Chapter 90 – A strange dragon is just a friend you haven't met

Plasma Frigate….

Having emerged victorious in their aerial battle, the Plasma Frigate now found itself in possession of a valuable prize: Dawn wings Necrozma. The strange ultra-beast was a magnificent sight, with a mane that glowed with light and warmth, contrasted to the obsidian crystalline structure that made up the rest of its body.

Only now it was humbled, sealed inside a glass container in the centre of the Frigate. Right beside the case that held Kyurem. Unlike Kyurem, which stood frozen in place like a statue, Necrozma paced the wall of its circular cage, looking almost like a Growlithe chasing its tail. Occasionally, it tapped at the glass with its claw as though looking for a weakness. Though none was to be found.

"At last," Colress exclaimed, a cold smile spreading across his face as he observed the creature in its tank. The light from Necrozma's mane glinted off his glasses. "A once in a life time opportunity to study the most powerful of the ultra-beasts. What secrets to bringing out the true power of Pokémon will be unearthed."

Zinzolin nodded, his expression serious. He couldn't have been less interested in Necrozma, despite the effort Team Plasma had gone to procure it. "Remember Doctor, this is a powerful and rare Pokémon. We must handle it with care. Lord Ghetsis wants it returned in one piece."

"Oh, believe me, I have no interest in anything that would cost such a magnificent specimen it's life," Colress replied with a chuckle. "After all, it is not possible to extract the true power form a Pokémon who is deceased. I cannot promise you humanity however."

"Lord Zinzolin." Aldrith's voice called out over the intercom, interspersed with static. "We cannot remain here. The Halberd is approaching fast. It we don't depart immediately; they could trap us in the canyon."

"BLAST." Zinzolin cursed, raising a hand balled into a fist. He pulled a communicator out a pocket in his large purple robe and bellowed into. "Alright men, batten down the hatches. Prepare for evasive manoeuvres."

"And I want five assistants in here," added Colress, an evil glint in his eye. "We can connect Necrozma to the Kyurem cannon. That should give us enough fire power to escape."

[Pokémon]

"Biff, Cassidy. You're just in time," Gozu barked as Butch and Cassidy entered the flight deck. Jessie, James and Matori were already present waiting for them.

"Actually sir, it's Butch," Butch tried to correct him, but was ignored by everyone present.

"We have the Plasma Frigate within our sights," explained Matori. "They got to Necrozma first, but it won't be in their possession for long."

"Oh, that is it, I am changing my name," Butch muttered to himself.

"That's good news, sir," Cassidy said as she approached the main console where the two Craydilly were manning the controls. She leant over one to see out of the main windshield at the island below, the canyon at the great temple carved into the side of the rock face. The Halberd was descending, bringing the ancient structure closer and closer. And blow it...

"To get at Necrozma the Frigate had to enter the canyon," Gozu added. "But due to the height of the Alter of the Sunne and Moone, it can only retreat in a southern direction. As soon as we move into position the Halberd will be blocking off their only line of retreat. They won't be able to get past us...ION CANNONS TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT."

He bellowed these last words, giving orders to the Pokémon present and to the gunners listening over the intercom. His communicator him to communicate over the Halberd's PA System normally, but he still chose to shout.

[Pokémon]

"Master Zinzolin, sir," Aldith barked as he re-entered the control room of the Frigate and claimed the captain's chair previously occupied by Colress. "The Halberd is directly above us. We're trapped. We don't have enough fire power to reduce the mountain side. Our only course will bring us into contact with the Halberd."

Zinzolin raised his communicator and spoke into it. "Mr. Colress, I hope you're ready."

"The cannon is connected," Colress's voice replied. "We will soon see if this will bring out the true power of Necrozma, as it has Kyurem."

"I hope so for all our sakes, as it is the only thing preventing our destruction." He sighed and lowered the communicator. "Aldith! Rotate the vessel then prepare to launch directly up on my command. Mr. Barret, target the cannon on the Frigate and fire as soon as we're in range."

"Yes Sir."

The usual obedient chorus was punctuated by apprehension from the two grunts and their four fellows. Zinzolin himself felt trepidation as the Frigate slowly spun around on the spot so as to face in the direction of the Halberd. This was the canyon's widest point, but even so the vessel's stern crunched against the rock as it swung around.

Zinzolin took a deep breath. "Well men. If this is the last command you receive, it has been a pleasure serving with you. Launch!"

The engines fired and the Halberd rocketed upwards. As it cleared the top of the cannon the Halberd sent a shower of ion cannons down to greet it. At the same time, the cannon on the hull of the Frigate returned fire at the other vessel. When only Kyurem had powered the weapon, it's beam had been bright blue. Now it was a mixture of yellow and blue, shining as brightly, illuminated the darkened sky. It struck the Halberd in the underbelly right below the nose. There was an explosion of light. Sparks of blue and yellow energy engulfed the Halberd as though it has been struck by lightning. And then slowly, it started to pivot, nose first towards the ground.

"Accelerate to full speed," ordered Zinzolin. "climb to cruising altitude and make course for the Unova Region!"

The Frigate rose higher still, clipping the top of the Halberd and disappearing into inky blackness of the dark skies above.

[Pokémon]

"Increase engines to max power," Cassidy shouted at the Craydilly. "Activate the repair droids."

The impact had thrown the crew. All around her, Matori, Gozu, Jessie, James and Butch were picking themselves up off the ground. Out of the windshield, the ground had inverted. What had once been alter in their immediate view, and the horizon beyond, was now the bottom of the canyon. The Halberd was going down.

"What the fuck was that" cried Gozu, gripping the wall.

A red light filled the cockpit, and a high computer voice sounded the words, "terrain, pull up. Terrain, pull up," again and again.

"It appeared to come from the Plasma Frigate," James offered unhelpfully.

Matori had a more insightful take. "Like us, Team Plasma's Frigate draws its power from a legendary Pokémon. That's what our spies unearthed. Suppose their machine can draw power from Necrozma too."

"That would be serious power," Gozu grunted. "None of which helps us now. Someone runs a damage report."

Cassidy was the closet one to the instruments. "We're losing power, but the structure and the engines are intact. Craydilly, magnetise."

Slowly, the Halberd begun to pull out of the nosedive. But would it be enough to avoid an impact. The rocky canyon continued to ascend towards them.

[Pokémon]

Meanwhile...

For the second time that day, Koraidon sidled up to Ash and tried to be intimate with him. This time, pressing his muzzle against Ash's nose and licking him from the bottom of his chin to the top of his nose. One of his claws ran through Ash's hair, brushing the skin on his scalp. The sensation tickled and it made him shiver. His other claw brushed his right nipple.

Ash felt his heart rate increase and his breathing become fast as Koraidon chuckled. "Hehehe. If I'd know they'd put you on display like this, I'd have let Team Rocket capture you age ago."

"Wh-what on earth are you doing," Ash gasped in shock. There was part of his body...the part closest to his dick...that wanted to allow this mysterious Pokémon to have his way with him. But the rest of him knew better. He extended a knee to push Koraidon off him. "N-now isn't the time for this."

"Ash what's up with you and this Pokémon," asked Cameron raising an eyebrow. "Is he like a secret weapon you caught for the Alola league, and now you're having an affair with him."

"N-no," Ash stuttered. "I-I've never seen him before today."

"He sure seems to know you," added Jimmy. "Yeesh, can hardly keep his claws off you. You're lucky Pikachu isn't here."

Ash's face had turned the same colour as Koraidon. He bowed his head, looking away from the other two boys. "There isn't even an entry for him in the Pokédex."

A sad expression crossed Koraidon's face. Like Ash, he looked down at his claws. "I see...That's really how it is!"

Ash regained his composure and looked up the dragon type, glaring at him. "Wh-what are you doing here. Where are Pikachu and the others."

Koraidon sighed. "Hutch and Cassidy still have them. They have a machine that can control Pokémon using electromagnetic waves."

"Yeah, we know," interjected Cameron. "We've encountered EM waves before."

"But I saw you under their control," said Ash, frowning at Koraidon. He found himself wondering, could this be one of Team Rocket's tricks. "How did you escape?"

"I can resist EM waves," Koraidon replied. "I was only pretending to under their control to stay safe, so I could get onboard. If they realised that I wasn't under their control, they would have set Mewtwo on. Once those two humans' backs were turned, I slipped into the shadows away from the rest of the group and rushed back here to find you."

The lines on Ash's forehead deepened. "You can resist EM waves," he repeated. Ash knew it was possible. Indeed, he had manage to break through to Pikachu when he was under the influence before. But how had Koraidon managed it?

Koraidon didn't offer much in the way of an explanation. Instead, he gave another wistful smile and said simply, "I had training from the very best."

Ash felt a vain pulse in his forehead. He was getting a little annoyed now. "What does that mean? Why do you keep trying to kiss and be intimate with me."

Koraidon gave him a weak smile and extended his claw to stroke Ash's face. He thought better of it and withdrew it when he saw the look Ash gave him. "I don't know how early this is for you, so I don't know how much you know. I'm a time travelling Pokémon, you see. I was born many thousands of years in the past and brought to the future by a time traveller. And some point in the future Ash, you and I are going to be friends. You warned me, a long time, that there would come a time where you would be meeting me for the first time. I guess that time is now."

Judging the expression on Ash's face, Koraidon knew he hadn't believed a word of it. He took a step backwards, grateful at that moment that Ash was tied up so…securely. He actually wondered whether Ash would have attacked him, had he had the use of his arms. He braced himself for the outburst.

"OH BULLSHIT…what is this, some Team Rocket trick." Ash flicked his head around, adding, "Are you hiding somewhere here Meowth. Jessie, James. Having a mean little laugh at our expense. I-I just want Pikachu and Ashachu back." His voice broke, a flood of tears following in the wake of the anger.

Ash wasn't the only one having a hard time believing Koraidon's story….

"Yeah, I have to say, if this is a Team Rocket trick, this is low," said Cameron. "Even for you guys."

Koraidon held up his claws defensively, looking from one boy to the other. "Guys, I'm not from Team Rocket. I promise you; I'm telling the truth. I'm one of Ash's Pokémon from his personal future. I'm trying to rescue you all. You saw me arrive with Ashachu, Charizard and the others."

"Maybe he's telling the truth," suggested Jimmy.

Cameron and Ash jerked their heads around to look at him.

"Hear me out. Time travel is rare, but it does exist. You've heard of the legendary Pokémon Celebi right."

Ash and Cameron both nodded, though Cameron added, "But I thought Celebi was mythological. I mean, nobodies actually seen a Celebi, right?"

"Wrong," said Ash. "I've met Celebi…long story," he added when Cameron raised his eyebrows.

"So, what are you saying?" asked Cameron. "That Koraidon could have been brought here by Celebi."

Koraidon shook his head and started to say, "No I was…" but he was cut off by Jimmy.

"Not necessarily. Only that time travel isn't impossible, even if most people and Pokémon will never experience or see it. You remember my friend Vincent right." When Ash and Cameron said nothing, he continued. "Tall guy, spiky hair, very cheerful. Sometimes wears a cape. Briefly changed his name to Jackson for some reason at one point, then changed it back…He trained for a bit in the Paleda region. He said there were stories about Paradox Pokémon living in a mysterious crater. Pokémon who came from another time. I never believe him but…I guess, you never know."

Koraidon opened his maw to add something, but this time was cut off by Ash.

"Even so, that doesn't prove this isn't a Team Rocket trick! How do we know we can trust this Pokémon."

Jimmy sighed. "We don't. But right now, we don't have any other option. Do you have any other ideas about how we're getting out of here."

Ash and Cameron were silent. He probably had a point there.

"Can you get us out of here," Jimmy asked, turning back to Koraidon.

Koraidon beamed at him, a wide smile crossing his short muzzle. "You bet I can." He raised a claw. "Watch you heads!"

"What...AHHH." Ash yelled and dropped his head as low as he could as Koraidon stepped backwards and took a running leap at the four of them.

There was an almighty crash as his claws collided with the chains. And then restraints holding Ash and the others in place fell away. Ash's arms dropped down by his sides. He felt an immediate sense of relief – he hadn't realised how stiff he'd become being held in that position.

Cameron and Jimmy both groaned, with Cameron rolling his shoulders and

"Ah fuuck."

"That's better."

And Gladion ripped the tape gag off his mouth, and breath a sighed of relief. "Arghhh! Man, it's hard to breath like that...Arceus, you lot squark on like a flock of Oricorio. Does it not occur to you that Team Rocket might be listening." He glared at the others, but they ignored him.

"Right, what do we do now," asked Ash.

"We find Groudon and try and free it, then we find a way to disable the Pokémon control machine so we can get Lucario and the others back," said Cameron, punching his right fist into his left palm. "Oh thank-you by the way Koraidon."

Koraidon flicked his paw. "Don't mention it."

"Does anybody know where they are holding Groudon?" asked Ash.

"I've got an idea," said Jimmy. "We need to head towards the engines at the stern of the vessel. I suspect it's that way." He pointed off into the dark shadowy hallway behind them.

"That the opposite direction to which we saw bob and Cassidy take our Pokémon," Cameron replied scratching his head.

"Exactly, if they're heading to some type of control room, it would be at the front of the shipped."

Cameron nodded. "Yeah, right."

"Then let's go," said Ash. "I'm coming Pikachu, don't worry." Without wasting anymore time, he set off fast paced down the hallway. Cameron, Jimmy and Koraidon followed behind him, leaving Gladion gaping after them.

"Wait, you don't even know where you're going. You could be walking right into danger...HANG ON. Wait for me!"

[Pokémon]

Back on the flight deck...

"Terrain, pull up...Terrain, pull up..."

"IMPACT." Cassidy screamed the word, as the computer continued to sound its warning.

The canyon floor had fallen away, but one object still remained in the path of the Halberd. The rocky structure of the Altar of the Sunne and Moone. A circular round dial carved into the rock by humans thousands of years ago. The oldest heritage site in the Alola region. Water poured from rivets around the circle, down into two pools on the ground below.

There was a crunching sound as the Halberd's nose collided with the rock. The stone shattered under the vessel's momentum. Fortunately for Team Rocket, the rock could not puncture the Halberd's outer armour. The ancient altar fell away around them leaving only the black sky ahead.

"We're clear," announced Matori. "Craydilly. Climb back to cruising altitude then divert power to the repair droids get the engines firing at one hundred percent. Then we chase down the Plasma Frigate..."