Chapter 78: Trust
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
′Telepathy′
The next day comes; as Ash and the others explore the town, they notice a commotion near the area's power plant.
"Huh? Wonder what is going on as there wasn't anything shown on TV happening here in Udella Town other than the PWT?" Ash said to the group, who was also curious about what was happening as the group noticed a young blonde-haired girl walking over to the group.
"Hi there do you have a boyfriend," the girl said to Misty, who was taken aback by the comment. She was going to say something, but only to be interrupted by someone shouting towards the young girl and grabbing her with what looked like a comical hand.
"I swear, Bonnie, you need to stop trying to find a girlfriend/wife for me, especially to random strangers, and that is not why we are here anyway," the young male said to the girl, who stopped as he sighed and turned to Ash and the others as Latias was invisible while out. "Sorry about my sister here; she's always like that whenever we are out."
"It's alright, and I do have a boyfriend right beside me," Misty said to the two, who sighed, showing that Ash and the others were understanding.
"Yeah, I'm not the type to get jealous about stuff like that, and having dealt with traveling companions with siblings, I'm kinda used to it," Ash said as May and Max knew what he meant and left it be. "By the way, I'm Ash Ketchem from Pallet Town, and these are my friends, Misty, Brock, May, Max, and Dawn. I take that you are here for the PWT as well?" Ash introduced the group and asked the two, who nodded.
"Yep, as you probably figured from my introduction, this is my little sister Bonnie, and I'm Clemont. I am taking part in this tournament as I was invited. The other reason why I am here is cause I was part of helping make the power plant here in the research team, so we might be able to get some chance to help find out what is going on," Clemont said to the group as Misty had a look of Clemont's name sounded familiar but left it be for now.
Ash and everyone arrived at the front of the group, only for Officer Jenny to block the group from entering the building. "Sorry, but no civilians are allowed in the power plant until further detail is needed, so move along," Jenny said. Ash tried to explain his connections with the league and to help with what was going on, only for Clemont to sigh and walk over to Jenny.
"Look, I'm Clemont, I'm with the research group that originally worked on this place, and we can help given that I'm with the league and all that," Clemont said to Jenny, who was suspicious about Clemont, and he knew that he'll need proof to show who he was as he pulled out what looks to be a badge. "I'm also the gym leader of the Lumiose City gym alongside my sister Bonny," Clemont said to Jenny, who sighed as the group was surprised to see another gym leader here in Unova that isn't from Unova.
"And I am Ash Ketchem my dad is the advisor of Alder, so anything related to what is happening here, we should be able to help," Ash said as Clemont was surprised to hear this as well.
"I'll have to confirm your identities with the league, but if they come out untrue, then I'll have to take you in for impersonating league officials," Jenny said as she took this information and Clemonts gym badge to clarify everything as Clemont sighed and turned to the group.
"Sorry about that I should re-introduce myself like that, but I didn't want to reveal who I was until the PWT and all that," Clemont explained as the group nodded.
"It's alright, Clemont. If I remember correctly from the league, the original Lumiose City gym leader was a man named Meyer, and I didn't know that he had a change of ownership," Brock said to Clemont, who sighed.
"That's our father. He gave us the gym to run since he was more interested in running the family and his second business. While I prefer to tinker with my inventions, I do take my leader status seriously, even though it's the first city when you arrive in Kalos. It's more of the fifth gym than the first one," Clemont said to Ash and the others as they nodded.
"It's similar to our family's gym," Max said as Clemont looked at him. "Our dad is Norman, and he's the Pettleburg City gym leader and is pretty famous lately," Max said as Clemont nodded.
"Oh, I've heard of him, alright, but we should hope that we can help with what is going on cause this whole screening is taking longer than it should be," Clemont said to the group as Ash was about to say something as Jenny returned to the group.
"You're identities have been confirmed to be true. Sorry about that. It's just this was just sudden as many of the Pokemon in the place are a bit on edge and preventing anyone from going any further," Jenny explained. "We'll allow you in, but don't capture any Pokemon in there unless they want to be captured, but battles are allowed if you have to defend yourselves, so please find out what is going on."
Ash and the others nodded as they walked in. Latias was curious as to what was going on as well. Pokemon shouldn't be this on the edge unless someone was hurt or something serious the group looked around, trying not to cause alarm or anything, as they saw some Magnizone and Electrodes coming their way, ready to fight.
"If you don't want to get hurt, then you should turn back," the Magnizone said to the group, trying to reason with the group, unlike the other Pokemon in the area as Latias was about to step in, only for Ash to walk towards the group.
"Look, we're with the league, and we don't plan on capturing anyone unless you want us to capture you if you want to join. That is, we're trying to figure out or help whatever is going on, and I can understand you all as I have a translator on me, please we won't cause harm even if you probably want to get some solution to help whatever is going on," Ash explained to Magnizone.
Magnizone was curious and suspicious about how humans could understand Pokemon like that but could tell that they were indeed here to help cause if they didn't, they would've attacked them without further notice, but someone he could trust, namely Ash, thought the rest seemed nice.
"Okay, stay close to me, humans, if you don't want the other Pokemon to think that you are going to catch them and attack you," Magnizone said to Ash, who translated what Magnizone said, which the group nodded and followed the steel/electric type.
"Do you know what is going on? I mean, I am the one who helped with the research and development of this place a few years ago, and normally, the other Pokemon shouldn't be this on edge?" Clemont asked Magnizone, who acknowledged what Clemont said.
"Showing than telling would be a better idea given that we are close to what is happening, and then I can explain what is happening. Just a fair warning that you might not want to get too close given that humans aren't that trusted by this Pokemon that I was told by him," Magnizone said to Ash, who nodded and translated as Latias felt like that sounded familiar and had a feeling who it might be as the group arrived at the doorway without issue so far.
"You may enter but do not get closer unless allowed to. Please take my advice; I know that you are here to help, but you are going to need to earn his trust to do so," Magnizone warned the group, who nodded and entered the doorway to see a Dragonite who was injured badly and was being protected by a bunch of Luxray, and Manetrics who was growling at the group.
"They're here to help, not cause harm. Leave us be; I'll keep an eye on things," Magnizone said to the Pokemon, who was cautious but nodded as Magnizone was in charge. Ash and the others got a good look and saw that Dragonite was caught in a lot of wiring and was injured, but not from it. As if he got into a scuffle before arriving in this place, the Dragonite noticed the group and glared.
"Great, if my situation couldn't get any worse, you humans want to take advantage of and capture me. Is that what you are here?" Dragonite questioned the group as Ash shook his head. Dragonite noticed the way Ash was acting so that he could understand him. "Wait, you can understand me, you with the Pikachu?" Dragonite asked Ash, who nodded.
"Yes, I can. I'm with the league, and we agreed not to catch any Pokemon unless they want to join; not like we had intended to catch anyone. We want to help figure out what is going on and maybe help you from the looks of it," Ash said, slowly walking towards Dragonite, who roared at him and backed off.
"And why should I believe you, given that many of these Pokemon here aren't fans of humans, and why should I trust you, or are you captured as well, Magnizone?" Dragonite said to Ash and Magnizone.
′They're with me, Dragonite; I suggest that you at least trust them,′ a voice telepathically said to everyone as Clemont and Bonnie were curious who said that as Dragonite recognized that voice as Latias was in front of Ash, no longer invisible. "Been a while, Dragonite," Latias said to him, who was taken aback by this not as much as Clemont, Bonnie, and Magnizone.
"Latias, you with these humans. How? The last I saw you, you were heading your way for Druddigon from Hoenn?" Dragonite questioned Latias, who nodded.
"You remember I told you that there were humans that helped me out back in Alto Mare who my brother and I trusted? The boy you lashed out at is the one I trusted enough to join his team, and he has Druddigon, who also wanted to join his team. You can trust Ash," Latias said Pokespeech to him, who put some thought and sighed and nodded.
"If Latias trusts you all, I'll allow you to help me, but if you try any funny business, I won't hesitate to strike you where you stand," Dragonite said to Ash, who translated everything to the group and nodded.
Everyone was trying to find a way to get Dragonite out of this situation without warranting his mistrust as Ash turned to Latias and Dragonite. "So, how do you know each other? Druddigon would know him through his connections, but what about you, Latias?" Ash asked Latias and Dragonite, who knew that was a fair question, given that this was an ideal situation to discuss while trying to figure out how to free him.
′I've known Dragonite since he was a Dratini. He was a friend of my brothers before the DMA incident with my parents. Dragonite was much more cautious about humans, as he had seen both good and evil in them. While he is the type to be aggressive and stubborn, he's been through multiple trainers and poachers in his past,′ Latias said to Ash, who nodded.
"She's right about that; I will admit that I've heard your name before, and if Latias trusts you, I can hope for now, but what made you join his team Latias?" Dragonite asked.
"Cause, after my brother passed, I needed to get stronger, and Ash here has helped me in the past. You know that my family in Hoenn are searching for trainers of their own, and Ash is the one that I trust the most he was there when my brother passed and helped save him before another DMA happened that cost Latios's life," Latias said as Dragonite knew that his friend passed away, but didn't know that Ash was there to try to save him.
"Trust me, that day still hurts not only me but Misty and Brock here as that was near the end of our adventure that day, and a part of me felt like I could've done something to stop those two girls who did this," Ash said only to be interrupted by Latias.
"Ash, Bianca, Lorenzo, nor I blame you for what happened that day, and I'm sure my brother wouldn't either. We couldn't have known those two would have found us outside of trying to catch me if you hadn't saved me," Latias said to Ash, who sighed and nodded.
Dragnite listened to all this and could tell that both his childhood friends could trust Ash, and he could tell just by looking at Ash that he's the type who puts his Pokemon first over his own needs, and Magnizone noticed that as well just by hearing this. Little did the group know it, but they were being watched from above by a particular three-headed dragon.
"We might be able to get these wiring off you, but we need to stop the electricity and your trust Dragonite from getting it off you as we have to get closer to get you out safely," Clemont said to Dragonite, who sighed and nodded.
"I will trust you enough to get me out of this place and situation; if Latias trust you enough, then I won't hesitate to let you help me," Dragonite said to the group. Ash translated this and nodded as Magnizone used some of its electricity to shut down the power long enough to get the group to get Dragonite out of there. They finally managed to do so.
"There you go. You should be able to get moved now unless you need some healing. We'll have to take you to the Pokemon Center for that," Brock said to Dragonite, who sighed and knew that that place was to help and can trust as well, and he was in no condition right now to argue with that logic.
"You are too quick to trust these humans, Dragonite, and yet you refused to take my offer such a pathetic Pokemon, my friend," A voice called out to Dragonite and Latias, who growled.
′Show yourself, Hydreigon. I thought you might be involved in this,′ Latias called out to the three-headed dragon Pokemon as the said Pokemon hovered above the group menacingly.
"So another traitor of the dragons has joined another humans team; you sure know how to make us dragon types look bad, especially ones of your caliber Latias. Then again, you managed to get the best of me in our last meeting," Hydreigon said to Latias, who glared.
"You know this Hydreigon Latias?" Ash asked her, who nodded.
"Yep, high up in the dragon-type Hierarchy and is someone whom many members felt he's gone astray. Lately, it seems like that rumor is true," Latias explained to Ash.
"He's also why I am in this situation, Ash, Be careful. He's much stronger than he seems. For some reason, he overpowered me with one attack," Dragonite warned Ash and the others as Latias approached Ash.
"Let me guess; this is part of our deal for you to battle Latias?" Ash asked her, who nodded as Clemont stepped in.
"I'm joining in on this battle as well, but let's take this outside, or is your honor just asking, cold as you are, Hydreigon," Clemont said as Hydreigon allowed it for now as they were outside the building. Ash noticed that Hydreigon wasn't acting like he was one of Team Rocket's Pokemon Generals as they arrived at what looked like a battlefield.
Latias was ready to fight as Clemont took out one of his Pokeballs. "Heliolisk come on out," Clemont sent out his leading partner he was known for using in his gym battles. Ash was curious about what Pokemon that was but knew that Electric attacks wouldn't do much against Hydreigon. "Don't worry about us, Ash; let's work together and deal with this Pokemon and end this issue," Clemont said to Ash and Latias, who nodded.
"Humph, let's see how strong you two are and worthy, Latias," Hydreigon said as he let them go first.
"Alright, Latias, use Ice Beam," Ash commanded Latias, who fired the attack at Hydreigon.
"Heliolisk used Thunderway," Clemont commanded his Pokemon, who sent their attack at Hydreigon, who used Tri Attack at the two attacks as the ice version of the triple attack of Tri Attack was sent towards the two Pokemon. "Use, Focus Blast Heliolisk and then Dragon Tail," Clemont commanded his Pokemon, who launched the two attacks protecting Latias and managed to do some Damage at Hydreigon as Clemont turned to Ash, who nodded.
"Mist Ball and Giga Impact Latias, let's go," Ash commanded Latias, who charged at Hydreigon, hitting him and sending him back. Dragonite and Magnizone were impressed by how well Ash handled themselves in battle, but Dragonite knew that Hydreigon had something up his sleeve, as if Hydreigon was letting them do damage, and Ash and Clemont noticed.
"Humph, I must tell you humans aren't as stupid as I thought you are catching on that I am letting you think that you are winning, well you are right about that to show you how weak you are," Hydreigon said as he used a darker version a Draco Meteor, but wasn't a Dark Ball power sending it towards the two Pokemon and knocking them out which everyone was surprised as a show glow was showing on Hydreigon as he growled.
"You're a Shadow Pokemon; I thought that was over a few years ago," Ash said aloud, and the group was surprised by what Ash had just said. "What is a Shadow Pokemon doing out here, Hydreigon? I thought that it ended twice?" Ash asked as Hydreigon laughed.
"I'm impressed, human, that you have heard of what I am; that isn't from my master's region; I'm here to recruit more Pokemon to our cause. It seems like you're not worth it for now as you are still weak as Dragonite," Hydreigon said as Ash was about to say something, only for Hydreigon to use a Shadow storm to cause a distraction to get away as Hydreigon was gone.
Ash and Clemont ran over to both Latias and Heliolisk, surprised at how one attack could knock them out like that, but they knew that they could do nothing for now. As the group got not only Dragonite healed, but their Pokemon healed, it turns out that Hydreigon captured some of the Pokemon at the Power Plant during all this.
"Man, I should've known that something was off about that Hydreigon when we saw him, and we were made like rookies cause of him," Ash said to the group, who sighed and nodded as Clemont was about to say something only to hear that their Pokemon where healed and gave Joy their thanks as Dragonite was also happy to see that he was better now.
"I guess this is goodbye for now, Dragonite," Ash said to Dragonite, who deeply thought about saying something. "You okay? Dragonite?" Ash asked him.
"Ash, I disagree with you and Hydreigon on one point. I don't see you as weak. I don't usually make requests like this, but I want to join your team." Dragonite asked Ash, who was surprised by this. "But not without something in return," Dragonite said to Ash crossing his claws.
Ash can tell that Dragonite wanting to join the team isn't a yes or no question but a must-join. "Name it, Dragonite," Ash asked Dragonite, who nodded, seeing that Ash was on to what he was asking, as did Latias.
"Good battles; I won't let you battle any humans for me to participate in. You want me to listen to you and be your friend, not just you but your Pokemon; let me pick and choose who I want to battle and not question me about the methods I choose, and I won't be disobedient towards you. No lectures. My last trainer did that, and she was like you but always lectured me on everything," Dragonite said to Ash, who nodded as Dragonite was a bit like Charizard but could tell he wanted to get stronger with Ash.
"Deal, Dragonite, but to let you know, I have a Zweilious on my team who is Hydreigon's evolution. Is that an issue with you, given how Hydreigon was towards you?" Ash asked Dragonite, who waved his claw at Ash.
"It's just him, not members of his evolutionary line nor any other Dragon types from the sounds of it. He's a friend of Druddigons and someone I can trust; I'll try to get along with everyone," Dragonite said to Ash, who nodded and pulled out a Pokeball and tossed it and caught Dragonite without issues as Ash sighed and noticed that Magnizone was watching Ash as well.
"Let me guess, you as well, Magnizone?" Ash asked him, who nodded. "Dragonite, I can understand, but I thought you would return to the Power Plant with what remains of the Pokemon there?" Ash questioned Magnizone.
"The truth is, Ash, I was looking for a trainer to call my own I noticed how well you humans handled that situation without fail, and I have no requests for joining the team other than just taking good care of me and good battles. I'm a leader who knows what I'm doing, so you can rely on me in battle," Magnizone said to Ash, who nodded. "I trust humans more than others, so please let me join?"
"Okay, Magnizone, if you say so, I'm willing to let you join the team; if it's not to your standards, just say so, and I'll release you, no questions asked, and we do owe you for helping us get to Dragonite and being reasonable with the other Pokemon so welcome to the team," Ash said as Magnizone nodded as Ash pulled out another Pokeball and caught him as well as Ash sighed.
"Dragonite, I can understand, but I guess that Magnizone had planned on joining your team from the start since we met him, Ash," Clemont said to Ash, who nodded as the others walked over.
Everyone was about to go their separate ways. "We'll see each other again at the PWT. I will inform you that I'm not the only Kalos Gym leader here in Unova for the PWT, Ash, so you might either see her or run into her at the PWT," Clemont said to Ash, who nodded as he was about to take his leave as Misty stopped him.
"Hold on, Clemont. I thought your name sounded familiar. Your the newest member of the Elite 6 gym leaders," Misty said to Clemont, who sighed, knowing that one of the members would recognize him as this took aback Ash.
"Yeah, that's right, I am; I just became it almost a year ago after taking over for my father's gym. Originally it was going to be another gym leader. Her name is Korrin. She's the region's third gym leader; however, she's still mastering to be strong enough, so I was chosen instead," Clemont said to Ash and the others. "That is all I'm going to say. You'll either run into her as she has rollerblades and a helmet or with her partner Pokemon Lucario; until then, I'll see you guys at the end of the month."
"I hope we can face each other at the PWT, but you got it. See you around Clemont," Ash said to him, who nodded as Ash held out a hand for a handshake, who smiled and accepted.
"I hope to give you guys a battle that you will remember and worthy of it. See you guys around," Clemont said and took his leave with Bonnie.
Now that the Power Plant situation is resolved, many people wonder why Shadow Pokemon resurfaced in Unova. Is there a larger issue at play? Could Team Rocket be involved, or is there a more ominous force at work? Meanwhile, the PWT draws closer as our journey continues.
Stay Tuned.
Done and Done, man. This chapter took much longer to write but was worth the wait. For those who are wondering, I showed the Shadow Pokemon thing early, but until we hit the story's sequel, this is the only time you'll see this Pokemon. As for Dragonite and Magnizone, they were requested a long time ago, especially Dragonite, since the story's inception, and I had planned on this to be a thing since then, the same with Magnizone. We have one more chapter left before we reach the PWT, and speaking of Lucario, the next chapter has to do with that. See you next time.