A warning this chapter. Major character death. Read on with caution and have a box of tisdues handy for the ending.
Our battle was still going strong as Noivern used boomburst and Mega Raichu mixed in thunderbolt. Lysandre says,"Out numbering me is useless," before commanding Mega Gyarados to intercept with hyper beam. However, in the smoke, Lycanroc snuck behind as I say,"Now, use Speeding Bullet," as my trusty wolf pokemon used the combination and slammed Mega Gyarados extremely hard into the ground. It got up and lept to use dragon tail on Raichu, but Krookodile jumped in front and blocked with a powerful iron tail. Mega Espeon launched a zap cannon as Mega Lucario mixed in aura sphere as both moves landed and paralyzed Mega Gyarados. Mega Charizard landed with dragon claw and Hawlucha landed a potent high jump kick, but Gyarados recovered and caught Hawlucha by its feet. It tried to throw it, but Mega Espeon caught it with psychic, putting it back on its feet. Dragonite and Sino went in with dragon pulse and water shurigen as both moves hit Mega Gyarados hard. Lysandre memtions,"This power, the power of mega evolution, it only happens during battle. It's a kind of battle instinct. Something that pokemon forgot after being in constant contact with humans. But when a pokemon unleashes its battle instinct, That's when it gains mega evolution power"!! Mega Gyarados went in with hyper beam, to which Noivern intercepted with its own. Meanwhile, Bonnie was trying to get to Squishy and Bluey while Iris followed her, saying,"I want to help!! Let's free your friends Bonnie"! Blaziken Mask tried to warn them of the dangers, but they were determined to help free the Zygardes from the control.
Inside Prism Tower, Clembot found the right code and they were able to open the doors. When Clembot scanned the area, inside was the machine, two grunts, and someone further in the back. Clembot also mentioned that there were elements that were the same as the ones in the red Zygarde. It offered to try an infiltrate the system while Clemont dealt with the Team Flare workers. Luxray and Zeraora took care of the grunts with electric terrain and plasma fist. When the leader, which was Xerosic, came to see what was going on and saw Clemont, Clemont responded with,"You're controlling Zygarde with that control system aren't you"?! Xerosic responded with,"True!! It's one of my greatest inventions"!! Not wanting to be stopped, he called out his pokemon, which were Crobat and Malamar. Crobat used air slash and Malamar used psycho cut as Chespin used pin missile, Bunnelby used mud shot, and Zeraora used thunderbolt. Meanwhile, Clembot snuck from behind and began to infiltrate the system. In the air, Ember pointed out that they were now close to Lysandre Labs, where down there waiting was Mabel and her Weavile, waiting to "welcome" them. As Salamence got closer, Weavile tried to attack with ice shard, but Salamence destroyed it with flamethrower.
Ember then jumped down and knocked out Weavile with an airborne flame charge. She jumped back and glared at Mabel, who only smirked and said,"Long time no see. We really missed you here. Celosia misses you the most. You're her favorite." As Salamence landed and the others climbed off, Ember says,"Ha!! I'd rather get hit by a thousand hydro pumps then be back with Team Flare idiots like you"!! Mabel tried to release another pokemon, but a psychic stopped her in her tracks, which came from Mega Metagross and the Hoenn Champion, Steven. He says,"Lysandre fooled me alright, but he fooled the whole world after all." Steven told them that he'd take care of things here as Ember led everyone else inside. They tiptoe ran through the main hallway as Ember tried to look for what she had to stop. As they walked, Serena and Katie looked around as Serena whispered to Ember,"I can't believe you grew up in a place like this. It's scary and evil and all at the same time." Before Ember could respond, a sludge bomb almost hits them. It was from Celosia and her Drapion as she says,"Welcome home kiddo. To think our little baby girl is back and here.. hopefully permanently this time I assume," as Drapion readied its claws. Ember says,"No way!!! After all you've done, to hurt the lives of people and pokemon, I wouldn't come back, not even if you paid me."
Celosia smiled before saying,"I'm willing to make you a deal here," as she snapped her fingers and Drapion grabbed Serena and Katie and pinned them to the wall tightly by their throats. Sycamore, Mairin, and Chespie tried to help, but they were surrounded by grunts. Ember was horrified as Celosia says,"A little Fletchling told me about what you did with his daughter. He's furious, but, knowing that it happened while you were in your most powerful form, he's willing to look by it and offer a deal. In exchange to sparing the lives of your trainer and her best friend, you rejoin Team Flare and meet up with Lysandre on top of Prism Tower. That is, if you accept. Decline, and you'll watch these two die right before your eyes"!! Drapion readied its poisonous claws and a poison fang just in case Ember said no. Sycamore shouted,"How can you do this"?!?! Celosia says,"Oh please!! It's orders from Lysandre, not me. Now...RX065...what's your answer"? Ember didn't know what to do, risk the lives of those she care for? Or rejoin something that risked her own life? With a decision made, she took a deep breath and says,"Ok...you have a deal...let them go...I'll rejoin Team Flare. One two conditions"!! Celosia listened while everyone gasped in shock. Ember says,"One...you stop calling me by that experiment name. I have my iwn name...Ember!! Got it"?!?! Celosia says,"Fine. What's your other condition"? Ember says,"Let me say one last goodbye to them. Professor, Mairin, Chespie, Katie, Serena. If I have to join up with you guys again, at least let me say goodbye to my friends first." Celosia says,"Fine, but don't be too long. You know Lysandre does not like to be kept waiting." Drapion released Katie and Serena as they joined with Professor Sycamore while the grunts went away. Serena says,"Ember...you don't have to do this." The firefox sighed and says,"I have no choice. I'm sorry. I'll miss you." She hugged Serena tight before saying her byes to Katie and Mairin. She then went up to Sycamore and says,"You were the first human I learned to trust after you rescued me. I'll miss you. You really "rock," as she winked at him as Sycamore seemed to get the message.
With that, Ember took a deep breath and faced Celosia, saying,"Take me to Lysandre," as Celosia returned Drapion while saying,"Good choice kiddo," before walking out with Celosia to a helicopter. Salamence, watching this, was angered and sent all the grunts watching away with dragon pulse as they started to run through the halls. Sycamore says,"Guys, Ember just told me what we need to stop. We have to release the giant rock they have. It has elements similar to mega evolution energy. We get rid of it, their plan won't be successful." They understood, but Serena still could not believe that to save her life, Ember had to return to the past she had. She kept thinking Ash...Liz...if you see Ember...please save her. Back to our battle, Mega Charizard hits Mega Gyarados with thunder punch as Dragonite uppercuts it with ice punch. Goodra, Mega Lucario, Druddigon, and Dragonite all combined their dragon pulses to make one huge one, which hits Mega Gyarados hard. It tried to retaliate with hyper beam, but Lycanroc blocked it with stone edge, along with Greninja using water shurigen and Sino using hydro cannon. Mega Raichu ended the battle with a potent thunderbolt, knocking out Mega Gyarados, reverting it back to normal. Alain says,"It seems that your battle instinct is a thing of the past," as some of the pokemon reverted back to normal. Ash says,"You lost Lysandre," as I say,"Now, give up. It's over." Lysandre smirked while saying,"It's not over just yet. Any second now, my last choice will be here...if she said yes I assume." We looked at each other in confusion as Ash says,"Who would say yes to battling with Lysandre"? Our questions were answered as an elevator dinged and walking out was Celosia and Ember.
We all gasped as I say,"No way.. it can't be!! It can't"!! Ember looked at us solemnly before going up to Lysandre as he says,"So, you did come? Wise choice. No one can ever escape their destiny and you display that well." Celosia soon left as Alain says,"What are you doing with her"? Lysandre says,"She's a member of Team Flare of course and my last choice in battle. She's a force to be reckoned with, and will be my equalizer"!! Ash says,"No way!! Ember, come back with us." She says,"I'm sorry Ash. I can't. I don't have any choice. It was either this or a more drastic measure would be taken.. with Serena." Now, Ash and I were infuriated. It's one thing to mess with us, but to threaten the life of his girlfriend?! My sister?! That crosses many lines my friend. Lysandre says,"Let's just get things settled before our battle really starts," as he grabs a remote and was about to press it when it got destroyed by a flamethrower. It didn't come from Charizard, Ember, or any of our pokemon. So, where did it come from? The answer was from Malva and her Mega Houndoom. She says,"Time for all of this to end now"! Ember wanted to move, but in concern, stayed put in case Lysandre did something drastic. Malva continued with,"It's really simple. I'm putting my complete trust in these kids and especially Ember! I know this world is hardly perfect, far from it. I'm stopping this because I saw them. Changing the world is not about destroying it, but about people like them, protecting and helping others. This battle, yes, is far from over, but they haven't lost yet. Especially Ember, who has shown more compassion and kindness to others than anyone else. She even was willing to sacrifice her freedom and will for the lives of others. They can't change the world by themselves, but if they find grown-ups like them, then little by little, change will occur and soon, there can really be a world of peace."
She then says,"That's why I'm doing this right now! Ember, come here"! Ember smiled and was about to walk to Malva when Lysandre pulled something out of his pocket, saying,"That's far enough"! Ember stopped cold at the sight of the object: a one bullet pistol. He says,"Take another step and you won't see the light of another day again"!! I say,"Threatening her life for your selfish ambitions and desires?! How low can you stoop"?!?! Ember was frozen. What could she do? Then, Ash did the most bravest thing anyone could ever do. He ran, pushed Ember towards Malva, ans took the hit himself straight to the chest. Ash fell off of Prism Tower as his hat floated up onto Raichu. Everyone was frightened and horrified as Ember says,"That's enough Lysandre!!! Surrender now or we will use our full power to stop you"!!! Alain, Malva, Ember, our pokemon, and I readied to fight as Lysandre seemed to suddenly just teleport away from us. After he disappeared, I ran to the edge and shouted,"Ash"!!!! No response, it was quiet, too quiet. Dragonite flew down and picked up the fallen Kanto boy, bringing him back up here. It was a cold sight, seeing Ash still and red blood stained on his chest. We all surrounded him and saw that he wasn't breathing. I say,"Ash...I'm so sorry. I couldn't do anything to help you. You don't deserve to go. I should've been in your place." Ember says in a teary-eyed voice,"Oh Ash...I'm sorry to have failed you. You sacrificed yourself...for me. I'm eternally grateful and.. I'm sorry I put you in that situation. I'd rather be the one with a hole in my chest. I'm sorry!! I'm so sorry"!! Everyone was grieving as Malva says,"We should find a good spot for him to rest in." Alain says,"Plus, with Lysandre still on the loose, wr should all try to stop this crisis. That's what he would want... from all of us."
I wiped my tears as I say,"Alain is right." I returned my pokemon before facing Ash's, saying,"I may not be like him, but I can try. You all want to carry on his fighting spirit?! Then, let's join together as one!! We'll all work together to stop this crisis!!! We won't fall or quit, we'll stand strong...together"!! Raichu gave me Ash's hat as I took off mine and placed his on my head. I say,"Ready to fight till the end," as all of his pokemon cheered in agreement. Raichu climbed onto my shoulder as Malva says,"Even in danger, Liz still cares about the pokemon." Alain turned to Ember, who was still looking over Ash as he says,"Let's finish Team Flare once and for all. Then, we'll find a burial spot for him." Ember was devastated, but she rid herself of her tears and said a shaky,"Ok," as she joined up with us. Meanwhile, Serena and the others were looking for the giant rock as Steven was giving them a hand. Meanwhile, Bonnie caught up to Squishy and Bluey, and, using the song she made up a while back, she was able to free them from the control. With Clemont, he defeated Xerosic and Clembot was able to infiltrate the system and stop the control of the other Zygarde. However, it came at a cost as Clembot was fried and its main memory was completely deleted. That makes now two devastating losses in this disaster. Just what else could this disaster bring? I sure hope we can stop it before others get hurt or worse...meet the same fate Ash and Clembot did.