Ash to Ash
Lucian reads quietly alone. It's already late night and everyone else has gone off to bed. But he stays in the Pokemon Center's lobby, reading a book.
"I thought you might be here," came a voice from behind him, it was Winona.
"I was having trouble sleeping," Lucian tells her as she sits right across from him.
"We all are," Winona starts. "Especially after watching Ash and Anabel's battle." Winona stares into the starry sky. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine," Lucian answers. "What about you? Have you managed to talk to Wallace?"
"No," Winona shakes her head. "He's busy with the police, Lance and Cynthia."
"Still," Lucian begins. "You should talk to him whenever you get the chance."
"But there's some more important we need to focus on now though."
"There's really no need for you to worry. I believe in them."
"Hmm..." Winona smiles and closes her eyes. "Then, I will too."
"Our next battle is Leo and Gaia vs. Ash and Anabel!"
"So," Cynthia starts. "It's time. Good luck Ash."
"Are you ready Anabel?" Ash asks his partner.
"As long as I'm with you," Anabel begins. "I always will be."
"Hehehe," 'Leo' laughs. "I hope they're ready."
"Calm down," 'Gaia' tells his subordinate. "We must be through about this. For our pride and reputation."
"Hey Lance," Leo talks to the Dragon Champion. "Isn't there something we can do?"
"Not right now," Lance answers. "Just stay put."
"Pikachu," Ash talks to his partner. "Are you ready buddy?"
"Pi-ka-chu!"
"What about you Espeon?" Anabel pats her friend.
"Espiii!"
"Alright! Let the battle begin!"
"Go! Pikachu!"
"Go my friend!"
Pikachu and Espeon take their places on the field.
"Hehe, you're going to love this! Break them Tyranitar!"
"It's time, Salamence!"
Tyranitar and Salamence appear on the field.
"A Tyranitar and a Salamence," Ritchie stars. "Both of those Pokemon are really strong."
"Come on Ash!" Lyra cheers.
"I know you can beat them!" May yells.
Everyone else screams at Ash.
"Wow," Anabel smiles. "You've got quite the cheerleading squad."
"Ahehehe," Ash scratches his head.
"Tyranitar! Rock Slide!" 'Leo' begins the battle.
"Pikachu!" "Espeon!"
"Quick Attack!"
Pikachu and Espeon run around the flying rocks and tackle the thrower. Tyranitar takes a couple steps back in recoil.
"Rrrr, use Dynamic Punch!"
The Dark Rock Pokemon's fist charges up, ready to punch something.
"Pikachu! Aim high with Iron Tail!"
"Espeon! Sweep low with Iron Tail!"
Pikachu avoids Tyranitar's fist and swings his tail at its head, knocking it back slightly. Espeon swings her tail from behind, aiming at the feet. Tyratitar stumbles over and lands on its back.
"Yeah!" Ash rejoices.
"Salamence! Dragon Pulse!"
Salamence fires an orb of energy at the two smaller Pokemon.
"Espeon! Zap Cannon!"
Espeon fires her own orb of energy to counter the Dragon. They explode on contact.
"She's gotten stronger!" 'Leo' panics.
"No, I surprise attacked them last time," 'Gaia' explains. "She's a Frontier Brain, essentially a more powerful type of Gym Leader. Which means you shouldn't be messing around!"
"I was totally serious!"
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt that Dragon!"
"Salamence! Dodge it and use Dragon Rush!"
Pikachu's Thunderbolt completely misses the Flying Dragon and it dives low while its tail glows.
"Espeon! Use Iron Tail!" "You too Pikachu!"
Espeon and Pikachu's tails connect with Salamence's. But the Dragon proved too powerful for them and they were sent flying.
"Tyranitar! Rock Slide!"
Tyranitar hurls boulders at Pikachu and Espeon!
"Espeon! Use Psychic to stop those rocks!"
"Piiiii..." Espeon's eyes glow blue and mentally stops all the rocks that were flying towards them. Espeon then sends it right back at Salamence and Tyranitar.
"What are you doing you fool?"
"You'll pay for that! Dark Pulse now!"
Tyranitar hits Espeon with a wave of Dark energy!
"Espeon!"
"Salamence! Dragon Rush again! Finish that Espeon!"
Salamence charges forward once more.
"Pikachu! Volt Tackle!"
"Pikapikapikapikaaaaa!" Pikachu covers itself with electricity and charges towards Salamence. His head connects with Salamence's tail, creating an explosion and forcing both of them back.
"Tyranitar! Rock Slide!"
Pikachu reacts too late and is hit by a rock, he struggles to get himself up. Espeon quickly makes her way over to him, concerned. Pikachu gets up determinedly.
"These guys are tough," Ash tells Anabel.
"Indeed," the girl nods. "But we're tougher right?"
"Right!"
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!"
"Espeon! Zap Cannon!"
"Tyranitar! Rock Slide!"
"Dragon Pulse, Salamence!"
All four attacks collide in the stage, creating a big explosion and dust cloud. Tyranitar and Salamence break through the cloud, tail and fist charged up.
"Quick Attack!" Both young trainers called.
Espeon avoids the Dragon's tail and tackles it at the chin. Pikachu flips around the Rock's fist and hits it in the chest. Both of the smaller Pokemon jump back, their opponents were only slightly stunned.
"Is that the best you've got?" 'Leo' cackles. "Tyranitar! Dynamic Punch now!"
At such close range, Pikachu just barely dodges Dynamic Punch.
"Salamence! Dragon Rush!"
Espeon was hit by the Dragon's tail from above.
"Now Dragon Pulse."
The damage from the previous attack still lingered as Salamence fires Dragon energy at the small Psychic Pokemon.
"Espeon no!" Anabel cries.
"I'm not finished, Hyper Beam!"
"Pikachu! Iron Tail! Hurry!"
Pikachu avoids another punch and dashes towards Salamence, his tail is charged up and whacks the Dragon in the side of the head. Hyper Beam flies harmlessly into the sky.
"Pii! Pikapii!?" Pikachu yells to Espeon, almost sounding as if he was asking if she was alright.
"Es-espii!" Espeon finally recovers from the attacks and gets up.
"Zap Cannon!"
Espeon fires a sphere of Electric power at the slightly stunned Salamence, hitting its face.
"Dark Pulse Tyranitar!"
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu shoots an electric attack that intercepts the Dark Pulse.
"Dragon Pulse!"
"Espeon! Psychic on Pikachu!"
Espeon uses her mind to move Pikachu out of the way for the Dragon's attack.
"Quick Attack!"
Both of them charge at Salamence, hitting it at the same time.
"Dragon Rush!"
Salamence swings its tail while the smaller Pokemon were still in recoil. Both of them were sent flying back.
"Rock Slide!"
"Pikachu! Iron Tail now!"
Pikachu uses its tail to destroy an incoming rock and charges the big green Pokemon with it. The little yellow mouse whacks Tyranitar with its tail but Tyranitar stood firm, only taking one step back.
"Counter with Dynamic Punch!"
This time, Tyranitar's fist connects with Pikachu! The small Pokemon is sent flying hard.
"Pikachu!" Ash calls worriedly.
"Now Salamence, Dragon Pulse!"
Salamence fires a sphere of Dragon power at the flying rodent.
"Espeon! Zap Cannon!"
Espeon's Zap Cannon stops Dragon Pulse as Pikachu hits the ground.
"Pikachu! Are you alright?"
Pikachu struggles to get up, "Piii-kaaa..."
"Okay Pikachu! Volt Tackle now!"
"PIKA!" Pikachu starts running. "Pikapikapikapikaaaa!" Pikachu is going the wrong way!
"Oh no!" Dawn cries.
"Dynamic Punch confused Pikachu!" Lucian yells. "He's headed straight for Anabel!"
"Perfect," 'Gaia' smiles.
"Ahhh!" Anabel steps back frightened.
"Anabel look out!" Ash jumps between her and Pikachu. He catches and stops Pikachu from hurting Anabel. "ARRGGHHH!" Ash screams as electricity flows through him.
He... he did again! Wait! Again? That's right... on the lake and during our first battle he... Ash... you... Anabel's head floods up with her memories, her vision blurs until she faints completely.
"Ugh," Ash maintains himself as Pikachu recovers. "How're you doing buddy?"
"Piikaa," Pikachu looks sorry but he suddenly sees something. "Pika! Pikapii!" Pikachu points behind Ash.
Ash looks behind him, "Anabel!" Ash releases Pikachu and rushes to her side, Espeon runs over too. He kneels next to her and lifts her up gently. "Anabel! Wake up! Wake up!"
"Aww, it looks like your partner's been knocked out, hahahaha!" the 'Leo' mocked.
"What?" Ash looks up to stare at 'Leo' and 'Gaia'.
Espeon and Pikachu recognize the voice and the laugh too. They gear themselves up for an attack.
"This is payback, boy," 'Gaia' tells him. "For ruining our plans. To think she ended up surviving, it won't happen again, I can assure you!"
"Espiiiiii-" Espeon angrily growls. But Pikachu placed a hand in front of her, standing strong.
"Piika," Pikachu steps forward as Espeon watches in wonder.
"Hah!" 'Leo' laughs. "What's that little thing going to do against us? We all know you don't stand a chance!"
"Pikachu..." Ash tilted his head downwards a bit, Espeon senses a strong emotion coming from him.
"THUNDER ARMOR!"
"PIKA!" Pikachu raises his arms up high and squeezes his cheeks! "CHUUUUUUUUU!"
Pikachu unleashes a massive bolt of electricity into the sky! A giant lightning bolt comes back down and strikes Pikachu.
"CHUUUUUUU!" Pikachu struggles to absorb all the power that came down on him.
"Wha-what's he doing?" 'Leo' panics.
"I don't know," 'Gaia' sounded worried.
"Thunder Armor?" May gasps.
"May," Ritchie looks at her. "Do you know what Ash is doing?"
"Ash used this attack before," May starts to explain. "Basically Pikachu absorbs a huge amount of electricity and gains a strong power boost in both offense and defence. But last time Pikachu wasn't alone."
"CHUUUUUU!" Pikachu continues to take in as much as he can, but a lot of electricity is flying away.
"Espiiii-" Espeon uses Psychic to catch the stray bolts. "Eon!" She swings her head around, causing the lightning to circle her like a protective electric ring.
"PIKAAA-CHUU!" Pikachu disperses the rest of the electricity, his body glowed a golden color.
"What just happened?" 'Leo' shrieks.
"Pikachu! Quick Attack!"
"Tyrani-" *POW!*
Tyranitar is tackled, HARD! The Dark Rock Pokemon is sent flying through the wall! Creating a big hole in it, but it doesn't stop! It blasts through several cars and breaks several trees before rolling on the ground into a complete halt.
'Leo' stares at his Pokemon silently, he couldn't speak at all. Neither could the crowd.
"Salamence! Go high! Now!"
"Pikapika!" Pikachu roars angrily!
"Espi!" Espeon calls Pikachu, her body is still surrounded by electricity. "Es-espeon!"
"Pika!" Pikachu nods. He charges right at Espeon! "Pikapikapikapikapikaaa-"
"That's Volt Tackle!" Brock yells.
"Espiiiiiii-!" Espeon creates an orb of electricity, Zap Cannon, and forces the ring she had into it. She brings her head low and places the orb between herself and Pikachu.
"CHUUUUUUU!"
Pikachu pushes against the electric orb as Espeon tries to hold her ground!
"Piiiiiii-" Espeon uses her Psychic again to gather Pikachu's electricity into the Zap Cannon! It grows bigger and bigger!
"Salamence! Don't give them time to finish! Use Hyper Beam!"
Salamence charges a massive orb of energy in front of itself.
"VOOOLT CAAANNOOON!" Ash screams the loudest he could!
Pikachu jumps on top of the electric orb. Espeon fires it with all her might! Salamence shoots its own giant sphere of power! The two orbs explode into each other! Pikachu flies out of the smoke and above Salamence! Pikachu uses Iron Tail and sends Salamence all the day back down to the ground!
"PIKAPIKAPIKAPIKAPIKAAAAAA!!!" Pikachu is using Volt Tackle again towards the ground!
He his Salamence hard and forces in into the earth! The ground cracks and breaks from the sheer power! Salamence goes deeper and deeper! A massive explosion fills the battlefield, a huge dust cloud looms over the entire stadium!
Everyone shields their eyes as they can't see through the cloud. The dust disappears first around the battlefield. A huge crater lies in the ground. The announcer walks up to it and takes a look as the sky clears everywhere else. Pikachu was panting hard, Salamence was down and out.
"The winners of this match are Ash and Anabel!" he declares. But there was no cheering, only shock and silence...
Espeon helps Pikachu out with Psychic, they both walk up to their trainers with a solemn look on their faces. Ash's eyes is covered by the shade of his hat. He quietly picks up Anabel's body and heads away.
"We're not done with you!" 'Gaia' yells. He takes out another Poke Ball but it was Hydro Pumped by Wally Ace's Milotic.
"You're finished, period." Wally Ace removes his black cloak, revealing Wallace underneath! "The police have sealed all exits, and with me, Lance, Cynthia, Lucian and Flint here, you don't stand a chance of escape!"
"Boss!" 'Leo' points to the hole in the wall his Tyranitar made.
"Hah!" 'Gaia' laughes. "Nice try!"
The two of them head through the hole.
"Where do you think you're going?" the dastardly duo is confronted by Riley, Brendan, Lucas and the real Leo and Gaia.
"I told you," Wallace walks up behind them. "There's no escape. Me, Lance and Cynthia will personally make sure you get what you deserve."
"Grr..." the mastermind growls. "And we would've gotten away with it too. If it weren't for-"
"You're both under arrest!" An Officer Jenny arrives.
"Wallace?" Winona looks very much surprised.
"Sis?" Bugsy looks at her.
"Not now," Winona tells him. "There's something even more important..."
"Ash!" Dawn tries to follow him but is stopped by Lucian.
"Don't."
"But what about-?"
Lucian merely stayed silent and adjusted his glasses.
"Come on!" May gets up.
"Where do you think you're going?" Melody asks them.
"We have to make sure they're alright!" Lyra answers.
"And what will you say to him?" Melody asks again.
"Actually," Ritchie interrupts. "What can you say to them?"
"I... that's-" May, Lyra and Marley stumble for words.
"Don't make it any worse than it already is," Melody tells them. "Let them be."
"Piiiikaaaa," Pikachu and Espeon can only watch as Ash carries Anabel away. The both of them fall from exhaustion.
"Let's go Yellow!" Red and Yellow run over to the two Pokemon.
Yellow begins healing the two of them. "I still can't believe they did what they did." Yellow says.
"It's their devotion to their trainers that let them do what they did." Red explains. "Just make sure they're okay Yellow. We have a heavy burden on our shoulders."
In the foyer of the stadium, Lance and Cynthia silently watch as Ash carries Anabel as they hold open a pair of doors for him. They just stare as the two trainers disappear into the distance.
"We couldn't say anything," Lance felt regretful.
"There's nothing to say," Cynthia starts. "What's done is done, it's up to him now."
"Good going Yellow!" Red compliments his partner. "Huh?" Red catches the falling Yellow, she fell asleep.
"Is she alright?" Jasmine asks, deeply concerned.
"Yeah," Red replies as he carries Yellow gently. "She's just asleep. Anyway, that was a great battle!"
"It sure was," Jasmine agrees. "If you ever come to Olivine City, let's have an official Gym Battle. I'll show you the true power of my hardened defence."
"Haha," Red laughs. "I'd like that."
"Latias," Bianca turns to her Pokemon friend. "Can you go and find Ash? Just don't do anything, just make sure he's alright, okay?"
Lati nods and vanishes into the sky. She soars above the stadium and scans the ground below. She sees Ash still carrying Anabel, but he's going up a hill. She flies in closer to have a better look.
At the top of the hill, Ash quietly lays Anabel down and sits on the ground right next to her. A gentle breeze blows by them as the sky turns red. Ash looks at the beautiful view, but to him, nothing can be more beautiful than what's right next to him. If only she were awake. He lies back, right next to Anabel. Pulling his hat over his face, he falls asleep.
"However," Lucian starts. "It's gotten extremely late."
"Don't worry," Winona tells him. "Bianca says she told Latias to watch over them. I believe they'll be alright. Huh?"
"I hear it," Lucian informs. "Melody is playing her song again. Probably for them."
"I'm sure they can hear it too, where ever they may be."
