Author's Note:
An intense chapter coming up. It's a bit weird, but...I think it works. I've been looking forward to it for a loooonnnngggg time anyway, so hopefully you all enjoy it. Time for Serena's big test!
Chapter 15: A Mega Dream
Serena led the way once she and Ash were outside of the Battle Maison, and in the Safari. It had been easy to get out, nobody seeming interested in challenging them relentlessly once they'd been approached by Abe. However, it was nice to get back out into the fresh air, and away from the loud sounds of battle and yelling trainers. Even Ash seemed a little relieved.
"Looks pretty nice," Ash said as they began to walk. "I wonder if it's like the Safari Zone back in Kanto."
"That's where you got all those Tauros, right?" Serena asked, giggling as she looked back at him.
"Yeah," he said, laughing along. "Thirty of them by the end of it. Any time I tried catching another Pokemon they just ran right in front. They love it at Professor Oak's, though, so it was totally worth it for them and me."
Serena smiled at that, appreciating how Ash loved anything to do with his Pokemon. A lot of other trainers might've been frustrated only getting Tauros out of an expedition in the Safari Zone, but Ash managed to make it seem like winning the lottery.
"I wonder what Pokemon are around here," Ash then said, staring around curiously. "If there's a rogue Absol, maybe a lot of them hide away."
Just then, however, a couple of Doduo ran over a hill up ahead, before disappearing into some bushes, while a Poliwag poked its head up out of a pond towards their left. Serena was pretty sure she could see some rustling bushes up ahead, too, just in front of the forest that stretched out in front of them. It seemed there were at least some Pokemon around, but maybe they liked the cover of the forest growth.
"The rogue Absol is probably further from the Battle Maison," Serena suggested, looking around for any other signs of Pokemon. "It sounds like it makes a point of only attacking trainers, so other Pokemon might not be afraid of it."
Ash nodded, apparently agreeing, before he looked to Serena's Absol. "Do you sense anything, Absol? You might be able to sense something we can't find."
"Sol," Absol grunted, before stepping out in front of Serena and closing his eyes. He seemed to be trying to feel with his mind, rather than listen or smell what was out there. When he opened his eyes and looked back at Serena, though, he looked disappointed.
"Don't worry, Absol, we'll find that other Absol. Or Abe if we need to." She couldn't help but glance around a bit nervously, though, thinking of what that trainer had said. Or is that Absol going to find us?
They continued walking for a few minutes, pausing briefly if a noise was heard, or a bush rustled nearby with a wandering Pokemon. They eventually came to another stop and Ash looked to Rockruff, who was looking a little restless. Serena could see that he was quite excited about his battle success back at the Battle Maison, and rather than being tired out, he'd been invigorated by it. Ash seemed to have an idea for how to burn off some of that energy.
"Rockruff, do you think you might be able to sniff out where another Absol might be, or possibly what direction Abe and his migh've gone?" He then looked to Riolu, which surprised Serena, until she heard the next idea. "And Riolu," Ash then said. "Do you know if you might be able to sense any strong auras around here? I bet this Absol might have one."
Rockruff was already off, sniffing Serena's Absol briefly, before putting his nose to the ground and trying to find some kind of trail. He seemed to have some kind of general direction, but he didn't look too sure. Riolu meanwhile, had stopped and closed his eyes after some encouragement from Ash.
"Ru ruru," he murmured, eyelids twitching as he tried to search for whatever it was he was looking for. His head briefly tilted in the direction of Ash, Serena and their Pokemon, mainly Absol, before he seemed to focus ahead. It seemed to strain him quite a bit, though, and he stopped after about a minute, breathing heavily.
"It's okay, Riolu," Ash said, petting the young Pokemon on the head. "I bet it's tough, but I thought it was worth a try." He looked ahead to Rockruff as well, seeing the Puppy Pokemon sniffing relentlessly in an attempt to find a trail. He seemed confused, but still wanted to continue, so the group resumed walking, despite still having no clear trail.
After awhile, it was becoming clear they didn't seem to know where to go, and they stopped once more. Serena sighed, wondering what to do. She could see that Ash was frustrated with himself, obviously wanting to help, and felt bad, knowing that while this was technically a school assignment for both of them, it was mainly a quest for her and Absol. He'd done a lot for her already, and she wanted to take the lead.
That's part of the test! she realized suddenly. She looked around, trying to think of what exactly she was being asked to prove. Based on what Calem had said, nobody even seemed to get this far with whatever Abe wanted from them in terms of him giving them information on the Absolite. If that was the case, Serena must've shown him something that only she could do. What was that, though?
Her eyes suddenly fell on something that was behind them, looking like it was hiding behind a tree. She blinked in surprise, realizing it was a Poliwag, possibly the one she'd spotted earlier. It was surely just a coincidence, but Serena was also pretty sure this could have something to do with her "test". She was aspiring to become Kalos Queen one day, and she needed to show what that meant. Absol was part of her team, but it was a team...so maybe she needed to work with all of them.
"Popplio," she suddenly said, looking to her Alolan water type, meeting Absol's eyes briefly as she turned.
"Pop?" Popplio responded, hopping over to her as Ash and the others looked at her curiously.
"I might need you, okay? Can you be ready?" Serena asked, smiling to Popplio. The performing Pokemon nodded happily, looking like she could sense an opportunity to perform approaching, before Serena looked back over to the hiding Poliwag. "Poliwag, can you come out?"
"Poli?" the Poliwag squeaked out, poking its head out, before ducking behind the tree quickly as it looked at all the staring Pokemon. Serena narrowed her eyes, seeing that it appeared most nervous of Absol.
Serena gave it a moment, before she looked to Popplio again, the Sea Lion Pokemon awaiting what it seemed to know was a chance to perform. "Popplio, why don't you show Poliwag your water bubble juggling? I bet it would be really impressed!"
"Serena, what does this...?" Ash trailed off as Serena smiled towards him. He seemed to understand she had a plan then, and just smiled back, looking interested in seeing what she wanted to do.
"Popplio!" Popplio then called out excitedly, hopping onto a nearby tree stump, before blowing out three bubbles and beginning to juggle them. She was quite capable of doing at least five, but Serena knew she liked to save that as the performing went on.
Poliwag seemed impressed by it as it was, though, poking its head out a bit more, and then eventually hopping out from its little hiding place, eyes shining with interest as it watched. "Poliwag!" it cheered, as Popplio added another bubble. Serena joined in, applauding as Popplio stood up higher on her flippers, eventually adding in another bubble for louder cheers, with Ash and the rest of the Pokemon joining in.
"Pop!" Popplio then cried out as she was finishing up, blowing one last bubble that she balanced on her nose while she juggled the others another few seconds. She finished by popping each in a spray of blue sparkles, getting one last cheer from the group.
"Poli! Poliwag!" the Poliwag cheered the loudest, hopping up and down with excitement, clearly having loved the performance of its fellow water type. Serena sensed this was her chance.
"Did you enjoy that Poliwag?" she asked, the Tadpole Pokemon looking to her curiously as it settled down. It no longer appeared afraid. When it nodded, Serena continued. "That's great!" she said, exchanging a smile with the small water type. "I know Popplio enjoyed your cheers!" She giggled as Popplio voiced her agreement, adding in a little bow. Serena waited another moment, before getting to what she wanted to say. "You see, Poliwag...Popplio and I, along with Absol here, and three of my other Pokemon...we want to perform together and bring joy to people and Pokemon all over the world, just like we were able to bring joy to you just now."
"Poliwag?" Poliwag tilted its head curiously.
"We're here because there's something we're hoping to accomplish for...with Absol. Our team...our family, wants to help him achieve something really amazing." She paused, seeing Poliwag glance ahead up the path, and she knew she was on the right track. "You know what it is, don't you?"
"Poli..." Poliwag looked nervous, but after a glance at Popplio, it nodded. "Poli!" it then added more confidently, nodding.
"Can you lead us in the right direction?"
"Poli!"
With that, the group set off once more, Serena smiling brightly as they followed Poliwag down the path, the Tadpole Pokemon marching them towards...something. She didn't know if it would be the rogue Absol, but she knew it would be important. Seeing Ash walking confidently behind her gave her a boost, though, glad that he'd be there to help no matter what was ahead.
The first thing that lay ahead wasn't the rogue Absol, but when Serena first saw it, it appeared just as dangerous as what they'd been told to expect. It was a Pokemon, and a fierce looking one at that. However, it was a Gyrados, roaring in lake at the edge of a clearing they'd reached. The Poliwag that had led them here appeared distressed as it looked at the Gyrados, glancing back at Serena hopefully.
Serena smiled, understanding what she needed to do. "Sylveon, Pancham, come on out!" she called, tossing the two pokeballs out in front of her.
"Veon!"
"Cham!"
Ash watched curiously as Serena looked ahead, seeming to know that she seemed to have a direction she was following with all of this. It made her blush a bit, glad to know that he had the confidence in her to follow this through and pass this test. She still wasn't sure exactly what it was, but she knew that showing what her team did together would be the best way to find what they needed.
"Sylveon, you and I should go talk to Gyrados, okay? Just like with that Tauros in the IPL." Serena could see the hesitant look on her Pokemon's faces, but Sylveon seemed happy enough to go with her, wrapping a ribbon-like feeler around her wrist and joining her as she approached the lake.
The Gyrados roared as it saw them approaching, but as it bent down to bare its fangs at them, Serena simply smiled ahead, before calmly ordering Sylveon to use Fairy Wind. She did so immediately, in the soft, gentle way she had used it against the Tauros in their performance in the IPL. The reaction from Gyrados was quite similar.
The fierce water type stared at them, blinking slowly, before it lowered its head, tilting it and opening its jaws further. Now Serena could see why she had been brought here by Poliwag. "Pancham, can you help Gyrados?" she asked, looking to the Playful Pokemon.
"Cham!" he cried out confidently, leaping onto Gyrados' back confidently. Gyrados seemed to understand he was being helped, though, and allowed Pancham to scurry up to his head and hang down, peering into its fierce jaws. "Pancham cham!" he called out as he hopped down, grabbing ahold of something in Gyrados' fangs, and pulling. It came lose with a big yank, and Pancham landed softly on the grass by the lake, holding a large branch that had been stuck in Gyrados' teeth.
The Atrocious Pokemon didn't appear so atrocious anymore, stretching his jaws and looking extremely relieved. After a moment, it looked down at Serena and her Pokemon with shining eyes. It roared in a way that conveyed its gratitude, while Poliwag hopped forward to greet it.
"I'm glad you're okay, Gyrados," Serena said, glancing back to see that Ash was with her, looking impressed. She returned her gaze to the water type as it looked back at her, and knew she could get its help with what she needed next. "Do you think you could help me with something? I'm looking for an Absol. I've heard there's one around here."
Gyrados looked hesitant a moment, almost fearful, but it nodded and turned its head towards a path by the edge of the lake. Behind it the forest stretched further ahead, but beyond that, there was a large cliff, and Serena was sure that there was a cave entrance at the bottom that they would likely need to head into. Unfortunately, the only way onto this path seemed to be blocked by a massive boulder.
The boulder wasn't a problem for long, however, as Gyrados moved through the water and straightened out in front of it. After studying it a moment, the Atrocious Pokemon roared loudly, the cry ringing in Serena's ears. However, it appeared to be worth it, as she watched Gyrados obliterate the boulder blocking the path with a mighty Hyper Beam.
"All right! Way to go Gyrados!" Ash called out, Riolu cheering alongside him. "Looks like you've made us some good friends, Serena!" he added, looking to a pleased Poliwag.
Serena nodded, smiling as they said farewell to the two water types, and began making their way down the path. It still wasn't going to be easy, but she was glad she seemed to have figured out some way of finding where she needed to go. As she looked to her side, seeing Absol looking back curiously, she knew that showing off her teamwork with all of her Pokemon was important not only for showing Abe what she was capable of, but also for showing Absol what he was a part of.
"Sol..."
They stopped as they reached the cave towards the end of the path. It was pitch black inside, and Serena knew that the next stage of their journey would be difficult. She believed in Absol and the others, though,and knew that they would get through it together.
"Do you sense something, Absol?" Serena asked, nervously fingering the ribbon and Key Stone on her wrist. She could see the glittering Absolite in Absol's bow tie, and wondered if they were nearing the chance to make use of the stones.
"Sol," Absol answered her, nodding as he stared ahead. He glanced to Pancham, Sylveon and Popplio as the three of them moved to his sides, surprisingly looking a little uneasy as they did so. Serena gave him an encouraging nod, though, and he nodded to the three of them in return to show his appreciation.
"We're going to need a way to see in there," Ash pointed out as he looked into the cave. He smiled as he glanced back to Serena. "I guess you'll need the whole gang to do this."
Serena smiled back, pleased that Ash understood what she was trying to accomplish. She pulled her last pokeball out then, and called out Braixen, the Fox Pokemon emerging at the head of the group. She turned around, smiling to Absol and gestured for him to walk beside her, before she lit the tip of her wand in flames. Then, the two of them led the rest of the group into the cave.
Meowth's whole body was shaking as he and the other Pokemon scurried down the hall. He'd been hesitant about doing the escape attempt during the day, but with all the planning he'd done until this point, it appeared that night time wouldn't have been any different, and perhaps more difficult with no other tasks for any guards to do.
And, with word that there was going to be a meeting on various hunter plans with Raphael going around, Meowth knew this would be the best chance if he and the others were going to escape any time soon. With most of the hunters, and all the most powerful of them, gathered for a meeting, there was no greater opportunity to strike.
Meowth had seen Skiddo's Worry Seed in action with an early training battle with a hunter, and while it hadn't resulted in any kind of success then, with the poor grass type immediately knocked out in that battle, it had definitely made Meowth think more on how it could be used. He'd seen that the doors locked immediately upon closing with their cages, and figured that if they could prevent them closing completely, it would be the chance to hop out. And, all they needed was him to get out, before he could pick the locks on the other cages with his claws.
He hadn't considered how scared he'd be once he had a large group of beaten and frightened followers, though, with many having had no idea of the planned escape. They were going to have to move quick, and it was hard enough to do so without the limping and shying away at every noise.
Meowth had pushed through, though, and while he knew he wasn't going to be able to free all the Pokemon, he'd managed to get into a few rooms, and had released a few dozen Pokemon by the time he knew they needed to make their way to an exit if there was one. Unfortunately, he hadn't been able to find all of his Team Rocket Pokemon friends, but he had found Seviper, Yamask, Inkay and Gourgeist. Seviper had been particularly helpful in battering down a couple doors that were tough to open.
"All right, you guys," Meowth whispered as he stood at the edge of a hallway after clearing their last room. "As much as I'd like ta get de others outta here, we gotta go or none of us is getting' out." He glanced ahead, seeing a hallway that seemed to lead to a bigger area that might've been some kind of lobby. They risked running into someone there, but it seemed like the best way to find an exit. "Let's go dis way!"
The Pokemon behind him were obedient. Whether that was because of the hunter abuse, fear of being caught, or both, Meowth didn't know. However, it was helpful in the current situation, and they followed smoothly as he darted ahead, Skiddo close behind him, while Wobbuffet and Seviper covered the rear of the group.
They reached the hallway quickly, before slowly heading down towards the lobby. That was when they had their first encounter, a hunter walking down another hallway, appearing bored as he stared at a tablet in his hands. He glanced up too late, eyes widening as Meowth had Skiddo use Vine Whip to knock him out.
"Nice one, pal!" Meowth congratulated the Mount Pokemon, seeing Skiddo looking pleased with its quick action. "You ain't so weak after all!"
"Doo-oo-oo!" Skiddo bleated out happily, before following along as Meowth found the direction towards the exit.
They had two more close calls as they went down that hallway. First, a hunter appeared at the rear, making a grab at a Pokemon before Wobbuffet blocked him and sent him flying into the ceiling with a Counter attack. Next, was one hunter opening a door and finding himself in the middle of the column of Pokemon. He ended up being swarmed and knocked out nearly right away.
Eventually, they reached what appeared to be a dead end, but Meowth could see a couple of buttons next to what appeared to be a massive metal door. He decided he'd hit them, expecting one to open it up. Unfortunately, as soon as he hit one of them, an alarm started blaring.
"Unauthorized exit detected at gate four! Unauthorized exit detected at gate four!"
Meowth's eyes widened at the computerized voice coming from the speakers as the alarm blasted a siren throughout the halls. He couldn't believe it. After slipping through the halls almost completely unnoticed, he'd messed it all up by hitting a button. This couldn't be it! They needed to escape now! They might not get another chance before it was too late.
"Hey! What's going on here?!"
Meowth turned his head as he saw a hunter popping out of a room. He looked furious, but the appearance of dozens of Pokemon in front of him seemed to surprise him, and it gave Meowth the chance to see the key card around his neck. He glanced back at the buttons he'd pushed so carelessly, seeing the card reader next to them. I just need that card, he told himself, glancing to Skiddo, before looking back and seeing Seviper and Wobbuffet holding off a couple of hunters emerging at the back.
"All right, pal," Meowth said to Skiddo then, knowing they needed to act fast. "We gotta get dis guy's card, okay?"
"Doo-oo-oo!" Skiddo bleated in determination, pawing at the ground with his hoof, looking ready to charge.
Meowth smirked, before hopping up onto Skiddo's back and taking hold of his horns. "Charge!"
And Skiddo did just that. Not only him, but about ten others as well. The Growlithe and Bisharp from their earlier training group, and even a small Shinx joined in, looking fierce and determined, knowing this was their chance to escape. The hunter seemed to realize he didn't have a chance, and before he was hit by the wave of Pokemon, he yelled into a transceiver.
"Initiate lockdown! I repeat! Initiate lockdown!"
"Lock dis down!" Meowth yelled, leaping off of Skiddo and slashing at the hunter's face with his claws, while Growlithe barreled into him alongside Shinx, and the others followed closely behind. The man went quiet after that, and Meowth quickly pulled his key card off. He hopped on Skiddo's back again and the Mount Pokemon hurried over to the buttons as more hunters started to arrive.
"Lock the exit!" they were yelling, too busy worrying about yelling into their transceivers to think of the Pokemon charging at them with all the hatred that the abuse of these monsters had brought on.
Fortunately for Meowth, the exits didn't seem to be getting locked in time. He swiped the key, noticing a green light flashing briefly, before he slapped the top button again. The metal door began to open slowly, and he and the other Pokemon began rushing towards it. As they reached it, Meowth hopped off of Skiddo's back and yelled for him to run through, while he hung back with his fellow Team Rocket Pokemon to fight off the remaining hunters that were emerging.
A couple finally seemed to have brought Pokemon, and Meowth winced as a couple of stragglers from his group were hit and suddenly pulled back, taken back into the arms of the hunters. Unfortunately, he had no choice but to leave them, knowing he needed to get the others out as quickly as possible.
He slashed away at a couple of Pokemon, fighting hard alongside Inkay, Gourgeist and Seviper, while Wobbuffet seemed to guide more Pokemon from their group through the door. Finally, they seemed to have the opening as the last of their group ran through, and Meowth gave an opposing Doublade a hard swipe with his claw, surprised to see his claws glow purple a moment as he did so. He couldn't think too much about that, though, darting though the door with the others, while Wobbuffet deflected a Nidoking's Hyper Beam right back towards a large group of hunters. Meowth gave one last look back, before running hard after the group ahead of him.
As he ran, he didn't dare hope for the success he almost thought he had. He could see darkness ahead of him, wondering if they were entering some kind of cave. Part of him wondered why Pokemon like the Growlithe weren't lighting things up with their fire attacks. He started to look towards Inkay, wondering if he should ask it to use Psybeam. However, in that moment, he started to feel like nothing was below his feet.
He could hear the cries below him, and he gulped, turning around and making a grab towards where he'd been a moment before. He heard Seviper cry out in surprise as well, the poison type bumping into him midair. Inkay and Gourgeist, despite floating, were struggling as well, trying to hold up Wobbuffet from falling. Meowth knew it was no use, though, feeling the pull of gravity as he looked down.
And then he fell.
Braixen and Absol led the group deeper and deeper into the cave, and after awhile, Serena was becoming a little worried they'd be lost in there forever. However, the two of them were able to reassure her, with Absol looking sure he knew the way, and with Braixen proudly lighting the path. The team looked to be working well together to find this rogue Absol, and Serena was proud of each and every one of her Pokemon in the roles they'd played thus far.
"Do you think you'll need to battle this Absol?" Ash asked, walking alongside Serena as they followed Braixen and Absol. "Considering what that trainer at the Battle Maison had said, I would've thought we'd have been attacked by now. It almost seems like..."
"Like it wants us to come to it?" Serena finished, seeing Ash nod. "I was thinking that, too." She almost wondered if she'd passed the test already, but she knew that couldn't be right. Besides, she wasn't sure if she could Mega Evolve Absol right now if she wanted to. She could feel...something in the Key Stone connecting her to Absol, but it seemed...far away. Something was still missing.
"Whatever it's planning, we're with you," Ash told her then, Pikachu nodding his agreement. "You've worked too hard for this to end now."
Serena smiled gratefully, glad to have Ash with her. His confidence seemed contagious in situations like this. She wasn't sure she could've thought of what to do earlier in finding this place if Ash hadn't been here. As wild as Ash could be with some of his antics, he gave her a sense of calm to figure out what she needed to do.
She was about to answer him then, but she suddenly stopped, realizing that Braixen and Absol had halted up ahead. Ash had noticed, too, looking curiously ahead to see what the two Pokemon were looking at. Serena followed his gaze as his eyes widened.
As Serena stepped forward, getting a better view, Braixen raised her wand, lighting up more of the area ahead of them. When Serena could see what it was as well, her own eyes widened in surprise. It was the last thing she had expected.
"That's...Abe's Absol..." Ash sounded hesitant, as though he wasn't sure. Serena couldn't blame him, knowing that what he said must've been true. However, from what they'd seen of the elderly Absol, it hadn't been nearly as...angry as this one. This Absol growled at them menacingly, clearly very different from the calm Absol that had been at his elder trainer's side.
"Abe?" Serena called out hopefully, thinking that maybe if he was somewhere nearby he'd be able to help calm his Absol down. There was no answer, though, and the opposing Absol continued to growl.
Ash seemed to sense a fight was coming, and he started to move forward, his hand going to a pokeball at his belt, while Pikachu was preparing to leap from his shoulder. Riolu and Rockruff looked ready to fight as well. "Ready, Pika-"
"Wait," Serena said quickly, raising a hand to stop Ash, who looked at her in surprise. "I think...I think Abe meant for this to happen." She looked across to the growling Absol and smiled. "You're the supposed 'rogue' Absol, aren't you?"
Abe's Absol narrowed its eyes, growling another moment, before suddenly stopping. It stared back at Serena, and then nodded. "Sol," it grunted out, taking a step forward, still looking prepared to fight.
"And...Abe wants us to battle?" Serena asked, feeling her voice shake a bit. This seemed tougher than any of her previous battles. Abe's Absol might've been elderly, but it looked like it could give Ash's best Pokemon a challenge.
Her own Absol stepped forward at that, while Braixen and Serena's other Pokemon moved back to her sides. Abe's Absol tilted his head as he looked at Serena a moment, before he gave her an answer. He leaped forward, engaging in battle with her own Absol with no warning. "Sol!"
Serena jumped in surprise at the sudden attack, but knew she couldn't be let off guard, immediately ordering a counter as the opposing Disaster Pokemon lashed out with a Shadow Claw. "Absol, use Detect, and then jump back and use Icy Wind!"
"Absol!" her own Absol cried out, ducking under Shadow Claw with Detect, before getting back and unleashing a blast of icy energy over his opponent. Abe's Absol shied away at that, wincing as ice covered his fur, but he didn't seem too concerned, quickly re-engaging in the fight.
"Serena, look out!" Ash warned suddenly.
It was too late, though, and Serena watched as her Absol managed to step aside from another Shadow Claw, before being grabbed by the neck in his opponent's jaws with a menacing Bite attack. It left him completely vulnerable for a ferocious Thunderbolt, Abe's Absol's horn shining in a white light, before electricity surrounded it and blasted out across his opponent's body.
"Sooolll!" Serena's Absol cried out, staggering back and stumbling to his knees from the attack. Abe's Absol didn't let up, though, running forward and slashing with a glowing, purple horn. The Night Slash seemed to lift Serena's Absol up into the air, before throwing him hard across the open area of the cave.
"Absol!" Serena cried out, worried for her Pokemon, knowing he hadn't really had much time to recover from his earlier battles, and was likely still tired. This had to be too much for him.
"Brai..." Braixen murmured from her side, looking equally worried. However, as she placed her paw on Serena's arm in an attempt to comfort her, Serena realized something, glancing down at her wrist.
"That's it!" She looked to Absol and he seemed to be thinking the same thing as he, narrowing his eyes and straining to stand up, managing to just get himself upright as Abe's Absol started to stalk towards him, ready to engage again. "Absol, it's our only chance!" Serena called out, her Disaster Pokemon nodding in answer. "I believe in you, and I believe we can accomplish this dream together! Mega Evolve!"
"SOL!"
"All right!" Ash cheered behind Serena, and she grinned as she held up her wrist, watching as Absol angled his horn with the Absolite on it in her direction.
It was like nothing Serena had ever experienced before. She saw both stones shining brightly, the light of Mega Evolution harsh in the dark cave. However, the blinding lights were nothing compared to the feeling of...well, she didn't know. She was sure it was some kind of connection to Absol, though, feeling her heart racing faster, and the desire to win intensifying. She even saw herself a moment, dressed in one of her performing outfits, doing her various routines with her other Pokemon. Then, she saw herself in the Pokemon Centre, caring for Absol as he was injured. She saw Gabby defeating her in the IPL, and the Medicham scaring Absol in Shalour. And then she saw-
"Ahh!"
The connection cut off like an electrical shock, and Serena fell back, feeling her wrist burning. She felt Ash and Braixen starting to hold her up, but her mind was fuzzy, somewhat forgetting where she was. She stared blankly ahead, not really seeing anything, perhaps being somewhat blinded by the lights from the Mega Evolution stones.
The Key Stone!
She looked down at her wrist, eyes widening as she saw the Key Stone still shining in a white light, although beginning to dim. That wasn't what surprised her, though, as she looked at her wrist underneath the stone. "It...it burned me."
Ash looked speechless, staring at the burn mark as well, before his eyes shot up to look towards the scene in front of them. Serena instantly felt panic rise in her as she followed his gaze, seeing Absol having dropped once more to his knees, looking equally shocked and exhausted by the failed Mega Evolution attempt. Ahead of him, Abe's Absol still looked ready to fight, and Serena had no idea what she could do to stop it.
"Sol..." it growled, raising its claw, shadows covering it.
"Absol!" Serena cried out, trying to stand, but instantly feeling dizzy and falling back to the ground, Ash catching her and holding her up.
"Cham!"
"Veon!"
"Pop!"
"Brai!"
Serena's eyes widened as she watched her Pokemon leap out in front of her, Abe's Absol instantly stopping his approach as he stared down a new set of opponents. Popplio and Sylveon were at Serena's Absol's sides, comforting the injured Disaster Pokemon, while Pancham and Braixen stood in front, ready to protect their teammate and friend.
That was when Abe arrived.
"You may rest now, Absol," the voice of the elderly man echoed through the cave, his Absol instantly sitting calmly, staring back at the fierce looking Pancham and Braixen.
Serena and Ash jumped a little at the voice, turning around and seeing Abe walking slowly into the open area from behind them. Serena still felt a bit dizzy, and Ash had to help her stand straight, but she managed to face Abe as he approached. She couldn't help but let her irritation show.
"Your Absol attacked mine!" she said accusingly. "I thought it was a test, but he was trying to hurt it. He-"
"Your Absol is tired, yes," Abe interrupted. "Not injured, however. Not by my Absol, at least. His injury is much older, is it not?'
Serena blinked in confusion, glancing back to her Absol and seeing him struggling to his feet, while looking cautiously at Abe's Absol. He looked disappointed more than anything. "Nurse Joy said he was healed."
"Physically, yes," Abe said, nodding. "What he's been through leaves worse than physical damage, however. I'm sure you're aware."
Serena nodded, looking down in shame. She knew Absol still struggled with what had happened to him, but she had thought performing and going on this quest together was a way for him to get better. Was she wrong? Did this just make it worse? "Did I...did I hurt him?"
"Not at all," Abe assured her, smiling comfortingly. He glanced towards Absol, and Serena followed his gaze as her Pokemon began to head over to them, watched by Abe's Absol who remained seated. When Absol was back at Serena's side, looking tired and disappointed, she knelt down and hugged him reassuringly.
"I'm sorry, Absol. I didn't want to push you that hard," she said, realizing that accepting a battle with Abe's Absol might've been too much, even if it was a test for the Mega Stone.
"Sol," the Disaster Pokemon answered, shaking his head and nuzzling her. She smiled at that, before looking to Abe as he spoke again.
"Serena...Absol," he said slowly, looking at the two carefully. "I've had countless trainers come to me in search of information for the mysterious Kiloude City Absolite that's been rumoured to be available. I've never given any of them any information about it. Do you know why that is?"
Serena didn't know what to answer. The truth was, she had no idea what had compelled Abe to give her any information instead of any other trainers. She and Absol had a special relationship given what had happened, but there must've been other trainers with unique backgrounds as well.
Ash gave an answer, though. "Because it's not true. The rumour...it's fake."
Serena's eyes widened as she looked at Ash, who kept his focus on Abe. She slowly turned to look at the older man as well, surprised to see him smiling. "Is that...true?" she asked, hardly able to believe it. She'd come all this way for a fake rumour?
"Yes...and no." Abe chuckled, looking ahead to his Absol as he continued. "I started the rumour years ago. Most didn't believe it at first, but my Absol likes to wander despite his age. When trainers started seeing a mysterious Absol roaming around the Safari here, they began to wonder. Some even tried to catch it, thinking it could lead them to the stone, although that never worked. That's how this nonsense about a 'rogue' Absol came about."
"Why would you start a rumour about an Absolite?" Serena asked, her wrist stinging from the burn the Key Stone had given her. "Why have trainers coming here to look for something that wasn't here?"
"Well...it was here," Abe answered, gesturing to Serena's Absol. "Your Absol is wearing it."
"So you...you found it first?" Serena exchanged a confused glance with Ash, before turning back to Abe. "I don't understand."
"I found this stone when I was a young trainer myself," Abe said, seemingly watching a memory play before him. "My Absol and I fought hard for it, and worked for Mega Evolution for many years. It was the happiest day in our lives when we accomplished the feat. However, we're both growing older, and we knew there were plenty of young trainers out there who could thrive with the challenge that we loved so much ourselves. We decided to find the trainer and Pokemon who we felt could use the Absolite not only for accomplishing their dreams, but for the using that dream to accomplish something greater."
"You wanted a performer..." Ash smiled, looking to Serena, who still felt a little flabbergasted by this all. "You wanted to find someone who could use Mega Evolution to..."
"Make people and Pokemon smile..." Serena turned to Absol, seeing him staring intently at Abe. "But...we failed. We weren't able to use it." She looked at the ground, feeling her eyes watering. "We weren't able to connect."
She looked up suddenly as Abe chuckled. "Oh you were able to connect to each other, that was quite clear." He gestured to the burn on Serena's wrist, and then pointed to Absol's bow tie, which was also burned. "That is the sign of a fierce connection. Only the closest bond could leave a mark like that. Of course...it requires much more focus if it is to be maintained. You clearly care for each other, but you need to be connected on what drives that bond."
Serena frowned, exchanging a confused look with Absol. "We weren't properly connected?"
"It has nothing to do with how close you are," Abe assured her. "But you aren't yet quite on the same page. Do not worry, though. That will come in time."
"But we'll need to find another Absolite if we're going to be able to train," Serena pointed out, looking back to Abe.
Abe laughed again, and this time Ash joined in.
"Serena," Abe said, smiling and bowing to her. "The Absolite...is yours."
Author's Note:
And Serena has acquired an Absolite!
I'm sure most expected that once the quest came up, but still, it's a pretty big moment. I can't wait to get to the best stuff that this will lead to. As for what led to it...obviously Serena still needs to work on some stuff. I hope the failure makes enough sense for now. It'll be better understood when the success (if there's success) occurs.
As for Meowth...big time breakout by him and his pal Skiddo and their followers. But where are they going? What happened to them? Answers to come next time.
Hope you all enjoyed, and I'll see you next time.