Chapter 16: Lady of the Ridge

After a long trek, they reached Brava Arena. Kenny and Ash helped Arezu down from Ursaluna, the warden leaning on them for support.

"Thank you, Ursaluna," she said. Ursaluna nodded, snorting gently as she stroked his snout.

"Alright, let's do this!'' Kenny shouted.

''Be careful, you four," Arezu warned. ''Lilligant isn't as strong as Kleavor, but she hits fast. If you aren't prepared, she'll make you regret crossing her.''

''We'll keep that in mind,'' Ash promised, and with that the four cautiously entered.

''Be careful, everyone,'' Arezu whispered.

Everyone glanced around the arena, not seeing Lilligant anywhere in sight, much to their confusion.

''Where is she?''

"Lilligant, where are you?''

"LILLIGANT!''

They soon got their answer when Lilligant came crashing down onto the field, a golden aura surrounding it as she rose to her feet.

''I think we found her.''

Before they could throw any of their balms, Lilligant jumped into the air, everyone amazed at how high she could jump. Then she came back down to Earth, sending shockwaves across the battlefield that knocked everyone off their feet.

''Ow…''

"Everyone okay?"

"I'm fine, but now I see what Arezu was talking about."

They barely had time to pick themselves up before Lilligant landed again, knocking them down.

''Ok, that's going to get annoying!''

Ash shook his head, clearing his thoughts before focusing back on their enemy. He noticed that Lilligant was bouncing its head to some unheard beat. Once…twice…three times, then it jumped.

''Here it comes again!"

This time, everyone jumped just in time to avoid the shockwaves.

"Alright then, time to go on the offensive!''

Quickly, everyone began pelting Lilligant with the Marsh Balms, causing her to stumble. But eventually she managed to regain her composure and leapt into the air again.

"Here it comes!"

"Duck!"

Everyone jumped just in time to avoid the massive shockwave from Lilligant's landing. Surprisingly, this time Lilligant seemed too dazed to do much else.

"Now's our chance!"

"Right! Go, Cyndaquill! Use Ember!"

"Furry Cutter, Scyther!"

"Rowlett, use Air Slash!"

"Rapidash, use Flamethrower!"

The four pounced, hitting Lilligant with all of their effort to try and knock some sense into her. Eventually though she regained her composure and fought back, kicking Scyther away before jumping into the air, slamming into the ground with enough force to send all of the Pokemon flying back.

"Looks like we're not out of the woods yet, guys."

"Pay attention to her head! On the third bounce, she'll jump!"

Sure enough, once her head had bounced three times Lilligant took to the air once more. With Ash's warning, everyone was more prepared, and easily jumped over the shockwaves.

"Alright, keep it up!"

Before Lilligant could jump once more, they pelted her with balms, confusing and blinding her as she made a blind jump.

"Uh oh."

"Here she comes!"

This time her landing was so big that it shook the whole area, and even though they managed to jump over it they still felt the aftermath. Luckily, Lilligant was too drained from the jump to keep going after that.

"Alright, time for plan B! Scyther, use Wing Attack!"

"Air Slash, Rowlett!"

"Flame Wheel, Cyndaquil!"

"Flame Charge, Rapidash!"

Rowlett attacked first, assaulting her with multiple small wind gusts that battered against her. Once Rowlett had finished, Scyther pounced and started hitting her with his wings, causing her even more pain. She managed to kick him away, only to be hit by Cyndaquil's spinning flame attack, followed up by Rapidash ramming into her. Once their Pokemon had fallen back, they continued throwing the Marsh balms at her. As they kept at it, Kenny couldn't help but notice that the golden aura surrounding her was beginning to fade.

"Guys, I think it's working!"

"A few more hits and we'll be home free!" May cheered.

"Hang in there, Lilligant!" Ash shouted, though this did little to comfort her as she kept getting hit. Finally having enough energy to jump again, she prepared to leap into the sky…

Only for one last balm to hit her right in the face, covering her in a cloud of smoke.

"Did it work?"

As the dust settled, Lilligant shook her head, the golden aura fading at last. Once her mind was clear, Lilligant looked around, confused but calm.

"Gant? Lilligant?"

WIth that, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's alright now, Lilligant," Ash said soothingly. "You're safe, and among friends."

Lilligant nodded, and bowed thankfully, to which everyone responded in kind before leaving, a job well done.

Later that night, Ash and may were in the medical tent having a routine checkup. May clutched her husband's hand nervously.

"I hope the baby didn't get hurt," May whispered.

"I know, sweetie," Ash said, kissing her forehead. Pikachu nuzzled against her side, trying to cheer her up. At last, the doctor returned with a smile on her face.

"I'm happy to say that everything is fine. The baby wasn't injured, and you're progressing nicely."

The couple breathed a sigh of relief.

"However, there's something else you should know."

"What's wrong? I thought you said everything was fine?"

"It is, nothing is wrong. However, during the examination I couldn't help but notice there were two heartbeats, not just one."

"Two? You mean…"

"Congratulations! You're having twins."