Beyond the Rainbow

Alec's POV

Ash and Alec were running after the ones who took their Pokémon and were cut off by a group of Beedrill. "Dragona, let's deal with those Beedrill!" Alec shouted as he let out the Dragonite.

"Fletchinder, cut that net!" Ash shouted as he let out his own Pokémon.

Before either Pokémon could react, Dragona was hit by Stone Edge from several Pinsir and Fletchinder took a few Pin Missiles. "Dragona, you alright?" Alec asked.

[No. I'm pissed,] she answered as she punched one of the pillars.

The ones that kidnapped the Pokémon ran and another group stood between them. "Why are they doing this?" Serena asked, stepping out of Kenan's place while helping to keep Goodra standing.

[I… won't let this continue,] Goodra said as he struggled to get to walk up in front of Ash and Alec.

"What are you doing?" Ash asked Goodra.

[I'm getting my friends back,] Goodra answered Ash. The Pokémon fired attacks, but they landed around Goodra. When the smoke cleared, they were gone.

"We've gotta get them back," Ash said determinedly.

"Ash! We saw something when analyzing the surveillance videos," Clemont told him.

"What was it?" Alec asked.

"Team Rocket's a part of this," Clemont answered.

Alec then got a horrible thought. "They must have taken Light and Snake," he realized.

Kenan asked about Team Rocket and they quickly explained them to him. "Team Rocket must be using Florges and the others," Clemont theorized.

"That sounds like something they'd do," Ash said before turning to Goodra. "Goodra, any idea on where Florges might be?" he asked.

[I believe I know,] Goodra answered.

"Dragona, you good?" Alec asked her.

[I'm good. I'll cover the sky and look for Light and Snake,] she said before taking off.

"Let's go," Alec said and they followed Goodra.

Light's POV

After she was captured, Light watched as Snake was dragged into the cave with a hard light cage around each of his steel beads to prevent him from moving. Later, Light saw Pikachu, Dedenne, Ethan, and Wooper brought into the cave in glass cages.

[I take it the investigation went sour?] Ethan asked sarcastically.

[That's one way to put it,] Snake muttered.

[Let us go right now!] Pikachu demanded, but Florges didn't listen as she brought Floette out of the pool. The other Pokémon's expressions softened when they saw her.

"Florges, please tell us, what's the status on Floette?" Jessie asked with fake kindness.

Florges didn't answer, instead looking at the water flowing out from the crakes. "The water levels going down? Is that it? So Floette isn't getting enough of the waters healing properties?" Meowth asked.

[Yes. I wish I knew what the ones living here did to the water though. I could fix the problem then,] Florges answered.

"Sounds to me like that Goodra wants to keep all the water for itself and its friends," Meowth lied.

"That must be why it came back with reinforcements like these Pokémon," Jessie added, looking at Light and Snake.

[We're here because we want to solve this problem peacefully. I'm sure if Goodra and the others knew about Floette they would help you,] Light protested.

"Liar liar, Pokémon pants on fire. The gig is up so come clean for a change," Meowth stated.

[Thaaat's right,] Wobbufett said.

"Don't worry. We're on your side Florges, and we're here one hundred percent," James told her.

"Yep. We'll help your Floette feeling fit as a fiddle before you can say 'boo'," Meowth added.

"Right. Fret not, those twerps wouldn't dare make a single move as long as we have them under lock and key," James stated, looking at the trapped Pokémon.

[We'll see about that. Alec and the others will come for us, then you'll be in trouble,] Ethan threatened.

Alec's POV

The group approached what Goodra said was the source of the spring and it was surrounded by hostile Pokémon. They saw the group and approached, ready for a fight. "Hold on. We don't want to fight you. We just want our captured Pokémon," Ash said, trying to negotiate with them.

"We know Team Rocket's nearby, they're the bad guys," Bonnie added.

The Pokémon didn't listen and started firing attacks. "I don't think they're going to listen to reason. Dragona, Fire Blast!" Alec shouted into the sky. The '大' fired down from the sky and hit several Pokémon. Dragona then landed in front of the group and roared.

"You guys go. We'll distract them," Clemont told Ash and Alec.

"I'll come too," Bonnie said, following the two trainers.

"Dragona, stay here and help Clemont and Serena," Alec told her. Dragona nodded as Serena let out Braixen and Clemont sent out Bunnelby and Chespin.

The two approached a cave entrance that a river went out of. They stepped into the water and walked down. "Pikachu!" Ash called out.

"Ethan! Light! Snake! Any of you here?" Alec asked.

"Dedenne! Wooper! Where are you?" Bonnie shouted.

"Is this where they were?" Ash asked as they approached the spring itself. Florges and two Seviper then appeared behind them and faced the group.

"Where are our Pokémon?" Bonnie demanded.

[Gone,] Florges answered.

"Team Rocket put you up to this didn't they? Trying to take over. They're the bad guys," Ash told Florges.

[And yet you sabotaged the spring,] Florges countered, pointing at a small pool that was almost empty.

"We did no such thing. We just arrived and only came here so Goodra could see his home," Alec protested. Florges looked surprised at Alec's response, more likely from the fact that he replied to her statement. Alec then noticed Florges was holding a Floette. "That's what this is all about. Look in her arms," Alec told the others.

The ground then started shaking and Alec felt his legs being exposed to the air. "What's going on with the water?" Bonnie asked in shock.

"Where'd all the water go?" Ash asked when it was all gone.

The group then heard laughter and Team Rocket appeared behind Florges. After their motto, they saw all the Pokémon in cages. Light and Snake being in hard light ones and Snake looked like he struggled to move in the multiple ones he had to be put in.

"So, it was you who did this!" Alec shouted.

"Good work on figuring it out. Though I do want to thank you for giving us a free Ampharous and Steelix," James said.

"So the missing water was you as well?" Ash asked, sounding like he knew the answer already.

"Perceptive for once. We not only took all the water from the spring, but from all the wetlands," Jessie boasted. Florges looked shocked. "I'm so very sorry Florges, I have to confess, the reason Floette wasn't feeling better, was Team Rocket," she added.

"Why are you doing this?" Ash demanded.

"You twerps are as clueless as they come, aren't you? Florges only took control of the water because Floette is feeling under the weather. Aw, touching, makes you wanna break down and cry, doesn't it? But we took it all for us instead," Jessie ranted.

"With the water from this spring, we can make a fortune," Meowth added.

[You used my pain for your own gains? My daughter may not make it if she doesn't get that water!] Florges shouted and Alec could hear the grief in her voice.

"Well, too bad for you," Meowth mocked.

"Every time I think you three have hit rock bottom you dig the hole deeper. If I had Flame here I'd roast you three where you stand," Alec threatened. "In the meantime," he started, grabbing his Keystone. "Light, Mega Evolve!"

Light's mega stone reacted and she transformed while still in the cage. As the transformation started to finish, Light fired Thunderbolt into the sky, destroying her cage. [You're going to pay for what you've done,] Light said, her sweetness replaced by a cold rage. Alec noticed that Ethan and Snake had noticeably flinched at Light's tone as she fired Dragon Pulse just above Snake's cage, freeing him.

"Not this time!" James shouted as he threw a device on the ground, causing a smokescreen. When the smoke cleared, the Pokémon in the glass cages were gone.

"Where did they go?" Alec asked angrily. They ran outside when they heard more rumbling and when they did, they saw a large airship taking off.

"Ash! Alec!" Serena shouted as she, Clemont, and Kenan ran up to them with all the Pokémon. "So it was Team Rocket after all," Serena added, seeing the airship.

"Pikachu and the others are in there with all the water," Ash told them.

"You mean they took all of it?!" Kenan asked in shock.

"And the only reason Florges and the others took control of the spring was for her daughter," Alec added, looking at Florges who was surrounded by the other Pokémon.

"Is that true?" Serena asked a nearby Yanmega.

[Yeah. Our leader was worried sick so she thought this place could help,] Yanmega explained.

The airship was now gaining altitude. "Goodra, let's get that water back. Throw me up there," Ash told him. Goodra nodded and used his antenna to launch Ash onto one of the wings.

"Did he seriously forget that I have Dragona?" Alec asked himself as he climbed onto her back. "Let's go!" he shouted and Dragona flew up to the airship. As Alec made his way up, Florges rode a Yanmega up to them. Alec hopped off and landed on the wing Ash and Florges were on. "Stay close. Something tells me we'll need a quick exit," Alec ordered and Dragona nodded.

Goodra then suddenly landed on the wing and almost fell off in the process, but used his antenna to grab the hoverport. The ship then started shaking and Alec had to grab onto the port as well to remain on. Goodra reacted quickly and fired Dragon Pulse into the side of the ship, opening a hole in the hull. "Nice job Goodra," Ash congratulated.

The ship stopped shaking and the small group managed to enter the craft. Looking around, the stolen Pokémon were seen in small cells. "Well that sure is convenient," Alec commented.

A large door then attempted to close between them. Goodra grabbed it and forced it open. "Thanks, Goodra," Ash told him as he walked through.

[When we get through this, we can talk about ending this conflict,] Florges told Goodra as she walked past as well.

"That was too close," Alec said after he entered the area and Goodra let the door close with him on their side.

[What took you so long?] Ethan joked.

"We'll get you all out of there," Ash said as he ran up to them with the others. Before they could reach them, a side door opened and Team Rocket stepped out, likely turning the ship on autopilot.

"I think not," Jessie said as she stepped out.

"Hanging out with the twerpish crowd I see. Your usefulness to us is thankfully over," James said to Florges.

[I'm here to get some revenge on what you three have done,] Florges answered.

"Oh, boo-hoo-hoo. Cry me a river," Meowth mocked.

"It's not our fault you were a desperate fool," Jessie added.

"Alright, stop talking. Inferno, you're up!" Alec shouted as he let out the Torracat.

"Couldn't agree more. Inkay, let's play!" James shouted.

"You two Pumpkaboo," Jessie added.

"You up for this Goodra?" Ash asked, not taking his gaze off Team Rocket.

[I'm in,] Goodra said, stepping up next to Florges and Inferno.

"Pumpkaboo, show Florges your Shadow Ball!" Jessie commanded. Florges immediately countered with Moonblast which caused a small explosion that thankfully didn't do any damage.

"Inkay, use Psybeam on Florges!" James commanded. Inkay fired at his target, but Goodra jumped in front of the attack.

"I'll take you myself copycat," Meowth said, facing Inferno.

[Bring it ya scaredy-cat,] Inferno answered.

"Eat my Fury Swipes!" Meowth shouted, showing his claws.

"Inferno, Slash!" Alec shouted. Inferno let out his own claws and the two cats started clashing. Inferno found an opening and hit Meowth just as Florges took both Inkay and Pumpkaboo down with Petal Blizzard, sending all three Pokémon into the cells that held the other Pokémon. Pumpkaboo had landed on the controls causing them to short circuit and open the cells.

[Alec!] Ethan shouted as he jumped into Alec's arms.

"Thanks, Inferno, return," Alec said as Inferno smiled. Meanwhile, Florges was helping Goodra up after taking Inkay's Psybeam.

[Ready to finish this?] Goodra asked her.

[Let's,] Florges answered, the two glaring at Team Rocket.

"Alright Pumpkaboo, use Dark Pulse on Goodra once more with feeling!" Jessie shouted.

"Inkay, show Florges why your Psybeam is second to none!" James shouted.

"Goodra, use Ice Beam!" Ash called out as Florges managed to quickly charge up a Solar Beam somehow. The two attacks overwhelmed Inkay and Pumpkaboo, sending them and Team Rocket flying out of the ship.

Multiple explosions then rocked the ship. "Dragona, time for that quick exit!" Alec shouted. As he said that, multiple Yanmega showed up. Pikachu, Dedenne, and Wooper were put on one and he quickly flew off. Dragona then got close enough that Alec and Ethan managed to jump on.

The nearby water tank suddenly exploded and a piece of the debris hit Alec and Dragona. The last thing Alec felt was falling off Dragona and heard Ethan crying out.

Ash's POV

When the water tank exploded, Alec and Dragona were both knocked out and Florges fell off. Goodra managed to grab Florges, as Alec and Dragona were just out of his reach. A secondary explosion went off which caused the two remaining Pokémon to fall. "Goodra!" Ash shouted as he jumped off the ship. Just in time to, as it exploded behind him. Ash managed to catch up with Goodra and Florges, but they were still falling. Three Beedrill then came up and tried to slow their descent. A giant stream of water then caught them and slowly brought them to the ground. "Alec!" Ash shouted wondering what happened. Ash saw a flash of light and looked over to see the Reuniclus, Ash believed her name was Cell, grabbed both Alec and Ethan before using Psychic on a falling Dragona.

"Ash! You're alright!" Serena shouted as she ran up to him. "Where's Alec?" she asked quickly.

"Reun," Cell said as she floated towards the group with an unconscious Alec and Dragona, but Ethan seemed fine.

"Alec, are you alright?" Serena called out to him worriedly.

"Ugh… What happened?" Alec asked, sounding groggy. Light and Snake went up to their trainer as Light turned to her normal form.

"Umbre, Breon," Ethan answered.

"Thanks, Cell, you did great," Alec told her.

"Pika Pi!" Pikachu shouted.

"Pikachu!" Ash called out as his partner jumped into his arms.

Alec's POV

After Alec returned everyone but Ethan, Kenan called out to everyone. "There isn't a hint of water in the soil. Without it, everything here will die off," he said worriedly.

[I won't lose my home again,] Goodra declared. He then summoned a massive cloud that covered the entire wetlands with Rain Dance and the water poured down.

"I didn't know Goodra had this much power," Serena said amazed. Before long, the wetlands was filled with water. Florges then used Grassy Terrain which helped to heal all the damaged plant life.

"Look's like those two managed to fix everything," Alec commented.

[Now Florges, let's get her healed,] Goodra told her, pointing to Floette who was in her arms.

Florges nodded and everyone headed up into the spring where Florges placed Floette into a small pool. After a bit of waiting, Floette looked better. [Mother,] she said, slightly weak, but she was at least awake.

"Floette's better!" Bonnie cheered.

"What a wonderful sight to see," Clemont added.

[I'm so glad you're alright,] Florges told Floette. She then turned to the other Pokémon. [I'm sorry for what I've done,] she apologized. Floette then took the initiative and grabbed her mother's hand before floating over to Goodra's and grabbing it as well.

[I suppose we can live here together,] Goodra said. The other Pokémon cheered at the development.

As morning came around, the group with Goodra and Florges stood at the mouth of the cave looking over the wetlands while the other Pokémon enjoyed themselves. "They're all having so much fun. Now there's nothing to worry about," Serena commented.

"Hey Goodra," Ash started.

[What is it?] Goodra asked.

"I think you should stay here," Ash answered.

[What?] Goodra asked in confusion.

"This is where you really belong. Here in the wetlands. Don't you think so?" Ash asked him.

"The wetlands? What are you talking about?" Serena asked in surprise.

"But that means goodbye," Bonnie protested.

"I know it does. This is hard for me too, but Goodra, you're strong now. You're not a little Goomy anymore. You can help protect your friends. You'll be able to live together happily. That's what you've wanted," Ash said.

Goodra then hugged Ash with tears in his eyes and Ash returned it. "I think he's right. Maybe this is best for Goodra, the wetlands, and all these Pokémon," Clemont stated.

"Even if we're far apart, no matter what happens, we'll always be friends," Ash said, unable to keep the sadness out of his voice. Bonnie had hugged Clemont while Alec put his hand on Serena's shoulder.

[I'm going to miss you so much Goodra!] Dedenne shouted as he jumped onto Goodra, crying.

[I'll miss you all too,] Goodra answered.

After there goodbye, the group left the wetlands. As they did so, Alec walked beside Ash. "You did the right thing," Alec told him.

"I know I did, but why does the right thing have to be so painful?" Ash questioned.

"I wish I knew, but that's one mystery we may never find out," Alec answered.