"This is different." Ash muttered to himself.
He was in some weirdly dark area, walking in a bit of what seemed like water. The last thing he remembered was falling asleep, how'd he end up here.
"Welcome back Ashley. I hope you're still not angry with me." A voice called out.
Ash recognized the voice and wasn't happy that they were here.
"Ashley isn't here right now, can I take a message?" Ash taunted.
"No! You! How did you reawaken!" Darkrai exclaimed.
"I met an old friend, they helped me come back." Ash said.
"No matter. Another mishap, and I'll be able to reshape you into a non existent threat permanently." Darkrai scolded.
"So I'm guessing you're to thank for the bridge snapping, and my new assets." Ash said annoyed.
"Seeing as I plan on you not remembering this, yes. I damaged the bridge before you arrived. I also replaced your medication to help heal with fast acting hormone replacements. That part was chosen by my new partner." Darkrai said.
"New partner? Who'd be crazy enough to work with you?" Ash asked.
"I believe you know them." Darkrai said.
An image of the Hypno Ash had caught flashed in front of him.
"Seems he has a grudge against you for leaving him." Darkrai taunted. "Though thanks to his idea, your friends will never look at you the same."
A mirror appeared in front of Ash, if he didn't know any better, he'd have thought he was a girl.
"My friends accepted me once, and they'll accept me again!" Ash said, taking control of his dreams as visions of his friends and family stood behind him.
"Are you sure that's all of them?" Darkrai taunted. "Remember I can see into your nightmares. This one is particularly juicy." As Darkrai said it, a puppet in the likeness of Serena appeared. "I know where she is. I can take you to her, but you would have to never return." Darkrai offered.
Ash was tempted, a way to find Serena was a big chance.
"No, I'd rather spend the rest of my life looking, than get help from you!" Ash yelled.
"Very well, but now it's time to make you disappear forever!" Darkrai said, a strange energy filling the dream.
"You aren't the only one with new tricks." Ash said.
Outside in the real world, Ash's eyes shot open glowing. On top of him, Pikachu's eyes did the same. A single command echoing through his mind.
'Pikachu use Thunderbolt on me!'
It was Ash's voice, he was in trouble. Pikachu put it all behind this one as he zapped Ash. A dark mist spewing out of him, forming Darkrai.
"Now Lycanroc use Accelerock!" Ash shouted waking up his Pokémon.
Darkrai and Lycanroc flew through the wall onto the beach. Inciniroar, Pikachu, Melmetal, and Rowlet following soon after.
"Hypno!" The Hypno shouted charging.
Inciniroar was faster, sweeping Hypno off its feet, landing on its back with a thud.
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
"Inciniroar use Flare Blitz!"
"Rowlet use Seed Bomb!"
"Lycanroc use Accelerock!"
"Melmetal use Double Iron Bash!"
"Marshtomp use Dynamic Punch!"
"Lileep use Ancient Power!"
Ash commanded his Pokémon in a cavalcade of attacks. Each landing except for Pikachu's whose shot straight up. Moments later Tapu Koko and Toucannon zoomed down striking at Darkrai.
"Ash! What's going on!" Professor Kukui exclaimed through the hole. "A Darkrai! Ash why are you fighting a Darkrai!"
"It's a long story, just make sure Lei and Professor Burnet are safe." Ash called out.
"Now back to you. Pikachu use Iron Tail! Rowlet use Brave Bird! Inciniroar use Darkest Lariat! Lycanroc use Stone Edge! Marshtomp use Whirlpool! Lileep use Acid!"
The attacks stunned Darkrai one after another, as Ash heard a thudding coming closer. After Tapu Koko and Toucannon knocked him back and forth, Bewear came from behind hitting him along with Mimikyu and Marenie.
"ENOUGH!" Darkrai shouted sending out a dark pulse. Knocking out everyone but Ash and Pikachu. "You just had to interfere back in Sinnoh, I tried the direct approach, I even tried giving you a perfect life! Nothing works!" Darkrai shouted getting closer and closer to Ash.
Pikachu jumped between them, knocking Darkrai back with an Iron Tail.
"So you're ready for round two?" Darkrai said preparing a Shadow Claw.
Taking a swipe at Pikachu, ready to send him flying, the attack was stopped. Pikachu had blocked it with his own Iron Tail.
"Ash catch!" Professor Burnett said throwing him his hat. "You left it here a while back."
"Ready to show Darkrai just how tough we are Pikachu?" Ash said putting the hat on Pikachu's head.
"Pi!" Pikachu said ready for some payback.
"Stronger than a Thunderbolt this is our Ultimate move! 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt!" Ash called out, performing the Z-Move.
A rainbow of electricity flew from Pikachu hitting Darkrai from every angle. When the smoke cleared, Darkrai was gone, and so was Hypno.
"Do you think he'll be back?" Kukui asked.
"I wouldn't doubt it, but he'll be gone for a bit." Ash said, before turning. "Tapu Koko, the hat at your alter, where did you get it?" Ash demanded.
"Ash have some respect." Kukui scolded.
"Not this time Professor, he knows something, I'm sure of it." Ash said stepping forward.
As Ash reached Tapu Koko, they became mentally linked. Ash saw Tapu Koko returning after the Mánalo Festival events. At the top of his altar was the hat.
"She was there. She came here, and got lost." Ash said, tears streaming down his face. "The day Necrozoma attacked, she came to find me, and now she's missing, and it's my fault!" Ash said punching the ground in defeat.
"Ash, stop it!" Kukui said running to him. "It isn't your fault. You couldn't have known!"
"I should've been there though! I could've stopped her!" Ash cried.
"There's no sense in stressing right now, we were all frazzled that day. Get some rest, and tomorrow we can get the Aether Foundation to help us scan the altar." Kukui said, holding Ash tightly.
Their house was fairly damaged from the battle, but Kukui knew they'd get by. They had to, for Ash's sake.
@Thor94
I've chosen not to respond to comments until this chapter to avoid spoilers. Just as a heads up, Darkrai will be sticking around as a thorn in Ash's side for a while to come. As to why Ash came back suddenly, Ash's memories have been coming back slowly, just this one was enough.
@Northstar Pokeshipper
Glad you're liking it