Seishin: Oooo. Back to the pilot. The point of this chapter and the name of a Family Guy episode.

Ohirume: I think the one-shot counted as more of an OVA than a pilot.

Omega: How can a fanfiction can have an 'Original Video Animation?'

Ohirume: No, I mean- This version is just extended and modified.

Omega: … Putting aside the fact that you think an AVO is a lesser prototype, it's still obvious that this needed the tune up.

Ohirume: Hey! It was my first time! I was an amateur.

Seishin: *chuckles* Rob, I think you meant to say, 'I am still an amateur.'

Ohirume: Ugh.

I don't own Pokémon or Ben 10.

.

.

Attack on Porta Vista

.

The group separated from Ash's mother and the rest of the Pallet Town natives and continued on their journey. They got tickets for a ship back to the mainland that was scheduled to show up in three hours.

The group was currently sitting at the dock looking out into the sea.

Clefairy smiled brightly as she took in the view, "So pretty!"

"So, we're just gonna wait here for three straight hours?" Soot asked in an annoyed tone.

"It's not that bad." Misty responded with a smile, "It's nice to sit down and take in the view every once in a while."

Ash nodded, "Besides, we don't have to stay here the whole time. We can find something to do in a bit."

Soot sighed and laid down, "Yeah, I guess."

Pikachu perked up when he noticed something, "Huh? What's that?"

Ash followed the mouse's gaze and squinted, "A horsea?"

Misty jerked, "What?!" She looked and found the Dragon Pokémon looking right at them. Her eyes lit up, "Wow! You're right!"

Brock looked too and frowned, "It looks like it's hurt."

Misty frowned, "And there isn't a Pokémon Center nearby." She pulled out a pokéball, "Maybe I should catch them."

Horsea looked off to the side and started spraying ink. The ink took shape in the water. Horsea started calling out something.

Soot blinked, "What the- Tentacool and Tentacruel?"

Ash looked at her, "Is that what they're saying?"

Soot shrugged, "He's too far away to hear. I'm just going off the drawings."

"It still doesn't change the fact that Horsea needs help." Misty pulled the ball back. She was about to throw it when an explosion rang throughout the area.

Everyone flinched and turned to see a large boat expelling smoke.

Soot grimaced, "What the Yvel?!"

Three sailors jumped overboard, into the water.

Ash's eyes narrowed, "Those people need help!"

Misty nodded and tossed out three pokéballs, "Staryu, Starmie, Goldeen, help them!"

The Water-types emerged and shot out towards the seamen.

Brock smiled, "Nice idea, Misty!"

Misty's Pokémon made it back to the dock shortly with the three men in tow. The group hoisted them up onto the dock.

"It's terrible! Terrible!" One of the men called out as all three laid on the ground.

Ash frowned, "They seem paralyzed."

Soot sniffed them and sighed in relief, "Yeah, but its only due to shock. I'm not picking up any kind of poison."

Brock crouched down next to one of the men, "Hey, are you guys okay? What happened out there?"

"The boss." The man muttered; not hearing Brock, "I've got to tell the boss what happened."

Misty frowned, "Boss?"

"We'll worry about that later." Ash slung two of the men over his shoulders, "These guys still need help. We can figure out the 'boss' thing at a hospital."

"Wait! Please!"

Soot turned to see Horsea, "Huh?"

"You can't leave yet!" Horsea cried out, "The tentacool are plotting something!"

Ash looked at the canine, "Soot, is everything alright?"

Soot frowned, "I'm not sure yet. Go ahead and take them to a hospital. I'll stay here with Horsea."

Pikachu and Clefairy jumped down. "We'll stay behind too." Pikachu said. Clefairy nodded.

Ash nodded back, "Alright." He put the men down, brought out his pool and expanded it. He pulled out and tossed a Pokéball, "Come on out, Squirtle."

Squirtle emerged and looked over at Ash, "What's up?"

Soot gestured to the pool, "Mind filling this up?"

Squirtle sweat dropped, "Do I have to?"

Soot glared, "Moe's boat."

Squirtle frowned and filled up the pool with Water Gun. Horsea was moved into it and the humans left shortly after. Squirtle, Pikachu, Clefairy, Horsea, and Soot remained. Ash left a Super Potion for Horsea and Soot in charge, as usual.

With some, forced, help from Squirtle, Soot finished applying the potion, "There. Feel better?"

Horsea nodded, "Yeah. Thanks."

Squirtle groaned, "Finally." He jumped into the pool.

Soot rolled her eyes at the turtle and smiled at Horsea, "Good to hear." She sat down, "So, what about the tentacool?"

"They're plotting something!" Horsea cried out, "I don't know what exactly, but it's bad! A lot of humans could be in danger!"

Clefairy frowned, "What do you mean?"

"The tentacool are mad about some humans trying to destroy their home. They want revenge, but against all humans; not just the ones responsible."

Soot's eyes widened, "Wait! Are they the ones who sank that boat?!"

Horsea nodded, "Those humans came from that." Horsea looked over towards a large half-built structure in the distance, "That's what the tentacool are mad about."

Soot frowned before looking in the direction Ash and the others went, "On the upside, dad and the others are probably with that person right now. Maybe they can talk some sense into them."

.

*Ash, Brock, and Misty

The group was having no such luck.

Nastina -Brutella's apparent cousin- had just gone through a two-minute rant about the hotel she was trying to build on a coral reef and her complaints about the tentacool that were stopping her. Her complaints involved them being disgusting, despicable, and non-edible.

Nastina grinned, "Now, what do you say? Help me exterminate those pests and you'll be rewarded handsomely." She put a finger over her mouth, "Of course, we'll have to keep quiet about all this. Pokémon protection laws and all that garbage."

Ash's eye twitched, "Brock, Misty, cover your eyes." The two friends smiled wickedly and complied.

Nastina blinked in surprise, "What are you do-" she shut up and started shivering as Ash intimidated the room.

.

*Five minutes and one "ban for life" later

The group made their way back towards the Pokémon. None of them were happy.

Misty clenched her fist, "I can't believe that glitch! Trying to exterminate an entire species of Water-types for some shabby hotel?! How messed up can you get?!"

"At least now we have an idea about what Horsea was trying to warn us about." Brock followed, "The tentacool are probably trying to protect their home, no matter the method."

Ash looked ahead as his Pokémon appeared in the distance, "We'll know for sure in a bit."

The group walked towards the pool. Soot was laying by the side, Horsea, Squirtle, and Clefairy were having a splash fight, and Pikachu was trying to relax while floating on his back. The mouse wasn't having much luck.

Misty smiled and ran ahead, "Horsea!"

The Pokémon all looked over at the approaching humans.

Horsea cried out happily as Misty approached, "You're back!"

Brock smiled, "Looks like the Super Potion worked."

Misty picked up and hugged the small Water-type, "Thanks goodness."

Ash smiled softly at the scene. He frowned and looked at Soot, "We found out what happened to the boat."

Soot frowned, "Us too. The tentacool attacked it out of revenge. They're plotting something bigger, but we don't have the details."

Brock frowned, "Aside from the bigger plot, that's about what we learned."

Misty glared, "That Nastina woman can't get away with this!"

Soot raised a brow, "Nastina?"

Ash sighed, "Yeah. Apparently, Brutella has an identical cousin."

Pikachu, Soot, Squirtle, and Clefairy's eyes widened, "SERIOUSLY?!"

Horsea blinked and looked at Soot, "They can understand you?"

Pikachu shrugged, "Sort of. Soot speaks human. Ash can understand me and Clefairy, though."

Ash nodded, "Yup."

A loudspeaker started sounding around the city, Citizens of Porta Vista, listen up!

Soot stared at the speaker in shock, "Dear Arceus. They have the same voice."

I'm happy to announce that my- I mean, our troubles are over! Some fine trainers and their talking Pokémon have agreed to exter- um, relocate the tentacool and save our fair town.

Misty's eyes narrowed, "Is she serious?! Why on earth would she think we would help after-" She paused and blinked, "Wait, how does she know about Soot?"

Ash pointed out towards the sea, "I don't think she does."

Everyone turned to see Team Rocket on speed boat and heading towards the resort.

Misty's eye twitched, "Freaking Arceus!"

.

*Team Rocket

Meowth laughed, "Dis'll be cake! That hundred million'll be ours in no time!"

Jessie smiled, "And all we have to do is get rid of some tentacool for that Brutella look-a-like."

James followed, "And it will be easy with the help of our-"

"Super-secret stun sauce!" They called out in unison.

The tRio laughed wickedly. That died when the boat stopped without warning.

"What?" Jessie said in confusion.

They started moving in reverse.

"Why are we goin' back?!" Meowth cried out in alarm.

James looked over the side and flinched, "Uh, guys."

Jessie and Meowth followed his gaze and grimaced, "Ah!"

Team Rocket's boat was surrounded by tentacool.

.

*Ash, Soot, Misty, Brock, Pikachu, Clefairy, Squirtle, Horsea

"Woah!" Brock shouted out in alarm.

Misty's eyes widened, "There must be thousands!"

One of the tentacool fired a beam-like attack at the boat and blew it up. A barrel flew from the smoke and broke open on one of the tentacool. Said tentacool stared glowing.

The group stared in shock as the Water/Poison-type started growing to an impossible size.

Ash took a step back, "What the Yvel?!"

The glow faded as the tentacruel emerged. Their height rivaled some of the buildings in the city.

Misty stared in shock, "It's huge!"

Brock gulped, "Just like Dragonite."

Soot grimaced, "T-that shouldn't be possible. How could it-" She paused when she noticed a strange scent. Her eyes widened, "Dad, you smell that, right?"

Ash looked at her in confusion before sniffing. He grimaced, "Stun sauce."

Misty stared at him in shock, "WHAT?!"

"Wait, what?" Brock asked in confusion, "What's stun sauce?"

Misty grimaced, "It's a horrible chemical that was made before Pokémon protection laws came into effect. It's designed to destroy a Water-type's nervous system."

Soot nodded, "Yeah, until it expires." Her eyes narrowed, "How on earth could they have gotten their hands on that gunk?"

Tentacruel stared in shock as they examined their new form and height. Their eyes narrowed as they turned towards the surrounding tentacool and started calling out something.

Ash grew concerned "Soot, what are they saying?"

"Hold on, they're pretty far away." She responded before closing her eyes, trying to focus. "It's still faint. Coral reef … destroyed homes … atta-" Soot gasped.

"Soot?" Ash asked worried.

"Dad, we need to evacuate, now!" Soot cried out, "They're going to attack Porta Vista out of revenge! We need to get everyone out of here!"

Horsea's eyes widened, "Oh no!"

"Crag!" Ash returned Squirtle, "Come on!" He ran off towards Nastina's place.

Brock, Misty, and Soot followed.

Misty looked back, "Be careful, Horsea!"

Horsea gave a sad expression as they left, "Good luck."

.

*Nastina's place

"You have to let us in!" Misty shouted, "The tentacool are going to destroy the city. We need to warn everyone!"

"Forget it kid." The guard responded with a raised hand, "We have explicit orders from Nastina to not let any of you back in."

"But this is an emergency!" Brock shouted.

"An emergency you say?" The guard stepped aside to reveal Nastina wearing a spa mask. Needless to say, it made them all cringe, "What exactly is so important to you felt the need to interrupt my spa session?" She gave Ash a warry look.

Soot was the first to recover from the shock and responded, "There's a giant tentacruel planning to attack the city! We need to evacuate, and your speaker system is the only way to get the message out fast enough!"

Nastina looked at her in surprise before grinning, "Oh my, aren't you an interesting little thing." She responded greedily before looking at Ash, "You there, Trainer, how much for the talking … whatever-this-is?"

Ash snapped out of it and glared, "Okay. First, Soot isn't for sale. Second, she's a mightyena, never call her 'whatever-this-is' again. And third, did you not hear anything she just said? There's an army of tentacool coming to destroy the city!"

Nastina glared, "First it's a giant tentacruel and now it's an army of tentacool. Sounds like someone can't get there lies straight."

"It's both!" Soot and Ash shouted in unison.

Ash followed, "And it's not a lie, they're on their way here and we need to warn-" The ground started shaking.

Everyone turned to see Tentacruel and their army approaching the city at an alarming rate.

"Crag! They're closing in!" Ash called out, "Now do you see?! We need to warn the warn everyone and evacuate!"

The hag laughed, "All I see is a bunch of pests and one big sale." She grinned wickedly, "Can you imagine how much someone would pay to have a Poison-type like that?"

"WHAT?!" Everyone, even Nastina's guard, cried out.

"M-miss Nastina, are you sure about this?" The guard responded worriedly, "That Pokémon is the size of a wailord, I don't think-"

Nastina glared at him and shouted, "I don't pay you to think! I pay you to follow orders! Now follow your orders and get rid of these brats while you still have a job!" She walked back inside before he could respond.

"Y-yes ma'am!" The guard respond nervously. He whispered, "Sorry kids." He closed the door and locked it.

Misty banged on the door and shouted, "YOU CAN'T DO THIS! INNOCENT PEOPLE AND POKÉMON AND GOING TO BE HURT! WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!"

She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Ash, "Forget it Misty, she's not gonna help. All she cares about is money and I don't think anything's gonna change that."

"So, what?! We just let this happen?!" Misty responded.

Ash's eyes narrowed, "Not a chance. It just means, we need to take a different approach." He looked towards the approaching army and squinted. "At the rate they're moving, they'll be here in here in under 10 minutes." He turned back to his friends, "If the three of us split up, we'll be able warn more people and hopefully spread the word."

Brock grimaced, "Wait, 10 minutes?! Ash, that's nowhere near enough time to evacuate!"

"I know it isn't, but we don't have a lot of options." He glanced down at his watch and scowled before looking back at his friends, "Odds are that some people have already noticed the army and are leaving as we speak. All I'm saying is we try to help as many people as we can. Because right now, that's all we can do."

Brock and Misty looked at each other nervously before nodding. "Alright."

"Good." Ash looked around before pointing at a large, faraway building on a cliff, "There. That building is far enough from the shoreline, that it may not be attacked, and its height should help if any of them have an attack that can flood the city. If traffic gets bad enough or the roads are damaged, we start moving everyone there until we find a way to stop the tentacool."

They nodded again, clear on the plan.

Ash nodded with them, "Alright, let's move!"

Everyone ran in different directions; the objective clear in their minds.

Ash stopped in an alleyway and pulled out his Pokéballs, "Everyone, come on out!"

His team materialized in front of him. Soot, Pikachu, and Clefairy joined them.

Soot spoke first, "I'm guessing there's a little more to your plan than what you told the others?"

Ash nodded, "Not that much, but yeah."

Charmander raised a paw, "Uh, what plan?"

"The plan that stops that." Pikachu responded pointing to the tentacool army.

Everyone looked. Their eyes widened upon seeing the tentacool, "Oh."

"Uh, right." Bulbasaur said before looking back at Ash, "So, what do we do?"

Ash frowned, not understanding him, "Uh, Soot?"

"I'll take it from here, dad." Soot responded as she walked forwards. She turned to face to her teammates, "All Right, listen up! Tentacruel and his army are on their way here to destroy the city. Right now, our priority is evacu- to get everyone out of the city, and to safety. If the tentacool get too close, we might need to fight, so be ready. If this plan's anything like the other one, we'll need to split up to cover more ground." She turned to look at Ash, "And dad, I'm guessing you'll be joining in?"

Ash smirked, "Right, I've already got a form in mind." He off his belt and handed in to Soot, "Hold on to this for me. Just in case anyone gets hurt."

Soot put her head through the loop and nodded, "Okay. Just promise you'll come back for it."

Ash smiled softly, "I promise." He looked towards his Pokémon, "Alright, is everyone clear?" Clefairy, Charmander, and Krabby responded with confused stares and started checking themselves; trying to see if they were clear.

Ash sweat dropped, "Does everyone understand the plan?" This time, they responded with a round of nods.

"Good," Ash brought up his watch and pressed the green button on the side; causing the middle to spring up. He twisted the center until it revealed a silhouette of a large bird. Ash slammed down the center and became engulfed in a green light. When the light faded, Ash appeared in braviary form.

"I'll see if I can slow down Tentacruel, or at least reason with him." Ash lifted off the ground, "Alright everyone. Let's save the day!" He flew off towards Tentacruel.

"I'll never get used to that." Krabby said as their trainer flew off into the distance.

.

*Giant Tentacruel

Ash flew as fast as could towards the oncoming threat; hoping what he was to do wouldn't get him killed. He slowed down and stirred up a Tailwind, trying to get the giant's attention. Unfortunately, it worked.

"You're rather far away from your home region, aren't you." the Tentacruel stated; glaring at Ash.

Ash shouted, "Tentacruel, I know your mad about your home being destroyed, but destroying the city isn't going to fix anything!"

Tentacruel's eyes narrowed, "Why would you defend the humans? They are greedy weaklings who only care for themselves."

"That's not true! Yes, there are some bad people, but doesn't mean you should take it out on the entire species!"

"We deserved justice for what has happened!" Cried out one the Tentacool below.

Ash grimaced, "This isn't justice, its senseless revenge! All this is going to do is ruin more lives and hurt innocent humans and Pokémon alike!"

The Tentacruel's expression didn't change, "If that is truly how you feel, then you are our enemy as well."

Tentacruel swung at Ash faster than he could react and sent him towards a building. Before hitting the structure, Ash manage to hit the symbol on his chest with one of his wings; engulfing him in green light again. The sheer force of the impact caused the entire building to shake and most of the windows to shatter. Ash was knocked out cold.

.

**Time Skip**

Ash woke up slowly and found himself buried under a pile of large rocks. He started to panic before noticing his hands.

'Oh, thank Arceus, I managed to switch in time!' Thought the Banette as he sighed in relief.

He went intangible and started floating in the direction that felt most like up. Luckily, he was right. But what he found instantly made him regret leaving the rubble.

He has surrounded by a wasteland of destroyed buildings and torn up roads. The Tentacool army was firing attacks around in the distance.

Ash grimaced, 'What the Yvel?! How long was I out for?!' he thought; mind in a frenzy.

He heard a cry in the distance, "HELP! SOMEONE, PLEASE HELP!"

Not needing to think twice, Ash started flying straight for the source of the screams. To his relief, Misty was already there, trying to help a mother get her daughter out from under an unstable pile of rubble.

Acting fast, he slipped by, phased through the pile, turned the girl intangible, and pulled her out. The girl immediately ran to her mother and hugged her; not questioning how she got out. The mother didn't seem to question it either and hugged her back; happy that she was safe.

Misty stared in shock, 'What the?! How did she-' She shook it off and pointed to the building on the cliff, "Head straight to that building. My friend is already there. He'll keep you safe."

The mother nodded vigorously, "Thank you!" She ran straight to the building with her daughter in her arms.

Misty smiled at seeing them run off to safety. She frowned and looked back at the pile of rubble the girl was trapped under. Looking around it, she still couldn't find any kind of opening big enough for the girl to squeeze through.

She reached out a hand, 'It's almost like she just walked through it.'

Misty laid a hand on the side of the pile and it collapsed immediately. She jerked and took a step back in shock, 'I barely even touched it! If it was this unstable, then there's no way she should have been able to-'

Still trying to comprehend the girl's escape, Misty failed to notice a crumbling building to her right.

Ash was heading off to find someone else in need of help, when he heard crumbling from where Misty was. Turning around, he saw the building already starting to fall.

"NO!" he started flying straight towards Misty but, 'I'm not fast enough!' He glanced at the symbol on his stomach and grimaced, 'But I know who is.' He hit it as hard as he could and became engulfed in green light.

.

*Misty

Misty heard a rock hit the ground near her. She turned and looked up in horror as an entire building was falling; aiming straight for her. Frozen in fear, Misty started tearing up, closed her eyes, and crouched down to brace herself. When she heard the crash, she … felt fine?

Misty opened her eyes in shock and saw the fallen building laying right in front of her. She heard someone trying to catch their breath and turned to see a …

Misty stared in shock, 'What the, actual, Yvel?!'

It was some kind of blue and black lizard, with green pupil-less eyes, a long, stripped tail, pointed head and … spheres on its feet? If that wasn't weird enough, it started talking.

"Are you *huff* alright?" It asked in a scratchy voice.

"Y-yeah." Misty said in shock, "Were you the one who saved me?"

The creature caught its breath and smiled at her, "Yeah, glad to see you're not hurt."

"Right." She looked up and down at it, "Um, what are you?"

The creature sweat dropped, 'Yeah, good question.' "Uh, just call me Quick Attack."

Misty raised a brow, "Quick Attack? Like the move?"

Quick Attack smiled, "Bingo." Quick Attack looked around at the surrounding wasteland and frowned. He got up and walked over to Misty, "Come on, we need to get you to-" he was cut off when the once green symbol on his chest started beeping and flashing red.

Misty grew concerned, "What is that?! What's happening?!"

Quick Attack's mind started racing, 'No! Not now! Not in front of Misty!' He looked towards the rampaging army, 'They're not letting up at all. If I'm stuck as me for too long, dozens could be-' he grimaced, 'I-I don't have a choice!'

Quick Attack immediately started messing with the symbol on his chest. He went through a series of clicks and twists while the symbol was still beeping.

Finally, after hitting the now rotated symbol, it turned blue and an electronic voice sounded, Lockdown Mode Engaged, Approximate time until release: 60 hours.

Silence overtook as Quick Attack glared at the symbol angrily. He calmed down and turned around to see Misty staring at him; seeming even more confused.

She stared, wide eyed, "What just-"

"Come on, I still need to get you to safety." He interrupted before reached out a claw to help her up.

"Um, sure." She grabbed the claw pulled herself up.

Quick Attack picked her up without warning.

Misty glared, "Wha- Hey! I can walk on my own!" she demanded.

"Calm down." Quick Attack said, "I'll get us there faster. Just hang on."

Misty raised a brow, "What do you mean hang OOOON?"

Misty had to close her eyes to keep the wind out. When the wind stopped, not even a minute later, Misty opened her eyes to a large group of people staring at them. Seeing Brock, she realized that they were at the top of the building on the cliff.

Misty's eyes widened slightly, "Woah."

Soot ran over, "Misty, you're okay! And-" Soot's eyes widened as she noticed Quick Attack.

"Soot, this is Quick Attack." Misty told her; trying to calm her down, "He saved me earlier."

Soot was still staring at him, "Uh huh. D- uh Quick Attack, can I talk to you for a bit?" She gestured to the side, "Over there."

Quick Attack grew nervous, "Well- I mean- I should probably check to make sure everyone's-"

Soot glared, "Now!"

Quick Attack put his claws up in defense, "Alright, alright."

Misty watched as they walked away, "Uh, right. I'll just go help Brock then?"

She didn't receive an answer.

.

*Soot and Quick Attack

Quick Attack spoke first, "So, uh, Soot, what did want to-"

"Lockdown mode?! Really, dad?!" Soot said in a harsh whisper, "You know well enough how long that can last. And I thought we agreed that if you did use it, it wouldn't be for one of these things."

Ash waved his claws defensively, "Alright, I'm sorry! I know it was dumb but hear me out."

Soot raised a brow.

Ash sighed and continued, "Look. Misty was in trouble, I was about to time out, and I seriously doubt all this is going to blow over anytime soon. I couldn't afford to be me for that long."

Soot deadpanned, "That's your reason? Dad, you could have just run behind a building to change back. And five minutes is not that long."

Ash sweat dropped, "Oh, right."

Soot sighed and shook her head, "It had to be Quick Attack, didn't it?" She looked at him with an annoyed expression, "How long this time?"

"60 hours." Ash replied somberly.

Soot groaned, "Of course."

Pikachu bound over, "Soot, we just got back. We managed to-" He noticed Ash and jumped, "WOAH! Wha-what is that?!"

Ash chuckled nervously, "Hey buddy."

Pikachu did a double take and noticed the symbol on his chest, "ASH?! What the- What kind of Pokémon is that?!"

Soot sighed, "It's not. Honestly, we don't know what this is. That's not important right now. What were you saying?"

Pikachu composed himself, "Right. We did what you said and managed to save a bunch of people. We were heading back when Pidgeotto noticed something."

Soot grew concerned and looked over at the bird, "Pidgeotto?"

"It's that Nastina woman." Pidgeotto responded, "I spotted her heading towards Tentacruel with a- well, I don't what it's called. It was like a big metal box on wheels, with, I think, a cannon poking out near the-"

"SHE HAS A TANK!?" Soot cried out in alarm.

"WHAT!?" Ash shouted in response, "IS SHE INSANE!?"

All the screaming caught Brock and Misty's attention and the pair ran over.

Brock spoke first, "Soot, what's-" he noticed Ash, "What is-"

"Not important!" Soot interrupted, "Right now, we need to stop Nastina! That idiot is going at the behemoth with a freaking TANK!"

"WHAT?!" They shouted.

Misty stared in shock, "How could she do something like that? Tentacruel will be-" She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence.

"Actually, I don't think he will." Ash stated, "Don't forget, Tentacruel's the size of an over-inflated blimp. I don't any kind of firearm is even going scratch him. Even a tank."

Misty sighed in relief.

"However," Ash continued, "the attempt'll probably just make him angrier and we can't let things escalate."

Misty put a hand to her chin, "Maybe we can reason with him."

"I already tried." Ash responded with a frown, "Big lug launched me into a building." He raised a claw, "Don't ask."

"Well let me try, then!" Misty argued, "I'm training to become a Water Pokémon Master, so I might stand a better chance!"

Ash took a breath before responding, "Alright. I'll get you in close enough to talk to him. But I'm getting you out of there at the first sign of danger."

Misty nodded with a determined glare, "Okay."

Brock put a hand on her shoulder and whispered, "Misty, wait. Are you sure you can trust him?"

Misty looked at him, "Quick Attack saved me earlier. He can't be that bad."

Brock still looked uneasy.

Soot noticed, "I'll vouch for him, Brock. He won't let anything happen to Misty."

Brock sighed, "Fine, but I'm coming too."

"Hold it." Misty argued, "Brock, everyone here is scared. They need someone to look up to and keep them safe. And I can't think of anyone better for the job."

Brock glanced around the room. Children crying, families huddled together, and Pokémon surrounding their trainers; all trembling.

He turned back and nodded, "Alright, just hurry back."

Before they could leave, Brock grabbed Ash's arm and pulled him around, so they faced each other, "If anything happens to her, it's on you. Got it?!"

Ash frowned and nodded, "Got it." He crouched down to let Misty climb on his back and sped off towards Tentacruel.

.

**Time skip**

Misty's plan … actually worked. She managed to get up to Tentacruel's level and -with some help from Horsea- convinced him to stop his attack. Tentacruel called off his army but warned that they would not stop if their home is ever threatened again.

And then, Nastina started shooting him, "I'LL BLOW YOU TO KINGDOM COME YOU OVERGROWN WATERBAG!"

Tentacruel just stood there, deadpanned, as the bullets bounced off him. He held Meowth towards the trio and said, "Any objection in me throwing her?"

"None." Ash, Misty, and Horsea responded with deadpanned expressions.

Tentacruel promptly picked up Nastina and threw her out of sight. He then threw Meowth into the distance and disappeared into the sea.

Misty put a hand over her eyes as Nastina disappeared, "Do you think she'll be okay?"

Ash shrugged, "Team Rocket always is. Somehow."

"Yeah." Misty responded before jumping in surprise, "Wait, how do you know about that?!"

"Uhhhhhh, hey look! It's your friend!" He called out, pointing at an approaching Brock.

"Misty! You're okay!" Brock called out as he approached her.

"Of course, did ever doubt me?" Misty replied smugly as she held Horsea.

Brock chuckled nervously before noticing something, "Hey, where did that other guy go?"

Misty looked confused, "Quick Attack? He's right-" Misty paused as she gestured to the empty space next to her, "Where did he go?"

"Wherever he is, I'm pretty sure I owe him an apology." Brock responded guiltily, "Come on, Officer Jenny showed up and is escorting everyone to the nearest Pokémon center. Odds are, Ash is already there."

"Right." Misty nodded.

The two friends made their way out of the destroyed city. As they left, they failed to notice Ash looking at them from the other side of a half-broken wall.

The reptile grimaced, 'How am I supposed to get out of this mess?!'

.

*Pokémon center

Brock and Misty made it to the madhouse the Pokémon Center had become. Doctors were running around tending to the injured, and Nurse Joy and her assistants were tending to the Pokémon.

Nurse Joy noticed them and walked over. Brock Instantly noticed.

"Nurse Joy!" Brock cried out, with hearts in his eyes.

Misty responded by pulling on his ear, "Really not the time Brock. We came to find Ash, remember?"

Brock rubbed the back of his head, "Right, sorry Misty."

Nurse Joy blinked in surprise, "Wait. Brock and Misty?" She smiled brightly, "You two are the heroes that everyone's been talking about!"

"I wouldn't really say heroes." Brock replied, feeling a little embarrassed.

Nurse shook her head, still smiling, "Don't be ridiculous! You two took charge during the attack and helped so many people. Everyone here owes their lives to the two of you."

Misty frowned, "What do you mean the two of us? Our friend, Ash, came up with the plan to save everyone. He found out how long it would be until the tentacool reached the city and where it would be safe to lead everyone."

Nurse Joy's eyes widened, "What?! I-I haven't heard of anyone by that name!"

Brock got worried, "Maybe you've seen him, then? He's around ten years old with black hair and brown eyes. He might've had a pikachu, mightyena, or clefairy with him."

Nurse Joy thought hard before responding, "There have been a lot of people coming in; a few of them kind of match that description." She perked up and looked at them, "But, a hand full of Pokémon, including those three, did show up earlier. They're in the back right now; room A-15."

The pair nodded, "Thank you." They hurried to the back.

When they arrived, they were immediately noticed, "Pikachu-Pi! Pika-Chu!" Pikachu bound over and jumped into Misty's arms.

The pair looked around and found the rest of Ash's Pokémon. They were relieved to see that all of them were okay. That relief shifted to worry when they saw Ash's belt slung onto a chair.

"Where's Ash?" Misty asked with a frown.

The Pokémons' eyes all widened. They started looking at each other, unsure of what to say.

Soot spoke up, "You guys haven't … seen him?" Her voice was a little higher than normal. She shot a nervous glance at the door.

Brock noticed and moved the door. He immediately came face-to-face with a familiar blue and black lizard.

"Heyyyyy." Ash nervously responded; his hiding spot ruined.

"Quick Attack?" Misty asked in surprise, "What are you doing here?"

Ash chuckled nervously, "Oh, well, uh. I thought I should make sure that everyone got to the Pokémon Center safely and-"

Misty interrupted, "No. Here. In this room." She gestured to the Pokémon in the room, "With our friend's Pokémon."

Ash grimaced, "O-oh, I, uh, y'know- Us Pokémon have to stick together, right? I came to make sure they weren't hurt and, uh-"

Soot sighed loudly, catching everyone's attention, "Just stop, dad."

Brock and Misty stared at her in shock, 'DAD?!'

Quick Attack flinched, "D-dad?! I-I think your mistaken miss, I'm-"

Soot cut him off, "Give it a rest. No matter what you say, you're still stuck like that for the next two days. It's not like we have a lot of options. Besides, you were planning to tell them eventually, right?"

Silence overtook the room. Nobody knew how to respond to what the canine just said.

Brock stared at the lizard with a shocked expression, "A-Ash?"

He flinched again and chuckled nervously, "Hey guys."

.

*One long story later

Brock and Misty were sitting down in some nearby chairs with Ash and Soot sitting across from them. The two of them were trying to wrap their heads around everything they just heard.

Brock started, "So, all of that Phantom Child stuff was just a cover story for Soot's strange powers."

Ash and Soot nodded.

Misty followed, "And that watch you're always wearing is what let you transform into all of those Pokémon that helped us and … this." Misty gestured to Ash's form.

More nods.

Misty continued, "And Soot calling you 'dad' all the time. She's actually your-"

"Yup." Soot jumped in, "Completely biological. At least, when he's in mightyena or banette form."

More silence.

Brock realized something, "Wait! Does anyone else know about this?!"

Ash responded, "Just my mom and Professor Oak." He blinked upon remembering, "Oh right, and Melanie found out by accident." He grew concerned, "So, what now?"

Misty blinked in confusion, "Huh?"

Ash frowned, "I mean, I lied to you guys for months; even after I promised no more secrets. If you think we should go our separate ways from here on, I'd understand." Ash responded somberly.

He expected them to be furious. He expected them to shout, call him a freak, and leave stomping. What he didn't expect, was for Misty to start laughing like he just slipped on banana peel.

Misty smirked and raised a brow, "Really? After everything we've been through; you think you can get rid of us that easily, Ketchum?"

Ash stared at her in shock.

Brock followed, "Ash, we stuck with you after a sinking ship and an island of giant robot Pokémon. And that was less than a week ago."

Brock and Misty pulled their chairs around to sit next to Ash and slung their arms across his back.

Brock smiled, "It's like I said before: we're your friends and nothing's going to change that."

Misty nodded, "Besides, you're still you on the inside, right?"

Ash started to tear up at their words, "You guys…" He pulled them into a group hug and chuckled lightly, "What did I do to deserve you two?" He smiled sadly, "No more secrets. I mean it this time."

The surrounding Pokémon couldn't help but smile at the display. They didn't want to say something and ruin the moment. Well … most of them.

"WOO-HOO! THE GANG'S STICKIN' TOGETHER!" Squirtle shouted as loud as he could. His shouts of joy interrupted by Soot's foreleg flying across the room and punching him in the face.

"YOU RUINED MOMENT, YOU IDIOT!" Soot shouted as she walked over to retrieve her leg and reattach it.

The three friends chuckled at the Pokémons' antics.

Brock stopped when he remembered something from earlier, "Wait. What did Soot mean, when she said you were stuck like that for two days?"

Ash laughed nervously again, "Oh, right. It's a function called lockdown mode." He turned to face his Pokémon, "It's the reason the symbol on my chest looks different." He spoke to the room as a whole from here on, "It locks me into whatever form I'm in for a certain amount of time. The worst part is that I can't pick the time limit. The shortest it's ever been was 24 hours and the longest has been 84. It always seems to pick the time limit in 12-hour intervals."

"Ohhhh, that's what that was earlier." Misty said before frowning, "Geez." She considered something, "Is there a way to find out how much time is left?"

"Yup, this." Ash responded before hitting the symbol on his chest.

It responded, Lockdown Mode in-effect. Approximate time until release: Fifty-eight hours and nineteen minutes.

Ash glared at the symbol in annoyance, "What!? Come on! I could have sworn it'd been longer than that!"

The room couldn't help but laugh at his misfortune.

"It's not funny." Ash crossed his arms and pouted. Or, tried to. Quick Attack was a bit limited in terms of facial expressions.

.

.

Omega: So, the only real changes were adding a beginning and the Fairy to the chapter…

Ohirume: You mean, Clefairy. Also, there was Krabby, Horsea (not sure how I forgot that at first), and a few other things to touch up. But yeah, that's about it.

Seishin: And it's still as cringey as the original. Oh rob, I'm so proud!

Ohirume: *sigh*

…

Illavera: Son of a *****, you were serious.

Pike: Told ya.

Nuevo: I still say she looks like an Imp.