Chapter 19: Empress Lashara, Pokémon Trainer

The return trip to a destroyed Havoniwa brought a surprise for the Swan as its security Mechanoid, Meteor Fall, appeared above. Kenshi, Wahanly, Chiaia and Aura were in their Sacred Mechanoids while Ash occupied Lashara and Rea on the bridge. Meteor Fall opened the hatch from the underbelly. That's when a giant boulder fell from the hatch and obliterated a bridge. Ash cringed to the sight. "Now I wish I had the same intuition Flora has!" he said. "Gible would've been pretty helpful in this!" Lashara and Rea blinked to Ash's name.

"Gible?" repeated Rea.

"Gible is a Dragon-Type Pokémon that knows Draco Meteor and he had perfected it!" informed Ash. He turned to open a screen with Wahanly appearing. "Wahan, what can you tell us about Meteor Fall's capabilities?"

"Glad you asked, Ash," Wahanly smirked. "Meteor Fall is kept in the air by the suspension systems located in the four legs." The information gave Lashara a plan.

"That means you'll need to take out one of the legs to disable Meteor Fall," she concluded. "Concentrate your fire on one leg!" The Sacred Mechanoids aimed their rifles at one part of the leg but no shot seemed to be doing anything.

"Can they get closer?" asked Ash. Before anyone could reply, an explosion sounded from below. Feeling the blast, Ash and the girls reached the deck where Team Rocket stood. They lobbed bombs at the bridge.

"Come on out, twerp!" taunted Jessie.

"You don't need to use that big machine and give it to us!" urged James. Before long, Ash and the girls came out.

"So, this is your doing with the Meteor Fall, Team Rocket!?" he yelled. Jessie, James and Meowth turned to Ash, Rea and Lashara.

"About time you emerged, twerp!" scowled Jessie. "You're gonna pay for busting us up and stealing those furries like the one on your head!" Rea and Lashara looked up to find Ash's Koro on his head hissing at the team.

"After what I've heard about you siding with the Shitoreyu Empire," Rea budged in. "You got off lightly as opposed to what typically goes on here."

"What should be done is you enter the dungeon and rot in hell for all we care," Lashara scorned. Jessie scowled to Lashara's tone.

"Perhaps, I'll show you who wears the pants on this vessel!" she roared. "Seviper, go!" She threw a Pokéball up and out popped a dark-colored snake emerged. It had a gold plate over its face and red eyes, the body was in a zigzag pattern and had a red blade for a tail.

"Carnivine, toot sweet!" summoned James as he threw his own PokéBall. It opened to reveal a giant green flytrap with eyes and vines for arms. It dove after James, but he scooted to the side, avoiding the diving flytrap. Ash knew Pikachu's hiding, but had to react.

"Alright!" he irked. "You want a Pokémon Battle? You got one! Buizel, Gliscor, I choose you!" Ash released Gliscor and Buizel when Lashara came forward.

"Ash!" she alerted. Ash turned to Lashara.

"Empress?"

"We'll battle alongside you." The offer made Ash irk.

"You sure?"

"Don't question your empress!" The claim made Jessie scoff.

"Empress?" she repeated. "You're more of a spoiled princess than have a power to run an empire!"

"I wouldn't question Empress Lashara, Jessie!" warned Ash. "She's smarter than you three combined! Buizel, Lashara's commanding you! Help her out!" Behind his back, Ash slipped Lashara a note which she quickly glanced to it.

ICE PUNCH
AQUA JET*
SONIC BOOM
WATER GUN*
*ADD SPIN WHEN NECESSARY

The list gave Lashara an idea as Jessie made the first move. "Seviper, Poison Tail!" she ordered. Seviper's bladed tail began glowing purple.

"Gliscor, X Scissor!" ordered Ash. Gliscor's pincers began to glow blue before he swung, crossing his arms in an "X" which blocked Seviper's tail before pushing it back, knocking the snake down.

"Carnivine, Bullet Seed!" commanded James. Carnivine blasted a flurry of seeds.

"Marksman, Water Gun!" ordered Lashara. "That seed!" Buizel shot a stream of water that clipped the chosen seed before it was pushed into other seeds bouncing off and redirecting them. The chain reaction even pelted Carnivine with some of its own seeds. Some had hit Seviper.

"Hey, what are you doing!?" shouted Jessie. "Attack them!" Seeing the distraction, Ash took advantage.

"Gliscor, Stone Edge!" he urged. Gliscor's body developed two rings that wrapped around its body before they changed to sharpened stones. That's when Gliscor shot them at Seviper.

"Carnivine, Vine Whip those down!" called James. In a flash, Carnivine used vines as whips to knock the stones from the sky. Upset, James turned to Jessie. "And maybe you should be paying attention!"

"Hey, who asked you!?" she scowled. Distracted again, Lashara had to act.

"Aqua Jet!" she commanded. Buizel covered himself in a veil of water before streaming after Carnivine.

"Use Bite!" yelled James. Carnivine leaped at Buizel with its jaw open.

"Redirect!" ordered Lashara. Buizel flew up to avoid Carnivine's jaw.

"Use Fire Fang!" commanded Ash. Gliscor's jaw opened with flames inside. It bit Carnivine that made it cry in pain and burned up.

"Use your Bite, Seviper!" shouted Jessie. Seviper's bounced up at Gliscor before Buizel appeared above all.

"Sonic Boom!" countered Lashara as she imitated Guile of Street Fighter: flinging her arms forward swiftly and crossing them. Buizel whipped his tail fast and hard at the other Pokémon, creating a rippling wave. Gliscor cleared before the wave. Seviper and Carnivine were blasted out of the air. A few seconds, they rose but were in pain.

"We can't lose!" growled Jessie.

"Carnivine, you're stronger than them!" cheered James. Remembering the asterisks by two of the moves, Lashara turned to Ash.

"Can Gliscor spin a move like Buizel's Aqua Jet?" she asked. Ash thought before an idea popped up.

"Let's make it a team attack!" he grinned.

"Okay! Buizel, Ice Punch!" Buizel raced in with a light blue glow in his fist. It connected with Seviper's chin and cascaded ice, freezing its head.

"Seviper!" gasped Jessie. Seviper's head fell due to the weight of its head. Ash and Lashara nodded before orders were given.

"Gliscor, give Buizel a ride on your back!" started Ash. Gliscor picked up Buizel and flew into the air when Pikachu emerged and watched as Meowth put the last screw in.

"Soon, dose twerps will suffer unda all dis Ahou!" the talking Pokémon grinned. Attaching a hose, Meowth flipped the switch on the vacuum-like machine before heading behind Jessie and James. Pikachu swiftly moved in.

"Marksman, spin and use Aqua Jet!" controlled Lashara.

"Gliscor, spin and use Giga Impact!" copied Ash. In a spinning whirl, Buizel and Gliscor created a tornado that zoomed at Team Rocket when a new Pokémon emerged: a blue standing and wobbly punching bag-like creature that had squinted zigzag eyes. The two Pokémon barreled at the new creature who immediately panicked as both attacks came at it.

"Wobbuffet!" called Jessie. "Do something!" The new Pokémon ran back to Jessie. "Not this way!" The attacks blasted Team Rocket's Pokémon back to Team Rocket, bulldozing them to the ground and missing Meowth. The Pokémon were out, swirls in their eyes. He gulped to Ash and Lashara's teamwork.

"Okay, twerps!" scowled Meowth. "Let's see you handle all dis Ahou!" He pointed the hose at the trainer and empress. Ash stood in front of Lashara as Meowth pulled the handle to the hose connected to the large container… and nothing. Ash and Lashara looked pass Team Rocket and found Pikachu with a grin on his face.

"Looks like you need a hand," Lashara taunted. That's when there was an explosion from above as a new Sacred Mechanoid shot at the tower of Meteor Fall and one of the legs was destroyed. The tower fell to the ground forward as Ash realized the Sacred Mechanoid with angelic wings on the head, cape on the back and a blue/gray frame.

"Yukine!" he named. Lashara gasped to the name.

"Wait, how do you know that's Yukine's Sacred Mechanoid?" she questioned.

"I trained with her yesterday." Lashara's deadpan look was her response to Ash's briefing.

"That would make sense." Meanwhile, Meowth raced at Pikachu.

"Don't tink youse can do dat, Pikachu!" he snarled before Kenshi's Sacred Mechanoid swooped in and snatched the container.

"Oh, I wonder what's in here?" he teased as Aura's and Wahanly's Sacred Mechanoids snatched Team Rocket and their Pokémon.

"Looks like these guys are not going anywhere," Wahanly sneered. Yukine emerged from her Sacred Mechanoid and fell, her outfit being black with a brassier showing. She couldn't stand without support.

"Thank you," she weakly praised. The girls placed heavy steel locks on Jessie and James while Wahanly's MechaWorker held Meowth by the scruff. Rea examined Seviper, Carnivine and Wobbuffet.

"You keep your hands off of our Pokémon!" snapped Jessie.

"As long as you're on the Swan as our prisoners," Lashara scoffed. "They'll be ourPokémon."

"As if!" snapped Jessie. Ash and Kenshi turned to Yukine.

"We can't thank you enough for saving us back there," Kenshi praised. Yukine blushed to Kenshi's kind words.

"I did… what I needed to to…" she shyly answered. "After all, Queen Flora had asked me to do so." Ash smiled and Chiaia and Pikachu also approached.

"So, Queen Flora's safe?" she asked.

"Yes, in the underground city," Yukine replied. "I can help escort you there." Lashara turned to Ash and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Well, at least we didn't need to buy a bouquet or a wreath for the city," she sneered.

"Yep," Ash nodded. After everything got situated and the Sacred Mechanoids in the workshop, the Swan left the ruins of Havoniwa and Meteor Fall before it entered a cavern. There was a steel door that opened to allow the Swan to enter. Ash and Kenshi were in awe.

"Is this the underground city?" guessed Kenshi.

"It is," Yukine confirmed. They soon came off the Swan with Wahanly carrying Team Rocket in the MechaWorker's pincers before dropping them when spear-wielding soldiers appeared and surrounded them. Yukine came over to which she reemerged with Maria, now gowned in a white strapless wedding gown.

"Welcome to Havoniwa's Underground City," she greeted. "I'm happy to see everyone is here safe and sound." Ash's face went red at seeing Maria dressed as a bride.

"Did… you get married already?" he pointed out.

"Oh, no… At least, not yet," she teased before holding Ash's hands. "Though, I cannot wait until we do." Chiaia and Pikachu snickered at seeing Ash's reddening face.

"At least Ash said that you'd be alive," Lashara grunted. "It saved us from buying a bouquet to memorialize you… but what are you doing getting ready to hitch yourself!?"

"Call it a preview of what to expect when Ash and I do become lawfully wedded," Maria laughed. While Lashara growled in anger, Aura shared in Pikachu's laughter.

"Well, someone has plans," she iterated. That's when the queen emerged, excited to see the boys.

"Ash!" she called out as she sprinted pass Maria and Yukine. "Kenshi! Oh my god, I'm so happy to see you two again!" She hugged the two bemused Sacred MechaMasters.

"Long time, no see, Queen Flora," Kenshi gulped. She broke and giggled.

"My apologies!" she snickered. "I should be calling you Sir Ash and Sir Kenshi! After all, they're now titles for being Male Sacred MechaMasters, ones I didn't think would be yours… but that can be forgiven with a threesome between all of us." Her coy made Lashara boil in anger.

"Aunt Flora!" she cried.

"That's considered statutory rape where I'm from!" bellowed Jessie. All turned to Jessie with James and Meowth gulping. Flora walked passed everyone to meet with Jessie. Neither women were happy, let alone sported a smile.

"So, you're one of the people who endangered my niece?" she scowled. Jessie didn't flinch.

"Who cares who your twerpette is! She's nothing but a whiny, spoiled brat!"

"Spoiled, maybe… but the whiny brat- or should I say whiny female dog is you. I could easily say the B-word, but children are present." Flora's lip made Jessie snarl. "It would be better before I sick my trainers to discipline you…" She forced Jessie's chin upward to her face and whispered. "Besides, you're already getting dressed in your new… 'Slut' garb. Woof… woof…" James and Meowth's eyes bulged at the idea of Jessie's suggestive new clothes. Flora brought a maid over. "Escort her to the dungeon dressing hall." She whispered something to the maid who blushed.

"Ye-Yes, your highness!" she stuttered. Maids came and carried a struggling Jessie away as Flora reached Kenshi, sunshine smile reapplied.

"Come on, Kenshi!" she cooed. "Let's go reignite our passion together!" A terrified Kenshi was helpless as everyone watched Flora drag Kenshi away.

"OH, GOOD GRIEF!" the cousins cried out. "WOULD SOMEONE STOP HER!?" James and Meowth gulped to Kenshi's fate.

"Dat queen is scary," Meowth shuttered.

"Even the twerp's mom is far nicer than she is," James compared. Ash sighed in agreement.

"Can't argue about that," he confirmed as he brought out a picture of a mahogany-haired woman in a pink long-sleeve button-down shirt over a yellow blouse and white skirt. She stood in front of a garden. Lashara and Maria came over after hearing the boys.

"Oh?" started Maria. "You never told us anything about your mother!" Interested, Lashara wondered as well.

"We are indeed curious to know about her," she opened up. "What is she like?" Ash seemed in awe about the cousins' interests.

"My mom?" he guessed. "Huh, I honestly don't know where to even begin other than her name is Delia. She's such a nice woman."

"Is she now?" doubted Lashara.

"Oh yeah!" believed Ash. "She's especially nice to those who are friends of mine… and she also loves Pikachu as much as me."

("Well, she's my mom, too!") smiled Pikachu. The squeaks from Pikachu had Maria pet the Mouse Pokémon with her gloved hand as she huffed a chuckle.

"How cute," Lashara giggled. Curious, Maria faced Ash again.

"From what you've told us, your mother isn't anything like mine?" she questioned. "She's not hedonistic, or hot and bothered by any young man?"

"Believe me, my mom is way more in control of her emotions than your mom, Maria," Ash answered. "No offense." Maria waived it off with a smile.

"This claim," Lashara studied. "We would need to see for ourselves. What else could you tell us?"

"My mom also runs the best diner in Pallet Town," Ash continued. "Trust me, no one can cook like her, not even some of my other friends who can cook." Rather satisfied, Maria huffed a slight laugh.

"She sure sounds very pleasant," she approved. Eager to know with how much she wanted Ash, Lashara felt the urge to see real evidence.

"May we ask what she looks like?" she asked. With photo in hand, Ash bowed his head and offered it to the cousins.

"Right here," he pointed. Lashara and Maria looked to the photo and gasped.

"THIS IS YOUR MOTHER!?" they shrieked.

"Yup…" replied Ash as Lashara ripped the photo from his hand.

"But it can't be!" she gawked in shock. "A woman this young and beautiful can't be your mother! She looks more older sister than your claim!" Maria studied the photo more with more shock.

"She's even younger than my mother!" she noticed.

"Hey, I'm being honest!" proclaimed Ash. "This really is my mom and that's how she looks!" Rea took the photo and gave it her study.

"I can tell that she's about 30," she judged. Chiaia swooped in.

"Rea, we already determined that Delia's younger than Flora but don't go any farther, okay?" she warned. After handing the photo back and escorting James and Meowth away, everyone gathered in a courtroom where Maria was in her traditional blue gown. She sat in the upper platform, joining Flora and Yukine. Ash and Kenshi sat together, surrounded by the girls who've helped out and several of Flora's guardsmen.

"The situation around the Holy Land is bad enough to say the least," Lashara started.

"Yes, it is," Flora confirmed. "This is seriously unfortunate news to be certain."

"Since the church can no longer be relied on to form an alliance, we must act ourselves."

"Havoniwa is no different than any other nation in mention. First and foremost, we must protect our own boarders. The captial has been desolate and there's no guarantee Babalun won't strike again."

"We-"

"Must determine the amount of forces we are willing to dedicate an offensive strike," a gray-haired man interjected. He sat a few rows back. "Defending the boarders matter, but we cannot sit by and ignore this threat."

"We should also evacuate at-risk areas," added a brunette man in square glasses. "In addition, we can move the civilians to a safer place."

"If we do," added another gray-haired man, his twin patches of mustaches by each side of his lips and a ponytail wrapped up slightly bouncing. "We can dedicate our Sacred Mechanoids to the cause!" Each man in blue offering addition items in their countermeasure made Ash study their assessments.

"Havoniwa knows what they're doing," he gulped. "We can be trusting to a united goal."

"We elect bright minds who take each task by any angle for best results," Maria claimed.

"Yes, indeed," Flora chuckle, her giggle muffled by the fan in her face. "We're not so selfish. We don't think for ourselves and flee for our own safety." Sensing a lie from her mother, Maria snapped back.

"THAT IS ENOUGH!"she roared. Lashara felt helpless to speak on her own behalf.

"You have already reached your own resolution, haven't you?" she sighed. "You set this farce up just for you to gloat."

"Actually, it's more than rubbing your ego back at you, dear niece," Flora explained. "There's another matter on hand: ownership of Ash and Kenshi." Lashara gasped to the new topic.

"What the hell!?" she snapped. To everyone but Ash and Kenshi, they realized the ordeal.

"I see, now…" Aura studied. "It makes perfect sense."

"Indeed…" copied Rea. Lashara's demeanor dropped.

"Ash and Kenshi are vital to the Holy Land strike," Flora described. "Depending on them, our military strategy and line of authority can change dramatically. It is unclear who is allowed to give them orders in combat." Hearing enough, Ash stood up. Flora looked to Ash, realizing his voice was forthcoming. "Ash, as a Male Sacred MechaMaster, there is value within your talents and strength among your virtue. Am I mistaken?" Ash glared to the Nanadan family, ready to speak up.

"'It is unclear who is allowed to give us orders in combat'?" he repeated. "Did you forget when we stopped by for a visit to your resort and how we saved the Sacred MechaMasters from Babalun's men? I'm not trying to question your smarts or your memory, your highness. I'm merely pointing out what has occurred since you, your daughter, your niece… everyone had accepted me and my Pokémon and what I've been able to do to help you. I will admit, these men around us are right on several topics. In fact, we need to adopt these topics! What it is, may I say… we don't need to berate someone for their feelings."

"We know, Ash," Flora interjected. "This is about who would be better with you since it's between my daughter and my niece. It's not easy since both have fallen for you. Same goes with Kenshi with how the girls adore him from Princess Aura to Yukine." Ash palmed his face before continuing.

"I mean… if we choose to split by who to support, what are you offering for our training? What about our Sacred Mechanoids? Do we train other Sacred MechaMasters? There's so many questions that need answers and yet, none are being offered. What could Havoniwa offer? What could Shurifon offer? What could the Holy Land offer?" Flora began to grin at Ash's barrage of questions.

"I had a feeling that you'd be a boy with a tough nut to crack… one I still want to savor. However, I see that you aren't one who chooses blindly to the offers at face value. Furthermore, this goes into my suggestive ideals of what could be on the table. You can tell us tomorrow morning when you have a decision." Ash didn't flinch to Flora's words, but Lashara's face was of amuse at watching Ash face the queen in a debate that looked to heat up. That night and on the Swan, Ash and his Koro were on a wall in deep thought. Koro mewed curiously.

"You're worried about me as well?" asked Ash. Koro mewed more, concerned. That's when they spotted Kenshi wandering outside as well. Quickly, the two reached Kenshi. "Can't sleep, huh?" Kenshi turned to Ash, rather surprised.

"No…" he plainly said. "I've got a lot on my mind, and after that stand from you… even with what you said, it's still difficult to decide."

"Yeah, I… may have gone a little excessive to Flora, but… if no one's offering in exchange…" A pat from Kenshi told Ash that he understood. "Anyway, if you want my advice, you shouldn't think too hard on it. I've followed my heart, no matter where I go."

"And no matter what you do. I didn't mean to bring you in but thanks, Ash. I appreciated that." The boys bumped fists.

"Anytime, partner." Suddenly, Kenshi looked up and saw Lashara on a bridge and wondered if it was her. "What's up?" Kenshi pointed up to the empress in a green nightgown.

"Is that… Empress Lashara on the bridge?" The name made Ash look and find Lashara.

"I guess she couldn't sleep as well." That's when Kenshi felt the need.

"Think we should go talk to her?" This made Ash raise his hand.

"I should. It's gotta be about Flora's offer. You go ahead and get some sleep."

"Alright…" With that, Ash proceeded to meet Lashara by climbing to the bridge. Lashara turned to Ash who began to walk to her.

"Ash?" she noticed.

"You alright?" he asked. Lashara's head turned upward to the full moon.

"Do you realize the intent of your argument bringing chaos to everywhere?"

"How, by debating your aunt? I didn't like how she shortcut to force decisions to me and Kenshi."

"But that uproar… The countryside would've labeled you as an enemy for that!" Joining Lashara at the ledge, Ash nodded.

"The Mest family has attacked all of us while your aunt has me and Kenshi choosing between friends. She'd do what she wants while leaving those without a voice to suffer by their hands? You know that it's not my style." He glanced to Lashara's saddened face. "Besides, what happened to that confidence when you and Buizel were a team earlier when Team Rocket attacked?" Lashara turned her head from Ash's argument. "I know Flora's queen, but you became Empress Lashara for a reason." A scoff lisped from Lashara.

"You have no clue what you've stirred… It's not easy when it's adults who play politics, believing the matter would resolve itself. Though, you did present the argument about equipment to upend the Shitoreyu Empire." Billowing a sigh, Ash looked back to the moon.

"Playing politics… Sure, Ceres, Kenshi, Dagmeyr and I may be Male Sacred MechaMasters, but even we're entitled to our opinions and fair share. Besides, after you, Wahan, Aura, Kenshi and others got me and Pikachu and our Pokémon adjusted… I couldn't just abandon you all… it's not fair." In a swift shake, Lashara turned to Ash with sudden tears.

"Well, how do you think I feel!?" That's when they noticed an oddity that made Lashara's cheeks red.

"Uh, Lashara? That… doesn't come out from you…" Quickly, she covered her mouth.

"Wha- What's happened-" She shook her head in denial. "No! Ignore that! It- It was just a slip of the tongue!"

"Hey, Lashara, calm down!" Hearing Ash, she stopped and turned away.

"Listen, you'll never understand what we've been through."

"You and Maria?"

"Yes. We're still very young, but we never had a childhood. To become royalty, our childhood needed to be sacrificed… and for what? We didn't earn what we are, today." Her anger began to seep out. "NOTHING! WE DID NOT CHOOSE OR ASK TO BE BORN INTO THIS LIFE! Like a flower forced to bloom, we had no clue how to survive." Ash saw a tear streak down Lashara's cheek. In an act of desperation, Ash grabbed Lashara's hand.

"I understand alright." Feeling his hand, Lashara turned to Ash in front of her. "I've seen kids like you forced to grow up because their parents weren't around. Being forced to mature, that's not how we act. We're supposed to have good times in having fun, getting to know the world around and making friends. That's why you sought me, because I'm a guy who loves to make friends and would help people who struggle." Lashara's awe to Ash's words made her realize her intuition about Ash was correct. "Besides, it… actually sounded cute when you referred to yourself for the first time since I've been here." Lashara's cheeks reddened once more.

"It- uh… it did?" Her nervous face made Ash stop himself.

"If you're not ready to speak like that, it can just be between us. Sound good?"

"Well… does it matter? Soon enough… we'll be together, no matter our destination. Losing what got us in these places we- well…"

"Don't rush it. Once we take Babalun down, all we need to focus on is the future." Finally, Lashara smiled.

"Yes… that's true… our future." Lashara kissed Ash and held on as she leaped onto Ash and wrapped her legs around his hips. They entered the bedroom adjacent to the bridge. Ash's Koro saw this as Ash and Lashara's lips were still connected as they tucked themselves into bed. It ran off, giving the two some privacy. The next morning, Ash and Lashara slept but began to sweat. "Ash… are you warm?" Ash woke to Lashara's whisper.

"Yeah…" When he looked to the bed, he saw the litter of Koro on top. "And that's why!" Lashara looked to find the Koro as well.

"What the hell!?" Koro spilled out of her nightgown. "I thought that was your hands!" Ash smiled as he petted the Koro. After the Koro escaped and Ash and Lashara cleaned themselves, they arrived at the courtroom which Kenshi took the stand.

"Many of you are here and I want to make an announcement," he started. Those who've been around Kenshi gathered. "I've given the thoughts of everyone, including Queen Flora, and this morning, I had discussed the plan with Empress Lashara and Ash. Here's the deal: I have no intention of aligning with any nation or becoming anyone's property… so the Swan will be the kingdom for Ash and myself, and I'll fly the Swan wherever I please!" Flora, Maria and Yukine watched on in shock. "But I'm gonna need help... mainly, a crew of individuals to make sure the Swan doesn't crash! Who here wants to sign up for something great!?" Silence… and Kenshi seemed to have lost his argument… until Flora began to clap. Suddenly, everyone applauded Kenshi's offer. To Kenshi, support was plentiful.

"We've got a lot of work on our hands," Ash sighed, back in his original outfit without his cap but with Pikachu back on his shoulder.

("I'm ready to help out!") he squeaked. The race to stop the Shitoreyu Empire has begun.

TO BE CONTINUED…