Chapter 10: A Starry Night Campfire

(DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE MARIO FRANCHISE/SERIES OR POKÉMON. MARIO (FRANCHISE/SERIES) BELONGS TO NINTENDO/GAMEFREAK. POKÉMON BELONGS TO GAMEFREAK/NINTENDO).

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(Meanwhile, night has fallen over a Field full of Glowing Fire Gems. Which just so happens to be where Ash, Princess Serena, Sylveon, and Floette were camping, with a single large tree surrounding the group. Princess Serena and Floette set up camp while Ash rests forlornly, which Princess Serena and Sylveon take notice of).

Ash: (Sighs to himself. Princess Serena and Sylveon notice how sad Ash must be feeling, especially Sylveon after a taking a moment to wrap one of its feelers around Ash's arm before letting go of his arm).

Princess Serena: Thinking about your brother?

Sylveon: I can clearly see just how much you miss him and just how worried you are for him.

Ash: We have never been apart this long. (Ash then remembered how when he and Ritchie were in the Origin Ball stream, he grabbed onto Ritchie and tried to calm his brother down, telling him that nothing can hurt them so long as they are together only for them to end up forcefully pulled away from each other seconds later. What really twisted that knife in his heart was that he always helped get his brother out of a jam for the longest time, ever since they were kids. And now he had no idea where Ritchie was or if he was even okay. Ash felt like a Useless Protagonist, since whenever he had moments of doubt or even depression, Ritchie was always quick to reassure him. Ash missed his brother so much. He just hoped that wherever Ritchie, he was safe and not in any danger whatsoever. Princess Serena and Sylveon could see that Ash was looking sad and very worried about his brother, not to mention just how badly Ash's heart was clearly aching from being away from his brother. Ash was worried his poor brother is surely terrified and alone without him somewhere and he really cannot do anything about it making Ash feel half-empty without his brother. Princess Serena and Sylveon went to reassure him that they would be together again very soon).

Princess Serena: Do not worry. We are going to save him. (Sylveon then said to comfort Ash to make him feel a little better).

Sylveon: Ash, you have our word that you and your brother will be together again before you know it. (Ash's face begins beaming as he began feeling a little better now, feeling truly touched to hear that bit of reassurance from them, feeling that their words (especially Princess Serena's) mean the entire world to him. And if this Koraidon did have his brother, Ritchie, then he had even more of an incentive to take on Koraidon and save his brother. It was the fact he was going on this journey to rescue his own family, which was making him take this whole thing much more personally. Princess Serena touches a Fire Gem, receiving a power up from the item, and transforms into Fire Princess Serena, changing her from her usual outfit to an outfit where she wore a crop top and skirt featuring orange, red, yellow, white, and black colors. She also wore an orange and red bow with a light-blue gem in the middle on the back, a hair clip, various light-blue jewelry, and a light-blue bead anklet with a bow on her left leg. She creates a fireball in her hand and after playing with it for a bit she tosses it to the place where the groups collected twigs/branches/and logs are to set up a campfire, making use of something that has Mundane Utility after she was just Playing with Fire. Leaving Ash looking extremely impressed with her skills as he puts his hat back on while asking her).

Ash: You do not seem like you are from here.

Princess Serena: I do not know where I am from. (Ash is surprised to hear this from Princess Serena).

Ash: Really?

Princess Serena: Yep. My earliest memory is arriving.

(Flashback of Princess Serena as a baby coming out of an Origin Ball looking clearly terrified).

Princess Serena: And I was so lucky they found me. (Then one of the Floette who finds her approaches her, she put her pacifier in his mouth and then hugs him, clearly knowing she can trust him). They took me in.

(Flashbacks of Princess Serena growing up with the Floette doing various activities. Such as fishing for Seaking).

Princess Serena: Raised me like one of their own.

(Then we see Princess Serena reaching the Flagpole on the obstacle Course).

Princess Serena: And, when I was ready.

(The Floette General puts a crown on her head).

Princess Serena: They made me their princess, with Sylveon as Partner.

(End of flashback).

Princess Serena: And I have had Sylveon ever since it was just an Eevee when I saved it from spending its life in one of Koraidon's Dungeon Cages after stopping him once a couple of years ago. (Ash was happy to hear that even Princess Serena did not know really where she came from, she had good Pokémon like the Floette raising her as a Parental Substitute. And the fact that there were clear implications that the Floette made her their princess because she was the only person among the Floette that were truly capable of fighting in their Elective Monarchy as an Honorary Princess. And because of her Happily Adopted in the Berry Kingdom was what motivated her to defend their kingdom at all costs without conscripting a single Floette. It even reminded Ash of how when he was walking through the crowd of Floette as he made his way to Princess Serena's castle, everyone who saw looked at him with awe, clearly in the Berry Kingdom, Humans are Special. Then the two locked eyes with each other, beginning a Held Gaze with each other, with Ash looking softly at the Beautiful Princess standing before him making him feel like he has Butterfree's in his Stomach. The two kept staring deeply into each other's eyes with Princess Serena nervously tapping her fingers while compressing her lips. Then Ash had an idea of where Princess Serena could have come from).

Ash: Hey, perchance you are from my world. (Princess Serena thinks about the possibility of that for a couple of moments before responding).

Princess Serena: There is a huge universe out there... (Then Princess Serena turns to stare at the Starry Night sky with Sylveon by her side) with a ton of galaxies. (Ash found that both his and Princess Serena being able to bond over their experiences accidentally going through an Origin Ball and ending up in the Berry Kingdom, gave them a Commonality Connection and that could have both come from the same home world of Earth, because you can find Normal Fish in a Tiny Pond. Although Ash also realized that Princess Serena likely cannot leave the Berry Kingdom even if she wanted to as she has no idea where she is from and has no memory of her birth parents due to wandering into via an Origin Ball as a toddler leaving her Trapped in Another World. Ash also began to realize that he and Princess Serena were both Birds of a Feather, due to being humans who accidentally wound up in the Berry Kingdom via an Origin Ball and chose to stay in the Berry Kingdom. They are both caring individuals, who both want to stop Koraidon and protect their families. Plus, they both are Fish out of Water to each other's respective worlds; with him initially finding himself out of his depth in her Berry Kingdom. Ash was beginning to see Princess Serena as a Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold person with her glossy blonde hair and her very open-hearted and loyal figure as the feeling of Butterfree's in his Stomach kept persisting. But Ash decided to put those thoughts aside for now as he decides to join Princess Serena and Sylveon in looking into the Starry Night Sky with Ash nervously putting his hands behind his back while rocking on his heels as he stood beside the Pretty Princess Powerhouse. But then Sylveon slowly and quietly walks away to find a nearby spot in the grass to sleep for the night, to give the two of them a bit of time to themselves. Then Floette plays a Pokéflute it brought with it to set the mood for them as he and Sylveon were a Shipper on Deck with the Flute playing and giving them a bit of time to themselves. Ash was hoping very much to see his brother, Ritchie again soon).

(Meanwhile, the balloon carrying Ritchie, the Banette's, and the Morgrem at Koraidon's castle, which is where they are taking their prisoner, Ritchie to their master Koraidon. Once they arrive at the Castle, they direct the balloon to the side castle where they jump off and continue leading Ritchie to their Master).

(A Short time later, the Banette's, and the Morgrem arrive in Koraidon's throne room, walking past multiple Statues of their King, before arriving at their Master's throne where Koraidon was sitting with Delphox at his side. Ritchie stumbled and fell to the floor. Then the Mook Lieutenant Morgrem said addressing their king in its Creepy High-Pitched Voice that sounds high-pitched, and raspy, filling Ritchie with tons of Nightmare Fuel).

Morgrem: We found him in the Fiery Path. (Upon receiving this bit of information from his Lackeys, Koraidon growls as he stands up from his throne).

Koraidon: (Growls. Then Ritchie manages to look up and see Koraidon in all his Horrifying Glory making him gasp in fear with a Yelp).

Ritchie: (Ritchie Yelps at seeing how Koraidon being so large with a body that is scarlet in color, a large plume, a pair of long, thin, twisted antennae on its head, a pair of yellow eyes, webbed feet, as well as blue frills running down its neck, along with a large circular protrusion which resembles a rubber tire on its chest, and finally a long tail, made Ritchie realize that he was Obviously Evil. And it did not help that he had a large, muscular build and an intimidating posture to go along with all those things noticed about Koraidon. Then Koraidon looks suspiciously at their prisoner, causing Ritchie to get frightened as Koraidon walks down the steps to his throne).

Koraidon: Leave him to me. (Delphox then teleports and appears beside Ritchie, catching him by surprise. Before Delphox uses his Magic Stick to undo Ritchie's restraints with his Psychic attack and forces him to come closer to Koraidon, leaving him frozen helpless in midair with his arms at his side, making it impossible for him to move or defend himself in anyway. Before Koraidon questions him asking). What is your name? (Ritchie, feeling frozen in fear, answers nervously as Koraidon twirls him around in the air).

Ritchie: Uh... Ritchie. (Ritchie Shudders in fear of the Large and evil Creature present).

Koraidon: Not sure if you know who I am, but I am about to marry a princess and rule the world. (He sharpens the claws on his hands a little in front of Ritchie).

Ritchie: Wow, uh… (Ritchie Chuckles, flatly, showing Flat Joy to Koraidon). Hehehe. Yay... (Koraidon then begins telling Ritchie of a problem he has).

Koraidon: But there is one problem, Ritchie. There is a human traveling with my fiancée. Has a Cap, just like you. Do you know him...? (Koraidon then begins playing with the Cap on Ritchie's Head with his Claws while also having a Claw close to Ritchie's face and throat, making Ritchie stammer out a response to the question).

Ritchie: (Stammers). No! No! (Koraidon grins at this response able to tell that Ritchie was lying to him).

Koraidon: Ah, a tough one, I see. (Koraidon then Grabs one of Ritchie's Eyebrows). Likely this will get you to talk. (Pulls on a strand of Ritchie's Eyebrows, causing him to let out a Sharp gasp, as he begins panting rapidly in the pain that Koraidon was giving him, but he was not going to rat out his big brother to this menacing brute).

Ritchie: Do you think I know every human being with a Cap wearing an identical outfit with a hat like mine? Because I do not. (Then Koraidon pulls out the hair on Ritchie's eyebrow at hearing Ritchie nervously acknowledge their Coordinated Clothes, while being clearly aware that it makes their relationship obvious due to his Suspiciously Specific Denial and Blatant Lies. This causes Ritchie to shriek in pain as Koraidon grabs Ritchie and tugs the eyebrow strand off before having Delphox release Ritchie from his Psychic attack, as Koraidon grabs and holds him tightly in his hand shouting to him in a demanding voice as he starts pulling what remains of Ritchie's eyebrow).

Koraidon: DO YOU KNOW HIM?!

Ritchie: Gah! (Ritchie screams begging Koraidon to stop hurting him). STOP, STOP, STOP, STOP, STOP! Yes, I know him. Yes, I know him. Yes, he is my brother, Ash, and he is the best guy in the world. (Ritchie starts crying and sobbing in both terror and pain from the interrogation like the Cowardly Lion and Lovable Coward he was despite willing to go out of his way to roast Koraidon by telling the Green-Eyed Monster straight to his face about how Ash is the best guy in the world. Then Koraidon shouts Yelling in Ritchie's Face).

Koraidon: DO PRINCESSES FIND HIM ATTRACTIVE?! (Then Ritchie nervously blurts out shouting).

Ritchie: THEY DO IF THEY HAVE GOOD TASTE! (Ritchie said assuring Koraidon that he has an incredibly good reason to fear Ash as a romantic rival, because whoever this "Princess" is, any princess with good taste would find his brother, Ash attractive. Even though he knew this would obviously make their situation a ton worse, by continuing to wholeheartedly pump up his brother with his Big Brother Worship even while simply ending up tortured by a clearly deadly maniac with a Hair-Trigger Temper for any information about his brother that he does not have. Even if he did not even know who this "Princess" is, he would support her and Ash getting together if they are interested. While also making a minor sass comment against Koraidon as if he is saying "You, trying to get together with her? Because I am sure that if she will have to choose between you and my brother, she will choose him!" to Koraidon's face, all while he is still torturing him. In response to this, Koraidon furiously rips off a chunk of Ritchie's eyebrow hair, causing him to scream in pain Like a Little Girl from all this Cold-Blooded level torture he was enduring as a Distressed Dude).

Koraidon: Get him out of my Sight! (Still very much angered by what Ritchie said Tosses him aside). We will see how tough this Ash is when he watches me KILL HIS BROTHER!

(Ritchie, now trapped in hanging a cage, drops down into a dungeon where other prisoners hang suspended over a pool of lava. Already there were Hanging Cages with the Eiscue, and their King Empoleon from the Ice Kingdom that Koraidon conquered for their Tera Orb. Along with them were a couple of Palpitoad, Cranidos, and Squirtle's in separate hanging Cages because they refused to go along with their Bad Boss' plan to destroy the Berry Kingdom. Clearly the Cranidos' Literal Undying Loyalty for serving Koraidon is not good enough to keep them from ending up imprisoned like they are currently. Ritchie screams as his cage drops down before finally stopping, leaving him panting, and whimpering as his Hanging Cage shakes. Then he asks in a clear panicking voice as he sees just where he is in horrifying detail).

Ritchie: Where am I? (Then Ritchie hears a Giggling laugh catching him by surprise as he gasps in shock, he looks over to see that in another cage nearby was a pink Fairy Pokémon, Clefairy, who spins the cage around while laughing before answering Ritchie's question).

Clefairy: Home. (Then Ritchie hears the voice of King Empoleon who is sitting in yet another cage with two other Eiscue's and showing that he was still a Requisite Royal Regalia as he was still wearing his crown and ermine cape).

King Empoleon: Pay him no heed. He is cute, but he is... (Empoleon makes the Cuckoo whistle while he Twirls his flipper to describe the Cute and Psycho Cloudcuckoolander that is Clefairy with its disturbingly twisted mind. While Ritchie was a little grateful for the Empoleon being a Nice Guy for taking a moment to assure him that he does not have to listen to Clefairy's insane ramblings, he was more concerned for his wellbeing currently, before the Clefairy spoke up again).

Clefairy: In an insane world, it is the sane who ends up called crazy. (After making his Crazy Sane comment, Clefairy pulls a Hammerspace when he pulls out a pinwheel and blows on it. The propeller pops off and floats away as Ritchie asks his fellow prisoners.

Ritchie: How long have you folks been here? (Clefairy begins swinging the cage back and forth as he answers Ritchie's question).

Clefairy: Time, like hope, is an illusion. (Empoleon does not like Clefairy's comments and viewpoints here and begs Clefairy to stop as a couple of his Eiscue begin crying in despair).

King Empoleon: Please! We are depressed enough! (Ritchie, desperate to Escape says to himself).

Ritchie: There's gotta be a way outta here. (But Clefairy heard what Ritchie said and replies to him sounding just as dark and macabre as before).

Clefairy: There is no escape. The only hope is the sweet relief of death. (Then Ritchie had a look on his Face, like he was saying or thinking to himself, "You Have GOT to Be Kidding Me!". Obviously, this Clefairy had problems with his Black Comedy, talking about death with his childish voice and being a Death Seeker, while his dark and Macabre comments ended up said all to the Eiscue's dismay, making them and the prisoners moan in agony).

Prisoners: No! (While the King Empoleon shouted exclaiming his feelings on the Clefairy's comments).

King Empoleon: Oh, you must be kidding me! (In another cage nearby was an imprisoned Palpitoad who was chewing on the bars of the cage it was sharing with three other Palpitoad, all to no avail. Having to deal with Clefairy the cheerful Creepy Child nihilist who was clearly looking to crave oblivion was making all the fellow prisoners feel a ton worse about the situation with his cheery disposition and his nihilistic sense of humor towards wanting to pass away. Obviously Clefairy was an Ensemble Dark Horse with his Black Comedy. For Empoleon and his Eiscue ending up trapped above a pit of lava is bad enough for Pokémon acclimated to an icy environment, but the real torture is having to be within earshot of Clefairy while he harps on about how hopeless things are with his exceedingly pessimistic comments. Clearly having to listen to Clefairy was a Fate Worse than Death as he was a complete downer who is bringing down the mood in an already-grim situation. For Ritchie, this Clefairy was an "Anti-Ash"; since Ash is chipper and unrelentingly optimistic, while this Clefairy is chipper and exceedingly nihilistic, and would say the most morbid things while keeping a cute little smile as a Perpetual Smiler. Ritchie just groans and sighs in distress and sadness of his current situation. Hoping that wherever Ash was currently, he was having even better luck and success than he currently was. Ritchie was just hoping that he would be able to see him soon).

Replies to my reviewers:

Ashpoke55: Thank You :) As to your question about a "Pokémon x Kung Fu Panda Story", you should know the answer to that since I said at the end of my "Replies to my reviewers" section for Chapter 7, "I do not want to spoil the surprise for you. But I will say this, when I publish it, it will be causing quite the Pandamonium". But I only mentioned Jack Black like I did because I thought it was an interesting fact to share with you (the readers). But still thanks for asking. :) And remember that when I finish publishing the entirety of the Story that I am planning to do after this Story ("The Super Ketchum Brothers"), I will return to Work on my Pokémon/Ben 10 Story, "Ash 150 Pokémon Force". Picking up where I left off, with Season 2 of "Alien Force" being the place where I will start resuming my work on my Pokémon/Ben 10 Series. Just as I am sure you are looking forward to seeing more of Ash, Iris, Paul, and their Pokémon Partners, Pikachu, Fraxure, and Mightyena, I am looking forward to it too. :)

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-To Be Continued-

Next time on ... THE SUPER KETCHUM BROS.:

The Ultra Jungle Kingdom