"So Commander, what did we do to bring me here so quickly again?" Pokemon Master Ash asked.
"You're not in trouble, but another issue has popped back up that we would like your help with." Kamado said.
"Another golden lord going out of control?" Coordinator Ash said. "Cassidy spoke about the Lilligant event."
"We wish it was that simple, the lord of Cobalt Coastlands, Arcanine, well he fell into the sea and perished a few months ago." Iridia said.
"So then why do you need me?" Pokemon Master Ash asked.
"This is a unique and sensitive situation that requires both the Pearl and Diamond clans help to restore the new lord." Adaman said.
"Wait, both of you are working together on this?" Pokemon Master Ash asked.
"We might have differing views on who Almighty Sinnoh is, but the Diamond Clan has offered their help with getting the new lord to the sanctuary." Iridia said.
"We believe that the Miss Fortune Sisters are planning on abusing the coming lords arrival to get them on their side." Kamado said. "So our plan will be three pronged. Your companions will stay here with another Growlithe under the pretense that it is the next lord, while you two travel to the Cobalt Coastlands and meet with Iscan and Palina who already have the next lord in waiting at a safe location."
"That still doesn't answer why you need me." Pokemon Master Ash said.
"Or me." Coordinator Ash said.
"Richard you're coming just in case we have another golden situation, and Ashton we just thought you would like to tag along as the others have been a bit busy lately." Kamado said.
"He is letting us live in the village, I don't think we should press this much further." Coordinator Ash said.
"Good point." Pokemon Master Ash said. "Where will we meet Iscan and Palina?"
"I'll show you." Kamado said, pulling out a map.
Later in the Cobalt Coastlands
"So we're supposed to meet them here?" Pokemon Master Ash said.
"Apparently, I don't know why though." Coordinator Ash said, looking at the shack like building in front of them.
"Are you the two Kamado sent to help us?" A man asked, walking up.
"Are you Iscan?" Pokemon Master Ash asked.
"I am, and this is Palina." The man said, pointing to a girl with a strange Growlithe.
"Is that a Growlithe?" Coordinator Ash asked. "It doesn't look like the fire type I know."
"This Growlithe is a Fire and a Rock type." Palina said.
"He's a little small, are we sure they're supposed to be the next lord?" Pokemon Master Ash asked.
"He might be small, but he is the child of the previous lord." Palina said. "We need to be careful about getting him to the shrine, it's on the volcanic island and we still aren't certain that the Miss Fortune Sisters didn't follow you."
"Alright, I have an idea, for getting them there safely." Coordinator Ash said. "How are they with flying?"
A bit later
"We're riding fish, to a volcano." Pokemon Master Ash said, on the back of a Basculegion.
"Do you have a better way of getting up there?" Iscan said.
"No, but don't you find it a little odd that we're going to the volcano instead of, oh I don't know AWAY FROM IT!" Pokemon Master Ash said.
"It's a sacred location, and Palina needs our help, she hasn't been the same since loosing Arcanine." Iscan said.
On Milotic
"The two of you were close, weren't you." Coordinator Ash said.
"The two of us?" Palina asked, blushing.
"You and Lord Arcanine, I can see it in the way you talk about them, and their child." Coordinator Ash said. "He wasn't just a job to watch over for you, was he?"
"No, Lord Arcanine and I were very close, and he was always friendly to me whenever I showed up." Palina said.
"I know the feeling, I had a Charizard, I lost him a while back, he died in battle because of me, and I took it hard, I spiraled downhill, and ran from my life, my friends, and my family for a while." Coordinator Ash said.
"How did you get over it?" Palina asked.
"I didn't." Coordinator Ash admitted. "I still wonder if I would have taken the same path I did whether or not he survived, and if he'd be with me if that was the case. I miss him a lot, but I also know that he'd want me to keep moving forward, he wouldn't like to know I just gave up entirely because of him."
"So you know how I'm feeling?" Palina asked.
"Of course, and I'll take great care to make sure that Growlithe becomes the next Lord safely." Coordinator Ash said, as the two water types made it to the beach. "Ready to do this Rich?"
"Yeah, where is Growlithe though?" Pokemon Master Ash asked.
"TARIA!" Altaria cried out from the peak.
"If I had to guess, they're already up there." Coordinator Ash said.
"Well then, let's head up." Pokemon Master Ash said.
"GRAWR!" A second roar called out.
"I don't think that was Growlithe." Palina said.
"It didn't sound like an Arcanine either." Iscan added. "You two be careful up there."
"Will do." Coordinator Ash said.
At the peak
"Okay, I see Altaria, but I don't see Growlithe, or whatever made that other roar." Pokemon Master Ash said.
"Look out!" Coordinator Ash exclaimed, pushing Pokemon Master Ash out of the way as lava bubbled up and shot into the air.
"Bow tie!" Pokemon Master Ash exclaimed, as Coordinator Ash was splashed by the lava.
"I LIVE!" A distorted voice called out as tendrils whipped the lava away, Coordinator Ash rising up with red marks on his body.
"Umm, Bow Tie?" Pokemon Master Ash asked.
"IS SAFE, I AM THE PRIMAL FORCE THAT CREATED THE CONTINENTS THEMSELVES." The Primal Force said. "I TOOK OVER WHEN HE WAS IN DANGER! NOW STAND BACK!"
Pokemon Master Ash stood back as two figures emerged from the lava as tendrils tossed them out.
"What are they?" Pokemon Master Ash asked.
"ARC!" A golden creature roared, flailing in the tendril.
"GRAWR!" The second creature cried out, still covered in flames and lava.
"Focus on the gold one, not the other!" Pokemon Master Ash said.
"DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" The Primal Force said, as the two creatures escaped, the golden one leaping at Coordinator Ash's body, while the second one launched at the golden creature.
"I think the other one is on our side." Pokemon Master Ash said.
"I TOLD YOU, DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" The Primal Force said, lifting the Golden Creature above the edge of the volcano.
"WAIT!" Coordinator Ash called out from his subconscious.
"This being attacked us!" The Primal Force pointed out.
"And we're here to help it, not throw it into the ocean." Coordinator Ash said, "Let Grumpy over there cure him, I promise."
"Very well." The Primal Force said, lowering the Arcanine to Pokemon Master Ash, while still not letting go of the creature.
"Okay, just hold still." Pokemon Master Ash said, extending his hand.
"GRAWR!" The second creature roared, rushing at his extended hand.
"Pikachu!" Pokemon Master Ash called out.
Pikachu leapt off of his shoulder, sending out a bolt of electricity at the creature as it flew out of the way.
"GRUMPY DO IT ANY TIME NOW!" The Primal Force said.
"I can't this thing is attacking me!" Pokemon Master Ash said.
"Control it then!" The Primal Force exclaimed.
"I DON'T KNOW HOW!" Pokemon Master Ash exclaimed. "How would you do it?!"
"Just control it like you always did!" The Primal Force exclaimed.
"What?" Pokemon Master Ash said. "But it's not…"
The second creature swooped down towards Pokemon Master Ash once again, heading straight for him.
"Alright, just like old times friend." Pokemon Master Ash said, leaping at the creature as the flames and lava dispersed revealing Charizard. "Let's help out with a Seismic Toss!"
Charizard rushed to the top of the volcano, assisting in holding the Lord Arcanine in place as Pokemon Master Ash approached.
"Alright, nice and easy." Pokemon Master Ash said, extending his hand out as his eyes took on a golden glow, absorbing the energy from Arcanine and returning it to normal. "Phew, glad that's over."
"No kidding, hey your Charizard is back." Coordinator Ash said, as he regained control.
"Are you alright?" Pokemon Master Ash said.
"Fine, oh you mean the Primal Force thing, yeah he does that from time to time." Coordinator Ash said.
"No, I mean the being bathed in lava thing." Pokemon Master Ash said. "How did you know you would survive?"
"I guess I didn't, I just figured that out of the two of us, I might." Coordinator Ash said. "Now isn't there usually a plate around these guys."
"Twice does not make it a pattern." Pokemon Master Ash said.
"No but it does make it a coincidence." Coordinator Ash said.
"GYOOOGA!" A roar called out, causing the mountain to shake.
"That wasn't Charizard." Pokemon Master Ash said.
"Then what was it?" Coordinator Ash said, seeing the lava bubble and rocks crumble.
Pokemon Master Ash's Current Team and Their Moves
Pikachu: Thunderbolt - Quick Attack - Iron Tail - Volt Tackle
Charizard: Flamethrower - Dragon Pulse - Air Slash - Seismic Toss
