"I don't think we're going to be leaving the island today." Molly said, seeing the heavy storm outside.
"But we need to get back to Olivine for the gym battle against Jasmine!" Ash said.
"Also Molly needs to reunite with her Flaaffy that is helping with the lighthouse." Casey reminded.
"RIght right, sorry." Ash apologized.
"No matter why we're going back to Olivine, it's not happening today." Brock pointed out. "So there is no point in arguing with each other."
"Well if we're not leaving, how about some training! Pikachu you just learned that awesome move, how about we practice it out! Who's with me!" Ash said excitedly.
"Pass." Molly said.
"Yeah, if you want to die in a storm, do it yourself." Casey pointed out.
"As good as Geodude and Onix are against electric types, with this storm, I don't want to risk it." Brock admitted.
"Well then Pikachu, it looks like we're finding ourselves someone out there, let's go!" Ash said as Pikachu hopped on his shoulder before they rushed out of the Pokemon Center.
"You know he's going to get himself hurt doing things like this." Casey said to Brock. "He'd probably listen if you said something."
"He's done far dumber things than some intense training, plus when Ash sets a goal in his heart, he won't back down until he's given it his all." Brock said.
"Don't you mean in his mind?" Molly asked.
"Not with Ash, from before even his journey began, he has held one goal so close to his heart that he is always striving to get closer to it, to become a Pokemon Master one day." Brock said, before returning to brushing his Vulpix.
A top the cliffs west of Cianwood City
"Alright Pikachu use Zap Cannon!" Ash called out, pointing at a boulder.
Pikachu built up the electricity in his body, readying to fire it when a mysterious figure was illuminated from a bolt of lightning in the storm.
"It's been a long time interloper, but you haven't aged a day!" The masked man said angrily, walking towards Ash.
"The Unown were right, you are still here, out and about!" Ash exclaimed.
"Yes, and I have waited a long time to finally defeat the boy who stood in my way all those years ago!" The Masked Man said, walking with a slight limp.
"Your leg!" Ash said, noticing the limp.
"Thanks to you and that mangy Totodile of yours, not to mention,I had to take the long way these past 40 years!" The Masked Man said angrily. "Ariados use Sludge Bomb!"
"Pikachu dodge it!" Ash called out.
Pikachu leapt out of the way, only to notice he wasn't the target as Ash narrowly dodged the attack.
"You honestly think I care about some simple electric rat! My troops have been gathering Pokemon for my purposes for years, all you've done is slow a few operations. Ariados use String Shot!"
Pikachu rushed in, slamming Ariados with a Thunder Punch to keep it from attacking his trainer.
"Ariados use Shadow Ball!"
Pikachu block it with Zap Cannon!" Ash called out.
Pikachu did his best to block the shadow ball, only for his attack to go off too late, missing his target as Ash took some of the attack.
"Why?! Why are you even doing this, after all this time don't you find this pointless?!" Ash exclaimed.
"Don't you get it child, I'm doing this because I know you have the potential to cause problems in my operations, and I can't keep having you do that!" The Masked Man said angrily. "Ariados stop that pest with another String Shot!"
Ariados spun around, encasing Pikachu in a thick silk.
"You won't take him!" Ash exclaimed.
"I already told you, I don't need him. Though he might make good use as a battery." The Masked Man said, pointing his cane at Ash, a familiar crystal attached and growing from the top.
"That crystal." Ash said in shock.
"Yes the Eternal Ice, quite a powerful force." The Masked Man said. "The ability to freeze something in time, incredibly difficult to break free of."
"They were right." Ash said realizing his actions gave the Masked Man power.
"Whatever you're mumbling about is no concern anymore, as you'll be on this cliff side for all of eternity." The Masked Man said, pointing his cane at Ash and Pikachu, slowly freezing them in place.
As the crystals grew up a roar was heard as winds whipped around.
"No, it can't be you're protected by that thing already!" The Masked Man exclaimed, seeing Suicune off in the distance. "This should change everything and soon enough, it won't matter!"
The crystals slowly grew up to Ash's face as he hoped Suicune would stop the Masked Man or save him before it was too late. As the Masked Man and his Ariados disappeared into the cliffs and fog Ash could barely make out a voice he felt was familiar, but with the crystals growing over his ears, he wasn't sure.
"Poliwrath use Submission!"
Authors note
Yeah I know short chapter, but it's setting up for a few different things and brought back the villain since it's been a bit since we've seen the Masked Man.