Quick before you read this go watch Jello Apocalypse's 'Reviewing Pokemon Movies to Their Theme Songs' if you haven't already. It's hilarious.
Ash, Pikachu, sitting on the table, Anabel, Clemont, and Bonnie were sat in the cafeteria room of Professor Sycamore's laboratory. Abel and Minun were currently out on the town and Ash wouldn't be surprised if they had met up with Max somewhere. Even after Ash had cooled down from the fight he and the scatterbrain had, he still wanted nothing to do with him. On the Tv were two newscasters, one male and one female, reporting on the recent disappearances.
"In other news, in the past 24 hours there have been dozens more cases of mysterious disappearances across Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh, and even a few cases in Hoenn and Unova. Among the missing peoples are Battle Frontier members Tucker and Greta." The female reported
"Oh no." Anabel said.
"Anyone with any information on the possible whereabouts of these two or any others who have gone missing have been asked to contact your local Jenny immediately." The male reporter continued.
"Both Kanto and Johto have already put together elite search teams consisting of Jennies, Joys, Gym leaders, and other alumni to help get to the bottom of these incidents. No ransom notes, explanations, or even clues have been left behind at the sites of the kidnappings. We'll keep you updated on the status of the situation, this is the channel 10 news team signing off." The female anchor finished.
"You can shut it off now, Clemont." Ash said. Clemont pointed the remote towards the TV and hit the power button.
"That's impossible." Anabel said in disbelief. "There would have to be an entire squad of elite four tier soldiers to subdue and capture a frontier brain." Anabel theorized. "No member of the elite four would do something so cruel."
"Who said it had to be someone from the elite four?" Clemont asked. "There are plenty of pokemon trainers out there with boundless unfounded potential. Either way someone's up to something and I fear it's worse than mere kidnapping."
"And Brock's out there with 'em" Ash added. "I should be out there, too."
"I think it'd be best to figure out what's going on before you do your normal 'dive in head first routine'."
"What do you thinks really going on, big brother?" Bonnie asked looking up at her sibling. Dedenne stuck it's head out of Bonnie's purse and perked it's ears up.
"I don't know. But I'm adding a new temporary family rule, no traveling alone. If the kidnappings are happening in the five closest regions, chances are they'll start happening here too." He said stroking his chin. "I'll have to start on a new invention. Possibly a portable security system of some sort. Until it's finished anywhere you go, I go. Parks, stores, centers, doesn't matter."
"But I can't have you tagging along everywhere I go! I can take care of myself!" She pouted crossing her arms across her chest defiantly.
"No buts!" Clemont shot back.
"Clemont's right Bonnie." Ash cut in. "It's all going to hell out there."
"Ash Ketchum! Don't swear in front of Bonnie." Anabel scolded.
"Oh please. After all she's been through? She can handle a few words that only hold value if you give it to them. Right Clemont?"
Clemont shrugged. "As long as she doesn't repeat it, I don't care." Suddenly they heard a knock. They all turned to see Abel standing in the doorway with his friend sitting on the ground next to him.
"Can I talk to you, Ash?" Abel ask with Minun nodding his head along.
"Sure. Talk away." Ash replied uninterested.
"Alone." Abel replied sternly. Ash let out a heavy sigh.
"Fine. Guys," He said turning to his friends. "I'll be right back." He extended his arm and grabbed a hold of the end of the table. "C'mon Pikachu." Pikachu gave a little nod and proceeded to climb Ash's arm.
Ash, Pikachu, Abel, and Minun walked out of the cafeteria and closed the door behind them. "Can I help you?" Ash said irritation dripping in his voice. Pikachu just sighed and shook his head at the trainer.
"Yeah. You can tell me why you've been avoiding me. All week I've been trying to get with you and you've either given me some lame excuse or ignored me completely."
"Maybe I just don't like you." Ash deadpanned.
"Pika! Pi!" the little mouse exclaimed.
"What?" Ash asked turning to his friend. "Too soon?" He asked sarcastically.
"Pika." He said irritated.
"I figured as much." Abel said. "But you've interacted with me for what? An hour tops?" Abel asked. "Just because I stopped you from beating up a kid five years younger than you, now you hate me?"
"Are you still on that? Is that what this is about? I thought Serena and Anabel explained it all to you, the kid is worse than he let on."
"Really? Cause I've met with him a couple times since he left. Doesn't seem so bad to me. 'Cept he gets real sad when we mention you. Maybe you should give him another chance.
"No." Ash replied simply. "Not gonna happen. I don't have time for him, not anymore."
"All right. How about this?" Abel said in defeat. "Anabel and Serena gave me a very, and I mean very vague idea of what's going on. All they said was Max betrayed your friendship and hurt you. Bad. But he doesn't seem so bad to me. In fact, when he's around Jirachi it's like the two were meant to be friends. So I have a proposal."
"I'm listening." Ash said
"We have a battle. If I win you drop your grudge and give the kid another chance. You'll also tell me, in great detail, why you hate him so much. If you win, I'll drop the issue completely, you can continue being as secretive as you want, I will ask no further questions of your past, and while I will continue my friendship with Max, you can keep hating him."
"You want to battle me?"
"Of course. There's no better way to come to an understanding than with a good old-fashioned battle. Three on three. First to two wins is the victor. You in?"
"Yeah, just keep your end of the bargain when I win."
"If you win." Abel corrected with a finger to the ceiling.
"When I win." Ash shot back. "And to make it fair, I'll have a handicap."
"I don't need an advantage."
"Trust me, you do. I'll have Anabel equip my belt with randomly chosen pokemon so I won't know what pokemon I'm using until I pull out the pokeball. Trust me, you're going to need the handicap. In all honesty he wasn't sure Abel needed the handicap, but he did. It'll be a nice challenge for his training. "Pikachu," He said turning to his best friend. "Go get the others. We'll need Clemont for referee as well, okay buddy?"
"Pika!" He replied jumping off Ash's shoulder.
"Shall we?" Abel asked gesturing down the hallway. Ash just ignored him and elbowed past Abel, continuing down the hallway.
"I think that went well, don't you Minun?" Abel asked his friend who just nodded his head multiple times in return.
XXXXXXXXXX
In the Corral Abel and Ash stood on opposite ends many meters away from each other. Abel with his first pokemon ready and Ash waiting until Abel threw the pokeball for him to pull his first. It was very tempting to look at his belt equipped with six pokeballs, but he knew he'd recognize at least a few of them and he wanted this challenge to force him to think on his feet even faster than usual, skipping the planning stage completely. Clemont stood directly in the middle of the two and Anabel and Bonnie of to the side.
"This oughta be good." A voice said from behind the girls and Pikachu sitting on the sidelines.
"Professor!" Bonnie said. "What are you doing here?"
"Who can't resist a good battle?" He replied to the little girl. "Especially with the fiery tension between these two. I also hoped to see Jirachi in action."
"Is that even legal?" Anabel asked.
"Under normal circumstances, no. You'd be disqualified immediately. But this isn't an official match."
"So, Ash might have to face a legendary pokemon when he doesn't even know who he's using?" Bonnie asked.
"Pika!" Pikachu added.
"Yes. Quite the predicament my boy has made for himself huh? I wonder why he would put himself at such a disadvantage." Sycamore thought out loud.
Back on the field Clemont raised one arm to the sky. "The battle between Ash and Abel will now begin. Each participant is permitted use of three pokemon. Once one trainer reaches 2 wins, the match will conclude and said trainer will be crowned the victor. Both participants are prohibited from substituting their pokemon. I don't feel I need to point this out, but I wouldn't be doing my job otherwise. Any form of foul play will disqualify you immediately, Do each of you understand the rules?" Ash and Abel both gave a subtle nod. "The let the match begin!"
XXXXXXXXXX
"Ha! Playing out just as I had foreseen. Kane!" A man shouted at his lackey from an all too familiar room. Kane, with his Aipom in tow, entered the room and Aipom took one giant leap directly onto Kane's shoulder grabbing hold of it with his little nub hands.
"Sir! You called?" Kane said saluting. Seeing this Aipom got to his feet and used his tail to mimic the salute from his spot on Kane's shoulder.
"Yes. You brought the prisoners with you, yes?"
"Yes, sir. Both Frontier brains are just outside and under control." Kane replied holding his pose.
"Bring them in here. I want to see them." His boss ordered. "Now."
"Yes sir." Kane opened the door behind him wider and gestured waved his hand. On cue two guards came in with Greta and Tucker in their custody. Tucker was strangely calm for a hostage but Greta was struggling like she had just been caught by a Lickylicky.
"It's useless, my dear." The man said approaching her. "The harder you struggle, the tighter your bonds will get. Can't have you running around doing what you want now can we?"
"Do you know who you're messing with?" Greta spat. "I'll whoop your sorry ass in twenty seconds flat!"
"Not likely. See, this has been a long time coming. I always think two steps ahead. I knew you were a strong fighting type trainer so I sent an entire squad of elite Ghost users after you. I knew there was a chance you'd be able to fend those lackeys off, so I set up a second wave ambush as well. I knew even after you were subdued and captured you'd break out of your bonds, so I built bonds specifically catered to combat your strengths. I know once I show you two in my custody to the friends of the chosen, they'll come running with extra backup, and when they get here not only will their friend be in league with me, but an overwhelming trap will be set for them."
"You want Ash." Tucker said dangerously. "Don't you?"
"Yes the boy is the last factor I need to put my ultimate plan into place. Phase 1 was completed long ago, when I exterminated those foolish guardians. Phase 2 involved me finding this boy and isolating him as much as possible while simultaneously making him more hateful. Now for Phase 3. Get him to join us."
"He wouldn't." Greta shot back. "You may have turned some of his friends against him, you failed with others. As long as he has them, nothing can stop him."
"Ah, yes. The age-old 'power of friendship' Grandbullshit argument." He chuckled slightly. "Even the purest of hearts can be manipulated." He said raising a hand which was engulfed in a blue aura. "All you need is a little push." He grinned.
"Sir?" Kane asked. He really hated it when the boss went on those weird rants.
"I'm growing tired of these two. Throw them in the chambers I have prepared for them." As he said this, he hit another of his many buttons causing two pods, both around seven feet tall and four feet wide, rose up from the floor of the room. The two guards holding the brains began shoving them violently towards the pods. Have Agent 2 wire our frequency into Sycamore's computer monitors. We'll give these 'heroes a show so great they won't be able to resist coming to see it for themselves. But first." He said walking over to his computer. He hit a small green button and slowly lowered his head into a microphone. "Oak, are you there?"
"Yes sir." A familiar voice to the brains said from the other side.
"I have a mission for you. I'm sending you coordinates to a spot where you'll wait until further notice, understood?"
"Yes sir, just let me get the others to cover for me." Oak responded.
"He's been here?" Tucker asked. "This whole time?"
"Yes. But his usefulness has expired. This will be the last mission he ever carries out."
XXXXXXXXXX
~Back at the Corral~
"Come on out, Lopunny!" Abel yelled releasing his friend. The light faded to show a Large bipedal rabbit. In return as pulled a pokeball of his belt and scanned it before letting out a chuckle.
"Bayleef, I choose you, I guess!" He yelled releasing one of his oldest friends.
"Round 1 begins!" Clemont called.
"Lopunny! Ice punch!" Abel called. Lopunny shot forward, its hand engulfing itself in snow and ice, and charged the seemingly defenseless Bayleef.
"Bayleef, plant your seeds, then retreat, old pal!" Ash called in return. Bayleef dropped a few seeds onto the ground then jumped back a couple feet. Bayleef turned its back to Lopunny and began to shake its rear at the Lopunny in an attempt to aggravate the rival pokemon.
It worked.
Lopunny picked up it speed but just as she was about to land the punch, she stepped onto the planted the seeds causing them to explode on impact knocking the bunny back to Abel's side of the field.
'Never seen Seed Bomb used like that before.' Abel thought. 'Even his pokemon knew exactly what to do without him having to scream it out.'
"Razor leaf her before she gets back up!" Ash yelled snapping Abel out of thought. Multiple leaves flew into Lopunny's face just as she was getting up.
"Get up Lopunny!" Abel called "Nun!" The little one echoed in its own language. "Into the air!" From the smoke the bunny shot vertically into the air. "Protect, then charge Bayleef again!" The rabbit slammed its hands together as a blue force circle around them before rocketing towards the Bayleef once again.
"Break through that shield with your Leaf Blade!" Bayleef ran forward as Lopunny descended it way towards her. When they got in close enough vicinity Bayleef slammed it head leaf against the shield shattering it completely. Little did Ash know this is what Abel wanted.
"Now, while there's still time it them with an Ice punch!" It was a fake out. And it worked. Lopunny's fist collided with Bayleef's face knocking it backwards doing multiple somersaults.
Meanwhile Serena, back with Charizard from her two-day trip to Kanto entered the corral looking for the raven-haired boy. "Ash!" She called running towards the field taking no notice of the battle going on. "Wait till you see my new pokemon, it's so cute!" She yelled only to have Anabel shush her.
"Can't you see there's a battle going on?" Anabel snapped.
"Sorry. What happened?" Serena asked.
"They just needed to blow off a little steam." Bonnie answered. "You know Ash, no other way to settle his differences."
Back on the field, Ash wasn't about to let Abel get the better of him. "Back on your feet, Bayleef! Hit em with a Seed Bomb again. Right in front of Lopunny, the seeds spawned in front of Bayleef before she fired some of them straight at Lopunny landing right at her feet. "Now!" Through the smoke Bayleef shot forward and combined her leaf blade and take down for her most powerful combo.
Lopunny fell to the ground back a couple dozen feet.
"Lopunny, you good?" Lopunny grunted an agreement before staggering to her feet.
"One last Ice punch!" Abel commanded. Lopunny closed in for another punch.
"Let it hit you." Ash commanded.
As Loppuny was inches away, Ash seemingly changed his mind.
"As soon as hits, bite her!"
"If you endure." Abel taunted. "Full power!"
In an explosion of ice, frosty smoke surrounded the two brawlers blinding them both. When the smoke cleared Bayleef had not fainted she had latched onto Lopunny's fist.
"Leaf Blade!"
Bayleef's head glowed as she slammed the leaf on her head into Lopunny, knocking her out cold.
"Lopunny!" Abel called.
"Lopunny is unable to battle! Round 1's victor is Ash!" He said pointing his green flag at Ash. "Please Choose your next pokemon."
"Go Ash!" Serena and Bonnie cheered. Anabel just gave him a knowing smirk.
"What? No cheers for me?!" Abel yelled at them. "Harsh."
"Mi-Nun!" The little Pikachu clone echoed.
"What can I say?" Ash said. "I'm just more likeable."
"Oh really, now?" Abel shot back. "We'll just see about that." He pulled his second ball from his pocket. "Go Typhlosion!" He called letting out the next contestant.
"Here goes nothing." Ash said pulling his second. He scanned it swiftly. 'Oh dear. Not really my best choice.' He thought to himself. "Oh, well. Snivy!" He said letting out the snake. "Probably around twice as much health and a type advantage but we can do this old friend. Snivy crossed its arms and nodded in agreement. "Work that Unova charm, Attract!"
Snivy winked slyly at the bigger pokemon and shot multiple hearts towards him with a direct hit.
Typhlosion became entranced and infatuated with the small snake.
"Oh, come on!" Abel shouted. "Really? Snap out of it, man! You're like ten times her size, how would that even work?!"
On the sidelines Bonnie tugged at her brothers' jumpsuit. "Hey bro, what does he mean? Why couldn't a relationship between them work?" Of course, being the hopeless romantic she is, Bonnie asked.
"Not important!" Clemont shot her down quickly. "Watch the battle, Bonnie."
"Snivy, Grass Pledge him!" Ash called. What looked like several Leaf Tornadoes surrounded the giant before closing in on him and painfully snapping him out of his trance.
"You all done being googly eyed?" Abel asked. When Typhlosion grunted an okay Abel took his chance "Grass Pledge is a draining move! Use Flame Wheel while she's recovering! Don't hit her though! Circle around her!"
Typhlosion nodded and curled up into a ball and lit itself on fire, It began cycling towards the flinching grass snake pokemon.
"Snivy, you gotta move!" Ash called. But he was already too late. Typhlosion had already begun circling Snivy. Walls of flames many feet taller than her closed her in from moving outside her little bubble of space.
"You can jump high enough!" Ash called.
"Snivy!" She said disagreeing.
"Now while she's still trapped! Hit her with a Flame Wheel again!"
Typhlosion curled back up and rolled itself forcefully into the serpent knocking her back. Covered in bruises and burns she staggered back to her tiny feet before beginning to glow. Ash instantly recognized the glow as well. The feet grew slightly bigger and flatter. Her bod became twice as long and a dull horn on her head. The light bursted of her in thousands of pieces revealing a seemingly new pokemon.
"Nice. A Servine." Ash commented. "Alright Servine go in for a Leaf Blade!"
"Vine!" She ran forward the end of her tail glowing. She jumped and did multiple frontflips.
'Let's take a note from Ash's book.' "hold position Typhlosion." He commanded.
Servine collided its tail with Typhlosion's face.
"Now! Thunderpunch!" Typhlosion's paw began to fizz and crackle as he gave his whole might into one punch against the poor Servine.
Servine fell backwards onto the floor and didn't get back up.
"Servine is unable to battle! Round 2's victor: Abel and Typhlosion!"
"Return!" Abel and Ash both called, recalling their respective pokemon.
"Final round. Feelin Lucky?" Abel taunted.
"Unlike you, I don't need luck. Because I've got..." He said reaching into his pocket. He pulled out his final pokeball and chuckled slightly. "Infernape!" He yelled releasing his ape friend.
"Infernape!"
"Come on, Jirachi!" Abel called letting out his legendary partner.
'Yay!' Jirachi cheered doing a twirl in the air.
"I'm hungry, so how about we finish this quick?" Abel said
"What makes you think you can? Infernape's not a pushover, he's one of my strongest!"
"Let's see if you're as strong as you say Infernape or if it's all bravado!" Abel yelled. "You wanted a challenge and you've got one! Jirachi, I've always wanted to do this, Doom Desire!"
"What! Are you serious? Ugh!" Ash slapped his face in frustration.
"Hey Professor," Serena asked from her seat. "What's Doom Desire?"
"It's a move that not many get to see. It's unique to Jirachi alone. From what I've read it's basically a countdown timer to your loss. If what I studied is correct Infernape has around one minute before he faints." Sycamore elaborated.
"That's not fair!" Bonnie yelled. "How's he supposed to beat that?!"
"He's got a minute to figure it out." Anabel said leaning forward. "If anyone can do it, he can."
Back with Ash his scowl turned into a slight chuckle. "I did ask for a challenge. But I'm still not going to let you best me. Infernape Flare Blitz! I want you to push yourself harder than ever before. You've only got one shot!"
"Meet it head on with a Zen Headbutt, Jirachi!" Abel called. Infernape surrounded itself with nothing but flames, while Jirachi surrounded itself with its psychic force. The two the jetted towards each other both intent on victory.
"Clemont! Hit the deck!" Ash called. Clemont nodded and ran farther south from the fight. Meanwhile the two pokemon met head on in a flurry of fire and psychokinesis. The grass around them was singed back at the spectators spot you could still feel the heat of the force. Unfortunately, they had to wait for the victor because of the smoke and debris surrounding the site.
As the smoke cleared you could begin the make out the silhouettes of the two pokemon. Clemont rushed back to the field to make the final call. They finally came into focus and Clemont was able to make a fair statement.
"Neither pokemon is able to continue!" He called eyeing both unmoving pokemon. "That means that the victor of this battle...is no one." Clemont concluded.
At this point Serena, Anabel, Bonnie, and Sycamore joined them at the battlefield.
'I didn't win? Shoot.' Ash thought to himself. 'Stupid Doom Desire.'
"You were great Infernape, rest well." Ash said returning the pokemon to its pokeball before being tackle hugged.
"I'm back Ash!" Serena cheered.
"So I noticed." Ash choked out. "A little air?" He pleaded.
"Oh yeah." She blushed. "Sorry. You were so close! You were great."
"Yeah but close won't save the world." Ash muttered.
"What?" Serena asked. "Didn't hear you."
"Nothing, Serena." Ash sighed. "Listen, you guys go back and finish breakfast, I'm gonna go for a walk."
"I'll go with you, you haven't met my new pokemon, yet!" Serena said eagerly.
"Pika!" The little mouse agreed running up to his best friend.
"No. I'm good. You guys stay here. I just need some alone time." He said heading towards the door. "I'll meet you guys back here in a while." He said.
"Wonder what's wrong." Serena thought out loud.
"I guess this means he won't give Max another chance." Abel said joining her in watching Ash make his way out of the corral.
"Pika." The little rodent said climbing Serena and perching himself on her shoulder.
XXXXXXXXXX
"The chosen is isolated." The man said from behind his computer. On the screen he watched as Ash made his way down a dirt road in a nearby park. The man hit the green button connected to the lab speaker on his dashboard. "Oak you are to leave Immediately. Take your best team of pokemon with you." He ordered. "I'll have my Alakazam teleport you immediately."
The mystery man hit the same button from earlier and four pods rose up from the floor. One containing Greta, another holding Spenser, and the remaining two holding the grunts Ash and Abel faced at the corral. "It's high time I contacted these 'heroes'. But first," He pulled his arm up to his face and spoke into a small mic embedded in it. "Head of the drafting squad come in. Jo do you hear me?"
"Loud and clear, boss man. What's up?"
"Recall all operatives across Johto, Hoenn, and Unova and have them report to the defense border immediately. I'm taking us into the next phase of operation Recruit. Also tell all other remaining members of the drafting squad to double their efforts."
"Yes sir." The feminine voice replied. "Anything else?"
"No. Continue about your mission." He ordered.
Suddenly, his computer screen started beeping. "Looks like Agent 2 got the connection up. Time for a show." He smirked.
XXXXXXXXXX
"I can't believe Ash wouldn't let me go with him!" Serena pouted. "I just got back, too."
"Pika." Pikachu added, perched on Serena's shoulder for a change since Ash told him to stay behind.
The group of them were back at the cafeteria getting some lunch.
"You're always clinging to his side, perhaps he's sick of you." Anabel quipped causing the girl to glare at her.
"He's been acting weird lately. More so than usual." Clemont added. "Feels like he's hiding something. You wouldn't happen to know anything that's bothering him would you, Pikachu?"
Pikachu did know what was going on but remembered clearly that he was to tell no one. The mouse just shook his head slowly. He felt guilty for lying to his friends, but he knew it was for the greater good.
"If you don't know anything, then it's either really bad, or nothing at all." Clemont said
"You mean he isn't always?" Abel asked. "I just figured it came with his brooding nature." He said shoving a donut into his mouth, but of course, not before breaking of a piece for Minun.
"He normally isn't so edgy." Serena said. "Even after what happened in Kanto, he could still be his usual happy go lucky self as long as he was with us. Kind of like he had two different personalities. When he was with people he didn't know he was hermit Ash, but with us he was the real Ash."
"Ever since those kidnappings started happening and he started training again, he's been acting more like reserved Ash." Anabel finished.
"Huh. You know maybe it would help if I knew the whole story." Abel said. "You know, the part you never told me?" The group of four exchanged glances.
"One of you guys tell him." Clemont said. "He'll chew me out if I do it. He'd never chew you two out and we could always blame it on Bonnie's spontaneous, kiddy, nature." He reason.
"Fine. But it's a long story so we'll give you the cliffnotes." Anabel said. "So, Ash came second in the Kalos league and went home to relax a few days but his Mom and some of his old friends said some really cruel things to him and by extension, Pikachu, but we stood with him. Then in an attempt to rescue some of his pokemon that stood up for him as well but the rest of his pokemon and his old friends attacked him. He got out with us and his pokemon but lost his childhood friend and nearly Pikachu as well thanks to Professor Oak."
"Wow. That's heavy." Abel said. "So, was Max a part of that group?"
"Yes. That's why Ash hates him so much." Serena answered. "I'm not convinced of his character either." She said crossing her arms.
"Of course, you're not." Abel deadpanned. "It seems so out of character for an esteemed professor with no previous record to just break out in a violent rage." Abel said.
Behind them a loud static sound was heard coming from the TV.
"Hey who turned that on?" Clemont asked. After waiting a few seconds for an answer, he got one."
"I did." A voice none of them recognized said. They turned to the TV to see a rather elderly man on the screen.
"Did that TV just talk to us?" Abel asked.
"I think so." Clemont said. "Interesting."
"If you're finished." The man said. "Allow me to elaborate. You may refer to me as 'The boss'. And I have something to show you." He stepped out of the way to show both captured frontier brains floating submerged in two separate stasis pods.
"Tucker! Greta!" Anabel shot up out of her seat.
"Not as tough as I had hoped for the famous Kanto Frontier Brains." The boss mocked. "Still they have abnormally strong wills, making them beyond useful to me."
"So that means you're the one behind the kidnappings." Clemont deduced.
"Oooh. I didn't know the president of the obvious club would grace us with his presence." He smirked. "Yes. That was me, or more specifically my drafting squads spread out across the regions."
"You'll release them if you know what's good for you and your sleazy lackeys." Anabel threatened.
"Ah, yes." He eyed the former frontier brain. "You must be the former Salon Maiden. Nice to make your acquaintance, madame. Anyway, I'm afraid these two are too valuable a source to give up. I just thought I'd be somewhat fair and show you what you're up against here. I know about all of you, you won't stay put while your precious world order is in danger. But maybe this can dissuade you from doing anything rash. Now, minion!" He called behind him.
Behind him an unnamed lackey flipped a large switch attached to the wall behind him causing another tube to rise up from under the floor. However, while the ones holding the unconscious brains were blue, this one was red. The boss climbed into the red tube and gave his minion a slight nod. On cue the man flipped another lever to the left of the one he flipped second ago and after a flash of lights, both Greta's tube and The boss's tube began to glow their respective colors. A large metal tube also popped out of the top of Greta's tube and attached itself to The boss'.
What happened next was something that none of those at Sycamore's even knew was possible. As both tubes were filled with a blue aura, the wrinkles on the mysterious man's face began to unfold into smooth skin and his grey hair faded into a light brown. The bags under his eyes began to fade away as well.
"What the..." Serena started.
"Chuu." Pikachu said in disbelief from Serena's shoulder.
Simultaneously Greta had the opposite effect. The skin on her face began to fold in multiple spot and her hair turned a much lighter shade of yellow. When the process was completed, Greta's pod with the now significantly older version of herself was lowered back under the floor along with the other captives and The boss stepped out of his pod slowly.
"Hey, big brother? What just happened to that lady?" Bonnie asked innocently. Dedenne mirroring her head swing toward her brother.
"Uhh. I have a theory, but it's got to be pure science fiction." Clemont commented.
On the other side of the screen The boss began rubbing his wrists. "Good as new." He turned his attention back to the group of teens. "Quite the feat, no?"
"It has to be some sort of optical illusion, or some sort of hologram!" Anabel shouted. "There's no way he just did what I think he did!"
"My dear Maiden, hasn't anyone ever told you you can do anything you put your mind to?"
"I don't think reversing the aging process was what they had in mind when they came up with that phrase." Anabel snapped back. "If you undo what you did and give Greta her youth back right now, I may forgive you, scum!"
"Is that what happened?" Abel asked. "I just figured the mist or whatever was just some kind of airborne miracle cream." He said naively.
"Your devotion to your friend is sweet, Salon Maiden. And it's nice to know the new guy won't be too much of an intellectual threat." He mocked once again.
"Minun!" Abel's best friend protested.
"You said it buddy. I have a brain, I just don't use it much. I can be smart if I want to."
"Cute. But maybe you shouldn't be worrying about poor Greta. Maybe your friend who's all alone needs your help. The next time you see him, he won't be the same boy as before."
"ASH!" They all shouted.
"You wouldn't." Serena threatened.
"Wouldn't I? Ta-ta!" He said saluting them off. "And to everlasting youth!" He cheered as the TV turned off.
"Someone has to go get Ash." Clemont said. "Preferably before someone else does."
"We'll go." Serena volunteered. "C'mon Pikachu!"
"Pika!" He agreed with fiery eyes.
"Uh uh. We need Pikachu to stay here. I've got a plan and I'll need his help." Anabel said. "Serena, you still have Charizard in your pocket, right?" To which Serena nodded.
"Good, take him and search for Ash from the sky." Clemont said.
Serena nodded as Pikachu's ears dropped. Serena reached to her shoulder and picked him off. She brought him towards her face and smiled at him. "Don't worry, you know I won't come back without him."
"Pika." He said sadly. Serena handed the little mouse over to Bonnie and ran out the door as fast as she could.
"What's your plan, Anabel?" Bonnie asked looking up at her. "And why wouldn't you let Pikachu go with Serena?"
"I've heard Ash talk about how he kept in touch with a few friends the past year. I don't know who he was talking about though." She said scratching her chin. "Pikachu knows, though." She said kneeling down so she was eye level with the rodent. "We're gonna need backup. Can you help me get in contact with his friends, Pikachu?" Anabel asked.
"Pikachu." He answered. He still didn't like the fact that he wasn't going with Serena, but he knew why he had to stay behind. He probably would've just slowed her down anyway.
"Great! I'll call Scott and see if the other Brains can help out. You go with Clemont and Bonnie and contact the others. I'll also make a call to the lovebirds and let them in on it too. I'll teleport anyone who's able to help here. Abel we should probably have you notify Sycamore and one of the local Jennies too. Got it? Go." She ordered.
XXXXXXXXXX
Ash was currently in one of the many parks located all around Kalos. This park was specifically dedicated to the different legendary pokemon. It was equipped with a Latias/Latios merry go round, a Rayquaza slide, and a jungle gym with statues of Xerneas, Yveltal, and Zygarde, placed around it.
Ash was shuffling his way down a dirt road kicking around the dirt on his way. 'How could I tie with him?' He thought. 'I'm supposed to save all of Kalos and I can't even beat a tool like him?'
He turned around and looked at the multiple kids playing around the playground. 'Look at them. Not a care in the world. No idea of what's to come. I remember that feeling, I miss it.' He thought to himself.
He turned around only to slam into another figure, knocking him to the ground.
"Sorry," He apologized looking up. "My bad..." He stuttered looking at the man in front of him.
"Deep in thought, are we?" The elderly man said offering his hand to help him up. "I must say you have changed quite a bit, haven't you?"
"Professor Oak?" Ash said in disbelief.