Chapter 27: Bowser's Ultimate Goal


Through space, the Odyssey flew to the Moon Kingdom. Ash, Clemont, Pikachu and Barkley welcomed their latest partner, Rosalina, as they were about to launch the rescue. Serena was close for Ash to take back. To Ash, getting Serena away from the forced marriage with Junior was his main priority as Cappy found the brochure. "Here it is!" he found. "The keys of the Kingdom: Experience the floaty feeling of lighter gravity; Listen to the glorious bells of the Wedding Hall; See the mysterious Moon Rocks, supposedly energy made solid." To Clemont, a problem arose.

"We're in space, right?" he recalled. "That means there's no air on the Moon Kingdom!" Pikachu gawked to the oversight, thinking Ash sent everyone to their deaths.

"Actually, I've been on the Moon Kingdom some time ago," Rosalina helped. "The atmosphere there has its own oxygen system where anyone can breathe."

("Really?") squeaked Pikachu. Clemont looked at Rosalina in disbelief.

"So, we can be on the Moon Kingdom as long as we like?" he questioned.

"Absolutely," Cappy answered. The Odyssey landed on a mountain in the far distance. The party stepped out with Ash remaining in his trainer's garb. He and Pikachu reached the ledge overlooking the path.

"I can see something in the distance," he eyed. "A white cone and a hook underneath." Cappy came to Ash and Pikachu as they others joined.

"The Wedding Hall on Honeylune Ridge," he informed. "Located on Ever-After Hill." Ash realized that had to be where Bowser had Serena.

"And that's where we need to go," he growled. Pikachu jumped up, but he wasn't coming down. He frantically waived his limbs in a panic.

("I can't get down!") he cried. Suddenly, he stopped and saw a white church in the distance. ("A church?") Slowly, he came down onto Ash's head. Once there, Clemont came to Ash's side.

"We can hurry with our Pokémon to the Wedding Hall," he suggested. Ash nodded, believing Clemont's advice… but there was a problem.

"I could take control of Luxray and get us there quickly," he thought. "But you don't want me to capture any of your Pokémon."

"I wish I wasn't so quick to address it like that," Clemont admitted. "But, you do have some fast Pokémon to fly through the air." Ash nodded to the claim.

"Alright," he accepted. "I'll use Hawlucha to reach the Wedding Hall. Rosalina, what about you?" Rosalina had an interest to Ash's Pokémon.

"Who else do you have?" she wondered.

"I also have Talonflame and Noivern," Ash listed. Rosalina's interests grew.

"May I see them?" she requested. Agreeing, Ash released Talonflame, Hawlucha and Noivern. Rosalina became fascinated with Noivern as Hawlucha and Talonflame gawked to finding Earth in the sky. "A fearsome beast..." Noivern awed the compliment. "Ash, we may need all hands on deck." Ash nodded to agree.

"I like that idea," he accepted. "Noivern, can you give Rosalina a ride?" Noivern roared, willing to allow the new woman his back. Clemont palmed Ash on his shoulder, causing him to turn to his Gym Leader friend.

"I know you want to get to Serena," he reminded. "Go on ahead. We'll follow when we're ready." Ash felt unsure about leaving Clemont, Rosalina and the Pokémon back.

"Will you guys be okay?" he asked.

"Your adventure, Ash," Clemont reminded. "You get her back." Confidence grew with Ash. He nodded, ready to go.

"I'll see you at the Hall," he promised as he turned to his Wrestling Pokémon. "Ready, Hawlucha?"

("¡Estoy listo!") grunted Hawlucha. With a grin, Ash flicked Cappy onto Hawlucha and made the dive into him. Pikachu jumped onto Hawlucha's back.

("Noivern, Talonflame, be good!") advised Pikachu. Controlling Hawlucha, Ash flew off from the ledge. His target was the Wedding Hall. They flew through the space, a journey ahead. As they flew, they saw what looked to be Paratroopas, but skeletal and wearing white top hats. Seeing them, Pikachu became creeped out at the sight. ("What are those!?") Hawlucha turned his head to the bony flying turtles.

"Parabones!" alerted Cappy. "Stay clear!"

'I can do that!' promised Ash. Pikachu clung to Hawlucha as he grabbed the head of a Parabones before spinning and throwing it at another, shattering their skeletal bodies as they fell to the ground. Cleared, Hawlucha and Pikachu flew on. Without warning, a barrage of Bullet Bills flew at the two Pokémon. Looking down, they saw Madame Broode with large tortoises wearing football helmets. They also had blue sleeves and pant legs with red cleats.

"Come down here and fight like a boy!" she demanded as she fired more Bullet Bills from a bazooka. Forced down, Hawlucha dodged the Bullet Bills and landed before Ash jumped out. Chompkins bounced behind her and the dozen turtles in football gear.

"She brought in Chargin' Chucks!?" gawked Cappy. Counting, Ash scoffed.

"Where's the flag!?" he joked. "Too many Chucks on the field! That's a five-yard penalty!" Madame Broode scoffed back at Ash for the reply.

"Laugh all you can, because you're about to be sacked!" she mocked as she pointed her paw at Ash. The blitz made Ash and the Pokémon cautious. They leaped to the air, avoiding the team. One Chuck stopped, giving Ash an idea.

"Hawlucha, use Flying Press!" he commanded. Hawlucha obeyed as he spun himself like a drill. He straightened out before flipping over Chuck, his helmet removed. Chuck gawked to the swift response. "Perfect, Hawlucha!" Flicking Cappy, Ash captured Chuck. Diving in, Ash took control of the footballer. The other Chucks saw the one possessed and charged. Ash led the charge of Chargin' Chucks at Madame Broode who prepared Chompkins.

"That was a bad move!" she scowled as she threw Chompkins. Ash managed to stop Chuck before leaping up. The other Chucks watched their controlled teammate leap, not the oncoming gold Chain Chomp. It bowled the Chargin' Chucks, knocking them all over the area. The controlled Chuck dove for Madame Broode as she suddenly looked up. Ash bailed from the Chargin' Chuck before kicking him at Madame Broode as he targeted Chompkins.

"You're right!" he mocked. "This is better!" He flicked Cappy to Chompkins as Chuck smashed into Madame Broode. Possessing Chompkins, Ash taught the chain as he pulled and the pull from both Chuck and Madame Broode was strong. Finally, Ash released Chompkins and Chuck flew off Madame Broode. She straightened herself out just a second before Chompkins barreled into her. She flew far in the impact. After some time in the air, she smashed into a wall. Ash, Pikachu and Hawlucha got to Ash's side, ready to help out.

"Ash!" shouted Clemont. Ash and the Pokémon turned to see Clemont on Luxray, Rosalina on Noivern and Talonflame arriving.

"Clemont!" called out Ash. Luxray reached Ash and his Pokémon.

"Rosalina and I can take care of her," Clemont offered. "You get going to Serena." Rosalina had her wand and Lumas ready to help. Ash felt his time to save Serena was now.

"Alright," he accepted. "Be careful around her Chompkins."

"We will," Rosalina allowed. Using Cappy, Ash captured Hawlucha before flying off with Pikachu. Fedora hats appeared on Chompkins's head.

"You think you can stop the inevitable?" taunted Madame Broode.

"Nothing is inevitable to those who fight for what they believe in," Rosalina warned. As Hawlucha again, Ash flew off with Pikachu on his back. He soon saw the Wedding Hall closing in with two Koopa Troopas in spiky knight armor. The helmet had a spike on top.

"I've never seen those Koopa Troopas before!" gasped Cappy.

'But we can fight steel with steel!' believed Ash.

("I hear that!") squeaked Pikachu. ("Just get close!") Reaching Honeylune Ridge, Ash and Pikachu zoomed forward. Suddenly, a net came out of nowhere and snagged the two. Quickly and frantically, they tried to escape as Team Rocket pulled to bring the pair of Pokémon in.

"Prepare for trouble, no one can hear you in space!" proclaimed Jessie.

"Make it double, your running has become a waste!" added James. Ash and Pikachu growled at Team Rocket foiling their rescue plan. That's when Pikachu had an idea.

("Ash, use X-Scissor!") he called out. After a second, Hawlucha grinned.

'Thanks for the reminder,' Ash sneered. Hawlucha cocked his arms back before slashing at the net, a "X" made of a blue energy striking the threads. The net broke where Hawlucha flew down to the ledge of the Ridge as the turtle knights reached and Ash escaped from Hawlucha. Ash seethed at Team Rocket for their interference once more.

"Just as I expected from the twerp!" growled Jessie as Team Rocket arrived on the ridge themselves.

"How many times do I have to tell you!" snapped Ash. "I've got no time for your shenanigans!"

"That would've been avoided if you just gave us your Pokémon in the first place!" argued Jessie.

"But den, where would da fun be in dat?" shrugged Meowth.

"Let me make it clear, then," Ash snarled. "You want my Pokémon? Fat chance! It was 'no' to start, it's been 'no' ever since, and it will always be 'no' forever! Do I make myself clear!?"

"All that's clear is that you have no right to tell an adult what to do!" mocked Jessie. "Gourgeist! Let's-" Out of nowhere, the land Team Rocket stood on shook violently. They couldn't maintain balance.

"What's going on!?" gasped James. Then, an explosion. The land Team Rocket stood began to collapse, tearing from the ledge. Team Rocket cried in panic. Before Ash and Pikachu could look as Hawlucha recovered, there was a brief pause of everything. Then, everything resumed as Ash and Pikachu saw Rosalina and Noivern flying above them.

"What happened?" asked Ash. They looked back and saw Team Rocket in a star outline spinning opposite to another star they were under. They couldn't move.

"What's going on!?" shouted Jessie. They tried to swim out, flail and anything possible, but they couldn't escape.

"We can't get out!" gawked Meowth.

"Let us out of here!" whined James. In Rosalina's hand as she landed by Ash and Pikachu was a stopwatch.

"I used the stopwatch to save you," she explained. "And the Star Launcher will send these three so far away, I'll guarantee they never bother you and Pikachu again." Team Rocket gawked to Rosalina's information.

"You can't do that!" protested Jessie.

"What will our boss tink!?" cried Meowth as Rosalina wove her wand. The Star Launcher became gold.

"Mommy!" whined James. The stars spun faster and faster, glowing brighter and brighter, Team Rocket's concerns growing fearful and fearful…

"Goodbye," Rosalina hushed. She flicked her wand upward, launching Team Rocket into space and disappearing in a blink of an eye. Watching their departure, Ash and Pikachu felt it was missing something.

"They left so fast," Ash remarked. "I don't think they had a chance to-"

"WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" echoes of Team Rocket bellowed.

"There it is," Ash nodded. Looking back, Ash and Pikachu saw the armored Koopa Troopas down.

"The Koopatrols were knocked down by Noivern's Boomburst attack," Rosalina named. "Now, get going. You want to save her. I have to make sure Clemont's okay." Ash nodded before Rosalina boarded Noivern and flew back down. Ash turned to his two Pokémon still with him.

"Get some rest, Hawlucha," he issued. "You deserve it." Hawlucha agreed as he was sent back to his Pokéball. Ash faced the front doors of the Wedding Hall while Pikachu hopped onto his shoulder. "This is it, Pikachu… Let's get Serena."

("Let's go!") cheered Pikachu. They ran and entered the Wedding Hall. There was a long hallway as the two felt gravity become similar to Earth's. Ash ran as crashes sounded. He dreaded the worst.

"That's not good!" he growled before he and Pikachu reached and tackled the door with the free shoulder. Inside, Ash and Pikachu faced Bowser. By the side, Peach attended to Mario who was down with his back against the wall. Pikachu saw the pair and dashed to guard the princess. Bowser stomped to Ash, a showdown about to take place.

"You finally came!" the spiked turtle chortled. "And just in time!" Ash figured that he had a chance.

"What have you done with Serena!?" he spat angrily. Bowser scoffed, undaunted by Ash's threat. All of a sudden…

"ASH!" a familiar voice shouted. Hearing the voice, everyone turned, finding Serena. She wore a tiara holding a glistening veil and a flowing pearl white shoulder-less gown that reached her feet as she walked on white heels. In her arm-length white fingerless satin gloves was a bouquet of flowers from the Ice Flower to an orange and yellow flower of similar shape and a gold of the same thing. Escorting her was Junior in a suit much like his father's.

"Serena!?" he gasped. He ran to Serena and Junior as Bowser watched on. Pikachu watched, an oddity ensuing.

("Why isn't Bowser attacking?") he wondered. Ash reached Serena, seemingly unhurt.

"Are you okay?" he asked as Bonnie sneaked to Mario and Peach, Dedenne reaching Pikachu.

"I am," Serena informed. "I was worried that you wouldn't show up… and that I'm sorry." Ash palmed Serena's bare shoulder, a sign of support.

"Why are you sorry? It's not like you wanted to be kidnapped."

"Not quite. This whole thing… it's my fault." The confession made Ash and Pikachu blink in confusion.

("Her fault?") wondered Pikachu.

"What do you mean?" asked Ash. Someone else chimed in.

"She's telling the truth!" voiced Bonnie. Peach helped Mario onto his feet as Ash turned to the little girl.

"Bonnie!?" he gasped. "But… I thought you were with Meyer!"

"Well, she was," Peach spoke. "But, I brought her over for a reason." Mario nodded to Peach's claim as she picked up Pikachu. "She did seem to be kidnapped, but the motive was for you to notice her." Ash and Pikachu seemed befuddled to the case.

("Really?") pondered Pikachu as Rosalina and Clemont started their way down the cooridor.

"The princess came to me about it," Bowser explained. "Doing it so much, I felt my role being important to Serena's 'kidnapping.' While I do hate Mario with a passion…"

"And I do as well," Junior chimed in. "He really helped us pull it off." Ash couldn't believe that the trek to "rescue" Serena was a stage.

"All… for Serena?" he tried to reply. Another Bonneter emerged from Serena's head, wearing the tiara and veil. Cappy saw the new Bonneter and popped out.

"Sister!" he gasped as he popped from Ash's head.

"Cappy, I was just trying to help out," the sister reasoned. "Don't be mad at me…"

"All I could ask is for your safety, Tiara. So, the princess asked for your help?"

"She did, brother." With the Bonneters trying to communicate, Serena came forward.

"Ash, you've been the inspiration since Professor Oak's Summer Camp all of those years ago," she confessed. "I wanted to come forward and I tried everything to get you to look at me. I was close to surrendering. I felt like I ran out of time after-" A sigh lisped from Ash.

"You could've told me at any time," he shrugged. "I listen to my friends, not just my Pokémon."

"But I didn't feel strong, and I doubted that you would. I know that you've been awfully busy with everything, and I didn't want to be a nuisance-" A finger found her lips. Looking up, Serena eyed Ash.

"You wanted to be confident to tell me of your feelings. I completely get what you're going through." Relieved, Serena sighed with a smile as Ash removed his finger.

"Thank you, Ash." She looked to Mario and Peach who petted Pikachu behind his ears. That made Ash turn to the pair as Bonnie and Junior came to meet Cappy. "I know that we're… still really young… I mean, Mario and Princess Peach are more likely a couple ready to hitch." Serena's mentioning made Ash look back to her.

"Not that I don't agree, but why are-"

"But up here, we don't need to be adults to get married. We can do it here." The idea made Ash's eyes ready to jump out of his skull.

"Hold on… you want to marry me? And now?" Confirming, Serena nodded her head.

"I do… I'd rather not have anyone else but you as my one and only." The proposal made Ash sigh with a slight smile.

"You want to know what's funny? I actually started thinking about all that we did together and how much more you were to me while I was coming to rescue you from Bowser. You did more for me than Misty or May or Dawn. That Poliwag that brought me to you… I think it was fate that we came together at Professor Oak's camp. I wasn't sure until we traveled the Kalos Region together with Clemont and Bonnie and all of our Pokémon." The confession made Serena gasp.

"Ash…"

"Serena… I wouldn't want it any other way." Finally, they kissed, making everyone cheer for the couple. They held the kiss for a minute with Serena's eyes tearing up in happiness. As they broke, Mario patted Ash on the back.

"That's a-great!" he cheered. "Congratulations!"

"This cannot go any better!" giggled Peach. Ash giggled to the scenario that finally saw resolution.

"You know, I wanted to joke and say, 'I love Misty'," he admitted. "But it wouldn't have worked. I can't lie to you like that." Junior laughed to that.

"It doesn't suit you, Ash," he teased.

"Agreed," Serena giggled. Clemont realized the adventure had ended.

"Well, I'm actually glad that everything is settled," he smiled. "And now, Ash is taking Serena's hand, not Junior." Bowser came to Ash and Serena's side.

"Okay, Mario and I will escort Ash back to the Odyssey," he offered. "Cappy, are you coming?" Cappy and Tiara flew to the boys.

"Count me in!" he wanted. Peach smiled to being a part of the celebration.

"So, all of this was for her to confess her feelings," Rosalina awed. "I'm grateful the monster was up to something wholesome." Bonnie awed Rosalina and rushed to her.

"That woman's a keeper!" she cheered as she knelt to Rosalina, who seemed surprised to view her with an arm up to her. "I want you to take care of my brother!" Clemont gasped in horror as Serena, Peach and Junior shared shy laughs.

"Oh boy…" gulped Junior. Clemont freaked out as his mechanical arm extended to Bonnie.

"I've told you a million times!" he whined as the arm grabbed Bonnie by the back of her shirt. He hastily exited the venue with his sister in tow.

"I hope you think about the offer!" wished Bonnie. Rosalina blinked to the moment.

"DON'T LISTEN TO HER!" cried Clemont. "THIS IS SO EMBARRASSING!" Rosalina had a nervous laugh to what she nearly became a part of.

"She did that to me, too," Peach eased. Pikachu giggled, understanding the princess's ordeal. Outside, Cappy removed himself from Ash's cap before going back onto Mario's head.

"There we go," he hummed.

"So, you're bringing the Odyssey here?" asked Bowser.

"Right, it's no problem," Mario agreed. "Cappy?"

"All set, Mario!" prepared Cappy. Mario disappeared into his cap before it flew like a Frisbee over to the Odyssey.

"Oh, shoot!" gulped Ash. "Barkley! I forgot to tell Mario about Barkley!" A little while later, the Odyssey flew over the land and landed by the side of the Honeylune Ridge. Coming back, Mario held Barkley in his gloved hands and brought him to Ash.

"This yours?" he asked.

"Yep, it's Barkley," Ash confirmed. "Let's bring him in to show Serena and Bonnie." Clemont dashed pass Ash, Mario and Bowser with Bonnie in tow with a face of panic on him. His running in fear had him run off the ledge… and still running as if he was still on the ground. Bowser and Mario gawked to Clemont's speed.

"What the…" started Bowser. There was a frustrated sigh.

"Not again…" groaned Ash.

"Again?" wondered Mario. Ash shook his head.

"Who did Bonnie propose to?" he questioned. Once recovered, Ash brought Barkley in to show the girls. Kingdom after Kingdom, Ash pondered if Serena could be saved. It turned out that Serena needed to be confident in her confession. That leaves one question: What happened with Serena during Ash's Odyssey?


TO BE CONTINUED...