I was buzzing with excitement as our group made our way to Professor Sycamore's laboratory. When we got there, the professor greeted us with a warm smile. I could see the gleam of excitement in his eyes as he showed us his latest experiment. He held up a shiny Key Stone and a mysterious Mega Stone, explaining that he wanted to test if his friend Garchomp could Mega Evolve.
My heart raced with anticipation. Mega Evolution was something that always excites me, especially when I get to battled a Mega Evolved pokemon! The thought of witnessing a pseudo-legendary pokemon's power multiplied was exhilarating, and I couldn't wait to see Garchomp in action. Well, our Garchomp Mega Evolves all the time, but he is family and kind of normal by now. This however, is different! I was so excited... at least, until, I was told I would not get to battle Mega Garchomp.
Spoilsports, all of them.
Now pouting, I watched as Professor Sycamore carefully placed the Mega Stone around Garchomp's neck, and it fit perfectly. Then he held the Key Stone in front of Garchomp, and the stone began to emit a brilliant light. Garchomp's eyes widened in astonishment. With a surge of energy, Garchomp started to undergo a transformation. His body grew larger and its scales glistened with a newfound radiance. The air around us crackled with electricity as Garchomp's power intensified. He now stood before us as Mega Garchomp, a magnificent sight to behold. His claws sharper, radiating a sense of strength and ferocity.
Riley's Lucario and Ash's Sliggoo exchanged amazed looks, both of us in awe of Garchomp's newfound power. The ground trembled slightly as Mega Garchomp roared, displaying his dominance, as Professor Sycamore beamed with pride, knowing that his experiment had been a success.
As the excitement settled, we thanked Professor Sycamore for allowing us to witness this amazing event. We left the laboratory, towards Laverre City. At least, that was the plan until we got stopped. A familiar figure approached us. It was Clemont and Bonnie's dad, and he seemed eager to talk to his children. I kind of expected Ash to stop him, the last time he met the guy, he gave him a well-deserved tongue lashing. But Clemont surpised me, by moving foward and accepting his dad's request to talk. They moved away from the group to have a private conversation, and curiosity got the better of me. I couldn't resist eavesdropping, keeping my distance to give them their privacy.
Clemont's dad started the conversation with an apology, his voice tinged with regret. He acknowledged his absence and how he had left the responsibilities of being a Gym Leader to his son. I could sense the genuine sincerity in his words, and it touched my heart. Clemont and Bonnie listened intently, their expressions a mix of surprise and cautious hope. Their dad explained how he realized the importance of family and how he wanted to make amends for his past actions. He spoke with such earnestness, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness for Clemont's family.
As the conversation continued, Clemont and Bonnie's dad promised to be there for them, to support them in their journey as trainers and as a family. Their faces lit up with a combination of relief and joy. It was a beautiful moment of reconciliation and the healing of old wounds. I couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth in my heart as I witnessed this heartfelt exchange. Family bonds were precious, and seeing Clemont and Bonnie reconnect with their dad was comforting.
After their conversation ended, Clemont and Bonnie returned to the group with smiles on their faces. The air around them seemed lighter, filled with a renewed sense of hope and unity. We continued our journey towards Laverre City. As we walked, I couldn't help but reflect on the power of forgiveness and second chances. It was a lesson that touched not only Clemont's family but me as well.
As I turned to look at Ash, hoping to share in the joy of Clemont and Bonnie's reconciliation with their dad, I noticed something was off. Ash's usual bright and determined expression was clouded with a distant gaze, his mind clearly elsewhere. My heart sank, sensing that something was deeply troubling him. I watched as Ash's usually energetic and carefree demeanor seemed to wither, replaced by a sense of unease and sadness. It was as if a shadow had cast its grip on his spirit, dimming the light that usually emanated from him. As his closest companion, I couldn't help but feel a deep concern and a knot of fear forming within me.
Recalling recent events, I remembered the disquieting discovery made by her Majesty. She had sensed that someone had tampered with Ash's memories, causing a chain reaction that had caused him to turn so unstable, making all of his pokemon more feral and unstable in return. It was a disturbing revelation that had shaken us all to the core. But it wasn't until Ash's called upon Lugia that the truth began to unfold. Lugia, in his wisdom and power, had aided Ash in recovering his lost memories. I had watched as her Majesty, Ash's Espeon, reluctantly disclosed to him the need to seek out the Legendary Pokemon and confront the altered memories that haunted him.
What Ash discovered in those memories was utterly devastating. He remembered sacrificing himself, standing fearlessly between Mew and Mewtwo's destructive clash. The image of him facing such unimaginable danger, the thought of losing my best friend and trainer, struck me with an overwhelming sense of horror and fear. And as Ash's memories were restored, all of our recollection emerged as well. Charizard was quite stunned by his own memories. The guilt that consumed him, knowing that he had been too focused on proving his strength instead of protecting Ash, was a heavy burden to bear.
I trembled with a mix of sorrow, anger, and fear. Losing Ash, my brother in all but blood, was an unthinkable tragedy. One that did happen... The mere thought of a world without his infectious laughter, his unwavering determination, and his compassionate spirit left me feeling utterly vulnerable and lost. The weight of that experience, the emotional trauma it caused, was so profound that Ash couldn't even put it into words. It shook him to his core, making it impossible for him to confide in his therapist or share the depths of his pain with anyone else. He had even stopped his sessions with her, which did not aid his mental state at all. I could see the struggle etched on his face, the turmoil he carried within.
As we continued on our journey, my mind gradually shifted from the dark thoughts that had consumed me earlier. The arrival of a new acquaintance, Keanan, snapped me back to the present. Keanan recognized Ash's Sliggoo and introduced himself as the caretaker of the nearby wetlands, which happened to be Sliggoo's previous home. Excitement bubbled within us as Keanan shared his connection to Sliggoo and his willingness to guide us to the wetlands. But it seemed that Sliggoo wasn't as enthusiastic about the idea. I sensed a mix of hesitance and reluctance emanating from our slimy friend.
Undeterred by Sliggoo's reservations, we followed Keanan's lead towards the wetlands. As we reached the wetlands, Keanan, the caretaker, began to explain the complex situation that had unfolded there. We gathered around him, eager to understand the challenges we were about to face. A feud had erupted over a healing spring, causing chaos and discord among the Pokémon who called this place home.
Keanan spoke with a mix of concern and determination, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. The following dialogue unfolded as he shed light on the current state of the wetlands. "The situation here has been dire ever since a feud broke out over the healing spring. It used to be a place of tranquility and unity, but now it's fallen into chaos."
"What happened, Keanan? How did it escalate to this point?" Gary asked with a frown.
"Well, it all started with a disagreement between the Florges, a powerful and territorial pokemon, and the other inhabitants of the wetlands," Keanan sighed. "The Florges believed they had the right to control the healing spring, but the others disagreed."
"So, the Florges took over the wetlands with its underlings?" Clemont inquired in disbelief.
"Exactly," Keanan nodded. "They now hold dominion over this once peaceful place, enforcing their rule with force. Sliggoo's old friends, the pokemon who used to call this place home, have gone into hiding, afraid of the Florges and its minions."
"That's terrible!" Serena exclaimed. "We need to help them and bring back the harmony that once existed here."
"I couldn't agree more," Keanan agreed. "That's why I reached out to you when I recognized Sliggoo. I believe that with your combined strength and determination, we can make a difference and restore balance to the wetlands."
"We won't let them continue to oppress the pokemon here," Ash assured him, starting to sound more like the Ash I know and love. Unfortunately, I know it won't last for long. As this distraction will come and go, leaving him with the trauma he has to deal with, but refuses to. "We'll fight for justice and reunite Sliggoo with its friends."
With Ash's encouragement, Sliggoo mustered the courage to confront Florges in an awe-inspiring battle. The anticipation and tension in the air were palpable as Sliggoo unleashed its newfound power, evolving into a majestic Goodra. The battle between Goodra and Florges unfolded with intense energy and determination. As the clash of powers raged on, Goodra's strength and resolve shone through. He pushed himself to the limits, unleashing powerful attacks and countering Florges' every move.
In a breathtaking moment, Goodra's final strike landed, defeating Florges and ending the reign of tyranny in the wetlands. The battle had not only showcased Goodra's strength but also his compassion. As the dust settled, Goodra approached Florges, engaging her in a heartfelt conversation. He spoke with kindness and understanding, making Florges realize the importance of taking care of the wetlands as a shared responsibility. Florges, touched by Goodra's words, agreed to become the new guardian of the wetlands, promising to foster a harmonious coexistence among all the pokemon who called it home.
After the battle, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of pride and concern. Goodra had achieved a great victory and brought about a positive change, but he chose to remain with Ash rather than returning to his friends in the wetlands. Which I would normally do not wonder why, as everyone loves Ash and wants to stay with him. But even Ash's pokemon that have other homes, have a difficult decision when it comes to makign a choice or sometimes decide to stay for a while before returning to Ash's side. Goodra did not even blink before choosing to remain by Ash's side.
The reason for this became clear when I finally gathered the courage to ask Goodra about his decision. "Goodra, why didn't you stay with your friends in the wetlands? You did such an incredible job here."
"Pikachu, my friends in the wetlands have each other, but Ash needs me more," Goodra turned towards Pikachu, his eyes filled with a sense of responsibility and devotion, leaving me breathless. "Especially now, in the state of mind he's in. As his partner, it's my duty to be there for him and support him through his struggles. I believe that together, we can help him find his way again."
"You're right, Goodra," I nodded, understanding the weight of Goodra's words. It was a reminder that our bond with Ash extended beyond our individual desires. We were a team, a family, and our collective support would help him navigate through the darkness that had plagued his mind. "Our trainer's well-being is our top priority. We'll be there for him, just as he has always been there for us. Let's hope that with time, patience, and our unwavering loyalty, Ash will find the strength to heal."
With a final exchange of determined glances, Goodra and I stood side by side, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Our love for Ash and our unbreakable bond would guide us through the trials, as we continued to support him on his journey of self-discovery and healing. Together, we would persevere, reminding Ash that he was never alone in his struggles and that the power of friendship could overcome even the darkest of times.
