The conclusion of Jurassic Problems, people. I hope you'll enjoy! ^^
~Guest: Will you let Ash catch the Tyrantrum (...) Thank you and good luck!
You already know the answer.
~Guest: I wonder if Arceus will grant Meloetta a wish and let her turn into a human to be with Ash.
He won't, because she is already with Ash.
~Guest: Ash is very out of character (...) but that doesn't prevent this story (...) from definitely worth reading so far.
Thanks a lot for the praise! :D Yes, Ash is out of character, but that's what you get when you make him more mature/smart as time goes on.
~Corvilius: More please? This is an amazing story! (...) I hope you keep going!
Thanks a lot, I'll do my best to deliver. ^^
~DragonClawFromQ: Is Ash finally going to lose? Also, good chapter.
Thanks for the praise, and you'll have to read to find out.
Disclaimer: I don't own pokemon! If I did, Ultra Necrozma's theme wouldn't be as epic as it is now!
''Meloetta'' Speech
'Meloetta' Thoughts
Bill was muttering incoherently as he sat slumped against the FRM. He saw that the Tyrantrum was faster than Ash's Rapidash as she led him away. He couldn't stomach the thought if something happened to her because of him, and he tried to get himself up. 'I have to turn it off,' he thought in panic, his head dizzy from the shock he received, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't move his body. His limbs were completely paralyzed. He could only hope Ash would arrive soon before any fossil pokemon did.
In the distance, he could hear the angry roars of the dinosaur pokemon as he chased after Rapidash. At the right, he saw Sylveon lying unconscious, and he knew Azumarill was somewhere at the far end of the main room as well.
'Please, Ash, hurry up!' Bill thought desperately. 'What's taking you so long?'
''Pikachu, look out!'' Ash screamed. Defeating these fossil pokemon was harder than he'd thought. For some reason, they kept on going for a lot longer than normal. They'd finally rounded up the last of them and were on their way to the lab when a massive Tyrantrum had blocked their way.
The dinosaur pokemon roared angrily and had almost snapped his jaw shut over Pikachu hadn't Ash warned him just at the right time. He barely evaded the bite with a Quick Attack, and skidded to a stop in front of Ash protectively.
''Pikachu! Are you all right?'' Meloetta called out, concerned for his well-being. It didn't take long for her to figure out something was fueling these pokemon, and looking at the Tyrantrum, she feared this was going to be a very big challenge.
''I'm all right. That thing came out of nowhere, though. I don't know if I'm going to last much longer,'' Pikachu admitted with a snarl.
''It's all right, I'll handle this one, just keep Ash safe for me,'' Meloetta replied, getting in a battle stance. However, just as she was about to attack under her trainer's command, she sensed Rapidash and another, very angry aura—the exact same one that was standing in front of her—chasing the fire-type. They were a couple miles away and Rapidash's aura was extremely frightened.
''Rapidash!'' Meloetta yelled in alarm, and was then reminded of the angry roar in front of her. The Tyrantrum charged with his head down, and Meloetta took hold of him with her psychic, slowing him down to a crawl. She gritted her teeth; it was like stopping the S.S. Anne from capsizing all over again, she couldn't keep him still for long.
''What? What's wrong with Rapidash?'' Pikachu cried out. He had no idea what was going on, and at the look on Meloetta's face, he realized she was in grave danger.
''I'll go to Rapidash—''
''No!'' Meloetta snarled. ''I can't hold him off for much longer. If you go now he'll get to Ash. I need your help!''
Pikachu looked desperate, caught between a cross-road. He realized now that they had underestimated their opponents severely. From the look in Ash's eyes, Pikachu saw that his trainer knew this too. He'd Dragonite's pokeball in his hand already, and threw him on the field.
''Dragonite, I choose you!'' he shouted, ''Pikachu, use Iron Tail to help Meloetta, quickly!''
While the massive dragon materialized, Pikachu shut his eyes in guilt. 'I'm so sorry, Rapidash.' His tail hardened to steel-like proportions, and he swung it on the head of the large dinosaur pokemon, alleviating some pressure for Meloetta.
The dinosaur roared and struggled, still gaining ground as he advanced towards Ash. 'This is ridiculous. No pokemon should be this strong. I'm tired of this,' Ash thought finally.
''Dragonite, obliterate this fossil pokemon with your Dragon Claw, full power!'' Ash yelled conclusively, his voice carrying a hint of irritation.
His ancient pokemon complied with a nod. ''Stand back, Ash,'' he warned in a deep rumple, and swung his paw full of draconic energy against the Tyrantrum with all the strength that he had. It was like swatting a fly; the dinosaur pokemon didn't even give a cry as he was swept through trees, foliage, the dome, the forest behind that and then crashed somewhere against Mt. Ember, forming a deep impact crater at the side of the mountain, never to be seen again.
Meloetta finally rested, panting as she gave Dragonite an appreciative smile. ''Thanks, big guy.''
''It's my pleasure, lady Meloetta,'' he responded back respectfully, giving her a graceful bow.
Meloetta then turned to the distraught electric-type, who gave her an anxious look. ''Pikachu, go with Ash and find Bill and the others. I'm going to find Rapidash,'' she said sternly.
''Meloetta!'' he cried. ''Rapidash? Is she—?''
''No, she can't be,'' the petite legendary responded. ''Or so Arceus help me... Now go! Make sure that the others are okay!''
He nodded, and climbed on Ash's shoulder. ''Pika, pikachu, pika,'' he said to Ash quickly.
''Wait, what about Meloetta? Where is she going?'' Ash questioned worriedly.
Pikachu shook his head. ''Pika pika,'' he responded seriously, giving him a look that told Ash to trust him.
''All right, I'll trust you, Pikachu. Let's find Bill and the others.''
Back at the lab, Bill was almost losing consciousness when Ash and Pikachu finally entered. He'd heard the massive wing flaps of his Dragonite, who was now standing guard outside. ''Bill! Sylveon! Azumarill! What happened?'' Ash yelled, clearly in panic for the well-being of his pokemon.
He crouched down next to Sylveon and saw that she was knocked out cold, but still breathing steadily. He gave a sigh of relief as he returned her to her pokeball.
Meanwhile, Pikachu was checking up on Azumarill, who luckily was in the same state as Sylveon.
''Oh, sprout. I'm so glad that you're okay,'' Pikachu whispered. He put Azumarill on his back and carried him towards Ash, Bill and the smoking FRM.
''It was a massive dinosaur pokemon,'' Bill babbled to Ash as he returned his Azumarill with relief on his face. He muttered a thanks to his Pikachu as Bill explained further. ''He destroyed the lab, and knocked out Azumarill and Sylveon in one hit. Rapidash… she saved us, she led the Tyrantrum away from here.''
Ash eyes widened in horror. ''Where's Rapidash now?'' he asked, his tone not hiding his concern whatsoever.
''I-I don't know,'' Bill stuttered. ''The FRM, it gave the fossil pokemon immense power. I tried to shut it off but I got a massive shock. I'm completely paralyzed.''
Pikachu eyed the handle, and then Ash, who was trying to even his breathing. He could see his trainer was having a rough time keeping calm and not lashing out to Bill.
''Ash,'' Pikachu said, knowing he would understand most of what he was going to say, ''You go find Rapidash with Dragonite. Meloetta should be with her. I'll turn off the FRM in the meantime and keep an eye on Bill.''
''Pikachu, are you sure?'' Ash asked.
The electric-type readjusted his cap, nodded his head and gave his trainer a hug.
''Pika, Pikachu,'' he said in reassurance, and Ash believed him—how couldn't he?
''I know everything will be okay, Pikachu. I'll be back in no time, I promise.''
With that, Ash left his electric-starter alone with Bill while he went to search for Rapidash and Meloetta.
When Ash found Meloetta, his breath caught in his throat. She was floating in front of another of those large Tyrantrum. This one had made a nasty crash to the ground. His eyes were closed and he was unmoving; it had to be the one who'd attacked Bill at the lab—the one Rapidash chased away.
''Meloetta, where's Rapidash?'' Ash whispered, refusing to believe this fossil pokemon had done something to her. She was nowhere in sight, and on closer inspection, the large, defeated dinosaur Pokémon had scorch marks all over his body. It was clear Rapidash had fought him and dealt a lot of damage in the process.
When Meloetta turned around, she had tears in her eyes and her hands clasped together. She looked devastated, ready to burst into tears.
At that moment, Ash's body went numb. He felt a dizzy spell threaten to overwhelm him, and he had to sit down to prevent himself from collapsing on the spot. ''No…'' Ash muttered, ''Rapidash, is she—?''
Meloetta flew into his arms and hugged her trainer tight. ''Melo mel, meloetta,'' she murmured sadly in his chest, ''Melo melo!''
Now, Ash became angry. ''What do you mean you can't find her aura!? She can't just vanish! I'm not leaving without her so you have to look harder!''
Meloetta flinched from the sudden outburst and let go of Ash, shock written all over her face.
Immediately, Ash felt guilty and his features turned sad. ''Meloetta, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lash out to you like that.'' He'd trouble keeping the tears from falling down now. ''It's just—we have to—Rapidash—I can't lose her.''
The raven haired trainer closed his eyes, his cheeks becoming wet and salty. He cried softly for his fallen Pokémon while Meloetta consoled and cried with him.
''C'mon you piece of trash, turn!'' Pikachu grunted. He'd tried to turn off to FRM for the last five-minutes now, but the handle was completely stuck. Thanks to his new ability, he didn't have to worry about the electricity whatsoever, but he lacked the physical strength to move the handle in the slightest.
''It's useless,'' Bill muttered, ''soon, the machine is going to revive more fossils, and then we're all done for.''
''Will you shut your yap for a second?'' Pikachu snarled, ''I'm going to do this!'' He put all of his strength in his tiny paws, going spastic as the handle squeaked in protest and finally gave a couple of inches. ''Yes!'' Pikachu cheered, his muscles aching in pain. ''Now for the final blow!''
He had a perfect working angle now. His tail turned as hard as steel as he took a couple of steps backwards. With a cry of his name, he charged the machine, jumped up, and slammed his tail against the handle powerfully, which instantly flew downwards with a loud slam. The machine whirled with noise, and then it died down completely.
''There!'' he shouted to Bill, ''I told you I would do it!'' Pikachu laughed victoriously and then, exhaustion claimed him as he rested his body against the scientist.
''You—you did it,'' Bill said, astounded. He felt like he could finally breathe again.
Pikachu chuckled. ''Of course I did. I've been trained personally by Ash. He's the best trainer a pokemon could wish for.''
They stayed silent like that, waiting for Ash and the others to arrive and help them.
''You know, I'm really sorry for dragging you into this mess,'' Bill said genuinely. ''If I had known things would go so wrong, I wouldn't have put all of you into danger.''
Pikachu waved him off dismissively. ''It's fine. The machine's off and all the fossils are dealt with. I just hope Rapidash is okay…''
While Ash and Meloetta were sitting there, embracing each other to ease their sorrow, a bright light appeared in the sky.
''What's that?'' Ash whispered, afraid it might be another giant fossil pokemon. Meloetta, however, only gasped. ''It's the Flame of Mt. Ember,'' she whispered back. ''Moltres.''
The giant, legendary fire-type descended towards the ground next to Ash and Meloetta, and when he touched solid land, he gave a respectful bow. ''Ash, Lady Meloetta, it is a pleasure to meet you both in person.''
His voice was like telepathy, and if Ash wasn't so upset, he might've marveled at it.
''Moltres,'' Meloetta said, and she bowed back. ''Please help us. The island—it was filled with rampaging fossil pokemon and—''
He put the tip of his wing on her muzzle to silence her. ''I know, young one. That's why I came here. I heard how that foolish scientist messed up on one of his machines, on my island no less. I'm sorry that I couldn't be here sooner to help you, but I think I was just in time to save someone very dear to the both of you.''
This time, Ash couldn't utter a single word out of happiness as his Rapidash appeared from behind Moltres' wing. She was positively glowing; not a single scratch was on her body.
''Rapidash!'' Ash said, ''Oh, Rapidash!'' He ran towards her and gave her a hug, which she eagerly returned, her eyes tearing up just as much as her trainer's. ''I thought I had lost you forever.''
She nuzzled him and neighed an apology for making him worry so much. Not a second later, Meloetta had joined in, and the three were hugging like a family that was reunited again at long last.
''Moltres, thank you so much for saving Rapidash. I don't know how to repay you,'' Ash said honestly.
''You don't have to, because you already did. You saved my island—my home. For that, I'm eternally grateful.'' He bowed again, and Ash bowed back respectfully.
''I must go now, Ash. But remember, you're always welcome here on One Island and Mt. Ember.''
The legendary spread his magnificent wings and took off into the sky, until he was nothing but a bright star on the horizon.
Back at the pokemon center of One Island, Bill was thanking Ash profusely. ''I've put you guys in so much danger; please accept this gift as a token of my appreciation for helping me.''
One of his colleagues showed Ash a bracelet and a pink, diamond shaped stone.
''What's that?'' Ash said with excitement in his voice.
''That is a Z-ring. It's a bracelet you can wear so you can perform an ultimate attack with your pokemon. The stone is a psychium-Z. Any pokemon who holds that stone with a psychic move can now perform the ultimate psychic attack: Shattered Psyche. You should try it out with Meloetta and see how it goes.''
Ash took the items gratefully and with respect from Bill's colleague. ''Wow, thank you so much.''
All of Ash's pokemon except Dragonite were standing beside him, looking at awe at the shiny stone. ''Does that mean there are more of these stones?'' Ash questioned.
''There are,'' Bill confirmed, ''but they're not easy to get a hold of in Kanto, as they are Alola exclusive. I got these from my friend Kukui, the professor in Alola, but since I'm paralyzed I've no use for them.''
''What did the doctors say about that?'' Ash responded, now feeling pity for Bill.
''They say it won't be permanent, but it might take more than a year before all of my functions will return as they were before, which means I'll have to relearn everything. The medical rehabilitation process will be a long road, but one I'm willing to walk. It's my fault all of this happened in the first place.''
Ash nodded and chatted some more with Bill, before they said their final goodbyes. Now, Ash was all alone with his pokemon, and he looked at them sadly. ''I've failed you guys as a trainer,'' he said. ''Because of my poor decision to split up and not use Dragonite sooner, I put all of you in incredible danger. Some of you almost had to pay for it with your lives. I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if something happened to you guys.''
He looked at each of them individually. ''You are my family, and I love you, and from the bottom of my heart, I'm sorry. I hope you guys can forgive me.''
The silence that followed was killing Ash, before it was broken with a soft snort from his Rapidash. ''What are you talking about, Ash?'' she cried. ''There was no way you could've known what kind of danger we were heading into!''
''Yeah, I agree with auntie Dashie!'' Sylveon said. Azumarill nodded his head too, which only left Pikachu and Meloetta.
''Hey, Ash,'' his electric starter said. ''You're not to blame for any of this. If anything, we are to blame for not realizing how dangerous it was sooner.''
Meloetta didn't say anything. She just cooed kindly and locked her lips tenderly with his, showing how much she loved him. When she broke the kiss, Ash felt a happiness surge through his veins he hadn't felt since the first day Meloetta had kissed him. ''You know, I'm the luckiest trainer in all of Kanto to have you guys as my pokemon—no, as my family.''
They all hugged him close, and Ash sighed in contentment as he was embraced from all sides by the ones that loved him.
So there you have it, people! Did you guys like it, love it, hate it? Review please. Reviews make me feel like the luckiest trainer in all of Kanto. ;) Next chapter, Ash and Meloetta's first official date in Viridian's annual festival extravaganza! Until then. ^^
~Syrup-Waffle