A/N: Hey I really tried to have this done for Pokeshipping day this way it could have been updated, but sadly Tuesday/Wednesday this past week had me a bit distracted living in the United States. But I had no problem drawing on that feeling of hopeless losing I guess so kind of a win…Either way I hope this cliffhanger doesn't worry you all too much but it will take some time to get the next chapter done. It's been a chapter I have kind of mapped out for a while but I also have been dying to get to this part of the fic so I hope you all enjoy. Leave a review or favorite the fic if you enjoy it.
Ash's eyes widened in sheer horror as he watched the unfolding destruction. Towering machines loomed over the aldea, moving forward on mechanical legs that made the earth tremble with each step. These machines, made of dark, polished metal that gleamed in the light of the surrounding flames, were like twisted beasts from a nightmare. Their massive cannon-like mouths spewed fire with the ferocity of Pyroars, thick streams of blazing heat arcing out and raining fire upon the homes and tents of the Solarans.
Ash's heart pounded in his chest, each beat a desperate drum sounding the alarm in his mind. The acrid smell of burning wood and fabric filled the air, mingling with the thick, suffocating smoke that turned the sky into a chaotic swirl of orange and black. Embers fell like deadly snowflakes, dancing in the air before landing to ignite even more destruction.
Pikachu clung to Ash's shoulder, his small body tense with fear and determination. The little Electric-type's ears lay flat against his head, his eyes narrowed against the stinging smoke. Even in the chaos, Pikachu's resolve never wavered.
Ash could barely process what he was seeing. The aldea, which had once been a safe and peaceful sanctuary in the middle of the harsh desert, was now an inferno. The Solarans ran in every direction, their terrified screams blending with the roars of the Pyroars and the ominous groaning of the Tsika machines as they marched relentlessly forward.
Ash swallowed hard, his throat dry from both fear and the smoke that choked the air. "Pikachu," he called, his voice hoarse, "we have to keep helping. We can't let them destroy everything."
"Pika!" Pikachu responded, his cheeks sparking, ready to defend the people of the aldea.
Ash looked around frantically, trying to see who needed help. To his left, a mother clutched her two children close, their faces pale and stricken as they stared at the burning ruins of their home. To his right, an elderly man stumbled, coughing violently as he struggled to get away from the advancing flames.
Without a second thought, Ash sprinted toward the family, waving his arms to get their attention. "Over here!" he yelled, fighting to make his voice heard over the chaos. "Follow me!"
The mother hesitated for only a moment, her wide eyes full of fear, before she clutched her children tighter and ran toward Ash. Pikachu leaped down, dashing alongside them, his small form ready to intercept any threats. Ash grabbed the older child's hand, guiding them through the smoke, his own lungs burning as he tried to breathe.
"Keep moving!" he urged, his voice cracking. The flames were growing hotter, the oppressive heat pressing down on them like a smothering blanket. Ash's body screamed at him to stop, to rest, but he refused to slow down.
As they stumbled past the wreckage of another burning home, Ash caught sight of Donphan still working to clear debris. The sturdy Ground-type was covered in soot, his massive body straining as he used his strength to break apart a collapsing wall, allowing more Solarans to escape from a trapped building.
"Donphan, great work!" Ash called, though his words were nearly lost in the chaos. Donphan trumpeted in response, his eyes fierce with determination.
Ash guided the mother and her children to a safer area, where some Solarans were beginning to regroup, huddling together in fear and disbelief. He felt a brief pang of relief, but it was short-lived. The machines were still advancing, their cannons firing more streams of flame, and the destruction showed no sign of stopping.
The ground trembled beneath Ash's feet again as another blast of fire shot out from one of the towering machines. A tent that had been standing tall moments ago crumbled into ash, the flames consuming it entirely. Ash's hands clenched into fists. How could they stop this? How could anyone hope to fight against machines built to tear apart everything in their path?
"Pika-pi!" Pikachu called urgently, looking up at Ash, his cheeks sparking with nervous energy.
Ash met Pikachu's gaze, determination blazing in his own eyes. "We have to keep going," he said, more to himself than anyone else. "We can't give up."
But as they ran back into the chaos, Ash couldn't help but feel the crushing weight of fear pressing down on him. The Tsika Army was relentless, their machines unstoppable. And even as he and Pikachu did everything they could to help, he knew this battle was far from over. The aldea was burning, and the desert night was full of fire and terror.
Ash's heart pounded in his chest as he and Pikachu raced toward another advancing Tsika Army machine. The massive contraption, with its sleek, dark metal armor, towered above them like a monstrous beast, spitting fire in all directions. The ground shook with each step of its mechanical legs, and the heat of the flames burned against Ash's skin. Sweat dripped down his face as he tried to think of a way to take it down.
"Pikachu, let's do this! Use Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted.
"Pika-chuuuu!" Pikachu cried, unleashing a powerful surge of electricity that crackled through the air and struck the machine. Sparks exploded across its metallic surface, causing it to momentarily falter, but it wasn't enough to take it down.
"Donphan, your turn!" Ash called out. His trusty Ground-type was already in position, determination burning in his eyes. "Use Rollout, now!"
Donphan curled into a ball and barreled toward the machine, his armored body slamming into one of its legs with immense force. The impact created a loud, metallic groan, and the leg buckled, causing the machine to tilt dangerously to one side. Sparks and flames burst from its joints as it struggled to stay upright.
Ash seized the moment. "Pikachu, one more Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu launched another electrifying attack, and this time, the combination of electricity and Donphan's impact proved too much for the machine. It collapsed with a deafening crash, sending up a cloud of dust and debris. Ash shielded his face from the explosion, his heart still racing. They had managed to take down one of the Tsika machines, but he knew the battle was far from over.
"Great job, Pikachu! Donphan!" Ash praised, looking around at the chaos that still raged on. Solarans were fleeing, their faces twisted in fear and desperation, and the flames continued to consume everything in their path. Ash's eyes darted around, searching for any sign of his friends—Misty, Brock, Soraya, anyone.
Suddenly, a crackling sound split the air, and a blinding electric attack struck the ground mere inches from Ash's feet. The impact sent him stumbling backward, and he barely managed to stay on his feet. Pikachu's fur bristled with tension, and Donphan let out a defensive trumpeting sound.
Ash spun around, his breath catching in his throat at the sight before him.
Standing atop a hulking, monstrous Pokémon was Zephyr. The man's piercing green eyes, normally hidden behind tinted goggles, now glared at Ash with cold intensity. Zephyr's hair, a sun-bleached brown, was matted with sweat, and the scar that ran down his left cheek was illuminated by the fires raging around them. His rugged desert gear was adorned with high-tech gadgets, a mix of survival and warfare equipment that made him look like both a soldier and a conqueror of the sands.
But it was the creature he rode that made Ash's blood run cold. It was no ordinary Tyranitar. The massive figure beneath Zephyr was a mechanical monstrosity, a Pokémon-like machine with an almost sinister gleam. Its body was a striking green metal, with angular, jagged edges that mimicked the shape of a Tyranitar. Its eyes glowed an eerie, electric blue, and sparks crackled from its limbs, sending arcs of electricity dancing along the sand. It was Iron Thorns, a terrifying combination of nature and machinery, and it radiated a sense of unnatural power.
Zephyr smirked, his expression a chilling blend of triumph and malice. "Hello, Ash," he said, his voice cutting through the chaos like a knife.
Ash felt his body tense, his fists clenching at his sides. Pikachu was growling, sparks flying from his cheeks, and Donphan stood ready to defend. Ash's heart was hammering, but he didn't back down. This was the man he had heard so much about, the man who had brought so much pain and destruction to Saharos. And now, he was here, riding atop a living nightmare.
"What do you want, Zephyr?" Ash demanded, his voice steady despite the fear he felt. His eyes never left Zephyr, ready for whatever would come next.
Zephyr's smirk widened, and the glow of Iron Thorns' electric energy reflected in his eyes. "Isn't it obvious?" he replied, his tone dripping with mockery. "I'm here to finish what I started."
Ash's eyes narrowed, his gaze hardening as he took a step forward, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Zephyr, what have you done to that Tyranitar? You're experimenting on Pokémon just to satisfy your own rage?"
Zephyr's laugh was sharp and cold, echoing through the burning village like the rumble of a coming storm. He sat tall atop Iron Thorns, his posture exuding confidence, one gloved hand resting casually on the beast's metal crest. The mechanical creature's eyes glowed an electric blue, its gaze piercing the smoke and fire with an almost haunting intensity.
"You really think I'd waste my time experimenting?" Zephyr sneered, shaking his head as if amused by Ash's naivety. "No, Ash. I didn't twist or torture some poor Tyranitar from Saharos into this," he gestured with pride at Iron Thorns, his green eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. "This is its natural evolution—one it undergoes millions of years in the future."
Ash's breath hitched as he absorbed Zephyr's words. "The future...?" he echoed, his mind racing to understand. His heart thudded in his chest, but he kept his face steady, his jaw set, refusing to let Zephyr see his fear.
Zephyr's smirk grew wider, his scar catching the light, casting a sharp shadow across his cheek. "That's right, Ash. I used those stellar shards, the same ones you're so desperate to keep away from me, combined with the research notes from Professor Turo. I opened a gateway to the future, to bring back a creature strong enough to destroy every last Tyranitar in Saharos. Especially that one—" his voice dropped, dark with rage, "the one that took my family from me."
He clenched his fists, and the air around him seemed to throb with the weight of his hatred. "Do you understand what it's like, Ash? To be left with nothing but memories and a scar?" Zephyr's hand trailed over the mark on his cheek, his gaze cold and unwavering. "This Iron Thorns will do what the people of Saharos would never do—hunt down and end that Shiny Tyranitar."
Ash's stomach churned as he took in the monstrous figure of Iron Thorns. Its metallic body was built like a fortress, and its sharp edges glinted in the firelight, giving it an almost menacing aura. This wasn't just a machine; it was a force, a weapon wielded by a man consumed by vengeance.
Ash's fists tightened at his sides, his eyes blazing with determination. "I understand your pain, Zephyr. I've lost people too," he said, his voice steady, even as his heart hammered in his chest. He thought of his friends, his mother, everyone he cared about. "But this? Tearing apart Saharos, hurting innocent people, using something like that to settle a personal vendetta—that's not justice. That's just spreading more pain."
Zephyr's laugh was cold and dismissive. "Justice?" he echoed, shaking his head. "Justice is weak. Pain is the only true motivator. You, of all people, should understand that." He motioned to Iron Thorns, its metallic claws scraping against the sand. "And this isn't just about me anymore. This creature will become a legend in its own right, a symbol of the Tsika Army's power over Saharos."
Ash stood his ground, his chin raised defiantly as he glared up at Zephyr. He could feel the intense heat from the fires surrounding them, the acrid smell of burning wood and sand filling his lungs, but he refused to back down.
Pikachu bristled beside him, sparks dancing from his cheeks, ready to strike at a moment's notice. Donphan was nearby, watching Iron Thorns with wary eyes, sensing the danger in every metallic line of the futuristic creature. Ash knew that Pikachu and Donphan would give everything to protect him, to protect the aldea and its people.
Zephyr's smirk deepened as he reached into his pocket, drawing out a strange, pulsating object. It glowed with an intense light that radiated in all directions, casting an otherworldly blue and silver aura over the sands. The orb was crystalline, gleaming with an almost hypnotic energy—the unmistakable glint of a Tera Orb, yet this one seemed somehow... different. Its light held an eerie, celestial quality, like stardust captured in glass.
Ash's eyes widened as Zephyr raised the Tera Orb high above his head. "Witness true power, Ash," Zephyr said, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Behold the Stellar Terastallization."
He pressed the orb to the metal hide of Iron Thorns, and the energy from the Tera Orb surged through the machine's body, causing it to vibrate with an immense force. The green metal casing that once made Iron Thorns resemble a Tyranitar began to shift, glowing brighter and brighter until it was difficult to look at directly. The aura expanded, wrapping around the Iron Thorns like a swirling vortex of light, infusing it with a cosmic brilliance that made it appear less of this world and more like a creature born from the stars.
The machine's eyes, once a cold electric blue, transformed into a glowing, fierce white, piercing through the darkness like twin stars. Every metallic edge and surface began to shimmer as if dusted with stardust, and streaks of silver and deep blue lined its body, running along the armor plating like veins of light. Spiked crystalline formations erupted along its back and limbs, sharp as blades and gleaming with a celestial glow. It was no longer just Iron Thorns—it was something monstrous, something seemingly touched by the cosmos itself.
Ash stared in shock, his mind racing as he took in the transformed figure of Iron Thorns, now pulsating with Stellar energy. The ground beneath it seemed to crackle and hum, as if even the desert sands could barely contain its immense power. Pikachu bristled beside him, his cheeks sparking nervously, sensing the overwhelming energy radiating from the creature.
Zephyr's eyes sparkled with a fierce pride as he looked down at Ash. "Let's see how you handle this," he sneered. "Iron Thorns, show him our power! Use Iron Tail!"
Ash barely had time to react, but he refused to back down. "Donphan, let's go! Use Rollout!"
Donphan nodded, his eyes filled with resolve as he curled up into a tight, armored ball, launching himself toward Iron Thorns with incredible speed. The sand exploded in his wake, a cloud of dust trailing behind him as he barreled toward his opponent.
But Iron Thorns barely flinched. With a swift, calculated motion, it raised its massive tail, now covered in crystalline spikes that gleamed like stars. As the tail swung down, it left an arc of light in its wake, an almost blinding streak that cut through the air.
The moment Donphan collided with Iron Thorns' tail, a thunderous crack resounded across the battlefield. The force of the Stellar Terastallization-enhanced Iron Tail was overwhelming, slamming into Donphan with such brutal power that the Ground-type was flung back, tumbling across the sand like a rag doll before coming to a limp halt several yards away.
Ash's heart clenched as he watched Donphan struggle to rise, his strength utterly drained. "Donphan!" he called out, worry etched across his face. But he knew in his heart—the hit had been too much. The power of Iron Thorns' enhanced Iron Tail was far beyond anything he had expected.
Reluctantly, Ash held up Donphan's Poké Ball, recalling his friend in a flash of red light. "Thank you, Donphan. You did amazing," he murmured, his voice filled with gratitude and regret.
Zephyr let out a low chuckle, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. "Did you think a simple Rollout would be enough to defeat Iron Thorns in this form?" he taunted, looking down at Ash with disdain. "You're way out of your league, Ash."
But Ash wasn't deterred. Even with fear tugging at his heart, he straightened, his gaze fixed on Zephyr and his Terastallized machine with a fierce determination. He didn't know how he would stand up to this monstrous fusion of power and technology, but he wasn't about to give up.
Amidst the roaring flames and the swirling sands, a powerful voice rang out, piercing the chaos like a knife.
"Come out, my one and only!" Misty's voice carried over the desert, firm and resolute. Ash turned in surprise to see her standing tall, determination etched across her face, a glimmering Mega Stone scrunchie binding her hair in a fierce bun. With one swift movement, she raised her hand, summoning her strongest ally.
In a rush of water and an earth-shaking roar, Gyarados emerged from its Poké Ball, towering over the battlefield with a menacing snarl. Its serpentine body glistened under the scorching desert sun, its scales reflecting a deep blue that seemed to echo the strength of the ocean itself. The air around it seemed to vibrate with raw power, a presence that even Iron Thorns couldn't ignore.
Misty clenched her fist, her gaze never leaving her partner. "Gyarados, let's go Mega!"
As she focused, the Mega Stone scrunchie on her wrist began to glow with a brilliant light. The energy from the stone surged through her, linking her heart with Gyarados's as the transformation took hold. A whirlwind of shimmering blue and purple energy enveloped Gyarados, swirling around it in a powerful vortex. The air crackled with intensity, and Misty's hair whipped around her face as the energy channeled through her, guiding her partner through the transformation.
Gyarados's form grew even more imposing, its body elongating, and its fins expanding into razor-sharp points that cut through the air like blades. Its once-serpentine shape became more muscular and robust, exuding a ferocity that mirrored the tempestuous ocean depths. Red scales, edged with black, now lined its back, and a fearsome row of spiked fins ran down its spine. Its maw opened in a guttural snarl, revealing gleaming fangs, and its eyes glowed a fierce, unyielding crimson.
This was Mega Gyarados—a force of nature, and Misty's ultimate partner.
"Now, Gyarados! Rain Dance!" Misty commanded, her voice unwavering.
Gyarados roared into the sky, and dark clouds began to gather above, blocking out the harsh desert sun. The first drops of rain fell, splattering against the burning sands and sending up tiny wisps of steam. The drizzle quickly grew into a downpour, sheets of rain pounding down, soaking the battlefield and intensifying Gyarados's water-based attacks. A newfound sense of power surged through the Mega Gyarados, its form now glistening with water as it prepared to strike.
Misty thrust her hand forward. "Now, Gyarados, Hydro Pump!"
With a guttural roar, Gyarados unleashed a torrent of water from its massive jaws, the force of the Hydro Pump ripping through the air like a cannon blast. The powerful stream of water shot toward Iron Thorns, aimed straight at its core, carrying with it the fury of the storm.
Zephyr, however, remained unperturbed. He merely smirked, raising his hand with a dismissive gesture. "Iron Thorns," he commanded calmly, "use Thunderbolt."
Ash's eyes widened in shock, his mind reeling. Thunderbolt? But Tyranitar can't learn Thunderbolt!
The Terastallized Iron Thorns glowed with electric energy, its blue and silver crystalline spikes crackling with power. The energy surged down its body, gathering in its maw before exploding outward in a brilliant bolt of electricity. The Thunderbolt tore through the air with a blinding flash, colliding with Gyarados's Hydro Pump head-on.
The two attacks clashed, water and electricity mingling in a chaotic dance. For a brief moment, it seemed as though Gyarados's Hydro Pump might overpower the electric attack, but the sheer power of Iron Thorns's Terastallization-enhanced Thunderbolt proved too much. The lightning ripped through the water stream, shattering it into droplets that scattered in every direction. The Thunderbolt continued forward, striking Mega Gyarados with full force.
Gyarados let out a roar of pain as the electric energy coursed through its body, its massive form convulsing under the shock. The powerful attack threw Gyarados backward, sending it hurtling through the air. Misty barely had time to brace herself as her partner crashed into the sand just in front of her, the impact sending her tumbling backward into the path of the fleeing Solarans.
Ash watched in horror as Misty landed beside the fallen Mega Gyarados, both of them visibly shaken by the devastating blow. Gyarados had reverted back to its normal form, lying motionless on the ground, defeated.
"Misty!" Ash shouted, his heart pounding with fear and anger. His fists clenched at his sides as he turned his gaze back to Zephyr, who merely looked down upon them with a smug, satisfied smile, his eyes glinting with a twisted sense of victory.
Through the chaos and flames, Brock and Nadia rushed to Misty's side, lifting her gently but urgently from where she had fallen beside her fainted Gyarados. Misty groaned, her gaze immediately searching for Ash through the smoke.
"What about Ash?" she asked, panic tightening her voice as she recalled Gyarados, the faint red light absorbing her partner back into its Poké Ball. She tried to push away from Brock and Nadia's grasp, but their grips only tightened.
"We have to get you to safety," Brock said firmly, his voice laced with urgency. He exchanged a grim look with Nadia. "Whatever that creature is, it can't be beaten while it's in that Terastallized form. Ash will find a way to follow us."
Nadia nodded, her amber eyes narrowed with determination. "We're no use to him if we're all captured. He'll manage; he always does."
Misty struggled, her heart pounding with worry. "But Ash—"
"Let's go!" Brock insisted, pulling her back. They began retreating, joining the other fleeing Solarans as they rushed through the burning aldea. Misty fought against them, her mind screaming to turn back, to help Ash, but the sheer power of Iron Thorns had been devastating. She could only hope Ash would find a way.
In the heart of the chaos, Ash was on his feet, watching as Zephyr continued to advance, Iron Thorns looming over the burning remnants of the aldea like a herald of destruction. His eyes narrowed in fierce determination. His hand drifted to his wrist, where his Z-Ring gleamed in the dim light, almost as if it sensed the fight within him.
He thrust his fist forward, energy beginning to surge between him and Pikachu. With the Z-Ring fully charged, he called out, "Pikachu! Let's do this—10,000 Volt Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu leapt into the air, crackling with electricity as the Z-Move charged. A golden aura burst from Ash and Pikachu, fusing into a powerful surge of electricity that filled the battlefield with blinding light. The force of the attack formed an immense electric storm, bolts arcing and spiraling toward Iron Thorns in a fierce torrent.
Zephyr's smirk didn't falter. He simply raised a hand, a twisted confidence in his eyes as he commanded, "Iron Thorns, use Stone Edge!"
The Terastallized Iron Thorns reared back, its crystal spikes gleaming with a newfound intensity. Jagged stones erupted from the ground around it, each one infused with the energy of the Stellar Terastallization, glowing with an almost ethereal blue. With a thunderous roar, Iron Thorns launched the stones straight into Pikachu's Z-Move.
The collision was deafening, a raw force that shook the ground and sent shockwaves through the air. The stones tore through the lightning bolts like paper, shattering the powerful electric arcs and continuing their deadly path toward Ash and Pikachu. Before Ash could even react, the sharp edge of one stone struck Pikachu, sending him hurtling backward.
Another stone hit Ash square in the chest, knocking the wind out of him and sending him sprawling into the rubble of a smoldering home. He landed hard against the charred beams and walls, the impact jarring him as he tried to catch his breath. Beside him, Pikachu lay motionless for a moment, then stirred weakly, struggling to rise.
Ash's body ached, and his vision blurred as he tried to get up, feeling the sting of the stones that had struck him. Zephyr's smirk echoed in his mind, along with the memory of Iron Thorns' monstrous power.
The world around him was a chaos of fire and screams, but he knew one thing: he wouldn't give up. He could still hear Misty and the others somewhere in the distance, their voices fading, and his heart ached to know they were safe.
Zephyr looked down at the smoldering rubble where Ash and Pikachu lay, his eyes narrowed with a mixture of disdain and twisted pity. His voice carried over the crackling flames as he spoke, half to himself, half to Ash.
"It didn't have to be this way, Ash," he called out. "You could have joined me. Together, we could have saved these people from their own ignorance—ignorance of the Tyranitars, of the dangers they refuse to see." His gaze hardened. "But if you insist on standing in my way, then you'll fall with them."
He turned sharply, signaling to his Tsika soldiers, who were regrouping after the destructive assault. "We've done enough for now. Head back to base," he commanded. "We'll prepare for the next strike and choose our next target. This desert will fall, and its people with it, if that's what it takes."
With a chilling precision, the soldiers mounted their machines, engines roaring to life as they withdrew, leaving the burning ruins in their wake.
Meanwhile, across the aldea, Soraya and her brothers—Rashid, Tariq, and Samir—stood together on the edge of the devastation. The scene before them was almost too much to bear: their hjem, the only place they'd ever known as home, reduced to embers and ash. Rashid's face was set in hard lines, his gaze steely as he took in the destruction.
"What do we do now?" Tariq asked, his voice hoarse with grief and anger.
"We can't stay here," Samir said grimly. "They'll come back. If we stay, we're just waiting for the next attack."
Soraya's gaze swept over the burning aldea, her heart aching for the people now scattered in fear. She drew in a shaky breath, forcing herself to think clearly. They needed a safe place, somewhere they could regroup and protect their people—somewhere the Tsika Army couldn't overtake so easily.
Her mind turned to the Circle of the Ancients, its sturdy rock formations rising like natural walls in the desert. "The Circle of the Ancients," she said, her voice gaining strength as the idea took shape. "It's sacred and almost fortress-like. It could give us shelter, and protection. At least long enough to plan our next steps."
Rashid nodded slowly, his expression still grim but resolute. "It's not home," he said, casting one last look at the burning aldea. "But it'll have to do."
They all exchanged a look of understanding, their shared grief binding them to the same purpose. The Circle of the Ancients might be their only hope to rally what remained of their people, to stand and fight for what they still had.
Soraya's gaze shifted across the smoky horizon as she saw two figures approaching—a weary-looking Nadia and Brock, both struggling to support Misty, who seemed desperate to push past them, her face streaked with worry. Soraya hurried over, her steps light but urgent.
"What's wrong?" she asked, eyeing Misty's strained expression and the way she kept glancing back at the burning aldea.
Misty shook off Nadia's hand, her voice tight and panicked. "Ash is still back there," she said, trying to steady herself but wobbling slightly from exhaustion. "I can't just leave him behind. I have to go back."
Soraya's brows knit together, a flicker of sympathy and understanding crossing her face. She placed a steadying hand on Misty's shoulder. "I understand," she said, her voice firm yet gentle. "But we can't risk anyone else. He'll find his way, Misty. You have to trust him."
Brock added, his voice steady but clearly concerned, "If I thought we could safely go back for him, we would. But right now, the Tsika Army is still close, and we'd only be putting ourselves in more danger. Ash wouldn't want that."
Nadia nodded in agreement, her face somber but resolute. "Ash knows what he's doing. He'll catch up with us. But we need to keep moving, or none of us will be safe."
Misty bit her lip, fighting the urge to protest, but her silence betrayed her feelings. She tried to hold herself together, but a few silent tears escaped, betraying the depth of her worry. Soraya glanced at her with an almost knowing look, her voice softening as she spoke.
"You love him as more than a friend, don't you?" Soraya said gently, almost as if the realization had only just crystallized in her mind.
Misty's face reddened slightly, and she clenched her jaw, the words still unspoken but her expression confirming it all the same. Her gaze dropped to the ground, her voice barely above a whisper. "He means…everything to me," she murmured, as though saying it aloud was both a relief and a confession.
Brock looked at her with quiet understanding. For once, he didn't offer any teasing or big-brother advice. He simply placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We can't go back, Misty. It's too dangerous, and you're exhausted. Right now, you need to rest and recover. Ash wouldn't want you hurt."
Misty gave a small nod, her stubbornness dissolving into weary resignation. As she wiped the tears from her face, her determination softened into a quiet hope that Ash would be safe.
Soraya glanced back toward the burning ruins of the aldea, her mind briefly entertaining the idea of searching for him herself. But she knew their path to the Circle of the Ancients was treacherous, and they needed everyone's strength to keep their people safe. With one last look at Misty, she resolved to trust Ash's resilience, as they all did.
As they continued their journey through the desert sands, Brock's thoughts drifted back to the battle they had just witnessed. The memory of Zephyr, looming atop that terrifying metallic monster, the strange green Tyranitar that seemed as much machine as Pokémon, was seared into his mind. Brock tried to keep a steady pace alongside Nadia and the others, but the unease gnawed at him.
He couldn't shake the image of Misty's Mega Gyarados being taken down in a single, brutal hit. The sight of Iron Thorns launching that Thunderbolt with such overwhelming force—it had felt otherworldly, like it wasn't even bound to the same rules as other Pokémon battles. Brock had seen plenty of battles over the years, from gym matches to full-scale league competitions, but this was different. The way Zephyr's creature seemed to glow, empowered by that mysterious orb… It was like every move, every defense, was amplified a hundred times over.
How were they supposed to beat something like that?
The thought sent a chill through him. Even Pikachu's Z-Move, one of the strongest attacks Brock had ever seen, had barely scratched the thing. It made him wonder, almost reluctantly, what would happen if his own Mega Steelix were to take it on. Steelix had faced tough opponents, from powerful trainers to legendary Pokémon, but this…this was in a league of its own. That monster wasn't just strong—it was unstoppable.
Brock sighed inwardly, feeling a strange tension in his chest, part frustration, part helplessness. They needed a plan, something stronger than brute force, something that could actually counter the immense power Zephyr seemed to wield with that orb. Without it, they were as good as defenseless.
As he trudged forward, his mind turned back to Misty and the look on her face earlier. She had always been fiercely protective of Ash, that much was obvious, but this…this was something deeper. He'd long suspected there was more between them, something unspoken, though he'd never openly voiced it—unlike Tracey, who apparently saw it long before he did. Brock managed a small, wry smile at the thought. Tracey had never been shy about his suspicions, and over the years, Brock had heard plenty about it from both Ash and Misty.
And now, seeing Misty like that, not just worried but devastated at the thought of leaving Ash behind… it had confirmed what he'd suspected for so long. Misty's feelings were no mystery anymore; they were right there, plain as day, in her every word and action. There was a quiet satisfaction in knowing it, a kind of relief that came from seeing something finally come into focus.
But at the same time, it meant that protecting Ash was more than just a duty to her. It was personal. And with that monster lurking and Zephyr's plans still unclear, Brock felt the weight of it all pressing down on him.
They had to find a way to stop Zephyr. For the Solarans, for the aldea—and, he realized with a steely resolve, for Misty and Ash.
As the group continued to make their way through the desolate sands, Misty's gaze darted around, scanning each face in the dwindling crowd of survivors. Exhaustion hung over them all, and the stark reality of what they'd left behind weighed heavily on her heart. Her eyes searched, hoping against hope for any sign of Ash, even though she knew deep down he wasn't here yet.
The distant cries of children, clinging to their parents with wide, fearful eyes, made her heart ache. She swallowed hard, pushing aside her own fatigue, willing herself to be strong for them, to be a pillar in the face of their fear. She caught sight of Kaida, the mursal, walking with a quiet, grounded calm, holding the hand of a young Solaran girl. The child's face was streaked with dust and tear-trails, her little hand gripping Kaida's as though it were her last tether to safety. Kaida gave her a gentle squeeze, her amber eyes filled with a strength that seemed to radiate outward, comforting the child without a word.
A pang of guilt settled in Misty's chest. She had been so focused on her own worries—on Ash, on the terrifying power Zephyr wielded with that machine-like creature—that she had nearly overlooked what these people were enduring. They'd lost their homes, their sense of peace shattered by an enemy with no regard for life. It was a tragedy she could hardly fathom, and yet… her mind couldn't help but drift back to Ash.
She wanted so badly for him to be safe, to catch up to them soon. The uncertainty gnawed at her, deepening the worry that seemed to pulse with each step she took. She could almost see his face in her mind's eye—determined, that spark of stubborn bravery she'd grown to expect in him over the years. But this time, it wasn't the Ash she knew from their journeys across Kanto or Johto. This was a man, bearing burdens she could barely imagine, facing a threat unlike anything they had encountered before. And for the first time, she wondered if that strength of his would be enough.
Please, Ash, she thought, her eyes flickering back to Kaida and the girl at her side. Please find us soon. I don't know how much longer we can keep going like this.