Chapter 15
"Well guys," said Ash, "I've decided to bring myself, Pikachu, Latios, Latias, and Skye to fight Team Void and I'm going to leave one spot open just in case. If it doesn't fill, I'll be taking Charzaird."
There were several murmurs of agreement but some of Ash's Pokemon sounded a little disappointed.
"Don't worry guys," said Ash, "as soon as this thing's over, I'll make sure all of you get your chance to shine at the Silver Conference."
"Alright guys," said Ash after he had transferred all but his chosen Pokemon to Professor Oak, "we need to train as much as possible so we can take down Team Void."
"Yes," said Latios, "although instead of regular training, I think we should focus on working as a team. After all, that's what we need to do if we're going to stand a chance against Team Void."
"Yeah!" said Latias, "And maybe it will also help with our Mega-evolution!"
"Good idea!" said Ash, "Ok, so here's how we're going to do it…"
After a few hours, Ash and his team had developed a plan to help them fight with as much power as possible. Pikachu would be the main attacker and Skye would act as backup. Latios would attack Team Void from the back and Latias would make sure Pikachu and Skye didn't get hit by any attacks. Ash would be in the middle, commanding Pikachu and Skye and if need be, use his Latius form to heal the team or attack Team Void.
"Whew," said Ash, "I'm glad we got that done,"
"Yeah," panted Pikachu, "that was hard to get right,"
"At least we'll be more prepared if they try to launch any more surprise attacks," said Latios.
"Right," said Ash, "but now that that's done, we can move on to move-training!" His stomach growled. "After lunch of course!"
Later…
"Well," said Ash, "it's getting late, Latios, Latias, why don't we try Mega-evolution one more time, and then we can call it a day,"
"Sure Ash!"
"Ok,"
"Here we go," said Ash, pressing his keystone, "Let's do this!" the keystone glowed as it shot beams of light toward Latios' and Latias' Mega-stones. "Full power now!" The Mega-stones started to glow, shooting beams of light back at the keystone. The two beams connected, forming a solid golden beam that stretched from trainer to Pokemon. "Let our friendship connect us and Mega Evolve!" Ash yelled.
Suddenly, Latios and Latias started to transform as their keystones flashed a blinding light. When the light died down, Latios and Latias had changed. They were now both purple where they used to be red and blue and their arms were much bigger and had white triangles on them.
"Yeah! We did it!" said Ash.
"Look at me!" said Latias as she shot through the air and made a sonic boom in about 3 seconds.
"Hey let me try," said Latios, making another sonic boom shoot through the forest.
"Guys," said Pikachu, "could you try to be a little les noisy? I don't think people will appreciate you making really loud noises,"
"Can we try some moves then?" asked Latias.
"Sure," said Ash, "Latias, use Mist Ball on that tree! Latios, Luster Purge on that rock!"
Latios and Latias fired off their respective moves. Ash noticed immediately that they were much more powerful than before. When they made contact, there was a large explosion, revealing nothing but two giant craters.
"Wow…" said Latios.
"We did that?" asked Latias.
"That was so cool!" said Skye.
"Team Void will stand no chance now!" said Pikachu.
"Great job guys!" said Ash, "I think we can end on that note, tomorrow we can start tracking Team Void!"
"Yeah," said Skye, "we can crush the evil dudes!"
"Thanks," said Latios, "but how do we-" There was another flash of light as Latios and Latias reverted to their normal forms. "Never mind,"
"Aww," said Latias, "I liked being super powerful,"
"Don't worry," said Ash, "we can always Mega-evolve again. Besides, you're super awesome just the way you are,"
Latias blushed. "Thank you, Ash,"
"No problem," said Ash, "Anyway, let's head back to the Pokemon Center, I'm ready for a nice big dinner!"
"Just don't lead the way," said Pikachu, "and we should get there in no time,"
The next day…
"So, how do you think we should track Team Void?" asked Pikachu.
"I don't know," said Ash, "Arceus said we should be able to, maybe wait for them to show up?"
"Possibly," said Latios, "although I have a feeling we'll know really soon,"
During breakfast, Latios found out just how right he was. On the TV was a live broadcast with the headline 'BREAKING NEWS'. Ash, Latios, Latias, and Pikachu watched as the reporter started the announcement. "Hello, today we are in Ecruteak City. We have received news that Bell Tower has been infiltrated by the organization known as 'Team Void'. This tower is of great importance to the Johto region and it is said that the legendary Pokemon Ho-oh used to visit it a long time ago. As far as we know, nothing has been taken or disrupted in the tower, but officials have yet to give a full report. That's all for now, tune in later for a closer look at the Tower!"
Ash, Latios, Latias, and Pikachu all looked at each other. "Well," said Ash, "I guess we know where to go now,"
"On to Ecruteak City!" said Pikachu.
"What do you think Team Void wants with Bell Tower?" asked Ash as they flew to Ecruteak City.
"I don't know," said Latios, "but I think it's something to do with Ho-oh or the legendary beasts,"
"You mean Suicune, Raikou, Entei?" asked Ash.
"Yes," replied Latios, "you know about them?"
"I visited Bell Tower once before when I was traveling through Ecruteak City," said Ash.
"Yeah," said Pikachu, "we learned a lot about the history of Bell Tower and we got to see Suicune. This crazy guy named Eusine tried to catch Suicune though so it wasn't for very long,"
"Suicune mentioned that guy once," said Latias, "he doesn't seem very nice,"
"Definitely," said Ash, "he thought he deserved to catch Suicune just because of his family line or something,"
"That's one of the worst excuses for catching a legendary Pokemon," said Latios, "I mean, if you were a legendary, would you just go with some random guy who happens to be from a special family line?"
"When you put it that way," said Ash, "I can see why Suicune was angry at Eusine,"
"He should take a lesson from you Mr. I saved a legendary's life, caught 2, and became one, " joked Pikachu.
"Sorry, I don't do private teaching," said Ash.
"How about group lessons?" joked Pikachu, "I can imagine it now, How to save a legendary 101 taught by Ash Ketchum!"
At that, Ash's Pokemon burst into laughter. "Ok whatever," said Ash, "let's just get to Ecruteak City,"
A few minutes later…
"Hey," said Pikachu, "I think that's Ecruteak City!"
"Great!" said Ash, "Ok guys, stay invisible and we'll try to find a landing place."
Ash, Latios, Latias, and Pikachu flew into Ecruteak City and made their way to Bell Tower.
"We should probably land in the forest," said Latios, "that way no one will see us land,"
"Good idea," said Pikachu, "otherwise I might be classified as the first flying Pikachu,"
"Hey that would be cool!" said Ash, "You wouldn't have weakness to ground-types anymore,"
Later, at Bell Tower…
"I can't find anything wrong," said Latias.
"Me neither," said Ash, "I wonder why Team Void was here,"
"Maybe to trick you,"
Ash looked around. "Who was that?"
"I am known as Apex," a man walked out of the shadows and stepped in front of the group. "I see you managed to defeat Crypto, but no matter, he was weak anyway, you will not defeat me!"
"So this is why you infiltrated Bell Tower," said Ash, "just to lure us here,"
"Very clever," said Apex, "you are correct. However, your logic has come a little too late, squadron B, attack!"
Ash gulped as an even larger group of people than the ones that had accompanied Crypto stepped out of the shadows. Ash noticed that nearly all of their Pokemon were dark types, signifying that Team Void knew of Latios and Latias' psychic typing.
"K guys," said Ash, "be careful, if it gets too bad we Mega-evolve ok?"
"Got it," replied Latios.
"Alright," telepathed Latias.
"Pikachu," said Ash, as he fell into the familiar rhythm of battle "Use thunder! Skye, use X-scizor!"
And... that's it!
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