Plot-Scorbunny 6: Ghetsis's Revenge

The green-haired boy saw the van taking Ashley away but he dismissed it. He had no idea that Team Plasma was driving that van and he certainly had no idea that Ashley was locked up inside it. It looked just like any other van driving down the road on the streets of Castelia City. What reason would he have had to suspect otherwise? It was just another van driving off to make a delivery of some kind, that was the natural assumption.

The boy was slender and quite tall for his age. He sported green hair that he'd grown in a long ponytail and he was dressed in a white shirt, light brown trousers and a black and grey baseball cap. He might seem like an ordinary teenager roaming the streets, but this boy was none other than Team Plasma's former King, the boy Ashley, Cheren and Bianca had met and battled many times on their journey and had helped him come to see the light at last. He was the boy known only as N.

Ever since Ashley had foiled Ghetsis's plans years ago, N had been going his own way to atone for his part in Team Plasma's crimes and he'd been rounding up any wayward Plasma Grunts he could find. Some he'd managed to sway to his side though some joined him with no prompting as they were still loyal to him. N believed he'd managed to quell what was left of Team Plasma's threat and Unova was at peace again. But as he turned the corner, he quickly saw how wrong he was.

He walked onto a scene of utter chaos as several Plasma Grunts were engaged in battle with Bianca, Cheren and some black girl he'd never seen before. Why was Team Plasma attacking her? Was she a new friend of Cheren and Bianca's? And where was Ashley for that matter? He couldn't see her among the carnage. Hopefully she wasn't hurt. He watched as Cheren ordered his Samurott to use Razor Shell on a Plasma Grunt's Drapion while Bianca ordered Rose the Serperior to use Iron Tail. Both Pokémon landed their hits and knocked the Drapion back. Sapphire ordered James Pond to use Snipe Shot on the Drapion that had attempted to kill her. James pointed at the Drapion and "shot" it between the eyes with a jet of water. The Drapion was momentarily blinded as water stung its eyes and it flailed around wildly in pain. While it was distracted, Sapphire ordered James to use Ice Beam on it. James pointed and fired Ice Beam from his finger at the Drapion. He was successfully able to freeze it solid so now it couldn't fight back. But Sapphire's victory was only momentary as another Plasma Grunt sent out a Toxicroak and ordered it to use Drain Punch on James. The Poison Frog Pokémon punched James and sapped some of his health away with the blow. James staggered but he shook off the blow and retaliated by using Snipe Shot. Another Grunt's Liepard tried to attack him while he was fighting Toxicroak but James pointed with his other finger and shot it with Snipe Shot. Sapphire had since taught James to dual-wield so he could fire his attacks with both hands. As both Pokémon were knocked down, James blew on his fingers as if he was holding a pair of smoking guns.

"And they thought they could sneak up on me." he gloated.

"They've never seen a Pokémon like you before so they have no idea what they're in for." Sapphire noted, "Still, there's quite a few Grunts to deal with. We might be a little outnumbered here."

"We could be facing a hundred Plasma Grunts for all I care." Cheren muttered, "Nothing will stop us from saving Ashley!"

His Samurott charged into a Liepard and skewered it with Megahorn, knocking it out instantly. Another Grunt's Watchog tried to ambush Samurott from behind but Rose foiled the attempt by ensnaring it with Frenzy Plant. The vines wrapped around Watchog and constricted it tightly. It couldn't move at all. Cheren turned to see what was happening and smiled appreciatively.

"Always watching my back Bianca." he said gratefully.

"It's what I'm here for sweetie!" Bianca cooed.

But before the fight could continue, another Pokémon ended up joining in the fight. Sapphire, Cheren and Bianca stared open-mouthed as a huge white dragon Pokémon with blue eyes, large feathery wings, a thick turbine-like tail and long wispy mane streams on its head swept over the battlefield and blasted all the Plasma Grunts and their Pokémon with bursts of fire from its jaws. Sapphire, Cheren and Bianca leapt out the way so they wouldn't get hit too. The dragon blew flames at the Plasma Grunt's Pokémon and knocked them out in a single hit. The Plasma Grunts tried to flee but it flapped its huge wings to knock them off their feet and stop them from escaping. It was an incredible sight to see this huge powerful Pokémon taking out an army of grunts so easily. Once every last grunt was knocked out and their Pokémon were defeated, the dragon landed on the ground and curled up its wings. Cheren and Bianca knew who this Pokémon was.

"Reshiram! Excellent timing!" Bianca exclaimed, "We definitely needed your help there!"

"So that's Reshiram." Sapphire acknowledged, "The white to Zekrom's black as Ashley told me. It sure looks majestic."

"Quite so." Cheren agreed, "But if it's here, then that must mean…"

His guess was proven correct as N walked onto the scene. He took a moment to observe the scene before him before smiling with satisfaction and going over to Reshiram to pat it on the head.

"Excellent work Reshiram. You managed to quell the threat before it could escalate." he complimented.

The ex-Plasma King turned to Cheren and Bianca.

"Hi. It's been a while since I've seen you both." he acknowledged.

"Holy galoshes, it's N!" Bianca exclaimed, readjusting her glasses as if to reassure herself that she wasn't seeing things.

"So the former King of Team Plasma is back again." Cheren murmured, "I see your attempts at rounding up the remainder of Team Plasma were sadly…unsuccessful." he said bluntly, motioning to the unconscious grunts all around them.

"I know. I thought my job was done but no, there are still grunts at large." N growled bitterly, "I was such a fool to think Unova would ever be free of their filth! I thought the only grunts left would be the ones that were loyal to me but that was too much to hope for…"

He sighed heavily. Reshiram growled softly, sharing its trainer's frustration. Once N recovered, he continued.

"Nevertheless, we can get this lot arrested and hopefully that'll be the end of them." he said.

"I'm afraid not." Cheren sighed, "You see…they got Ashley."

"What?!" N blurted, "They got her?!"

"Yes!" Sapphire put in, "She was with us at the time when Team Plasma ambushed us. They sent out four Drapion to grab us all and then the grunts threw Ashley into a van and drove away! We've just got to rescue her! Who knows what they're doing to her!" she wailed, her eyes brimming with tears.

N was horrified to hear this. He knew all too well that Ashley was Team Plasma enemy number one so they had every need to take revenge on her. He then thought back to earlier when he'd seen a van driving by him while he walked down the street. Could that van have been the van Team Plasma were taking Ashley away in? He frowned. If only he'd known! He could've saved her right then and there! But there was no use beating himself over it. How could he even begun to have suspected that van would've had her inside?

"Then there's no time to lose! We must rescue her!" N declared.

"But how? We can't possibly begin to guess where they're taking her!" Bianca said helplessly.

"We won't need to guess." N noted, "For Team Plasma can tell us themselves…"

He motioned to the unconscious grunts. Sapphire could see N's plan right away. They'd get one of the grunts to tell them where Ashley was being taken! The four teens gathered around one grunt and Sapphire ordered James Pond to shoot him with Snipe Shot to revive him. The grunt was instantly woken up by the sharp blast of cold water in his face and he spluttered wildly.

"What in the-?!" he exclaimed.

"Hi. Your king has returned." N said coldly, "And he'd be most appreciative if his loyal subjects could answer an important question. Where is Ashley Benson? Where are you taking her?"

"As if I'm gonna disclose Lord Ghetsis's plan to a filthy traitor like you!" growled the Grunt.

"If seeing the truth in life counts as "treachery" then I'm gladly guilty." N snapped, "Now answer the question or else Reshiram might get a little violent…"

Reshiram growled at the grunt to emphasize how serious N was being. Sapphire shuddered. N sure meant business didn't he? Ashley had never said anything like that about him! The grunt recoiled in fright. He didn't want to betray Team Plasma but he sure as hell didn't want a Legendary Pokémon attacking him! He liked the idea of being alive!

"OK, I'll talk! Keep that monster away from me!" he whimpered, "They're taking her to Chargestone Cave! I promise that's where they're taking her!"

"Thank you." N said bluntly, "Now stay there and be a good boy while the cops come and arrest you."

Just as he said this, a swarm of police officers arrived on the scene to arrest the grunts. Various civilians had called for them when the fight had broken out and they were now arriving to take them away. While the cops did their job, N jumped onto Reshiram's back.

"Take us to Chargestone Cave! We must make haste!" he ordered.

Sapphire, Cheren and Bianca jumped onto Reshiram's back as well. Sapphire had made sure to collect Ashley's bag so that she could get her Pokémon back once they rescued her. The Dragon/Fire type Pokémon flapped its huge wings and took to the skies, leaving the grunts behind to be arrested. Castelia City shrunk away as Reshiram flew off to Chargestone Cave. Sapphire held on tight, the wind whipping past her. Her worries for Ashley aside, she had to admit it was pretty awesome being up in the sky on a legendary Pokémon like this. If only she could enjoy the flight. N turned to face her.

"Do excuse me miss, we haven't had time to introduce ourselves." he said politely.

"No need. I know who you are." Sapphire said hastily, "Ashley told me plenty about you, N. So you're the former King of Team Plasma? Needless to say, I'm glad Ashley showed you the error of Ghetsis's ways and you turned around for the better."

"Believe me, that girl's presence in my life was the best thing that ever happened to me." N said, smiling fondly at the memories, "She showed me a better path and that my life before then had been nothing but a lie. Are you a new friend of her's? Your accent would suggest you're not from here." he noted.

"Oh no, definitely not!" Sapphire giggled, "My name's Sapphire and I'm from Galar. I'm not just Ashley's friend…I'm her girlfriend. We've been dating for a couple of years now."

"Girlfriend?" N said with interest, "So Ashley found her perfect partner at last. I knew she'd find true love one day…well mark my words Sapphire, we will save your girlfriend!" he declared.

"I know. I just hope we're not too late…" Sapphire said worriedly.


Team Plasma had arrived at Chargestone Cave and the set-up for Ghetsis's plan was well underway.

After pulling up outside the cave, the grunts went into the back of the van and hauled out the still handcuffed Ashley Benson. The teenage girl struggled in vain but it was useless. She was helpless to fight back with her hands chained behind her and two strong grunts holding her firmly. Once they took her inside the cave, they arrived at a nearby ledge that led to a straight plummet into darkness below. Ashley could see that Team Plasma had been busy in this cave for a lot of machinery had been set up. There were banks of computers, an energy generator and cables everywhere. It was like a makeshift laboratory in here! But what was the point of all this? Why had they set all this up? She already knew she wasn't going to like the answer.

Ashley's hands were freed as the grunts took off the handcuffs, but not for long. The grunts led her to a pulley system with a rope dangling down from the ceiling below. They tied the rope around Ashley's hands and the pulley system lifted the rope up. Ashley's hands were pulled up above her head by the rope but it didn't stop there. It kept on pulling until Ashley's feet came off the floor. The Unovan girl screwed her eyes shut as pain flared through her arms and shoulders. The rope constricted her wrists, her muscles screamed as they were forced to carry all her weight and her body winced as she was stretched taut by the rope lifting her off the floor. The pulley system then moved Ashley away from the ledge and left her dangling over the chasm below. Ashley's heart began to pound. She was very scared. Were these freaks just gonna drop her to her death?! No, there had to be more to this scheme. If they wanted her dead, they would've just thrown her off the ledge instead of tying her up like this! What was their real game here? Ashley rocked and writhed around as she struggled in her binds. She was desperate to get back on the floor so her wrists wouldn't be hurting so much. Her feet dangled helplessly as she squirmed.

"Let me go!" she screamed, "You bastards let me down from here right now or so help me I'm gonna kick you all off this ledge!" she snarled.

"You think you're in ANY position to make threats you stupid girl?" a female grunt taunted, "In your position, you'd never reach any of us. Now be quiet you little brat for you have an audience with Lord Ghetsis very shortly."

"In yer dreams ya crazy loon!" Ashley retorted, "Ghetsis is nothing more than a comatose vegetable! There's no way he's behind all this!"

"Oh? If that's the case, then how am I here talking to you now, Ashley Benson?" purred a voice that made Ashley's heart turn to ice.

"No…no, no, no! It can't be! IT FUCKING CAN'T BE!" the ex-Champion exclaimed.

But it was. A nearby shadow detached itself from the wall and approached the suspended Ashley. The teen trainer's blood boiled as she found herself staring at her old nemesis again, looking very much alright and certainly not comatose at all. Ghetsis Harmonia Gropius was back and looking cruelly pleased to see the poor girl completely at his mercy.

Ghetsis was a large man with long greenish coloured hair, a red monocle covering his right eye, thick shoulders and a twisted smile on his face. He was dressed in black robes that covered his whole body except for his head and feet. His left arm poked out from under the robes and carried a cane that sported Team Plasma's logo as the head. His right arm remained covered. He'd long since lost it and his right eye to an attack from his own Hydreigon but this crippled appearance did little to mask what a dangerous threat he really was. Ashley was so shocked to see him again that she couldn't speak. Ghetsis smiled mockingly at her.

"Surprised to see me again?" he sneered, "You shouldn't be. You were a fool to believe that my plans being foiled would be the end of me!"

"But…but…you snapped! Ya went off the deep end and lost yer mind after I beat ya!" Ashley protested, "How are you possibly back and not a vegetable anymore?!"

"I'll admit that yes, I did lose my mind after our defeat." Ghetsis explained, "But that was only temporary. Slowly but surely, I did worm my way back from the brink and once my mind was restored, I thought of nothing more than how I'd get revenge on you. You, wretched child, single-handedly destroyed my operations and turned that freak without a human heart against me! You were foolish to think I'd let that go unpunished! And so after years of planning, here we are with you at my mercy and my plans operating as they should be."

"Go ta hell!" Ashley snarled, "Whatever yer plan is, I don't care! Let me go or you'll be sorry!" she demanded, struggling in her binds once more.

"The only thing I'm sorry about is that it's taken so long for me to get back at you." Ghetsis said coldly, "But that wait will be finally paying off. No doubt you're…curious about your current situation." he purred.

"I'll confess, I am puzzled what this is all about." Ashley muttered, "Why am I strung up over a dark chasm like this? Wouldn't it make more sense ta just throw me off this ledge instead of hanging me over it? Or is this some secret fetish ya have?" she asked, screwing her face up in disgust.

"An insolent brat like you deserves a worse fate than simply being thrown off a ledge." Ghetsis growled, ignoring Ashley's remark, "Why kill you when I can simply enslave you…?"

He turned to a grunt at the computers and pointed his cane at him.

"Is the power generator operational?" he snapped.

"Fully operational sir!" the grunt replied.

"Good. Open up the portal." Ghetsis ordered.

The Plasma Grunt activated the generator and all at once, it whirred into life. Ashley watched it shudder as it began to power up. Turbines spun as it generated electricity and for the first time since her arrival, Ashley noticed that there was a large cable attached to the side of the generator. It snaked across the floor and over the ledge down into the chasm. What was down there and what needed powering up? Ghetsis had mentioned a portal. But what did that mean? Ashley could only watch, suspended helplessly by her wrists as everything kicked into gear below her. She looked down and saw that there was something beneath her starting to whirr into life. She didn't see it before as it had been too dark but now it was activated by the generator, she saw that hiding in the shadows was a huge metal ring that had been bolted to the wall of the chasm. It was as if Team Plasma had built a giant basketball hoop down below her. But she knew straight away this device wasn't for games. The ring lit up with translucent blue light shining all around it. Electricity crackled and then the centre of the ring started to form something in the centre. It looked like a swirling vortex of dark energy that was being mixed around in the centre of the ring. It was small but Ashley could see it was slowly but gradually starting to expand the more power was fed into it. Her heart pounded.

"W-w-what's that?" she asked anxiously.

"That, dear child, is what all this planning has gone into." Ghetsis purred darkly, "Team Plasma's lead scientists have discovered that it's possible to open portals into other worlds. The old multiverse theory I suppose you'd call it. After stealing portal technology from the Aether Foundation, we built our own portal generator to see what kind of universes there are out there. I wondered if it might be possible to find a universe in where Team Plasma are successful and bring them here to deal with you! But I had a better idea as we discovered more and more of the multiverse…

This portal opening up below you now leads to a dimension in where those that are pure of heart are corrupted the moment they fall into it. It doesn't work on people such as myself of course but for you? You'll be twisted into a dark mirror reflection of yourself! We're dropping you into the portal and once we fish you back out, you'll no longer be the insolent brat who foiled Team Plasma's plans! You'll be a new person, completely corrupted and subservient to me! And that is my ultimate revenge Ashley, by making YOU my new pet and weapon of destruction against those who oppose me! What better way to destroy you than to turn you against everyone you know and love and make you Team Plasma's newest member?!"

He broke down in inane, hysterical laughter that proved to be too much of a strain on his body and he was forced to take a moment to catch his breath again. Ashley stared at Ghetsis with horror on her face. She couldn't believe what she was hearing! Ghetsis was going to turn her evil?! Was there no low this monster wouldn't sink to?! She was so shocked that she broke into a blind rage and started swearing violently at the top of her lungs while writhing around above the portal.

"YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME! YOU JUST CAN'T! I WON'T LET YOU!" she screamed.

"What choice do you have?" Ghetsis sneered, fully recovered from his earlier laughing fit, "Even if you try to escape, you'll only fall in anyway. I'd savour your last moments as a free girl Ashley, you only have five minutes until that portal fully opens before we drop you in."

Ashley looked down at the portal below her with terror surging through her body. The portal was already growing in size and completely filled the centre of the ring. All there was now was a tornado of black and grey energy swirling around with purple lightning crackling in the eye of the storm. She was safe for now but in five minutes, she would be dropped in and then it would be the end of her. She'd no longer be Ashley Benson, the heroine of Unova and the former champion of Unova. She'd be Ashley Benson, Team Plasma's newest grunt and Ghetsis's personal lap dog! It made her stomach churn just thinking about it. She had to escape! But what could she do? Her legs couldn't reach the ledge and if she tried swinging herself forwards, the grunts just wouldn't drop her in. If she untied herself, she'd only fall in herself. It was hopeless. She was doomed to live life as a minion for Ghetsis!

"The moment that portal's fully open, drop her in." Ghetsis snapped to the grunt at the computer, "Don't waste any time, just do it. I'll stand guard outside just on the off-chance we might get any unwanted guests…"

The grunt understood. Too much work and research had gone into this plan to let it go wrong now. They couldn't leave anything to chance. Ghetsis strode out of the cave, leaving the grunts to keep an eye on Ashley. They certainly weren't going to leave her alone and give her a chance to escape! The grunt at the computer rested his finger over a red button marked "release". Once he pressed it, the pulley system would unlock and the rope holding Ashley would lower her down into the portal. Then after she fell in, it would pull her back out. It was like they were fishing and using Ashley as the bait. The grunt looked at the timer. Four minutes and thirty seconds remained. Once the countdown hit zero, he would press the button. Ashley dangled where she was, no longer having the strength or energy to even so much as hurl insults anymore. Despair weighed over her as the hopelessness of her situation settled in. She looked down at the portal again. How had the multiverse allowed such a world to exist?! She could feel the tears coming to her eyes. There was only one hope left for her now.

"Cheren, Bianca, Sapphire…please hurry." she begged.


Ghetsis had been right to stand guard on the off-chance someone might come to save Ashley. As soon as he'd stepped outside, he saw the familiar sight of Reshiram flying through the sky towards Chargestone Cave. His lips curled into a cruel smirk of delight. Good! That had to mean N was here. He'd get revenge on him too!

"So the ex-King of my organization has come once again. Looks like I have the chance to make him pay as well…"

He called for some Plasma Grunts to come outside and join him for he knew this wasn't a battle he could handle by himself. As this happened, N saw what was going on as Reshiram was nearing the cave. His face contorted with loathing.

"So…he's back!" he growled, "How did he manage to get out of his catatonic state?!"

"Ghetsis is back?!" Bianca exclaimed, "But that's impossible!"

"Clearly it's not." Cheren retorted, "Because there he is now."

"That's him?" Sapphire asked, "Well shit…that just makes this situation even worse! Now we've got to deal with Team Plasma's head honcho too!"

"You'll stay out of this, Sapphire." N insisted, "Ashley will kill me if you end up hurt or worse at Ghetsis's hands. But don't think I'm leaving you out of this. I have a plan…"

In a matter of minutes, Reshiram touched down on the ground and folded up its wings. N, Bianca and Cheren jumped off the Dragon/Fire Pokémon's back and stood in a line together in front of Ghetsis and his grunts. The Team Plasma leader eyed his adopted son with a sadistic grin on his face.

"Well, well…if it isn't King N once more, finally come crawling back to his old throne." Ghetsis purred.

"Where's Ashley?" N demanded, "You better not have harmed her!"

"Me? Harmed her?" Ghetsis replied in mock surprise, "Why I never! Heh, heh, heh…rest assured, she is quite safe…for now at least."

"Let her go you monster!" Bianca demanded.

"And why should I?" Ghetsis retorted, "I didn't come crawling out of the dirt you left me in just to give back my arch-enemy. If you want her…you'll have to fight for her."

He whipped out a Pokéball to emphasize his point. N, Bianca and Cheren did the same.

"Bothersome Team Plasma…if you wish for us to make a fool of you all again, we'll happily abide to that request." Cheren muttered, "Be warned, you'll only have yourselves to blame for this humiliation."

"Even with Zekrom at her side, Ashley only beat me by the skin of her teeth." Ghetsis crowed, "What makes you think any of you have a chance against me?"

"We've had plenty of time to hone our skills since last we met." N said coldly, "Now you're gonna see what we're capable of."

"You can try, but you'll fail." Ghetsis declared, "We will battle, but under one condition. Reshiram is to stay out of this match." he demanded, "If you truly think you're a match for me, then fight me without your precious Legendary Pokémon."

In any other case, N would've objected to this and just used Reshiram anyway. But he was all too happy to agree in this case for unknown to Ghetsis, he was playing right into his hands by doing so.

"That's fine with me." N agreed, "I don't need him to defeat you, "father"." he growled as if the word "father" offended him to say it.

"You lost the right to call me that when you turned on this team." Ghetsis said dryly, "Team Plasma does not abide treachery. Hydreigon, lay waste to your foes!" he barked.

He threw the Pokéball and brought out his signature Pokémon. Neither N, Bianca or Cheren was even surprised at this. Who else was Ghetsis going to use? Hydreigon appeared before the teens, its three heads snarling with anticipation as it was ready to do battle. N sent out his Zoroark while Cheren and Bianca sent out Samurott and Rose. The four Plasma grunts with Ghetsis sent out a Liepard, a Bisharp, a Drapion and a Krookodile to back up their boss. Reshiram was forced to stand back and keep out of the battle. As much as it wanted to help, it knew that it still had its part of the plan to play.

"Come to your deaths children!" Ghetsis barked furiously, "Hydreigon, hit them all with Dragon Pulse!"

Hydreigon's three heads opened up and fired a trio of Dragon Pulses directly at each of the teen's Pokémon. Zoroark, Rose and Samurott were hit full on by the powerful attack and the trio were knocked down onto their backs. Despite the powerful hit, neither of them were down for long and they were soon back on their feet. Zoroark jumped up and launched a Focus Blast at Hydreigon. The super-effective attack hit Hydreigon and knocked it back against the cave wall where it left a huge imprint from where it had hit and caused some rocks to crumble down onto the ground. Hydreigon retaliated by using its own Focus Blast. Its three heads blasted Zoroark with a huge energy sphere and sent it flying through the air. Samurott and Rose tried to help but the Grunts' Pokémon stepped in to prevent them from doing so. Bianca was against Krookodile and Drapion while Liepard and Bisharp fought Samurott.

"You probably still think I'm as weak as I was when I started off all those years ago!" Bianca cried hotly, "But that's where you're wrong! Rose, use Frenzy Plant!"

The Serperior's eyes glowed green as she conjured up huge fines that erupted from underground and wrapped around Krookodile and Drapion. The vines held them firm and them slammed them up and down repeatedly to do as much damage as possible.

"Bianca's not the only one who's grown stronger over the years." Cheren declared, "Samurott, Hydro Cannon now!"

Samurott opened its mouth and let loose a huge torrent of water that swept Liepard and Bisharp off their feet. It truly was like being blasted by a cannon for the two, only this cannon shot water instead of cannonballs. Bisharp and Liepard lay sprawled on the ground, soaking wet and struggling to get back up again.

And while the battle was going on, Reshiram turned to its back and let out a growl that suggested, "Now's your chance! Go!" Sapphire nodded and she jumped off Reshiram's back. She'd been hiding behind it the whole time with Reshiram using its wings to further obscure her so nobody would see her. That had been the plan all along. Team Plasma had never met Sapphire so why would they suspect N and the others had back-up? While the fight was going on, nobody would notice her sneaking into the cave to save Ashley. She made sure the coast was clear before making her move. The Galarian girl sprinted towards the cave as fast as her legs would carry her. Unfortunately, Ghetsis caught sight of her in the corner of his one remaining eye. He turned to see Sapphire slip into the cave. He growled angrily to himself.

"Argh! Wretched children! They were distracting me!" he snarled.

He returned his Hydreigon and chased after Sapphire into the cave. N saw this and tried to chase after him but the Plasma Grunts only sent out more Pokémon to battle so he couldn't get past. He saw no choice but to carry on the fight. At least now he didn't have to uphold Ghetsis's request and could use Reshiram to finish the fight.

I hope Sapphire can save Ashley before Ghetsis catches her… he thought.


One minute remained for Ashley. One precious minute of life left before it was snuffed out and reborn as an obedient slave for Ghetsis.

All the poor girl could do was look down at the portal that yawned open waiting to claim her. Her heart pounded. She could actually see the muscle hard at work in her chest as her shirt was pushed up and down repeatedly. Her wrists were in agony and her arms ached like mad. She was desperate to finally be back down on the floor to give her hands and arms a rest. Ashley turned to the grunt that was watching the timer. His finger was still over the release button. He turned to face her with a mocking smile on his face.

"Thirty seconds left, sweetheart." he sneered, "Got any last words before I drop you in?"

"Only that I hope Team Plasma will rot in hell!" Ashley snarled. She knew it wouldn't make a difference what she said but one last act of defiance would allow her to keep her dignity intact before she plunged to her fate.

"Really? Those are your last words?" the Grunt snorted, "Come on missy, you could've said anything better than that! Still, if that's all you've gotta say, I ain't fussed."

He turned back to the screen. Twenty seconds left. He felt like he may as well push the button now but he didn't. Ghetsis warned him that if he was even a second too early, Ashley wouldn't fall through to the other world and would just disintegrate into atoms. It had to be done the moment five minutes was up. Ashley watched the swirling mass below her. The purple electricity crackled more violently and the energy seemed to be glowing more brightly by the second. The more time that passed, the more the portal opened and the more it opened, the clearer the mass looked. Ashley really felt as if she was about to plunge into the jaws of a hideous beast at this point. She closed her eyes and made her final prayer. A few tears escaped her eyes.

Mom…Cheren…Bianca…Sapphire…whatever happens next, I want ya ta know that I love ya all so much! Don't ever forget it! she thought.

But with ten seconds left to spare, somebody ran into the cave. The grunt was so surprised at this that he turned around to see who it was. He initially assumed it was Ghetsis or another grunt coming back but it wasn't. Sapphire had made it into the lair. Ashley's eyes widened with amazement.

"What in the name of-?!" the grunt exclaimed.

"Ashley!" Sapphire cried.

"Sapph! Ya found me!" Ashley cried, "I can't believe it!"

"Hang on Ashley, I'll get you out of this mess!" Sapphire swore.

"Too late missy!" the grunt sneered, "It's time Ashley took a plunge into another world!"

He punched the release button. The pulley system's locking mechanism opened up and the wheel spun furiously as the rope holding Ashley lowered. Ashley screamed in horror as she fell towards the portal. Sapphire reacted incredibly quickly and grabbed the rope just in time. She dug her heels in and held the rope in place. Ashley winced in pain from the sharp yank of her sudden stop but she didn't care about that. She'd stopped falling, but could Sapphire hold on for her and get her to safety?

"Help me!" Ashley screamed.

"Ungh…h-hang on! I-I've got you! I won't let you go!" Sapphire grunted through gritted teeth.

Her face was red as she strained from the effort of keeping Ashley from falling. Sapphire wasn't the strongest teen out there. She could feel her biceps screaming from the strain as she pulled on the rope. She was determined not to let go no matter what. Sweat began to trickle down her face. Using all the strength she had, Sapphire began to pull Ashley back up while digging her heels into the floor to keep herself from shifting. The grunt glared at Sapphire and lunged for her.

"Let go of that rope you little brat!" he snarled.

He was about to wrap his arms around Sapphire and yank her away but suddenly, a jet of water shot out from nowhere and knocked him away. James Pond had been brought out of his Pokéball on the way into the cave and had been hiding while camouflaged so nobody had seen him enter. With a single Snipe Shot, he'd sent the grunt hurling away from Sapphire and into a wall. He hit it head-first and was knocked out instantly. Now Sapphire was safe, she continued to pull the rope but her strength was failing fast. Her arms were beginning to get tired and she could feel her hands loosening their grip. No, she couldn't drop her girlfriend! She had to hold on!

"J-James! Help me pull Ashley up!" Sapphire croaked. Even her voice was feeling the strain of trying to keep Ashley up.

James grabbed the rope with Sapphire and helped her hoist Ashley back to her original position. After that, Sapphire let go with one hand to reach for another Pokéball. She grabbed one and threw it. Out of the ball came Elsa the Froslass. The Ice/Ghost Pokémon could see what was going on and she flew straight over to Ashley. With Sapphire and James holding onto the rope, Elsa put her hands around Ashley's waist and carried her over to the ledge. Ashley shivered from the cold touch of Elsa but she didn't care. Finally she could get down and away from that portal! Sapphire and James fed the rope along so Elsa could carry Ashley back to the ledge. Once Ashley was back on the floor, they let the rope go entirely so she could lower her hands. Ashley fell in a heap on the floor, relieved to finally take the weight off her hands. She panted heavily as adrenaline from her near plunge into darkness whooshed over her. Sapphire ran over to Ashley and untied her hands. Once that was done, Ashley threw her arms around Sapphire and grasped in the tightest hug possible. Her face was streaming with tears of relief and joy.

"Oh thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You really saved my life there Sapph! Oh thank you so much!" Ashley sobbed graciously.

"Don't mention it! I'm just relieved you're OK now!" Sapphire cried, hugging her back.

The two locked lips and kissed each other deeply. In that single moment, Team Plasma and everything that had happened a moment ago had briefly been forgotten about. All that mattered now was that they were together again and Ashley was free. But their moment of joy couldn't last. They were broken out of their kiss by the sound of metal banging against rock. They turned to see that Ghetsis was standing before them, his face a mask of uncontrollable rage.

"How disgustingly sentimental…the plucky young hero saves the damsel in distress. Too bad for you it's only momentary!" he snarled, "You're getting in that portal if it's the last thing I do, Ashley!"

"In yer dreams you crackpot, power-craving, mad-ranting psychopath!" Ashley growled, "Yer never getting me down that portal! It's over! Yer plans have failed once again!"

"Not yet they haven't." Ghetsis muttered, "As long as it remains open, I can still force you down it. I'll have you as my brainwashed servant yet!"

"Is that what this is all about?" Sapphire asked in horror, "He was trying to brainwash you?!"

"Uh huh. If ya hadn't saved me, I'd have fallen into a portal right below me and it would've taken me to another world that would've changed me into a bad guy!" Ashley exclaimed.

"You bastard!" Sapphire growled, glaring at Ghetsis, "How could you do that to my Ashley?! Well say your prayers you one-armed freak for I'm gonna give you a damn good thrashing!"

"Sapph, you stay out of this. It's me he wants." Ashley insisted, "I ain't letting that monster hurt you too!"

"Knickers to that Ashley. We're in this together whether you like it or not. Don't try to change my mind." Sapphire said firmly.

Ashley wanted to argue, maybe even force the issue but she decided against it. How could she make her girlfriend sit on the side-lines and watch as she and Ghetsis battled? Sapphire had just saved her life! It was only right she let her battle with her. She took Sapphire's hand into her's. Her hands were bruised and sore from being held up by the rope around her wrists but she was still able to use them. To her relief, she could even feel Sapphire's hand in her own as the feeling returned to her hands.

"OK…let's do it together hon." Ashley declared.

The girls faced Ghetsis with determination in their eyes. Ghetsis glowered at them, his cruel face twisted into a smirk of confidence as he brought out his Hydreigon's Pokéball.

"I'll make you BOTH my slaves when this is over!" he declared, "And maybe I'll corrupt your friends while I'm at it! Do not expect any mercy from my Hydreigon you foolish little children…"


Ashley is saved from the portal but Ghetsis isn't going out without a fight. Will our heroes be able to stop his powerful Hydreigon? Find out next time...

Trivia: Ghetsis's plan and the whole thing with Ashley being suspended over a portal is a big homage to Power Rangers Turbo in where the same thing happened to Tommy Oliver after Divatox captured him. I couldn't resist putting Ashley in the same kind of situation. I'm shameless, I know. XD

Also Ghetsis is in his Black 2 and White 2 attire because I prefer that over that ridiculous "walking castle" outfit he has in the original games. Seriously, how did he EVER think that was a good look? XD

There wasn't meant to be a third part to this story but as I went along, I felt it needed another part as I didn't want the fight with Ghetsis to be rushed.