Chapter 35 -
Motostoke gym…
"Wah-Wah-Wah-Wah-Wah!"
Totodile danced his little happy dance in celebration of his win over Ninetails. It had been a quick and decisive win for the crocodile like Pokémon. The fox Pokémon had been unable to keep up with the little guy's speed or power, allowing Ash to take the victory.
"Ninetails, you fought well. Return," Kabu said gruffy as he raised his Pokéball to recall his fallen partner. He gave the dancing Totodile a disapproving glare.
Ash on the other paw beamed at his Pokémon and gave him a big thumbs up. "Way to go Totodile."
"Pika Pikachu," Pikachu cheered, while Ashachu and the others applauded from their positions on the sidelines.
"Wah Wah!" Totodile turned around, gestured to Ashachu, and gave him another seductive wink, causing Ashachu to recoil.
"Pika."
"You may have won that round kid," said Kabu, restoring Ninetail's Pokéball to his belt and selecting another. "Let's see how you handle this Pokémon." He threw the ball into field. "Go Turtonator."
Turtonator was a large tortoise like Pokémon with a squarish head and long rectangular snout. Ash took out his Pokédex.
Turtonator, the Blast Turtle Pokémon and a fire and dragon type. The shell on its back is chemically unstable and explodes violently if struck. The hole in its stomach is its weakest point.
A grin spread across his face. "So, the stomach's its weakest part hey. Alright, let's do this Totodile!"
"Wah!" Totodile punched his paw enthusiastically in the air. But Turtonator would quickly prove to be a much tougher opponent than Ninetails…
"Totodile, use water gun!"
"Dragon Breath, Turtonator!"
The two Pokémon attacked at the exact same moment. Totodile unleashed a torrent of water from his large jaws, while Turtonator shorted a jet of golden flames from this long squarish snout.
The sight of two powerful special attacks colliding in the middle of the battlefield had become a familiar sight to Ash and his each of his Pokémon over the course of their journey. But it always brought the same heart stopping tension.
Totodile's torrent and Turtonator's fires met almost in the middle of the battlefield and for a split second seemed deadlocked.
The other experience that had become, sadly, familiar to all of Ash's Pokémon is that shattering moment when you realise your opponent is stronger than you. When the attack breaks through your defence. When you see it coming for you and know that you are defeated.
For Totodile it all happened in less than a second. Turtonator's Dragon breath pushed through his water gun. He gave a single cry of "Wah" and his eyes widened as the golden fire approached.
"Totodile is unable to battle," boomed the referee, as Totodile lay on his back, black swirls covering his eyes. "Turtonator wins."
Ash felt the usual sinking sensation in his stomach as he watched Turtonator's Dragon Breath attack catch Totodile in the jaw, sending him spinning backward until he landed spreadeagled on the edge of the field and lay still.
He wandered over to his fallen friend and scooped him up into his arms. "Hey Totodile, you did great out there. I guess that Turtonator was just too strong."
"Pika Pikachu," cooed Pikachu from his shoulder.
"Wah Wah!" Totodile opened his eye and looked up at Ash. His large jaw fell open in a wide grin. "Wah."
"You take a good rest now." Ash set him down on the bench beside Ashachu and Sniveon.
Ash returned to his position on the battlefield, removing a Pokéball from his belt as he went. "Looks like we need to fight fire with fire," he said to Pikachu as he tossed the ball into the air. "Charizard, I choose you!"
Ashachu felt his heart skip a beat as powerful flame dragon materialised on the battlefield, and felt a shiver dons his spine when he let out a roar and spewed fire into the air.
"Zarrr!"
He couldn't help himself, he cheered out to his boyfriend "Pika Pikachuu," whilst standing on the bench and waving his little arms in the air. His heart gave a fluttered and he blushed furiously when Charizard glanced over his shoulder and nodded his head.
Beside him, Totodile looked between Ashachu and Charizard wide eyed, then gave the lizard Pokémon a disapproving scowl, puffing out his cheeks and folding his arms.
Kabu and Turtonator for their part, seem particularly impressed or intimidated by Charizard's display. Kabu merely folded his arms and scowled while the tortoise like dragon Pokémon stood perfectly still…
The referee waved his flag and declared the start of the battle…
For a couple of seconds, neither Pokémon moved – each knowing how important this match was and not wanting to move too quickly.
Ash felt the tension in his body rise. He wanted to proceed cautiously this time, to see what Kabu would do first. He knew Charizard could be a hothead, but he trusted his old friend to wait for a command.
Ashachu watched with bated breath, his heart pounding in his chest. Then…
"Dragon Breath."
Kabu said the word so softly, it could have been a whisper. At once the tortoise shaped dragon type shot another jet of that golden flame at Charizard.
Ash was ready for it. "Charizard, take flight and dodge it, then use your dragon breath."
Charizard gave a flap of his wings and rose into the air. Turtonator's dragon breath shot right under him.
"So majestic in flight, are they not!"
"Wah."
"Vee"
"Pika." The sounds of the soft female voice caused Ashachu to tare his eyes, reluctantly, from his boyfriend and turn around.
Two new Pokémon had just entered the battlefield and approach their bench. Once Ashachu recognised as Team Rocket's Mightyena from under the bridge. He felt a pang in his stomach at the sight of it.
The other appeared to be an Arcanine, with bright orange and cream fur and handsome canine features…But Ashachu recognised that voice.
"Hey, it's you," he gasped in surprise.
Sniveon, Totodile and the others looked at him.
"Ashy, you know these Pokémon," asked Sniveon.
"This is Zacian and Mightyena," Ashachu explained. "They're the ones we told you about.
Sniveon scowled. "From Team Rocket." She put both of her paws around him and hugged him tightly against her. "You're not having Ashachu."
"Wah!" Totodile sprang to his feet, and stood battle ready in front of Ashachu, the happy look on his face replaced by a stony glare. Axew, Zoroark and Geyser seemed to be preparing themselves for a fight as well. On their feet, fur bristling, extending claws and gathering Scalchop.
"Sniveon." Ashachu pushed the Flareon off him before holding up his paws and saying, "Everyone relax. They're not here to hurt us. I think."
"I apologise if I have frightened or offended you," said Zacian. "Please rest assured that Mightyena and I mean you no harm, even if we are from Team Rocket. In fact, we are here to protect you all from something far more dangerous. As your friend here has said, my name is Zacian."
As she said this last sentence, she removed the fake mane of fur from her head and neck, revealing her true form. There was a murmur from Ash's Pokémon, as each of them exchanged looks.
"Protect us," asked Zoroark, a note of apprehension. "You mean from that Darkrai."
"Shadow," replied Zacian with a nod. "I am afraid so…"
Totodile coxed his head and frowned. "What would a Darkrai want with us?"
"Shadow is but the foulest creature to wander Arceus' green earth," explained Zacian sombrely. "He is a monster. He has slaughtered many innocent Pokémon, and some humans too, always in brutal and cruel manners. Unfortunately, my associated in Team Rocket believe he may have marked some of you for death, on account of what happened between and his little pet Blade the Sneasel in Hoenn. But you may rest assured, I am prepared, and I will defeat and destroy him…"
[Pokémon]
Meanwhile…
"Yes…What happened…When did that happen…How bad…Has anybody been hurt… How far did he get…Do we know where he is…Oh my goodness, I'll be right up!"
Chairman Rose hung up the phone and restored it to his pocket. Today was not a good day; First the terrorist attack bringing down the entire national railway system and probably delaying the roll out of the company's new rolling stock. Now this!
"Harold I'm sorry," he said turned back to the man who was with him – Harold the portly manager from the sales team. "There's been a problem upstairs. We'll have to continue this later."
If Harold thought the situation odd, he did not say anything as the chairman patted him on the shoulder before walking off swiftly in the direction of the elevator…
When Rose reached his office a few moment later he found his assistant Oleana waiting for him as expect. "What's going on," he barked at her as he entered the room, all niceties of greeting ignored. "How did that blasted Darkrai escape?"
"It appears zat the train we had arranged to transport to the facility in Hammerlock has derailed," Oleana answered in her thick east European accent. "It seems there was collision."
"So, it's connected to whatever has happened to the railways," mused Rose furiously. "I knew it. Do we have any idea where the damn thing's gotten to?"
"Witnesses from crash site say they saw it travelling south."
"South," repeated the Chairman. "That makes no sense. If it wanted to return to its Sneasel mate, north would be the logical direction. Unless." He slapped his palm against his forehead. "What's going on the railway?"
"According to media and police there is system failure. But contact in government say zat the computer that control points and switches has been overtaken by virus."
"And the rumours about a strange train?"
"Zey seem to be unconfirmed at this time."
The chairman raised a hand and stroked the stubble on his chin. "We will need to act quickly. This could severely delay our plans. Get out best people out there. Find out where that Darkrai has got to and bring it back under our control. And let the engineering boys know I'll be bringing project R forward."
Oleana gave a gracious nod. "Yes sir…"
[Pokémon]
Back in the gym with Ash and Pikachu…
"Alright Charizard, use Dragon Breath."
"Turtonator, you use your Dragon Breath too!"
The duelling dragons each fired their golden flames at the other. Like earlier the attacks met in the middle of the field. But unlike with Totodile, this time the attacks were equally matched.
Another sight Ash had become familiar with after the many battles he and his team had fought. Two equally matched special attacks colliding and causing a great explosion that covered the field in dust and smoke. And he knew how to use that to his advantage.
"Quickly Charizard. Dive and use Dragon Tail."
Charizard had been hovering in the air above when the attacks were fired. Now he guided down into the smoke, his tail beginning to glow.
"Turtonator. Dodge it!"
But in the smoke the tortoise shaped dragon type couldn't see the direction Charizard was coming from. There was a loud thud as the tail made contact with the side of its head…
"Turtonator."
"Charizard."
Ash held his breath as the smoke cleared. When it did, Charizard was standing triumphantly over the unconscious form of Turtonator lying face down in the middle of the field.
"Yayyy. Way to go Charizard!" Ash felt the usual thrill of exhilaration at the sight of his unconscious opponent. Like Ashachu he couldn't help himself, he jumped and punched the air in triumph.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu cheered happily from his shoulder, his paws gripping Ash a little tighter as his trainer's feet left the ground.
Charizard, for his part, roared and fired a jet of flame into the air. "Zaaarrrd."
Ash was about to run over to his Pokémon and give him a big hug, but he was beaten in doing so by Ashachu, who chose that moment to scurry out from the bench, and leap into his boyfriends waiting arms.
"Hehe! You did great Charizard. I knew you could do it," Ashachu squeaked as they hugged each other.
"Nawww. That fucker was nothing. Not when I have you to fight for, little chu," Charizard replied. He held Ashachu out in his arms and the two touched noses.
"Since when did you start calling me little chu," asked Ashachu, blushing.
Charizard shrugged. "I don't know. I just thought it was cute."
"Okay, then I'm calling you Charie," Ashachu replied, before the two touched noses again.
Back over on the sidelines, Geyser folded his arms and rolled. "Excuse me while I go and vomit," he mumbled.
Totodile on the other paw looked crushed. He gazed at Charizard and Ashachu with a shocked expression on his face, his wide jaw hanging open. "Wah. No. It can't be!"
Zacian noticed the expression on Totodile's face and looked at him curiously. "What's wrong Totodile." She then glanced at Ashachu and Charizard. "Wait, don't tell me! You have a crush on that other Pikachu, don't you?"
"Wah." Totodile looked up at her wide eye. "What. How did you!"
Zacian smirked. "Well, the way you're looking at him entirely gives it away."
Totodile blushed and looked down at his feet. He started to draw circles on the bench with his right toe. "I just…Think he's cute is all. I don't think he feels the same way."
"Hey, you don't know that" said Zacian. "Perhaps you just need to…Wait." She suddenly became alert, her fur bristling and a dark expression coming across her face.
Zacian was not alone – the other Pokémon had all noticed that something was wrong. It was as if a chilling wind had suddenly swept through the gym, and a sudden anxiety crept up on all of them.
The reason for it became apparent a split second later. There was a brief flash of pink light as the black billowing form of a Darkrai just appeared in the middle of the field – right before Ash…
Ash had come this close to a Darkrai once before in his life – When he and his Pokémon a losing fight against Tobias' Darkrai at the Sinnoh League. It was strange, this Pokémon was identical in almost every respect to that Darkrai…At least as far as Ash could see.
But at once he could there was something different about this creature. It was hard to say what it was. Perhaps it was the way that the single red eye glared at him, the way it must have tormented Ashachu.
Perhaps it was the chilling affect it seemed to have on the air and on everybody present. Or perhaps it was the air of dread that seemed to emanate from it.
"It's you," Ash gasped. "You're Shadow the Darkrai."
"What are you doing here," squeaked Pikachu.
"Zaarrddd!" Charizard acted on instinct. He placed a trembling Ashachu on his shoulder, before firing a flamethrower directly at the Darkrai.
Shadow's reflexes were fast. He raised his long slender claws and erected a barrier between himself and the fire. Then he conjured up a dark black orb and hurled it at Charizard.
"Char!" Charizard was hit in the middle of his chest. The force of impact threw him off his feet and sent him and Ashachu flying into the wall opposite. There was a dull thud and the sound of cracking plaster as the pair of them crashed.
"Charizard. Ashachu!" Ash felt a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach and his heart begun to race. He wanted to run over to help, but he didn't want to turn his back to the menacing black figure standing before.
"Alright tell us! What do you want," he demanded, his voice a mixture of apprehension and rage?
"Your friend isn't with us anymore," cried Pikachu.
"I am aware of Blade is not here. That is not why I have come." Shadow spoken in a low dark voice that made Pikachu shiver. Even word dripped with cold menace. Every sentenced sounded like a threat. "I am here to offer you a proposal. You assist me in rescuing Blade, and in return, I shall not slaughter your precious Ashachu or that arrogant Charizard. I cannot guarantee their safety in the event that Blade wishes their death, but I will not act of my own accord to harm a single Pokémon you have with you. I'm sure you do not trust me; you likely hate me. However, you can ask Ashachu yourself if I'm being honest. He knows first-hand what I will do for Blade."
Overwhelmed with the shock of the Darkrai's sudden appearance, Ash couldn't fully comprehend what Shadow had said.
But Pikachu did. "N-no way," he squeaked back. "There's no way we'd help you!"
Shadow continued. "I completely understand your reservations about assisting me or Blade, however, it would seem Team Rocket is willing to go to great lengths to capture me. And considering what I saw of Blade's memory, they will likely come for you soon after, should they succeed. I imagine Zacian and Darkrai would be too much, even for you, especially considering your Pokémon don't have a history of being able to last in battle against me."
"Wha-what! You want us to help you," Ash spluttered.
"Ash no," Pikachu whispered urgently in his ear. Ash could feel him trembling on his shoulder. "You heard what I said earlier. We can't help this Pokémon. We certainly can't trust him. Not after what he did to Ashachu."
"I see…"
Pikachu hadn't thought it possible, but somehow Shadow's voice became even more icy. More menacing. It made him flinch.
"I suppose I cannot blame you for this decision, bear in mind that if you are adamant about refusing then, I'm afraid I must be quite petty. When I do come to kill your precious Ashachu, I'll make him and you watch, as I: skin the little rodent on your shoulder alive, pry that arrogant Charizard's maw open until it snaps, hang that little Sylveon by its feelers, and...well hehehe I'll leave the rest to your imagination. Why, I think the only one I will spare is you, Ash, because you would so easily let someone innocent suffer rather than do so yourself. I have tried my best to refrain from threatening you until now. You must know, I cannot simply hand myself over to them, you yourself know Team Rocket cannot be trusted, I have come to you, with the offer of safety until Blade is released. After that, it would be up to Blade if Ashachu is spared, but after what's happened to him, I doubt he'd be too interested in watching him die."
"So, what you're saying is that if Ash agrees to help you get your little pet back, you only might kill his entire family, instead of will. What kind of fucking promise is that?"
Ash looked and Zacian standing beside him. The Arcanine disguise has been thrown off completely and she was in full attack mode; hackles raised, and teeth bared. She looked even more dangerous than Shadow did.
Keen not to get either himself of Pikachu caught between two fighting legendary Pokémon, he started walking backwards. Zacian stopped and glanced over her shoulder at him.
"Trainer, get all of your Pokémon back in their balls, then GET OUT OF HERE!" She turned her attention back to Shadow. "As for you Shadow. Prepare to die."
Zacian opened her maw and fired a pink orb at Shadow. It struck him in the chest and sent him flying backward. Though, unlike Charizard, he was able to steady himself before hitting the wall.
"Urrhg, my back," Charizard groaned as he pulled himself out of the indent in the wall he had made upon impact. "Ashachu?"
"I'm here," Ashachu said faintly from behind.
Charizard looked over his shoulder to find Ashachu pressed against the wall where his body had just been. He felt a pang of guilt and worry in his chest. "Ashachu! I didn't crush you did I."
He pulled Ashachu out of the hole and examined. He seemed a little battered and his fur was covered in dust and plaster. Other than that, he seemed okay.
"I'm okay," said Ashachu. "Just a little…ahh…sore."
"I'm sorry. Here." Charizard licked him – a single fluid motion of his tongue over Ashachu's entire body. He then spun back around and glared at Shadow. "But I'm going to show that Darkrai a thing or…"
"No," Ashachu squeaked urgently, sitting bolt upright in Charizard's arms. "Don't. Shadows too strong. You can't fight him, you'll get here."
At that moment there was a loud BANG, and the floor shook, and the air became thick with dust and smoke. Shadow and Zacian had tried to use shadow ball and moon blast against each other at the same time.
"Wow, such power," gasped Ashachu.
Charizard nodded.
The rest of Ash's Pokémon were all staring in awe at the two duelling legendries as well, with Axew leaping into Zoroark's arms and burying his face in his fur.
"Everybody, back in your Pokéballs now," shouted Ash as he came running over. One by one he swiftly recalled Totodile, Sniveon, Geyser, Axew and Zoroark, until only Ashachu and Charizard and Ashachu remained. "Charizard, I need you to fly us out of here."
"Zarr." Charizard nodded.
Shadow and Zacian continued to fight, throwing attack after attack at each other. Though no attack seemed to land. Windows were shattered, walls were cracked, the ground felt as though they were standing in the middle of a major earthquake.
"Where's the gym leader," Ash shouted as he climbed onto Charizard's back. He desperately scanned the battlefield, but there was no sign of Kabu. It was becoming difficult to see.
"He must have made a run for it," squeaked Pikachu.
"Some leaders," Ashachu muttered in contempt.
"Alright, let's go."
Charizard gave a flap of his wings and rose into the air. The Motostoke stadium was enclosed by a glass dome, which by the looks of it was starting to crack. Another few moment and it would probably shatter, causing injury anyone below.
"Zaarrd!"
Charizard belched a jet of flame as he approaches, blowing a large hole in the dome permitting them to escape. Ash, Pikachu and Ashachu looked down as the rose out of the stadium, where on the field below the legendries continued their deadly duel.
For a second it looked as though Zacian might be winning. She seemed to have managed to wrestle Shadow to the ground, her jaws around his throat. Then there was a small black burst of energy and she was thrown off landing in a heap.
Ash gritted his teeth – Would Shadow attempt one of his terrible deeds while she was down. "Come on Zacian, get up," he mumbled to himself.
But Shadow did not attack here. Instead, he begun to rise into the air like a Darkrai rocket. Ash felt a wave of panic rising from the pit of his stomach.
"Shit! Charizard, he's coming for us. Get us out of here."
"Pika Pikachu," squeaked the two electric rodents.
"Zar!"
Charizard accelerated, flying as fast as he could. The stadium disappeared below them as the city of Motostoke rose up in front. A maze of red brick buildings and smokestacks, obscured in clouds of smog.
"Charizard, fly closer to the ground," whispered Ash. "See if we can this thing."
"Zar." Charizard dived. The street below rose up to meet them. Many people and Pokémon stopped dead in their tracks, pointing in surprise at the fire/flying type swooping overhead.
"Ash, Charizard. Pikachu!"
The trainer and his three Pokémon looked down as they heard their names being called from the ground. To their surprise they saw Zacian and Mightyena hurtling along the roadway beneath and just behind them.
Ash was amazed at the speed – how fast had those two Pokémon had to run to catch up with them so fast.
"Head to the railway. Get on the train!"
"Zar!"
Ash wasn't sure what to make of these instructions, but Charizard nodded and put on a burst of speed. Ahead was an iron wrought bridge. As they approached a jet-black train appeared hauled by an arrow shaped locomotive and comprising of slick passenger cars.
A long sliding door on the second car was open – wide enough for Charizard to flying inside. Was that what she was talking about?
"Quickly!"
Charizard suddenly felt something hard hit him in the back, almost causing him to lose his balance in mid-air. They dropped dangerously close to the ground.
At the same time Ash felt something brush up against his back. He looked over his shoulder and his eyes met those of Zacian's.
"In there."
Charizard gave a forceful flap of his wings and the gained height again. They were now level with the bridge and train was looming in front of them.
Ash gripped Charizard tightly and shut his eyes. Pikachu and Ashachu did the same!