Chapter 55 – The others are coming

Charizard's cave on Oak's ranch…

Charizard looked down his muzzle at Geyser and snorted. "Oh no. No way!"

"But, but. You agreed to help," said Flygon looking at Charizard with wide eyes, his voice whiny and sad. "You promised."

"Believe me, I'm not exactly thrilled about it either," Geyser muttered, folding his arms, and glaring at the flame Pokémon.

"I made no such promise," Charizard grumbled at Flygon, ignoring Geyser. "I told you I would help you, not ferry Basculine brain here around like a common Pidgeot! Why can't Ashachu come." He glanced down at his boyfriend, who was still sitting on his shoulder.

Ashachu nodded and replied, "Yeah, I thought that was the plan. Charizard and I would go and look for Dragonite and Sniveon would stay here."

Flygon shook his head. "I think it's better if a type goes whose moves are ineffective against dragons."

Charizard glared at him. "You're pushing your luck Dragon breath." He glanced down at Geyser once more. The otter was still staring daggers at him. He sighed.

He had told Sylveon, Flygon and the others that he was prepared to go look for this Dragonite – wherever it was – on the proviso that he was going with Ashachu and Flygon, while Sniveon stayed to look after the egg.

Then about a second after he'd agreed to help, Geyser had come out of the bushes and Sylveon had, with a bright smile on her muzzle announced, "Oh there you are Geyser, I was wondering where you got to…Hey, maybe you should go with Charizard to help for Dragonite, so Ashachu can stay here with the egg…"

Charizard couldn't help feeling a little set up and a bit resentful to everyone present (except Ashy of course).

"Please Chari," begged Flygon, again putting his claws together and praying to Charizard. His voice was about to break and the red filament around his eyes had become shiny. Charizard thought he might cry, and he didn't really want to deal with that.

His eyes flicked to Ashachu before he sighed and blowed his head. "Alright, alright. I'll do it!" After all, he thought to himself, he'd feel the same way as this Flygon if Ashachu was missing and possibly hurt.

Though held never make anyone fly with Geyser, the little… He sighed. "Fine. Ashachu, you don't mind waiting here do you."

Like Geyser, Ashachu folded his arms. "I don't think I've got a choice," he said huffily, but jumped off his shoulder and retreated back to the cave all the same.

Charizard reluctantly turned his back to Geyser and crouched down to allow Geyser to climb onto his back.

[Pokémon]

For Charizard, so used to carrying Ash and much bigger Pokémon on his back, was barely able to feel the weight of the Dewott on his back, and yet Geyser's Prescence still bothered him greatly.

As he rose above the tops of the trees, and the Town of Pallet, and the forest and the land beyond came into view – the coast on one side, mountains in the distance on the other – he found it hard to fight the instinct to dislodge him and send him plummeting back down to earth.

Something that Geyser was probably anticipating, given how tightly he was gripping the bridge of his wings…

"Ugh…where is this stupid Dragonite," Charizard muttered to himself, irritably. He scoured the treetops looking for a glimpse of orange scales or the outline of a dragon, listening closely for the sound of its cry.

But he was unable to see anything. The trees were so thick as to mostly obscure the ground below and the only cries came from Pidgey and Spearow, hiding themselves away in their nests having caught sight of the large dragon flying overhead.

He briefly thought about burning the trees down so he could see better, or else flush the wretched dragon out, but he doubted Geyser would let him do that. And, being a water type, it would be easy for him to put out the fires.

"Zard." He growled irritably.

"Charizard, you need to lighten up," mumbled Geyser with a smirk. "Not sure why you have to be so angry all the time. Like just, clam down."

Charizard felt his body tense…Could Geyser have a more irritating voice. It was almost as bad as Oshawott, or Totodile.

Then in a whisper he added, "Doesn't my brother do it to you enough," laughing at his own joke.

"Little brat," Charizard growled. Charizard, of course, have superb hearing, and even over the rush of the wind Charizard had caught what he was saying. It was just a pity their eye sight wasn't as good.

He gritted his teeth, grinding the sharp points together, the muscles in his arms and chest tensing. Oh, how he longed to flame Geyser. He blew a little steam from his nostrils and continued searing for any sign of the accursed Dragonite.

And then….

"Down there," Geyser shouted.

Charizard couldn't actually see where Geyser was pointing, given the Dewott was sitting behind him on his back, but managed to find what it was by himself. It shot straight out of the treetops directly below Charizard.

"Rwahh."

There it was…A Dragonite. No mistaking the orange scales, large body, round snout, and small wings. It was flying directly towards him at astonishing speed, like a scaly missile. As it caught sight of Charizard, it's eyes narrowed, and it opened its maw bearing its fangs angrily.

Charizard and Geyser each took action at the same time, but not in sync. Geyser leap from Charizard's back and fired a water gun attack from his maw straight down at Dragonite. His intention had been to leap slightly forward to avoid hitting Charizard, but at the same time Charizard had swooped upwards to evade Dragonite, moving right into Geyser's line of fire.

Water gun hit him in the back of the head…The impact felt like being hit with a mallet, and the water irritated and stung his scales. The torrent was cold, and he felt his energy drain from him. He let out a cry of surprise, "Rwaaa…" He would never had expected Geyser's attacks to be so powerful.

Charizard felt the familiar thrill in his stomach that told him he was falling, but with the water in his eyes, he couldn't see clearly enough to right himself. Something hard and sharp slammed into his side and pain exploded through his body. The world started to spin around him. A blur of blue, green, and orange.

"Zard!"

When Charizard regain his senses, he was lying on the ground on top of something hard and lumpy. Something was poking irritatingly into his belly. He raised his head and looked around. He was on the forest floor surrounded by a pile of wood and leaves. He must have brought down a tree when he had crashed.

"Charizard," said an angry and annoying voice. "What in distortion world was that!"

He looked back down to see the unwelcome sight of Geyser standing in front of him, with a scowl on his face and his arms folded, tapping the ground with his right foot paw. Charizard clenched his jaw, again resisting the urge to flame him.

"What's your problem now Dewott."

"I totally had Dragonite," said Geyser, waving his paws in apparent exasperation. "Then you got in the way of the attack. I thought you were a seasoned battler."

Charizard gripped the ground with his claws, his muscles tensing. 'Keep talking and I'll show you what a seasoned battler looks like, otter-boy.'

"You didn't tell me you were going to do that," Charizard growled. "How was I supposed to know if you don't tell me. I saw Dragonite coming, and I moved out of the way. I thought you were still on my back."

Geyser shook his head. "They told me you beat an Articuno in a one-on-one fight. Yet I took you down with one water gun."

Charizard's eyes narrowed. "If you want to see what I'm really capable of, why don't we find a place to settle this Otter Boy. Just you and me. One on one, like you said. No trainer, only instinct."

"Maybe we should," Geyser scoffed. "Because you want to know something. I think you're all huff and puff, but no flame!"

Charizard gritted his teeth again, thinking of all the ways he would like to put the arrogant otter in his place. But before the situation could escalate, a muffled cry filled the forest…

"Get your damn butt, off my face."

Charizard felt something poke him hard in the belly from underneath. He glanced over his shoulder, and it was at that point that he realised it was more than just wood he was lying on top of. Sticking out from under is belly was somebody's leg and thick tail.

"I said get off!"

More pushing and jabbing persuaded Charizard to jump to his feet, step away and spin around, to find, to his surprise, the same Dragonite lying spreadeagled on its back. His eyes widened in surprised. "Uhh oops," was all he managed to say.

Dragonite got to its feet and glared at Charizard and Geyser. "Just my luck to run into a pair of bidoof brained trained Pokémon. Today of all days! What happened. Let me guess. Your dimwit trainer heard there was a Dragonite in the area and sent you to look for me. Only to forget that you're incapable of battling when they're not calling attacks over your shoulder?"

Like Geyser, Dragonite folded his arms and snorted.

"Actually, Flygon sent us," growled Charizard.

The words had the intended effect. Dagonite's face relaxed, the scowl disappearing, and his eyes lit up. "Flygon. He's here. He's okay."

"He asked us to come and look for you," said Geyser.

"Where is he? Please, take me to him!"

It was then that Charizard noticed the wound on its stomach and the blood stains on its scales. "You're hurt!" he grunted, but Dragonite did not reply. Instead Dragonite covered it with a claw, as if to hide it from him.

"Flygon," Dragonite said a little more forcefully, before wincing and clutching his belly a little tighter, as if pained by the injury.

"Are you sure you're, okay?" Geyser asked.

Again, Dragonite avoided the question, instead insisting, "Come on, where's Flygon. If you know where he is take me to him." He then mumbled, "it isn't safe to be here." He then looked up, an odd look on his face. Was it…fear?

Charizard looked up but saw nothing in the sky above except fluffy clouds. Nothing in the treetops except one or two Pidgey or Spearow nests. "Did you say it wasn't safe. What could possibly be out here that could harm a Dragonite?"

"We'll take you to Flygon," said Geyser assertively. "Can you still fly."

"Why wouldn't I be able to," Dragonite replied, trying to sound incredulous, but he was still looking around nervously.

[Pokémon]

"Oh man. Where'd Dragonite go!"

Ash groaned loudly after at least half an hour of stumbling through quick forest. Despite being so close to Pallet Town, Ash had never been in this part of the forest before.

The trees here were thick, with little space between the trunks, and the forests floor was covered in roots and brambles. Ash nearly tripped over more than once, inspiring Pikachu to leap off his shoulder to protect himself.

There was no sign that Dragonite had been this way. Ash hadn't seen where it had gone once it left the greenhouse dome at the nursery. Whereas earlier the ground had been covered in a trial of blood, the tree trunks and leaves on the ground were free of blood stains.

And yet, Zacian insisted, "I don't think he went too far; the scent is quite strong here…are you keeping up."

Ash clambered a little bit further and caught sight of her a little way ahead. "Me keep up," he shouted back, breathing heavily. "You're going to fast. I'm not a Pokémon remember. I don't have four legs like you and Pikachu."

"Pika," said Pikachu.

Zacian rolled her eyes. "Honestly, you call yourself a trainer!" Nevertheless, she waited patiently for Ash to come lumbering up to her, Pikachu by his side.

"Like I said," Ash complained, while trying to catch his breath. "You have four legs."

"Pikachu," Pikachu mumbled. Ash was unsure whether he was agreeing with him or not.

Zacian shook her head and sighed. "Come on, let's keep moving." She turned to move, raising her nose into the air and sniffing. "He's close. Real close." A frown crossed her face. "Hmmm…"

"What is it?"

"I don't think he's alone. I smell…"

CRACK!

There was a loud clap from overhead like thunder. Sudden, loud, and unexpected, it made Ash nearly leap out of his skin, and Pikachu let out a frightened cry of "Pika," and climbed back onto Ash's shoulder.

"It can't be about to rain aga…" Ash begun as he looked up into the sky, but fell silent, his mouth falling open in shock. "Whoa."

"Pikachu!"

Storm clouds were forming over-head, and the sky had turned dark, even though it had been bring and sunny only a moment before. If, of course, they could be called storm clouds. That description was merely the first thing that came to Ash's mind.

They were a dark, black, and purple in colour, and seemed to spiral outwards, growing wider and wider rapidly in an ever-expanding circle. Soon they would fill the entirety of the sky, leaving only blackness where once there had been blue.

Ash looked back at his two Pokémon and was shocked to find that he couldn't quite see their faces. It was rapidly growing dark, as if someone had turned a dimmer switch down on the sun. In fact, where was the sun – it had disappeared from the sky, hidden by the expanding mass of black storm cloud.

"What's going on," Ash wondered aloud, his voice surprising calm, given how fast his heart was racing.

"Don't know, but I don't like it," said Zacian. Even though she was a legendary Pokémon, there was definite note of uncertainly and fear in her voice. She stood with her legs slightly spread apart and bent, her head flicking around so as detect the threat.

Pikachu too had started to tremble, pressing his body closer to Ash, gripping his hair tightly. "Pikachu pi."

"We need to go," Zacian quickly declared. "It's not safe for us here. Ash, Pikachu, climb onto my back. I'll be faster moving in the forest than you. COME ON." She barked the last two words when Ash showed some hesitation before complying.

Needless to say, he quickly did as she was told, swinging a leg over her flank, and hoisting himself up. By the time he was seated, it had almost become as dark as night. He was struggling to make out any features, even those close by, such as the tree trunks. He could barely see Pikachu or Zacian.

[Pokémon]

Meanwhile – Charizard's cave, Oak's ranch, Pallet Town, Kanto Region…

Ashachu walked slowly around the egg, sniffing at it. Then he stood up on his hind legs and put his paws on it. The egg was warm to the touch and smelled like earth and Ash. Like a small oval, orange in colour, with two large cream spots on one side.

It reminded Ashachu so much of Charizard's scales. From the colour, to how warm it felt under his paws. This was the egg that he and Charizard had made together…That he had put inside Charizard. How had he done that?

Ashachu's heart started to race, and his stomach turned itself into knots. He swallowed, his throat suddenly becoming very dry. "Oh Arceus," he whispered to himself. "What have I got myself into. How…How can I be a parent!"

He wished he had Charizard there. Wished Charizard had not left their cave, not left the nest. Not left him by himself. Wish for Charizard to hold him in his claws; to cuddle him and to hold him to his chest. To tell him that everything would be alright, and they would care for the little Charichu together.

Ashachu knew he was being silly. Charizard had only left to go looking for some Dragonite, in a forest where the only danger came from Pidgey and Weedil. He had only been gone a short while. He would be home soon. Still, in that moment Ashachu appreciated the separation anxiety that his dads felt, whenever they were apart.

He remembered Shadow's dark voice and shivered… 'No wonder you cling to that Charizard. Like you might die if you don't.' He hadn't appreciated how true those words were before now. He just wanted to be with Chari all the time.

Using his paw, he drew little circles around the top of the egg. The touch of the egg beneath his paws reminded Ashachu so much of Charizard's warm scales, and it brought a little smile to his face.

Hopefully, Charizard would be back soon. "Please Chari. Be back soon."

[Pokémon]

"Zard!" Charizard grunted in surprise at the sound of the thunder, raising his head to see the storm clouds gathering. He felt a deep sense of unease in his heart as he saw the black and purple clouds billowing, and his surrounds go dark.

But that was nothing compared with the other two. Dragonite was looking fearful in the air, his eyes wide and his breathing short and sharp. "I told you," he exclaimed, his voice suddenly very high. "We need to go, it's not safe."

Geyser was trembling, covering his mouth with his paws, and chewing on his claws. Charizard thought he heard him whimper, "Oh Arceus it found me. It's coming for me."

"What's coming for you," the lizard asked with a frown, but Geyser didn't respond.

"Charizard! We need to get out of here," Dragonite snapped, his voice becoming more urgent and hysterical.

Charizard looked back up at the sky, once blue but now covered in black cloud. It had gone quite dark now, as if a veil of shadows had been thrown over the forest. Charizard had to admit, even he was feeling quite apprehensive now. The only light was coming from the flame on the end of his tail.

"Fine," he growled to Dragonite. "I'll take you to Flygon."

Dagonite's eye filled with gratitude. "Oh, thank-you!"

"Can you still fly?"

The Dragon type nodded.

"Then follow by the flame of tail." Charizard stretched out his wings preparing to take flight, glancing sideways as Geyser as he did so. The otter was still trembling, chewing on his claws.

For a moment, Charizard wondered whether, if he were just to take off, Geyser would even notice. Could he just leave Geyser here – that would solve a big problem. He quickly pushed the thought out of his mind. Ash and the others would have too many questions if he came back without Geyser.

Plus, though he would never ever admit it, and would flame anyone who ever suggested such a thing, he wasn't entirely confident that he could defeat Oshawott in a battle…

"Char." He grumbled as grabbed Geyser roughly by the scruff of the neck and threw him over his shoulder. "Come here you Arceus-damned scaredy chu. Not so arrogant now," he muttered under his breath. "Alright Dragonite, let's go."

With a sweep of his wings, he took flight into the dark sky. No sooner had he taken off however, than he realised that their situation might have been worse than he had expected. Charizard was accustomed to night flying, but usually the moon and the stars, along with lights from below illuminated his way.

But the shadows were so thick and complete, that Charizard had trouble making out the tops of the trees or seeing where ground ended, and sky began. He had only the light of his flame to fly by. He could hear the rustle of Dagonite's wings behind and knew the dragon type was following.

And that was when Charizard heard the voice…. "Blue otter…Fiery dragon…Alone in the dark….Unable to find home…"

The voice did not speak to Charizard from the trees, or sky, or anywhere around him, but rather spoke to him from inside his own head. He felt a thrill of fear, though of course, he knew what this was. Someone was speaking to him telepathically.

"Kill…Soon, I will kill…Hunt, wound, kill…"

"Who, who are you," He growled. "What do you want."

"I am coming for you. Soon we will take you. Soon we will become one…"

"Get out of my head." Charizard snarled, feeling his heart rate increase. Who was this voice? To whom did it belong? Was it? … No, impossible, he was dead!

"Hunt… Wound… Kill…"

[Pokémon]

It was so dark now that Ash couldn't make out the trees around them. He found himself, as he had been in Galar, astounded at how Zacian could move so quickly through the dark without hitting anything. Her night vision must be incredible.

He gripped her fur tightly, while Pikachu in turn gripped the back of his head, as the flew through the shadowy forest. The sound of thunder could be heard overhead.

"What's going on," Ash shouted over the sound of the thunder, and the wind in his ears. "Zacian, do you know what's going on? What's causing those clouds?"

"I-I. I've seen something like this before," Zacian growled back. "A long time ago. I always feared it would happen again but. I didn't think it could happen outside Galar!"

"What? What's happening?"

"The Darkest Day!"

"Darkest day," As repeated to himself, not having the foggiest idea what she was talking about.

Pikachu seemed to feel the same way, giving a little cry of "Pikachu Pika."

And then suddenly the forest became illuminated with a bright white light. Where the trees had been hidden in shadows, they were now bathed in light, and Ash found he had to blink, and the new brightness assaulted his eyes.

"Pika Pikachu Pika," Pikachu squeaked turning his head skyways. He nearly fell from Ash's shoulder when he saw what had appeared in the centre of the swirl of black clouds. "PIKACHU."

"Whoa," Ash gasped, clasping at hand to his mouth. Protruding from the clouds was a spiralling vortex comprised of crisscrossing beams of light. A cylindrical tunnel in the sky that seemed to lead to infinity. "What's that doing here?"

Zacian came skidding to a halt. "What…What in the distortion world is that." For the first time since Ash and Pikachu had met her, Zacian sounded uncertain. Genuinely at a loss as to what was happening, and as a result, afraid.

"It's an ultra-wormhole," Pikachu murmured, his attention fixed on the celestial spectacle.

"An ultra-wormhole," Zacian repeated, clearly never having heard that term before.

"It's a portal to the ultra-space," Ash explained. "Another dimension. And whenever they appear, it means one of them is coming through."

"One of who?"

"The ultra-beasts."

And sure enough, a dark shape emerged from the end of the tunnel, falling to the ground…

[Pokémon]

"Shit!"

"Oh crap."

Charizard blinked several times, trying to stay airborne in his state of surprise. Suddenly he was able to see again. The sky and become filled with a bright white light. It's source…A strange white tube made, seemingly of light.

"Charizard stop."

Charizard looked over his shoulder, at Geyser sitting on his back. The Dewott was staring at the light, his eyes wide and a look of pure terror on his face.

"Stop flying. Don't go anywhere near it. You need to go back to the ground!"

Charizard looked from him back to the thing in the sky, unsure what to do. Even without Geyser's warning, Charizard had no intention of going anywhere near…Whatever it was.

"He's right," Dragonite said hoarsely as he flew up beside Charizard. "Fuck…They're coming."

"Who's coming. What the fuck is that thing."

"It's the gateway. It lets them come into our world!"

Charizard glared at him. "Who's they," he growled again, annoyed.

"The others! The others are coming!"