Serena turned off the shower head and stepped out. The young girl winced as she lifted her leg out the bathtub. Already a sizable bruise was forming, courtesy of her mother's Rhyhorn. After drying her hair, Serena inspected herself critically in the mirror, as she always did after one of her training sessions with Rhyhorn. Not too bad today. Aside from a bruise in her lower back and swelling in her shoulder blades, she'd emerged relatively unscathed.
After wrapping a towel around herself and one for her hair, she stepped out the bathroom. The cool breeze of the AC gave her minor goosebumps, overall a small sacrifice for the simple luxury of a warm shower.
Why her mom insisted she participate in Rhyhorn racing was beyond her. Serena had made her feelings on the matter clear but her mom persisted nonetheless. Perhaps it was because of the way her eyes would light up whenever Serena relented and agreed to participate.
During her youth, Grace, Serena's mother, had been a prolific participant in Rhyhorn racing, with enough talent and skill she had been headhunted by a professional team. She traveled the world, making a name for herself and amassing a dedicated following. Even now, years after hanging up her tracksuit, Grace was still recognized whenever she and Serena went out.
Serena wondered whether her mother missed Rhyhorn racing. She saw how passionate she was every time Serena herself slipped into a jumpsuit to try her hand at riding the unruly Rock type. It was not a subject Serena liked to breach. She never knew much about her father, and her mother did not bring him up. She'd lacked any prominent male influence during her childhood, but in spite of what she'd read in the stories, Serena did not find herself missing this stranger who'd left a void in her mom's life.
After learning of her pregnancy, Grace announced her retirement from Rhyhorn racing, to the chagrin of her fans and sponsors, and from then on dedicated her focus and energy into becoming the best mother she could be.
She'd done a good job in that regard. Serena had grown into a very fine young lady. Caring, loving and polite and considerate to others. She'd inherited her mother's refined taste and sense of style, and appreciation for the finer things in life. That is not to say Serena was vain or shallow. Though she preferred not to, she was not unaccustomed to down and dirty work. In the years past of her childhood, her mother employed her help with many of the chores and to-do's of the house. Serena did not bat an eye when she got down on her knees to weed or prune the garden. She happily cleaned and 'groomed' her mother's prize Rhyhorn, oftentimes smudging her work clothes in dirt and mud and laughed when the happy Rock type would bowl her down and lick her cheek like a massive, hundreds-of-pounds puppy. She knew her way around a kitchen, deftly whipping up scrumptious confections. Grace even admitted Serena's macarons easily outclassed her own.
Still, Serena very much liked to treat herself, especially after a session with her mom's spirited Rhyhorn. She wrapped herself in a fluffy bathrobe, donned a pair of equally comfy slippers and padded down to the living room. A nice cold chai is exactly what she needed at this point... and maybe a pack of frozen peas as well.
From the corner of her eye she saw her mom, sitting in the couch, Fletchling perched atop her head and watching the TV intently. Some sort of action spectacle. It wasn't until Serena returned from the fridge and was about to go back up to her room that her mother noticed her presence.
"Serena, get over here, quick," her mother waved urgently. "Something unbelievable has happened."
"Well, something unbelievable has happened to my face, okay," Serena bit back, still sore, both literally and figuratively at her utter demolishment via Rhyhorn. She padded over to see what had her mom so worked up. Ah, one of these wild, action packed Pokemon films. "What movie is this?"
"It's not a movie," her mom replied, eyes glued to the screen. All she needed was an oversized, overpriced drink and a tub of popcorn to complete the picture. "It's happening in real life, over on Lumiose city."
"What?"
Serena watched the television, a shaky cam following a fast moving blur. At the bottom of the screen, a news reel spun, the words 'Live Coverage' boldly spelled out. The reporter uttered the happenstance in a rapid fire pace. Serena could just make out the words rampage, Garchomp, Hyper Beams, evacuation and others that managed to filter through her brain.
"Why is Garchomp attacking the city?" Serena asked, appalled at the sight of the massive dragon firing off continuous Hyper Beams, leveling the city block by block. She only hoped no poor Pokemon or bystanders had been caught in the blasts.
Her mother shrugged helplessly, no more clued in than her at this point.
The camera followed Garchomp at a distance, mindful to keep away from those indiscriminate Hyper Beams. Serena herself did not know much about battling Pokemon at this point but even she was aware of the fact most Pokemon needed a short breather after firing off as draining an attack as Hyper Beam. The Garchomp on screen, however, seemed to defy this rule as the dragon fired off the devastating attacks, one after the other with little pause in between.
It was all the helicopter pilot could do to dodge the incoming blasts. Thankfully, Garchomp did not seem interested in the trailing aircraft, as its Hyper Beams veered wildly in all directions. If it truly wanted to, the helicopter would have been a smoking heap at this point.
The newscasters tracked the Garchomp as it flew into the thick of the city, making its way to the colossal structure of Prism Tower. It landed heavily and even at a distance, it was clear the great dragon was in distress. It winced, roared in pain and furiously shook its head back and forth, as if trying to dislodge something. Then its maw opened and a Hyper Beam fired off, very nearly taking the helicopter right out of the sky.
Serena and her mother gasped at the near miss. The pilot flew back in spite of the reporter's protests, putting distance between the enraged dragon. Already a crowd had gathered at the base of Prism Tower, civilians and news people alike as they fought for coverage of the event. A dozen cameras aimed in the direction of Garchomp, who was in the process of slamming its head against the steel walls.
The camera then zoomed in on a spot a good twenty feet away from Garchomp. An incredibly brave or incredibly stupid individual had climbed the tower, a boy, who slowly advanced on the furious dragon, his hands held up placatingly and trying to talk down the beast. Perhaps it was Garchomp's trainer? The cameras all pointed to this new addition, zooming in.
A young man, not much older than Serena, with a Pikachu and Froakie trailing after him, bodies tense and ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. A city full of danger, an enraged Garchomp not in control of itself and collateral damage galore. So many things that could have gone wrong yet in spite of all that, Serena's attention was commanded by this boy. As she took in the features of his face, her mind sparked a flicker of recognition and amidst the chaos, Serena's thoughts drifted to this boy.
"Is that...?"
"Professor?"
"Hm? What is it, Ash?"
"I wanted to talk to you about something I've discussed with professor Oak. See, I brought back a bunch of my Pokemon I captured on other regions. Professor Oak said that with this many high level Pokemon, I could challenge the gyms here. But he said that I need a formal approval by the regional professor and that the gym battles would be different than the ones I'm used to. What did he mean by that?"
"Ah, yes!" Professor Sycamore snapped his fingers. "Now I remember. Oak phoned me a few days ago, saying just that. Now then, Ash. Tell me, when you go to other regions, what do you usually do? Do you take the Pokemon you've captured on previous journeys or do you like to start anew?"
"I usually just take Pikachu with me. Why?"
"You see Ash, when you register for a new region, you are required to register the Pokemon you'll be taking with you, if any. When trainers do like you and just take one Pokemon or several low level ones, this information is recorded in the Pokedex and it allows gym leaders to determine whether they'll use weaker Pokemon, or high level ones to match your own. Because you've only taken Pikachu with you when traveling to new regions, I assume you build up your team with freshly caught Pokemon, am I right?" Ash nodded. "Well then, because you do this, the gym leaders of the regions you've faced will battle you with Pokemon according to the level of your Pokemon, to ensure a more even fight."
"Wow, I never knew that," Ash breathed.
"Yes. But because you came to Kalos with a full roster of high level Pokemon, you are cleared to battle gym leaders who will use their own powerful Pokemon as well. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I do. But..." Ash trailed off. "I was hoping to catch more Pokemon here in Kalos. A-and to train them and have them battle with trainers and gym leaders."
Sycamore quirked and eyebrow. "Is that so? I like your enthusiasm, Ash but training the Pokemon you already have with you in addition to new members of your team is no easy task."
"That doesn't worry me, professor. I'm up to the challenge," Ash boasted confidently, thumping his chest for good measure.
The professor couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, you have the will, I'll give you that. Now then, if you'll hand me your pokedex... oh, wait! You don't have the Kalos region pokedex, do you?" Ash shook his head. "In that case, follow me." He led Ash to a nearby computer terminal, from which Sycamore retrieved a shiny new pokedex.
"This is the pokedex for the Kalos region. I've made sure to register you as a trainer under special privileges."
"Special privileges?"
"Yes. Quite frankly, I'm amazed you haven't put in the request before. I'm sure you would have been approved fairly quick." At Ash's blank look, he asked, "You didn't know? Usually trainers who visit a new region are issued a booklet containing this information. Didn't professor Oak give you one?"
Ash's eyes widened and a healthy blush spread to his cheeks. Indeed, he did recall professor Oak had handed him a new set of supplies each time he'd set off for a new region. Some pokeballs, a map, provisions... and an innocuous booklet among them.
"Well, he did. But I haven't really... um..."
"Ah," Sycamore remarked. "Well, better late than never. If you want, I will register you as a trainer with special privileges. Among these privileges, trainers are allowed to keep a larger roster of Pokemon than the traditional six. It is a testament to those who have proven themselves at raising Pokemon, and you certainly fit the bill."
"What? So I can carry more Pokemon this time around?" Ash asked excitedly. "How many, professor?"
"Twelve. You'll be allowed to keep up to twelve Pokemon in your party, double the number you started out with. In addition, you may request gym battles to match up to the levels of the Pokemon you intend to use." At Ash's questioning look, he continued. "You see Ash, when you challenge a gym, you'll be asked whether you want to use the Pokemon you caught here in the Kalos region, or the ones you already have. Depending on your answer, the leaders will use Pokemon whose levels match your own. However, there is a catch to this."
"A catch?"
"Yes. You may only use either the Pokemon you caught here in Kalos, or the ones you caught in other regions. If you want to challenge a gym leader with the Pokemon you've caught in your journey here, you are allowed to use Kalos Pokemon and Kalos Pokemon only, meaning your stronger, more experienced battlers would sit this one out. Do you understand?"
"I do..." Ash muttered, rubbing his chin in thought.
"The reverse is also true. You can register your Pokemon from other regions and the gym leaders will use stronger Pokemon accordingly."
"Wow, those are sure to be some good battles."
"Indeed. So what do you say Ash? Would you like to sign up for these privileges?"
"Would I? Where do I sign?"
Before Sycamore could answer, a furious roar ripped through the peaceful lab. Almost immediately, the very floor shook and trembled and Ash watched, wide eyed as a powerful Hyper Beam effortlessly vaporized everything it touched.
"Look out!" Ash cried and tackled Sycamore, who had stood flabbergasted as the deadly beam almost blasted him away. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, but Garchomp... what could..." Regaining his composure, Sycamore stood, all traces of surprise gone. "Come on, Ash. Something has happened to Garchomp and we need to find out what."
Ash nodded and followed the professor down to the reception hall. Bonnie and Clemont were there as well, as was Pikachu, angrily chittering at an unpleasantly familiar group of individuals.
"Team Rocket!" Ash growled.
"You are such annoying bad people!" Bonnie accused, her normally happy features now mad.
"You know these guys, Ash?" Sycamore asked.
"Team Rocket is a group of bad guys who try to steal everybody's Pokemon."
"Try? We succeed," Jessie countered.
"And today, Garchomp will fill that need."
"There's nothin' like doing an evil deed," Meowth crowed from atop Wobbuffet.
"It can't be! A talking Meowth?" Sycamore gasped in disbelief.
"De wisdom gushes out of my mouth," the cat Pokemon gushed, preening at the professor's amazement.
But the raging Garchomp roared once more, firing off a Hyper Beam that hit Team Rocket full force, blasting them off again. But even in spite of this minor victory, Garchomp did not quiet down. Ash and Sycamore's words did not reach it, as a strange device attached to its neck glowed a sinister red. It sparked and crackled, eliciting fresh howls from the dragon.
In desperation, the pained dragon's maw opened and fired off yet another Hyper Beam, narrowly missing the people gathered in the room. Clemont grabbed Bonnie and sent them both down. Ash, Sycamore and his assistant dived out of the way.
"Garchomp, stop this!" Sycamore shouted, not that the great dragon paid any heed. It stumbled wildly, crashing against the walls and bookshelves. In a last ditch attempt to do something, anything to free itself from the pain, Garchomp folded its wings and flew out the window, leaving shattered glass in its wake.
"Is everybody okay?" Sycamore asked as everyone regained their footing. Thankfully, no one had been hurt.
"We're all right," Clemont answered as he helped Bonnie to her feet.
"Garchomp must be in a lot of pain," Ash said, staring at the big hole the dragon made.
"What's gonna happen to Garchomp now?" Bonnie asked.
"I don't know," Sycamore said. "Whatever that device is, it's causing Garchomp a lot of pain."
"Then what are we waiting for? We need to go help Garchomp now!" Ash bolted out the door, Bonnie and Clemont hurrying in his wake.
Team Rocket, Team Rocket. Why was it always them, Ash wondered as he ran in Garchomp's general direction. One only had to follow the bloodcurling howls and explosions that it left. The populace of Lumiose had been caught unprepared. Some poked their heads out their homes, clearly baffled and with no clue what was going on. Many of the people out in the streets were on their cell phones and Pokemon herded, pulled and pushed their trainers to get away from the destruction.
Through it all, Ash followed Garchomp's trail of carnage to Prism Tower. The dragon crashed heavily in the topmost levels, well off the ground and away from people, which was a relief. Nevertheless, Garchomp was in pain and in need of help.
"Oh no, it's locked," Ash grunted as he tried to access a hatch at the base of the tower.
"What... what are you... what are you doing A..." Clemont wheezed, hunched over and about to throw up a lung.
"Honestly, you're so slow!" Bonnie complained.
"I gotta get close to Garchomp," Ash said, trying to force the hatch open.
"But it's dangerous," Clemont said.
Ash's eyes found Clemont's and the blonde boy was taken aback by the sheer ferocity brewing beneath Ash's countenance. "Garchomp's the one in danger. I gotta find a way to get that collar off."
"Well, if you insist." Clemont nudged Ash aside.
"Can you get it open?"
"Of course. Good thing I brought my backpack."
"Huh?"
Clemont pushed up his glasses, grinning smugly. "The future is now, thanks to science! Clemontic Gear on," he commanded and to Ash's surprise, a metallic claw emerged from his backpack, which promptly set about to opening the door.
"Whoa, check that out," Ash said as he, Bonnie, Pikachu and Froakie watched in astonishment as the odd contraption worked.
The claw retracted back into its confines and Clemont proudly declared, "Now we can get in."
"Man, science is cool," Ash said excitedly.
"You got that right. It's my brother's invention," Bonnie said proudly.
"I am kind of good at these things."
"Thanks, Clemont. Now we gotta go and help Garchomp before it's too late."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Bonnie asked.
"We need to help Garchomp before it goes wild."
"It's not wild, Ash. It's in pain," Clemont pointed out.
"That's not what I mean. If Garchomp keeps this up, it'll go into Attack Rage."
"Attack Rage?" Clemont and Bonnie chorused.
Ash recalled that day with Claire in the dragon valley. What was it she said? "When Dragon Pokemon fire off attacks, one right after the other, they can become confused."
"Confused? Is that what will happen to Garchomp?" Bonnie asked, looking upwards to the dragon, her little hands clasped together in worry for the Pokemon.
"It could. And if it does, Garchomp won't be able to stop itself from attacking."
"That's terrible!" Clemont exclaimed.
"Which is why we need to help Garchomp and help it now, before Attack Rage sets in."
"Right. We're with you," Bonnie declared boldly, taking a step forward.
"Me too!" Clemont said with steel in his voice. But Garchomp roared once more and the trio's eyes turned upward, only to see a massive Hyper Beam bearing down on them. The attack struck the ground, creating an explosion that separated Ash and the Pokemon from Clemont and Bonnie, a wall of Rubble in between them.
"Clemont! Bonnie! Are you alright?" Ash asked urgently, his view blocked by the rubble.
"We're fine," Clemont answered. "You go and help out Garchomp. Bonnie and I will catch up."
"Okay. Froakie, Pikachu, let's go!" Ash said and hurried up the stairwell, hoping he was not too late.
He and the Pokemon emerged out into the metallic structure of Prism Tower. Froakie and Pikachu flanked him, and Ash warily approached Garchomp. He hoped he could convince the poor Pokemon to hold still and let them help. It wasn't its fault after all. But as he drew closer and Garchomp sensed his presence, the great dragon set its sights on the new targets.
Ash held up his hands, trying to break through with words to the good Pokemon that Garchomp was. He'd prefer to end this without any further violence or destruction, especially as he had seen firsthand what could happen when a Dragon type entered into Attack Rage.
He recalled to the friendly, peace loving Dragonite who had gone berserk, laying waste to the dragon valley and setting the woods aflame. Trees had been uprooted, the earth razed and the once peaceful valley turned into a veritable war zone. Powerful as Garchomp was, if it did indeed enter into Attack Rage, especially in as large and densely populated city like Lumiose...
The very thought made Ash shudder. Innocent people and Pokemon would no doubt get hurt or worse. No, this had to end and end soon. "Garchomp, stop! We're here to help you."
"Pika pi!"
"Froakie, fro!"
Garchomp returned the gesture of goodwill with a massive Hyper Beam that Ash and the Pokemon were barely able to dodge.
So that's it then, Ash thought. Garchomp is too far gone now. Indeed, the great dragon's eyes had clouded over, any trace of intelligence replaced by a primeval rage. Words wouldn't help now. The best way Ash could help Garchomp was by beating it into submission. An ugly truth, but the Pokemon needed to be stopped at any cost before anyone could be hurt.
"Pikachu, we need to battle Garchomp. Are you ready?" Pikachu nodded and sparks crackled from the pouches on his cheeks. "How about you, Froakie?" The frog Pokemon voiced his consent, taking a battle stance. Ash smiled, proud of them. Most Pokemon would flee at the sight of a rampaging dragon. Still, capable as Pikachu and Froakie might be, an enraged Garchomp was too much for them. For this, they would need help.
Ash's hand wandered to his belt, where a roster of his fully rested team awaited, ready to be called at a moment's notice. He took a deep breath and braced himself for what would undoubtedly be a hairy battle.
"It's now or never," Ash muttered and unhooked a Pokeball, ready to throw.
"Go, Snorlax!"
Man, I'm a bastard, ending it on this note :)
Well, I hope you've enjoyed the second chapter of this story. Admittedly, I'm not a fan of rehashing scenes from the anime, word by word. I dunno, seems like cheating somehow. I try to instill my very own brand of spice and style to keep them from seeming like a copy-and-paste reposting. Unfortunately, it is a bit of a necessity at this point and a few chapters after. Until the story advances and comes into its own, I'll still need to rehash the scenes from the anime, but I'll try to keep them as few and far in between as I can. Se ya'll next time.