Author's Note:
Here it is, the second part of this delta episode and the most delta-y episode of the parts. This is where the big reveals come in and we are setting up stuff for the future of this series. We also get to see several legendries which we met in previous chapters. I felt like these make a nice group together so consider this my own head-canon. We also get to check out an evolution, that should be nice. It's also the final evo for our main cast during Hoenn. If you count Electrike as in chapter eighty-five since his story will be continuing in the background and not actually shown. Now back in the first visit to Zinnia and the draconid's people, it was pointed out that the elder was sexist and not really called out. I felt it was the most realistic reaction because our group were caught off guard. We'll get to see how I feel that sort of encounter should go when prepared for it. We also get a small taster of a subplot I'm really looking forward too. This subplot will go on until Ash and Serena adventure in the Unova region but not continuous. Still taking nickname requests for Ralts. Don't forget to vote in the poll and with that, let's begin
Chapter Eighty-Seven: Delta Episode P II
Ash sighed as he looked out over the ocean with the warm morning sun barely above the horizon. The image of the massive fireball brought back the memory of his previous battle days battle. Houndoom's intense heat reminded him of Torkoal when Glalie evolved but different still.
His pure fire type has always been calm, even against Winona's mega Altaria where he lost. He's shown complete control in every battle.
A soft hand slipped into his and he turned to see Serena staring up at him. "Penny for your thoughts."
"Just thinking about Houndoom and how we'll handle-" he shook his head. "It doesn't matter right now. We've got something else to worry about."
"Yeah... so Max and Jirachi reunited." She moved to hug his arm slightly. "But you didn't say where we're going."
"I don't know," he replied, "were meant to meet someone out here who'll-"
"Hold on!" She let go and stepped forward, throwing up a psychic wall. "There's something approaching-"
A bright light shimmered in front of the barrier she threw up to reveal a familiar sight. One of the eon legendries appeared. Latios floated with eyes fixed on his girlfriend with an unreadable expression. "H-hello again."
Remembering the parting they had in Alto Mare, he tightened his fist. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath to calm himself. While he took on the form of a human, he was still a Pokémon, and he knew he could trust Serena completely. After experiencing his fair share of affectionate Pokémon, he couldn't really hold a grudge from this situation. Another flash appeared and his sister materialised slightly further back.
"Latios... Latias?" Serena stuttered. "Your who we're meant to meet?"
"We're here to take you to the astral protectors." He nodded. "I hope you don't mind-"
"Of course, not." She smiled. "So, who are the astral protectors?"
"It's a group of legends designated with the same task," he explained, "to protect the earth from extra-terrestrial threats."
"Sort of like how the beasts of Johto or birds of Kanto get grouped together?" he asked.
"Sort of." Latios nodded. "There's us two and Jirachi. We help when multiple targets are incoming and Jirachi drains the cosmic radiation to help lessen the damage caused. And we all report to Rayquaza... going of your Johto-beasts analogy, he'd be the Ho-Oh of our group. The one we answer too."
"So, what're we coming for?" he asked.
"We don't know either-" Latias shot forward. "We were summoned and Rayquaza asked us to bring the chosen's to our meeting."
"Why does he want us?" Serena asked.
"Well... he specifically asked for you, Serena," Latios replied, turning to Ash himself, "sorry but he wasn't too fond of inviting an aura user."
He frowned as the memories of encountering the large dragon back in the sky pillar. The levels of guilt he felt upon learning the truth of his powers history came rushing back as the bottomless pit in his stomach re-emerged.
"My brother made it clear that he should have all the chosen's present-" Latias interjected. "But we aren't sure where the third currently is."
"Prison-" he mumbled.
"It's nice to know some of the things between chosen's at least stay the same-" Latios replied.
"What do you mean?" Serena asked.
"The previous chosen trinity." Latias exclaimed. "The chosen of judgement ended up imprisoned... but it was after the big event."
"How come?" he asked.
"We can tell you on the route, but we should really get going," Latios interjected.
Agreeing with the eon legendary, he watched as Serena climbed onto the blue psychic-dragon and he climbed up onto Latias in response. She seemed a little hesitant, flying behind the others as they zoomed out over the water. It was weird, despite having speeds comparable to Dragonite, he couldn't exactly say it felt the same. There wasn't even a rushing wind but seeing the water spray to side before they shot up into the sky proved it was there.
"I'm using ESP to help make the flight more comfortable for you," Latias explained.
"So why did one of the chosen's get put in prison?" he asked.
"The previous chosen's were brought to end the war of the world. Where the king of Orre attempted to conquer the rest of the world," she explained, "the last stand they made were on the beaches of Kalos. The king had already conquered Paldea to the south, laying waste to the region and if they captured the second largest kingdom then the world would've fell before them."
"What happened?" he asked.
"Sir Aaron and Princess Rin lead the forces into battle while the third member, Tobias, launched a counter attack." She continued. "He ended up capturing the use of legends and snuck to the back of the opposing forces. Causing a chain reaction with the kings ultimate weapon, it wiped out most of the forces on both sides. The mad king was never seen alive and without leader ship the other countries were able to over-throw the invaders."
"But why was he arrested?" he asked.
"By imprisoning the legends and forcing them onto the front line, it would throw the world out of balance," she explained, "each legend with a role is unique, only one of us exist. The infinity energy in the ultimate weapon could've wiped one of us out. The scars of that weapon can still be experienced today."
"You mean with mega evolution?" he asked.
"Amongst other things," she replied, "but it also created a dangerous being. A new Pokémon by the name of Darkrai. All of Tobias' worst impulses were manifested into this creature, brought to life by the infinity energy."
"Darkrai?" he muttered, pulling out his Pokédex:
Darkrai, The Pitch-Black Pokémon. This is a known legendary Pokémon. Little is known about this other-worldly creature. Only that its presence is known due to simultaneous nightmares by all creatures. It's known to sap the life energy of those its trapped within those never-ending nightmares
"How do you know this?" he asked, putting the device back into his pocket.
"My brother was one of the legends dragged into the mayhem." Latias sighed. "Well, a previous incarnation of him. Sir Aaron died during his search to slay the beast created by his fellow chosen. Seeing what lay in Tobias' soul scared him and-yeah. He locked him away to prevent those impulses playing out. After his failure to stop the creature, father went out of his way to create a counterpart to help nullify Darkrai's effects."
An awkward silence fell over the duo as he looked out, not feeling up for continuing the difficult topic. As he watched the Hoenn region pass beneath them, he couldn't help noticing the direction they were flying towards... Meteor Falls.
Serena felt her lips fall as the conversation with Latios fell as the history of their previous chosen's sunk in. She knew it wouldn't have been good but to learn someone would be so dark to have their inner-self show itself as an embodiment of nightmares is something else entirely different.
Her eyes noticed the ground below them stop and she glanced up and around. Ash and Latias were still a little behind them but she couldn't quite figure out what they were waiting for. As her mouth opened to ask, a bright flash above drew her attention. For a moment she thought it was the sun, but it was moving far too quick and the sun was still present elsewhere in the sky. Her heart thumped harder as a numbing tingle spread over her body.
"We need to borrow your key stones!" Latios' mental voice echoed in her head. "Lend us your strength."
"Wha-why?" she uttered. "Don't we need like... a strong bond or-"
"No. The key stone is a way to connect hearts between human and Pokémon, unlocking a new strength between the two," Latios replied, "but it's not a bond which is required. The two just need to be in the same state of mind. With a common goal, anyone pair should be able to muster it."
"Wh-what is that thing?" she asked.
"Something incoming from space-" he replied, "Rayquaza is already up there but without Jirachi, we'll need to shield from the radiation. We can try without using mega evolution but I'd rather use it while it's an option."
Nodding, she reached for the necklace around her neck. Pulling her marbel stone out, she clutched it tight. Squeezing her eyes shut as a series of bright lights surrounded them, she only opened them with an audible pop. Looking around, she noticed took in the sight of purple where the blue once was.
A blur to the side drew her attention. As they rocketed up alongside, she took in the appearance of the mega-legendary her boyfriend was riding. Latias' red parts were now purple, much like Latios'. Horns grew from the side of her head and ran along her jaw. She lost the wings on her back, but similar, larger wings attached to her lower arms, which were thickly padded. The triangle shapes now marked the forward point of her wings instead of on her chest.
Glancing down to her own flying legendary, she couldn't help but notice the only real difference between their mega form is the eyes.
She held on tight as a bright burgundy ball formed in front of his head. Her breath stuck in her throat as a massive beam shot up into the sky. Staring in awe, she noticed it strike some sort of fireball as it came flying down into the towards the earth. Her mouth went dry at the sheer power.
Her heart stopped with a with an ear-bursting roar. Flicking her head around, a bright light-cocoon shot up through the clouds.
Cracking, the legend of weather emerged but far longer than she believed him to be. The head had a triangle-like symbol on the forehead with the eyes having yellow pupils, red irises and black shichishito-shaped markings trail behind. Golden lips and teeth had lines connect to those on the lower horns, which took on a broad, triangular shape. At the outer edges of the lower horns were long, golden, glowing tendrils that extend into green, fin-like structure; these tendrils had a ring pattern. His two upper horns were long with a gold line running over them in a V shape, and each of them had another glowing tendril that ended in a circular shape with a spike. Along the length of his body were golden, glowing orbs placed in some sort of pattern. The chin, part of the neck, and parts of the serpentine body were black. Each fin running along his body were marked with gold lines; the fins on the tail became entirely yellow. Particles stream from the long tendrils that extended from his jutting jaw.
With tremendous power the dragon roared past them. The wind blew to the side and knocked Latios off course. Holding on tight, he moved closer to his sister.
She could barely registrar as the sight of the green-serpentine dragon catching the flaming space rock coloured the sky. Wrapping his large body around the object, he breathed out a dark-blue dragon flame. It engulfed them as the meteor thundered down to the earth.
Bits of rock and flames spewed off to the side, crumbling up into the air. Both of the eon twins shot down into the meteor falls area as the blue flame faded from sight. Next thing she knew, they were hovering just above the cave-like surface. Climbing off the psychic dragon, she clutched the burning hot key stone to deactivate the form. A bright flash shone from behind, leaving Latios in his regular shape.
"Thank you." He bowed his head. "That would've been a lot more difficult without the boost."
"Wouldn't the commotion of caught someone's attention?" she asked. "I thought legends liked to keep things secret."
"It would've but that's what Ash and Latias were dealing with," he explained, "she put up a psychic shield to cover up anything we did. To the average person or Pokémon, it was just a normal morning. No triad of legendary dragons, no meteor. Just a bright sunny day."
"We should probably get going brother." Latias suggested. "He might need help expelling the cosmic energy before the chosen's arrive."
"True-"
"Wait!" She called out. "Where are you going?"
"To the crash site," Latios replied, "the heart of meteor falls. Just follow this path and you'll get there. We should be done by the time you reach us."
Sighing, she watched as the eon twins took off. Turning to face Ash, she grabbed his hand and the two of them started walking up the path. The memories of their first visit flooded back. While it had some happy feelings, like meeting Shelgon, of course she was a Bagon back then. It also filled her with dread, being the last place, they visited before the first events at mount chimney and also the place they originally met Zinnia.
She has nothing against the wild child, it just so happens the times they've met her involve bad stuff going down. Not to mention the elder who brought her up. During their original meeting, she was shocked by the way she treated Ash and just spoke about the guys in general. She's certain she'd hate it if the roles were reversed but the stunned silence didn't do her any favours. She didn't handle the unexpected encounter in the best way or any way really.
"You, okay?" he asked. To which she gave a small nod. He wrapped his arms around her and she just into his chest. Feeling his warming hug helped her relax, like he was protecting her from everything in the outside world. "You still thinking about your mum? The move?"
"Yeah-" While not the only thing on her mind, she couldn't deny that the revelation was still a shock to her system. "We normally return to Pallet between adventures but-" She got cut off by a gentle pair of lips on her own. "What a way to tell me to shut up."
"You worry too much," he muttered, "we can sort that out when the time comes... Let's just take it one step at a time."
"Is that another of Torkoal's sayings?" she asked.
"Heh, kinda. His was longer though. More like-" He coughed into his hand, putting on the voice of a wise elder. "-you worry too much about what was and what will be. There is a saying. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."
She couldn't help but giggle at his little impression. While she heard his inner voice when connecting minds before, she couldn't deny everyone was slightly different to their actual voices... at least those she could hear. So, she could only imagine what Ash hears when he speaks properly.
"I like it." He smiled. "But we still do need to get to that sight. So, I think it's time we kept going."
"Right." She nodded.
Holding his hand once more they continued down the rocky path. Her mind running through the possibilities of what awaited them at the sight.
A bright flash formed in the air and the wish maker teleported in. Slowly floating down, his cheeks were bright red. Landing on the floor, he glanced down to the floor and twirled his stubby foot on a rock. Holding his hands behind his back.
"What's up?" Ash asked. "Did Norman catch your hand in the cookie jar."
She covered her lips and let out a small chuckle. Remembering one night when Ash snuck out for a midnight snack and got caught by the gym leader.
"Erm well... I guess I was kinda having too much fun in Petalburg." His mareepish voice echoed in her head. "I was meant to be here for the crash and siphon the energy to make the catch easier. Rayquaza is gonna be super mad! The only way it would be worst is if I also used aura... no offence."
"None taken," Ash muttered. "But we should get going. Whatever this whole thing is about has got me interested now."
The wish maker levitated up and floated ahead as they followed behind. She didn't know why but something was slightly relieving to her. If this was gonna be some sort of fight or mission, then they'd have seen some sort sign already... so far it just seems like a little get together for a chat.
Walking up the path, he found themselves in front of rugged wall. Smoke bellowed out from over top, indicating that this was the right place. He reached out to feel one of the rocks, tugging on it to see if it was stable enough to climb.
"Do you wanna go first?" he asked, turning to Serena.
"Is that just for the view on the way up?" she giggled as his cheeks heated up. Her lips pressed against his cheek as he tried not to picture the image now in his head. Not helped by the shorts of her regular traveling outfit... at least it wasn't a skirt like her older outfits. "While I'm sure I'd enjoy watching ya'll put those muscles to use, I don't think we have the time for such things."
"S-so how will we-" He got cut off by her lips once more. Frozen in place, as her eyes burst blue with ESP.
"Your finally going to get your wish and I'll levitate us up," she whispered, "hold on tight."
He barely had a second to wrap his arms around her before the mountain behind zoomed past. His eyes squeezed shut as he felt his stomach fall down lower in his body. Only letting go when he felt his feet touch the ground. Stumbling back slightly, he kneeled to prevent falling over.
"You, okay?" she asked.
"I-I think so-" he uttered. "Couldn't you have done that a little slower?"
"I could've-" She pecked his cheek. "But where's the fun in that?"
"A-and why did I need to hold on?" he asked. "I mean, you've levitated other people by themselves so-"
"Oh... that?" she whispered. "That was for me. We never finished what we started the night of the grand festival final after all."
Closing his eyes, he shook his head. Serena can really be a little minx at times. Taking a deep breath to calm himself down, he stood up and turned to the side. Taking in the sight which sat in front of them was incredible. Rayquaza, in the none-mega-variety sat like a curled up spring with a black smoking rock in front. Each of the eon twins floated opposite each other, seeming to drain some sort of energy off.
Glancing up, he notice Jirachi floating beside them. Slowly, the wish maker made his way down, ciphening more energy than the two dragons combined.
His breath stuck in his throat as the black rock cracked open and some sort of humanoid being raised up in the air. It was dominantly red, with a light blue face, and three light blue dots on the back arranged in a triangle. Two circular eyes were in black slits on the oval-rounded head. A bulky armor seemed to cover the main body. Two wide legs that were somewhat flat at the end with a spot on each knee with two pairs of red and blue tentacles where you'd expect the arms to be, but they were flat and broad. The head fused with the body causing it to resemble a helmet.
"That's a Deoxys-" Serena muttered.
"What's a Deoxys?" he asked.
"I saw the statues at Mossdeep's space centre," she explained, "they're genetically engineered Pokémon for space travel with multiple forms. If I remember right, this looks like the defence form, but it also has an attack, speed and-"
Her words died in her mouth as a bright light engulfed the new arrival. The body morphed in front of their eyes, taking on a slimmer physique. The head had two protrusions stick out like some sort of ears. With the waist shrinking into a black slim section connecting the legs to the torso. The arm-tentacles changed into two spaghetti-like whips intertwined with each other rather than two flat boards.
"-a base form." She finished. "They were created with the sole intention of exploring space. We've only sent a handful out."
"Well, whatever the reason was-" He sighed. "It seems one of them wanted to return home."
"Do you think that reason might be why we're chosen's?" she asked as he pulled out his Pokédex:
Deoxys, The DNA Pokémon. A genetically engineered creature, astrologists created this species for the expressed purpose of space travel. The crystalline organ on this Pokémon's chest appears to be its brain. To survive in the vacuum of space four separate forms were made which it can switch through at will
"Only one way to find out-" He put the device away and held her hand as the psychic energy engulfed them once more. At a slower decent, the hovered down into the canyon, landing just behind the steel psychic type. Walking forward, he couldn't help but feel the eyes of the few Pokémon locked onto them.
"Glad to see you could join us." Rayquaza growled, darting his eyes towards Latios. "Set up the connection. We should all be a part of this conversation and as for your sister... she should cover the dome. We don't want the humans satellites picking up our letting meeting."
Both of the dragons had their eyes burst with psychic type energy. A semi-transparent box formed overhead before fading into nothing. "There. Now even someone on top of the cliff would need to pass through the barrier to spot us."
"With that sorted-" The serpentine dragon turned to Jirachi. "-what part of my instructs were so difficult for you to follow?"
"Erm, well you see-" He nervously chuckled.
"Had the eon twins did not have the benefit of mega evolution then we could've been in a far worst position!" Rayquaza roared. "You're the second eldest of us all, only behind myself and yet you still insist on acting like a child."
"Well-" He swirled his foot on the ground. "What's the point in being grown up if you can't act childish sometimes?"
"I erm, I hate to interrupt but shouldn't we get on with this first?" Latios asked. "I mean... even with our cover the humans can still track Deoxys. It's only a matter of time until they come looking."
"I must concur with Latios-" A robotic voice echoed, which he presumed belonged to Deoxys. "My internal homing beckon is already instructing my return to the space centre. Should I fail to act soon enough, my creators shall come looking."
"Very well-" Rayquaza sighed, leering down to the wish maker. "But be assured we'll finish this discussion later."
A wall of darkness surrounded them with the only light sources being from the Pokémon themselves. Ash couldn't help but think of the times he ended up trapped inside his own head with his aura taking control. Even if he didn't quite feel the same out of body experience as those times. Glancing around as a scene began to take form around them, his mind popped up with an idea.
"Wait!" He called out. "Shouldn't we have Drake involved? If you need to tell the chosen's the-"
"We only really need to inform one of you." Rayquaza growled, cutting him off. "We brought both of you hear because you were together anyway. And it'll be your own responsibility to ensure your third member is updated on the developments of our partner."
"B-before we start, I do have one question." Serena raised her hand. "You speak as if Deoxys isn't a genetically engineered Pokémon."
"Your kind might've built their interface but where do you think the design came from?" Rayquaza asked. "Father implanted the plans into the mind of one capable of bringing them to life. If only to ensure humans could retrieve the information without some level of scepticism. Now we don't have much time before said rodents come searching for the wreckage so if you'd please."
The dark space faded to have several light sources around. Floating through space, he couldn't help but gawk at the realistic feeling. Many different stars could be seen off in the distance, but none were particular close. In the centre of the mind-display was Deoxys themselves. Entering a standing position, a blue light shone out central gem. Everything seemed quite until they spun to the side.
"This was recorded on exploration day eighteen-thousand-five-hundred-and-ninety two." A robotic voice echoed.
A new sight formed of some sort of light blue circle within the depth of space. White cracks burst out around like some sort of fracture in the void as an almost hypnotic sight radiated out of the hole. Feeling each breath which passed through his lips, they trembled in anticipation.
As he resisted the urge to reach out for the visual memory, two rugged jaws reached out. Snapping down on the edges of the cosmic whirlpool.
Two glowing blue eyes appeared within the pool before a force wave exploded. Blowing the DNA Pokémon back.
"My internal recorder and transmitter were damaged, preventing me from sending this information back remotely." Deoxys continued. "Following my basic programming, I set root back home. Of course, without documenting the entire search travelling was quicker."
"How long ago was this recorded?" Rayquaza asked.
"Unknown." Deoxys stated. "But I can feel the internal tracker re-emerging. If I don't act on the homing instinct, then the humans shall soon arrive. May I?"
"Yes, yes." He nodded. "Just wipe your data banks before making contact. We can't let this information reach the general public."
"What?! Why?" he asked as the DNA Pokémon zoomed away. "Surely they have a right to know. To prepare."
"It would also alert the humans who are bringing it here and potential increase their plans," he replied, "we don't even know when this war shall take place or when they'll break through. It would just cause a mass panic. If it were only Pokémon, I'd consider it since they're capable of complex thought."
"War? Break through? Them?" he asked. "Do you know what it was?"
"In one sense," the serpent-dragon replied, "this world wasn't fathers first attempt at creating a universe. Long before any of us were even a flicker in their eye, he attempted a world but it didn't work out. The process of evolution lead to dangerous and vile creates which destroyed the world he wished to be his crowning achievement. This was why he included Pokémon in this world, as a sort of eco-counter balance not used in previous attempts."
"I've only heard stories from father himself about what these creatures were like. To protect this world, the guardian of space was born. If the fabric between worlds is being torn down then these... beasts are going to show up sooner or later. I believe the creature we saw was one such beast."
"Why would they start breaking through now?" Serena asked. "Why not before if it's been how-ever many billions of years?"
"If I were to guess, some humans are playing with forces they can't possibly understand." He sneered. "They're all the same. There's something which doesn't make sense, I know, we'll poke it with a stick and see what happens. They can't possibly leave be alone."
He wanted to argue the point but he decided not to. Even if it wasn't a human who caused it, he couldn't exactly prove it right now and starting an argument wouldn't help. The mental connection seemed to break as the space image faded, returning them back onto the crash site of meteor falls.
"We don't know what sort of power or strength these beasts possess, it could rival even the creation legends," Rayquaza explained, "I'd suggest you two start preparing because once the walls between worlds are down, we'll be open to a fight that this world has never seen."
"What sort of things do we need to prepare?" she asked.
"Ideally, you'd find whoever is doing these dangerous experiments and shut it down before the barriers fall apart," he replied, "but to be safe, I'd recommend building up a connection with the legends. Get them ready for what awaits them. Then when the time comes, we can help prevent the invasion."
"We already have a psychic link with Mewtwo." He offered.
"One single clone won't be enough to fight those creatures," the serpent-dragon replied, "the wins shall set up the same sort of connect though. All members of the astral quintuple shall be ready to fight these creatures."
"You will?" he asked, a slight crack in his voice.
"I already stood by as one invasive species destroyed this planet." he growled, stretching up before moving dangerous close. Blowing a cool wind in his direction through his nostrils which nearly knocked him over. "The real question should be if an aura user can defend and not just invade themselves."
"I wasn't the one who did the-"
"That doesn't matter, you still reap the rewards from that bloodshed." He turned towards the eon twins. "You two. We have some more things to discuss before you take the chosen's back." He turned to face them. "I might suggest you take in the sights. The twins shall find you when it's time to leave."
With great force, the mighty dragon lept up from the ground like a spring, shooting into the air. Both of the lati-legends followed like some form of jet swirling around each other, shimmering invisible before truly too high to be out of sight. He noticed Jirachi sat on a rock looking a little nervous.
"You, okay?" he asked.
"Ye-yeah. Totally. Why wouldn't I?" Jirachi asked in quick succession. "I've just been volunteered to fight some extra-dimensional beast. Totally fine."
The wish maker quickly teleported away in a flash of light. Staring at the spot where the psychic steel legendary sat for a few second, he couldn't really blame him for being nervous. Given the massive
Turning to Serena, he nodded, and they set off down the mountain side into the main part of meteor falls. Stumbling slightly from the awkward ground, he felt a wave of ESP surround them. Turning to the side, he smiled. Serena encased them in psychic energy and floated them down to the more stable ground of the floor. Feeling himself back on solid ground, they started heading back through the mountain side.
Serena smiled as she glanced around the creator of meteor falls. The sound of crashing water off in the distance giving a tranquil feeling. Glancing to the side, she frowned at her boyfriend's expression. She couldn't deny the information from Deoxys was unsettling but it was also a massive relief. Rather than trying to guess what it is they're supposed chosen for, it's nice having some sort of idea... like they're actually preparing.
"You worried about what was said?" she asked.
"Yeah-" He sighed. "I know we've got a link set up with Mewtwo but you heard Rayquaza. Just how many creatures are trying to break through? And whose trying to get them into this world?"
"We can figure that out later." She shrugged. "Maybe Drake will have some ideas or-" She shook her head. "Either way, you've got the league to focus on-"
"Is that really what I should be focused on right now?" he asked. "I mean, we just learnt that-"
"You need to stop putting the weight of the world on your shoulders." She cut him off. "If you don't do stuff for yourself and just focus on everyone else then you'll end up no-use for anyone... not to mention, we need to be on our top form. Taking on a league seems like a good way to get training in."
"What about Sidney?" he asked.
"So Houndoom can't use mega evolution yet-" She shrugged. "You'll get it. Just like Gardevoir, Aerodactyl, Beedrill and Ampharos."
"I meant what if he has something to do with-"
"Where's this coming from?" she asked.
"He was giving me some pretty bad vibes before and during our battle-" He uttered. "We can't-"
"I didn't get any of those vibes when he tested me and Ampharos," she replied, "what did he do?"
"Well... he was aggressive and blunt. He was dress-"
"Whoa, hold up!" She cut him off. "What does it matter how he was dressed?"
"I-" He paused, glancing around as if trying to find an answer. "He seemed like a trouble maker."
"You mean like Hitmontop? Noctowl?" she asked. "Or like a prankster like Glalie? Duskull? Gengar?"
"I see your point-" He closed his eyes, letting out a low sigh.
"We only just met him, Ash, and who cares how he dresses?" she asked. "Sure, he might be aggressive but maybe he's just having a bad day. Everyone can have them, ya 'know. He's also a part of the elite four. Do you know how difficult it is to get a position like that?"
"I'm sorry-" he uttered.
"It's not me who needs an apology," she replied, "and I suggest you get that sort of mind set out. If we just start thinking anyone who's a little different is involved then we'll need to face the entire world... literally."
She froze as the patter of footsteps approached, closing her eyes, she sent out a weak pulse of ESP to scan the area. Two minds entered her radius. Opening them once again, she noticed Ash with Houndoom already out of his Pokéball. Turning to the source, they saw the familiar sight of an Altaria flying towards them and setting down in front of the dark fire type, who took up an offensive stance. The footsteps continued and the elder emerged on the path.
"You're the girl from before," she mentioned, "the one who took young Bagon. How is she?"
"She's good..." She uttered, studying the elderly women. Her mind raced back to their previous encounter, "evolved into a Shelgon."
"Good." She smiled. "I always had a good feeling about you. Young Bagon picked wisely."
"How's Zinnia?" she asked.
"The young dragon whisperer has already set off," she replied, "after the events of the day of disasters, she decided to search for the true heart of the draconid people. To bring back the history which was stolen from us."
"She... said that?" Ash asked, a hint of disbelief. The women's eyes glanced in his direction and her face fell.
"No." Her voice dropped to match her scowl. "She might not have said all that, but a grandmother knows. I'm simply looking after her friends until her return."
"She didn't take her Pokémon with her?" she asked.
"Only Salamence," she replied, "in the times before those contraptions you call Pokéballs, people and Pokémon lived side by side. It was only common for a pair of one, maybe two. Not these multiple captures which seem common-place now-adays. But that's a man's world, overcompensating for-"
"Hold on!" She jumped forward, cutting the women off. "You might've shocked us into silence before, but I've thought a lot about your attitude on that day."
"I beg your pardon!" She scoffed.
"You talked down not only to Ash back then but all our male friends!" She stared the women down. "And it's not okay-"
"Serena-" Ash's voice uttered as his hand landed on her shoulder
"What do you know child." She sneered. "Just because you like having someone in the sack doesn't mean you understand how the world works."
"I may not know how the world works completely... I doubt anyone does really." She sighed. "But I know your attitude is outdated and wrong. Which is why I'm going to challenge you and your Altaria to a battle."
"Serena-" He tried once more but she turned around to give him a serious stare.
"And just what do you expect this battle to prove?" she asked.
"Ash has done so much for me and I know for a fact I wouldn't be where I am now if not for meeting him!" She declared, turning back to face her. "You said before that Bagon 'would need a strong trainer to help her achieve flight' and shot Ash down from that chance."
"Was I wrong?" she asked. "Bagon did pick you."
"She did but you was also wrong," she replied, "I probably wouldn't even be a trainer, let alone coordinator or performer if not for Ash. I'm only able to help Shelgon achieve flight because of him, not in spite. Which is why I challenge you, show you exactly what strength he's given me!"
"Very well, we'll accept your challenge-" Altaria swooped in front of her, as Ash and Houndoom moved to the side to act as a ref. Turning to walk back to give space, her mind began to go through her team. "Ampharos would be good but using her mega evolution might be too soon. Or I could use-"
A red light shot off her belt. Her middle-staged Johtoian fire starter appeared with a determined glare. She didn't even need to ask, it was clear they were in the same mindset. Both Ash and Houndoom have done so much for them. It's not just because they're dating, even before either relationship started.
"I'll be going with Quilava then!" She smirked, turning back as her fire type took up a spot on the makeshift field.
"Quilava verses Altaria!" Ash declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Serena verses Draconid elder:
She smiled seeing her fire type enter a run across the makeshift field. Leaping up, she curled into a ball. Rolling across the ground, she swerved side to side as a high-pitched sound-wave tinted pink with fairy type energy. The disarming voice sailed past as the gap between them closed.
Crashing into the cotton-winged dragon, they skidded back. Raising one of the cloud-wings, dark blue claws covered in dragon type energy burst out.
Taking the dragon claw head on, she was knocked away. Using the rollout to create distance as the dragon flying type took off over the field.
"We're gonna need to go stealth!" she shouted.
Uncurling in the middle of the makeshift field, she let out a loud cry. Thick black smoke bellowed out of her mouth, covering herself from sight.
Letting out a more elegant cry, the humming Pokémon took off and flapped her wings. A powerful gust blew the smoke away.
She smirked as her fire type disappeared from sight. Of course, they knew they could get rid of the cover, they just needed the opportunity to hide.
Swooping lower the dragon flying type seemed to be scowering the ground. Her own eyes darted around to try and make out her partner.
"Behind you!" the elder yelled.
It was too late. Jumping onto one of the rocks, she shot out across the air with fire swirling around her. Crashing onto the cotton-winged opponent.
Landing on her back, she raised a claw. Purple-ghost type energy extended over her claws. Swiping down across back and neck of Altaria.
Both Pokémon came crashing down as Quilava entered a second rollout. Leaving her opponent in the dust, she picked up momentum while taking a wide birth across the makeshift field. She smirked as she saw the confidence in her fire type after all the hard work she put into training since they met.
Heading in head on, the ground rumbled as she passed over it. A streak of flames covered the trail behind her on the ground.
"Flame wheel!" She shouted.
Flames burst out and surrounded her body. A dark blue flame of dragon type energy crashed into the volcano Pokémon. Spewing out to the side, she smirked at the different colours of flames dancing around her partner. Protected from the dragon breath, she crashed into the humming Pokémon.
Falling to the side, the dragon flying type was helpless as her fire type leapt up. Bouncing off the cotton wings with the built up momentum.
Uncurling and spinning around like some sort of dance, she shot down a powerful flamethrower. Bathing her opponent as she reached the apex of height.
Holding both claws out, a duel shadow claw formed. Falling down her flame-stream stopped as she spun around to add power to her move.
A sea of cotton softened her landing, but the ghost type scythes harmlessly sunk inside. Leaving her helpless as she struggled to swim through the fabric.
Popping her head up onto her stomach, Quilava was launched high into the air. A pink sphere of fairy type energy formed in front of her beak.
Firing the projectile, it struck her in the stomach. Curling over, she crashed down onto the hard ground and let out a soft whimper.
"Are you alright?!" She cried, hearing Houndoom add his own barks of encouragement. Her eyes burst open, and she gritted her teeth.
Pushing herself up, she shot out another flamethrower. It struck a dragon breath head-on and the two battled back and forth.
Hearing another bark of encouragement from the dark fire type, her breath stuck in her throat. Eyes widened as a bright light engulfed her pure fire type, her shape began to change as the flamethrower doubled in size. Pushing the dragon-breath back, it consumed the cotton-sea and humming Pokémon.
As the glowing faded, her pure fire type stood in place of Quilava with a bulky, yet long and agile body. Dropping back down onto all fours, she ponder if she was actually bipedal or quadrupedal not that it mattered. Most of her body was a cream-colour, but her back and top of her head were the same dark-blue fur she had in her pre-evolutions. Her face was made up of a short, rounded snout and small, triangular eyes and ears. With sharp canine teeth and a thick tongue visible when she growled at their opponent. Each of her paws had five digits, and there was a coarse, spiky fringe of fur along her rear. Several red spots appeared over her back and neck which erupted in flames like her pre-evolutions. She pulled out her Pokédex to scan the newly evolved fire type:
Typhlosion, The Volcano Pokémon. The final evolved form of Cyndaquil. Typhlosion obscures itself behind a shimmering heat haze that it creates using its intensely hot flames. This Pokémon creates blazing explosive blasts that burn everything to cinders
Type: Fire
Ability: Blaze
Hidden Ability: Flash Fire (Note: This hidden ability is currently unlocked)
Gender: Female
Nature: Hardy (Note: This is unlikely to change since this Pokémon is fully evolved)
Move(s): Eruption, Double-Edge, Tackle, Leer, Smokescreen, Ember, Quick Attack, Flame Wheel, Defence Curl, Swift, Flame Charge, Flamethrower, Inferno, Lava Plume, Rollout, Bulldoze, Brick Break, Shadow Claw, Zen Headbutt, Solar beam, Flare Blitz
Putting the device away, she noticed the dragon flying type walking out of the ashed-defence. "Alright Typhlosion, let's try out this evolution!"
Receiving a growl of confirmation, she charged forward on all fours. A shield of flames swirled around her as she closed the difference.
Tackling their opponent, both of them went rolling in the dirt. Ending in a straddling position, she released a thick black smoke direct into her face.
Manic coughs echoed from the black cloud which covered the field. Narrowing her eyes, she tried to make out anything within makeshift cover.
Flying out of the cloud, Altaria twist butt-over-head. Skimming over the ground, the thuds of her fully evolved Pokémon rumbled from the smoke.
Typhlosion burst out with a glowing red outline, she couldn't be certain, but it didn't feel like her ability blaze. Especially, since it seemed she was still in relatively good health. Shrugging, she watched the newly evolved Pokémon land on top of their opponent.
A mighty roar echoed as flames surrounded both of them. With a shockwave blowing out, she instinctively raised her hands.
Absorbing the initial blast, she watched in amazement at the fire power on display. A mushroom cloud erupted high above them. The elder had been blown over and was moving into a sitting position as Houndoom took a stance in front of Ash, absorbing a lot of the flames near them.
Her boyfriend had also ended up on his behind hand. Looking a little mareepish as he sat behind the dark Pokémon, aimlessly staring at the eruption.
A ring of flames scorched the ground around them as both Pokémon were revealed from the flames. Typhlosion was slightly hunched over whilst on her back two legs, panting heavily as the humming opponent lay in front of her. Light flames burned her wings as she seemed mostly charred, swirls replacing her eyes.
"Altaria is unable to battle!" Ash declared. "Making Serena and Typhlosion the winner?!"
Letting out a massive victorious roar, her fire type walked back as she ran to embrace her newly evolved Pokémon. Cutting of her neck and back flames as they entered a close hug. A large grin overtook her lips as she thought back to meeting her one day in the forest outside Azalea town. Originally, she couldn't even handle starting her flames now she has complete control over them. She couldn't be prouder of the progress her volcano Pokémon made.
Glancing behind the fully evolved starter Pokémon, she smiled as Ash and Houndoom took a seat beside the humming Pokémon. His canine absorbed the few flames around, creating a safe clearing as her boyfriend used a combination of medicine and berries to help heal their previous opponent.
"Wh-why?" the elder stuttered.
"Because the battle was fun but we don't actually want to hurt anyone," he explained, "it wouldn't be fair if we didn't help when we could."
"N-no I meant-" She turned to the side. "As a dragon, Altaria should've been resistant to fire."
"Altaria doesn't have much in terms of actual battle experience does she?" he asked, not receiving an answer in return. "Resistance and immunity are two different things and without much battle experience, especially recent experience. She was just outmatched in the heat of battle."
"And you won't like hearing this-" She stood up to approach them, standing behind her boyfriend with the duel-fire types off to their side. She glanced to see her newly evolved Pokémon and they shared a single nod before she continued. "But both of us owe a lot to Ash and Houndoom. Without them we wouldn't be the trainer or Pokémon we are today... I might've never even met Cyndaquil without Ash's influence. You think I'm the stronger of the two just because I'm female, but the truth is, we make each other stronger. And your outdated views will never change that."
A cool silence echoed in the mountainous cavern around them. The dragon flying type moved slightly before a mystic glow from roost took over her recovery.
Walking back from the duo, she couldn't help but scower at the elderly women. Even after how she put her boyfriend down, he still was willing to help her and her Pokémon. Lightly intertwining their fingers, they turned and walked down the path into the cavern, not really concerned with the current location.
Both of their Johtoian fire types walked ahead, in some sort of race. Smiling at the sight, she leaned against his arm and swung slightly but stopped seeing his distant stare. "Kiss for your thoughts?" she asked, leaning in to peck his cheek. Still feeling slightly thrilled from the evolution.
"I was just thinking about Sidney-" he muttered, the corner of his lips flicked up at the gesture before dropping again.
"You and Houndoom will get mega evolution down." She encouraged.
"It's not that." He sighed. "I thought he was just some thug. He dressed the part and was super aggressive but-" He shook his head. "I couldn't understand how someone like that... a trouble maker would get a position in something like an elite four or any position in a league to be honest."
"-and now?" she asked.
"Being judged like that by the elder-" He stopped. "I feel awful. I was basically doing the same thing. We've seen how much work goes into just picking gym leaders, let alone elite four members. How could I judge Sidney when I'm sure Steven or the others would've vetted him long before giving him the job."
"I'm not gonna sugar-coat it," she replied, forcing him to look in her eyes. "You was wrong to judge Sidney like that."
"I know."
"So what'cha gonna do about it?" she asked.
"Huh?"
"You feel bad, and you messed up," she replied, "as far as I can see, you already feel bad, so you only have one more step."
"Apologise?" he asked.
"Yeah." She nodded.
"What did I do to deserve you?" he asked.
"You... chased a Poliwag into a brush-" She leaned in and pecked his lips. "But that was just the start."
The two of them stood in the middle of cosmic creator with her arms looped behind his head, resting on his broad shoulders. Feeling his hands on her waist, holding her close, she smiled and continued to pass the time in a more enjoyable way. It only seemed to be about ten-seconds before a wind blew behind.
Turning around, she noticed the two eon twins staring at them. Latios' cheeks were bright red as he forcefully looked off into the sky as his sister floated behind, covering her mouth as she giggled cutely. "Is it time to return?"
"Yep!" Latias cheered. "Mister Rayquaza told us to take you back where we found you... and also to set up a mental link with both of you. When the walls between worlds final break you can use it to contact us. We'll get the astral legends and join you on the field, kay?"
Nodding in understanding, they each climbed onto one of the Lati-legends same as they flew over. Recalling the two fire types, they were soon back in the sky high over the Hoenn region. Unable to take in the sights, she felt Latios' mind presence in her own, helping him set up the same mental connection.
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