Chapter 23 Coming Back into the Cold
The next morning, Ash is training his Froakie along with Reisa's Piplup, while the others are watching them.
"Froakie, use Double Team and then Water Pulse!" Ash yells as the frog Pokemon does what he says.
"Dodge it, Piplup!" Reisa yells as Piplup tries to dodge, but it isn't faster, which causes it to be hit. In the end, both Pokémon were panting after a hard training section.
"Alright that's good work guys." Ash said. Both Pokémon praises on a job well done while the group makes their way over.
"Hey Ash. I see you all are in good health." Much to their surprise, they see Alexa and Helioptile there.
"Alexa, it is nice to see you again." Ash says as the others greet them. Trenor, Luke and Reisa also introduces themselves to her.
"So what brings you here?" Trenor asks.
"I'm here to do an article of the new evolutionary research being done at the Fossil Lab." Alexa says.
"Wow, the Fossil Lab, that's one of the most advanced research facilities in Kalos." Clemont says with stars twinkling in his eyes.
"Yep, and now source say that they manage to revive two ancient Pokémon at the lab." Alexa says.
"That's interesting." Luke says.
"Indeed it is, if you guys are interested, you guys can come along." Alexa offers. Everyone nods and begins to walk to the Fossil Lab.
But when they get to the lab, it is being destroyed as they can see some debris and broken glasses everywhere.
"Oh my, what happened?" Serena gasps at the sight of the broken place.
"Strange, that didn't happen before I notice you guys..." Alexa says.
Ash notices a researcher lying on the ground, he rushes towards him and says, "Hey, are you alright?"
The researcher doesn't open his eyes, but he mutters two words, "Team...Flare..."
"Team Flare?" Ash says.
"It's those guys!" Clemont says as he recalls the incident when Professor's Garchomp is controlled.
"It is them of course." Ash says. As the researcher continues, "Glittering...Cave...Fossils..."
Reisa says, "Glittering Cave? Is there a place like that?"
"It is west of the town, it is also where a lot of fossils can be found." Alexa says.
"They must be there with the other researchers, we must go there." Serena says.
"Yeah, let's go." Ash says.
When they arrive at the Route 9, they see the road is made of pointy stones. Pikachu tries to step in, but he cries in pain as he jumps back.
"This road is kind of pointy... what should we do?" Trenor asks.
"If we can get some help..." Clemont says.
"Hey guys! There is a Rhyhorn renting station." Reisa says as she points at the place.
"Of course, we can ride Rhyhorn together to get across the pointy stones." Serena says.
"Now let's go." Bonnie cheers.
Once they rent 4 Rhyhorns, Ash and Serena rides one, Clemont and Bonnie rides one, Alexa and Reisa gets the third one and Luke and Trenor gets the fourth one.
As Ash helps Serena on the Rhyhorn, she says, "Ash, since my Mom is a Rhyhorn Racer, how about you let me control him?"
Ash says, "That can work, but I am your knight. I should be the one to carry a princess like you." Serena blushes at the comment as she nods.
"Now is everyone ready?" After nodding, they then head off the road.
Once they reach the end, Bonnie says, "That is a ride! I want to do it again!"
"Later, Bonnie." Trenor says. "We are here to save some people."
"You are right." Bonnie says as they leave the Rhyhorns in front of the cave, then they rush inside the cave.
Once they arrive the main hall, they see 6 grunts using the excavators to dig some fossils. One of the grunts notice them and says, "What is this? We have intruders."
The six immediately stop their work and then rushes to see the group. One grunt says, "Hey, I remember you! You are the ones who made our plan at stealing Garchomp fails!"
"We won't let you foil our plan." The another one says.
Trenor says, "Too bad that we are going to stop you!"
The grunts send out a Houndour, Electrike, Gulpin, Croagunk, Zubat and Scraggy. Ash, Serena, Clemont, Trenor, Reisa and Luke send out Pikachu, Espurr, Bunnelby, Golurk, Starmie and Sudowoodo to battle them.
Even though the grunts give them a lot of trouble, but eventually they are all defeated as they are forced to return their Pokemon.
"How did we lose to some mere kids..." A female grunt says.
"We have got the fossils we wanted, let's retreat!" A second female grunt says as they throw some gas bombs, Ash and the gang are forced to cover their eyes and mouths. Once the gas is cleared, they are gone.
"They ran away!" Bonnie says.
"We need to find the researchers first." Alexa says as they quickly find a lot of researchers tying on the wall.
"Are you alright?" Serena asks as she unties the first one.
"Thank you for saving me, I am Thaddeus. I am the head researcher of the Fossil Research Lab." Thaddeus says. "They steal our fossils here, I only manage to recover one." He takes out a Jaw Fossil.
"Damn it...I wonder what are they going to do with the fossils." Trenor says.
"I have no idea. But now matter what they are going to do, we are going to stop their plans." Ash says determinedly.
Once everyone is back at the Fossil Research Lab, the researcher introduces himself again, "Hello, Welcome to the Fossil Lab. Let me introduce myself again. I'm Thaddeus and the lead scientist of the fossil research."
"I'm Alexa and I'm the Journalist for Kalos Times." She introduces.
"Ahh yes, we been expecting you Ms. Alexa." Thaddeus turns to the group. "Thank you for saving us from those Team Flare. How about we revive this Jaw Fossil we retrieved for you?"
The group are surprised as Ash asks, "Are you sure we can take it?"
"Of course. Just wait for some time until it is revived." Thaddeus gives the fossil to the other researcher as he leaves.
Thaddeus then leads the group inside. There they went pass the lobby and into the main preservation room. There the gang looked at all the fossils encased in thick glass.
"Wow, look at all the fossils. Each one is said to hold a preservation of history in each one." Says Clemont.
"But they just look like old rocks..." Serena says.
Luke says, "It is true, but Serena, what is amazing is that the old rocks can turn into beings that are very powerful, remember Ash's battle against Viola? His Aerodactyl is from that Old Amber over there."
"I see." Serena says.
Meanwhile, Alexa is recording with her headset cam when Thaddeus calls then over to the next room.
"Alright everyone this next room is very special, but before entering you'll need to wear these." Thaddeus then gives the group yellow-orange heavy coats to put on.
"Wait, why do we have to put these on." Bonnie asks.
"Lets just says the room...can be a bit chilly." Then Thaddeus opens the door, revealing a huge snowy room. The gang enters and was amazed by the sparkling Winter Wonderland.
"Wow, this place is snowing..." Trenor says.
"I bet the new fossil Pokemon they revived is Ice Type." Reisa says.
Serena accidentally slips and pulls Ash, together, they fall into the pile of snow as they laugh. Then they see an Amaura and an Aurora approaching.
"Wow! I real living Amaura and Aurorus!" Clemont says in amazement.
"Well, our Labratory's excavation group discovered parts of the Pokémon frozen in ice, and we were able to restore them. Having lived in a region with few predators, the Pokémon are friendly."
Amaura then nuzzles Serena, who starts to laugh. "No fair! I want one too!" Bonnie says as Aurorus nuzzles her.
At the same time, Team Rocket is outside as they record them. Jessie says, "An ancient Pokemon..."
"It will be a great member to our team." James says.
"Let's steal it so we can use it to capture that twerp's Pikachu." Meowth says as Wobbuffet pops out and does the pose.
Ash and the others decide to have a snowball fight, with Amaura, they start to throw snowballs at each other. They have a great time as Alexa says, "Well, our bodies are starting to get cold, I think we should get outside."
"Ehh...I want to play some more..." Bonnie whines.
Clemont says, "But what about Dedenne? It's more important about its well being."
Bonnie then looks at Dedenne, who is hiding inside her coat to keep warm, and knew that it was time.
Serena is hugging Ash and she says, "Wow, Ash. You are so warm..."
"Trenor and I are Arceus, so we have Flame Plates with us, but we really should rest outside this cold." Ash says.
"Indeed." Serena says as she breaks the hug and says to Amaura, "Don't worry, we will be back later."
The Amaura nods and they leave. But unknown to the group, something bad is about to happen.
"Hey, Ash." Thaddeus come with a Pokeball in his hand. "The revival is a success. This is yours."
He gives Ash the Pokeball. Ash says, "Thanks."
"What is inside the Pokeball?" Bonnie asks.
"We will find out." Ash says as he sends the Pokemon out. Appear from the Pokeball is a Tyrunt.
"A Tyrunt! It is also a Dragon Type." Luke says.
"Wow, it sure looks strong." Reisa says.
"It sure is." Serena says.
Tyrunt then opens his eyes and looks at Ash, who says, "Hello."
Tyrunt jumps back and says, "Are you an enemy?"
Ash says, "Wait, Tyrunt. We are your friends. I am Ash, this is my partners Pikachu and Sylveon."
Then everyone introduces themselves, Tyrunt says, "So this is your army? Does that mean that I am recruited? Are you my new Lieutenant?"
Ash and Trenor sweat drops as they are the only humans that knows what he is saying. Ash says, "Um, Tyrunt, I don't know what time zone you are in, but this is not a fortress and we are not soldiers."
Everyone is surprised as the Tyrunt is saying those stuff. Tyrunt says, "I am sorry Lieutenant, but a soldier needs to be ready for upcoming attacks."
Trenor gives a bitter laugh and says, "So Lieutenant, huh? Ash? You have a new name besides Master."
Ash groans as everyone laughs, but then they hear a huge boom rocks the whole building.
"What happened?" Thaddeus asks.
"Alert! Alert! We are under attacked! We need to prepare our weapons and..."
"No, Tyrunt." Pikachu and Sylveon calms down the Pokemon, then they see Aurorus trying to flee, but two man are trying to calm her down.
Ash asks, "Aurorus, what is wrong?"
"My child...I needed to save her..." Aurorus says.
"What? Amaura is kidnapped?" Trenor asks.
"I swear if it is Team Rocket again..." Serena says.
"They couldn't have gone far, let's chase them." Ash says.
After explaining the situation to the Pokemon, Tyrunt says, "They have our hostage, don't worry. A soldier is trained for this."
Sylveon says, "Pikachu, I am starting to think this new friend is a little crazy."
"Same here." Pikachu says.
Thaddeus says, "This is bad, we have to be quick. Amaura is weak to heat and temperatures that it is not used to."
"Well...what happens if it stays in that temperature?" Clemont asks.
"...It dies." Thaddeus says.
Everyone is then shocked by this, and Bonnie starts to tear up about this and Reosa goes over to comfort her. "So we don't have much time to get Amaura back to the lab." Trenor says.
"We have no time to lose. We got to find that truck first." Ash says.
"But which direction did they go?" Luke asks.
Aurora suddenly cries hard and then rush out. Ash asks, "Are you sure it is that direction?"
"Look in the sky!" Bonnie yells as they look up, they see an aurora in the sky.
Thaddeus says, "Aurorus appears when Amaura lets out its cry really hard. And Aurorus can use it to find its companions."
As they follow the aurora, they find the Team Rocket's truck. "Team Rocket!"
(Team Rocket motto)
"Enough of your mottos, give us back Amaura." Ash says.
"As if we will, it is our Pokemon now." Jessie says as they send out Seviper and Cofagrigus.
Before Ash can send out a Pokemon, Tyrunt says, "Lieutenant, leave the enemies to me."
"What is that Pokemon?" Meowth asks as James searches it up. "It is a Tyrunt. Another one of the prehistoric Pokemon."
"Then we will take it as well." Jessie says. "Seviper! Poison Tail!"
Seviper charges its tail, but Tyrunt uses Crunch to bite the tail and sends it back to the Cofagrigus, accidentally activates the Mummy Ability on Seviper.
At the same time, Serena, Bonnie, Reisa and Alexa go to the back of the truck to get Amaura, who is in bad condition.
"Oh no...she looks really bad." Bonnie says.
"We need to cool her before she dies." Serena says.
Meowth then notices the twerpettes and says, "Hey! What do you think you are doing!"
Before he can reach them, Aurorus steps in front of him and uses Icy Wind to freeze him.
"Meowth!" Jessie and James are surprised, not noticing the upcoming defeat from Trenor's Donphan who just uses Dig to send the two Pokemon back.
Tyrunt then uses a Draco Meteor to the Rockets as they yell, "We are blasting off again!" Then they disappear into the air.
Once outside the truck, Amaura collapses. Aurorus curls around it.
"What's it doing?" Says Serena.
Aurorus then releases a icy mist over Amaura, and moments later, Amaura is starting to regain its strength.
"Aurorus is decreasing the temperature around Amaura to help it regain its strength." Ash says.
Amaura's health is soon restored. Just as the group decides to get the Pokémon back to the laboratory, Thaddeus's truck pulls up and takes them back.
Back at the snowy area in the lab, Thaddeus says, "Thank you for saving this Amaura. We have been owing you much."
"No problem, we are just doing what is right." Ash replies.
Amaura then rushes towards the group and then nuzzles tham all, causing them to laugh. Then Amaura rushes to Aurorus and says, "Mom, can I go with them?"
"Are you sure?" Aurorus asks in surprise.
"Yes." Amaura says as she gives Serena a Body Slam to the ground and nuzzles her.
"Stop it, it tickles." Serena laughs.
"I think Amaura wants to come with you." Ash says, much to everyone's surprise.
"But that means that she will be having to stay at the warm temperature." Clemont says.
"About that." Reisa says as she takes out a box and says, "I have this Never-Melting Ice, maybe it'll help Amaura with it."
Trenor says, "That will work."
Serena then gets up and asks, "Thaddeus, can I take this Amaura with me?"
"If she wants to, then sure you can. Here is its Pokeball." Thaddeus gives her the Pokeball and Serena thanks him.
"Alright! I just caught an Amaura." Serena says as everyone cheers for her. Then Amaura goes to her mother and then bid farewell to her, while Aurorus also did the same.
After leaving the Lab and bid farewell to Alexa and Thaddeus, Reisa says that she has to go to Lumiose City, so she parts ways with them.
Our heroes take an excursion to the Muraille Coast before Ash's Cyllage City Gym battle. They spend some time fishing until Ash pulls up a Skrelp, which attacks Sylveon with its poison. Fortunately, they meet a couple along the beach road who heal Pikachu with a handy Antidote. Eddy and Lindsey are underwater archeologists in search of the Cussler, a luxury liner that sank many years ago. Our heroes decide to help them with their quest.
While others stay above with Eddy, Ash and Serena join Lindsey in her submarine, and they dive toward the ocean floor. Sure enough, the wreck of the Cussler is there, and thanks to some crafty Dragalge who have fused it together with Acid, it's become a home for many different kinds of Water-type Pokémon.
Then the Skrelp they meet before has caught in a Whirlpool, so Ash sends out Froakie to save him. Froakie shows his jumps and saves him, causing Ash to come up with a plan to fight Grant. Skrelp also thanks Ash and offers to be captured.
Here is a new chapter, like my other stories, I like to put the games storyline inside the anime. The next chapter will be the gym battle. I hope you enjoy it.