Ash forgot about Alex's presence and laughed with Serena as Pikachu entertained Bonnie and many of the lab's pokemon with his trademark impressions.
"Pika pika." Pikachu grabbed his cheeks and rearranged them until he resembled a Psyduck. After immense laughter, Pikachu turned himself into a Froakie and even earned a grin from his teammate, who nodded and gave him a thumbs up. The only one not laughing was Riolu, who pouted at all the attention Pikachu got.
"I never knew Pikachus could do that!" Serena giggled.
"Most can't, but my partner is special." Ash lowered his hand and let Pikachu run up his shoulder. "I've seen lots of Pikachu, but mine is one of a kind."
"He really is." Serena blushed a little, and Pikachu's face turned red, too, as he rubbed the back of his head.
"You never evolved him." Alex interrupted, his harsh eyes upon Ash while Rhyperior did the same to Pikachu. Serena tightened her fists, ready to scold her father, but she blinked upon seeing Ash's reaction. He did not quiver or turn pale before the titan of a man before him. Instead, Ash hardened his face into steel and stood tall before Alex.
"No, Pikachu doesn't want to evolve. I'll never make him do it, especially when he doesn't need to. Pikachu has beaten Raichu and other evolved pokemon before. Pikachu has earned his strength through hard work."
"Pika!" Pikachu sparked his cheeks, and Serena trembled. Her face turned so scarlet that steam shot out of both ears, and her heart pounded like a drum. Ash's team shook in awe of him and Pikachu, and soon even Riolu joined them as they stood behind him. Bonnie flashed a bright grin, and Sycamore watched in disbelief as Alex remained still. The Colonel raised his eyebrow and moved his head the slightest bit to indicate a nod.
"Oui, you have quite a bond with your team."
"That's right, and we-"Ash, Pikachu, Froakie, and the rest of his team sensed it before everyone else. Without warning, he grabbed Serena and threw her to the ground while Pikachu did the same to Bonnie and Charizard, the others.
"What the!?" Alex and Rhyperior snarled.
"Get down!" Ash screamed with Clemont, who came sprinting inside with Chespin. Yet he and the little pokemon flew onto their backs after an explosion ripped through a wall and sent debris everywhere. Had Ash and his team not acted, many would have suffered from the shrapnel, but on the ground, they remained unharmed. However, a blinding white light and high pitched ringing noise overwhelmed their senses. Ash had to feel around before he came to and saw Alex likewise shaking himself conscious.
"Whose there!?" The Colonel roared before he got his answer. A trio of Team Flare grunts charged at them, each wielding an electric baton and Litleo. Ash readied himself but soon found it unnecessary.
"Hammer arm!"
"Rhy!" Rhyperior slammed the Litleos one after the other while Alex mirrored him. Ash's mouth dropped, and he almost felt the grunts' bones snap when the Colonel's punches made contact and sent them flying like ragdolls. Seeing this a few minutes prior would have left Ash pale, but now he almost cheered for the terrifying Colonel.
"Supersonic!"
"Gol!" Ash covered his ears to keep the piercing screams of three Golbats who soared over them away. However, the other pokemon across the enclosure staggered about with swirled eyes.
"Ahh! My ears are gonna fall off!" Bonnie wailed and buried her head in Serena's stomach while Fennekin did the same in her legs. Fletchling, Riolu, and Froakie all stumbled over each other in their confusion.
"Guys, return-" Ash tried to return his team, but two smoke bombs burst in front of them and cut off Ash's line of sight.
"Charizard, clear away the smoke!"
"Grauu!" Charizard grunted with both hands over his ears but did as Ash commanded. However, he, Ash, and Pikachu all cried out together when the smoke cleared, revealing two Team Flare grunts with Croagunks knocking out and collecting his confused pokemon.
"No you don't! Charizard, Flamethrower! Pikachu, Iron Tail!"
"Grau!" Charizard blasted the three Golbats into charred bats who crashed into the ground with swirled eyes. Charizard had to endure a few moments of Supersonic to unleash his attack and wobbled a bit. However, Ash and Pikachu wasted no time and charged the grunts. Serena watched and trembled in disbelief when Ash sidestepped the first grunt's baton as he swung it. She covered her mouth and failed to suppress a gasp when he pivoted and smashed his fist into the grunt's face. At the same time this happened, Serena saw Pikachu mirror Ash's movements. He dodged the first Croagunk's poison sting, then slammed her head with Iron Tail.
"What the!?" The second grunt almost fumbled his baton when the first one stumbled backward and collapsed beside a tree.
"Get them, Ash!" Bonnie cheered, but Serena found herself breathless amid her heart pounding. The world seemed to slow when Ash ducked under the second grunt's jab. He then grabbed the man's arm and pulled himself over, and crashed his elbow into the grunt's jaw. Pikachu once more copied Ash's movement and slid under the second Croagunk's poison jab, then hurled him onto his back with swirled eyes.
"Ash." Serena tried to keep steam from shooting out of her ears, much to Bonnie's delight.
"Hmm." Alex kept his eyes fixed on Ash even as he snatched a Flare Grunt, crumpled him up into a ball, then hurled him at another ten charging at him.
"Wait wait wait! Ahh!" The squad went flying as Rhyperior roared and formed an X with his arms.
"Brother, you need to help too!"
"Right, Bunnelby-" Clemont almost collapsed when he saw Bunnelby still dazed from confusion.
"Ches!" Chespin took a fighting stance in front of Clemont, who blinked in disbelief.
"You, you want to battle with me?"
"Ches!"
"Alright, let's see what you can do. Try pin missile!"
"Ches!" Chespin blasted a pair of Pansages, who scurried over and hurled them onto their backs.
"Great job Chespin." Clemont patted his head while the little grass pokemon's eyes lit up in stars at what he had just done.
"Serena, Bonnie, get back-" Ash tried to return his three confused Pokemon when something flew through the air toward him. He had less than a split second, and then all of the wind flew from Ash's body after a fist struck his stomach.
"Gaah!"
"Ash!"
"Pika!" Pikachu jumped up, Iron Tail ready, when a second hand moved like lightning and slammed Pikachu's belly. Ash tried to steady himself, but the pain screamed across his body like an Exploud. Despite the agony, Ash planted his backfoot and threw another punch. However, it was not a grunt he faced. Instead, a taller bald man wearing a white suit with orange shades caught his fist with a malevolent smile.
"Nice try, brat, but I'm upgraded." The Flare Admin pulled back his suit and revealed an exoskeleton of enhancements over him.
"Eh!?" Ash yelped with Pikachu before the admin flung him both across the enclosure while a Toxicroak with a similar exoskeleton likewise slammed Pikachu through the air.
"Oof!" Clemont grunted when Ash landed on him, and Pikachu hit Chespin.
"Whose next-" The admin went silent when Alex and Rhyperior loomed over them. The Colonel's steel eyes bore into the admin, who chuckled and adjusted his suit.
"How cute. Haven't you heard of brains over brawn-" The Admin threw a punch and struck Alex's abdomen. However, the Titanic Colonel did not flinch or move. Instead, it was the admin whose mouth hung open, and Ash watched in disbelief as the Flare officer pulled his right sleeve back and saw the cybernetics around his hand short-circuiting. It happened in a flash. Alex slammed his right fist into the admin's chest when Rhyperior hit the enhanced Toxicroak. Ash and Clemont heard another electrical short circuit, then watched the man fly through a wall.
"Ahhh, I pity Serena's future boyfriend." Clemont stuttered.
"Yeah." Ash gulped but then shook himself back to attention as another few smoke bombs went off.
"Grauu!" Charizard groaned and collapsed onto his stomach after a Bisharp slashed him from behind with Guillotine.
"Charizard!" Ash tried to race after him with Pikachu, but someone picked up the fire lizard with ease. Ash's heart pounded when Charizard disappeared into the smoke.
"Ash, Papa!" Serena screamed.
"Big brother!"
"Help!" Sycamore added.
"No!" Alex's steel expression broke, and Ash saw the fear quivering across his pale face.
"Bonnie!" Clemont followed Ash and Alex into the smoke, but they only saw an empty hole in the wall.
"Serena!" Alex mounted Rhyperior, who charged faster than any Rapidash Ash ever saw. Despite this, the young man and his Pikachu kept pace with them, dull to any fatigue or strain from the previous fight. Froakie and Riolu reached out to him in cries via the premonition, and Ash's heartbeat fluttered with each one.
"Stop!" He cried as if his command would halt the truck but to no avail. Rhyperior came within arms reach when two more smoke bombs went off. Pokemon and rider alike took the blasts and coughed. Ash and Pikachu shielded their eyes and endured the smoke long enough to pass through. However, their stomachs turned to stone when they emerged and saw no trace of the trucks.
"No! Serena, Charizard, guys!"
"Bonnie, 'huff', Bonnie!" Clemont stumbled behind Ash, drenched in sweat.
"No! No, no, no!" Alex and Rhyperior hyperventilated. Alex held his head as if to keep it from splitting open while Rhyperior howled and thrashed about, smashing pieces of the street with his stomps. "Serena! Baby!" Alex's eyes swelled with tears, and he shook enough to create ground tremors. Despite everything Alex did to him that day, Ash tightened his grip and stormed over to the Colonel.
"Alex, get ahold of yourself!" He seized the enormous man by the collar of his uniform and pulled him down to eye level.
"I know how scared you must feel. I can't tell you how many times I've seen my friends or pokemon kidnapped." Ash stroked Pikachu's head and grimaced at countless memories of villainous scoundrels like Team Rocked took him.
"Bbbbonnie." Clemont sobbed and fell to his knees. Tightening his fist, Ash grabbed him, too, and pulled the inventor over.
"The only way to help them is by staying strong!"
"Pika! Pikachu!"
Ash looked back at Alex, who steadied himself and stared down at him eye to eye. The iron demeanor had not yet returned. Instead, Ash thought he saw a hint of admiration in the titanic man, but Alex threw it off.
"Oui. Those salopards are going to pay for threatening my little girl!" Alex cracked his neck, and the noise reverberated across the alleyways. He then seized a radio phone from his uniform, switched to a frequency, and started speaking in rapid Kalos, so fast that Ash had trouble discerning it. However, he knew enough of the language to get the gist of it. Alex ordered many of his officers to ready their troops, cordon off the city exits, and search for the hostages.
"Ash, you're right. I won't give up either! Clemont gear activate!" Clemont unveiled a massive antenna from his backpack that let out a sharp radar noise. Ash and Pikachu smiled and then concentrated together. If Ash could just listen close enough, he might be able to hear Froakie and Riolu cry out for him. However, the trainer grimaced as their presence remained faint and distant.
"No, I won't give up!" Ash pushed himself harder when something or perhaps someone else joined in. "Huh?" Ash could not quite describe it, but another presence added itself to his efforts, and within moments, Ash heard his pokemon cry out for him.
"Guys! I think I know where they are!"
"What!?" Clemont and Alex roared together. Clemont took out a digital map of the city and surrounding area, and Ash pointed to just outside Lumoise.
"He might be right. I'm picking up major electrical signals there outside the norm."
"That's where we go then! Captain, get your company to these coordinates! Come on boys!" As Alex dragged them off, Ash and Pikachu thought they saw a glimpse of two figures darting across the rooftops, but they soon disappeared.
"Huh, could, could it be- " Ash did not have time to finish before Alex threw him and Clemont into one of a dozen green aravis fighting vehicles that lined up. Back atop the roofs, Lucario struggled to maintain his composure and stared with panicked eyes off into the distance.
"We're going to save him, I promise." The figure assured his Lucario, who nodded but did not take his eyes off the spot.
Elsewhere, Serena struggled to contain her shaking body as she lay bound in the corner of an abandoned warehouse. Darkness surrounded them, save a few hanging lights, which made the Team Flare grunts glow like demons amid the shadows.
"Fenn." Fennenkin buried her face in Serena's lap and shook worse than her. Serena longed to comfort her and the other frightened pokemon, but had her own dread threatened to consume the young woman.
"I'm sorry." Sycamore sighed. He sat beside Serena and Bonnie, hands bound and utterly defeated.
"You're both here because of me."
"Don't talk like that professor." Bonnie's bold tone caught Serena and Sycamore by surprise. The little girl sat upright, face hardened alongside a constrained Dedenne. "Big brother will never let this go. He, Ash, and Alex will bust in here and kick their butts."
"De!"
"Grau!" Charizard seemed to agree as he thrashed about against his restrained snout held shut by a metallic muzzle. Bisharp held a warning blade up to him, but Serena perked up when she realized he had gotten too close. Charizard narrowed his eyes and slammed his body against Bisharp, who flew backward and sent three grunts flying away like bowling pins.
"Will someone restrain that thing!?" Bryony groaned as she tried to start a computer.
"It is restrained, ma'am." A grunt stuttered.
"Idiots! Restrain it more!"
Charizard did not resist alone. Froakie, Fletchling, and Riolu, in particular, all fought against their bindings with fiery determination. This passion and sheer will to never give up soon reminded Serena that these were Ash's pokemon. The young woman hardened her expression as she thought about him.
"You're right, Bonnie. Ash and papa won't stop until they find us. We just need to be ready to help. Keep your eyes peeled for anything we can do. You too Fennekin."
"Fen." Fennekin nodded.
"Professor Sycamore. At last, we have a moment to chat." The air grew colder around them, and Serena's courage waivered before Bryony, who loomed over them. Despite this Sycamore met her gaze and sat up straighter.
"Whatever you want with me, it has nothing to do with these girls or the pokemon. Let them go."
"Oh professor, tsk, tsk, tsk. I'm afraid not. This little one and this young beauty are quite necessary for what comes next." Bryony ran a finger through Serena's long hair and made her jerk away, skin quivering.
"Fen." Fennekin growled.
"It just so happens, professor, that I, too, am a scientist. One who is working to benefit the future of mankind and pokemon alike. Soon, the world will be a far more elegant and beautiful place than ever before. However, before this happens, we will need help in achieving all of our objectives."
"What are you talking about!?" Sycamore shouted back before he and the others noticed a series of cables leading from electric generators to something concealed in the darkness. Serena shuttered when she realized Bryony's computer was also linked up to it.
"I'm talking about this." Bryony took out a hard drive and held it in front of Sycamore, who gasped.
"My research on Mega Evolution!"
"Precisely. I am in need of it for my latest invention. However, it is encrypted. You are going to tell me the key or." In a single motion, Bryony seized Serena and Bonnie by their throats and dangled them in the air. Serena tried to scream, but the strength of Bryony's grip suffocated her. The sense of helplessness closed in on Serena like an abyss. She could not move, breathe, or call out for help. Fennekin and the other pokemon cried out while Charizard thrashed in such a berserker's fury that, for a moment, his bindings bent.
"Stop! Stop, I'll give you the key!" Sycamore fell to his knees, and with a wicked smile, Bryony released the girls. Serena and Bonnie gasped for breath and struggled to breathe as Fennekin and Dedenne nuzzled them while whining.
"Hmm, they're gonna be punished for this." Bonnie growled, her cheeks puffed up.
"Ash, where are you?" Serena muttered to herself. The minutes dragged on like an eternity as Bryony took Sycamore's key and worked at her computer.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Sycamore almost broke down into tears.
"Professor, this isn't your fault. We can't give up, we-"
"Grou! Grou!" All eyes turned to Riolu, who howled and danced about, a wide grin across his face. Soon, Froakie joined him, then Charizard and Fletchling.
"By!" Bunnelby likewise added.
"What's happening?" Bryony growled at her grunts and admin, who scampered about.
"We have company!" They opened the door to reveal no less than a hundred Kalos soldiers fully decked out in tactical combat gear with assault rifles and dozens of pokemon in similar Kevlar armor beside them, flanked by a dozen armored vehicles.
"Papa!" Serena's eyes and heart lit up when she saw her father likewise dressed for battle at the head of his troops with Rhyperior.
"Brother, Ash!" Bonnie likewise gestured, and Serena's cheeks turned pink when she saw Ash behind Alex.
"This is Colonel Alex Yvonne of the Kalos Army! You're completely surrounded. Come out with your hands up!"
The warehouse shook, and several grunts fell over in panicked screams.
"They're using artillery on us!" One yelped.
"That's not artillery, that's his voice." Serena flashed a wide grin at the grunts, who turned pale and shook.
"Hmp, they're gonna kick your butts and save us now!" Bonnie stuck her tongue out at Bryony, who remained unshaken despite the army's arrival. Instead, she flashed a smile that made Serena shiver.
"Hmm, how interesting. Bishop dear, I do believe it's ready. Hop inside."
"What?!" Serena turned to the device behind them.
Back outside, Ash and Clemont tried to get closer in a desperate to find the others.
"Pika! Pikachu!" Pikachu pointed inside the warehouse, and Ash saw them. Serena, Bonnie, Sycamore, and their pokemon.
"Serena!"
"Bonnie!"
"Ches!" Chespin jumped up and down in delight. Ash longed to race in and get Serena but knew the soldiers would restrain him. As much as it frustrated him, he had to let Alex do his job. However, the red-hot metal in the Colonel's gaze eased him a little. However, a chill ran down Ash's spine when he saw Bryony emerge from the warehouse alone.
"Is, is she gonna surrender?" Clemont's lip quivered a little as he spoke. As much as Ash wanted to believe this, he and Pikachu grit their teeth while the electric mouse sparked his cheeks when they looked closer. Bryony walked tall and proud with her usual satisfied smirk despite a company of soldiers with their weapons aimed at her.
"Bonjour, Colonel. So glad you could be here for the demonstration."
"Enough talk! On your knees now! This is your last warning-" Alex cut himself off when Bryony pressed her watch.
"Pika!" Pikachu's cheeks sparked, and he pointed at something inside the warehouse.
"What is it Pikachu-" Ash likewise did not finish, for Clemont yelped. Some unseen force pulled him, or rather his backpack, toward the warehouse. "Clemont!" Ash, Pikachu, and Chespin all held Clemont back but watched in horror as dozens of guns, grenades, vehicle turrets, and sidearms flew away from the soldiers.
"What the!?" Alex's pistol soared past Bryony, who adjusted her shades.
"So barbaric and uncivilized. Still, Colonel, you and your men can serve a purpose today. You shall help me test my latest invention." Bryony touched another button, and within moments, a suit of robotic armor formed over her, shaped like a Bisharp but without the blades.
"Eh!?" Clemont's eyes lit up, and he adjusted his glasses. Ash and Pikachu raised their eyebrows at him. Yet before they could say anything, the warehouse shook again.
"Huh!?" Ash and Clemont backed up beside Alex, who likewise went a little pale. An enormous robot emerged from the structure, fifteen feet tall at least, and just like Bryony's suit, it bore the facade of a Bisharp.
"Pika!" Pikachu pointed toward the center, and Ash's mouth dropped when he saw Bryony's Bisharp piloting the mech.
"Ahhh! It's magnificent!" Clemont trembled with stars for eyes.
"Brother, I'm gonna kill you!" Bonnie screamed from inside.
"Ahh, right. Sorry."
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the future. Let us begin."
"Gaaah!" Unable to restrain himself, Alex charged Bryony with Rhyperior behind him.
"Get her! Get-" Ash cheered them on with Clemont, but his stomach turned to stone when Bryony caught the Colonel's fist.
"Huh!?" Alex's soldiers all yelped together in disbelief.
"You are nothing but a barbarian." Byrony chuckled as she held back his hands, even as Alex tried to overpower her suit. Rhyperior charged the robot and threw a hammer arm, only for the Mecha-Bisharp to sweep him aside. Rhyperior and Alex flew through the air and landed beside each other, leaving the soldiers trembling.
"Papa!"
"She, she beat the Colonel!?" A young woman stuttered and backed away with her Pyroar. Many others followed her example before Ash and Pikachu stepped forward.
"Bryony! You won't get away with this! I won't let you!"
"Pika! Pikachu!"
"Hmp, you again, brat? How unfortunate for-" Bryony yelped, then stumbled backward when a boulder hit her suit and shattered.
"Stand, 'huff' your ground." Alex growled and shook the earth as he got to his feet with Rhyperior. "We're soldiers! Follow me for Kalos!"
"The Colonel's right! For Kalos!" The Captain roared while his Hawlucha took a fighting stance. Soon, the soldiers and their pokemon charged the team flare grunts, who came out to watch and engaged them in closer-quarters fighting.
"Ash, Clemont." Alex grabbed them both and forced their eyes to his. "Save my daughter."
"Hai!" Ash roared. Alex nodded and, with Rhyperior, charged Byrony again.
"Come on, Clemont, there's no time to lose!" Ash and Pikachu led the way through the fierce melee. A few grunts broke off to try and stop them, but Ash and Pikachu made quick work of them and their Pokemon. Clemont and Chespin joined in where they could, but Ash spearheaded the assault.
"Ash!"
"Clemont!"
"Serena!"
"Bonnie!" The two young men almost ensnared the girls in hugs when they arrived.
"Hold tight. We'll get you out of here." Ash assured Serena, oblivious to her scarlet face.
"Mer, merci." She muttered.
"Brother, you're so brave!" Bonnie likewise beamed.
"Quite brave." Sycamore laughed. With Pikachu's aid, they severed their bindings, and Serena stretched herself.
"Merci, again. We can free Sycamore. Go save your pokemon."
"Right!" Ash and Clemont raced over to them, hearts soaring. Riolu tried to jump into Ash's arms, but his restraints proved too tough. "Hold tight guys." Ash went to Riolu, while Pikachu started with Froakie.
"Grou!" Riolu howled, and at last jumped into Ash's arms, hugging him with all his might.
"I was so worried about you guys."
"Froak!" Froakie soon leaped up beside Riolu, who growled when forced to share Ash's embrace. Before long, Fletchling and Pikachu joined in on Ash's shoulders, topped off by Charizard, who picked them all up.
"Grauu!" Charizard breathed fire in delight.
"Bunnelby!"
"By!" Bunnelby and Clemont hugged but soon noticed Chespin evading their eyes.
"Get in here, Chespin."
"Ches!"
After the reunions, Ash regrouped with the others and led them back outside. He grit his teeth, for the fierce battle still waged on with Alex, Rhyperior, and a few other soldiers rushing to their aid, unable to make any progress against Bryony and her Mecha-Bisharp.
"Papa!" Serena wailed, and Ash grimaced at the pale dread spreading across her face when Bryony slammed Alex into the dirt again. Rhyperior suffered the same fate and groaned upon impact.
"Come on, guys, let's help him!"
"Pika!" Ash and Pikachu led his team in a charge.
"Bryony!" Ash tried to jump her from behind, but she flung herself around and slammed her fist into his stomach.
"Ash!" The others cried together, but none louder than Serena. Ash gasped for breath and held his throbbing abdomen, unable to catch his breath. The young man's vision faded, but he just managed to make out Pikachu and the others, unable to damage it.
"No." Ash coughed and reached for Riolu, who tried to stand up to the robot. He faded out of consciousness when the sensation from earlier returned, only far stronger. Warmth overtook Ash's senses, and the dread vanished from his heart, replaced by a sense of fiery hope and determination.
"Ahhh!?"
"Huh!?
"What!?" The confused shouts and mutters echoed around Ash until he opened his eyes. The young man gaped and shook in disbelief, unable to form words. He stood over him, the man with the Lucario. Not only did he stand over Ash, but he caught Bryony's fist and held it in place.
"What?" Bryony gasped and threw her other fist, but the man caught it all the same. He remained silent but turned toward Ash.
"Get back. We'll take it from here."
"My Riolu-"
"He's safe."
"Grouu!" The thunderous roar echoed across Kalos, and Ash's heart soared before Mega Lucario, who slammed Mecha-Bisharp with a Power-Up Punch. The impact reverberated across its chassis and tore through a section of armor.
"Grou." Riolu's eyes lit up in awe and wonder when he saw Mega Lucario over him. The Mega pokemon snarled at Mecha-Bisharp and took a defensive stance before Riolu. However, it soon proved unnecessary when Pikachu dragged Riolu away and handed him off to Ash.
"Ash! Are you ok!?" Serena sprinted over despite Alex's attempts to restrain her.
"We're ok. It's, it's him."
"Who?" Clemont stuttered.
"The man who saved me and Pikachu. The one who gave me Riolu's egg."
"Ehhh!? That's him!?" Soon, the entire group and dozens of soldiers all watched in wonderous delight. The man threw Bryony back and took a fighting stance.
"Fool, you cannot stand before my genius!" Bryony revealed cannons in her suit and opened up on the man. Ash jumped with everyone else but gazed in disbelief when the figure dodged them as if he knew where each shot would come from for years. "What!? Impossible!" Bryony ran at him again, but he brought his fist back, and Ash saw a black glove over both hands. The punch tore through Bryony's armor and caused short circuits all over her suit.
"No! No!" She backed up only for a moment. The figure threw a kick that shattered her robotic armor like glass. At the same time, Mega Lucario unleashed a boulder-sized aura sphere into Mecha-Bisharp.
"I'll remember this!" Bryony wailed as she and her Bisharp flew through the air, disappearing into a sparkle.
"Ahhh! Bryony!" The other Flare members squealed and fell to their knees.
"That's enough, give up, now." Alex's voice alone made the criminals raise their hands in the air.
"Victory!" The soldiers chanted together.
"He, he-" Ash and Riolu blinked, realizing that the figure and his Lucario had vanished. "No." Ash trembled, the warmth inside him disappearing.
"Grou!" Riolu teared up and buried his face in Ash's chest. Pikachu and the others surrounded Ash, trying to comfort them.
"Ash." Serena added herself to the mix.
"Serena!" Alex yelped.
Later that evening, Ash sat on his bed in Sycamore's guest room. Clemont and Bonnie went home while Serena spent the night with her father. After everything that happened, Pikachu, Charizard, Froakie, and Fletchling slept soundly across the room. However, Riolu remained up and stared out the window with him.
"Who are you? Why did you save us again?"
"Because you have a greater purpose than you realize, Ash." The voice came like the wind, and Ash jumped with Riolu. The figure and his Lucario appeared inside the room.
"You, you!"
"Grou!" Riolu sprinted over and jumped into Lucario's arms.
"Grou!" Lucario hugged Riolu tight and nuzzled him. For a moment, Ash thought he saw the older pokemon tear up but turned back to the figure who remained fixed upon him.
"You acted very foolish again, Ash. I won't always be there to save you."
"...Thank you again. But who are you, and how did you do that?"
"I, I. I told you before that's not important-"
"It is important!" Ash struggled not to shout, but his emotions ran too high.
"Ash, calm yourself." The man's firm hand gripped his shoulder and relaxed him.
"Riolu, he's your Lucario's son isn't he." Ash looked at the two and waited for a response, which took far longer than he expected.
"Hai. He is."
"Why did you give him to me?"
"Because I knew he waited for you, Ash. Because his aura is connected to yours."
"Aura. Is that how you fight Bryony?"
"Yes, and in time, you will be able to do the same."
"How!? Can't you teach me!?"
"...In due time. For now, keep yourself safe."
"Wait!" Ash and Riolu reached out together, but the pair vanished. Neither slept well that night, but come the next morning, Ash put it aside when meeting with the others.
"Are you sure, professor!?" Clemont's jittery voice quivered as Sycamore handed him Chespin's pokeball.
"Oui, you two get along so well. It's for the best, so take good care of him."
"I will!"
"Ches!"
"Yay!" Bonnie hugged Chespin despite his quills. Ash wanted to smile, but he soon saw Alex looming over him and Serena.
"Serena, please be safe on your journeys. Try to stay out of trouble, please."
"Oui, papa!" The two hugged, and Alex shot Ash a steel expression.
"If anything happens to her-"
"She'll be safe with me." Ash spoke firmer than he intended, but Pikachu smiled when he saw Alex's face soften.
"It was good to see you all again. Safe travels!"
"It was good seeing you too, professor! Alright, let's go, Cyllage city awaits!" Ash and Serena ran off first, with Bonnie close behind and Clemont struggling to keep up.
"Come on!"