Pokémon Journey: XYZ
Hey guys Paradox here and welcome to Chapter 111 and Chapter 28 of XYZ. Here Ash takes a breather to see further inward of his worth. As I stated before this is a personal challenge that only he has to face. Expect this to be a bit more intense than the anime. Enjoy.
"We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated."- Maya Angelou
Chapter 111: Illumination
By morning Clemont, Bonnie, and Serena were having breakfast but Serena merely mull with her bowl of oatmeal. Ash hasn't return since last night, and she woke up to an empty bed. "Is everything okay Serena?" Bonnie asked. "No, Ash never came back last night." Serena said. "Surely he didn't spend all night outside in the cold?" Clemont said. "Apparently he did. He hasn't been himself since he lost against Wulfric." Bonnie said. "We know Bonnie." Serena reminds her.
"Everyone, I'm afraid I have some bad news. You all need to come with me." Nurse Joy rush over to them. The trio immediately dropped everything and went with Nurse Joy over to Greninja's room. Once inside, everyone notice that Greninja was gone. "But how could've he recovered so quickly?! Clemont asked. "You don't think Greninja could've gone after Ash don't you?" Bonnie adds. "I think that maybe the case." Serena said worriedly.
In the Winding Woods, Greninja sat on top of a tree pondering about everything that happened. The gym battle yesterday, the 'discussion' his trainer had with him last night, now he heard that his trainer ran off and never came back. I let my fear get the better of me and I shouldn't have taken my frustration on you." Greninja angrily punched the tree. Of course it was his fault, his trainer got impatient, sloppy, and even blamed him for their failure. Even so based on last night, his trainer hasn't given up on him.
On the patio outback, Pikachu wondered where his trainer was. He wondered how he can help, but his trainer wouldn't want to be found otherwise he would've return by now. Getting a light bulb in his noggin, Pikachu walks over to Ash's trainer belt to release the others. Hawlucha, Talonflame, Noivern, and Lucario wondered about their release. Pikachu instructed them to train while their trainer is unavailable. Some had questionable looks but listened.
Meanwhile Serena walked outside on the patio to see Ash's Pokémon doing their own activity. In her mind she sympathizes with them, trying to do something to keep their minds off their trainer. However she couldn't do such a thing, Ash has been gone for almost half a day. With each passing minute created more worry for Serena. "That's it, I'm going after him." Serena couldn't take it anymore and dashes into the forest to find Ash.
"So you haven't seen Serena?" Clemont asked. "I think she went into the forest to find Ash." Bonnie said. "Did she take Ash's Pokémon with her?" Clemont asked. "No they're out there." Bonnie pointed outside the window to see Ash's Pokémon taking turns striking a tree. It was Hawlucha's turn and uses Karate Chop to hit the tree but only to have snow drop on him, he grunts in dissatisfaction for he wasn't feeling potential in this. The others feel the same way and felt that something essential was missing for all of them.
Ash never move from his spot on a log. He sat there all night. He didn't care how cold it got last night or how it numb his skin for the least the cold also numb his pain. "Ash." Ash slightly looked up to see his childhood sweetheart standing ahead of him panting. But Ash said nothing and not even Serena's love and support could thaw him out of this funk. "Ash talk to me. I can help you." Serena approach closer.
"Might as well." Ash thought. "Serena...I give up." Ash look to her eyes. "What do you mean?" Serena asked. "I..give..up..I am sick and tired of trying to figure out this stupid Synchronization form! I've been going at it for weeks and I should've had it by now but no! I am as just far to figuring it out as I am to getting myself killed trying." Ash explained. "Don't say that and don't be so hard on yourself. You will get the form down just like Olympia said." Serena said.
"Oh please, that this point I'm tired of be reminded of Olympia and her fairy tales. And you know what's the sad part, is that somehow Sawyer manage to get through this place with a gym badge in hand. I ask why? because I'm the trainer with years of experiences and training. Why? was it that Wulfric gone easy on him? Did he not use his Key Stone against him?! I don't know!" Ash exclaims. "Ash, you shouldn't be jealous of Sawyer's success. What matters is what will you do to beat Wulfric and I think it's finally mastering the Synchronization form." Serena said as Ash couldn't really heed in Serena's words.
"Look you lost, I get that. I loss a couple of times during my showcase career." "Stop." Ash interrupts. "What?" Serena looks surprised. "Just. Stop! Because you don't have a clue how I feel!" Ash stood up angry. Serena was shocked that Ash was now getting angry at her. Despite this, she stood her ground. "What do you mean I don't have a clue! I certainly do!" Serena yells. "No you don't! Because I'm the one with powers, I'm the one burden with a stupid power I can never get down!" Ash yells back.
"You certainly don't understand because you actually set out what you left home for. You're the Kalos Queen for crying out loud." Ash said. "So you're jealous of my success too?" Serena questions. "Yes-I mean no, no I'm not. You can't understand because this is something that only I am burdened within and no one I repeat no one can help me!" Ash said as he turn his back on her.
Suddenly he felt a ball of snow hit the back of his head. He turn back but to see Serena shaking in anger but also had tears falling down her eyes. "You think no one is helping you? What about Clemont and his machines, what about Drake?...What about me? I have done nothing but support you on this entire journey. I gave my position as Kalos Queen for you, and all you can do is mope around. What happen to 'never give up until its over?'" Serena asked with her voice croaking.
Ash was taken back by Serena's emotions and her tears. "Serena..what do you want from me?" Ash asked softly. "What do I want?! I want my boyfriend back! The man I fell in love with because you're not him!" Serena overcame with sadness as she threw more snowballs at Ash's face. Ash would've dodge but was too taken back a hurt Serena that he let the snowballs hit him, causing him to trip back on the log behind him and fall on his back. The last thing he heard was Serena running away crying.
Ash laid in snow, unable to comprehend what had just happen. How far did he fall? How much farther did he fell for blaming Serena. "Serena" his greatest supporter, his greater half, ran away hurt and sadden. Caused by him. "No...NOOOO!" Ash yells to the heavens. Slowly rising up, he felt tears leaving his eyes. "Serena?" Ash called out. That this point, he didn't care about his anger and rage. All he wanted was Serena. "Serena! I'm so sorry!" Ash thrashes in the snow. He broke his promise to her, he's promise he would never hurt her again. But it happened. All this was too much and Ash broke down with his face buried in the snow. "Man, I wish Drake were here." Ash thought.
Clemont and Bonnie hung around watching Ash's Pokémon continue to train but without Ash they've had little success. "I feel terrible for them." Bonnie told Dedenne and Squishy. "Perhaps this will lift their spirits. Chow time everyone." Clemont and Bunnelby came out with bowls of Pokémon food. After training everyone was indeed famished and rush to Clemont's feet for food.
Once getting everyone settled, Clemont and Bonnie notice Serena coming back from the forest and she didn't appear happy. "Serena, where'd you go?" Bonnie asked. "Out." Serena spoke plainly and quite irritated. "Did you find Ash?" Clemont asked. "Oh I found him alright." Serena sound more annoyed when hearing Ash's name. Clemont and Bonnie looked at each other worried, meaning that something must have happened between Ash and Serena. "Did he say if he was coming back soon?" Clemont continued. "No and quite frankly I don't care!" Serena snapped.
"Everyone." The trio turn to see Nurse Joy at the door. "I've received an alert and a storm is sure to come tonight." Nurse Joy said. While eating, Pikachu notice a snowflake land on his nose followed by another, which meant only one thing. "I ask you three to be indoors before comes in full." Nurse Joy warns. "Guys Ash is still out there." Bonnie reminds. "Then we have to go after him." Clemont adds. "Ash can take care of himself. He's an Aura Guardian for crying out loud." Serena refuses. "Surely you don't mean that." Clemont said. Pikachu knew what was coming and agreed with Bonnie and Clemont. Hopping next to Serena, Pikachu pleaded with Serena to help. Serena easily broke there. Like Clemont said, of course she didn't mean it. If anything happened to Ash because she refuse to help him, she would never forgive herself. "Oh alright! Let's go!" Serena yells as she stands up. "You're saying you'll help find him?" Bonnie asked. "I'm saying I'll drag him on his butt back when we find him." Serena said determined.
Ash continues to walk through the forest unsure what to do. He was no doubt lost but could care less for he was too buried in pity for his pessimism, and his shame for hurting Serena. As he walks, he didn't notice several small Pokémon looking at him. Suddenly a twig breaking broke his trance and Ash failed to see a rock ahead of him, causing him to trip and roll downhill. Down the hill lead to a end of a cliff and Ash had no way to break his fall and could only go down. Ash screamed while regretting not bringing his staff for his grapple hook.
Then by luck, he land on a balloon surface as he bounced abit up and he looks to see that he landed on a sleeping Snorlax. "Man, that could've been messy." Ash drew breath as he gets off of Snorlax's belly but wasn't careful and landed face first in the snow. "I definitely deserve this." Ash muffles. "Doof?" Ash looks up to see a Bidoof three inches from him. "Hey." Ash said until sees the Bidoof began to panic. "What is it?" Ash asked until he hears a groan behind him. He looks to to see that Snorlax was starting to roll over and both knew they wouldn't want to be crushed a thousand pounds of blubber.
Quickly reacting, Ash rolls ahead while grabbing the Bidoof to safety before Snorlax landed with a great thud. "Whew I'm just having a lot of close calls today." Ash said. Bidoof was glad it didn't get crushed and thanked Ash for the rescue. "You're welcome friend." Ash said. Suddenly they both notice that snow was starting to come down and Bidoof had instincts that a storm was near. Ash however had more of a hunch, one he hoped to be wrong about.
"Let me guess, a storm is coming?" Ash asked the Bidoof who nodded. "*sigh* and I won't be able to make it to the Pokémon Center by the time it hits. I don't suspose you know where the nearest shelter is little guy." Ash asked the Bidoof who seem to have a good idea where to stay at and precede to lead Ash to safety.
Meanwhile Greninja couldn't let go of his anger towards his trainer. He's been racking his brain trying to find any sort of sympathy for Ash. Thinking throughout his adventures, he had come so far perhaps much more than any other of his kind. No other Froakie, Frogadier, or other Greninja could do what he had done. There was no thing like him except him, the people of Ninja Village showed him that when they reveal his destiny. However what is his destiny is also tied to his trainer. What they can do can only be done together. Ash channels the power for Greninja who then harnesses the power to transform. Plus Greninja remembers Ash's words that he was sincerely bad about his actions. With all this, Greninja's angrily punches the tree once more to calm down then to leave to find his trainer.
More snow was falling by volume as the gang tries to locate Ash but with no success. The other Pokémon stayed behind but Pikachu insisted to come along. It was now starting to get worse when fog began to settle and wind was beginning to pick up. "It's starting to get worse." Bonnie howls out. "I don't think we'll be able find Ash in this storm." Clemont said. "No we can't give up on him. Who knows what condition he is." Serena said. "I'm sure Ash has found himself some shelter. Right now we gotta do the same." Clemont said. Meanwhile Squishy agreed with Clemont about refuge and use nearby Z-Cells to look around the area. One examination show promise of a cave nearby.
With that Squishy hops out of Bonnie's bag to lead the way. "Squishy do you know something?" Bonnie asked as the former gurgles quickly while pointing ahead. "Guys I think Squishy found a place to stay." Bonnie said. "Follow him, the storm is getting worse." Clemont said. "But guys, what about Ash?" Serena asked with worry. "We can only hope that he made it to safety Serena but we gotta go." Clemont said as he and Bonnie ran off with Squishy. But Serena and Pikachu would worry more as they could only pray for Ash.
"Aww man!" Ash yells as he finally runs inside a hollow tree away from the storm. "It's really starting to come down." Ash said as the Bidoof seem to agreed. Meanwhile Greninja was jumping from tree to tree hoping to find Ash but the storm really made things complicated and can only follows his instincts to finding Ash. If not by instinct then Greninja could also tap into the connection he shares with Ash to find him. Ideally he went with the latter.
In the cave Clemont managed to get some wood to make a fire to which Delphox helps light. With the storm above them, everyone huddled around the fire to keep warm. Serena however, could only stare inside the flames for comfort. "I'm sure Ash is okay Serena." Bonnie broke Serena of her trance. "It's not just that. It's...when I went and found him, he was very broken. I tried to cheer him up but he just wouldn't listen. Then he said some mean things then I said some mean things..I.I didn't mean them." Serena sobs out. "I'm sure Ash didn't mean those things either." Bonnie said. "I.I don't know if he'll truly come back to me." Serena said. "If Ash truly loves you, he will. We know he will." Clemont said.
Ash and the Bidoof watch the storm rage outside. Whilst there a Sentret, a Scatterbug, an Oddish, a Budew and a Zigzagoon looked inside the hallow tree to see shelter and a human inside. Bidoof points outside to see its fellow neighbors. "Hey guys. Need to get out of the storm?" Ash called while the Pokémon remain cautious. "I won't hurt you, I promise." Ash said as Bidoof vouches for him. There the Sentret went inside first which gave everyone else the okay to head on in.
Everyone huddled together to stay warm while Ash held his legs close to his chest. "It's surely better in here right?" Ash asked as the Pokémon said nothing to an awkward moment. "Seeing this...reminds me of a day like this..I was seven and it was raining unlike now. I got lost exploring the forest and I manage to find shelter in a hollow tree just as it started to rain. A bit later I saw Pokémon like you guys who wanted to get out of the rain. I invited them them together we kept warm. It was a happy moment and inspire me further to become a trainer." Ash tells the tale. The other Pokémon sympathies with Ash and happily shares body warmth with him. This feeling warmth Ash's heart that even when things look bleak, there's always light at the end.
Once everyone was asleep, Squishy crawled out of Bonnie's bag and snuck out of the cave. Taking matters into his own stump, Squishy needed to find Ash but perhaps by first finding Greninja would lead to his trainer. Sending a call to all nearby Z-Cells, Squishy merge will them to morph into its 10% forme. Now a dog, Squishy quickly covers more ground to find Greninja.
While staying warm, Ash heard several cries piercing through the wind. "Did you guys hear that?" Ash asked. The Sentret pointed outside to a tree as everyone saw three Spewpa on a winding branch trying to hang on for dear life. "Those Spewpa are in trouble." Ash said as he ran outside to the tree. "Oh shoot." Ash said when he saw that the branch where the Spewpa were hung over a cliff. "What is it with this forest and cliffs? I'm gonna need some help!" Ash told the Pokémon as they rush over. "Okay I'm gonna need to you all to catch them as I drop them to you okay?" Ash explains as everyone agreed.
Squishy barked loudly to the wind for Greninja. It almost seem hopeless but not anymore when Squishy heard a battle cry and Greninja landed in front of it. Like Squishy, Greninja wanted the same thing: to find Ash and ask Squishy to scan the nearby area. With the remaining Z-Cells in the area, Squishy examines the surrounding area through the Z-Cells and saw Ash climbing a tree and dropping Pokémon from up top. Telling Greninja where to find him, Squishy decided to let Greninja take over from here as the blue frog left.
Getting two out of the three was a sinch for Ash as the other Pokémon group their bodies together to catch the two Spewpa, all that remains was the third one. Ash had to carefully crawl across the branch but each time it creak and Ash wasn't hopeful it could support his weight much longer. "Come on little guy." Ash reached out to the Spewpa but the little bug was too scared out of his wits to move. Ash tries to crawl closer but could feel the branch about to give at any moment. "Come on buddy, this branch ain't gonna hold much longer." Ash pleads as the Spewpa worries about being blown away. "You can trust me." Ash said as the Spewpa slowly crawls to him but by then it was too late.
The branch finally snapped and both Ash and the Spewpa go crashing down over the cliff. Fortunately for Ash, he was tug back up when a long tongue wrap around his waist. "What...Greninja." Ash said when he saw him. Setting him down, Ash didn't rest yet. "Its not over buddy. There's a Spewpa falling as we speak and it needs us." Ash said.
"Ready?" Ash said as Greninja nods. Both need to synchronize to save a life. Ash channels his Synergy to Greninja as the latter morphs to the perfect form of Ash-Greninja, giant ninja star and all. With that Ash-Greninja jumps over the cliff and goes diving. To catch up Greninja jumps against the cliff wall to gain speed as Spewpa continues to fall. While he still falls, Ash navigates through Greninja's eyes when we sees a pillar of rock in Greninja's way. "Watch ahead of you." Greninja heads Ash's voice in his head when he see the pillar. Using his giant ninja star, Greninja throws it and destroys the pillar in one blow. With the way now clear, Greninja free falls into he surely grasp Spewpa in his arms.
Then by using its other arm and legs, Greninja slowed his decent until he stuck to the cliff surface. With ninja abilities, it was little effort for the Ninja Pokémon to quickly scale back up cliff face and back to Ash. "Alright!" Ash cheered as Greninja mimics his movements. "I gotta say, that was the first time we ever got right." Ash said as Greninja slightly agreed with that statement.
"Listen I..I want to apologize." Ash said until Greninja interrupted him for already apologizing earlier. "No, no, you deserve a proper apology. I was stupid, impatient and most importantly..keeping my trust at arms length from you. I figure since I'm the trainer I needed to bear most of the weight. I thought most the phenomenon would fall on me. Since you couldn't transform without weakening and the cause was me, I thought of I needed to push myself harder by forcing the connection, forcing myself to control your actions but instead I would only push you father away. I was a fool because I didn't place my complete trust in you. It was only that I allow myself to let go of my fears and to share the weight we both have to bear is when we can truly see. So what do you say we start fresh, wipe the slate clean." Ash said as he shares his hand. Greninja smiled internally as he turns back to base form. He accepts Ash's hand in starting anew and now understanding the power of Synchronization.
The storm was beginning to pass as everyone thought it was safe to head out. Prior to this, no one notice Squishy leave and return back to them, settling in Bonnie's bag. "So how are we gonna be able to find Ash?" Bonnie asked. "The storm's passing and it'll be easier to locate him." Clemont said. "It doesn't matter. I'll search for Ash all day if I have to." Serena said. "I don't think we have to search for him anymore." Bonnie pointed through the fog where Ash and Greninja appeared as they walk to them.
"Ash! Greninja!" Serena said as everyone walks to them. Pikachu was ecstatic to see Ash and hops on his shoulder. "I missed you too buddy." Ash pet Pikachu's chin. "We were so worried about you two." Bonnie said. "We found some shelter and we also work some things out." Ash said. "You had me incredibly worried." Serena said. "I needed to get my head straight. Plus me and Greninja also manage to get down the Synchronization forme..for real this time." Ash said. "You sure?" Clemont asked. "Positive, just see tomorrow when we rechallenge Wulfric." Ash said. Serena smiled brightly at Ash's rebound confidence. This was the Ash she always admires, the man she fell in love with.
It was late night and the gang headed back to the Pokémon Center to retire for the evening. In their room, Serena just laid next to Ash as the latter waited for her and Ash knew he had just one more apology to give before the night was over. "Hey listen, I want to apologize for what happened earlier. I am so sorry, I shouldn't have let out my frustrations on you." Ash said. "I know, if any I'm sorry for saying those mean things." Serena told.
"But they were true things. And you were right, you are my biggest supporter and I wouldn't have made it to where I am without you. And it pains me that you let aside your dream for me." Ash croaked. "It was my choice to, and besides Palermo let me a year to relax so there's no harm or foul." Serena said. "I promised that I wouldn't hurt you again and I broke it today. I don't know how to make it up to you." Ash said. "I forgive you, just like that and I think you should stop making promises you can't keep. We're a couple and couples do have a bout every while. What's important that we don't let it destroy what we have and we just find each other afterwards." Serena said as she strokes Ash's cheek.
"I really don't deserve you." Ash said. "I know, but you're worth infinite to me." Serena smiles thus making Ash smile back. Closing the gap, Ash plants a long kiss to Serena as both then rested their foreheads against each other. No matter the damage, both knew their lives would be incomplete without the other and ensure that they would always remain attached always to the very end. With Ash's rematch later in the day, Ash would ensure victory this time as the Journey continues.
Done, here's Chapter 111. I must admit that the anime episode was one of my favorite in the XY series mainly due to the great emphasis on development. Ash needed this to grow more in the role as a trainer and being half of a conduit of a greater power. This chapter was no different and sure I allow Ash to suffer a bit more than the anime but it's to making this seem more mature and to make Ash stronger not by obtaining more power easily but by realizing his mistakes and how he takes to correct them.
And sure get all over me for making his fight with Serena more intense but I got no regrets. This is a real world moment and in the real world, couples do fight and often make up for it. Lastly is to those who think this chapter was unnecessary then let me explain why I thought otherwise. First and foremost, this was NEVER an OP Ash story in which Ash gets all the powers, the glory, easily defeats his enemies and gets a harem. If you came looking for that then you're in the wrong place. Because where's the fun in that!? It's much more fun to make people suffer for a greater cause, make them work for their reward and to see them squirm when things go to shit.
Secondly and I think I've mention this before, things don't happen just instantly much like Thanos snapping away half the universe away (my thanks to a reviewer who mention that idea.) This story has and will continue to work through the devilish details one chapter at a time all the way through its climax and resolution.
That's my style of writing and this story is no different. You simply have to take my word for it in turn that you guys will be impressed because your support and reviews really help me keep this story going. So with that, next chapter is Ash's rematch with Wulfric for his final Gym Badge, so expect a lot of action next time.
This is Paradox signing off. Goodbye.
