Into the Tree Part 3

The Eclipse was now half way through. Ash and Alexa, along with Pikachu, Lucario, and Torracat had not yet reached the lower chambers of the Tree of Beginning. The duo had yet to reach Giovanni, Mewtwo or the gateway to the Hall of Origins. While Ash took the lead, running down the dark tunnel with determination, his younger sister began falling behind. She couldn't help but think of her Aegislash and Hitmonlee, along with her brother's Lucario and Incineroar staying behind to take on the Regi Trio so they could go deeper into the Tree. While all were capable battlers, they were set to face off against a tandem of Legendary Pokemon; and worst of all, she was unaware of their fates.

"Ash!" The 14 year old exclaimed as she jogged. "Do you think the others will be alright?"

"I sure hope so, Lex. They're some of the best fighters I know," Ash said glancing back to his sister. "How many Pokemon do you have on your belt?"

"I got four in my balls," Alexa started. "Then Torracat and Lucario."

"Nyah!" The feline Alolan starter said as it ran on all fours.

"I say you return them to their balls to keep them healthy. In the event of a fight, you're gonna want to keep them healthy," Ash said, glancing forwards as Pikachu bounded next to him at his feet.

"Good idea!" Alexa said, pulling two empty balls from her belt. Sticking them forwards, Torracat returned to its ball, however, Lucario darted off to the left to evade the red beam of light while it continued its run. "C'mon Lucario! I need you well rested!"

'I'll be alright, Alexa,' Lucario said, glancing at his trainer with a smile as it ran. 'It's my duty to ensure your safety! I'm not gonna let that Mewtwo take you from me again.'

Alexa heard her Pokemon's wishes and clipped its ball to her belt. "Alright!" The teen said as a smile grew across her face. "We're in this together to the end of the line!" Catching up to her Pokemon's side, the trainer and her Aura Pokemon soon caught up with Ash and Pikachu, keeping up with running at their sides.

Ash glanced over at his sister. Running at her side was a Pokemon who she shared a bond with that truly could not be broken. He then glanced down at the Pokemon running at his feet. One who he assumed would be his partner for life. But regardless of past events, it was there to stand with Ash to help face off against a threat to the Multiverse.

Just before the group rounded a corner within the dark, lower tunnel, Ash sensed the presence of a person (and their Pokemon) standing with their backs pressed to the wall around the bend. Anticipating an attack, Ash shouted a command to his companions rushing down the tunnel.

"GET DOWN!" He called, just as they made their way around the bend. All dropping, sliding across the ground, Ash, Alexa and Lucario all ducked beneath the large clubbing fist of a Slaking throwing a punch at them, while Pikachu easily ran beneath it. As the group rushed past the Normal type, a large purple barrier was set up from wall to wall, blocking them from going any further. Floating high above their heads towards the top of the tunnel was a Mega Slowbro.

"So you actually made it this far," A sneering voice said, stepping away from the wall to his Slaking's side, pushing his glasses up with a single finger.

"I thought I smelled shit," Ash retorted, seeing the face of his fiancé's brother, Max. "Decided to throw in with Giovanni and become a wanted criminal, huh?"

"Well, he's been very kind to us since the beginning," The 18 year old trainer said, taking a few steps towards the group. As he spoke, Ash noticed how one of his top lateral incisors were missing (a result of his failed encounter with Ash and May months ago.) "Even though we couldn't get all of your Pokemon from you. Just your Pikachu."

The Electric Mouse Pokemon gritted its teeth, as lies and deception from their former friends were what had made it switch sides 11 years ago. "Pika pi!" It angrily shouted to its former trainer.

"Yeah!" Alexa shouted. "What made you so special to Giovanni?"

"Well if you must know, I had experience," Max said. "He wanted to know everything he could about the Tree of Beginning, and I told him all that I knew… since it wasn't public knowledge. A little blood donation from me, and his scientists discovered that my cells had been rewritten to mask my presence as a threat. All because that Mew saved us all from this Tree." He said, referring to 11 years ago, when Ash, May, Brock and Max got consumed (and then subsequently revived) within the Tree by its anti-bodies. "A 'vaccine' of sorts was whipped up and voila. Giovanni and his associates could pass through the Tree undetected, just like you and me. All thanks to our little journey from when we were kids."

"You little shit!" Ash said, as his anger began to boil over. "This is supposed to be a sacred place! And you let the most vile man in the Galaxy in on its secrets like that! This is the foundation of all life within the Pokemon World!"

"You're wrong, Ash!" Max exclaimed. "The only reason why this place is special is because A God can be found within its depths! And when Giovanni gets a hold of it, he's gonna give me a taste of that Ultimate Power!"

"He's lying to you!" Alexa shouted at the older teenager. "Why can't you get that through your thick head!?"

"Because… In Giovanni's future… Only the strong shall rule," Max said, glancing down at the Electric Mouse Pokemon at Ash's feet. Reaching out his hand, he stared at the Pokemon. "What do you say, Pikachu? You left this weakling once before because you wanted to get stronger. If you come back to me, I'll make sure that you will thrive in Giovanni's utopia."

Pikachu stood silent, dropping its head before the boy in the green shirt. In its time under his care, it was met with torment, pain, threats and anguish. It was not about to repeat its past mistakes. "PIKA!" The Electric Type exclaimed as it performed a flip forwards with its tail glowing silver. Throwing its body in front of its trainer, Slaking's bulky fist intercepted the Iron Tail.

"I should've guessed!" Alexa exclaimed, as she had battled Norman's Slaking that morning and became familiar with its Ability. "You were just buying time until your Slaking got off its ass!"

"I guess you're correct there," Max said, giving a shrug. "I was just gonna have Slaking pummel the two of you with its massive Attack stat, but instead it came to protect me. I think I have another idea in mind!" The trainer said, pushing up his glasses once again, as they shined with a reflective glow of the Barrier before him. "SLOWBRO, USE SKILL SWAP!"

Ash's eyes widened as he gazed up at the Pokemon (whose body was primarily a shell) hovering above their heads. The Mega Pokemon jutted out its exposed hands, making its eyes turn blue in color. As orbs of blue light exited its body and entered the loafing Slaking, red particles left Slaking and entered the Mega Slowbro. Suddenly, the Mega Slowbro dropped down from the air and landed on the ground, rolling onto its back as if the will to fight had left it. Max's Slaking on the other hand rose up to two feet, towering high above the trainers and their Pokemon. While Slakings were often hindered by their Truant Ability, through the events of this Double Battle that would not be the case. With its body giving off a hardened sheen, Slaking had obtained the Mega Slowbro's Shell Armor Ability, preventing it from being targeted by Critical Hits. After Slowbro had dropped, however, the barrier preventing their escape had disappeared.

As Slaking threw another fist, Pikachu leapt backwards evading the attack, forcing the massive ape-like Pokemon to strike the ground. Throwing its head back and letting out a growl, the beast was ready to continue on the fighting. Pikachu fired off a Thunderbolt, which struck the Pokemon, making it wince for a moment, before it shot forwards with a Hammer Arm, bashing the much smaller opponent in the stomach.

Catching Pikachu in his arms, the Electric Mouse Pokemon looked up at Ash with pain on its face. "C'Mon, let's get out of here!" Ash said, witnessing Max recall his lumbering Mega Slowbro to its Pokeball as he called forth his own Sceptile. "I'm sure we can out run them."

'No-' Pikachu said through the Aura. 'I'll stay behind and hold them off.'

"But-" Ash began to say, before Alexa's Lucario sprung forwards delivering a Force Palm to the chest of the Sceptile, blasting it backwards.

"He's not gonna do it alone," Alexa said as she stepped to her brother's side. "Lucario and I will stay here with Pikachu and cover your tail."

Ash then gave a nod, confident with Alexa's abilities as a trainer. In his mind, she far outclassed the likes of Max. With a nod to his adoptive sibling, and a proud smile on his face, Ash made a sprint down the open hallway.

"Sceptile! After him!" Max shouted, pointing a figure at Ash's back as he made his way further and further down the cavern. Just as the Hoenn starter got back up to its two feet and drew a Leaf Blade, Pikachu rushed forwards striking it in the abdomen with a Volt Tackle.

'Well I'll be damned,' The Electric Type said. 'Haven't pulled off that move in ages!' Turning around, it watched as Ash's figure soon became concealed within the darkness of the cavern, as he ran in to meet his Destiny. 'I know we were meant to be partners,' The Pokemon thought to itself. 'And I'm sorry that I'm not the one to fight Giovanni at your side… but I'm gonna do my part to help you save the world!'

"Lucario! Use Bone Rush!" Alexa exclaimed, as her Lucario formed a staff of bright blue Aura in its hands and gave it a twirl. Locking eyes with the Slaking, it rushed in against its massive opponent. As the not so lazy Lazy Pokemon went in for a bear hug, Lucario ducked under its arms and sprung forwards after it crossed them, cracking the Pokemon under its jaw with the end of its staff. Falling backwards, Slaking hit the ground with a large thud that vibrated the cavern.

As Pikachu fought off Max's Sceptile, the Forest Pokemon swung forwards with slashes from its left, then right arm. Pikachu nimbly evaded each, leaping high into the air above it. With its red cheeks sparking with electricity, Pikachu delivered a Thunderbolt to Max's Sceptile, forcing it to crumple on its hands and knees.

Slaking, who had shifted its focus from Lucario to Pikachu, locked onto its target. Barreling down the cavern, Slaking gripped onto the tiny Pokemon, tackling it into the wall. Pikachu let out a pained cry, as Slaking grabbed it by the neck with a hand larger than its body, pinning it up against the rocky wall. Just as its partner, Lucario, ran forwards to intervene, Max's Sceptile appeared from behind, restraining the Aura Pokemon, forcing it to watch.

"Hey!" Alexa shouted. "Let Pikachu go!"

"Shut it, you idiot!" Max yelled at the younger girl. "Pikachu's gonna get what it deserves." Max, however, was unaware of a trainer stepping out around the corner behind him.

"C'mon mate. At least pick on somebody your own size," A man's voice said in a Galarian accent from behind the trainer. Spinning around, Max saw the Red and Blue, Sword and Shield insignia of the Champion of Galar's black shirt. Grabbing the boy's shirt collar with his left (uninjured) hand, Alexander Peters delivered a headbutt to Max's forehead, making the teen crumple to the ground. Standing at the Champion's sides were his Sirfetch'd and Dragapult. "METEOR ASSAULT!"

The pristine Sirfetch'd angled its leek-lance forwards as orange energy swirled around it. Rocketing down the length of the cavern, the Wild Duck Pokemon struck the Slaking on its right side, blowing it away from the Pikachu it was holding against the wall. As Pikachu touched down on the ground and caught its breath, it gave a nod to the knight-like Pokemon at its side.

With Sceptile distracted, Lucario freed itself from its grip, throwing the weight of the larger Pokemon over its shoulder and onto the ground before it. As Sceptile gazed up at the Aura Pokemon standing over it, Lucario gave a smirk as it swung its right palm forwards, blasting the enemy Pokemon in the face with a point-blank Force Palm.

"Alex!" Alexa cheered rushing forwards to her fellow Aura Guardian. "You're okay!"

"I'm in a bit of pain," The Professor said, pointing out his injured arm. "But I'll live. I had to be sure you guys were safe."

"How did you find us?"

"Well, about three minutes ago I came to up top. Dragapult filled me in, so I climbed aboard and we zipped on through the Chamber. Saw Blue fighting a Rocket Lady, and your Pokemon duking it out with the Regis, so I figured we were going the right way. Made it down here in no time." His Pseudo-Legendary gave a grin with its wide mouth, as it was known for its stealthy capabilities and speed.

When Max had reawoken, he peered through the lenses of his broken glasses, seeing his Pokemon battered before him. All while Alexa, Alex, their Pokemon and Pikachu stood tall, speaking amongst themselves. "Oh- my head!" The boy wailed.

"Can it," Alex aggressively stated as he marched forwards, keeping his charred right arm pressed up next to his body. Sticking his foot out, the Champion of Galar pinned Max to the wall intending to get some information out of the boy. Max writhed under Alex's foot, afraid of what would happen to him. "So, you're the tosser who's been messing with my mate Ash. If you don't want to lose anymore of your teeth, you better start talking!"

"Woah, woah, Alex! Isn't this a little much!?" Alexa said, as the Champion of Galar she had seen was often a friendly 21 year old, who seemed incapable of such negative emotions.

"Get a read on his Aura, kid," The Champion said, as his striking gold eyes stared into Max's soul. As the pair tuned in, they could tell that Max reeked of deception. "He's hiding something. And I intend to get it out of him."

"Okay! I'll tell you!" Max said, as he struggled beneath the sole of Alex's sneaker. "Giovanni isn't just waiting for Ash at the doorway with Mewtwo! He's got Tobias with him!"

"Tobias?" Alex questioned, unfamiliar with the name alone.

"Tobias." The young Ketchum said as a chill ran down her spine. Months ago, in a plot to get back at Ash, she along with her Mother, May, Manaphy and Meowth would all be kidnapped and held hostage, leading to the Battle of the Warehouse. Having not been an knowledgeable trainer yet, she experienced a moment of helplessness as she was used as bait in an attempt to lure out her brother. "Ash told me before how Tobias was the reason he lost at the Sinnoh League… He's the one who captured us all, leading to that fight in the warehouse a few months back."

"So now I remember," Alex said, glaring back at Max. "I got a call from Paul that night saying a deranged lunatic was looking for revenge on Ash. I was a little preoccupied saving my home region from destruction though, so I couldn't make it."

"But- Tobias was put in jail! And Darkrai and his Latios left him and joined my brother!" Alexa said, as a dark, grey haired figure with a set of glowing red eyes appeared in her head.

"Well Giovanni busted him out," Max said, glaring up at the man who was still restraining him with one foot. "And he's gonna have Tobias help him trap Ash in the Immortal Battlegrounds! And he's gonna win too-!" Hearing enough, Alex released Max beneath his right foot, before coming through with a punt kick across the left side of Max's cheek with the opposite foot. Max fell forwards, hitting the ground face first with a thud.

"C'mon," The Champion said to Alexa in a serious tone. "We gotta go find your brother." With a nod, Alexa along with Pikachu, Lucario, Sirfetch'd and Dragapult turned and began walking down the cavern that Ash had darted through. Pushing himself back up off the ground behind them was Max, readying his Pokeballs in his hands.

"Mightyena! Slowbro!" The boy exclaimed as blood dribbled out his mouth, throwing out his Pokemon. The Mightyena leaped forwards and gave a low snarl, while the Mega Slowbro balanced on the tip of its tail with a dopey look on its face.

As Max returned his fainted Sceptile and Slaking, Alex let out a frustrated sigh as he turned around. "How many times do I have to teach you this lesson, Lil' Man?!" He shouted.

"Pika pika!" The Electric Mouse said, ready for Round Two.

"NO! I can't let you go any further!" Max shouted, as if he had some panic in his voice. "Do you know what Giovanni would do to me if I let the Champion of Galar in on his meeting with Destiny?!" After uttering these words, the Mightyena and Mega Slowbro lunged forwards at the pair of Aura Guardians. Intercepting the two were Pikachu, Sirfetch'd and Dragapult, engaging them in a brawl.

Alex clenched his teeth, looking down at the blackened skin on his arm. He then turned and looked at the teenage girl standing at his side. "Alexa, how many Pokmeon you got ready for battle?"

"Five fully healed, and then Lucario!"

"Then you go down this tunnel. Find Ash at the doorway and help him in his fight against Giovanni and Tobias."

"What!?" The teenager exclaimed. "But... I can't save the Multiverse! I'm not strong enough!"

Placing his left hand on the girl's shoulder, the mentor figure gazed into her blue eyes with his gold ones. "I'm sorry kid, but I'm in no shape for an all-out tussle. And the rest of my best battlers are up on the surface." Alexa glanced down at the right wrist of the Professor, at the site of where his Dynamax Band malfunctioned. She then looked back up to his face, seeing the hope in his eyes. "But you're ready for this. It's what your Guardian's Training has led up to. You're stronger than you realize and right now, your brother needs you! Now go!"

Feeling an invigorated feeling within her, Alexa put on a brave face as her and Lucario nodded their heads to the Champion. Spinning around, she and her partner Pokemon ran down the long corridor, hoping to find Ash before it was too late. If he entered Arceus's gateway before she got there, or if the Eclipse ended, it would all be over for him and everyone in the Multiverse.