Master of Bad Dreams
The Bond of Darkrai Grows!
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.
"Pokémon" – Normal Speech
'Pokémon' – Thoughts
Pokémon – Flashback
Pokémon – Move Names
{Pokémon} – Pokédex
Previously on Master of Bad Dreams,
After a long and suspenseful moment of silence, Bastiodon haven't moved an inch from its crater in the area behind Byron. The referee knew what the verdict, "Bastiodon is unable to battle! Now that Gym Leader Byron is out of fightable Pokémon, Ash Ketchum from Kanto is the winner of this Gym Battle!" The crowds cheered for this exciting fight and how Ash pretty much took everyone by surprise with all those tactics. He sure has come a long way from a trainer that thought only sheer force is the way to win battles. He left that way of training ages ago even before he first set foot in the Sinnoh Pokémon Region.
Meanwhile, Ash returned his Gliscor who gave a reassuring smile despite the sharp panting. The raven haired trainer did find himself smiling a bit warm since that reflected the feeling he had in hear that all that hard training and pulling through the harsh trial with Darkrai had finally shown so positive results. Then he saw Byron approaching him with something in his hands that wasn't a Pokéball.
"Here Ash, take it. You really have impressed me today Ash. You even helped me realize just how I have been treating my son like. Thank you." Byron said in a more mature and respectful tone as he revealed the Canalave City Gym Badge on top of a display platter; something that seemed to be a tradition here in Sinnoh, the other Gym Leaders just give the badge itself with their bare hands. The Badge was shaped like three stones and three pickaxes combined
As Ash walked out of the Pokémon Gym with his latest Gym Badge, he suddenly turned to face the shadow the building was making as the sun shined on the other side. "I know you have been watching all that Darkrai. So tell me what you think about Pokémon battling. Is it really putting Pokémon to the death?"
Not waiting for a spoken answer, Darkrai just emerged from the area the shadow was covering and looked at Ash. Not with eyes of hate or anger but of curiosity. Darkrai did indeed watch the Gym Battle and found himself impressed that no Pokémon were actually hurt severally like he had imagined they would in a Pokémon battle. Instead, Ash entertained him with skill and resourcefulness but more importantly, Ash had understood his opponents and his Pokémon clearly; as they say, 'know your opponent and yourself and you will win a hundred battles without failure'. Looks like they weren't kidding.
Was there more to life in the daylight then fighting and displaying ones strength to impressive others and feel the pleasure of power? Just what is with this trainer that makes Darkrai want to learn more about? A lot more.
"That was so awesome Ash!" Dawn just couldn't contain herself but cheer for that last Gym Battle Ash had fought in. Meanwhile, Brock was busy making a really delicious lunch in celebration for not only showing just how more skilled of a trainer Ash had showed everyone but also for settling the differences between the father and son gym leaders. Ash himself was feeling just dandy knowing that his Pokémon really showing skill and power especially after his nightmarish encounter with his Darkrai.
It was just too bad that they had to cancel their boat plans to the town where the next Pokémon Contest was going to take place. A local said it was because of the Wailord that were blocking all the harbor exits. The Wailord were huge Pokémon based on the blue whale. They all have small beady eyes, a huge mouth, and a throat that is lined with grooves. They also have a blue back with and four white spots, and a tan, grooved underbelly. Finally, they all had two pairs of fins along its sides and a horizontal tail at the back. As long as those Wailord stay put, it was impossible to take a boat out of Canalave City.
"Lunch is ready everyone, come and get it!" Brock said and his friends left the trip down memory lane for the lunch that Brock had been pushing all his talents into. But of course, there is the uninvited dinner guests and this one crashed the party for sure.
"Is that…?" Ash said since he saw this Pokémon in resemblance to another from long ago, during that Pokétch Scandal that Team Rocket pulled off for the sake of stealing all the Pokémon in Jubilife City.
"That is called a Luxio!" Brock yelled as Ash took out his Pokédex to scan this Pokémon that dared ruin their meal.
{Luxio, the Spark Pokémon. By touching friends with its front paws, Luxio is able to communicate through the sparks it emits.}
Luxio is a feline, quadruped Pokémon resembling a young lynx or lion. Blue and black fur covers most of its body. Its ears, face, hind paws, and front half of its body are blue, while its hindquarters are black. Additionally, Luxio has a tufty black mane surrounding its face. The insides of its rounded ears are yellow, as are its eyes. There are two yellow rings around each front leg and a yellow, four-point star on the tip of its tail.
"Hey! That's our food!" Ash and Brock heard Dawn yell and they saw what was going on. Luxio had distracted them while a Whismur and a Nidoran to steal all the food behind their backs!
The Whismur was a mauve, bipedal Pokémon with a spherical body. It has two stubby arms and two round, yellow-tipped feet that lack toes. Its ear covers are long and rabbit-like with yellow tips, and the ear openings can be seen as a hole at the base of each ear cover. Its eyes appear as cross or plus sign-like black marks, and it has a simple, wide mouth usually shown open. It has a small, plug-like tail with a hole in it and a yellow crescent marking above it.
The Nidoran was a small, quadruped rodent-like Pokémon. It is pinkish purple with darker spots, and has large, spiny ears, oversized front teeth, and red eyes. Its back is covered with many large spines that can release potent poisons if threatened. There is a long, pointed horn on its forehead.
They both tried to make a run for it but Ash was no slowpoke and caught them while Brock retrieved the food. But it was temporary as Luxio tackled the two trainers, releasing the caught Pokémon who took the food back while Luxio covered them. When Ash and Brock got back up, they tried to chase after them but Luxio growled at them.
"Don't give me that!" Ash snapped at Luxio who only flinched before continuing to growl at him. "I have nothing to listen to food thieves like you, not get out of our way!" Apparently Luxio didn't appreciate Ash talking him down so it sent a Thunderbolt onto the raven haired trainer!
"ASH!" Brock and Dawn cried out but they were shocked to what happened next.
"Knock that off!" Ash had charged right through the Thunderbolt and tackled Luxio back into a submissive stance. But that didn't last long when Luxio used Iron Tail to launch Ash off once again and ran into the direction of the Whismur and Nidoran . "Come back with our food!"
"Ash wait!" Brock and Dawn sighed before finding themselves chasing after their friend. And they were doing this throughout the entire city until they all saw the wild Pokémon diving into a manhole. Of course, they weren't the only ones there; Team Rocket was as well and they were after Ash's Pikachu again!
And yet Ash ignored them and tried to keep his starter out of their grasp until he noticed that the stomping of their crane like robot had caused the manhole to open, giving Ash to chance to chase after those food thieves. It was just too bad that Team Rocket had accidently bent the manhole along with the cover, making it nigh impossible to move it now. Dawn ignored all that and commanded her Piplup to send Team Rocket flying by using Whirlpool. Still, they couldn't get the manhole loose, not even with the ridiculous strength of Brock's Happiny who a small Pokémon that is shaped like an egg. It has a soft, smooth, light pink body. On top of its head is a curly outgrowth that resembles a ponytail, with a dark pink band around the base. It has three round bumps on its forehead. There is a pouch around the lower half of its body, which resembles a diaper. The pouch is red with a white stripe around the top.
It took until Dawn decided to take the chance with her Mamoswine and it took until the Twin Tusk Pokémon noticed that Ash's scent was all over the bent manhole. He then slammed one of its heavy legs onto the ground, launching the manhole away from the cover entirely. Of course, Happiny had to catch them when the trainers and Piplup were also sent flying.
Meanwhile, Ash was in the sewer with his Buizel out, looking for the food stealing wild Pokémon. Buizel then caught the scent of an electric type, a normal type and a poison type all heading in the same direction. He led Ash to where the scents were setting and not moving, only for both of to see a,
"It's a Wailmer!" Ash proclaimed as he saw the source of all this trouble today. He took out his Pokédex to verify,
{Wailmer, the Ball Whale Pokémon. It spouts water out of its nose and becomes lethargic when its body becomes dry.}
Wailmer is a spherical whale Pokémon with no tail. It has a dark blue topside and a tan underbelly with grooves. It has two fins that have finger-like appendages, baleen plates that resemble teeth, and a blowhole on the top of its head. Wailmer stores water inside its body, which it expels through its nostrils to startle people.
When storing water in its body, it can turn into a bouncing ball. The more water filling its body, the higher it can bounce. It becomes lethargic when it is dry. It eats tons of food a day. It lives in the sea, and can only live on land for a short amount of time. It occasionally bounces onto the beaches to play.
All this could explain why Wailmer looks like it is in pain but not even twitching. And for a water type that is stranded on the clement side of the sewer water path, it was no surprise at all. Thankfully, Ash knew better than to try and push Wailmer over and merely asked of Buizel to spray the Ball Whale Pokémon using Water Gun. It worked like a charm and Wailer was moist enough to get up and into the water on its own.
But the problems were only getting started. Wailmer somehow told Ash that he was also lost in the sewers after separating from the school of Wailord outside. That will explain why all the boats were stranded in the harbor. Ash said that unless he gets Wailmer out of the sewers, both problems will be solved.
That was why Ash asked for the Luxio and his company to show how to get out. That brings to Ash, Buizel and Wailmer following the sewer local Pokémon throughout the tunnels. That is until they came across a large opening in the tunnel, big enough for Pokémon to reside in and that is what Ash and the non-local Pokémon saw to their awe.
"Hordes of Zubat…" The Zubat were blue, bat-like Pokémon. While each one lacks eyes, they has pointed ears with purple insides and a mouth with four pointed teeth. There are two pointed teeth on both the upper and lower jaws for each Zubat, and Ash was always able to tell that the male will have larger pointed teeth than the female. They all have purple wing membranes support by two, elongated fingers, and two long, thin, tails.
"…and Mothim…" The Mothim were moth-like Pokémon with two pairs of wings, one larger than the other is. The wings are primarily tan with an orange, oval marking on each. The tips of the wings split into small, orange squares; there are three on the large pair and two on the small. Mothim have orange eyes with gray, orange-tipped antennae running along the edges before extending and widening above its head. Their body is black with a patch of orange on the underside and a gray stripe down its back. Four gray legs and a small black tail that splits into two squares are also present for each one.
Elsewhere in this residential area for the Pokémon, there were, "…Teddiursa as well…" The Teddiursa were bipedal, ursine Pokémon covered in short, orange-brown fur. Their muzzle is light tan with a small black nose and black eyes. There is a slightly paler tan crescent marking on their faces, and they also have round ears. They each have three claws on its forepaws, and two claws and yellow paw pads on their hind paws. Finally, their tails are short, round, and puffy.
On the other side of the sewer stream were "…Venonat…" The Venonat were Pokémon that Ash had seen ages ago in Kanto and Orange Islands and they each have a round body covered in purple fur. They have their own pincer-like mouth, red compound eyes and a pair of white antennas. It has a pair of clodhopper feet and stubby forepaws. "…Rattata…" Another Pokémon Ash had seen back home in Kanto, the Rattata were small, quadruped rodent Pokémon. Its most notable feature is its large teeth. It has long whiskers and a long, slightly curled tail. Rattata has purple fur on its back, and cream fur on its stomach. Ash saw that the Females have shorter whiskers and lighter fur color.
In addition and in the water with Buizel and Wailmer were Spheal, a Pokémon that Ash had first seen in Hoenn. The Spheal are chubby, spherical, seal-like Pokémon with a short, flat tail. Their plushy fur is light blue with several white spots of various sizes on its back. This covering of fluffy fur protects the Spheal from the cold. They have black, circular eyes, small tusks protruding from its upper jaw, and small, rounded ears. Their stubby flippers and its underside are both beige.
"So all these Pokémon were living down here?" Ash asked no one in particular, not caring if someone replied back. "I guess that is because no one has a good enough reason to come to this part of the sewers and it doesn't seem that anyone upstairs was bothered by any of these Pokémon before us today."
Then Ash saw something that warmed his heart a little and just made a dry chuckle. There was Luxio, with the much younger Pokémon including the Nidoran and Nidoran looking up to it like a big brother. A bit ironic considering what happened today,
"So you are a thief, a mugger, a jerk and it is all because you are primary a big brother?" Ash said and Luxio growled at the statement but somehow, its Intimidate ability didn't work, on either trainer or Pokémon. "You will need to set a better example before you make a Pokémon clan of thieves." Now everyone were protesting but Ash once again ignored them, "Come on Buizel, Wailmer. These homeless Pokémon will only come to help us when they fell like it."
Despite hesitating, Wailmer decided that it didn't want to stay with Pokémon who steal and mob yet treat this as their given right to steal from innocent bystanders. Wailmer just wanted to go home and with its horde. Of course, Wailmer couldn't tell Ash about how it fell over a small waterfall, the one that prevented it from backtracking out of the sewers.
Ash suggested that Buizel will use Surf to back up Wailmer so that it will be high and wet enough to bounce off and onto the stream atop the waterfall. But they were halted when that same trio of Pokémon arrived as soon as Wailmer had gotten somewhere. Ash had to guess that they were only going to try and clear their names as thieves when they saw just how determined Ash was to help a Pokémon. They were never considered to be trained by any trainer so they all had this poor impression on people like Ash or Pokémon raised by trainers like Pikachu.
"Just do what you want. We all got off to a bad start and I am going to bring this Wailmer back to its family whatever or not I will clear all this as well." Ash said and Wailmer was sad that Ash acted 'mean' to the Pokémon that 'wanted to help' but was still relieved and overjoyed to hear that a trainer is going to help. And those homeless Pokémon just shrugged all that off and came with Ash anyways. That is until they came across a much large water fall than the first one!
"You are kidding right?" Ash said in deadpan that matched the looks of all the Pokémon present, with the exemption of Wailmer who was nervous about all this. After all, it did give into its curiosity and now it looks like it will never get out. "I never thought that I will have to do this guys. Don't take it too personally but none of us can help Wailmer in this problem." Ash said as he snaked his hand into his shirt and took out the hidden Pokéball, one that Pikachu and Buizel recognize enough to back away, confusing the other wild Pokémon.
"Darkrai, come on out." Ash said in a monotone, contrasting his usual excitement when he sent out a Pokémon outside its Pokéball. And the Pitch Black Pokémon found himself out in the open again and with Pokémon still backing away from him. Despite this always being this way for Darkrai as long as he can remember, he still felt a little heartbroken. "Darkrai." The dark type legendary Pokémon turned to his trainer, the only person that never looked at him with fear ever since that night in Canalave City. "We need your help."
Ash then turned to Wailmer who somehow looked confused and only a little scared ever since Darkrai emerged from its special and reserved Pokéball. Darkrai saw this was confused that Wailmer was not afraid of him. "Please Darkrai, use your Psychic to take this lost one back home."
Darkrai said and did nothing but stare into the eyes of Wailmer who heard that he had the power to solve this problem. It was the look and sparkles in Wailmer's eyes that amazed Darkrai. He never saw such a wonderful light, he only saw the dark skies at night with no stars to light the way; Darkrai never even seen stars before and he just couldn't get enough,
"Darkrai." The Pitch-Black Pokémon managed to finally hear something after his wonderment with Wailmer's sparking eyes had drown out all sound. Darkrai then concentrated its Psychic type energy which caused his eyes to glow a bright blue and soon, Wailmer did as well. Then Darkrai soared with Wailmer being levitated after him until they both reached the top of the second waterfall.
When Ash and the Pokémon present managed to get up there via the metal ladder attached to the side of the waterfall they were on, they saw that Darkrai was not sad or frustrated like usual with its cold and non-caring attitude but instead, Wailmer was making Darkrai chuckle and this one of amusement rather than cruelty. Ash smiled at the sight while the Pokémon around him did the same.
And on the side, Ash and his friends had been searching for him and they happened to arrive at the top out of an exit nearby. After being briefed on what is happening, Ash's friends agreed that they were see to that Wailmer gets out of the sewers and to the school of Wailord. And then it was in sight, the light at the end of the tunnel like they say. But it wasn't that easy when Wailmer suddenly remembered what really prevented it from ever getting out of the sewers.
It was a, "Swampert!" Ash and Brock yelled out in realization of the nasty looking Pokémon that emerged at the exit to the tunnel. They were aware of Swampert from their adventures in Hoenn. "That is the final evolution state of Mudkip, the water starter type of Hoenn Dawn!" Ash told the local girl who looked at Swampert,
Swampert is a bipedal Pokémon. It has a large cobalt blue body and large three-fingered hands. It has two orange gills that protrude from round patches on its cheeks. Its head has two large semicircular black fins that extend from the top of its orange eyes to the back of its head. Its tail fin is big, broad, and black. It has a white underside and orange ridged portions above its hands and three-toed feet.
{Swampert, the Mud Fish Pokémon. Swampert is a powerful Pokémon that can track even a large ship as well as inflict critical damage to its enemies with one blow.} That is exactly what Dawn's Pokédex said about this Pokémon.
But it also said that Swampert are very strong with enough power to easily drag a boulder weighing more than a ton, batter down opponents, and swim faster than a jet ski. They have powerful vision, enabling it to see even in murky water. Swampert also has the ability to predict storms, sensing subtle differences in the sounds of waves and tidal winds with its fins. When a storm is approaching, Swampert will pile up boulders to protect their nests that they make on beautiful beaches.
And this Swampert had sent out Mud Shots in their direction when Wailmer tried to pass the Mud Fish Pokémon. That proved that Swampert had saw Wailmer in its territory and took it for an intruder so the former frightened Wailmer deeper into the sewers where it couldn't get out on its own. "Pikachu, we need to get him off our trail." Ash said and Pikachu nodded. "Use our new Shock Bolt like we practiced!"
Pikachu nodded while everyone else was wondering just what this strange and foreign sounding move was when Pikachu landed on the ground and sent a Thunderbolt that landed squarely on Swampert who made no move to avoid it. "Ash, Electric-type moves don't work on a Pokémon like Swampert!" Dawn yelled but Ash still had his smirk on,
"Right, no electric type move can do damage but Pikachu and I are not planning on any damage right now." Ash said in an encrypted tone. "Finish the move Pikachu and send Swampert up to the ceiling!" Everyone was shocked to see that Swampert was unable to move while Pikachu's Shock Bolt had kept it still as it was somehow lifted off the ground and sent flying straight up until it was almost glued to the ceiling of the tunnel. "Now it is time for some attacks, Grotle you're up." Ash said calmly as he could be and sent out his Grove Pokémon into the tunnel, "Use Energy Ball!"
The bushes on Grotle's back glow light green or white and he forms a green ball of energy in front of his mouth. Grotle then fired the ball at the disabled Swampert on the ceiling of the tunnel. Being both Water and Ground type, this move dealt a huge amount of damage when Electric type moves can cause any damage.
All that damage had sent the Swampert into blissful unconsciousness, giving everyone else the chance to finally get out of the tunnel and into the sunlight. Unforutnately, Ash didn't think that Wailmer will be so overjoyed that it evolved into a Wailord itself! Now it can't get fit under the drawbridge that they all ever planning to do until this happened.
Still, they could lift up the drawbridge by the control room. But when they arrived there, it was left unchecked after a power surge had disabled the controls. All they needed was enough electrical power but even with Pikachu, that wasn't enough. But thankfully, all the wild Pokémon from the sewers had come on the word on Luxio and his company who had supposedly left Ash and the gang. It turned out that Luxio had somehow taught almost every single one of them the move Shock Wave which allowed every one of them to line up and power the control room. It was a wonderful miracle in hiding that finally revealed itself.
Now Wailord was able to leave the harbor and reunite with the school. But not before showing its gratitude for all Ash and everyone else had down. Meanwhile, Darkrai had been watching every single minute of this adventure and was feeling a little warm to see the happy newly-evolved Wailord be with its family. He must have learned something more about happiness and that it is never built alone.
XXXXX
"Here we are, Iron Island and where Barry was having his problems." Ash said as soon as he and the gang got off the boat that goes to and fro between Iron Island and Canalave City regularly. "And I mean problems with Steel type Pokémon here on this island like his Empoleon." Ash added and his friend all nodded.
They all heard from Barry and pretty soon the news all over Sinnoh reported the incident that on Iron Island, all Pokémon that are either pure or half steel type had been suddenly disobedient and have been going on pretty nasty destructive tendencies to both their trainers and any other Pokémon present on the island. That made Iron Island a very dangerous place.
But their welcome could have been more bittersweet when they were intercepted by a rogue Steel type themselves. "A…"
"Aggron!" Brock started and Ash ended. They have seen an Aggron before, also in Hoenn.
Aggron is a huge, bipedal Pokémon. It is primarily black with plates of silver-colored armor. The armor on its head has two pairs of holes with horns protruding from the foremost holes. Its forehead plating extends past its upper jaw in a small point. It has sky-blue eyes, and two nostril-like holes on the tip of its upper jaw. On the rim of its mouth are several pointed, fang-like protrusions and the nape of its neck and back have gray-silver armor sections. It has wide, blunt spikes on its shoulders, and gray-silver bands on its arms and legs. Its hands and feet each have three claws. It has a thick, long, black tail that it can swing at enemies.
The gouges in Aggron's armor from previous battles are worn as mementos. The more wounds it has, the more it has battled. It claims a large mountain as its territory and fiercely defends it from trespassers. If its environment is damaged by a flood or a forest fire, it will restore the area by bringing in topsoil and planting trees. It burrows through the strongest of bedrock and digs tunnels, as it searches for iron to eat. Its horns, which it uses to dig through bedrock when seeking food, grow a little longer at a time and can be used to determine its age.
Dawn ran behind the guys while scanning it with her Pokédex while she still could. {Aggron, the Iron Armor Pokémon. While seeking iron for food, it digs tunnels by breaking through bedrock with its steel horns.} Ash subconsciously held out one of his arms for Dawn to hide behind more while his other arm allowed his hand to reach for two Pokéballs.
"Get ready Brock. This could be nasty." Ash said and Brock nodded while reaching for one of his own Pokéballs. But before any of the trainers could remove them from their belts, something had caught the attention of all instead.
"Fear not travels who have arrived at Iron Island. We will take care of this." He was a man that seemed to around Brock's age but had features more closely compared to Ash. White skin, spikey black hair and even the voices could similar to Ash's. "Now my friend, use Close Combat." This stranger turned his attention to the Pokémon near him, one that every single trainer recognized as,
"Lucario!" Dawn proclaimed and this time didn't use her Pokédex since she had seen this Pokémon in another place and time.
Lucario is a bipedal, canine-like Pokémon, with fur that is predominantly blue and black. It possesses a short, round spike on the back of each forepaw, in addition to a third on its chest. It has a long snout and ears. When its mouth is open, it has two pairs of pointed teeth, one in the upper jaw and one in the lower. It possesses cream-colored fur on its torso, and blue fur on its thighs that resembles shorts. It has a medium length tail of the same blue color as well. It stands on its toes rather than on its entire foot. It has developed four small black appendages on its head.
And this Lucario moved right in front of Aggron and landed some many hits in such speed that it looked like Lucario had only struck the Iron Armor Pokémon once. But nevertheless, Aggron stood no chance since the duel Rock and Steel type is among the weakest Pokémon to fighting type moves like Close Combat.
Then the trainer of Lucario landed from on top the cliff he made his introduction on and right in front of Ash's gang. "I hope we didn't arrive too late."
"No, no you were right on time." Dawn said and Brock nodded before they started to introduce themselves.
"I am just glad that another incident didn't happen. My name is Riley and you can pretty much guess that also train here on Iron Island." The trainer introduced himself and the gang saw that he was wearing very strange blue clothing that gave Riley the aura of a refined and reclusive warrior. "But wasn't there another trainer with you?" That caused Brock and Dawn to finally notice that Ash wasn't with them as of yet.
"Here Lucario." They heard Ash's voice coming from the location of the fallen wild Aggron and Lucario, on the ground exhausted from using such a powerful and negatively affecting move. Ash was there, handing Lucario something that of a large leaf that was completely white. When Lucario took it, the Aura Pokémon suddenly gotten his strength back and was able to get back on two legs.
"Hey Ash! What was that you gave to Lucario?" Dawn asked as soon as she finished running up to reach him. But Ash just ignored her and approached Riley who had been walking after Dawn along with Brock.
"Riley, why isn't your Lucario affected like Barry's Empoleon? Or any of the other Steel type Pokémon on this island?" Ash asked and before his friends could scold him for being ungrateful, Riley chuckled.
"I am not surprised you want to know. Lucario." Riley simply said and his Aura Pokémon started to glow a bright blue that seemed to cover his entire body. "That is why Lucario are called the Aura Pokémon. They can tap into this special energy that is dormant in all living organism but mostly they never know it's there or even be able to tap into it when they learn. To Lucario, it is a way for him to avoid being taken over what is responsible for this madness." Ash nodded, accepting the answer but,
"Then you will know when the madness started since you have been training on this island?" Ash asked and Riley nodded. "So take us to where we can find our friend who trains a Pokémon that is based off Dawn's Piplup and then take us to where the madness is coming from."
When they finally found Barry, he was trying to stop his rampaging Empoleon with the help of his other Pokémon. But they seemed to be losing their edge when, "Barry!" The said trainer turned to see familiar faces, "Hurry and slow down Empoleon! You need to return it to your Pokéball!" Ash shouted and Barry realized what he was doing, the hard way. And then nodded and faced his Pokémon.
"Staraptor, use Close Combat!" Staraptor is a grayish-brown, avian Pokémon similar to a large bird of prey. It has small, red eyes and a thin, yellow beak with a black tip. There is a circular white patch on its forehead, which is smaller on the female. Larger white markings cover the front of its throat and chest, separated by a black ruff encircling the shoulders. A red-tipped, black crest extends over its head, nearly reaching the tip of its beak. Staraptor is fussy about the shape of this comb, which it uses to appear larger and frighten enemies. It has large wings, five black-tipped tail feathers, and yellow feet with black talons. Its powerful wing and leg muscles allow it fly effortlessly while carrying a small Pokémon. Upon evolution, this Pokémon leaves its flock to live alone. It can be highly aggressive, persistently attacking even larger foes in spite of illness or injury.
"Roserade, use Toxic!" Roserade is a bipedal Pokémon with an appearance that incorporates features of roses and masquerade attire. It has hair made of white rose petals, and a leafy, green cape with a yellow, collar-like bangle on its neck. The cape pattern reaches toward the back of its head, in spiky, sepal-like extensions on the hair. A female will have a longer cape than a male. It has a dark-green mask over its red, yellow-lidded eyes. The lower portion of its face is light green, and it holds a bouquet in each hand. It has a red in its right hand and blue in its left. Its limbs and underside are light green. Its feet end with yellow tips.
Roserade lures prey with a sweet aroma. The more toxic its poison, the sweeter its aroma becomes. Each hand has different toxins, but both hands can jab with near-deadly power. It attacks with a dancer-like elegance, and uses hidden whips lined with poisonous thorns.
"And Heracross, use Bulk Up and catch Empoleon with Arm Thrust!" Heracross is a bipedal, beetle-like Pokémon covered in a blue exoskeleton. There is a long, pronged horn on its forehead. The horn ends in a cross on the male and a heart-shape in the female. On either side of the horn is a short antenna with a spherical tip. Heracross has oval, yellow eyes. Its forearms have a pair of spikes, while its thighs have a single spike each. It has two claws on its hands, and a single long claw on each foot. Heracross's claws allow it to dig into the ground for sturdy footing or climb trees. Using its horn, it throws opponents or competitors for food. It lives in forests, where it feeds on tree sap.
All these commands had caused Empoleon to lose a lot of health since it was a Steel type and being a Water type didn't help with the weakness to Fighting type moves like Close Combat and Arm Thrust. And with Toxic eating away the heath by the minute, it didn't make things easier for Barry's Empoleon. Eventually, Empoleon was unable to even move under the stronger grip Heracross has on it so Barry was able to return it with the help of his Pokéball.
After all that, Barry explained that he had seen more and more Steel type Pokémon are running amok by the hour and they get even more dangerous by the hour as well. Pokémon like Metang, Steelix, Lairon, Forretress, and Scizor but also wild and local Pokémon like Aron, Magnemite and Skarmory are going on these mad attacks. What is more is that trainers and their other Pokémon aren't the only victims, Iron Island had non-Steel type Pokémon local that are also falling victim to this madness. Pokémon like Graveler, Onix, and Geodude are trying to escape the attacks as well while trainers returned their non-Steel type Pokémon and flee the island.
But the big ice breaker was that Barry said after Empoleon ran off when it first started to rebel, he and Heracross had uncovered some kind of machine. He also ran into Team Rocket and blamed them for everything that happened but they denied that they were involved. Ash said that he agreed with them, Team Rocket that always chased him will never resort to something on a scale of putting trainers and Pokémon in danger and they have no profit from it. All this just doesn't fit with that trio at all.
When Barry showed the gang the machine, it was indeed nothing that Team Rocket can ever make because, "That's not the symbol for Team Rocket! It is for Team Galactic!" Dawn pointed out and Ash and Brock both nodded.
"That proves you three are not part of this." Ash said, facing a boulder that happened to be where Team Rocket was trying to hide from Barry and any further accusations.
"Thanks a lot twerp but how is that going to help deal with this big mess?" Jessie asked.
"Yeah, the Pokémon around here say that they boiling up with something and seeing all of us just sends their blood running. And they have no idea why!" The Meowth of Team Rocket, who surprised Barry and Riley with his ability to talk in their language, with a slight accent of course, shouted along.
"So this machines were causing all the Steel type Pokémon on this island to go on an uncontrollable rage. No doubt it is something that Team Galactic will do but why would they, in their boasting of changing the world, waste their time on an island?" Ash brought up before turning to Riley, an action that everyone else had found themselves doing as well. "You have been here longer than anyone else. Is there anything on this island that criminals like Team Galactic will be interested in?"
Riley smiled and nodded. He told them that he always knew about a cavern on Iron Island that contained something very valuable and yet so important that it can't be removed from the island. Riley then led everyone to the caverns and they found grunts with the uniforms of Team Galactic undergoing something in the entrance to a cavern indeed!
This set something off with Barry and Team Rocket as they ignored Ash calling out to them and charged for the grunts with Pokéballs in hand. Dawn and Brock hurried to try and catch up with them while Ash and Riley stayed behind. "Hopefully Dawn and Brock will help those idiots buy us some time to find where all this madness is coming from." Ash muttered and Riley just nodded.
While the trainers were fighting the Grunts, something that they were surprisingly struggling with, Ash and Riley had snuck into the cavern. That was where they ran into the worst person on the Island, Commander Mars of Team Galactic! Riley told Ash that he will take care of Mars so that the boy can try to stop all this but it was too late.
Team Galactic had used an artifact from another place in Sinnoh altogether called the Spear Key to meld it with some ruins within the caverns of Iron Island. This event had sent a surge of energy throughout Iron Island and even to various places in Sinnoh where meteorites were being held. But that wasn't the worst part; it was when this strange energy had landed on Riley's Lucario as the two were fighting Commander Mars. Now Lucario is under the same influence from the start of the day but a hundred times stronger, so much that even with all the Aura Lucario can muster, he eventually fell victim to the rage inducing effects!
Riley was about to be attacked by his Lucario when, "Shock Bolt now!" That unfamiliar move to Riley had hit Lucario and like back in Canalave City, it caused Lucario to be frozen in place. And yet that only slowed Lucario down until the Aura Pokémon released its self from that attack from Ash and his Pikachu, only to charge against Team Plasma. Yet that seemingly was for naught when Mars used her Normal type Tiger Cat Pokémon, Purugly, to defeat Lucario!
But it wasn't for nothing when Mars was shocked to see that all the Team Galactic machinery had shut down during her battle with Riley's Lucario. And with all the machines down, Lucario was able to regain control from the effects. Mars knew that Ash had foiled their plans in search for what is known as the Spear Pillar. She issued a retreat to her grunts while leaving her enemies to deal with bombs she scattered throughout the Iron Island; if they all go off, the entire island will wiped off the map!
Even though she tried to get even with Ash before retreating and losing, Mars still managed to escape via the same helicopter that she used to get to Iron Island in the first place. All that is left is an island filled with trainers and Pokémon who are stranded on a doomed island. And the worst part is that no matter how they searched, they couldn't find the bombs!
And so everyone braced for the impending explosion and yet the island remained intact and the only explosions were in the ocean harmlessly. That made no sense until Ash turned away from the noise and faced his shadow before taking out his necklace to reveal the Pokéball on it, empty.
"Darkrai…" Ash said and everyone present saw who arose from Ash's very own shadow. The Pitch Black Pokémon and prince of nightmares himself. "Thank you." Ash simply said, ignoring the shocked and frighten faces of the trainers and Pokémon. Darkrai also ignored the expressions on all but his trainer's face and simply nodded before returning himself to where he can be safe, within Ash's very special Pokéball.
After everything that had happened, it was time to finally leave Iron Island. But a lot of things had be done before that could happen. One, Professor Carolina who is the grandmother of Cynthia the Sinnoh Regional Champion, had to hear all this from everyone who was present during Team Galactic's operation on the island. Two, Team Rocket had been spared this time since they had nothing to do with all the madness but they will on the run if they try anything criminal; it is true what they say, 'old habits die hard'. Three, All the injured and trainers had to be taken into care of two Nurse Joys who have arrived along with Professor Carolina and her own crew. Finally, the existence of Ash's Darkrai had to be kept a secret or otherwise there will be unwanted attention regardless if the Legendary Pokémon is with them or not; and fortunately for the Pitch Black Pokémon, all the trainers weren't idiots and thus were never going to try their luck.
All in all, Darkrai proved that he was out of the Pokéball the whole time and learned something once again. He saw that all the trainers, despite their own Pokémon going temporary rogue on them, never gave up on the problem or their poor Pokémon and tried to stop the madness. Darkrai learned what is known as loyalty to ones Pokémon and friends can led to great things to happen and nothing to be ashamed of. So Darkrai decided that if Ash was going to be that loyal to him, it won't hurt for Darkrai to be the same in return. And that will define how the future adventures will turn out to be, for sure.
End of Chapter 4.
*Hey everyone, thanks for the support! I have been lazing off since I have to think about all the stuff I need to finish and turn in before my NOVA Semester comes to an end. I hope this and the next chapter I will be working on this week will still be good.*
