After a short ride across the water, Ash and May arrived at the hidden metal door on the back of her Blastoise.
"We need to find a way in without causing a scene." May realized, running her hand over a lock on the door.
"Agreed. Any ideas?" Ash wondered. May pondered the question for a few moments before kneeling down to talk to Blastoise.
"Blastoise can you use a weak Ice Beam on the lock? Crafting a kind of key?" she suggested.
"Blast." Blastoise nodded. She then fired a weak Ice Beam into the lock of the door, filling it with ice so it took the shape of the lock itself. Once it was complete, May moved in and was able to turn the key inside the lock. The door yielded to May's resourcefulness and the improvised key as the door slowly opened. As they entered, Ash couldn't help but smile at the brunette.
"You're amazing, you know that?" he expressed his affection.
"Well, a very special person was my mentor. So I guess that's a reflection of him." May responded, grinning. A warm smile was exchanged between them, sealing their unspoken bond. With Blastoise as their transportation, they stepped into the unknown depths of the Team Aqua base. May, feeling the weight of the situation, leaned in and pecked Ash's lips for comfort. "I love you."
"I love you too." he reciprocated.
"Let's do this. Just like old times." May suggested as she smiled softly with renewed determination.
"You bet." he smiled back. Pikachu, sensing the seriousness of the moment, chimed in with an encouraging cry of his own.
"Pika!" May shared another smile with Pikachu and Ash before they delved further into the base, ready to face the challenges and confront Team Aqua's nefarious plans head-on.
"Blast blas." Blastoise suddenly called to them, catching their attention. May followed her gaze and noticed she was warning them of an incoming staircase, signaling the end of the water portion of their journey.
"Oh. Thanks for the warning Blastoise." May thanked her.
"Looks like we're walking the rest of the way," Ash commented as Blastoise swam right up to the edge of the water. Both trainers stepped off Blastoise and back onto dry land.
"Thank you Blastoise. Take a good rest." May smiled as she recalled Blastoise to her pokeball. Having successfully infiltrated the base, seemingly without drawing any attention, the duo began ascending the stairs and moving further in. As they walked, Ash took May's hand, creating a comforting connection between them. The winding staircase provided a path that could potentially lead them closer to Team Aqua's plans. The quiet was nice for a time, but eventually, May spoke up in a lower voice, just in case any Team Aqua members were nearby. "Can I...ask you something...?"
"Sure thing," Ash replied.
"If you were to find out...that someone else felt the same way about you that I do...would that change anything between us?" May inquired.
"Not one bit. 'Cause you're the only one I love." Ash assured her.
"I guess I just... sometimes worry that it's only because I told you before anyone else...that maybe if someone else had come along before me..." May confessed, her voice trailing off a little as she imagined her life without her boyfriend.
"That I could have ended up with that someone else instead of you...?" Ash finished for her, understanding her concerns.
"Yeah…" May nodded slightly, "Probably doesn't make me a great girlfriend to think that way...I'm sorry..."
"Don't you dare be sorry. And for the record, I'm not with you because you told me May. I'm with you because you're the one. The one that makes my heart beat faster than I thought it could, the one I want to give everything to protect, and the one that makes me smile just at the thought of you." Ash reassured her, speaking sincerely. "If that's not love I don't know what is."
"I just love you so much... the thought of losing you is..." May began again as she looked up at him with fear in her eyes. Their eyes met and Ash gently pushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"You won't lose me," Ash promised. "Ever."
"Promise...?" May sought confirmation.
"I promise," Ash reaffirmed. Their moment of vulnerability was interrupted by a passionate kiss initiated by Ash, a shared connection that transcended their surroundings. They stayed locked in their kiss for a few moments longer before Pikachu suddenly piped up with a reminder.
"Might want to save this make-out session for later when we're not in enemy territory," he commented. Both trainers reluctantly pulled away from the kiss and chuckled, knowing that he was right.
"To be continued...?" May teasingly suggested.
"Yeah. I'll make sure we get some alone time once this is all over." Ash smiled.
"Oh! I have an idea for that. I'll tell you about it later." she giggled.
"Oh? Alright then." Ash agreed, curious as to what May could be planning. "I'll be interested to see what you have in store Princess."
"You got yourself a deal." May smiled. As they continued to navigate the labyrinthine corridors of the Team Aqua base, they remained focused on the mission at hand. They moved further into the base, walking silently side by side. They stealthily approached what appeared to be the main doors of the Team Aqua hideout. May, exhibiting caution, gently pushed the door open, revealing to them two people inside. Both of them looked drastically different from years ago, but Ash and May still recognized them and Team Aqua Admin Shelly and Team Aqua's leader, Archie. The two intruders moved in closer, staying hidden to allow them to eavesdrop on the conversation between the criminals before them.
"Sir, we've lost contact with our teams. No explanation was given." Shelly reported to Archie. Archie, visibly frustrated, muttered curses under his breath. Shelly sought guidance, asking, "Your orders?"
"We have to get to Mt. Pyre and get the orb now!" Archie declared, determined to proceed despite the setback.
"Uh oh..." Ash whispered.
"We can't let them get that orb," May whispered back, sharing his concern. Feeling the urgency of the situation, May took a deep breath and reached for a pokeball. Ash, mirroring her actions, also grabbed a pokeball, their readiness evident. The two trainers knew they had to confront Team Aqua and prevent them from obtaining the orb that could pose a severe threat to Hoenn. The air in the room thickened with tension as May and Ash, ready for battle, released their Pokémon, revealing themselves to their opponents.
"Go Blaziken!" May exclaimed as she threw her pokéball.
"Blaziken!" Blaziken emerged with a fierce cry, ready for action.
"Frogadier! I chose you!" Ash followed suit.
"Frog!" Frogadier announced with a determined expression on his face.
"What the?!" Archie gasped, taken aback by the unexpected intrusion.
"Those same kids?!" Shelly asked, recognized the meddling duo.
"We're not going to let you get that orb!" Ash declared with firefly determination.
"Scram ya scamps! We have no time for this!" Archie fired back.
"Neither do we! You're not going to get to Mt. Pyre as long as we're here!" May assured them.
"Walrein, deal with these pests!" Shelly wasted no time, throwing her pokéball and summoning the formidable Ice/Water-type Pokémon.
"Wal!" Walrein bellowed. Archie, not to be outdone, unleashed his own Pokémon.
"Sharpedo, sick 'em!" he declared, sending the swift Water/Dark-type into action.
"Shar!" Sharpedo growled, clearly ready for a fight.
"Use Cut, Frogadier!" Ash commanded, Frogadier's hand glowing white as he formed a blade in response to the order.
"Sky Uppercut!" May directed Blaziken at the same time. Blaziken dashed ahead with her fist glowing brightly alongside Frogadier. The simultaneous attacks targeted Walrein and Sharpedo respectively, but the Aqua Leaders had other plans.
"Blizzard, Walrein!" Shelly ordered. Walrein responded by launching a powerful Blizzard, knocking both Blaziken and Frogadier backward. Archie seized the opportunity, commanding his Sharpedo.
"Aqua Jet, Sharpedo!" The swift Water-type charged forward, slamming into Blaziken for a massive amount of damage.
"Blaziken!" May cried out as her Pokémon skidded backward.
"Body Slam Walrein!" Shelly followed up. With far more dexterity than a Pokemon of that size should have, Walreign lept into the air and landed on Frogadier with the full weight of his body behind him, causing Frogadier to croak out in pain.
"Frogadier!" Ash gasped, quickly realizing Frogaider couldn't do a thing while pinned under the massive Pokemon.
"Blaziken are you alright?!" May called out. Her starter Pokemon shook out her feathers and nodded, ready once again to continue the fight. Noticing Ash and Frogadier's situation, May thought fast. "We gotta help Frogadier. Use Thunderpunch on Walrein!"
"Blaze!" Blaziken agreed. She moved quickly, striking Walrein with a supercharged Thunderpunch. The Ice/Water-type roared in pain, flying backwards and releasing Frogadier from the Body Slam.
"No you don't! Aqua Jet again!" Archie countered, sending Sharpedo back in towards Blaziken as he coated himself in water.
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!" Ash called out. Pikachu leaped into the air, firing a powerful Thunderbolt that struck Sharpedo for even more damage, forcing his attack on Blaziken to stop before it could make contact.
"Thanks, Ash!" May smiled.
"No problem May!" he grinned as he gave her a thumbs up. Undeterred, Shelly commanded her Walrein once again.
"Blizzard once more!" Walrein unleashed another Blizzard, but this time, May had a strategy.
"Block with Fire Spin, Blaziken!" she ordered. Blaziken gathered all her fiery power, launching a Fire Spin so intense that it burned through Walrein's Blizzard, providing Ash and his Pokemon an opportunity.
"Use Aerial Ace and Thunderbolt!" he called out. Frogadier leaped into the air, glowing blue as he prepared for Aerial Ace, while Pikachu fired a Thunderbolt. The Thunderbolt made contact with Walrein, sending the large Pokemon flying, but Archie wasn't about to let Frogadier get away with attacking Sharpedo.
"Crunch them Shadpedo!" Sharpedo zipped ahead, with even greater speed than Frogadier, and sunk his fangs deep into Frogadier's torso. Frogadier cried out in pain, but through sheer determination still brought his arms down onto Shadpedo's head to complete the Aerial Ace. Both Pokemon skidded backward, damaged but still able to fight as Walrein and Blaziken came to their aid, still ready as well. But Archie seemed the most frustrated by the situation, suddenly revealing that he had one more trick up his sleeve.
"Time to blow these scamps out of the water! Sharpedo, Mega Evolve!" he declared, tapping his Mega Stone embedded in his necklace.
"What the?!" Ash gasped. Both he and May watched in shock as Sharpedo underwent a stunning transformation. Sharpedo's fangs in his mouth transformed into sharper versions, and horns sprouted from his nose along with new yellow patterns appearing on his body, old scars that were carved in battle resurfacing.
"Shar sharpedo!" Sharpedo growled out with his now increased power.
"Fine if that's how you want to play! Blaziken, are you with me?" May declared, looking to her own partner.
"Ken!" Blaziken nodded in agreement, and May held up the white bracelet on her wrist, activating her own Mega Stone.
"Then let's go! Mega Evolve Blaziken!" she yelled. The atmosphere shifted as Blaziken underwent Mega Evolution, radiating power as she did. She lost her yellow markings and gained black markings on her upper legs and chest. Her hair-like feathers took on a wing-like shape and pointed upward, and the portion around her chest turned rough around her shoulders. The crest on her head changed into a flat horn that curved backward. The fire she created on her wrists grew longer and she took on a new powerful stance.
"Whoa! You can Mega Evolve your Blaziken as well, May?!" Ash exclaimed, surprised by this revelation.
"I was going to tell you about it during our next call. I'll explain later." May smirked. Now in a new stage of power levels, the battle continued, each side pushing their Pokémon to the limit. "Blaze Kick, Blaziken!"
"Blaze!" her Mega Evolved Pokémon acknowledged. She moved at an incredible speed, striking Sharpedo with a powerful Blaze Kick to the head. Archie, determined not to be outdone, ordered his next attack as well.
"Ice Fang now Sharpedo!" Mega Sharpedo, now a formidable force, shook off the Blaze Kick and charged forward with enhanced speed, biting down on Blaziken with his fangs coated in ice. Despite not being very effective on the Fire Type, Blaziken cried out in pain, skidding backward to avoid further damage.
"Thunderbolt, Pikachu!" Ash intervened. Pikachu leapt back into the frey and unleashed a powerful Thunderbolt, causing Mega Sharpedo to recoil away from Blaziken.
"Let's wrap this up, Ash!" May urged.
"Right, May!" Ash agreed.
"Aerial Ace, Blaziken!" May called for a final assault. Mega Blaziken soared through the air, executing a dazzling Aerial Ace.
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt! Frogadier use Water Pulse!" Ash followed her lead. Pikachu and Frogadier both fired their elemental attacks into Blaziken's wake, adding their power to her own as she collided with both Walrein and Shadpedo head-on. The combination of attacks overwhelmed Team Aqua's Pokemon, sending both of them airborne. The coordinated efforts of Pikachu, Frogadier, and Mega Blaziken culminated in a spectacular display of power, engulfing Mega Sharpedo and Walrein in a brilliant explosion. Once the attacks had faded, both Pokemon crashed to the ground, fainted and defeated.
"Sharpedo!"
"Walrein no!"
"Alright! Way to go Blaziken!" May cheered.
"Frogadier, Pikachu you guys were great too!"
"Blaze." Blaziken nodded, devolving back to her normal form.
"Dier!"
"Thanks!" Pikachu chimed in. Archie and Shelly recalled Walrein and Sharpedo, making no effort to continue the fight with their strongest Pokemon defeated. May and Ash exchanged triumphant glances, as they approached their opponents.
"It's over, Archie! Give up now!" May declared firmly.
"We won't let you get to Mt. Pyre! You won't awaken Kyogre again and destroy Hoenn!" Ash added, his resolve unwavering.
"What?! You stupid kids! We're not-" Before Archie could finish his retort, however, a Salamence suddenly crashed through the wall, bringing a new woman into the scene.
"Huh?!" May gasped.
"What the?!" Ash asked.
"Who are ya?! How dare ya invade my base!" Archie growled.
"Sorry to burst in y'all. Just need to pick up a few things." the woman announced with a casual remark. It was then that she noticed May in the room and smiled, seemingly amused by her presence. "Well now. Don't you love it when all the stuff you need is in the same aisle?"
"H-Huh…?!" May asked, suddenly filled with a healthy dose of fear. Ash, ever the protective force, stepped in front of May as the mysterious woman approached.
"Stay away from her! Whatever you're here for you're not going to get it!" he declared. The woman, unfazed, noted Ash's protective stance with a smile.
"Well now. Never seen the knight in shining armor type in real life. Cool." she snicked. "But I'm afraid I'm on a bit of time crunch here. So Salamence if you'd be a dear."
"Sala!" Salamence roared and unleashed Dragon Breath, engulfing the area in flames. In a quick and protective move, Ash swiftly took May out of the line of fire, landing on the ground with her safely underneath him. May, startled, let out a small cry, but Ash held her close, shielding her from the fiery onslaught.
"Archie sir!" Shelly gasped. However similar to Ash, Archie grabbed her and pulled them both out of the line of fire just in the nick of time. Taking the provided opportunity, Salamence flew down amongst the flames, focused on Archie and Shelly's location. In the split second they were close as they flew by, his trainer seized the opportunity to snatch Archie's Mega Stone right out of his necklace as Salamence ascended back to a safer altitude.
"Good. One down, one to go." With her loot secured, the woman then turned her attention toward Ash and May. Noticing her attention on them once again, Ash held May protectively in his arms and commanded his Pokemon from amongst the flames.
"No way! Pikachu use Thunderbolt! Frogadier use Water Pulse!" Pikachu and Frogadier attempted to fend off the formidable Salamence with their attacks, but the woman and her Salamence were faster.
"Flamethrower!" Salamence, undeterred by the incoming attacks, countered with a powerful Flamethrower, forcing Pikachu and Frogadier back and their attacks to be blocked. In the midst of the chaos, the woman sighed and mused over the battle as if it were a casual affair. "Why do they always make it difficult?"
"I'm not going to let you hurt her!" Ash angrily declared.
"Make things difficult, and I'm afraid things will get much worse for both of you," she warned them.
"We won't let you…! Blaziken stop her!" May called out, wanting to help Ash and his Pokemon fight. Blaziken, heeding her trainer's command, used her powerful legs to jump up to Salamence's altitude, grabbing Zinnia from behind with ease and snatching her off Salamence's back. Zinnia sighed once again, seemingly unfazed by the sudden grab from Blaziken.
"Aster dear please use Hyper Voice," she announced. However, in a move that seemed to even surprise her, no attack came from anywhere in the room, not even a peep.
"You mean this Whismur?" Archie asked, holding his arm up and revealing that he had captured Aster in the chaos of the battle.
"W-W-Whismur…" The terrified Whismur trembled as Zinnia's command hung in the air unanswered. Zinnia, determined and ruthless, glared at the man that held her precious Pokemon hostage with nothing by rage and fury in her eyes.
"That's it." she declared. She reached down and tapped the Mega Stone on her anklet, initiating the Mega Evolution of Salamence, causing everyone in the room to gasp in surprise. His wings meld together into a single huge, crescent-shaped wing. The smooth red flesh underneath him was been left exposed, increasing his streamline appearance. The upper pair of fins resting on the sides of his head became elongated and tapered. The middle set took the form of quarter-arches, spanning towards the bridge of the nose. The remnants of his shelled underbelly were drastically transformed into a segmented, more aerodynamic, vest-like armored frame. The frame encases his chest and shoulders with the pieces interlocking to allow Salamence to tuck in his front forelegs. The once-powerful dragon transformed into Mega Salamence, radiating strength and menace.
"Oh no…" Ash muttered under his breath, sensing the situation was about to go from bad to worse.
"Get it done Salamence." the woman ordered coldly. Salamence launched himself into the air at incredible speed, slamming into Blaziken with pure power that forced her to release the woman from her hold. Blaziken, staggered by the intense force, stumbled and fell back, crashing into a wall.
"Blaziken!" May cried out in anguish for her Pokémon.
"I'm far from done." the woman announced, far from satisfied. She and Salamence turned their target back to Archie. The dragon, with brutal force, used Dragon Claw on Archie, leaving him with deep, bloody gashes across his chest. Zinnia reclaimed her Whismur during the chaos as the little Pokemon was set free from Archie's grasp. Shelly, witnessing the brutality, cried out in horror for her leader.
"ARCHIE!"
"Wrap this up." the intruder ordered her Salamence. The dragon, now a harbinger of destruction, turned his attention back to Ash and May. In a sudden and brutal assault, Mega Salamence swung its tail, slamming Ash into a wall. May, shocked and distressed, gasped at the sight of Ash's pain.
"ASH!" she screamed. Pikachu, consumed by anger, launched a powerful Thunderbolt at Salamence.
"Get rid of them!" the woman yelled, annoyed by the interference. The dragon swung his wing, knocking Pikachu into the air. "Flamethrower!"
"Mence!" Obeying without hesitation, Salamence unleashed flames upon Pikachu, causing the little mouse to cry out in pain.
"Down." the woman said coldly. Salamence dove to the ground and flew like a bullet just above it. Coming upon May in the chaos, he swiftly grabbed May by her torso in his jaws. The dragon clamped down on May, causing her to scream in agony as his fangs cut into her skin. Zinnia, heartless and cold, threatened May's life, declaring, "Another move, and she gets split in half. I guarantee you that Salamence's jaws can move faster than you can."
"You heartless bitch!" Ash exclaimed, stunned as he witnessed her cruelty. Pikachu, refusing to yield, struggled to his feet and sparked his cheeks for another attack.
"Try it. I have no issues killing her." the woman challenged Pikachu. Salamence sunk his fangs further into May's body and the captive trainer cried out in immense pain. "Stand down. Or she's as good as dead."
"Pikachu stop…!" Ash pleaded, not willing to risk May's life. Pikachu powered down his electricity in response, knowing that the risk was too great. Zinnia, growing impatient, decided to end it.
"I don't have time for this. Salamence we're taking the whole package. Use Twister." she declared. Salamence obeyed and suddenly enveloped the room in a blinding cyclone. Ash and his Pokemon were forced to shield themselves from the galeforce winds as Salamence, moving with mach speed, disappeared into the wind. Amidst the chaos, Ash cried out for May, his voice filled with desperation.
"MAY!" The cavern of a base quivered under the strain of the intense battle, a symphony of destruction playing out as powerful attacks collided. Shelly, her breaths rapid and strained, assisted Archie, who struggled to stand despite the deep wounds marring his chest. The room, weakened by the relentless onslaught, groaned in protest, threatening to succumb to the impending chaos. Frogadier's concerned gaze lingered on Ash and Pikachu, understanding the urgency of their situation. Blaziken, though nursing her own injuries, propelled herself through the debris, deftly navigating the falling rocks to reach Ash's side. The impending collapse of the cavern loomed overhead. Determination and rage were etched across Ash's face, his mind not even registering the immediate danger he was in as the sight of May in so much pain clouded his thoughts. "When we find her, she's a dead woman!"
"We have to go, or we're going to get buried alive!" Pikachu urged, sensing the gravity of the situation. Ash, despite the pain etched into every line of his body, nodded in solemn agreement. Blaziken, quick on her feet, surveyed the surroundings and located a potential escape route. With a swift Sky Uppercut, she shattered the obstructing rubble, creating a path for them.
"Blaze!" she called to them. Helping their injured trainer along, Pikachu and Frogaider followed Blaziken as she cleared a path for them. Time hung precariously in the balance as they maneuvered through the debris. Just in the nick of time, Blaziken emerged from the crumbling cavern, narrowly escaping the devastating collapse within. The trio staggered to safety outside, the crumbling remains of the cavern cascading behind them as the base was destroyed completely. Serena, watching the scene unfold from the beach, gasped in horror. Panic etching her features, she rushed toward Ash, her heart pounding with worry. Kneeling beside him, she checked on his condition, her voice trembling with concern,
"Ash! Pikachu!" Ash groaned, the toll of the battle evident in every strained breath. Pikachu lay unconscious, his small frame a testament to the fierce struggle. Blaziken, showing signs of fatigue and nursing her wounded shoulder, stood guard over them. Serena, fraught with anxiety, whispered a desperate plea, "We need to get them help."
To be Continued...