Chapter 97 – Dark beach

The Johto Region...

"Well, this is just great," Ash shouted loudly. Holding Pikachu tightly in his right arm, he threw up his left in a mock gesture of frustration, as he glared at Cilan. "Are all my friends secret villains. Does everyone I travel will join a team of some kind. First Misty's in Team Flare. Then Max. Now you're in the Shadow Triad. Anybody else."

He turned to Jimmy and Cameron.

"What about you guys. Cameron are you secretly in Team Aqua. Hey, maybe Jimmy's the lost son of the Team Rocket boss."

"Funny you should mention that" Jimmy mumbled.

"Ahahahahaha...HAHAHAHA." Gladion (whom everyone had pretty much forgotten up to that point) burst into laughter. "Alright, that's enough," he boomed. "I've had it with this circus." He marched up the beach. "Somebody, give me back my Pokéballs. I'm getting the hell out of here. I'm going to go find some clothes, then I'm getting even with Team Rocket."

Cress pulled out a handful of Pokéballs and handed them to him as he passed. "We found these on the Halberd. Would you listen if I told you that going after Team Rocket on your own is extremely foolish and you'll only get recaptured again."

"You can try." Gladion took the balls of him and marched up the beach, into the darkness. "But I'm over listening to this crap. Laters."

"Ash, I know how this looks," said Cilan desperately. "But it's not like that."

As he spoke, the other two Triad's pulled off their masks revealing themselves to be Cress and Chili respectively. Ash had met and battled against them at various times throughout his journey though Unova and beyond. Both boys looked remarkably similar to Cillian. Indeed, they were nearly identical triplets. However, they had blue dreadlocked and flaming red hair respectively.

"There was a fire at the gym. When we were growing up. In the middle of the night. Both of our parents were killed. Lord Ghetsis saved us. He entered the burning building when nobody else would and pulled us out. And we've been serving him ever since..."

Ash's jaw dropped. "So, you mean. All that time I've known you. All that time we've been travelling together. You were secretly part of Team Plasma all along. You were lying to me."

"Well technically, I don't think you ever asked," Chili started to blurt out, but Cilan glared at him, and he didn't finish his sentence.

"I didn't mean to lie to you," said Cilan.

But Ash wasn't having any of that. "What, all that time we were fighting Team Plasma, and you never mentioned that you were one of them. Seriously, Cilan," he said incredulously.

"It's not what you think. Team Plasma isn't an evil organisation. We're trying to..."

"But Team Plasma steals Pokémon," Cameron interjected. "We've seen them do it."

"Only from trainers who are cruel or who abuse Pokémon. Team Plasma's goal is to liberate Pokémon. Whether you like it or not, right now the social, legal, and political structures that exist oppress Pokémon for the benefit of humans. We're fighting to change all of that."

Ash didn't know what this meant, nor did he care.

And Cameron clearly didn't share that view, as he retorted, "but not every trainer who's had a Pokémon stolen from them is bad or cruel. They've even taken Lucario and Hunter from me before. Several times."

Cilan pulled a face. "Well... I can't speak for everything that Team Plasma does. We only serve lord Ghetsis."

"Why do you keep calling him lord Ghetsis," said Ash. "Why does everyone we've met in Team Plasma talk like it's some sort of royalty thing."

Cilan scratched the back of his head. "It's complicated."

"Cilan, we don't really have time to argue with these boys," Cress interjected at that moment, cutting Cilan off. "I mean. I know that Ash is your friend and all, but right now we need to get out of here before Team Rocket show up and we need to find out what happened to the Frigate. Lives depend on this." He turned to Ash and the others. "We did you a favour. Getting you off the Halberd."

"That's right," added Chili. "Now you can come with us, or you can stay here and wait for Team Rocket to find you. We don't have time to argue philosophy and betrayal with..."

He was cut off but the sudden appearance of yet another Ultra wormhole. There was a crackle as if of thunder, and a white light appeared a few steps to the left. Right on the beach itself. The four trainers and their Pokémon leapt into action, while the Shadow Triad watched on curiously.

"Not here. Not again," gasped Cameron.

"An ultra-beast," said Ash, his heart pounding again. "Get ready."

Koraidon and Dragonite again moved protectively in front of him, and Pikachu this time really did leap out of his arms and onto the sand, ready to fight. But it was not an ultra-beast that emerged from the ultra-wormhole. Instead, Charizard lumbered out of infinity and fell face down in the sand. Ashachu, Hunter, Geyser and Blade followed.

"Ashachu. Charizard," Ash cried in surprise. "Geyser!"

"Pikaka!"

Cameron and Lucario moved immediately to embrace their pup. Ash and Pikachu however remain still for a second. At once, they could both tell something was wrong. Charizard did not get up, but rather lay in the sand, breathing heavily. And his tail flame was extremely low.

"Oh no...Charizard." They ran over to the fallen flame lizard, and Ash dropped to his knees beside his head. "What's wrong..."

[Pokémon]

Meanwhile, back in the Alola Region...

"Madame President. I'm pleased to see that you're alive and well."

"Mr. Chairman. I'd offer my thanks for that, but I fear they would be unwarranted."

The Hano Grand Resort on Akala Island boasted, among its luxury facilities, its own private beach. Named appropriately the Hano Beach which sat to the east of the Resort. Normally this facility would be busy (though never crowded, it was a secluded location) with the resort guests. But with the Island plunged into perpetual darkness, and Alola residents under a shelter in place order from the Premier, it was empty.

Save for two high profile individuals...Aether Foundation President Lusamine, and the Chairman of the Marco Cosmos, Rose. The only light on the beach was generated by the light from the flash attach being used by Rose's Klinklang. The steel type floated behind, a bright light shining off the surface of its metal body like a torch.

"I thought we had an understanding."

Rose considered Lusamine for a moment before responding to her question. Even in the dim light cast by his Pokémon partner he was aware of the scowl that she was giving him. The two were similar in many ways, and the organisations they led had close business together. But they were not friends on any personal level and, indeed, generally viewed the other with suspicion.

"We did have an understanding," Rose replied after a moments silent. "That understanding was premised on the fact that Necrozma was running wild in Alola. More importantly, it was understood Necrozma was still able to traverse dimensions. All of my technicians calculations made that assumption. If the data is wrong, the predictions are likewise, wrong... Tell me. How long had Necrozma been imprisoned in Aether Paradise."

"Not long, only a few months," said Lusamine. "It came to earth in a meteor that crashed onto Mount Lanakila. It burned so hot that it was three days before anyone could get near it. And all that time it was in there. Screaming. But it escaped when we tried to extract it. Eventually it was captured near Ten Carat Hill. It was weak. I don't believe it can survive long in this world."

"Dawn wings Necrozma," Rose enquired further. "I thought your Cosmog escaped Aether Paradise. Stolen by your daughter."

Lusamine smiled coldly, though it was imperceptible in the low light. "Yes, but it never occurred to Lillie that there were two Cosmog in Aether Paradise."

"Something else you have not been candid with me about," commented Rose. "Our astrophysicist is the best in the world. They predicted down to the second when Ultra Wormholes would appear. But all the data they were given predicted an appearance of Necrozma through a wormhole earlier this afternoon. Our plans to capture it were rendered futile, because it did not appear where it anticipated to. Why weren't you honest about this."

"Why didn't you assist when the Aether Paradise was under siege," Lusamine asked in turn. "Marco Cosmos had at least 147 billion Poké invested in our facility. "Now it is in ruins."

"And insured for three times that amount with MC Insurance," Rose commented. "Troubling indeed."

"Marco Cosmos has military contracts. Your companies mine the crystals used to create the Shadow Bugs that produce Primids," continued Lusamine. "You could have mounted forces against Team Rocket."

Rose let out a little chuckle, that irritated Lusamine. "I'm afraid we only mine the crystals. The refinement process is a government secret. The day has not yet arrived when governments turn over the operation of their military to a private military industrial complex. Marco Cosmos cannot produce Primids, and under Galarian Law I cannot turn my employees into fighters against Team Rocket."

Lusamine pursed her lips. She did not believe or accept this explanation but decided to let it pass for now.

"How did you escape Team Rocket," Rose asked.

"Clefable used Metronome. I was lucky. It caused Clefable to use teleport to take us off the facility. I'm not sure I could have defeated the five Team Rocket grunts and their commander who attacked me in my office. Colress fled almost as soon as they arrived. His Beheeyem teleported him out. I won't pretend that wasn't a blow."

Rose scratched his chin curiously. "He did not assist you in escaping." His tone sounded as though he wasn't surprised to have learnt this fact.

"He did not."

"I suppose the question now is how we progress from this point," said Rose, clasping his hands together. "Do you have any intentions, Madame President."

Lusamine drew a sharp intake of breath. "Team Rocket has my son Gladion, and Necrozma. I need to get them both back."

"Yes, I know," said Rose. "Lusamine..." It was the first time he had used her name directly, without calling her by her title. "Can our alliance survive this gap that has formed between us. Can we create again a form of trust. I feel that, now more than ever, we can be of great assistance to each other. Or perhaps more astutely. That you greatly require my assistance and resources. As it happens, I have contingency plans to achieve my objectives, now that Necrozma is no longer appearing. They are already activated."

Lusamine folded her arms. "Right now, I do not see an alternative. I take it the policy on Aether Paradise will be honoured..."

[Pokémon]

Back in the Johto region...

"So, what was it that happened," Asked Ashachu gently, as he sat in the sand beside Charizard and stroked Ashachu's fur.

A number of fires had been constructed around Charizard in the hope of keeping him warm. The Flame Pokémon was still shivering as though caught in a show storm and would occasionally sneeze.

"We're not entirely sure," Ashachu replied. He pulled himself free of Ash's grip to place his two fore paws on Charizard's side. "He must have got caught in that Kyurem beam from Team Plasma that destroyed the Halberd. I didn't see it happen. Everything happened so quickly. Geyser opened an Ultra Wormhole so we could escape."

Ash bit his lip. He had an awful sense of de-javu, sitting here on the beach with a Charizard who had just escaped being frozen ad was now suffering from a cold because of it.

"If he was frozen for a long period of time, he could have pneumonia," explained Jimmy in a serious tone. "It won't be safe to move him. We'll have to keeping him warm and hope that his condition improves. What we really need are some revival herbs."

"We don't even have our clothes," said Cameron, kicking the sand. "At least we got our Pokémon back."

The three Shadow Triad members...umm, Striation Gym Leaders were still milling about on the beach, watching the drama unfolding around Charizard, but not intervening.

"I think we ought to go," Cress said to the other two. "We need to report to Team Plasma Admin,"

"is it really a good idea to leave them here," asked Chili. "I mean, now that they have an injured Pokémon, they can't move."

Cress bit his lip.

"I can stay if you want," Cilan called out so ash could hear.

Ash looked back over his shoulder at him. "I think you've done enough."

"But Team Rocket could come back at any moment?"

"We can manage," Ash replied, a little more forcefully than he meant to. "Right now, I don't think I can trust you lot any more than Team Rocket. And it wasn't a Team Rocket weapon that hurt Charizard."

Cilan let out a long sigh. "Look, believe it or not Ash, I still care about you. He pulled something out of his belt and threw it at Ash. "I'll leave you, my communicator. If you need me, please call."

Ash didn't bother picking the device up but left it sitting in the sand. Cilan smiled at him sadly, before turning and following his brothers as they disappeared into the shadows. Ash turned his attentions back to Charizard. like Ashachu, he placed his hands on the scales of his side. They were cool to the touch. Ash's heart skipped a beat. Normally they were warm. He started to rub, hard as he could. Trying to warm Charizard up.

"It'll be alright buddy," he said as though trying to reassure Charizard. "I won't...We won't let anything happen to you!"

"Pika Pikachu," Ashachu cried.

[Pokémon]

An hour or so later…

The flames on the ocean gradually disappeared as the wreckage of the Halberd sunk into the sea. The waters around Olivine City were renowned for their spiralling whirlpools that made quick work of any shipwrecks. Now the only light on the beach came from the fires that had been lit around Charizard to keep the lizard warm, and the flame of his tail. It was a good job that Koraidon knew flash, which allowed him and Pikachu to wander up the beach to collect twigs and leaves to feed the fires.

"You're his partner aren't you," Koraidon asked as watched Pikachu scrambled among the scrubs at the edge of the beach, filling an armful of plant litter. It wasn't the best kindling in the world, but it would have to do for now. "Ash? You travel with him. I can tell. You seem very close to him. As though you're always by his side."

"Have you got a problem with that," Pikachu asked. There was a suspicious and almost aggressive tone to his voice, and he kept his back to Koraidon as he worked. Almost as though he didn't want to spend too much time alone with this Pokémon. His paws worked fast gathering the best-looking kindling. Still curiosity piqued his interest, and he asked, "Why do you keep acting as though you know him...Ash."

Koraidon smiled weakly. "I know him. We go way back...Just not this far back."

Pikachu made a sound somewhere between a groan and a growl. In his frustration, he nearly dropped the bundle of twigs he was holding. "And what in the distortion world is that supposed to mean. I've been Ash's partner and his mate since the first day he became a trainer. There's barely been a day of his life since he turned ten that I haven't been with him. So, what, you're some Pokémon he met as a child and never mentioned to me."

"If only it were that simple," Koraidon replied. "Ash hasn't met me yet. I came back to this world from Ultra Megalopolis to help him. But it's brought to a part of his timeline before the day we first met."

Pikachu was already regretting asking. He stepped a little further into the scrub, feeling the spiky bushed poking at his sides. He cursed silently to himself, as he realised, he was going to get his fur covered in nettles. There was a small hole nearby, which he hoped wouldn't contain a Krabby.

"And he looks at me." Koraidon continue. A definite note of sadness had entered his voice. "And he looks right threw me. And I know it shouldn't kill me, but it does. My own mate, and he thinks I'm a trick by Team Rocket."

At these words, Pikachu really did drop the bundle he was holding. He spun around, glaring at Koraidon. "What in the hell are you talking about. Are you just talking nonsense. DO YOU KNOW ASH, OR DON'T YOU. Because if you really did known him, you'd KNOW I'm his mate."

In his enraged state it took a moment for Pikachu to realise that Koraidon had a tear in the corner of his eye. Koraidon wiped it away with a claw, before furrowing his brow at the angry rodent glaring at him.

"Wait," he said. "You're Pikachu, aren't you. Ash's Pikachu...The one he started with as a trainer."

"I just said that," shouted Pikachu.

To his surprise, Koraidon pulled a face, clenching his jaw together. He let out a single sound. "Oh."

"Oh," growled Pikachu. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I do know Ash," said Koraidon. "But in the future. His personal future. In the far future a man will invent a time machine. He'll use it to bring Pokémon from the far future to around this time in history. Your present. And to travel to the past to find ancient Pokémon like me. I hatched from an egg thousands of years ago and brought to Ash's time period in a time machine."

The only words Pikachu understood from that explanation. Or thought he understood. Was Time Machine. There were about a thousand things he wanted to say to the dragon type. But something deep in his heart made him blurt out, "If you know Ash in the future. Then why don't you recognise me, huh. I'm Ash's best friend and mate. He never goes anywhere without me. If you were really from Ash's future, you'd know that."

Koraidon looked at Pikachu with a sorrowful expression that made Pikachu feel very uncomfortable.

"Well," Pikachu said forcefully. "If you know Ash in the future, why don't you know me. What happens to me." After a moments silence while Koraidon continued to pull a face, as though at a loss for words, he added, "You're just making crap up aren't you." Pikachu bent down to collect the twigs and leaves he had dropped. "You don't know Ash."

Pikachu then felt a sharp pain in his tail. As though it had been caught in a vice or a mouse trap. "YAOWWWW." He leapt into the air, with a yell of pain. Looking over his shoulder, he saw a small crab like Pokémon gripping his tail with a giant pincher.

"GET OFF ME!...PIKA...chuuuuu."