Pokemon: Remix Hearts

by Seanzilla1988

During an expedition for a Grimoir, the girls of Team Remix Heart are caught up in a strange wormhole and end up in a world filled with creatures known as Pokemon. Will they find a way home, or will they be stuck here? (Contains elements from the Pokemon games, manga, and anime. Set after the end of the Blazblue Remix Heart manga)

42. Chapter 42

GT: *playing Pokemon Sword* Alrighty, I got me a Scorbunny! Oh, come on, Arthur! You and me are gonna go on an adventure and get you a Ditto to make a bunny I'll name Pele!

SZ: Ah..playing Sword and Shield eh? Sweet. Hope to get ti soon myself.

GT: I'm already liking the new things it's got! Like how your first Rival has two Pokemon instead of one in your first battle of the game. *looks around* Well, Z0's not here yet, so might as well get this underway before he destroys the place. We do not own anyone but our OCs and Game Freak owns Pokemon. Long live the series! *tosses a Pokeball into the air* ...I think I threw out the Snorlax I just learned could Gigantamax.

SZ: YOU WHAT!?

GT: *grabs SZ and teleports before a mountain-sized Snorlax with greenery and a massive tree on its swollen belly flattens the studio*

---

"Kajun, will you please stop listening to Dexter?" Makoto complained as the group were going up a slope.

"I can't help it! So much information! New Pokemon with new abilities, Pokemon with different forms...Oh, it's too much!" the purplette squealed in delight, Dexter in hand while a pen was in the other, her Pokedex Notebook floating before her thanks to Hikari.

"I think she's officially lost it…" Mai sweatdropped.

"It was nice of Takeru to update Dexter with the Galar Region's Pokedex," Misty noted.

---

-flashback-

"Alright, I think we're good," Takeru noted as he stood up, "Athena?"

=The update is complete!= Athena beamed as she unplugged from the computer, letting Dexter be ejected from the slot on it.

"Here ya go," Takeru spoke as he handed Dexter over to Ash, "This way, you won't be startled by another Galar Region Pokemon."

"Sweet! Thanks!" Ash beamed as he looked at Dexter...only for Kajun to snatch it, "Wh-hey!"

"Thank you," Kajun thanked as she opened it, "The Galar Region's Pokedex is roughly 300 Pokemon? Fascinating…"

"She'll be with that awhile," Takeru chuckled, "She's got the same look Edison does when it comes to learning something new that he's become fascinated with."

"You're sure you can't come with us?" Ash asked.

"Sorry. But I got a call from this guy I've been working with. He's found some ruins that we're gonna be checking out," Takeru replied.

"Ah. Interesting," TsubakI noted, "I hope things turn out well...and hope you stay safe."

"Of course. I've got my family with me," Takeru chuckled, patting Joan's head while scratching under Edison's chin.

"Good luck," La offered, pecking his cheek with a kiss.

"Ew…" Ash mumbled as he stuck his tongue out in disgust.

"Ah, you say that now. But give it a few years and you get kissed by a pretty girl," Takeru winked before he got on Joan's back, "Alright. Let's ride!"

Joan roared as she ran out of the Center. Her wings spread out and, with a strong flap, took to the skies.

-flashback end-

---

"Alright, Kajun, if you want to keep listening to Dexter, please put an earbud in so none of us have to hear you replay about that Corvi-whatever for the eighth time in a row!" Tsubaki sighed.

"Phooey," Kajun huffed, but plugged in a pair of headphones anyway with the other bud going to Hikari.

"And we're sure we're going up the right mountain?" Brock asked.

"Yep," Ash replied as he pulled out the Rainbow Wing and let the sunlight hit it, making a rainbow that went up to the top of the current mountain they were starting to climb.

"...We have to climb that?" Noel asked, looking at how large and tall the mountain was.

"Not the highest mountain I've climbed," La shrugged, "...Then again...The tallest one did have an elevator on the side while the other had a bus that went to the top."

"And we don't have that luxury here in Kanto…" Misty muttered.

"Well it would make sense," Brock spoke, looking up at the mountain, "If Ho-Oh is at the top of that mountain, maybe it's trying to test you to see if you are worthy."

"...Right!" Ash nodded as he charged on ahead, "Come on, guys! Let's get to the top!"

"Pika!" Pikachu cheered on Ash's shoulder as Charmeleon rolled his eyes, but followed anyway.

"Oh, Makoto," Kajun whispered before showing Makoto Dexter, an image of a chubby brown squirrel-like Pokemon with huge face cheeks, "I think the next time someone asks about your 'cosplay,' you can tell them you're this."

"...What?" Makoto deadpanned before Hikari put the earbud into her Squirrel ear.

=Greedent, the Greedy Pokemon and the evolved form of Skwovet. Common throughout the Galar region, this Pokémon has strong teeth and can chew through the toughest of berry shells. It stashes berries in its tail...so many berries that they fall out constantly. But this Pokémon is a bit slow-witted, so it doesn't notice the loss= Dexter informed.

"...What?" Makoto deadpanned as Hikari removed the earbud and Kajun sped up a bit, "...WHAT?!"

"What did you do?" Mai asked.

"Oh, merely showed her the Pokemon counterpart to her," Kajun replied, "When I listened to Dexter's information on it, I could not help but compare it to her."

"You get back here! I am not a greedy dim-wit that stashes berries in my tail!" Makoto snapped.

"Chipa?" Berry asked, poking her head out and dressed as a mountain climber.

"Okay, ironic example…" Makoto muttered as she snatched the PokeDex and showed her team the new lookalike.

"...Emol~gagagagagaga!" Cherry cracked up, falling out of Makoto's tail as she held herself in her laughter as Berry tried hard to not laugh but failed, soon joining Cherry.

"Hey...Not cool!" Makoto pouted.

"But not inaccurate," Kajun teased.

"You shut it, Kajun!"

"I thought you'd like it. Look, he's chubby and cuddly…" Kajun kept on teasing.

"I am not fat!" Makoto snapped.

"Well you store fat in certain places," Kajun countered.

"All the right places," Makoto replied before pausing, "...Wait. That came out wrong."

"Nope~" Kajun mused as she took Dexter back and Hikari's eyes glowed before they teleported over to Ash way ahead of the two.

"...Kajun, this. means. Prank War," Makoto seethed before scooping up her two laughing squirrel Pokemon and followed after everyone, unaware of a pair of folded up ears poke out of a bush far behind them.

'That feather's rainbow pointed at the top of this mountain,' Serenade noted, 'Better get the others.'

---

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You...you let a Bewear hug you?!" Karai laughed at a certain Team Rocket trio.

=At least da good news is dat she's lettin' us make our base in the top half of her tree= Meowth groaned as he stretched, causing several cracking noises to go off.

"Yeah...as her cub," Karai smirked.

=Huh?=

"Yeah...wait. Did you accept any food from it?"

=More like she shoved it into our mouths= Jessie replied =Though it was delicious=

"...Yeah. If you accept a hug and eat food given to ya by a Bewear…" Karai paused as she snickered a bit, "You...You become its cubs more or less! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

=Oh…WAIT, WHAT?!=

"Unfortunately, yes," Aoiro confirmed, "A certain someone knows that better than anyone."

"?! Hey! I was five!" Karai defended.

"I never hinted that it was you," Aoiro smirked before looking back at the trio, "But fortunately, that can also work to your advantage. Over time, you can work on convincing the Bewear to be a member of your Team. They're powerful Pokemon and it's rumored that they came into being because a Stufful received training from all four Tapu of Alola." she narrowed her eyes, "Make sure to give biweekly updates on your progress for the base and do try to catch some Pokemon to diversify your roster."

=Y-yes ma'am!= the trio saluted before the communication ended.

"Oh now that's just rich! I was five, but they're all adults!" Karai laughed before pausing, "...Wait. Does that Scratch Cat count as an adult if he's a Pokemon?"

"I'm...I'm uncertain...We don't know how old he is," Aoiro admitted.

"Oh, he's six," Velvet replied, earning looks from all three sisters, "He told me so I could know how many candles for his cake on his birthday last month."

"...Sis, you have the kindest yet most dangerous Psychic fox I have ever met," Karai noted, earning a look from Kira.

"...Hmm," Kira scoffed a bit as she went back to her snack for the day, "...Who cooked this brookie?"

"I did," Aoiro answered.

"...Next time, add more chocolate chips," Kira stated before she took another bite of her brookie.

"Yes, sister dear," Aoiro replied before a man in a black lab coat with the Team Rocket emblem on the left breast pocket entered, "Report."

"The DNA test has finished for the hair sample you brought and we've performed the comparisons thirteen times per standard procedure," the man replied before pulling out a small stack of papers and bowed down, presenting them to Aorio, "The results, Lady White Truth."

"Thank you. Do not inform Don Giovanni of this test nor the results; we will do so," Aoiro nodded as she took the papers.

"Yes, Lady White Truth," the man replied before leaving at the unvoiced dismissal.

"Well...what do they say?" Karai asked, lightly poking over her sister's shoulder to look.

"..." Kira walked over, a brookie in hand, "Read it."

"Yes," Aoiro replied before opening the sealed report, "...It..." she gulped and nearly dropped it as her eyes widened.

"It what? What?!" Karai demanded as she grabbed the report, "Lemme se...uh…"

Kira took it at that and looked at it, "..." her brookie fell from her hand.

"Milady?" Velvet spoke in concern.

"...How many times did he say he checked?" Kira demanded.

"Thirteen as standard procedure for this kind of test," Aoiro confirmed.

"Is everything alright?" Velvet asked.

"It...It's a match," Aoiro replied.

"...Where did you last see her?" Kira demanded.

"Serenade should be reporting any minute now," Aoiro answered.

At that, the cat-like Psychic Pokemon appeared and 'spoke' quickly, "Ash Ketchum's Rainbow Wing is pointing at the top of a mountain they're climbing on the Raizen Mountains! They're going to be encounting Ho-Oh!"

"Eh?!" Karai gawked.

"The Raizen Mountains...Gah! Of all the places Team Rocket has attempted to check thoroughly and a ten-year-old is the one person who could find where exactly Ho-Oh resides on it!" Aoiro sighed in exasperation.

"Take us there. Now," Kira ordered.

"But…"

"We are not letting this opportunity pass us by…" Kira frowned, glaring at Serenade, "Take us there now or else."

"...Y...yes milady," Serenade nodded, gulping.

"I have the med kits ready," Velvet spoke as she held up a bag of medical supplies, "Oh, and several thermoses of hot chocolate if we get thirsty."

---

"...Arceus, this fog is as thick as peanut butter…" Makoto muttered as the group walked through the mountains.

"You mean pea soup," Ken countered.

"No, pea soup's easier to see through than peanut butter," Makoto replied, "I should know since Noel had me try to read a set of letters through a clear bowl filled with the two things for a Truth or Dare game for a Sleepover in our dorms."

"...Noel did?" Brock asked, his tone in disbelief.

"..." Noel looked away from everyone with bright pink cheeks on her face.

"...We're not alone," Takuma spoke, a serious look on his face.

"Huh? But...we…" Misty began before the others looked up, seeing a few Pokemon staring down at them from a nearby cliff, "?!"

"Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Magmar, Electabuzz, Magnemite and Magneton," Kajun listed, "And there are Zubat, Golbat, Venomoth, and even Pidgeotto about."

"Something must've got them upset," Mai guessed as a few Pokemon flew overhead.

"Don't look at me, none of them are saying a word," La noted.

"I can second that," Luca confirmed.

"...Mayhaps they sense Ho-Oh's presence," Kajun guessed.

"That is correct, young lady," a new voice spoke, making the group look nearby to see an old man with a large puffy beard look down at them in a crouching position, "All of these wild Pokemon want to receive Ho-Oh's blessing." he jumped off and landed before them, sniffing the air, "It's faint, but I'm catching a whiff of Ho-Oh."

"Huh? Hey, could it be this?" Ash asked as he showed the Rainbow Wing.

"Ash!" Misty groaned.

"Ah! It's the Rainbow Wing!" the man gasped before Kajun gasped.

"Professor Bonji!" Kajun gasped.

"...Who?" Brock asked.

"In Violet City's Pokemon Center, I found a book talking about the Legendary Pokemon of Kanto and Johto. It was written by this very man," Kajun replied, "Though the photo in it was him in his early thirties."

"Ah, you read my book," the man chuckled, running a hand on his beard, "For the past twenty years I've been on a quest, searching for Ho-Oh as part of my research."

"Twenty years?" Brock repeated in surprise.

"You see, I've pulled data from many places, which led me to this mountain for Ho-Oh's next appearance," Bonji explained.

"Well, we're all heading there right now," Mai spoke up, "You can come along if you want."

"Oh? Are you sure that is okay? Your group seems large enough already," Bonji noted.

"We've managed before," Ken shrugged.

"Yeah! We're all going to see Ho-Oh too," Ash beamed.

"Well...All right," Bonji chuckled as he looked over at the Rainbow Wing, "This shine...it's the shine of youth. Ah, how I missed it. It's almost too beautiful for me to look upon."

---

"It's probably thanks in large part of the Rainbow Wing that you were able to come across Entei, Suicune, and Raikou," Bonji noted as they continued upwards after Ash told Bonji of his encounters with the three with Noel providing for her one encounter.

"Do you refer to the Rainbow Hero's three tests the three observe?" La asked.

"Indeed. Ho-Oh wants to know if there is a young person out there suited to be the Rainbow Hero," Bonji explained.

"You mean me?" Ash asked.

"Yes. It means you may have someone guiding you, a guide from the shadows," Bonji noted, "Have you noticed anything in your shadow recently?"

"Huh?" Ash blinekd as he looked down.

"...You refer to Marshadow, correct?" Kajun asked, earning a look from the others, "...After our encounter with you-know-who, Ashton began to act rather...well, not like himself, and Luca was the first to notice its aura, meaning it was affecting him in someway before I reminded him what was more important.."

"Good, very good," Bonji spoke, "Marshadow is a very particular sort. Your mood could influence him immensely."

"So...that little Pokemon is inside of him?" Takuma asked, poking Ash's shadow with his own shadow.

"Marshadow?" Ash pondered as he held Dexter to his shadow.

=Marshadow, the Gloomdweller Pokemon. Very few people have seen it, so its existence was the stuff of legends and myths. A cautious Pokémon, Marshadow sinks into the shadows to ensure it is not noticed while it observes its surroundings. While in hiding in the shadows of others, it can understand their feelings and copies their abilities. Through mimicry, it will eventually become more powerful than those it imitates= Dexter informed as it showed an image of a child-sized Pokemon resembling a child made of shadows with eyes made of flames.

"Imitate?" Takuma spoke, "But Ash's isn't a Pokemon. How could he get stronger from copying humans?"

"Martial arts, for one," Makoto noted.

"When the color of the Rainbow Wing fades, Marshadow seals it back up and makes it right," Bonji noted as the fog began to clear, revealing a summit ahead of them.

"Eh? We're already at the summit?" Noel blinked with Yuki.

"Guess we spent so much time talking, we never noticed," Ken guessed.

"Ash, the Rainbow Wing!" Misty gasped, seeing it glowing under his jacket.

"Huh?" Ash pondered as he pulled it out, letting it release a burst of multicolored light that hit a spot on the summit, revealing a large crystal structure resembling a podium that began to shine with the Rainbow Wing's light before the light travelled through the ground, revealing an intricate pattern of crystals all over the summit.

"...Beautiful…" Tsubaki whispered with wide eyes.

"When a rainbow flower blooms upon Rainbow Rock, Ho-Oh shall appear," Bonji explained.

"The aura here...it's massive," Luca awed, "The very air is filled with the aura that's coming from those crystals."

"Well, what're we standing here for?! We can't keep Ho-oh waiting!" Ash beamed as he ran off, "Let's go, Pikachu, Charmeleon!"

"Pika!" Pikachu beamed as he followed, Charmeleon shaking his head to get out of his stupor as he chased after them.

"Hey, Ash! Wait for us!" Brock called as the others began to follow suit.

"Heh heh heh...Time flies and rainbows quickly vanish…" Bonji gave a soft chuckle as he began to follow them, "Yes, young ones! Hurry!"

"It's like being a rookie trainer all over again," Takuma smiled in awe.

"Agreed. It feels like I'm traveling through Kalos again!" Ken beamed.

"I know, right?" La giggled.

=Oh, this will be marvelous!= Alakai cheered.

As the group ran, more and more Pokemon began to stare down at them from above, observing them...almost as if they were waiting on something.

"I see the crystal!" Ash beamed as he ran forward, Rainbow WIng in hand as his two Pokemon followed, "Ho-Oh...here w-"

"ROAR!"

"?!" Ash tensed before an Incineroar jumped out from behind the crystal and slammed its fist down on the ground, knocking Ash and his two Pokemon back, "Gah!"

"An Incineroar!" Makoto gasped, "Oh no! Don't tell me…"

"It's Cross' Incineroar…" Mai scowled, seeing said trainer and his Midnight Form Lycanroc jump down from some nearby rocks.

"What's going on here?" Ash asked as Misty helped him up.

"The Rainbow Wing...I'll take that," Cross stated as his two Pokemon stood ready beside him, 'The Trainer that deserves to face Ho-Oh is the strongest there is...and that Trainer is me."

"That's not how it works!" Takuma spoke, rushing to Ash's side with the others right behind, "Ho-Oh bestows the honor to one it deems worthy, and that's how it is. It's not your call, Cross!"

"That's where you're wrong," Cross scoffed, "You're all too soft. Remember, the only thing that matters is strength. Friendship makes your Pokemon weak."

"...And what exactly happens to the weak?" Ken asked with a frown.

"They're trash. And the losers...worse than trash," Cross frowned, "They don't even deserve to exist."

"How could you say something so horrible?!" Misty snapped.

"Because it's true!" Cross snapped, "And after today, people will abandon things like Mega Evolutions, Z moves, and the like once I declare to the world that I'm the first trainer ever...to kill a Legendary Pokemon!"

"?!"

"K-Kill?!" Bonji gasped, "Are you mad, child?! Do you not understand the ramifications of performing such an act will cause upon the planet?!"

"So?" Cross asked coldly, "When I do take down Ho-Oh, people will have to abandon things like Friendship for their Pokemon...because the only thing that'll matter in life after today will be strength and strength alone."

"...Tch…" La bit her lip, her hand trembling as she tried to remain calm.

"There's no way I can afford to let you win this!" Ash growled, glaring at Cross as Ventus came out of his Pokeball.

"Ruff!" the tiny bird cawed.

"Ventus agrees with Ash," Luca translated, seeing La indisposed at the moment due to trying to keep calm, before calling on a Bone Club, "As do I."

"Are you stupid or something?" Takuma asked, "What kind of idiot thinks they can get away with things like that? How bad of a loser do you have to be to resort to this kind of mindset?"

Before anyone could speak up, the Rainbow Wing erupted in a brilliant light. From Ash's shadow, Marshadow emerged and stepped off it.

"That's Marshadow!" Ash gasped.

"It...It's cute," Noel whispered before a soft ring, almost akin to a gentle rain hitting a tiny bell, went off, "Eh?"

A roar akin to thunder boomed in the air before three blurs shot up from the edge of the peak. Marshadow jumped up to a higher part of the area...as Suicune, Entei, and Raikou landed behind him, their eyes sharp as they looked down upon them.

"The Legendary Dogs of Kanto," Bonji awed.

"Marshadow…" Marshadow spoke out, his voice more like an echoing whisper and earning La's attention.

"Wh-What?!" La gawked.

"KOU!" Raikou barked.

"Ack! Y-Yes, sir," La gulped.

"La, what did they say?" Brock asked.

"The chosen of Ho-Oh has been challenged by one who declares him unfit for it," La explained, "Marshadow, as Observer of the Rainbow Hero, and the three children of Ho-Oh, Entei, Suicune, and Raikou, stand here and now to bear witness to one thing and one thing alone: A Battle of Wills."

"Battle of Wills?" Mai repeated before Entei let out a growl.

"Entei says 'The challenger of our Father's chosen and said chosen shall do battle. One Pokemon each. Should Father's Chosen lose, the challenger shall be the new chosen. Should the challenger lose, we will declare Judgement upon them while the Chosen delivers the Rainbow Wing to its place,'" La translated, gulping at the end, before Suicune spoke, "She says that no one can interfere until the battle is over and Ho-Oh has been called with the Rainbow Wing."

"Oh that sounds very foreboding," Makoto muttered.

"That's fine with me! Charmeleon, I choose you!" Ash called as the Fire-Type snarled, running before Ash to glare at Cross.

"Tch...Too easy," Cross scoffed, "Incineroar, use Flamethrower!"

"In...cineroar!" Cross' Incineroar roared, unleashing the wave of fire at Charmeleon.

"Charge, Charmeleon!" Ash ordered.

"Char!" Charmeleon roared as he did so, letting the attack slam into the ground behind him and used the explosion's smoke to hide himself.

"Hit him with Slash!"

Incineroar looked at the smoke before Charmeleon erupted from it, running along the side of the raised level with his claws glowing.

"Charrrrrrrr!" Charmeleon roared as he jumped off and got Incineroar across the chest, forcing him to a knee.

"Now go for another hit!" Ash called.

"Charmeleon!" Charmeleon roared as he flicked his blanket, causing the end to wrap around Incineroar's face before he pulled down hard, forcing the Heel Pokemon to slam face-first into the ground, letting Charmeleon pull his blanket back.

"He's always been resourceful with that thing," Luca noted as Incineroar got up, rubbing his bruised face.

"Grr...Use Throat Chop!" Cross ordered.

"ROAR!" Incineroar snarled as he leapt towards Charmeleon, who quickly jumped out of the way of his attack before the Heel Pokemon tried again, Charmeleon jumping away once more as his opponent destroyed the rock he was standing on and let Charmeleon land before Ash.

"Charmeleon, do you trust me on this?" Ash asked.

"Char?" Charmeleon pondered before Ash pointed at the blanket and then his free hand's claws.

"Use Capture Slash!"

"...Char," Charmeleon smirked before his free hand's claws lit up.

Incineroar emerged from the smoke of the rock's destruction, Throat Chop glowing. Charmeleon charged at him with his Slash strong...before stopping it and pulling blanket taunt before him as a shield. Incineroar's fist struck it and Charmeleon jumped, keeping a hold on it as it caught Incineroar's fist. Charmeleon's tail flashed silver before the sound of metal meeting skull went off. Incineroar crashed into the ground once more as Charmeleon jumped back from the Heel Pokemon, looking between Ash and the blanket in his claws.

"He tricked Incineroar with thinking he was going to counter with Slash, only to use the blanket as a pseudo Protect and Bind and let him get an Iron Tail in," Kajun realized.

"Young Ash is quite resourceful," Bonji chuckled before Incineroar erupted with a dark-red aura while getting up, murder in the Heel Pokemon's eyes, "Incineroar's Blaze has kicked in!"

"Incineroar...point blank Flamethrower!" Cross shouted.

"ROAR!" Incineroar snarled, getting up close in front of Charmeleon before unleashing a massive powerful wave of fire at him, engulfing him in the flames.

"CHARMELEON!" Ash cried out.

Charmeleon grunted, being pushed back by the flames. His blanket held tight started smoldering. Out of the corner of his eye, Charmeleon saw the end of one part of the blanket going over his tail flame before his eyes widened. His thoughts came to him as a Charmander, barely holding on in a fierce rain storm. This blanket...it kept his tail flame lit...and Ash, his Trainer...he made sure to keep it over his tail flame to keep it lit. The blanket started to ignite before Charmander grit his teeth and let out a roar...before he begin to shine brightly. The energy within the light forced the Flamethrower to disperse along with extinguishing the burnt blanket.

"?!" everyone's eyes-even Cross'- widened in surprise as the light began to grow brighter.

"...Is...Is Charmeleon...evolving?" Ken asked.

To answer his question, dragonic wings erupted from Charmeleon's back. His single horn split in two as his jaws elongated. His body swelled in size as his tail grew longer and he grew stronger-looking. With a massive roar, the light dispersed...and Charizard snarled at Incineroar.

=Yes! Charmeleon has evolved into Charizard!= Alakai cheered as Ash took out Dexter.

=Charizard, the Flame Pokemon, and the final evolution of Charmander. Charizard flies in search of powerful opponents to battle, and its fire will burn hotter as it gains experience. Its fiery breath is capable of melting boulders, massive glaciers, and has been known to accidentally cause forest fires. Because of the intense heat of their tail flames, Charizard are able to swim in bodies of water for several hours without fear of extinguishing their tail flame=

"You evolved!" Ash gasped in awe and excitement.

"...Aw who cares?" Cross scoffed with a smirk, "Even when weak Pokemon evolve, they're still weak!"

"Punch him...I seriously wanna punch him…" Makoto growled, Mai, Brock and Takuma holding her back.

Charizard looked at his blanket, now littered in burns and torn at the ends. His eyes narrowed at Incineroar before wrapping the blanket around his neck and tied it into a scarf, the knot of the newly made scarf housing his Charizardite X.

"Use Throat Chop!" Cross ordered.

"Charizard, use Slash!" Ash ordered.

Charizard roared as his claws lit up...before bursting with green energy that increased their size. Charizard flew at Incineroar and threw a claw at the Heel Pokemon. Incineroar threw a Throat Chop at Charizard's swung claw only to grunt as the impact forced him back several meters.

"He's learned Dragon Claw!" Kajun gasped.

"Sweet!" Ash beamed, "Keep it up, Charizard!"

"Use Flamethrower!" Cross snapped.

"ROAR!" Incineroar snarled as he unleashed the wave of flames once more, only for Charizard to fly by it as he zoomed past the Heel Pokemon, slashing him with his claws as he did, "INCIN!"

"Alright, Charizard!" Ash cheered before Charizard's jaws glowed with a purple and whtie energy before firing a stream of the energy at Incineroar, knocking him over, "What was that?"

"Dragon Rage," Ken replied, "It's a Dragon Type Move does a set amount of damage to an opposing Pokemon, even if they have a high amount of defense."

"So that's two Dragon Type Moves he's learned now," Mai noted, "...are we sure Charizard isn't one third Dragon-Type?"

"...Yes, but we know that he can change Types," Kajun replied, "Ashton! Remember what you and Charizard have!"

"Huh?" Ash pondered before cringing when some light reflect into his eye, making him cover his Mega Glove…his eyes widened, "Ah! Charizard! You ready to show Cross that he's wrong about friendship?"

Charizard gave out a growl before nodding to Ash.

"Good! Then let's do it!" Ash declared, tapping the Key Stone on his Mega Glove, "Charizard...Mega Evolve!"

"I don't think so!" Cross snapped, "Fire Fang!"

"Roar!" Incineroar snarled as he charged at Charizard on all fours, fangs made of fire coming from his mouth as he leapt at the Fire Starter just as he was changing. Just before the fangs of fire could come down on Charizard, a massive shockwave repelled the Heel Pokemon back, sending him skidding back.

"Rr…." Charizard's voice growled within the mix of light and flames before it dispelled, revealing Mega Charizard X as he gave a massive roar.

"Now Seismic Toss!" Ash declared.

Charizard grasped Incineroar by the arms before taking into the air. He began to spin around as he soared high into the air before performing several flips while still spinning. On the final flip, he shot down at the ground, becoming a black blur. At the last second, he broke off the fall while releasing Incineroar, who slammed down hard into the ground, breaking it apart.

"Woah...that was epic!" Makoto beamed with stars in her eyes, "It's like he spun him around the whole world!"

"Rufflet Ruff!" Ventus cheered on Charizard.

"Ventus said 'Go Charizard!'" Luca translated.

Incineroar panted as he emerged from the hole in the ground. He let out a roar as fire spikes emerged on his belt as the aura grew stronger.

"Charizard," Ash spoke, earning his Pokemon's attention, "We gotta wrap this up quick...let's end it with a big attack!"

Charizard gave a nod, turning back towards Incineroar as the two glared at one another.

"FLAMETHROWER!" Ash and Cross roared.

The two Pokemon roared as they unleashed a massive wave of fire at each other, Charizard's bright blue flames clashing with Incineroar's dark crimson flames.

"Go!" Ash cheered.

Charizard's flames swelled in size as if responding to Ash's cry. The massive blue blast of flames overwhelmed the dark crimson and slammed right into Incineroar. The Heel Pokemon let out gasps and groaned before a massive explosion went off. Charizard landed as the smoke cleared, revealing Incineroar in the center of a molten crater, burns and bruises covering him. He tried to get back up, only to let out a groan and collapsed, knocked out. Entei let out a soft bark, earning La and Luca's attention, as Charizard reverted back to normal.

"Wow. Entei was impressed at that last attack," La noted.

"And Ash has been declared the victor," Luca added.

"WHOO! Alright, Ash!" Misty and Makoto cheered.

"Yatta!" Noel and Mai added as Yuki and Ventus cried out in their cheering.

"?! I...Impossible…" Cross whispered in disbelief, falling to his knees as reality began to slowly sink in. He lost...to that weakling.

"That was amazing, Charizard!" Ash beamed as he ran up to his Pokemon before seeing the scarf, "Ah! Your blanket…"

"Char…" Charizard smirked, thumbing his 'new' scarf.

"He's says 'It's fine, Ash. I think the damage makes it look cooler,'" La translated.

"Least that rebellious phase is gone," Makoto noted.

"...tch. Return…" Cross growled, returning Incineroar to his Pokeball.

Ash took a deep breath, a determined look on his face as he began to approach the Rainbow Rock, the Rainbow Wing in hand.

"..." Cross clenched his fist as Ash past by him, a growl of frustration escaping his lips, "...Ho-Oh. I saw Ho-Oh, too!"

"Huh?" Ash blinked as he looked over at him.

"Hah?!" the others exclaimed in surprise.

"But it didn't gift me with the Rainbow Wing. I did everything I could to become the strongest Trainer of all…" Cross admitted...before shooting a venomous glare at Ash, "And yet it chose you! When I saw you had the Rainbow Wing in Crimson City, I vowed right there and then...that Ho-Oh deserved to be crushed!"

"Raikou," Raikou snorted.

"Raikou says 'If Father did not give you it, it meant you were not meant to be the Chosen. Cease stalling to try to save what you've forfeited for challenging the Rainbow Hero and Sister's Potential Partner,'" La informed.

"YOU STAY OUT OF THIS!" Cross snapped at her.

"But Cross, I want to get stronger too, you know," Ash spoke, earning his attention, "But still, I only got this far with the help of my friends, so I know it's not only about strength."

"Grr...Then what do you even battle for?!" Cross demanded.

"I do it...because I want to make friends," Ash smiled, making Cross blink in surprise, "Not just with Ho-Oh...I want to make friends with all kinds of Pokemon. With every Trainer I meet and battle with. That's why I battle...to make friends with everyone."

"Pika!" Pikachu added with a nod.

"A noble goal for battling," Luca approved before the Legendary Trio there let out noises, "A…" Suicune added another yip, "I will not say it then, Lady Suicune." 'Quite the positive reaction you got from them, Ash.'

"...He's come such a long way…" Kajun whispered, a soft smile on her face as a tear rolled down her cheek, 'To think when we first met him...he was just starting out...and look how much he's matured since then.'

"Heh...Never thought I'd meet such a fantastic trainer here in Kanto…" Ken smiled as he looked over at Takuma and La, "Right, guys?"

"That kid's gonna get scary strong one day. And be a great trainer to." Takuma smiled.

"He's got a lot of potential. I don't think he'll even reach the height of it for years," La noted, "If he ever comes to Alola and I'm there, I'll be sure to have a battle with him using my strongest team to see how far he's come."

"Hm...I knew it was a good idea to travel with him," Brock noted with a nod.

"Yeah…" Misty added, "He might be a blockhead...but...I guess that's one of his redeeming qualities."

"Oh? Crushing on him?" Makoto teasingly smirked at her.

"Oh grow up," Misty muttered.

"Ahh…...Grr! Don't make me laugh!" Cross snapped as he grabbed Ash, snatching the Rainbow Wing from him before pushing him down.

"Ahh! Hey! Give th…!" Ash began as he got up, only for Lycanroc to jump out in front of him, fangs bared.

"?! Not good..." Bonji whispered in dread, noticing the Rainbow Wing beginning to lose color as Cross climbed the crystal.

"Stop him!" Luca exclaimed, charging an Aura Sphere when a rock hit his generating sphere, causing it to blow up, "GAH!"

"Ly…" Lycanroc growled.

"Now Ho-Oh...Come and face me!" Cross shouted as he held the now pitch black Rainbow Wing on top of the crystal.

A shadowy aura surrounded the feather as it moved out of his hand before a beam of pure darkness shooting into the sky as it was covered in pitch black clouds.

"...I was afraid of this…" Bonji spoke in worry and dread, "The Rainbow Wing loses color when touched by one with an evil heart."

"GH?!" Luca stumbled back, holding his head, "The aura…It's screaming! It's becoming tainted by that feather!"

"Tainted?" Mai repeated before Marshadow appeared from the shadows near the crystal.

"Tsubaki, put me back in my ball!" Luca pleaded.

"Wh-What?" Tsubaki gasped before La grabbed Luca's ball and returned him, "Hey!"

"Aura users fear when aura becomes tainted by something," La explained, giving it back to her, "Lucario especially fear it on an instinctive level from what I've read. He would've fled all the way down the mountain had you hesitated."

"Oh that can't be good," Makoto whispered at that before Marshadow summoned a pair of shadow-made hands, grabbing Cross and tossing him away, only for Lycanroc to catch him.

"Hopefully Marshadow can seal away the darkness and make it right," Bonji hoped as Marshadow grabbed the feather...only for the shadowy aura to engulf him.

"Grr...I'll crush you too, ya little freak!" Cross growled, "Lycanroc, use Crush Claw!"

"...So you think bonds make Pokemon weak?" Marshadow mentally began in everyone's heads just as Lycanroc came charging at him, "...Fine…"

"Ly?" Lycanroc blinked before Marshadow waved the feather, letting out a wave of darkness at it hit him, "?!"

"Then I'll sever the bonds between Human and Pokemon…" Marshadow finished as Lycanroc slumped...before turning to Cross with a death glare, his eyes glowing a corrupted purple as the same shadowy aura surrounded him.

"L...Lycanroc, what are you...?!" Cross began before narrowly dodging Lycanroc's Crush Claw.

"...Wha...what did it mean by…'Sever the bonds between humans and Pokemon'?" Noel nervously asked, holding onto Yuki tight.

"It's as I feared…" Bonji spoke, "It wants to tear people and Pokemon apart!"

"Oh this is not good," La gulped.

"Marshadow…" Marshadow quietly declared as more waves of shadow shot out of the rainbow feather, hitting all the wild Pokemon in the area, making them flinch before they gained a shadowy aura and their eyes glowed a tainted purple.

"Oh that's not good…" Makoto whispered, "...Berry, Cherry, try and repel them back!"

"Pachi/Emol!" the two squirrel Pokemon nodded as they leapt out of Makoto's tail...only for the waves of shadows to hit them, "?!"

=Ack! Hurry! Call back your…!= Alakai began before the shadow wave hit him, too =...will to live...=

"Oh no..th-gh!" Noel tensed when she was suddenly bit, "Y...Yuki, wh-"

"Vul…!" she looked down, seeing the same shadowy aura surround the Alolan Vulpix.

"Pachi/Emol…!" Berry and Cherry snarled, covered in the same aura as a Rotom flew out of the Pokedex that housed Alakai, La barely catching it.

"...It's trying to lower our defenses by turning our Pokemon against us," Ken realized.

"PACHI/EMOL/ROTOM!" the three corrupted Electric Types roared as they unleashed a Thunderbolt.

"Scatter!" Takuma shouted as the group separated, dodging the attack in time.

"Yuki, please! It's me!" Noel begged, trying to keep Yuki from jumping out of her arms as she continued to bite her.

"This is horrible," La whimpered, "I didn't even know Alakai knew Thunderbolt."

"...Huh?" Takuma blinked.

"He's always stayed in the Pokedex! He said that he hates battling!" La replied.

"Well it seems we know why now!" Makoto shouted as she barely jumped back from a pair of Thunderbolts, "Girls, stop it! It's me, Makoto!"

"Pachiri/Emol!" the two squirrel Pokemon snarled in response, attempting to hit her again with another Thunderbolt.

"They're just repeating 'Break' and 'Suffer,'" La cringed.

"Oh no…" Ash whispered, a look of worry and shock on his face before he barely dodged a Thunderbolt from the Electabuzz above the area, "Ahh!"

"Wh...what is this…?!" Cross shouted as she dodged Lycanroc's Crush Claw attack again, "Lycanroc, stop this at once!"

"...Grr…" La growled, her hands clenched as she began to stomp up to him.

"La? What are you d-!" Brock began before he dodged a Flamethrower from a Magmar.

"Grr...don't just stand there! Call out your Pokemon a-!" Cross began as he turned towards thee others before…

*SMACK!*

"ACK!" Cross cried out as he fell over, a large handprint on his face.

"You…" La snarled, glaring at Cross, "This is your fault!"

"What?!"

"Ly…!" Lycanroc roared as he leapt at the two.

"Manny…" was all La said as her Incineroar came out and blocked the corrupted Pokemon's attack, "You...You just had to prove something, didn't you?!" she snapped as she picked him up by his shirt, "You just had to be a heartless little brat that doesn't understand the power behind bonding with your Pokemon! Well congrats!" she motioned to the corrupted Pokemon as tears of sadness and anger fell from her eyes, "Because of you, the bonds between humans and Pokemon are about to be destroyed, all because you had to prove bonds were weak!"

"This...I...I was…" Cross whispered, panting heavily as reality began to slowly set in.

"RHY!"

"?!" La tensed as she turned, seeing a Rhydon charging right at her from above, its drill horn spinning, "EEK!" a scratched Pokeball on her belt opened and a burst of water knocked Rhydon into a Nidoking about to attack Brock, "Hanzo!?"

"(...)" Hanzo looked at Cross with nothing but pity in his eyes before summoning a Water Shuriken and threw it to hit a swooping Pidgeotto heading for him, sending it off course and hit the raised level they were near, "(What do we do?)"

"We need to get Ash that Rainbow Wing. If we do that, maybe the corruption will reverse," La suggested.

"I ho-Ahh!" Noel cried when Yuki finally got out of her arms, "Yuki!"

"Vul…!" Yuki snarled, about to fire an Ice Beam right at her...before tensing when Velvet appeared before her, "?!"

"Sleep…" the shiny Delphox whispered as she lightly tapped her wand on Yuki's head, causing her to tense and fall asleep.

"...n...nani?" Noel blinked, "Who…"

"So this is what it's come to…"

"?!" the group tensed lightly as they turned to see Kira, Aoiro, and Karai standing at the entrance to the summit, all wearing their masks.

"Ahh! Not you!" Misty screamed.

"Relax…our original goal has changed..." Kira stated as she glared over at Marshadow, "If it continues to corrupt Pokemon everywhere, it will put a hinder to Team Rocket's goal…"

"It seems blasting those corrupting things before they hit you prevents one from being infected," Serenade noted before using Psybeam to hit one that head for her, making a small explosion.

"But...what about the Pokemon already corrupted?" Mai asked as Ventus pecked back an Ekans that tried to leap at her.

"We just need to hold them off long enough for the 'chosen one' to fix it," Karai explained sarcastically, "...Or not. I don't give a Rattata's ass right now…"

"You do realize if Marshadow continues to corrupt Pokemon everywhere, it'll do the same to yours?" Aoiro pointed out.

"...CHAOS! Repel these SOBS!" Karai snapped as she released her Hydreigon.

"DREI!"

"Ack! Not the time to attack us!" La barked at the Hydreigon.

"Not them, Chaos! The other SOBS!" Karai barked, pointing at the corrupted Pokemon.

"...Drei!" one of Hydreigon's heads snapped as it smacked the right most head.

"God damn it, Kevin…" Karai muttered.

"...Wait. But isn't…" Misty began.

"I named each head a different name! Ein, Zwie, and Kevin!" Karai barked.

"Drei!" Kevin beamed.

"Oh for the love of...Kevin, they like spikey Meowths and jelly babies!" Karai barked, pointed at the corrupted Pokemon.

"HYDREIGON!" Kevin screeched before firing a Hyper Beam at a Nidoqueen, sending it flying into the air and crash land on a Nidoking.

"Keep forgetting that works…" Aoiro muttered before Serenade summoned a barrier to protect herself and her trainer.

"...What are you standing there for?! Go!" Kira barked at Ash.

"Ahh! R-right!" Ash nodded, "Wait..but what about you guys?!"

"Don't worry about us!" Brock shouted, Onix out as he used his tail to deflect back some Golbats.

"We can hold the Pokemon off! Just get the Rainbow Wing back!" Ken stated as he jumped back from a Magmar's Flamethrower, Kage quickly dispensing a flurry of Water Shurikens at it.

"You have to grab that Rainbow Wing!" La called before Manny's Flamethrower blocked a Thunderbolt from Alakai, "Alakai, please stop this!"

"Rotom…"

"Berry, Cherry! Please stop!" Makoto shouted as she dodged another pair of Thunderbolts, "I know you girls are still in there!"

"Chipa/Emol…" they growled before Makoto pulled out a chestnut.

"Come on, you two. Remember that we all met through eating chestnuts?" Makoto pleaded, "Come on! Remember!"

"?!" Berry and Cherry tensed, memories flashing within their minds as they stood there, memories of them enjoying the sweet delectable chestnuts with Makoto...memories of pulling pranks with her...memories of their victories together with her, "...Chipa/Emol…"

"G...girls?" Makoto cautiously spoke as she looked at them.

"CHIPA/MOL!" the two roared, firing a Thunderbolt together that shot at Makoto...and went over her shoulder to electrocute the Pidgeotto that tried to attack her from behind, "Chipa/Emol!" the two ran over to her and up onto her shoulders to nuzzle her cheeks with theirs.

"Girls!" Makoto beamed, petting the two.

Nearby, Manny had watched before quickly using an Ember to block another Thunderbolt from Alakai, "(Come on, ya stupid dunce! You seriously can't remember the day you, me, and Cyber all met?! How she welcomed you with a hug and all the shit that we got pulled into when it was just supposed to be a simple Trial Challenge?! Don't you dare tell me you forgot what happened to Laule'a, Nahele, and Macho when you were the loudest in grieving for their deaths!)"

"?!" Alakai tensed at that, memories of those times flashing within his own mind, "...Ro..." he shook before zipping into the Pokedex =BWAH! Ah! It was horrific! I couldn't control myself at all!= his screen displayed his eyes flowing with rivers of tears while hugging La =I'm so sorry~!=

"?!" Cross' eyes widened at what he saw, "But...that's impossible...how could you get through to them...when they were ignoring everything you said?!"

"LY!" Lycanroc snarled as he fired a sphere of shadows at Cross, making him tense as he noticed...before Ventus pushed him out of the way.

"?! Wh...what?" Cross whispered with wide eyes, looking at the Rufflet, "Why...did you protect me? I abandoned you."

"He never forgot you were once his Trainer," Mai explained.

"I know you are all controlled, but I am still very sorry!" Velvet apologized to several Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Graveller before she used Psychic and threw them all into one another, "Mr. Ketchum, please start making your way to where Marshadow is please."

"Oh! Right!" Ash nodded as he and Pikachu began to rush over to the corrupted Rainbow Crystal, only for Lycanroc to jump in the way, ?!"

Lycanroc growled, summoning rings of sharp rocks as he prepared to use Stone Edge, only for Cross to tackle him over, causing the rocks to scatter.

"Cross?" Ash asked.

"Keep going!" Cross barked, "I gotta do this, so go!"

"But…!"

"This is my fault to begin with, so I gotta try and make this right!" Cross snapped before wincing when Lycanroc bit his arm, "Gh! Now go!"

"...Mm," Ash nodded before he and Pikachu ran past him.

"Heh...you bit me the day we met too, remember?" Cross smirked at Lycanroc, wincing as the wolf Pokemon's fangs dug into his arm, "Remember? ...Lycanroc, remember!"

"?!" Lycanroc tensed, his eyes widening as the shadowy aura began to vanish, his eyes returning to normal as he let go of Cross' arm.

"...L...Lycanroc?" Cross asked as the Pokemon looked up at him, giving him a small lick, "Ah...Lycanroc…"

Marshadow looked over it all, "..."

"Marshadow!" Marshadow looked down to see Ash and Pikachu before it, "Give back the Rainbow Wing!"

"Pika!" Pikachu growled, his cheeks sparking.

"Shadow!" Marshadow rasped out as it jumped down before firing a Shadow Ball at them, "Marshadow!"

"Hit it right back with Ion Tail!" Ash called.

"Pika!" Pikachu complied as he rushed forward, jumping over the Shadow Ball as his tail glowed with electricity crackling around it. Marshadow fired off two more Shadow Balls at Pikachu only for him to repel the first one into the side of the cliff before repelling the second one back at him.

"Marshadow!" Marshadow shouted as he jumped up and kicked the Shadow Ball away and charged.

"Keep it up!" Ash cheered on Pikachu.

"Pika!" Pikachu shouted as he and Marshadow traded blows, their attacks clashing with one another.

"Gh!" Velvet grunted as she skidded back, "Milady...There are too many…"

"They must've come from the forest below," Kajun guessed as Hikari quickly blocked another incoming Pidgeotto from attacking her.

"Rawr!" Charizard roared as he used Flamethrower to repel back a few bird Pokemon...only to gasp out when an Arbok leapt up and wrapped around his neck, knocking him out of the air as he crashed into the ground.

"Alakai!"

=You can not be suggesting more Pokemon, La!= Alakai exclaimed before Hanzo grabbed him in time to avoid an Arbok trying to eat him =Oh! Ehheheh...Th-Thanks=

"Kouga," Hanzo deadpanned.

=I-I knew that's what she meant!=

"We need to keep our numbers to a minimum, otherwise Marshadow can attempt to control our other Pokemon as well," Ken pointed out as Kage blocked a Nidoking's Horn attack, only to be knocked away by a tackling Weezing, "Kage!"

"Jin, Flamethrower!" Takuma ordered as his partner unleashed a stream of fire forming a wall of fire separating many wild Pokemon from them.

"Ah! Pikachu!" Ash gasped as Pikachu skidded back to his side, small bruises forming on his body, "Not good..we need t-"

"NIDO!" Ash looked to see a Nidoking firing a Hyper Beam right at him, only for a flurry of sharp rocks to hit the attack, resulting in an explosion.

"?! Wh-" Ash began.

"Hey!-!" Ash and the others looked to see Cross standing on the side, Lycanroc on his side, "Focus on Marshadow! We'll take care of these stragglers!"

"Uh...did I get hit in the head or something, or is Cross actually trying to help us?" Makoto blinked.

"Considering this is his doing, I'm surprised he's actually helping given how he's acted around us," Tsubaki noted before Izayoi sliced a Rock Throw attack sent at her, "But does it matter right now, Makoto?"

"Guess not," Makoto replied.

"QUEEN!" Ash spun to see a Nidoqeen charging a Hyper Beam only for a flurry of Water Shurikens to strike her, each one exploding and knocked her out.

"Gekkouga," Hanzo growled, skidding to a halt by Cross from the momentum of his jump and attack.

"Pikachu, PVT!" Ash ordered.

"Pika!" Pikachu cried out as he charged at Marshadow once more in a Quick Attack, quickly engulfing himself in Thunderbolt while moving his tail-now glowing from an Iron Tail-before him, "Pikapikapikapikapika…!"

"..." Marshadow's eyes glowed before his own shadow shot out and caught La's.

"?!" La tensed as a shadowy hand emerged from the connected shadow and connected a pale green-blue Z-Crystal bearing an image of Marshadow's head to her Z-Ring before her body was forced to move its arms into an 'X' formation before her, following Marshadow's movements, "Ah! He's moving my body!" as Marshadow and the forced La bent over, the 'hood' and 'scarf' on Marshadow turned a pale green and yellow as flames of the same coloration ignited on his arms, "A Ghost-Type Z-Move?"

The Z-Crystal shined brightly as Marshadow and the forced La made creepy movements with their bodies. Its energy shot out and into Marshadow, briefly becoming a massive humanoid form. Marshadow rapidly unleashed a barrage of several punches, unleashing a pale-blue glowing orb of plasma with each punch. Pikachu began to swerve around them, only for the orbs to follow after him as Marshadow jumped into the air. The first orb knocked Pikachu off his feet and disrupted his attack. The next two combined and sent him into the air with the remaining four striking in four different directions to hold him in place while Marshadow began to fall down towards Pikachu, glowing brightly with Z-Power and the corrupted Rainbow Wing's energy.

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt! Hurry!" Ash called out.

"Pi...PIKA!" Pikachu shouted, unleashing a massive wave of electricity at Marshadow, who extended his leg as the two attacks clashed.

Everyone stopped to watch the clash of attacks, the area brightened from the flash of electricity and Z-Power. The trainers and their Pokemon held their breaths, hoping Pikachu's attack would break through Marshadow's attack, Ash especially…However, that hope soon fell as Marshadow broke through Pikachu's attack, slamming his foot hard into the Electric-Type's face, and sending him flying as the resulting explosion and shockwave sent Ash flying back. Ash cried out until his fall was halted by Hanzo catching him.

"Hanzo? ...Ah! Pikachu!" Ash gasped, getting out of the Greninja's arms and ran over to where Pikachu had fallen, battered and bruised.

"..." Marshadow landed as the Z-Power faded...before collapsing to a knee, "Shadow…"

"Oh that was unpleasant…" La groaned, collapsed onto her back as Manny switched between punching and throwing Pokemon and fanning her with his removed Alolan shirt.

"And that's really bad!" Mai gasped, noticing a bunch of corrupted Pokemon beginning to approach Ash.

"?!" Ash tensed, about to run before Entei, Raikou, and Suicune leapt before the corrupted Pokemon.

The trio inhaled before all three roared out. Suicune's roar reverberated and bellowed like a hurricane's winds. Raikou's bellow crackled and rumbled as if an eternal thunderstorm bellow. And Entei's...the eruption of a volcano at point blank range was the only way to compare it. In the far distance, unseen by those at the peak, one of the smallest mountains of the Raizen Mountain range blew its stack. The corrupted Pokemon trembled before retreating as fast as they could, the corruptive energies fading away as fear overrode everything in them.

"Ahh...geez that was loud...and I normally like loud!" Karai complained as she held her ears.

"WHAT?!" Makoto shouted.

"They just used Roar together," Brock realized before his narrow eyes widened as nearly all their own Pokemon glowed and went back into their Pokeballs, "And they hit ours, too!"

"...This…" Kira spoke in a whisper, looking at the Legendary Trio of dogs, "This is the might of the Legendary Dogs…" her face was then covered in dark-purple and silver fur, "MMPH?!"

"D-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-Delphox…" Velvet whimpered, holding Kira tightly in fright as Serenade was mimicking a facehugger with Aoiro, just as frightened.

"Ash...I hope h-" Misty began before her eyes widened, seeing Marshadow stand up..and looking at the Legendary Trio, "...Oh no...is Marshadow…?"

"Marshadow…!" Marshadow yelled as he sent waves of darkness at Entei, Raikou, and Suicune, this one being bigger than before.

"He did," Tsubaki paled.

Before Entei, Raikou, and Suicune could use Roar to dispel it back, the massive waves of shadows engulfed them, covering their entire forms and blocking them from view. After a moment, three pairs of glowing red eyes glowed from within the corrupted shadows as they dafed, revealing the Legendary trio, only...they looked different. Their fur was now a mix of tained purple and silver, the shadowy aura surrounding them as they stood their...before turning their gaze at Ash.

"...He didn't…" Ken whispered with wide fearful eyes, "Marshadow...he forcibly turned them into Shadow Pokemon…"

"Shadow Pokemon?" Mai repeated.

=What is this?! What is this?!= Alakai freaked, yet performed his duty as a Pokedex and took photos-albeit from a distance with the zoom function of his camera =What has happened to them?! Why are they purple and silver?! What did Marshadow do?!=

"He closed their hearts…" Bonji spoke, earning the group's attention, "I had heard this happened in the Orre Region years back...A group of humans had captured Lugia and performed horrible experiments on it, resulting in what's become known as 'Shadow Lugia.'"

"But...What exactly is a Shadow Pokemon?" Noel asked in worry, Yuki-awoken by the Roars-shivering in her arms.

"It's when a Pokemon's heart has been closed, becoming more of a berserk tool for battle with only one thing in mind...destruction," Ken explained, a serious tone in his voice.

"What?!" Misty gasped at that.

"Ashton, get out of there!" Kajun shouted in worry.

"Ah!" Ash gasped as he tried to run, only to skid to a halt when he nearly fell off the edge of the summit. He looked back at the corrupted Legendary Trio, gritting his teeth as he tried to run again. Shadow Entei noticed this before unleashing a shadow-engulfed fireball at Ash, causing him to stop and quickly turn, shielding Pikachu as the attack him, "GAH!"

"ASH!" the group cried out before a pitch black bolt of thunder struck before them, Shadow Raikou snarling at them.

"This is not good…" Takuma whispered, about to call his Pokemon back out before Shadow Suicune unleashed a pitch-black beam, hitting the ground behind them as a massive wall of pitch-black ice blocked their only safe exit, "?!"

"Oh we are in a lot of trouble…" Makoto whimpered, her tail feeling like it was trying to rip itself off her from how straight it was sticking up.

"Oh Ash…" Misty whispered in worry.

"Gekou…" Hanzo grunted, trying to stand as he attempted to go towards Ash, only for Shadow Suicune to block his path with another wall of ice.

"Ugh...P...Pikachu…" Ash grunted, covered in bruises and his clothes had a few burn marks on it as he tried to reach out towards Pikachu, who tried to crawl towards him, "...Pikachu...you…" he reached into his backpack and pulled out a Pokeball with a small thunderbolt sticker on it, "Please...get inside your Pokeball…"

"Pi…?"

"I know you can't...stand going inside your Pokeball…" Ash grunted, rolling the Pokeball up to Pikachu as he began to stand up, "But you'll be...protected…" as he fully got up, he turned around to face the Shadow Legendary Trio as they were charging up a sphere of electricity, a sphere of glowing water, and a sphere of flames, "..." he spun his hat around and spread his arms out to protect Pikachu, "I don't think you know who you're dealing with! I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town and I'm eleven years old! I'm going to be the world's greatest Pokemon Master! If you mess with me...Then you're gonna lose!"

The Zap Cannon, Hydro Pump, and Flamethrower that were all tinted pitch black were the response of the trio. As the attacks came for them, Ash felt a weight on his back. His eyes widened as Pikachu jumped over his shoulder towards the three attacks. Ash caught Pikachu just as the attacks hit, causing them to cry out and be knocked towards the edge once more. Ash panted as pain racked his entire frame, the heat from the explosion having cauterized the cuts from the shrapnel caused by the ground when it exploded from the attacks.

"Pika…" Ash looked down at Pikachu, "Pika…"

"Pikachu...wh-why won't...you get in...your Pokeball?" Ash asked, unaware of a glow appearing in his eyes as his sight tried to refocus.

"(It's because…)" Pikachu whispered, "(It's because…)" Ash's eyes nearly closed, but he forced them to stay open, "(It's because I always want to be with you.)"

"?!" Ash's eyes widened, 'Did...Did he just talk…?' "Pikachu...you…" the sound of crackling energy, swirling waters, and roaring flames reached his ears, "!" he grabbed Pikachu's Pokeball and pressed it against Pikachu's head before holding it tightly to his chest while shutting his eyes tight, "Uhn!"

The attacks struck true, creating another explosion. In the air, Charizard-having been out of range of the first Roar, managed to rip the Arbok still on his neck off and threw it away. At the same time, a glow shone from the dome of ice before it shattered, revealing Hanzo in his Battle Bond state panting heavily as a pair of Cut attacks in the form of kunai broke in his hands. A soft clattering of metal on rock made the two look at the smoke to see it slowly fade away. A lone Pokeball rolled to a halt before a dirty red and white hat fell on it, the green mark on it obscured by the dirt and mud on it. The ball popped open and Pikachu stumbled onto the ground, the hat falling on his head and obscuring his sight.

"Pika…" Pikachu muttered as he shook his head, letting the hat fall off his head...to let him see to fading body of Ash as he laid on the ground, "Pika? ...Pika..." he whispered, sadly getting no response from Ash as Marshadow watched on, the corrupted Rainbow Wing starting to turn into dust.

---

*CRASH!*

"What was that?" Professor Oak pondered, in the dining room of the Ketchum Residence with Delia and Ash's Eevee.

"Vui?" Eevee pondered as he ran towards where he heard the crash to find a picture frame had fallen off a shelf, "Eevee?"

"Oh dear," Delia gasped as she picked it up, revealing it to be a picture of Ash with the glass cracked, "What happened?"

"Vui…" Eevee whimpered, fidgeting as worry seeped into him.

"You didn't step on any glass, did you?" Delia asked, seeing tears welling in the Pokemon's eyes before picking him up while putting the picture frame on the coffee table, "Come on. Let's check your paws."

At Oak's Ranch, Gengar was about to dump a bag of fertilizer on one of Ash's six Tauros with Krabby when they all tensed.

"(Chief…)" Walks-On-Water spoke, worry in its tone.

"(Leader Ash…)" Chief Thunderhoof muttered in concern.

"(...Too soon, kid. Way too soon…)" Gengar whispered to himself as tears began to fall from all of them.

---

=The Rainbow Wing's fading!= Alakai gasped.

"Ho-Oh's Chosen and the Rainbow Wing are connected," Bonji spoke, his voice pained and solemn, "The Rainbow Wing...reflects the life of the Rainbow Hero. When healthy, the Rainbow Wing is healthy. But when the Rainbow Wing turns to ash..."

"...Oh no…" Noel whispered in realization, "Then...Ash…"

"Pi…" Pikachu approached Ash slowly, "Pika…" he tried to put the hat on Ash, only for the boy's body to fade away completely, "...chu."

"...Shao?" Marshadow gasped as the Rainbow Wing fully turned to ash in his hand.

"Pika," Pikachu gasped as he picked up the hat, "Pikapi..." he hugged it tight as tears welled in his eyes, "Pikapi…" electricity crackled on his cheeks as the Shadow Legendary trio began to approach to attack once more, "Pikapi…" he began to tremble as his shocks grew stronger, "Pika!" the ground shattered as the trio's sealed hearts were struck...by pain; sheer agonizing pain, "PIKAPI!-!-!-!-! CHUUUUUUUUUUUU!-!-!-!-!-!"

"HOLY!" Makoto yelped as everyone was knocked back while the world seemed to be filled with light and heat.

In the distance, one could see a massive bolt of lightning, dispersing the dark clouds above the entire mountain range. The massive bolt remained strong for several long moments before it soon faded. Upon the plateau, Entei, Suicune, and Raikou collapsed, sparks coming off their battered and bruised bodies as they laid within a crater. Marshadow twitched from his spot embedded deep into the mountainside as sparks crackled off his body. No one else paid any attention to their states...since all of them could only look at a Pikachu, wailing loudly in despair as he hugged a red and white hat.

"(He's...He's gone…)" Charizard whispered as tears fell from his eyes.

"(Iie...Iie!)" Hanzo cried out, collapsing to his knees as he banged a fist on the ground, tears falling from his eyes, "(Naze…? Naze…? Naze mata?! Naze kore ga futatabi watashi ni okotte iru nodesu ka?!)"

"...Damn...way too soon…" Karai whispered as she tried not to look at the scene, 'It's almost like seeing her die again…'

"He's just sobbing the young boy's name over and over again…" Velvet sniffled as she and Serenade were also crying.

"Vulvu~!" Yuki wailed, trying to reach out to Pikachu in Noel's arms.

"ROTOM~!" Alakai sobbed, having left his 'body' to not be understood, as Cherry and Berry sobbed while hugging one another.

"..." Bonji sniffled before his eyes noticed something, "The tears…"

"What?" Brock asked before something glittered by his face, "?!"

Everyone looked at the Pokemon, all shedding tears...yet before any could fall, they seemed to turn into twinkles that floated away towards Pikachu.

"...Is...is this..a miracle?" Aoiro asked before she turned and notice...a lone tear escaping from Kira's eye, "?! K...Kira...you're...crying…"

"Hmm?" Kira raised a brow before reaching underneath her mask and touching her cheek, "?! ...That's...impossible…"

"Professor, what's going on?" Kajun asked.

"Another legend from Kanto. Once there was a horrific flood. While some Pokemon survived, many perished in the waters," Bonji recalled, "But the surviving Pokemon, so full of grief and filled with memories of their fallen friends, began to cry. As they cried, life filled their tears. The life within those shed tears fell towards those who fell...and they rose up once more, their life returned. It's known as the Legend of the Tears of Life."

"Then...that legend…" Takuma began.

"...is happening right now," Misty finished.

"Pi! Pikachu," Pikachu sobbed before pausing, seeing the twinkling lights, "Pikachu?" the twinkling lights began to swirl before him, "Pikapi? Pikapi?" a 'tear' appeared within the swirling lights as a smile began to appear on his face, his ears twitching, "Pika." it grew larger and Pikachu dropped the hat in awe, "Pi...Pikapi! PIKAPI!" before anyone realized it, the Mouse Pokemon jumped right into the tear...and began to fall from an endless sky towards a running greyed out Ash, "PIKAPI~!"

"PIKACHU!" Ash cried out as he jumped and caught Pikachu, hugging him close.

"Pikapi!" Pikachu cheered as colors returned to the boy with each tear that Pikachu shed fell on him, "Pikachu…"

The 'tear' slowly dissipated into bubbles of light that faded away. As the last one vanished, all that remained was Ash hugging Pikachu close, their eyes closed as Ash just stood there.

"Pikachu…" Ash whispered as he opened his eyes to look at his Starter Pokemon.

"Pikapi…" Pikachu smiled as he looked back at him in turn.

"Ash...Ash!" Misty gasped as she and the others ran over to him while Aoiro, Karai, and Kira stayed back, a look of surprise and shock on Kira's face.

"Amazing...Truly amazing," Aoiro whispered.

"(Oh my! This is amazing! Truly miraculous!)" Alakai exclaimed.

"(Get back in your body!)" Hanzo barked, smacking him with the RotomDex while furiously wiping a sleeve over his eyes, "(Arigatou, Arceus-sama...Arigatou…)"

"Guys…" Ash whispered as he saw the others approach, "You're okay…"

"We're o...you're the one who died!" Makoto exclaimed, "But...but...oh~!" she pounced at him, "I'm just so happy to see you alive!"

"(HEY HEY HEY!)" Makoto yelped as she was grabbed by Charizard, "(If anyone gets to do that…)" Ash and Pikachu yelped as Charizard grabbed them with a hug, "(...is his Pokemon first~! UWAH~!)"

"When a Charizard finds a Trainer they want to always be with, they tend to act like those old folktales of Dragon-Types guarding treasure," La recalled, "Then again...Joan was the one who told me those stories, but this does given credence to her tales."

"Heh...I feel like this kids gonna give us a heart attack one day…" Takuma sighed.

"Ashton Satoshi Ketchum…" Ash froze as he cautiously looked over, seeing Kajun staring right at him as she walked over.

"?!" Charizard tensed as he quickly let go and moved out of the way, "(Uh-oh. His Pokemon, I may be, but declared siblings take importance over that.)"

"K...Kajun, I can…" Ash began before Kajun pulled him into a hug, "?!"

"Don't…" Kajun began, choking back a sob as tears began to fall from her eyes, "Don't you ever scare me like that again…"

"(Aw~)" Cherry, Berry, and Makoto cooed as the last two handed Noel and Yuki handkerchiefs to blow into.

"...Sorry, Kajun...I didn't mean to worry ya…" Ash whispered.

"I...it's fine...it…" Kajun paushed, wiping away some of her tears as she gave him a soft smile, "It is a big sister's job to worry about their younger sibling after all."

"Ha! I knew you saw him like a little brother!" Makoto exclaimed before flinching at the glare Tsubaki gave her, "...Right. Not the time…just saying..."

"I guess in some way after all we've been through together, what else would he be then our goofy little brother?" Mai argued with a small giggle.

"Aw guys…" Ash pouted before blinking twice, "Hm?"

"What's wrong?" Kajun asked, somewhat letting him go to let him look at his right hand to see some of the glittering lights still in it...before they solidified into a pure Rainbow Wing, "Ah!"

The Rainbow Rock let out a pulse before the corruptive coloration faded away, returning it to its former glory once more. As it travelled along the veins, the pure energy grazed the Legendary Trio, causing their bodies to glow before reverting to normal.

"(Ugh…)" Entei grumbled as he was the first to get up, "(Did we anger Zekrom once more? I feel we have angered him again…)"

"(No, he's still in the Black Stone if I remember correctly…)" Suicune replied, cringing as sparks came off her, "(But it truly feels like his Signature Move struck us...yet with the added gift of the Paralysis Status. Wonderful…)"

"(All I can recall is...ACK! THAT BLASTED MARSHADOW!)" Raikou snapped before hissing and collapsing down, holding his head, "(Ah...Ah...Bad choice. Very bad choice...Oh my head…Regret...So very much regret...)"

"(It was not his fault. It was the evil corrupting the Rainbow Wing…)" Entei explained.

"(Yeah...because of that brat…)" Raikou muttered.

"(Yes...though given what had just happened…)" Suicune paused as she looked over at Cross, who was busy tending to his Lycanroc, "(It seems his own heart has slowly begun to change…)"

"(Hey! You who inhabits a body of steel!)"

"(ACK! Y-Yes, sire?)" Alakai yelped as he zipped over and saluted Raikou...who was holding his head again.

"(Ah...I regret the shouting...Make the head not hurt anymore…)" Raikou whined.

"(Five centuries old and he still acts like he's eight…)" Entei sighed, "(What caused the damage here?)"

"(Oh! Um...Ash's Pikachu, Lord Entei)," Alakai replied.

"(A Pikachu was able to unleash the force of Zekrom's Cross Thunder at full force upon us?)" Suicune asked, "(Well...now I am truly glad I tested the Rainbow Hero with that race and gave him the Clear Bell. If he can get a Pikachu to that strength, he must be a truly powerful Rainbow Hero to be.)"

"(Does your human have one of those bottles that makes the regret go away~?)"

"(Raikou, please. We may be injured, but we have to keep vigil)," Entei sighed.

"(I don't wanna be regal~! I wanna nurse for my head~!)"

'Do not laugh...Laugh means trouble for me from them later,' La thought, overhearing them.

"...I still have a job to do," Ash spoke, smiling at the Rainbow Wing, as Brock looked at Cross.

"...I am not going near it," Cross stated, keeping his hands up just to show he wasn't going to try to touch the feather again.

"...Just to be safe," Tsubaki noted as she sent out Luca.

"What happened? Is everything alright? I had to use my Aura to block out everything inside the ball, so-Ah! Tsubaki, you're hurt!" Luca panicked.

"Luca, Luca! It's fine...it's fine," Tsubaki assured, "Aside from everyone you see, is there anyone else around here you can't see?"

"Uh…" Luca closed his eyes, "...Aside from Pokemon keeping away from here for some reason, no. Just all of us." he opened them, "Why?"

"Safety," Tsubaki replied as she gave a thumbs up to Ash.

Ash grinned before going to the Rainbow Rock. After a few moments of climbing it, he placed the Rainbow Wing at the top. It floated above it before releasing a pillar of multicolored light that transformed into a rainbow that went out into the distance. Ash got down and Misty yelped, pointing out at the distance. Everyone looked as something came seemingly upon the rainbow itself. Massive wings flapped, each time letting out a wave of shimmering light from each feather's tip. Its body was primarily a rich scarlet/orange with a pure white underside. Its long neck was separated by a lime-green ring of feathers as black lined its scarlet eyes. Its talons, massive and sharp, were a rich dark blue. The gentle winds on the peak gently swayed the gold plumage atop the bird's head as its golden tail feathered glistened in the sunlight. Ash took out Dexter and smiled as a familiar picture appeared.

=Ho-Oh, the Rainbow Pokemon. Ho-Oh has a mythical power to resurrect the dead. It is said that when it flies its huge wings create bright, colorful rainbows. The rare few who bear witness to Ho-Oh are promised an eternal happiness. It will reveal itself before a pure-hearted trainer by shining its bright rainbow-colored wings= Dexter informed.

'Ho-Oh...It's really Ho-Oh…' Ken whispered mentally, tears forming in his eyes as he looked in awe, 'Dad, mom...the legend is true…'

"The one who is guided by the Rainbow Wing may meet Ho-Oh and become the Rainbow Hero," Bonji spoke as several Pokeballs popped open on everyone's belts.

Ho-Oh flew around the peak, looking down upon it all. It made a swoop over them and a multicolored mist-like veil fell upon everyone. As it touched their bodies, they began to glow. As the glow faded, so too did their aches, their pains, everything that had been hurting them gave way to it. Suicune and Enteir put their paws to Raikou's mouth just as he was about to give out a roar of relief, knowing very well to not interrupt Ho-Oh at his work.

"?!" Kira gasped as she put a hand on her chest, right where her heart was, "I...wh….heh..Ha-ha…"

"S...sis?" Karai blinked before Kira began to break down into slight laughter, "?!...Aoiro, I think she finally lost it!"

"I'll schedule a…" Aoiro began in worry as La hugged Manny who was blinking both his eyes, trying to get used to the return of an eye lost for years.

"N...no...it...it's just…" Kira paused as she began to calm down, tears falling from her cheeks, "I guess...I guess it's true...miracles truly can happen…" 'These emotions..I...I haven't felt these emotions in a long time...not since before Mu was thought to be dead...I thought...I thought my heart could never heal since that day...Ash Ketchum…' she looked over at Ash, 'You are truly an interesting child…'

"Wow! I haven't felt this good in years!" Makoto exclaimed, stretching, while Hanzo stared at his body, the scars upon him gone and his tongue back to before it had been chomped upon.

"That's the power of Ho-Oh for you!" Bonji laughed, stretching as well, while Ho-Oh landed upon Rainbow Rock and looked at Ash.

"You have done well, my Chosen," Ho-Oh spoke, Ash blinking as he noticed no one else was reacting to it aside from Pikachu and Charizard, "It is just you and your partners that can hear me speak, my Chosen."

"Wow," Ash awed.

"It has been many a century since one of my Chosen has also gained the interest of not one, but all three of my Children," Ho-Oh noted as he looked over at the Legendary Trio, "I feel that this will be quite an era to come." he looked back to Ash, "You have my blessing to pursue my children and bring them into your flock until your days end. Just...keep an eye on my eldest, Raikou. He may be the oldest, being born from the lightning that struck my tower, but he's mentally the youngest."

"(Father~)" Raikou whined, earning bops from Entei and Suicune.

"My Chosen, is there anything you wish of me?" Ho-Oh asked.

"Huh?"

"You are my Rainbow Hero. Anything you ask of me, I will perform if that is in my power. I would even join your flock if that is what you wish," Ho-Oh explained.

"..." Ash shook his head, "No. I don't want to catch you. Not yet."

"?!" Kajun gawked at that.

"He's turning down trying to catch a Legendary Pokemon?" Misty asked in surprise.

"Since you're saying it's okay to catch Entei, Suicune, and Raikou, then I want to catch them first and get their permission to catch you," Ash continued.

"Say what?!" nearly everyone exclaimed.

"? …" Ho-Oh shook a bit before letting out a laugh, "Ahh...I have indeed chosen a remarkable young Rainbow Hero this era. So be it. When my children have joined your flock, then I will ask to be a part of yours as well...with their permission, of course."

"Though...There is one thing you could do now," Ash noted.

"Ask and I will do my best to grant it."

"I want to have a battle with you!" Ash beamed.

"Pika! Pika!" Pikachu agreed.

"...Hmm…" Kira gave a light chuckle as she began to turn, "Velvet, teleport us back home."

"M-milady?" Velvet blinked in surprise.

"Why we came here can be done another day," Kira replied, glancing at Noel, "For now, let them enjoy this."

"...Indeed," Aoiro agreed with a light nod.

"Wha?! But…aw nevermind," Karai muttered...before smirking a bit, "Was hoping to see Ho-Oh in action, but I think I've seen enough action for one day."

"Oh? You turning down something exciting?" Aoiro asked.

"What? I can't relax once in a while?" Karai countered.

"Oh, I don't…" Kira began before Velvet and Serenade teleported the trio away.

"Very well, my Chosen," Ho-Oh replied, "(Speaker from Beyond the holes in Space and Time!)"

"Y-Yes, sir?" La asked.

"(Be our judge,)" Ho-Oh commanded, "(My Chosen has asked, so we shall battle. All that he has within his flock on him now against me.)"

"Yes, sir," La replied as Ash moved quickly to the right distance away from Ho-Oh for an official Pokemon Battle's field while she moved to stand at the right spot, "The battle between Ash Ketchum and Ho-Oh will now commence! Ash will be allowed to use all six Pokemon he currently has on him for this while Ho-Oh shall fight alone! Rainbow Hero, bring out your Pokemon!"

"You bet! Pikachu, you're up first!" Ash cheered.

"Pika!" Pikachu nodded as he hopped off Ash's shoulder.

"Okay buddy, use Thunderbolt!"

"Pika...CHU!" Pikachu cried out, sending a blast at Ho-Oh, who dodged by taking to the skies, "Pika?" he pondered before yelping as a rainbow-tinted blast of flames erupted from Ho-Oh and shot at him, forcing the Pikachu to scurry behind a rock to avoid the attack.

=Sacred Fire! That's the honest-to-Legendary Sacred Fire!= Alakai cheered, recording the battle in glee.

Once the attack ended, Ho-Oh followed up with a Flamethrower just as Pikachu unleashed another Thunderbolt. The two collided and struggled for a moment before Ho-Oh's fire began to move until both attacks exploded. To anyone watching in the distance, all one would see for the next hour or so were flashes of light.

---

Nurse Joy hummed to herself as she polished her desk while Chansey swept the wooden floors of their lake-side Pokemon Center. A ding went off and she looked up to see a group of Trainers, all seemingly perfectly fine outside of one young Trainer covered in dirt and soot.

"Excuse me," the boy spoke as he walked up, letting his Pikachu in the same state as him jump onto the counter, "Could my team get healed up and some rooms for the night please?"

"Oh, my! You were battling, weren't you?" Nurse Joy pondered, lightly scratching under Pikachu's chin and earning a happy content sigh from him before she picked him up as Chansey picked up the tray of Pokeballs, "Any chance I could know who gave you a tough battle given how your Pikachu is?"

"It was Ho-Oh," Ash replied with a smile.

"Oh that's nice," Nurse Joy smiled as she smiled at Pikachu...before blinking at what Ash just said and looked at him, "Huh?"

Ash just chuckled, still smiling happily.

"Only you, Ash, would want to have a battle over catching a Legendary Pokemon," Misty shook her head once Nurse Joy went off to treat his Team.

"Heh heh…" Ash just gave her a sheepish chuckle in response.

"That was awesome…" Makoto awed.

"Can we get a doctor for her? She's only said that same thing for hours now and it's getting disturbing..." Tsubaki muttered.

=And there you go. One copy of the video!= Alakai beamed as he disconnected from the computer and let Dexter come out of the slot for Kajun to take =Though I think I ended up sending a copy of it to Professor Oak as well=

"Oh dear…" Kajun took a moment to process what the reaction to that would be.

---

"Hmm...What's this now?" Oak blinked, sitting at his computer, "A video file? ...My, it's a long one, too. It's from that RotomDex belonging to that Alolan girl...Now let's see what they have for m-is that Ho-oh...and Ash…battling?!"

"(He's fighting Ho-Oh?!)"

"...Oh no…" Oak groaned, looking down to see Eevee peeking up at the screen from his lap.

"(ASH IS FIGHTING HO-OH!)" Eevee shouted as loud as he could, causing the lab to shake before all of Ash's Pokemon on the ranch broke down the sliding door and toppled Professor Oak over.

"GYAH!" Oak yelped as he ended up under Muk, "Ugh...Curse you, Ash...Curse you and your blasted Eevee…"

"(Oops…)" Eevee realized what he did, "(My bad…)"

Gengar cackled wildly, "(Of course! Of course he'd do this! I love this kid! I'm so glad to have him as my Trainer!)"

"(Praise the Leader!)" Chief Thunderhoof cheered, getting agreeing cheers from his fellow Tauros.

"(Meesa giving him big hug when meesa him again!)" Muk whooped.

"(Oh, this makes me wanna go with him the next time he calls here)," Krabby noted excitedly.

---

"Well I guess...that ends this part of the journey," Tsubaki spoke as the girls all sat together.

"Oh, I'm so proud of Ashton!" Kajun beamed, "Not only for Charizard evolving, but for also being given Ho-Oh's blessing to catch all three of the Legendary dogs!"

"Yeah, that was something," Makoto noted, "Though I'm more shocked by Cross turning over a new leaf given what he said to Ash before he left."

"I guess anyone really can change," Noel spoke, "I hope he really does clean up his act."

"Well his heart should have grown three sizes that day," Makoto replied in a whimsical tone.

"So I guess after this, we'll return to going to gym after gym and then the Pokemon League," Tsubaki spoke.

"That'll be so awesome~" Makoto cheered, "All the great Trainers and all their cool Pokemon!"

"Who know, we may get to see your Galaran Pokemon counterpart there," Kajun teased.

"...Oh you did not just remind me of that one!"

"It's so rare for us to have something to use against you, Makoto," Kajun smiled.

"Come to think of it." Tsubaki smiled in agreement.

"Hmm, yeah," Mai added.

"I thought it was cute in a goofy way," Noel spoke, trying to stop her quivering lips that wanted to break out in laughter.

"Ughguguguh…" Makoto grumbled, "I swear if we ever run into La's boyfriend, Imma smack him for giving you that Galaran Pokedex update for Dexter, Kajun."

"But this Galar Region is very interesting. It has so many rare Pokemon, and Pokemon there even have new evolutions," Kajun mused as her interest in the new region was re-sparked by this conversation, and with their relaxation and rest time, she was allowed to delve into as her friends dubbed Science Mode.

"Easy now," Tsubaki advised.

"Man, today was nuts," Makoto sighed as her tail wagged lightly, "Especially with that Shadow Pokemon stuff and then Ho-Oh showing up and doing that neat healing of everyone. Feels like all the aches and pains in my whole life are gone, even the ones in my noggin seem to have just burned themselves away." her tail paused, "...Mai..."

"Hm?"

"Lick Needles' ball," Makoto ordered, holding up the Beedrillite.

"Again?" Mai deadpanned.

"No joking, just try it," Makoto spoke.

"Fine, but I swear that if I start getting a hankering for honey, you're in trouble," Mai warned before licking it, "..." she blinked twice before licking it again, "...Okay...that's, uh, new."

"What is?" Tsubaki asked.

"I'm not 'seeing' the Mega Beedrill," Mai replied, "..." she quickly grabbed one of Noel's cookies and ate it, "...Phew. That's working."

"Honestly, I think it's because you've become immune to it," Makoto deadpanned before shoving a bar of chocolate into Mai's mouth, "What's that say?"

"?! …" Mai took it out before looking it over, "Uh...N-Nothing...No 'memories' from it at all."

"Hmm?" Makoto muttered, "Odd…"

"...You don't think that Ho-Oh's healing 'burned' Mai's ability, do you?" Tsubaki pondered, her eyes widening.

"It's my first guess…" Makoto muttered, "But not as well worded...Anybody else feel a little different either, Noel?" she asked specifically given how this trend magical shenanigans normally worked.

"Hm? Um…" Noel held her hands out and Bolverk appeared in them, "No. That wasn't messed with." she dismissed them and picked up Yuki.

"You sure...cause nine times out of ten with us when something magically funky happens, either one or both of you is stuck in the epicenter," Makoto argued.

"Considering it's Mai's tongue that's changed, I think it'll be on her this time," Tsubaki sighed.

"Or on Ash," Luca spoke up.

"...Why did you point him out?" Kajun slowly asked.

"Because I've been feeling his Aura has just gotten strong enough to manifest ever since we saw Ho-Oh today," Luca replied.

"I'm sorry…?" most of the girls blinked.

"It feels stronger than this morning," Luca replied, "Honestly, if I gave him a few lessons, he'd more than likely be able to understand his caught Pokemon through Aura in just a month or two." a moment of awkward silence followed, "...I just triggered Kajun's Science Mode, didn't I?"

"I think she was already triggered," Makoto sighed before the door to their shared room was knocked on, "It's unlocked."

The door opened and Cyber walked in, "I thought I'd let you girls know this early."

"Know what?" Mai asked.

"Ken, Takuma, and I have been talking and tomorrow, we're going to be going separate ways to all train for the Indigo League. I'm going to be looking for Takeru as well, see how things are going for him," Cyber explained.

"Leaving so soon?" Makoto asked.

"Yes. It's sad, but true," she replied, "I convinced Ken and Takuma to handle telling the others tonight while I spoke with all of you."

"I shall miss having someone else translate for the others," Luca sighed 'regretfully,' earning a giggle from the older bluenette.

"Yeah that's kinda useful," Makoto laughed.

"Yes, but I think everyone has the potential to do it; one just needs to figure it out," Cyber noted, "Either that, or a Legendary helps push it just enough to trigger it."

"?!" Kajun dropped her notebook.

"...Oh, I just triggered something, didn't I?" Cyber cringed.

"She already was," Makoto replied.

"Could Ho-Oh's healing energy have improved Ashton's aura?" Kajun mumbled to herself as she wrote away on a working thesis, "And Cyber said she was blessed by Tapu Koko, so there could be a connection of a Legendary…"

"Please don't ask how Takeru got his ability," Cyber pleaded, "It was...not a good time and I am so glad that Mewtwo hasn't..." she covered her mouth, "?!"

"...Mewtwo?" Noel repeated.

"A Pokemon I swear to Arceus is never created here," Cyber replied, "It's the other reason why Takeru lives with me in my home dimension instead of his." a tense silence followed, "Still...It's going to be a bit sad not seeing you all 'till either a random encounter or the League finals. So I might as well give some things."

"Hm?" Noel pondered before Cyber pulled out a small ice 'crown' and gave it to her.

"It's Nevermelt Ice. If Yuki wears it, then her Ice-Type Moves get increased in power," Cyber explained.

"Nevermelt Ice?" Makoto blinked, "I...how?"

"Common theory is that it's a chunk of a Legendary Pokemon called Regice, which is a golem of ice that never melts," Kajun spoke up.

"Thank you for that, Kajun," Cyber thanked before pulling out a twisted spoon, "This is a Twistedspoon. It's for Hikari and will make her Psychic-Type Moves stronger."

"Those come from Alakazam that overload their spoons with Psychic energy, if I recall the theory correctly," Kajun noted as Hikari took the spoon, "Thank you."

"Luca, may I see your arm?"

"Very well," Luca replied before Cyber put a bracelet on it, a glistening Mega Stone in it, "?!"

"Lucarioite," Cyber explained, "Since Makoto is holding a Mega Stone, I thought you girls were all sharing it and thought you might like this. I won it at the Battle Tree where I'm from."

"Thank you," Luca thanked.

"You're welcome. And speaking of Makoto, a pair of Batteries."

"...Seriously?" Makoto asked as Cyber pulled out a pair of yellow batteries that glowed softly.

"They're hold items that make Electric-Type Moves stronger. The rumor is that powerful Electric-Type Pokemon drain them and then supercharge them to make them be able to do that," Cyber explained.

"Ooh~ Here you go, girls!" she cheered, dropping the batteries into her tail.

"Mai, I wasn't exactly sure what to get you, but I think I found something," Cyber noted before pulling out a piece of ice that seemed to make the room far colder from just being out.

"Is that Nevermelt Ice?" Mai asked as Celsius tilted her head at it.

"No. It's actually a piece of Ice Stone," she explained as Celsius trilled while walking over, "They come from a naturally-forming stone known as the Ice Rock that form only in the coldest places and I found one on the mountain. Celsius told me back when those three brothers wanted little Mikey's Eevee to evolve that she wanted to be a Glaceon. With this, she can become one."

"Vui…!" Celsius beamed a bit at that before looking up at Mai, as if begging for her permission.

"She's very excited," Luca noted.

"...Know what? I think that's a good idea," Mai smiled as she offered the Ice Stone to Celsius.

"VUI!" Celsius cheered, quickly pouncing on the Ice Stone.

The stone began to shine before melting away and seeping into the Eevee before she started glowing. Her body swelled up by 0.5 meters as the large bushiness of her fur slimmed down, losing much of its fluff. Her fur turned into a light-blue while a pattern of two dark blue rhombus formed on her back. Another formed on the end of her tail once it became flat. Her paws turned the same shade of dark-blue while a pair of teal bangs grew on the sides of her head, ending in dark-blue rhombus as well, making her head look like it was wearing an ushanka or trapper's hat. Her eyes opened, revealing them to have become a solid dark-blue with two white dots in the middle of them.

"Glaceon..." the evolved Pokemon purred before giving a yawn and hopped into Mai's lap, curling up into a ball and falling asleep.

"Congratulations. She's now Glaceon, the Fresh Snow Pokemon," Kajun noted, "They can create ice crystals to help keep themselves cool and can even sharpen their fur into frozen spikes to inflicting physical damage to anyone around them."

"Wow...no pun intended, but...cool," Mai noted, giving a soft smile as she gently rubbed her Glaceon's fur, earning a soft purr from the Ice-Type Eeveelution.

"And with that, Mai has her first evolved Pokemon," Makoto noted, "I wonder how many things an Eevee can turn into? I bet they are finding more, right!?"

"Perhaps," Cyber shrugged, "There are some Types that haven't been touched yet...like Steel, Dragon, Bug, Flying, or even Fighting for example."

"...Hmm…" the five girls began to ponder that, Tsubaki thinking of an Eeveelution more akin to knight, Mai thinking the dragon one being more dragon-like with wings, Noel..praying the Bug-Type one would be more like a butterfly if it had wings and such, Kajun pondering on a more avian or aerodynamic Eeveelution, and Makoto…all she could think of was an Eevee dressed up as Rambo, standing on its hind legs, and wielding machine guns that fired energy blasts instead of bullets.

"I think you got them set on something…" Luca noted with a sweatdrop.

"Good," the bluenette giggled.

---

"Seems those three we assigned to Alola have managed to establish a base and are attempting to sway a Bewear to join our cause," Giovanni noted as he read a report, "Considering the last time I encountered a Bewear, a wise choice to get it to join us on their end, but also foolish to hug it."

"Indeed," his assistant nodded before noticing something on her tablet, "...Giovanni, the three Admins have returned from their mission."

"Send them in," Giovanni replied.

"Of course…" she nodded as she headed to the door, opening it to reveal the three sisters.

"Welcome back. I…" Giovanni began before blinking a bit, "...Grey Void, were you...crying?"

"Permission to drop standard procedures for this meeting?" Aoiro requested.

"..." Giovanni looked at his assistant, who nodded before leaving, "Girls, what's wrong?"

"Well for one, pops...we witnessed a freaking miracle!" Karai exclaimed, "For one, Kira cried and laughed...like legit cried and laughed!"

"Ash Ketchum found Rainbow Rock," Aoiro informed, "But before he could summon Ho-Oh with the Rainbow Wing, another Trainer named Cross ambushed him and his group. He challenged Ash Ketchum to a battle for the Rainbow Wing and declared his intent to...kill Ho-Oh."

"?! Is that Trainer a fool?! You do not kill Legendary Pokemon!" Giovanni exclaimed, slamming a fist on his desk and startling Persian.

"It is fortunate then that he failed because Ash Ketchum's Charmeleon evolved mid-battle and also revealed that he has a Charizardite X," Kira informed.

"Damn fucking brat still stole the feather and put it on the rock...and then shit hit the fan big time!" Karai exclaimed.

"Hmm?" Giovannia raised a brow.

"The Rainbow Wing was tainted by Cross' heart...and when Marshadow attempted to purify it...he, in turn, got corrupted," Aoiro explained.

"And what happened next…" Kira paused as she took a deep breath, "...We believe we witnessed the resurgence of Shadow Pokemon…"

"Explain," Giovanni ordered, worry on his face.

"The corrupted Rainbow Wing struck Entei, Suicune, and Raikou and they all changed forms and became Shadow Pokemon," Kira explained.

"But before that, Marshadow used it to corrupted all the surrounding Pokemon in the area, including some of the Pokemon owned by Ash Ketchum's friends," Aoiro added.

"Needless to say...now we know WHY Team Snagem's research never left Orre...Those Shadow Pokemon are legit terrifying!" Karai exclaimed, "But the fact a POKEMON was able to do it…"

"How did you survive?" Giovanni asked.

"Ash Ketchum's Pikachu defeated all three Shadow Pokemon and Marshadow after he and his Trainer were struck by a Z-Move by Marshadow and then a Shadow-empowered attack from each Legendary Pokemon...twice," Aoiro replied.

"Holy fuck that was badass!" Karai cackled, "The whole place was a smokin' crater from the attack and it even broke apart the storm above us on that peak!"

"And then...a miracle happened," Kira spoke, "The reason for Ash Ketchum Pikachu's release of such a powerful attack..was because his Trainer had died protecting him. It was then the Legend of the Tears of Life happened."

"?" Giovanni looked at Serenade and Velvet.

"With how often we've been tracing them through his thoughts, we were really rooting for him," Serenade admitted.

"That poor Pikachu...all his thoughts when Ash passed on were filled with grief, despair, and utter heartbreak. I couldn't help but cry for him and his lost Trainer," Velvet sniffled, dabbing a tissue on her watering eyes.

"It surprised us just as much that our tears actually helped revive him," Serenade added, "And then when all was said and done? He finally summoned Ho-Oh."

"And healed everyone's battle damage..including…" Velvet paused, unsure if she should say anything.

"...Including what?" Giovannia asked.

"Mental damages," Kira replied.

"Alright…" Giovanni sighed, "But what of Ho-Oh? What happened afterwards?"

"...We left after Ash Ketchum refused to capture Ho-Oh and wanted to battle them," Kira answered.

"So let me see if I got this right…" he began, "You tracked the special interest target, he met several powerful Legendaries, and an idiotic rival of his almost threw the world into absolute chaos, then he died...but came back to life and you three witnessed all of this in the span of what...a few hours?"

"...Well, when ya put it like that…" Karai muttered.

"I took pictures," Velvet noted as she pulled out an envelope and handed it to Giovanni with a bow, "I'm sorry if any of them are blurred."

"..." Giovanni raised a brow as he opened the envelope, looking through a few of the photos before tensing at one, "?! Wh….what?"

"...F...Father?" Aoiro spoke in worry.

"...A...are you sure this picture is real?" he asked, looking at the picture of Noel as she held Yuki in her arms.

'...VELVET!' the trio of sisters mentally screeched as Serenade facepalmed.

"ANSWER ME!" Giovanni demanded.

"Eep! Y-Yes, sir!" Velvet replied, bowing repeatedly, "I'm so very sorry if any of them offended you in any way, shape, or form!"

"..." he turned his gaze towards Kira, Aoiro and Karai, "Did you three know about this?"

'...ah shi-' the three mentally began in worry and dread.

---

GT: Well...Velvet of all beings ended up spilling the beans.

SZ: Eeyup...and now the three Rocket Admin sisters are in DEEP DEEP TROUBLE...not quoting the Simpson song of the same name.

Z0: Hahahaha...I love it when we make our characters suffer.

SZ: Heh heh...but anyway, that about does it for the Rainbow Wing Arc for this story..and now back to the Indigo League!

Z0: Back to the usual, Pokemon battles, gyms and then tournament!

GT: And the usual shenanigans they end up getting into.

SZ: And rivals! Don't forget rivals!

GT: Those too.

SZ: Mm hmm...anyway be sure to leave a review and fave guys and gals.