and say,"How would you guys like to spar and train with me and my team? It'll be great experience for you all." They all were determined and ready as I let out Gliscor, Meowth, Dragonite, Staraptor, Silvally, Lucario, and Lycanroc to join in. Meanwhile, Katie noticed that Serena and Ember were missing, hoping that they'd be ok. Meanwhile, Greninja was remembering how he lost twice in a row and what Ash said last night. Out in the forest, Serena finally found Ash as she stopped to catch her breath and called his name to get his attention. Ash just tipped his hat slowly while saying,"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you like that." He was depressed and who could blame him? Ember watched from behind the trees, wondering how her trainer would help out the Kanto native. Serena, trying her best to cheer up her boyfriend, says,"Ash, if something is bothering you, you can talk to me. I'll listen to you anytime, anywhere. I know how you feel, I've been in your position before."
Ash didn't seem like he was listening, but when Serena was about to talk about her debut, he got up and angrily shouted,"You don't have a clue how I feel"!! That was enough to make the whole forest go quiet. Serena felt her heart ache as she says in response,"Then tell me about it," with Ash turning away, saying,"It's none of your business!! Leave me alone"!! Ember, watching from a distance, was in shock. Ash angry with Serena?! That's like Team Rocket having a successful plan!! Extremely rare!! Enough was enough as she quickly made a snowball and threw it, hitting Ash and getting both trainer's attention. Seeing the source of where the snowball came from, Ember spoke up, saying,"Listen to yourself Ash!! This isn't you! This isn't the Ash we know or the one Serena's in love with. The one we know is full of energy. A leader who tries his best, always positive, and hangs in there till the very end." She made a couple more snowballs as she walked towards him and hit him with the snowballs while saying,"You're not acting like the Ash we know"!!
As Ash fell to the ground, Serena couldn't help but see the bravery in her partner for speaking up about this. Ember continued with,"You think we don't know how you feel?! To feel like you can't win no matter what?! To feel like a failure when you don't accomplish what you desire most?! To feel worthless?! Like you don't mean anything"?! At that moment, tears were forming in her eyes as she spoke in a teary-eyed voice,"We all do!! I certainly do because that's how I grew up!! I literally remember that feeling vividly every freaking day of my life! Not one day goes by without me remembering that!! So stop acting like a little boy and man up!! Become the Ash that we know because right now..you sure aren't him"!!! Ember then ran deep into the forest with tears flowing as Serena ran to follow her. Meanwhile, something seemed to hit Ash. No, it wasn't the snowballs, but the reality of the situation. He seemed to realize that this wasn't him and that he needed to get back into the game. In frustration, he gave a mighty shout, scaring the forest pokemon who were watching. Ash got up and started to run, trying to figure out what to do.
Suddenly, as he was running, he slipped on an ice bank, bounced off a sleeping Snorlax, and landed hard. He got up quickly to save a Bidoof before realizing he was lost. Meanwhile, Raichu was using iron tail as Meowth met it with its own iron tail. Hawlucha and Gliscor were sparring with karate chops and knock offs while avoiding Silvally and its crush claws. Staraptor and Talonflame were racing while Dragonite and Noivern were dodging aura spheres and rocks throws from Lucario and Lycanroc. Meanwhile, I noticed that the sky was getting dark as I say,"A blizzard is upon us and Ash and Serena have not returned yet." Bonnie says in concern,"Do you think something happened to them"? I say,"Let's go look and we'll find out." I returned most of my pokemon except for Silvally and Dragonite. Soon, we all geared up and went deep into the forest to look for Ash and Serena. Meanwhile, Greninja was still thinking about Ash before deciding to go out and look for Ash, no matter how long it takes.
With Ash, he saw that the weather was getting worse and that he would need shelter fast. As he looked, he crashed into Serena, who hugged him tight as he apologized for earlier. She said,"It's ok, but have you seen Ember? She disappeared and the storm looks like it's gonna get worse." Ash says,"We'll have to wait it out for now, but once it clears, we are looking for Ember." Luckily, they found a cave and decided to stay put there. Raichu was running ahead, trying to find Ash, but the blizzard made it hard to see anything. I picked up Raichu, who was worried about Ash as I say,"I feel you. Don't worry. We will find them if it's the last thing we do." The wind picked up as Clemont soon mentions about us having to find shelter. We stopped in this cave on the side of a cliff and I started a fire, which would keep us warm. To make sure we all stayed warm, I had everyone huddle together so the heat would remain intact. Katie says,"I hope they are all ok. What if something happened"? I say,"We can't trek in a storm like this. We'll have to sit it out until the snow lightens up. For now, everyone focus on keeping warm."
Out in the fields, Ember was shivering and covered in snow. If this kept up, she was going to freeze to death. Where could she go? Where would she stay? As she reached a rock wall, she started to scale it, but then some rocks became loose and she lost her grip. Ember held tightly onto one rock, but didn't have enough energy to pull herself up. Plus, when she was scrambling, her right foot twisted and was now sprained. She was in a peril condition, and things seemed like they could not get any worse. Suddenly, the rock sge was holding onto started to move slowly, becoming loose. Ember, in danger, let out a huge scream that was heard far in wide. Ash and Serena heard it too as Serena says,"It's Ember. She's in trouble"! Both trainers ran to try and find her fast! Meanwhile, Ember was trying to find something else to grip on, but had no luck. Suddenly, the rock became loose and she started to fall. Luckily, in the blur of an eye, Ash dove and caught her in the nick of time. Ember looked up at Ash, who says,"Are you ok"? Ember nodded slowly as Serena soon came, saying,"Ember!! Thank goodness!! I'm so glad you're safe"!! Both trainers helped her back into the cave where Serena treated her injured ankle with Power Heal Pulse and some gauze.
While staying in the cave, Ash noticed that some of the forest pokemon were watching him and shivering from the cold. He offered them to come inside and warm up and the pokemon happily accepted. They all jumped onto the trainer's lap as both of them smiled and laughed. Ember couldn't help but watch and frown a bit at the sight. She felt awful for snapping at Ash the way she did. She looked up at Ash and said,"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have went at you the way I did. I was out of line and not in the right mindset. I understand if you don't want to forgive me." Ash, a little surprised, but happy nonetheless, petted Ember while saying,"I'm the one who should be apologizing and thanking you actually. What you said made me snap out of it. Plus, I understood what you meant when you yelled at me." Serena added,"You've gone through so much. You were just trying to get Ash back into the game. That takes guts and it proves you're a true friend because a true friend will do anything to help anyone." Serena then pulled out her guitar and began strumming something as Ash seemed to recognize it because he smiled and says,"I love this song." Ember wanted to know it too as the trio began to sing for the wild pokemon in the cave.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~You Got A Friend In Me~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena and Ash: You've got a friend in me. You've got a friend in me. When the road looks rough ahead and you're miles and miles from your nice, warm bed. You just remember what you're old pal said. Boy, you've got a friend in me. Yeah, you've got a friend in me.
In the cave we were in, Bonnie was asking me,"Liz, do you think that Ash and Serena will be ok"? I say,"I don't think it. I know. Those two are real close friends and will do anything to help just like I'd do anything for my friends." I then pulled out my guitar and began strumming the same song as everyone else began to sing along.
Liz, Clemont, Bonnie, Katie, Iris: You've got a friend in me. You've got a friend in me. You've got some troubles and I got them too. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you. We stick together and we see it through. Cause, you've got a friend in me. You've got a friend in me.
Ember: Some other folks might be a little smarter than I am. Bigger and stronger too.
Raichu: Maybe, but none of them will ever love you the way I do. It's me and you boy.
All: And as the years go by, our friendship will never die. You're gonna see, it's our destiny. You've got a friend in me. You've got a friend in me. You've got a friend in me.
The snow seemed to lighten up a bit at last as we got up and were ready to continue our search. Ash suddenly heard something from the distance. Seeing that the pokemon, Serena, and Ember were asleep, he snuck out to see what was going on. It was a group of Spewpa, all huddled and up a tree. Ash decided to help them down as he carefully climbed the tree and brought each Spewpa down with care. There was one more left who was too scared to come with him. Ash told it,"Sure! You can do it! Just be strong! Come with me please! Get back with your friends"! It made the jump when the branch broke and Ash and Spewpa were about to fall. Luckily, Greninja found him just in time and caught them with its tounge. Suddenly, the wind picked up and Spewpa started to fall down into the cavern. Wanting to rescue it, they synchronized quickly and this time, the water shurigen appeared and the full version of Ash-Greninja was born yet again. It caught Spewpa as Ash gave it directions to avoid hitting the rocks. With ease, Greninja made it down and Spewpa was safe. The Spewpa were happily reunited and Greninja turned back to its form. Both Ash and Greninja shared a high five before they all returned back to the cave. Luckily, Serena and Ember were still asleep and the noise didn't wake them up. Meanwhile, Ash told Greninja about a moment like this that occured in the past before apologizing for making it worry. He promised it that they would get strong together as the two shook on it, signifying that powerful promise.
The snow finally stopped and once Serena and Ember woke up, Ash told them about what happened before they all brought the Spewpa out together. Under the moonlight, they all evolved into Vivillon, which was a beautiful sight. Soon, the four started to head back and find us. Meanwhile, we were still looking until Silvally noticed something in the mist. There, heading towards us, were Ash, Greninja, Serena, and Ember, all safe and sound. Raichu happily reunited with Ash as we all joined them, happy that everyone was ok. I say,"The next time you guys disappear like that, please alert us before you give us heart attacks." Ash says,"Sorry everyone if I worried you. Now, Greninja and I are back on the same page and ready to work together as one." With that, we all headed back to rest at the pokemon center. In the morning, a news article was playing, saying that the Kalos League was going to be in Lumious City. That was enough to get everyone excited as Ash was now ready for his rematch against Wulfric. Greninja was too, now both were determined and ready to win as one.