Chapter 18: Synergy

"Oof," Ash grumbled, sitting up. "What in the world was that?"

"Pika," Pikachu shrugged.

"Why do these things keep happening?" he muttered, rubbing his head. "Is Eggman behind these attacks?" He shook his head. "No, he can't be. How could he control something like that?"

"Does something trouble you, Ash?"

Ash started on hearing the sudden voice. "Huh?"

"Hmph. So we meet again."

A small smile crossed Ash's face as he turned to face his companion. "Hello, Shadow."

"Curses!" Eggman cursed when he saw the tree Zapdos struck get saved by a jet of water. "What could have put that fire out?!"

"It would appear that a Water-type Pokemon has done this," his robot companion, Orbot, said.

"Oh, THERE'S a big surprise!" Eggman yelled in exasperation, clutching his head. "That's incredible! I think I'm gonna have a heart attack and DIE from that surprise!"

"Well as long as you're complaining about that," Meowth said, folding his arms, "we're wasting daylight while the twerps get closer to the Chaos Emerald."

"They already have two," James agreed. "That makes us two times too slow."

"Well, you know what they say," Jessie grinned.

"Third time's the charm!" they all cheered.

"Woooooobbuffet!"

"Will you put that blue freak away?!" Eggman shouted. Jessie recalled Wobbuffet. "I've waited long enough to attack that pesky hedgehog and his friends again. I'll take them both down tonight!"

"Tonight?" Jessie blinked.

"Why tonight?" James asked.

"His theory is that Sonic won't be as big a threat as a werehog than he usually is," Orbot explained, "as his greatest strength is in his speed. Frankly, I find his theory flawed, as Sonic is still immensely powerf–"

"Oh, shut up, you pile of junk!" Eggman yelled, kicking him away. "I know what I'm doing!"

"Yeah," Meowth mumbled, shaking his head. "We noticed."

"So you say you've lost your friends," Shadow said, arms folded as usual. "Do you know where they are?"

"Somewhere on this island," Ash nodded, along with Pikachu. "Have you seen them?"

"No."

"Hm," Ash mused. "Well, they can't be far. Keep your eyes peeled, Pikachu."

"Pika!" Pikachu saluted. Ash chuckled, while Shadow simply let out a "heh."

"So what brings you here, Shadow?" he asked.

"I came here with Cynthia and a friend of her's to search for some mysterious energy," Shadow explained. "She calls it Gaia energy."

"Gaia energy?" Ash raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

"A fascinating energy found only in certain places around the world. It's fairly rare, as Cynthia only recently discovered its properties. Rumor has it that it is abundant in a secluded, far-off region."

"Interesting," Ash mused. "So why are you guys interested in this energy anyway?"

"Rumor has it that by harnessing the energy properly, a bond between humans and Pokemon can create a phenomenon known as synergy, where a human and Pokemon can quite literally become one."

"What?" Ash's eyes widened, his interest rising.

"It seems preposterous, I know," Shadow shrugged dismissively, "but it is interesting, I'll admit –"

"No, it doesn't sound preposterous at all!" Ash exclaimed.

"What?" Shadow stopped in his tracks, surprised. "Then you think it's true?"

"I know it's true!" Ash said. "I've done it before!"

"What?! But how –"

"Pikapi!" Pikachu suddenly cried.

"What the –?!"

An explosion of dust suddenly erupted right in front of them, knocking them onto their backs. Shadow leapt to his feet and quickly helped Ash up to face their aggressor. "Who the hell –?" he started to say.

"Hahaha!" came the voice of a Meowth from within a humanoid mech. "Hello there, Shadow! Long time no see!"

"Team Rocket," the black hedgehog growled.

"What's the matter?" Jessie sneered. "Were you two on a date or something?"

"WHAT?!" Ash and Shadow shouted at the same time.

"I think that pushed them a little far," James muttered.

"The only people going on a date today is you!" Ash yelled. "Pikachu! Thunderbolt, now!"

"Piiiiikaaaaaaa...CHUUUUUUUUU!" Pikachu obeyed.

"Not so fast!" Meowth called, pulling a lever from their mech. A strange energy covered the mech in a body-shaped shield and deflected Pikachu's attack. Ash and Shadow jumped away to dodge it.

"I should've known," Ash growled.

"Fine then," Shadow said. "I'll handle this. Chaos Spear!" With that, he unleashed several bolts of energy at the mech. The energy materialized in a shield once again, deflecting the bolts away much like Pikachu's Thunderbolt.

"Nice try!" Jessie grinned. "But I'm afraid it'll take more than that to stop us this time."

"What?!" Shadow exclaimed. "But...that's not possible! How could you stop my Chaos attacks?!"

"Looks like we've got our hands full here," Ash said, grinding his teeth as he gripped a Pokeball on his belt. "So let's shake things up. Greninja! I choose you!" He threw the ball, unleashing the ninja Pokemon.

"Ninja!" Greninja said. Immediately, it began to change form as it synchronized with Ash.

"Whoa!" Ash exclaimed. "Transformation already?!"

"Then it is true," Shadow breathed in astonishment.

"Eeeeeeek!" James squealed in fright. "He's already mad!"

"We didn't even do what we were supposed to do yet!" Meowth cried.

"Yes we did," Jessie smirked.

"Greninja, get rid of them!" Ash shouted. "Water Shuriken, NOW!"

"NinnnnnnJAAAAAA!" Greninja shouted, firing a massive Water Shuriken at the unfortunate trio. Their mech exploded spectacularly, sending them blasting off. But the explosion was much bigger than normal, and it knocked out Greninja as well. Ash nearly passed out with him, but the synchronization wore off moments before Greninja fainted, so he retained consciousness. He still looked exhausted, though.

"That was...unexpected," Shadow muttered, coming up to Ash. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Ash replied. "Just worn from that transformation, that's all."

Shadow nodded. "Then the rumors are true," he said. "Synergy does work." He looked at the fainted Greninja. "But it seems to take a lot of energy to maintain."

"Ah! Greninja!" Ash said, rushing up to his Pokemon and kneeling beside him. He was out cold. "Thanks for your help, buddy," he said, recalling it. "You deserve a rest." He stood up, then faltered.

"It seems you also need a rest," Shadow said, folding his arms.

"No, no I'm fine," Ash said, holding up his hand. He stumbled again, putting his other hand on the tree. Shadow teleported in front of him, arms folded and expression firm.

"I'm not asking," he said.

Ash looked into his eyes and sighed. "All right," he said. "I'll rest."

"Besides," Shadow went on, "it's almost dinner time for you. You must be hungry. After all, you and May have the same appetite."

"What are you –" Ash started to say, but his stomach interrupted him, causing him to sweatdrop.

"I'll get you some food," Shadow said. "Wait here. I'll be back." With that, he walked off.

"Whew!" Ash sighed, leaning his back against a tree. "You don't seem as tired as I do, Pikachu."

"Pika," Pikachu shook his head.

"Well, it's not like you have some super special form that exhausts all your energy," he winked.

"Pikachu."

"Well, if you want to go with Shadow, be my guest. Just don't get into any trouble, okay?"

"Pika!" Pikachu grinned, giving him a thumbs-up before scampering after Shadow. When he'd done that, Ash fell asleep.