Hi, friends! This would've been up on Friday but the website was acting up. Oh well, it's here now though.
Q&A:
Guest: Is there going three people in relations?
There will be a love triangle!
Thoughts:
Cyberbeasttitan, I'm back to finish the third story I drafted over a decade ago! Trust me, I didn't remember most of what my stories were about until I reread them before I embarked on this new endeavor. Regardless of the status of Advanceshipping, I think the story goes beyond that. It's still an Advanceshipping story and a Pokémon story at heart, but I still believe it has value for anyone who is willing to look beyond those aspects. I appreciate you for leaving a review and hope all is well!
Advanced Journeys is bolder than anything I've ever written and I think Chapter 2 does a good job of conveying that. Plus, it sets the stage for everything that follows. Remember to leave your thoughts, comments, and questions in a review. Let's explore the story together and enjoy!
Chapter 2: Let the Battles Begin!
Tracey dragged himself across the floor toward Ash and May. "Th-they w-want the Draco Plate." He struggled to speak. "Don't let them—
"The Draco Plate is here?" Ash's eyes grew wide.
May looked back and forth between Iris and Alain. "What do you want with it?"
Tracey tried to find his voice until Alain dug his foot on the young man's back. He could feel Alain's heel try to crush his spine. "To destroy it," Alain's eyes glowed red, then returned to their normal color.
"Pikachu, Iron Tail!" Ash's Pikachu swung to stop Alain.
Alain stepped back to let the unknown Pokémon take over. The Pokémon used its double-edged blade to counter Pikachu's Iron Tail with Spirit Break. It winced, but the Pokémon had enough power to force Pikachu back. "Steel moves seem effective," May observed.
"Maybe it's related to Gardevoir," Ash theorized.
"Or Gallade," May didn't rule out that possibility.
"Haxorus, use Psycho Cut!" Iris ordered from behind them. The Unova Champion's eyes also glowed red when she attacked.
"Hax!" Haxorus swung its head, releasing energy blades at them.
Pikachu got between Psycho Cut and the couple. "Pikaaachu!" Pikachu held off the Psychic-type move with Thunderbolt.
"I don't have any Pokémon," May cursed her luck when she realized Pikachu was on his own.
"Iris, Alain, whatever you're doing, snap out of it. I know this isn't you guys!" Ash tried to reason.
Alain chuckled. "Iris, they're all yours. I will take care of the plate," the trainer dragged Tracey across the floor.
"Guys, help!" Tracey begged.
Ash glared at Alain, "Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
"Breaking Swipe!" Iris's Haxorus swung its tail at Pikachu.
Pikachu moved too fast to stop when the tail knocked it back. "Pika!" Pikachu winced, eyeing down Haxorus. His friend that he'd known since it was an Axew wasn't there. The little Axew was gone.
Ash and May clenched their teeth as Alain left with their friend. "Iris!" May tried to reach her.
Iris smirked, "You're battling me." Ash, May, and Pikachu braced against Haxorus and the mysterious Pokémon.
Ash closed his eyes to focus. Come on, I need you.
While Ash and May were stuck between a rock and a hard place, Tracey continued to yell, "Somebody, help!"
Misty looked back to the lab, "Did you hear that?"
"It sounded like Tracey!" Bonnie worried.
"It sounds like he needed help," Clemont tried to look through the windows.
Max assessed their situation , "We can't reach him if Charizard's fires get between us."
Brock nodded, "You're right. We need to work as a team. It's one against eleven of us."
"We can do this!" Goh grabbed a Pokéball.
Misty looked at her friends and Gyarados. "If you have Water-type Pokémon, have them help Gyarados put out the fire!"
Brock looked at his friends and Steelix, "If you have other Pokémon, have them focus on Charizard."
"Inteleon, Cinderace, it's up to you!" Goh called out his Galarian starters.
Lana threw her Pokéball , "Primarina, I choose you!"
Bonnie joined them, "Lapras, help us!"
Inteleon, Primarina, and Lapras lined up with Gyarados to use their water attacks on the ring of fire. However, the Mega Charizard dived to prevent their escape. "On me!" Brock saw the Dragon-type coming.
"Gallade, come out!" Max summoned.
Cilan screamed, "Crustle, assist me!"
Clemont called out his friend, "Luxray, you too!"
"Tsareena, I need you!" Mallow yelled.
"Snowy, please help!" Lillie brought out her companion.
"Vikavolt, you're up!" Sophocles joined them.
Kiawe raised his Pokéball, "Charizard!"
The other Pokémon lined up alongside Steelix and Cinderace. "Go!" the trainers commanded. Mega Charizard mocked them with a smug grin when their attacks fired. The Dragon-type rolled in the air to dodge whatever they threw at it. When Misty and the others made some progress against the fire, Charizard breathed out more flames to slow them down.
"It's too fast," Sophocles sweated from the nerves and heat.
Misty gritted her teeth, "Don't let up!"
Kiawe punched the air, "Charizard, get in there with Aerial Ace!"
Charizard roared when it made its way toward the Mega Charizard. When its opponent was coming, Mega Charizard held its arms out. To everyone's astonishment, Mega Charizard grabbed Kiawe's Charizard by the wings. "It didn't even bother dodging," Max's jaw dropped.
Mega Charizard smirked at his struggling foe. It made a fist to use Thunder Punch on Charizard, sending it crashing. "Charizard, no!" Kiawe heard its wails of pain.
Tired of playing games, Mega Charizard used its speed to strike Brock's Pokémon and their allies with Steel Wing. "It's too strong," Mallow rushed to Tsareena's side.
Lillie and Snowy turned to Brock, "We need to hurry up with something. Serena, Dawn, and Chloe must also be in danger."
Brock uttered, "I know." He hoped it wasn't too late for Tracey and the girls. He pulled out the necklace under his shirt, "Misty!"
The Cerulean Gym Leader saw he was holding his Key Stone. "Right," Misty flashed a confident smile. She pulled her hair back to reveal her Key Stone earring.
"Gyarados,"
"Steelix,"
"Mega evolve!" the Kanto friends shouted.
"Awesome," Max watched Steelix and Gyarados change forms.
Brock jumped on his old friend, "Goh, Clemont, give me cover. I'll have Steelix dig its way through the fire."
"You got it!" Goh and Clemont nodded.
Mega Charizard saw Brock try to give him the slip and fired Flamethrower. To its surprise, Flamethrower was stopped by a Pyro Ball. "I'm your opponent!" Goh stood alongside Cinderace.
Clemont smirked at Mega Charizard, "And me." Luxray growled at the fierce dragon.
"You've got this!" Cilan and the others cheered them on.
The combined might of Gyarados's Hydro Pump with Inteleon, Lapras, and Primarina allowed them to break through the flames. Misty was the first to run through the opening. "Tracey, I'm coming!" the Water-type trainer screamed. The angered Mega Charizard looked from the corner of its eye, but it failed to stop her as Luxray and Cinderace got their second wind.
Misty ran inside to find Alain dragging Tracey. "Alain, what the hell are you doing?!" the gym leader snapped. She immediately came to Tracey's rescue, "Corsola, Spike Cannon!" Her coral-like Pokémon fired when it emerged. Alain raised his arms to defend himself from the attack, but Corsola's power overwhelmed him.
Tracey gave Misty a weak smile, "Misty, Ash and May are in danger. Iris is facing them."
"Iris too?!" Misty gasped.
In the other room, Iris could hear the Cerulean Gym Leader's voice. Iris groaned, Alain is in trouble. Charizard, he needs you. The Unova Champion used her gift to communicate to the Dragon-Type.
Outside, Alain's Charizard sensed Iris and Alain's urgency. The mega evolved Pokémon abandoned its fight against Cinderace and Luxray for the lab. "Hey, come back!" Goh yelled.
"Follow it!" Clemont told everyone else.
"What about Brock and the others?" Max stopped.
Kiawe halted himself and Sophocles, "We'll go with you. I don't know what we're up against, but we're not leaving any of our friends behind them!" Goh and Clemont led the others back to Oak's lab while Max, Kiawe, and Sophocles headed toward the forest.
In the woods, things were dire. Delphox panted as it struggled to keep up against Mega Blaziken. Serena sweated from the tension. "You're not May. You can't be May," she said. The Pokémon performer frowned at the hostile adversary.
The lookalike scowled at her. "You're right. I'm not," she replied. She raised her palm to signal Blaziken to attack again. The Blaze Pokémon charged power, unleashing another fire attack strong enough to eliminate Delphox and Serena. "Fire Blast," the brunette commanded.
"Ken!" Blaziken fired.
"Mystical Fire!" Serena wouldn't give up without a fight.
Delphox cast her attack. "Del!" Her bright flame charged at Blaziken, but Fire Blast's superior force ate up Delphox's attack. Delphox and Serena froze, unsure of what to do.
"Stone Edge!" a man shouted. Serena saw a barrage of jagged stones put out the Fire Blast before it could incinerate them.
Serena's face relaxed. "Brock!"
Brock stepped between them and the enemy. "Looks like we got here right on time," he said. Then he saw Chloe and Dawn unconscious. "Or almost, damn," he muttered.
"They're alright. Blaziken knocked them unconscious," Serena tried to ease his concern.
Brock stood up. "Whoever did this will pay." Mega Steelix growled beside him. When he looked behind Mega Blaziken, he was stunned by the perpetrator. "What, am I seeing things?!"
"No, she looks identical to May," Serena confirmed.
The lookalike gritted her teeth. "If you're here, then we have a problem."
"Good, let's make it a fair fight," Brock took off his shirt. "You're fighting Brock the Rock now. Mega Steelix vs Mega Blaziken!"
The enemy disagreed, "Fool. Blaziken, repel them!"
"Blaz!" Mega Blaziken's wrists flared up when it threw itself on the ground. The Fighting-type Pokémon started spinning with flames enveloping it until it formed a fiery twister.
Brock and Steelix stepped back with Serena and Delphox. "It's using a counter shield," Brock groaned.
"I can't see them," Serena lost sight of them in the flames.
"Steelix, use Sandstorm!" Brock ordered. The mighty Steel-type grunted when it conjured the technique. Its heavy winds and thick sand were strong enough to extinguish the counter shield's flame.
Serena pumped her fist, "Nice one!"
Brock remained stern, "I wouldn't celebrate." When the flames and dust cleared, they were shocked to find Blaziken and its trainer gone. "They gave us the slip," Brock clenched his fists.
"Brock, Serena!" Max called them. The pair saw him arrive with Kiawe and Sophocles.
Kiawe sprinted to them, "What did we miss?"
"The grass is scorched here," Sophocles noted.
"Are you alright?" May's younger brother asked.
Serena mustered resolve, "We need to hurry to the lab. I'll fill you in on the way there, but we'll also need to carry Dawn and Chloe back." She lifted Dawn's arm and placed it over her neck while Brock lifted Dawn from her other side.
"Let's hurry," Sophocles and Kiawe picked up Chloe.
"Dawn, Chloe," Max felt sorry for them as he took the lead.
As they ran back, they heard the sounds of a violent battle in the distance. Back at the lab, Misty moved out of the way when Mega Charizard used Aerial Ace to bash Mega Gyarados through the wall of Oak's lab. "Gyarados!" Misty heard her ace squeal.
"Well done, Charizard," Alain smirked. His mega evolved Pokémon flew to his side, staring down Misty and Corsola.
Misty focused, "So, that Mega Charizard was yours along? I should've known. What are you doing, Alain? I thought you were our friend."
"I don't have friends," Alain signaled Charizard to attack. His dragon lunged toward Misty using Thunder Punch.
He's not trying to battle us. He's trying to kill us. Misty felt her heart race. "Corsola, use Spike Cannon!"
"Cor!" Corsola fired, but Charizard used Thunder Punch to bash through the attack. The fearsome Pokémon defeated Corsola with a single Thunder Punch.
"Corsola!" Misty kneeled to tend to her Water-type. She reached for its ball, "You did great. Get some rest."
Alain stretched his arm, "Finish this, Charizard."
Misty looked away, surrendering to her fate until Charizard's flames were put out by Gyarados's Hydro Pump. The mega evolved serpent screeched at Charizard. It would fight to the bitter end to defend the tomboy. Misty's eyes shimmered, "Thank you, Gyarados."
Charizard and Alain remained undeterred, "Use Thunder Punch!"
"Gyarados, dodge!" Misty mobilized. Her Gyarados swerved to the side, barely avoiding Alain's Pokémon. "Now, Crunch!" the gym leader was reinvigorated. Gyarados trapped the dragon in its jaw, making it roar in pain. Without any mercy, the Atrocious Pokémon tossed it to the ground.
"You can do better than that," Alain reminded his partner. Mega Charizard huffed when it stood up. It sustained some damage, but it sprouted its wings and took flight again. The Dragon-type was determined to win. "Get in there with Aerial Ace!" the Kalos trainer pressured Misty.
Misty smirked, "Grab it!" She knew they couldn't dodge, but they could counter it. Right as Charizard got close, Gyarados used its tail to capture it. The serpent squeezed it in its tail, causing Charizard to howl but not for long.
Alain chuckled, "Big mistake."
"Wait!" Misty realized her error.
Charizard smirked in Gyarados's tail. The Water-type's eyes widened when the Dragon plunged its Thunder Punch into Gyarados's skin. The Atrocious Pokémon released Charizard and retreated. "One more time!" Alain threw his fist. Mega Charizard readied another Thunder Punch as Gyarados struggled to recover.
"Gyarados, we're not backing down. Use Hydro Pump!" Misty persisted. Gyarados recomposed itself. It matched its trainer's tenacity and blasted Hydro Pump. Alain's Charizard didn't back down, taking Hydro Pump head-on with Thunder Punch as their defense. The collision of attacks resulted in an explosion, which resulted in further damage to the lab.
Suddenly, a Pyro Ball and a Swift fired at Charizard, sending it back. "What's this?!" Alain tried to see through the dust.
"I knew you'd follow Charizard here," Misty smiled.
When the dust cleared, Goh and Clemont revealed themselves with the friends they led. "You did good, Misty, but let us help you take on Alain," a smug Goh eyed the Kalos trainer.
"Alain," Clemont and Bonnie lamented their friend's dark turn.
Alain saw no choice but to face off against all of them. "Have it your way." Charizard stomped its feet in anger.
While they prepared for round two, their other friends also fought. "Did you hear that?" Ash looked back.
May nodded. "The others are here."
The nimble Pikachu also heard the noise as it dodged Psycho Cut and Spirit Break. Iris's Haxorus and its fellow Pokémon were strong, but their speed paled compared to the mouse. "Iron Tail!" Ash countered.
"Pika!" Pikachu's tail deflected Dragon Pulse and Spirit Break.
"Darn that Pikachu," Iris couldn't conceal her frustration.
Ash and May glared at her. "Stop this. You know you can't win."
"I don't need to win. Not yet," Iris's Haxorus shifted its focus from Pikachu to Ash and May.
"Watch out!" Ash covered May when Haxorus used Breaking Swipe.
Pikachu dodged its other opponent and used Thunderbolt on Haxorus. The Dragon-type avoided it, but retreated its attack against Ash and May. "Let's go," Iris took advantage of the chaos to flee.
Ash yelled, "We're not done, coward!"
"It will have to wait," Iris smirked, with Haxorus providing cover for her escape using Dragon Pulse.
May cursed their luck, "She's going to help Alain." The couple and Pikachu tried to give chase, but a Mega Blaziken appeared at the doorway to prevent them from following.
"What gives?" Ash was startled by its arrival.
They heard a laugh behind. "I won't let you get far," the voice said. When they turned around, they felt their hearts stop. The mysterious Gardevoir-looking Pokémon stood beside her; it belonged to her along with the Blaziken.
"Pi!?" Pikachu's jaw fell.
"It-it can't be," Ash tried to find the words.
Like Ash, May couldn't deny the similarities. "Could it be?" the coordinator hesitated to reach her hand out. Their opponent became annoyed. "Sapphire?" was the only question May could ask.
The stranger crossed her arms, "I'm not your daughter."
Ash and May tried to make sense of it. Based on what they knew, she looked like May, and the description of her outfit supported it. "It doesn't make sense," Ash tried to wrap his head around it.
"It doesn't have to. Blaziken, take care of them," the woman ordered. Blaziken used Fire Blast, but the trio moved out of the way. The lookalike walked past them with her other Pokémon. She looked at Blaziken, "Keep them busy."
"She's getting away!" May still digested the sight of those cold, sapphire eyes.
Ash got up, "May, you and Pikachu go after them. I don't know what they want with the Draco Plate, but we can't let them have it."
"Pika?" Pikachu was hesitant to leave him, especially since he had no other Pokémon.
"What about you?" his wife worried.
The trainer grabbed May's hands and looked into her eyes. "I've got this," he assured her with a kiss on the forehead.
May nodded with a frown, "You better."
Ash gave her a thumbs up, "Protect our friends, too."
"Pi," Pikachu acknowledged. May and the Electric-type bolted to the doorway as Blaziken charged an Aura Sphere.
Ash glared at it, "No, you don't!" He closed his eyes to focus, "I need you!" Right as May and Pikachu were about to make their escape, another Aura Sphere got between them.
"Pika?" Pikachu stopped to see who it was.
May picked up the mouse and fled, "Let's go, Pikachu. It's our only chance!"
When the smoke cleared, a jackal-like Pokémon revealed itself standing by the doorway. It growled at its fellow Fighting-type. "Lucario, have fun training in the mountains?" Ash laughed at his friend. His frustrated friend lowered his gaze. He regretted being away when his friends needed him most. A confident Ash placed his hand on his shoulder, "Don't beat yourself up. You're here now, so help me out!" Lucario looked at him and smiled, finding comfort in his eyes.
"Blaziken!" Mega Blaziken was fired up to face a worthy opponent.
Lucario growled when it took a fighting stance. Ash raised his wrist, revealing his Key Stone. "Let's do this!" The trainer also felt the adrenaline. His Key Stone started to glow with Lucario's Mega Stone as the Aura Pokémon took on a different form. Their souls were one going into the battle. "Lucario, use Aura Sphere!"
Blaziken lunged using Fire Punch, "Blaziken!" It punched through the multiple Aura Spheres that Lucario fired. When the Blaze Pokémon got near the Aura Pokémon, it pulled back its fist to deliver Fire Punch.
"Dodge it," Ash's Lucario ducked. "Bullet Punch!" Lucario was fast, but Blaziken was faster and swerved away. "Keep the pressure," Ash read Blaziken's movements. Lucario barked when its steel fist targeted Blaziken.
"Blaz," Blaziken opted to block the punches to reserve stamina. It countered with Fire Punch, but Lucario avoided its fists with equal skill.
That's it, Lucario, you've got it. Ash focused on the battle but also hoped May and Pikachu could stop their sudden foe. The thought of her weighed on his mind. What did it mean?
May wondered the same thing as she and Pikachu followed their foe's trail through the lab. Not far ahead, their adversary entered the passcode to enter Oak's basement. "Good work, Alain," the woman said with a cunning smile when the code worked. When she entered, she found what they were looking for. The Draco Plate rested on a pedestal. Unlike previous sightings, the plate was the size of a book and it gave off a strange glow that lit up the room. The intruder looked at her Pokémon, "Do it." Her Pokémon leapt forward using Spirit Break to destroy the plate.
"Pikachuuuu!" A Thunderbolt blasted the Pokémon away before it could strike it.
The Pokémon's trainer clenched her fists. "I've had enough of your meddling," the woman said, looking back at May and Pikachu.
"I don't care who you are. I can't let you get away with this," May said, planting her feet with Pikachu by her side.
Her lookalike had a smug gaze, "It's true what they say. You're so VALIANT!" The woman's eyes turned crazed when her Pokémon dashed out of the smoke with its blade glowing.
"Pi!" Pikachu moved away, believing he was the target. To his horror, the Pokémon looked at May.
May saw its red eyes match the glow of its blade. She felt her blood pump and her heart accelerate. Using every ounce of energy in her body, she pushed herself back when the blade swung. The sapphire charm of her necklace flailed in the air when she slid back and cracked when it made contact with the blade's edge, destroying it. The coordinator's stomach dropped when she saw the shattered pieces fall. The sounds of crystal cracking echoed in her mind. Her reflexes couldn't save her treasure. "You'll be sorry for that. Ash gave it to me!"
Her opponent shrugged at the result. "How pathetic. Although, I'm surprised your aura isn't as rusted as I thought," the lookalike held her hips.
May bit her lip, "I've had enough of you. Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"
"That's more like it," the woman laughed. "Iron Valiant, use Hypnosis!" Her Pokémon used its Psychic powers to stop Pikachu, but the mouse was too swift.
"You underestimate us," May smirked.
"Pika!" Pikachu threw itself at Iron Valiant, but the Pokémon slid to the side.
Its trainer crossed her arms, "Believe it or not, I don't." Iron Valiant multiplied around Pikachu using Double Team. "Use Aura Sphere!"
Pikachu saw it was surrounded. "Push yourself up with Iron Tail!" May shouted. Pikachu pushed itself off the ground, avoiding the deadly combination. "Electroweb!" May continued.
"Chu!" Pikachu fired the electric threads to ensnare Iron Valiant's copies. The copies disappeared once electrocuted, but the real one cut through the web using Spirit Break and jumped up.
"Counter with Iron Tail!" May didn't let up.
"Spirit Break!" Iron Valiant met Pikachu's Iron Tail blow for blow. Iron Valiant's trainer noticed Pikachu's panting. After battling Haxorus and Iron Valiant earlier, its stamina was depleted. Pikachu, your strength is waning, Iron Valiant's trainer closed her eyes with satisfaction. May was aware of their dilemma, yet she hoped Pikachu would hold out long enough for the others to arrive.
May, Pikachu. Almost as if sensing their predicament, Ash looked back at the exit amidst the battle between Blaziken and Lucario. He saw Lucario and Blaziken's fists collide, creating a shockwave that shattered the windows. "Lucario, hold off Blaziken. I need to go check on May and Pikachu!" Lucario barked to note it.
Blaziken's eyes shifted to Ash, "Ken," the Blaze Pokémon tried to prevent his escape. Unfortunately for Blaziken, Lucario's Bullet Punch pushed him back. The Aura Pokémon reminded him to keep his eyes on him. The Blaze Pokémon stood up, glaring at the cocky Steel-type. Lucario would regret that.
"I'm coming, you two," Ash hurried off.
The struggle downstairs rapidly took a turn for the worst as Pikachu continued to tire. It breathed heavily with every attack, but Iron Valiant showed no sign of slowing down. It endured Thunderbolt thanks to Spirit Break's effect on Pikachu's electric attacks. The mysterious Pokémon kept the pressure on the pair with multiple strikes that Pikachu could only counter with Iron Tail. Iron Valiant's trainer was amused, "I can feel you slipping."
"We won't lose!" May and Pikachu kept their determination.
Her opponent rolled her eyes, "Alright, I'm done playing. Iron Valiant, use Double Team." Her Pokémon surrounded Pikachu again.
"Go up, Pikachu!" May panicked.
"Not this time." Her foe pointed at Pikachu, "Spirit Break!" The copies attached their blades to their arms and jumped up. Pikachu used Electroweb, but it had little effect against them. The ferocious Pokémon slashed at Pikachu until it dropped.
May ran to him, "Pikachu, no!"
Iron Valiant winced and reformed its double-edged blade when it landed. Not bad, the trainer had to admit. Her attention returned to the Draco Plate. "Finally," the woman eyed it. Pikachu and May looked at the merciless trainer. They felt powerless to stop her. She pointed at the plate, "Use Spirit Break." Iron Valiant swung its blade as it charged up power. The Pokémon lunged forward to destroy it.
"I won't let you do that!" May ran to get between them. Pikachu stood up as he watched her run toward them.
Iron Valiant's trainer watched May throw herself between the plate and her Pokémon's blade. "You child," she sneered as the blade swung down on May.
Suddenly, May felt something tackle her out of the way. She got knocked to the side and saw Pikachu use Iron Tail with Thunderbolt to stop Spirit Break. "Pikaaaa!" Pikachu cried out.
May reached her arm out, "Pikachu!" When the attacks met, an explosion occurred.
"Pikaaaaachuuuu!" the mouse cried when its power burst. The coordinator's vision became dizzy, and her ears rang as she tried to regain her senses.
Everyone in the vicinity felt the ground shake as the walls cracked. Ash's friends looked around, fearing the building would collapse. Iris and Alain halted their attacks to note the reading on their radars vanished. "Let's go," Alain hopped on Charizard and had Iris climb on after she recalled Haxorus.
"Iris, don't!" Cilan called out to her to stop, but she ignored him.
"Where are they going?!" Lillie saw them fly out of the lab through the crumbled wall.
Misty returned Gyarados and gathered her friends. "They're gone. We need to find everyone else!"
Meanwhile, Mega Blaziken recognized it completed its part. "Blaz!" the Fire-type dug its fist into the ground using Fire Punch. A burst of flames flowed out that forced Lucario to jump away from it. The Hoenn Pokémon took the opportunity to escape through the window. Lucario growled as it disappeared in the distance. With Blaziken gone, Lucario went to check on the others.
Before Misty and the others could split up, Max appeared with their other missing friends. "Misty!" Serena announced.
"Dawn!" Cilan saw his Sinnoh companion unconscious.
"Chloe!" Goh ran to his incapacitated friend.
A tearful Bonnie ran up to Brock. "What happened?!"
"Where are Ash and May?!" Brock looked at all of them.
"We don't know," a defeated Lana answered for the group.
As his friends tried to pull themselves together above, Ash ran into the basement covered in debris. He waved his arm to clear the dust away. There was no sign of their foes, but he saw his wife hunched over on her knees. "May!" Ash ran to her side.
May remained where she was, but she looked up when she heard him. Her sapphire eyes were filled with tears. Her voice trembled when she tried to speak, "Ash, I-I'm sorry,." She revealed Pikachu in her arms.
A confused Ash kneeled, "What?" He believed his friend was unconscious until he took Pikachu from her. "Buddy, wake up," Ash shook his best friend. He pressed Pikachu against his chest but felt nothing. "Pal, c'mon," Ash's eyes started to water.
May's eyes moved from the duo to the shattered Draco Plate. It lost its glow, and pieces of it were scattered around the floor. May mumbled, "We failed."
Ash's body trembled as he failed to wake Pikachu. His eyes never opened. His heart never beat. "Pikachuuuuuu!" Ash screamed loud enough for the universe to hear his pain.
Somewhere across space and time, a raven-haired boy with sapphire eyes awakened in a cold sweat. The trainer sat up after he heard explosions outside the base. His door slammed open when Rosa entered. "We're under attack!" the brunette left without another word. He got his feet on the ground and clenched his fists. The hairs on Red's arms stood up.