"Good morning too all of you." Mustard said to the gathered trainers. "Today is the big day. Ash, you and Kubfu will be climbing the tower to the far north. While Goh will be climbing the tower where the second task started."

"Ash, quick question." Misty said.

"What's up?" Ash asked.

"Now counting Pikachu, I see three other pokeballs, can't you have five protecting you?" Misty asked.

"Six actually, the Kubfu's aren't our Pokémon." Goh said.

"I have complete faith in these four, they've gotten me through plenty before." Ash said.

"Well then, best of luck to you." Goh said.

"May the best trainer win." Ash responded.

Outside the northern tower

"Ash, this is as far as your own Pokémon may go. The opposing Pokémon will try to break through the tower as soon as you start, send out your chosen team now." A fellow dojo student said.

"Alright guys, come on out and meet Kubfu!" Ash said tossing out three Pokeballs.

"Green one! Blue one! Orange one! You've made it for my great triumph." Kubfu said ecstatically.

As Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charizard took an offensive stance against Kubfu, Ash rushed between them.

"Guys, I don't know what's going on, but we need your help. Other Pokémon will be trying to get in that tower. I need you four to hold them off. Okay." Ash said, his eyes glowing ever so slightly.

Ash's original team backed off, calming down.

"Good, now I'll try and be quick." Ash said as he, Misty, and Kubfu ran in.

"I don't trust that Pokémon." Charizard said.

"Same, but Ash does, and that's what matters." Bulbasaur said.

"Hey guys, those forces, I think they're coming." Squirtle said flipping on his sunglasses.

"We fight them, together!" Pikachu said, sparks flying from his cheeks.

Inside the tower

"Do you think they'll be okay?" Ash asked.

"Ash, you chose them because you trust them to handle this." Misty reminded. "Now Honey said there are five trainers you have to fight, so let's get you battling."

Back outside

"This has to be some sort of joke." Charizard said flying through a group of Morpeko.

"Just because they're small doesn't mean they're not dangerous." Bulbasaur said, sending out a Sleep Powder.

"Less talking, more stopping!" Squirtle said releasing a Hydro Pump.

"Guys we have to push them back, we're too close to the tower!" Pikachu called out sending a warning Thunderbolt at the Pokémon, a Mandibuzz being slammed to the ground behind them at the same time.

"We have a pinch point, anything that walks needs to get through that point, we go past there and it's easy pickings." Charizard said, hitting another Mandibuzz.

"Now isn't this interesting." A voice said from the cave nearby. "Dark types homing in on that kids Pokémon, could be fun."

Back in the tower

"One floor down, how're you feeling?" Misty asked.

"That one was easy enough, but four more might be difficult." Ash said.

"Hey don't dis the Psyducks." Misty argued. "Actually, let's not talk about that."

"Good idea." Ash laughed. It was just like old times.

Back outside

"Okay, I've never dealt with anger like this." Bulbasaur said backing up as a Drapion struck where he just was.

"I've got you!" Squirtle called out, freezing the Drapion in its place.

"Charizard we could use some fire power down here!" Bulbasaur yelled up.

"When one of you learns to fly! Come and talk to me!" Charizard argued spewing flames at the Vullaby and Mandibuzz flock that just kept coming.

"Guys, they can disguise themselves!" Pikachu said as the Scrafty he was fighting became a Zoroark.

"We might have bigger problems." Squirtle said in fear. The Drapion had broken free with help from a Krookodile, the two large Pokémon facing Squirtle and Bulbasaur.

"Do you trust me?" Bulbasaur asked.

"Every time." Squirtle said.

"On three." Bulbasaur counted. "One. Two. Three!"

As the Drapion and Krookodile looked over Bulbasaur, a Solar Beam shot them into the sky hitting several of the Mandibuzz, the dark types falling in the distance.

Back inside

"First Psyduck, now Politoed. Misty did you just give them your Pokémon?" Ash asked honestly.

"You really think I'd do that?" Misty said. "If my Pokémon were going to fight you, I'd be the one battling you."

"It was just a joke." Ash commented.

Back outside

"Non dark types incoming!" Charizard called out, dodging the rocks flying at him.

"I got the red one!" Squirtle called out firing a Hydro Pump.

"Black and yellow is mine." Bulbasaur commented firing a Razor Leaf.

"Not all of us are non dark now." A voice chuckled.

"No, not you. Not here. Not now!" Pikachu said angrily.

"What? You really thought a call to dark types to stop Ash Ketchum wouldn't bring me about." Darkrai chuckled stepping out of the shadows.

"We've beaten you before, and we'll do it again!" Pikachu argued.

"You had that pitiful trainer with you last time, he can't help you now!" Darkrai said swatting Pikachu into Bulbasaur and Squirtle.

"Ash may be busy, but no one hurts those three on my watch!" Charizard said, speeding into Darkrai, flames ablaze.

Back Inside

"So Brock told me about the Ashley incident." Misty said as they continued climbing.

"Sorry if you're hurt from not being included, it's not exactly like I'm proud of it." Ash said.

"I'm not hurt that I wasn't there. I'm hurt that you clearly feel like you can't open up to me about it." Misty sighed.

"Look, I've told you about my Darkrai problem, and I'm pretty sure that 'Ashley' being a thing is his fault. Now I have no idea where he is or when he's going to strike again, and honestly that terrifies me! Are you happy!" Ash yelled.

"Ash, we can help." Misty offered.

"No, this ones different, he kills anyone who gets in his way, I can't involve anyone more than needed, so just drop it." Ash said angrily.

Back outside

"And stay down!" Darkrai said tossing Charizard downwards.

Charizard quickly regained control, spinning onto its feet before landing on its back.

"Pikachu, any ideas?" Bulbasaur gulped.

"Keep holding everyone else off, I've still got some fight left in me." Charizard said, picking himself up.

"We can help!" Squirtle argued.

"And like I said, unless one of you can fly, you can't!" Charizard said, unleashing a flamethrower at Darkrai before blasting into the air.

"Squirtle, you and Bulbasaur keep the other Pokemon at bay, I'll try and help Charizard." Pikachu said. "I don't need to be able to fly to hit a moving target!"

Back inside the tower

"Top of the tower, one last trainer." Ash said, opening the door. "Avery! I've beaten you once, don't think I won't do it again!"

"I'm not your opponent, I'm simply here to oversee the match." Avery said calmly.

"But there's no one else here. Where's my opponent?" Ash asked.

"You brought her yourself." Avery said.

"I have to fight Misty! With only Kubfu!" Ash said in shock.

"Well then Ash, let's begin." Misty said grabbing a Pokeball.

"Okay Misty, I challenge you to a battle! Kubfu let's do this!" Ash called out.

"I choose you!" Misty said bringing back her arm, only for a red beam to pop out of her bag. "Psyduck!"

"Kubfu use Aerial Ace!"

"Psyduck use Water Gun!"

Kubfu swept under the Water Gun, before slicing around Psyduck.

"Now use Focus Punch!"

"Psyduck it's behind you!"

Psyduck being himself, slowly turned in confusion, only to be pushed back by the focus punch, knocked out in only two hits.

"Psyduck return! Time for something a bit quicker. Staryu, I choose you!"

Back Oustide

"Why! Won't! You! Stay! Down!" Darkrai screamed, attacking Charizard relentlessly.

"Ash never gave up on me. So I'm never giving up on him." Charizard said flying back at Darkrai.

"THEN SHARE HIS FATE!" Darkrai screamed blasting Charizard at the tower.

"Staryu use Hydro Pump!"

"Kubfu use Aerial Ace!

A series of cracks were heard, moments before Charizard tumbled through the top of the tower. A large hole behind him.

"What is that!" Avery cried out in fear.

"Darkrai, why are you here!?" Ash yelled.

"Isn't it simple. To destroy you." Darkrai said floating closer. "The only one who could stop me is you. You have the power to push Pokémon past their max, give them 110%. Without your Pokémon, you are easy pickings." Darkrai said raising a claw.

"Kub!" Kubfu shouted pushing back Darkrai with a focus punch.

"Insolent welp!" Darkrai shouted, swatting Kubfu away.

"Enough!" Ash shouted, an aura shield pushing Darkrai back out.

"Ash if you leave now, Kubfu may never evolve. I'm not asking you do it for me, do it for the island, for the dojo, for those who deserve a second chance." Avery pled. "The armor once restored can defeat whatever that is."

Ash turned around, his eyes glowing blue. Meanwhile, Pikachu felt the surge of energy, Ash was fighting with him, and he'd keep fighting. Charizard slowly made his way onto his feet, the flame on his tail now bright blue like his trainers eyes. Fighting off the swarms of dark type Pokémon, Squirtle and Bulbasaur felt the connection, the two in perfect sync. Even Kubfu as it got back up, his eyes glowing blue just like everyone else's.

"Misty, one last Pokémon, make it count." Ash said.

"I always do." Misty responded. Charizard had landed on Staryu, so there was one clear choice. "Gyarados! I choose you!"

"Kubfu use Close Combat!"

"Gyarados use Rain Dance!"

Kubfu launched into the air firing a blur of punches onto the water snake.

"Go for an Aerial Ace!"

"Use Hurricane!"

Kubfu ran with the wind, spinning through Gyarados as he landed back by Ash. He gave Ash a knowing nod, it was now or never.

"Kubfu! Use Thunder Punch!"

The storm inside the top floor raged, debris flying everywhere with the sparks and wind. Every few seconds Ash could make out a black figure striking Gyarados, it wasn't Darkrai though, it was something new.

"Ur! Shi! Fu!" The Pokemon cried out as Gyarados fell.

"Urshifu the Rapid Strike Style." Avery said in dibelief.

"Urshifu, the Pokémon who've been protecting us need our help, are you in?" Ash asked.

Urshifu nodded walking towards the opening. Once Darkrai was in range it leapt out striking the Dark One with a Focus Punch.

"You!" Darkrai shouted as Urshifu hit him.

"Me, and I remember you're the reason I'm here!" Urshifu cried out, striking Darkrai again and again. Pummeling it into the ground.

"Thanks for the opening Urshifu, but mind if we finish this one." Pikachu said.

Bulbasaur and Squirtle walked up beside him, as Charizard and Ash landed behind them.

"Bulbasaur use Solar Beam! Charizard use Flamethrower! Squirtle use Hydro Pump! Pikachu use Thunderbolt!" Ash called out.

Darkrai looked up to see the powerful attack combination heading straight for him. He vanished as quick as he could but even then had taken serious damage. He needed someone who wouldn't be hurt fighting Ash now.

"Great work Urshifu, I guess you can protect yourself and the island now." Ash said.

"Fu." Urshifu said holding out its fist.

"Right back at you." Ash said returning the gesture.

Back at Darkrai's Island

"Darkrai! Are you okay?" Hypno asked.

"Get your hands off me!" Darkrai screamed. "I'm fine."

"You've come back a bit beaten up before, but this is far worse than anything else, what happened?" Hypno asked.

"It is none of your concern. The child simply outsmarted me this time, I will recover and be back at it." Darkrai said, limping away.