I'M BAAAAACK! And not dead, thank god! Mind you, I may go on hiatus again after another chapter or 2, but this story is far from over. Enjoy.
Pokemon is owned by Gamefreak and all Pokédex entries are from Bulbapedia.
"Butts"- Humans speaking
" Butts"- Pokemon speaking
'Butts'- thoughts
" Butts "-Pokedex entries/TV commentary
" Butts"- Telepathy/Aura speech
The Mysterious Melody Of Myth
After leaving Fortree City and reuniting momentarily with Duplica, our heroes are now joined by Brock, who had decided to stay with them to see Ash's next Frontier Battle against Pike Queen Lucy in Lilycove City.
Serena: It says here on the map that if we take this route… It's a straight shot to Lilycove City! Then we can hop a bus and head over to Petalburg for my next Contest!
Brock: Alright… I think we've walked enough. Let's take a break.
Gary: Sounds good to me.
Green: Alright! Finally, some actually good cooking.
Cobalt: Got that right…. *to Ash* No offense, Ash.
Ash: None taken. I'm just as excited as you guys.
After Brock set up the standard cooking apparatus, all of the trainers released their Pokemon, Brock's Steelix, Croagunk, Iron-Shell the Foretress, Neptune the Kingler, and a Crobat, who Ash presumed was Nightwing, looked around but stopped as they saw Ash.
Steelix: Ash?
Ash: Hey, guys! We're gonna be traveling again for a little bit. *to Brock* By the way, Brock, where's Bulbasaur?
Brock: Oh, he decided to stay home. He's been a real help around the house.
As Ash nodded, both his and Brock's parties collided, talking and catching up after the long time they've been apart.
Aiden: It's great to see Brock and you guys again.
Neptune: Likewise.
Yami: Hey, Nightwing, buddy! You evolved!
Nightwing: Yep! I'm a full-fledged Crobat now! Though the extra wings… I'm still getting used to.
Green chuckled at the Crobat's words, but stopped as he heard a familiar voice.
?: Green?
The Sceptile stopped as he looked back to see a Primeape, which made him confused at first.
Green: Oh, hey. Do… Do I know y-... Wait….
Suddenly, Green's eyes widened in surprise as his face gained a small shade of red.
Green: John?!
John: *chuckles, blushes* Surprise!... I kinda evolved during a spar with Neptune.
Cobalt: John! Looking good, dude!
John: Hey, Cobalt. Good seeing you again.
Brock: Looks like John and Green are getting acquainted.
Ash: John? *takes out Pokedex* So, he finally evolved!
Pokedex: Primeape, the Pig Monkey Pokémon and the evolved form of Mankey. A Fighting type. When Primeape becomes enraged, its blood circulation is boosted, which makes its muscles stronger at the cost of some of its intelligence and awareness of its surroundings. Its natural rival is Hawlucha.
Yeah… Hey, do you think Green remembers that-
Brock: Maybe we shouldn't talk about it. It's their business, not our's.
Ash nods, agreeing with Brock's statement as he decides to help his old friend out with the cooking.
—-
Meanwhile however, a faded form is seen hiding in a bush, invisible to the naked eye as it peaked out. However, this invisibility was no match for the ever so hateable Hunter J, who was perched in a tree and looped down, spotting the invisible creature through her visor's thermal filter.
J: There you are… I see you down there.
The creature, realizing it's been compromised, quickly floated off, causing J to pull out a pipe from her pocket and blow into it, firing some kind of dart that hits the creature. It lets out a high-pitched yelp of pain as its invisibility disperses as it approaches a cliff.
J: Now, to let the dart do its work and track you down.
Meanwhile, neither the creature or J were aware that this cliff was right above where Ash and his group had stopped for lunch.
Serena: Ash, you were right. Brock's cooking is phenomenal!
Gary: This stuff's great!
Brock: Thanks, guys, but Ash helped. Amazingly, I should add.
Cobalt: Dude, I missed Brock's Pokemon food taste!
Yami: Ditto!
Cobalt: Uh… No, Lucario.
Meanwhile, Green was simply eating his food as John, with a massive blush on his face, subtly inched his way towards him.
John: Um…. Green?... About what happened when-
Suddenly, the Pokemon from earlier falls into a bush near them, catching their attention as the Pokemon weakly groans and saunters out before collapsing.
Green: What the hell?!
Ash quickly ran over and picked up the Pokemon, revealing it to be a small feminine looking Pokemon with a long green strand of air, some kind of music note shaped mass on the side of its head and a jewel on her forehead, along with a mostly grey upper torso with white legs and paddle shaped hands.
Ash: Are you okay?
Gary: It looks hurt. *takes out Pokedex* What kind of Pokemon is this?
Pokedex: Pokemon unrecognized. No data available.
Serena: "No data"? That can't be right.
Brock: Looks like a bad case of poison. Maybe we should get an Antidote?
Ash: It looks like it got stung by something. It's even in the poor thing's back.
Ash pulls something out of the Pokemon's back, revealing the dart as Psi looks at it carefully.
Psi: Oh my…. This is…
Cobalt: What, what is it? What Pokemon poisoned them?
Psi: That would be the thing, Cobalt, this is not from a Pokemon.
Ash: That can;t be right, but it's the weirdest looking stinger I've seen so far.
Psi: Not a stinger… Tranquilizer dart!
Ash: A… A tranquilizer!? Someone must've been trying to hunt and capture this Pokemon.
Brock held a disgusted look after Ash's conclusion as he and Green looked over the mysterious new Pokemon.
Brock: Looks like the dart left it with some kind of toxin.
Green: Okay, this seems bad. They're burning up… Ash, get Gary to use a Super Potion on the puncture so it doesn't get infected. I need a Pecha Berry, an Oran Berry, and I need an ice pack to lower their fever.
Ash: Gary and Serena can get the berries… *to Gary and Serena* Would you actually-
Gary: Oh, yeah! Sure.
Both Gary and Serena left the scene as Brock led Ash to a nearby river.
Ash: Okay, we need an ice pack.
Brock: Any of your Pokemon know any Ice-type moves?
Ash nodded as he threw out 2 Pokeballs, releasing Azula and Jaws.
Ash: Azula, Jaws, use Ice Beam and Ice Fang on the river!
The two nodded, using their frozen attacks on the river water as a patch of ice froze on the surface.
Ash: Alright, Cobalt, now use Bullet Punch!
Brock: John, Croagunk, use Mach Punch and Brick Break!
As both Trainer's Pokemon used their attacks on the ice, a chunk of it broke off into several pieces, which Brock scooped into a smal bag. Later, Ash, Brock, Cobalt, Gren, Psi, Membra, and John stood by the Pokemon as she laid on a mat asleep, the ice pack on her forehead.
Cobalt: What exactly is it?
Green: I dunno, I've never seen a Pokemon like it before.
Membra: I have… Kinda.
Ash: You have, Membra? Well, who is this?
Membra: I… I can;t believe I'm saying this, but… her name is Meloetta.
Ash: "Melo….etta?"
Brock: Meloetta? What's that?
Ash: Oh, it's just the… Pokemon's name, apparently.
John: I've never heard of Meloetta before.
Membra: Barely anyone has. Supposedly, Meloetta is a Normal and Psychic type Pokemon who's species not only have beautiful singing voices, but have also been around for centuries. But… Meloetta's supposed to be a myth.
Cobalt: Yet here she is….
Brock: *gets up* I'm gonna go see if I can rush to the Pokemon Center, they might have better medicine than just some berries. Can you stay here and watch Meloetta, Ash?
Ash: Of course.
Brock began to trek back to Foretree as he left Ash and the Pokemon alone. But as soon as he left, Meloetta began to stir and awaken.
Meloetta: W… Wher….
Ash: Sh, sh… It's okay. Just rest.
The small Pokemon was afraid at first, but as Ash began stroking her head, she started to calm down and relax. Psi sat by her, reading her brainwaves with their psychic power to get a read on them.
Psi: She is relaxed. Calm. As long as she keeps resting once the others arrive with the supplies, we should be golden.
Green: Checks out, the ice is helping her fever. Might need more, though.
Ash: I still have Azula and Jaws. *to Brock* Brock, could you stay with Psi and Membra and keep an eye on Meloetta until we come back?
Brock: You got it, buddy.
Ash: Thanks. Just keep an eye on her, we'll be right back!
The boy then leads Cobalt, Green, and John away from the small camp, leaving the older teen to look over the small Mythical… before she addresses the Alakazam.
Meloetta: Your…. Friend…
Psi: Hm?
Meloetta: Your friend, he's…. He's nice…
Psi: Ah, I see. Yes, I agree truly is an outstandingly kind Trainer… I am glad to have him.
Meloetta: Usually when humans see me… They try to… capture me…
Psi: Well, you ARE a Mythical Pokemon. It is to be expected that many Trainers would want you.
Meloetta: Oh yeah…. *weak chuckle* I keep forgetting… Thank you for helping me. What's your name?
Psi: Oh, um… My name is Psi. The Eeletrik there is Membra and the human is Brock. I assume you simply go by Meloetta?
Meloetta: Yes… But close friends of mine used to call me "Melody".
Psi: Melody…. A rather beautiful name, perfect for a Pokemon of your status.
Brock: Hm…. Yep. Still can't understand a thing.
Suddenly, Ash and the other Pokémon return, the boy holding a now significantly heavier pack.
John: We got more ice! How is she holding up?
Psi: She is speaking, but still weak. Any word from Gary and Serena about the berries?
Before Ash could answer, a cry is heard as everyone looks up to see a Murkrow flying overhead and landing, a Pecha Berry and an Oran Berry.
Ash: Hey, you're Serena's Murkrow, right?
Lucky: Yeah. Gary and Serena went back to town to buy a Potion, so she sent me to deliver the berries.
Green: *takes berries* Thanks, Lucky. Okay, Oran Berry, Pecha Berry, fresh water from the ice….
As Lucky flies off to find his trainer, the Sceptile turns to Brock and makes a gesture with his hands, shopping them like a bowl.
Ash: He's asking for a bowl.
Brock: Oh, yeah, sure thing.
The older teen takes a bowl out of his bag and gives it to Green, who puts the berries and some of the now melting ice inside.
Green: Okay, Cobalt, use Bullet Punch inside the bowl.
Cobalt: *nods* You got it.
The Lucario strikes the mixture rapidly and repeatedly, turning it into a semi-pink pile of slush in the bowl.
Green: Voila! An energizing, poison-curing frozen treat!
Cobalt: It's both medical AND delectable!
Ash nods and takes the bowl before being given a spoon by Brock. He scoops some of the slush into it and brings it to Melody's mouth*
Ash: Come on, Meloetta. Eat it, please. It'll help you get better…
The Meloetta looks at the spoon in slight reluctance, but remembers Psi's words. All this human wants is to help her, so she opens her mouth to swallow the spoonful, smiling lightly and closing her to relax due to the cold introduced to her body, along with the taste of the slush.
Ash: There we go. That's it, just eat as much as you can.
Membra: Hey, I think she's starting to get be-
Suddenly, a loud crash is heard, along with the sound of rocks sliding as the small group looks to see a Drapion slide down the cliff and snarl upon seeing them.
Psi: A Drapion?! What is a Pokémon like that doing in Hoenn?! This species is native to Sinnoh!
Cobalt: Wait a minute… I recognize that guy!
Ash: *growls* It's J's Drapion.
Brock: "J"?
Ash: She's a Pokémon Hunter who hunts down and captures rare Pokémon to sell them! We met in Unova when she kidnapped Aiden!
Brock: What?! That- Wait…. Rare Pokémon? Ash, you don't think…
Ash looks questionable, only for his eyes to widen as he put together what his friend was saying.
Ash: Of course… It's after Meloetta!
Green: That's how she got that dart in her back! J was trying to drug her and capture her!
The Ogre Scorpion growled and raised its pincers as it set its eye on Meloetta. Cobalt frowned as his paws charged to form an Aura Sphere, only for Ash to stop him while he recalled Membra.
Ash: Cobalt, stay back!
Cobalt: Ash?
Ash: You, Green, and Psi are my last line of defense. I need you all out here in case it gets past me to protect Meloetta.
Psi: She prefers Melody, Ash… She told me.
The boy nods in understanding while he takes out a Pokeball and Brock steps forward.
Brock: Mind if I lend a hand, pal?
Ash: By all means, Brock. *throws Pokeball* Aiden, I choose you!
Brock: John, help him out!
Brock's Primeape leaps forward into battle as Ash's Charizard is released from his ball, roaring as he makes a stand as the Drapion roars and rushes forward, one of its claws glowing purple.
Ash: It's Poison Jab! Aiden, push it back with a Flamethrower!
Aiden bathes the large Pokemon in fire, but the Drapion stands its ground even if it's pushed back against the stone floor.
Brock: John, get in there and use Brick Break!
John: Okay!
John rushes forward and slides with his foot forward to kick Drapion's left pair of legs. The massive scorpion trips and growls in pain before it swipes John with his tail and knocks him back as Drapion leaps and crosses its now glowing pincers.
Green: Look out, it's using X-Scissor!
Ash: Counter with Dragon Claw!
Both burly Pokemon counter each other, dragon claws meeting insect pincers as Aiden turns to the primate.
Aiden: His stomach's wide open for you! Get the under belly!
John: *rushes in* Good thinking!
Brock: Alright, now use Thunder Punch!
John's fist crackles with electricity before uppercutting the Drapion in the stomach, sending it into the air. However, as it's airborne, Drapion seems to be preparing something.
Cobalt: Woah, John can use an Electric-type move!
Green: Ash, now's your chance!
Ash: Right. *to Aiden* Now, Aiden! Flare Blitz, let's go!
The Charizard roars as his body coats itself in flames, which then turn blue as he takes flight and rams into Drapion… only for Aiden to feel an immense pain not just from the recoil… but the pincer rammed into his stomach as the Drapion throws him into the ground hard enough to crack it.
Ash: AIDEN, NO!
Green: What the hell happened to Aiden?!
Psi: Drapion used Payback, a move that when used after it is attacked, the opponent is given double damage…
Ash looks to his Charizard in worry as Brock addresses his Fighting-type.
Brock: John, Aiden's out of commission, you gotta work double hard!
John: *nods* Prime…
Brock: And remember, unless I say so… DO NOT use the Finisher.
Ash: "Finisher"?
Brock: Yeah. Not too long ago, John learned a move that's powerful, but pretty dangerous to his health. He uses it too much…he may never battle again.
Ash: *eyes widen* What?
Cobalt: Oh my Arceus… John.
John: It's okay, Cobalt… That's why we use it as a last resort. I understand the risks… And if it's to protect you guys… Well, I may just be okay with that…
Green's heart sank at John's words as he rushes forward with a Karate Chop, only for John to be hit hard by Drapion, who unleashes a gnarly Cross Poison that sends him colliding into a tree.
Green: John!
Cobalt: Crap, that was a critical hit…
Brock: John, are you okay?!
Ash: Come on, John!
The Primepae struggles as he attempts to stand, wobbling and letting out ragged breaths as he falls… only for Green to speak.
Green: John, you better get up RIGHT NOW! We need you!... I need you! Come on, I know you're stronger than this! You're a Fighting-type for Mew's sake, so show that overgrown tick that FIGHTING SPIRIT!
With the voice of the reptilian ringing in his head, John growls and quickly stands, letting out a rag filled roar as a red aura surrounds him.
Brock: Oh, crap! Anger Point's been activated!
Ash: "Anger Point"?
Psi: John's ability. Whenever he is hit by a critical hit, his physical attacks become more powerful.
Brock: Dammit… Guess that means it's time for the Finisher.
Ash: Now?! But, Brock, what about John?!
Brock: We don't have a choice, Ash, it's the only way! *to John* Okay, John, get ready….
Drapion charges again, readying another Payback as John growls and grunts, but stands his ground. And just as Drapion was about to attack….
Brock: Now, John! USE RAGE FIST!
With a roar, John raised a fist, which was then surrounded by a dark purple fiery mist… before ramming it right into Drapion's face. The large scorpion was staggered as a tooth and even some specks of blood spilled out of its mouth before it was rocketed backwards into the treeline, taking several trees down with it. Aiden groans as he gets up, only to stare wide-eyed at the aftermath of the attack with the others.
Aiden: Holy crap….. That was awesome!
Ash and his Pokemon cheered while Psi gave out a relieved breath as Cobalt and Green approached the Primeape, who was still in the pose he was punching as.
Cobalt: John, that was amazing! What even was that move?!
Green: Dude, you GOTTA teach me that. That'd be great for the Battle Frontier!
However, despite their speaking…. the Primeape didn't respond.
Cobalt: ….John?
Ash: *watches* John, are you okay?
Brock: *grimaces* Damn, he went over again. I should've stopped him…
Cobalt: I…. He's not responding… Guys, he's not responding!
Psi: What?!
The Alakazam teleports over, seeing the glassy look in John's eyes, causing a stone of worry to drop in their stomach.
Psi: No… Oh no... Ash, call 911! This could be serious!
He nods and looks to turn on his Xtransceiver, only to see the screen cracked and it wouldn't power on when he hit the button.
Ash: Oh no… It must've broken when Aiden fell during the battle.
The group starts panicking as Green worriedly grabs John's shoulders and shakes him.
Green: John?! C'mon, John, speak up! This isn't funny!... John?!
No response from him as Green became more desperate for the fate of his…. friend.
Green: DON'T YOU GIVE UP ON ME, YOU STUPID SEXY MONKEY!
That was when something weird happened, which caught everyone's attention. Just then, Gary and Serena had returned with the Potion, only to see the event. John… began to glow.
Green: Huh?
Serena: Wh… What's going on? What happened here?
Gary: I…. This is impossible…. But I think…
Ash: John's evolving?!
The light reveals as John grows more muscular, his armband breaks, and his hair grows longer and flows with the wind. The light dies down to reveal not a Primeape… but a completely new Pokemon. He was covered in shaggy gray fur that flowed like a wisp, broken shackles on his arms, and his eyes were a deep, infuriating blood red.
Brock: J…. John?
John: *roars* ANNIHILAAAAAPPPPEEE!
Ash: *takes out Pokedex* That…. Something tells me this isn't some dormant Mega Evolution…
Pokedex: Annihilape, the Rage Monkey Pokémon and the evolved form of Primeape. A Fighting and Ghost type. This Pokemon gained power when its rage exceeded the limits of its physical body. It imbues this power into its fists to deliver a punch so powerful, it leaves its opponents shattered to their core.
Serena: Fighting and… GHOST type?
Gary: I never even heard of Annihilape up until now…
Green: J… John?... You okay in there?
The newly evolved John pants and growls, almost like he's about to attack, but suddenly… A voice begins… singing. Beautifully, in fact. The song makes the group look around in confusion and feel a sense of calm around them as Green notices as John's breathing begins to slow down as he slumps a bit, now relaxed.
Brock: Who's singing out there?
Serena: I don't know… but it sounds nice. I actually feel really calm right now…
Cobalt: *to John* You okay?
John: Yeah…. Yeah… Sorry about that.
Cobalt: Dude… How did you evolve?... WHEN were you ever able to evolve?!
John: I-I don't know. I'm just as surprised about this as you a-
He soon finds himself restrained as Green quickly brings him into an embrace while kneeling down.
Green: I… I thought I lo-
He suddenly realizes what he's doing and quickly lets go, blushing intensely.
Green: WE…. I thought We lost you, is what I was saying…
The Annihilape blushes as well, but grows softer as he places a hand on Green's arm.
John: Hey… Hey, it's alright. I'm sorry for scaring you, but I'm okay now. So… don't worry, okay?...
Green: …Okay…
Cobalt: Uh, guys…. Where's Melody?
Ash notices his Lucario's proclamation and looks over, noticing that the Mythical had indeed disappeared just as the others had noticed.
Ash: Yeah, she's gone.
Serena: But we just came back with the Potion-
Psi: I do not think she needs it, Serena. If she could walk away without any of us noticing, Meody would not be as sick as she was earlier.
Ash nods with his Alakazam's words before speaking to nothing, hoping to get his message across.
Ash: Melody! I don't know if you can hear me, but I hope you're okay! Take care of yourself out there!
Brock: Well, with that out of the way, we should be heading off to Lilycove. The sooner we get there…
Ash: Right, the sooner we can get to my next Frontier Battle!
Cobalt: Let's do it to it!
Green: Hell yeah!
After Psi decides to stay out of their ball for a little while longer, our group of heroes travel along the path to Lilycove City. However, they don't notice Green and John lagging behind as they walk, unknowingly holding hands along the way. Noticing this, they quickly disconnect. Even as a part Ghost-type, John remains a blushing mess… but as Green smiles and offers his hand again, John looks in shock, but reconnects his hand with the Sceptile's after a few seconds as they go to catch up with the group.
But unknown to them, a familiar floating figure was smiling at them, specifically Psi and Ash. Her smile only seems to grow slightly bigger before she flies forward and turns completely invisible. This will CERTAINLY be an interesting turn for their journey, will it?
TO BE CONTINUED…..
—-
Ash's Team
Lucario: Cobalt
Sceptile: Green
Alakazam: Psi
Gengar: Yami
Charizard: Aidan
Inteleon: Azula
Togekiss: Kestrel
Lycanroc *Dusk form: Hunter
Marowak: Kabu
Dracovish: Jaws
Eelektrik: Membra
Rotom: Sparky (at Oak's lab)
Umbreon *shiny: Blacky (at home)
Serena's Team
Braixen: Kyubi
Murkrow: Lucky
Oshawott: Oliver
Gary's Team
Blastoise
Jolteon
Arctozolt
Grookey