Chapter 21: Blooming Dawn of Serene Melody

Electricity crackled through the air, illuminating the smoke-filled sky. Flames raged from crumbling buildings, casting long shadows over the wreckage. The cries of battling Pokémon echoed across Shamouti Island, blending with the panicked shouts of civilians.

The freed Pokémon had fought valiantly. Their initial element of surprise had struck Team Rocket hard. The grunts had been forced into retreat, their Pokémon overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught.

But that advantage was slipping away.

Team Rocket was a well-oiled machine. They thrived in chaos. Their officers, hardened by years of experience, quickly reorganized their forces.

Commanders barked orders, directing waves of counterattacks. Weezing flooded the battlefield with suffocating smog, forcing island Pokémon to retreat. Houndooms launched coordinated Fire Blasts, incinerating patches of the battlefield. Honchkrows and Fearows circled above, regaining control of the skies.

The villagers, once fighting with passion, were being pushed back.

The tide of battle was changing. Again.

While chaos reigned, Melody scanned the crowd.

People ran in all directions, desperate to escape. Parents shielded children, elders were helped along by the strong, and the injured were carried away. Everywhere Melody looked, it was panic.

Then she saw them—her family.

Her mother and older sister, huddled together, rushing toward safety. Relief flooded her chest, but she quickly shoved it aside. Melody couldn't afford to be distracted. There was something more important she had to do.

Her eyes darted across the battlefield—searching.

Then, she spotted him.

Tobias.

The old man ran as fast as his worn-out legs allowed, weaving through the chaos. He was heading to the backstage.

Melody's pulse quickened. She dashed forward, ignoring the chaos around her. "Mr. Tobias!" she called, catching up. "Where are the island treasures?"

The elder barely had time to answer.

Because at that moment, Gary Oak stepped out of the backstage room, a wooden chest in his arms.

Melody and Tobias stopped in their tracks.

"There they are," Tobias breathed, relief in his voice.

Gary's eyes locked with Melody's. No words were exchanged. They both knew what needed to be done.

Melody took off running.

Gary followed, gripping the chest tightly. They didn't have time to waste. The two ran along the perimeter of the plaza, sticking to the shadows, and avoiding open spaces.

Explosions rocked the battlefield behind them. Pokémon clashed in every direction—the air thick with smoke, the ground littered with fallen debris.

Melody and Gary moved swiftly, their focus unshaken.

The treasures had to reach the altar.

They paid no attention to the battles raging around them—the screams, the flashing lights—moving forward without getting noticed. But unbeknownst to them, a pair of curious black eyes had locked onto them. And attracting their owner's attention could only spell trouble.

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

The legendary birds had fallen. Lugia had risen, briefly halting the calamity. Shamouti was in chaos. But at the center of it all, two figures remained unmoving.

Ash Ketchum stood firm, his fists clenched, his breathing heavy.

Across from him, Cassidy met his gaze with unwavering intensity, her lips curled into a smirk of confidence.

A safe distance away, Dawn, Chloe, Serena, and Goh watched with anxious eyes, standing among frightened villagers. Their focus was locked on the battlefield, where Ash and Pichu faced down Cassidy and her Dragonite—a monstrous behemoth of raw power and brute strength.

Cassidy exhaled sharply. "This is over. Dragonite, Dragon Claw!"

Dragonite roared, launching forward with frightening speed. Its claws glowed an eerie light-green as it swung with devastating force.

"Dodge it!" Ash shouted.

Pichu barely evaded the shockwave of Dragonite's attack tearing through the earth where it struck. Chunks of stone and debris erupted into the air, a testament to the sheer force behind the attack.

But there was no time to admire Pichu's agility.

"Don't let it breathe! Volt Tackle!"

Pichu's small form skidded to a stop, then shot forward again, his body crackling with golden electricity.

"Pipipipipi!" he cried, a streak of light racing toward the dragon.

Cassidy scoffed. "Pathetic. Fire Punch!"

Dragonite's massive fist engulfed with fire as it swung.

The moment the attacks connected—

BOOM!

A deafening explosion of electricity and force sent Pichu flying. His small frame crashed against the rubble with a painful thud.

Ash's chest tightened. "Pichu!" The tiny Pokémon trembled, struggling to stand. He was outmatched. They both knew it. Their plan was for them to be a decoy and buy Melody time.

But Pichu had a different priority —it was Ash's safety. This whole trip, he had been nothing but trouble. Stowing away in Ash's backpack. Causing him trouble countless times. Always needing Ash's care.

Now, he wanted to stand beside him. To make sure Ash was safe.

His tiny body shook, sparks flickering across his fur, but his eyes held a fire that refused to go out.

The sparks grew brighter.

Ash's breath caught. His heart pounded against his ribs. "Pichu…?"

Then—golden light erupted.

Electricity swirled like a storm, engulfing Pichu's entire body. His form stretched, ears lengthened, tail sharpened—power surged through every fiber of his being.

When the light faded, a familiar figure stood in his place.

Ash's eyes widened. For a second, everything else blurred. The battlefield, the smoke, the battle cries—none of it mattered. In front of him stood his partner. "Pikachu…?"

The newly evolved Pokémon snapped his head up, his gaze filled with fierce determination. Energy surged in the air around him.

Cassidy's smirk faltered. "Tch. No matter. Dragonite, Hyper Beam!"

Dragonite inhaled, golden energy building in its mouth.

Ash didn't hesitate. "Thunder Shock!"

But it wasn't Thunder Shock.

A massive bolt of lightning tore through the air, striking Dragonite in the chest.

Dragonite's roar turned into a howl of pain. Its head snapped back, the charged energy disrupting its focus. The Hyper Beam fired wildly into the sky, tearing straight through a nearby building.

Dragonite stumbled back, smoke rising from its body.

Ash's lips curled into a grin. "You've got a new move, Pikachu!"

Not wanting her enemy to build momentum, Cassidy demanded another attack. "Giga Impact!"

Ash snapped his focus back to the battle and quickly countered, "Volt Tackle!"

"Raaaaaa!"

"Pipipipi!"

Dragonite, covered in a purple aura with spiraling orange streaks, charged at Pikachu's smaller yet seemingly sharper golden electric tackle. The two clashed, struggling for dominance for a few seconds before the buildup of energy erupted into an expected explosion. Both Pokémon were sent flying backward, skidding across the ground before coming to a stop just a short distance in front of their trainers.

Ash scanned the battlefield, noting the bruises on both Pokémon. But it was clear Pikachu had taken more damage—or Dragonite was simply better at hiding its pain.

Cassidy snarled. "Enough fooling around! Dragon Claw!"

Dragonite recovered instantly, surging forward.

Pikachu tried to dodge—but this time, Dragonite was ready.

WHAM!

A direct hit. Pikachu slammed into the ground, dust and debris rising around him.

"Pikachu!" Ash sprinted forward, desperation in his voice.

Bruised. Shaking. But still standing.

Cassidy's patience snapped. "End this! Another Dragon Claw!"

Ash exhaled, stepping beside Pikachu. His fists clenched. They weren't done yet.

"Thunderbolt!"

Then, suddenly—Ash moved.

He tore his backpack off his shoulders and sprinted toward the oncoming Dragonite.

Dragonite, as surprised as the onlookers, instinctively swung.

Ash barely dodged—then hurled his backpack straight at Dragonite's face.

SMACK!

The bag collided with its eyes, blinding it for the briefest moment.

A moment was all Pikachu needed.

Electricity surged through the air as a massive, arcing bolt of golden lightning shot upward—then came crashing down with blinding intensity.

"CHUUUUUUUUU!!!"

The Thunderbolt struck directly onto Dragonite's skull.

RRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!

Dragonite's cry attracted everyone in the plaza.

For a moment—

Everything was silent.

The battles stopped.

Sparks crackled along Dragonite's massive form.

It struggled to stay upright, wings twitching.

Its eyes flicker—one last burst of determination—before it finally collapsed.

A deep THUD shook the battlefield as its massive body crashed to the ground.

Unconscious.

Cassidy's eyes widened. "No…"

Ash stood there, panting, chest rising and falling with exhaustion. His discarded backpack lay forgotten.

He turned to Pikachu. His friend had just defeated a Dragonite!

His partner looked up at him, still standing—his body trembling, but his spirit unbroken.

Then, Pikachu smiled.

Ash let out a breathless laugh, dropping to one knee and wrapping Pikachu in a tight hug. "You were incredible."

Pikachu nuzzled into Ash's chest, his tail twitching with exhaustion.

Behind them, cheers erupted. Ash and Pikachu turned to see the remaining villagers, local trainers, and his friends now standing on his side of the plaza-turned-battlefield. They were exhausted—bruised, battered—but their eyes burned with determination. Dawn waved at him, Chloe gave a firm nod, Serena offered a reassuring smile, and Goh flashed a thumbs-up, silent reminders that he wasn't alone.

Across from them, Cassidy's fists clenched at her sides, her body trembling with rage. "Why are you getting in our way?!" she demanded as if Team Rocket was the obvious force of righteousness. Her subordinates had regrouped behind her, some limping, others clutching their injuries, waiting for her command.

Ash met her glare, his voice steady. "Because I won't let you hurt my friends. Or the people and Pokémon of this region."

Cassidy's breath hitched, hesitating for a moment. But she quickly steeled herself. "You don't understand," she snapped. "The Orange Region is a small price to pay. We need to take control of the Legendary Birds and Lugia—You think this is bad? You have no idea what's coming! We need to prepare!"

There was something in her voice—desperation. Like she needed Ash to understand. Like she needed to believe she was doing the right thing.

Ash could see it. Cassidy wasn't just following orders. She believed in whatever she was fighting for. And for a split second, her conviction almost made him hesitate.

'Need to prepare? Was that just another Team Rocket excuse, or… was she actually afraid?'

The doubt flickered for only a moment. Then, Ash shook his head. Whatever she thought was coming—it didn't justify this.

Beside him, Pikachu stepped forward, nearing his limit, but still determined. His fur bristled, electricity crackling in the air.

Cassidy clenched her jaw as she returned Dragonite to its Poké Ball. Her fingers hovered over another, ready to send out a fresh Pokémon—but then, the ground trembled beneath them.

A deep, unsettling rumble spread across Shamouti Island, forcing everyone to steady themselves. Dust and loose debris tumbled from crumbling structures. The tremors weren't as violent as before, but they were enough to keep the tension high.

Cassidy narrowed her eyes. It was time.

Even without direct contact with Butch—thanks to the signal jammer preventing communication—she could tell his mission was nearing completion. There was no longer any reason to keep the islanders detained. By the time they managed to call for help from the Orange Archipelago's main islands, it would already be too late to stop what was coming.

Her fingers clenched into a fist. A slow exhale. Reality crashed over her. She had lost.. A preteen had stood in her way and won. Ash had interfered in their Pokemons' battle, but she couldn't complain about it. This was war, no one was expected to play by the books.

Her gaze never wavered from his as she raised a hand toward the docks.

"Retreat." Her voice cut through the battlefield like a knife. If they stay any longer, they would just get caught in the storm. "We're done here. We're heading back to check on Butch."

The Team Rocket grunts exchanged hesitant glances. They understood the logic of her decision—but that didn't make it any easier to accept. These villagers, outnumbered and outgunned, had still given them a run for their money.

Reluctantly, the grunts began their retreat, backing away toward the docks where their ship awaited. Cassidy lingered for a moment longer, her sharp eyes locked onto Ash, before finally turning on her heel and following suit.

For a moment, there was only stunned silence.

Then, the realization settled in.

They had won.

A mix of relief and adrenaline surged through the villagers. Their first instinct was to chase after Team Rocket—to drive them out completely, to make them pay for the terror they had brought to their home.

The earth was still rumbling beneath their feet, like an unspoken warning..

No one needed to say it.

Instead of pursuing their fleeing enemies, the villagers turned inward—searching for family, checking on the injured, and securing what little safety they could. The battle was over, but the danger had not passed.

Ash exhaled, his legs trembling beneath him. The exhaustion he had been pushing aside came crashing back all at once, and he barely managed to brace his hands on his knees to keep from falling over.

A gentle but firm hand grabbed his arm, steadying him.

"You okay, Ash?" Serena asked, worry evident in her blue eyes.

"Yeah, thanks," Ash replied, forcing himself upright. He gently pulled his arm away. "You guys should find somewhere safe."

His friends weren't having it.

Chloe crossed her arms, jabbing a finger into his chest. "We're going with you."

Dawn scooped Pikachu into her arms, earning a soft, tired squeak of contentment from the newly evolved Pokémon. He nuzzled into her, grateful for the chance to rest his legs—even if only for a moment. Their friends gave Pikachu a curious look, and Dawn answered the unspoken question. "Yep, this is Ash's." She waved a hand as if to say 'Later', meaning they'll explain layer.

"To the altar then, huh?" Goh asked, glancing toward the distant shrine, recalling what Tobias had told them.

Ash smiled, determination flickering back to life in his eyes.

"Yeah," he said, straightening. "Let's go."

And with that, despite the exhaustion screaming in his limbs, Ash ran forward once more.

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

Lugia hovered high above the islands, its massive wings beating slowly as it surveyed the chaos below. Its eyes glowed a deep, piercing blue as it extended its psychic powers, scanning across the Elemental Islands and Shamouti. Humans and Pokémon alike appeared in its vision, but its focus locked onto the legendary birds.

Weakened. Ensnared. On the verge of collapse.

With a powerful howl, Lugia folded its wings and dove toward Fire Island.

The moment it arrived, a powerful gust of wind erupted outward, sending Team Rocket grunts and their Pokémon sprawling across the rocky terrain. Moltres, its flames dim and body trembling from exhaustion, barely stirred.

A soft blue glow enveloped the Fire-type. Lugia's psychic grip lifted Moltres into the air, pulling it closer.

Then, in a blink, Lugia vanished—soaring toward Lightning Island with Moltres drifting in its wake.

Zapdos barely clung to consciousness, sparks flickering weakly across its body. Just before its vision faded to black, the winds howled, and suddenly, it was weightless.

On Ice Island, Articuno gathered the last remnants of its strength. With a desperate cry, it flapped its wings, sending out one final Blizzard to deter its captors.

A shadow loomed behind it.

Articuno knew that presence. It didn't resist. It surrendered.

Moments later, Lugia hovered high above the islands once more, now at a safe distance from the black-clad humans below. The three unconscious legendary birds floated in a loose triangle, each wrapped in its psychic energy.

Lugia turned toward Shamouti Island, its resolve firm.

"O Chosen One," it called, its voice carried by the wind, its eyes filled with hope. "Be at the altar."

With a mighty beat of its wings, Lugia took off, the three birds trailing behind it.

A slow smirk crept onto Butch's face as he watched from Team Rocket's command station.

It was a twisted, devious grin—one that could have been mistaken for a Ghost-type possessing him.

"Attack!!!"

The red gems embedded in the metallic collars around Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres pulsed ominously. Their eyes snapped open—lifeless, glowing red.

Without hesitation, the birds unleashed their attacks.

A blinding Thunderbolt. A roaring Fire Blast. A bone-chilling Blizzard.

Lugia had no time to react.

The combined assault struck it at point-blank range. A pained howl echoed across the sky as the force of the attacks sent shockwaves rippling outward. Lugia's body twisted as it struggled to remain airborne, its psychic grip on the legendary birds faltering.

Confused, it turned to face them—only then noticing the unnatural devices around their necks.

The collars.

The moment Lugia realized the truth, another barrage of attacks came.

Diving to evade, Lugia retaliated with a focused Aeroblast. But even as it fought back, it wasn't aiming to harm them. It only wanted to destroy the collars—to free them.

But the birds had no such restraint.

They attacked with everything they had left.

In the command station, Butch leaned back, watching the battle unfold on the screens. The cameras struggled to keep up with the breakneck speed of the aerial clash, but that didn't matter.

Lugia was at a disadvantage.

It was hesitating.

It was trying to save them.

And that, Butch thought in satisfaction.

"Operation AG47 is nearly completed," he muttered, his smirk widening. "Victory is within reach."

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

The earth trembled once more, a deep, guttural shake that rattled Melody and Gary to their very bones. They halted instinctively, struggling to stay on their feet. By now, they had grown used to these constant interruptions—this relentless chaos that turned their night into a waking nightmare.

But what they weren't prepared for was the voice that sliced through the tension like a knife.

"Are those the treasures of the Elemental Islands?"

A chill ran down Melody's spine as she and Gary turned around.

There, standing just a short distance away, was an elderly man in a lab coat. His piercing black eyes locked onto them with quiet calculation. He was the same man they had seen earlier at the plaza, barking orders at the Team Rocket grunts. Now, he stood on a sleek, black circular platform hovering just above the ground. Two uniformed Rocket members flanked him, their expressions unreadable.

Melody's breath hitched, 'No. No, no, no, not now.' She stiffened. This was bad. Neither of them had Pokémon. How were they supposed to escape?

Gary instinctively tightened his grip on the chest in his arms and scowled. "These? They're just cookies my grandma baked for me

Dr. Namba chuckled at the sarcasm. "Hand them over." He wasn't entirely aware of the treasures' importance—only that they were part of some festival. But at this point, it wouldn't hurt to be cautious.

Gary shot a quick glance at Melody before thrusting the chest into her hands. "Take them and do your thing!

Melody's heart pounded. 'Run. Just run.' She told herself.

And she did just that. Without hesitation, she turned and sprinted up the hill, every muscle in her body screaming at her to go faster.

Gary, meanwhile, took a deep breath and turned back to face Team Rocket. His stance shifted—knees bent, arms spread wide, like a defender guarding a basketball hoop.

Dr. Namba sighed. Then, with a simple flick of his fingers, the order was given.

The two Rocket grunts released their Pokémon.

An Electabuzz and a Machoke materialized in flashes of red light.

Gary barely had time to react before Electabuzz lunged, its fist crackling with electricity. Machoke, meanwhile, veered to the side, aiming to bypass Gary entirely and go straight for Melody.

'No you don't!'

Gary's arms shot up, catching Electabuzz's punch with both hands. The impact sent a jolt of pain through his arms, but it was the electricity that truly broke him. Agony exploded through his body like wildfire, his nerves screaming in protest. His teeth clenched so hard they hurt, but he refused to let go.

Then he heard it—Melody's sharp cry.

"Ahhhh!"

His gaze darted toward her just in time to see Machoke grab a fistful of her side ponytail and yank her back. She stumbled, her hands flying open—

And the chest slipped from her grip.

Time seemed to slow as it hit the ground. The lid burst open on impact, and in the dim moonlight, three gleaming orbs rolled free. The sacred treasures of fire, lightning, and ice tumbled down the slightly inclined path—straight toward Dr. Namba.

Melody's breath came out in a shuddering gasp. Her entire body trembled.

'No. This isn't happening. This can't be happening.'

Tears burned her eyes, but she barely noticed. The weight of everything crashed down on her all at once—every desperate moment she had fought alongside Ash, every flicker of hope she had clung to, every ounce of strength she had poured into this battle. And now, it was all slipping away.

The Orange Islands… her family… her people…

Gone.

Gary, still locked in his painful struggle with Electabuzz, could barely see through his blurring vision. His knees buckled, his muscles spasming as electricity continued to surge through him.

And in that moment, for the first time tonight, he felt something he had buried deep beneath his usual bravado.

Humiliation.

Defeat.

"Thunderbolt!"

The voice was unmistakable.

A blinding flash of electricity tore through the sky, followed by bloodcurdling screams. Three bodies slammed into the ground in rapid succession.

Gary forced his head up, eyes wide with hope. Dr. Namba lay motionless, the once-calculating glint in his eyes now replaced with unconscious stillness. The two grunts also lay passed out on the cold dirt.

Electabuzz and Machoke turned in shock—just as a medium-sized rock smashed into Electabuzz's face.

"Sorry, but it's time to sleep," Goh muttered, watching as the Electric-type slumped backward, out cold.

Machoke, still gripping Melody's hair, turned with a furious snarl. His fist glowed with white energy—Mega Punch—

Two figures charged at him.

One small and yellow.

One human and fast.

Machoke swung at the boy, intent on ending this fight in one strike.

But Pikachu's Iron Tail met the blow head-on, the sheer force of the collision sending a shockwave through the air. Sparks flew as steel met flesh.

And then, the boy stepped forward. His fist shot out in a sharp, calculated hook—

The boy's fist struck Machoke's gut—solid, but useless. The Fighting-type didn't flinch. Instead, he smirked, entertained by the human's feeble effort.

He let go of Melody's hair, letting her drop to the ground, and then he reared back to swing his other arm—

"Chuuuuu!"

Electricity surged from Pikachu's body, striking Machoke point-blank. The Fighting-type's body convulsed as the powerful Thunderbolt sent him flying.

Goh grabbed Gary's arm, yanking him to his feet. Their eyes met in silent understanding—a growing camaraderie forged in the chaos.

Nearby, Chloe matching Ash's unwavering courage when he had saved her from that burning branch, she seized the Fire Treasure.

Dawn, fueled by the memory of Ash's selflessness when he had shielded her from that Plusle's Thundershcok, pushed past her exhaustion and scooped up the Lightning Treasure.

Serena, recalling Ash's decisiveness against that Golduck's relentless Hail, seized the Ice Treasure.

With their hearts burning with resolve matching that of Ash's, all three girls sprinted uphill, pushing themselves to their limits

Ash turned his gaze to Melody, who was still trembling, her breath coming in uneven hiccups. He knelt beside her, a small, reassuring smile on his face as he offered his back. "Come on."

Melody hesitated for only a second. Then, she climbed on.

She was still shaking, her body worn from the night's relentless trials. But when she met Ash's eyes, she remembered her own part in this. She had to continue fighting. For herself. For her family. For her region.

Ash tightened his grip around her legs and took a deep breath. His muscles screamed in protest, but he forced himself forward, pushing through the pain.

"Here we go," Ash said, determination burning in his voice. Then, with the last of his strength, he ran—pushing his exhausted muscles to catch up to Chloe, Dawn, and Serena.

This was his choice. With his friends, they would be able to survive this. They would all return safely to Kanto.

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

Lugia's body bore multiple bruises, but none that threatened its ability to fight. It danced through the skies alongside the Legendary Birds, doing its best to hold back the mounting calamities. Its mastery over the elements offered only brief moments of calm—calm that was shattered each time the birds unleashed another devastating attack. They were better suited to handling nature-based disasters, which was why Lugia had to return them to their original state before the damage became irreparable.

Built more for defense than offense, Lugia could endure relentless punishment, its body an unyielding shield against chaos. That was the plan: withstand the worst of the attacks, absorb what it couldn't evade, and hold out until the Legendary Birds grew too weary to continue. They were already showing signs of fatigue. But something wasn't right. Their attacks should have slowed, their aggression should have waned—but instead, their movements grew more erratic, their power more volatile.

Lugia's heart pounded as the realization struck like a lightning bolt. Since their energy was drained, they were now using their life force to fuel their attacks.

They weren't just following instinct—they were obeying those cursed collars, even at the cost of their own lives.

Lugia pushed its psychic powers to the breaking point, energy surging outward in an attempt to pin the three birds down. They fought back immediately, their bodies surrounded by a pulsing blue aura, resisting with every ounce of strength they had left. Their energy flared wildly as they struggled to break free.

Lugia winced. Even with all its power, it was barely keeping them at bay. The birds had to be stopped, but they refused to be isolated. If this continued, they would drain their life force completely—until there was nothing left.

Lugia needed more power—power strong enough to hold all three at once.

Ash burst from the forest path into a clearing, Melody clinging to his back and Pikachu perched on his shoulder. Gary and Goh ran beside him, struggling to keep up. As Ash's gaze lifted, his breath caught.

The battle raging above was no ordinary fight. The Legendary Birds weren't just attacking—they were hunting Lugia, their movements fueled by something unnatural. But why? They were supposed to be allies.

There was no time to hesitate. Ash gently set Melody down, allowing her to retrieve her ocarina from her bag. Together, they sprinted toward the center of the altar, where Dawn, Chloe, and Serena were already waiting.

A short distance away, Slowking stood near one of the seven totems surrounding the altar, its eyes glowing with quiet authority.

Before anyone could speak, Slowking's voice echoed in their minds, a single command that resonated deep within. "Place the treasures into the opening, at the center of the stone tablet."

Dawn, Chloe, and Serena stiffened, eyes widening as they realized that Slowking had spoken to them—not out loud, but directly into their minds. Gary and Goh exchanged a glance, both recognizing the immense psychic power required for such an act.

"Please, hurry." Slowking's voice carried urgency, almost desperation.

The girls acted swiftly, placing the treasures into the tablet. Melody lifted the ocarina to her lips, but as she played, the notes faltered. The usual harmony felt strained, hesitant, as if the song itself was unsure whether it could still guide the elements.

Then, Ash and his friends watched in awe as the treasures began to glow. The seven totems shone correspondingly to the tune.

A radiant green light pulsed from them, and water surged from the stone tablet, spilling across the altar floor and cascading down the cliff to the sea below.

But that wasn't all.

Streams of energy, each matching their respective element—fire, ice, and lightning—burst from the treasures. They spiraled around the tablet for a moment before shooting skyward in a brilliant arc of three-colored light. The combined energy surged toward Lugia.

Despite the howling winds and crackling lightning, Lugia heard the song. As it evaded another attack from Articuno, it turned, wings spreading wide as it faced the incoming energy.

It hesitated.

Would this be enough?

Then, with a powerful roar, Lugia surged forward, absorbing the energy into its being.

The treasures dulled, their light extinguished.

Lugia wasted no time. Its psychic power, now amplified, surged outward in an unrelenting wave. The Legendary Birds screeched in defiance as they were wrenched from the air, their bodies pinned by an unseen force. They writhed, struggling, but this time—no matter how much they fought—they couldn't break free.

With precise control, Lugia focused its power and shattered the collars around their necks. The broken pieces fell, tumbling into the sea below.

Freed from Team Rocket's control, the Legendary Birds' exhausted eyes fluttered shut. Their life forces had been drained to the brink of death—too weak to fly, too weak to fight.

But Lugia was not done. Drawing on the energy given by the treasures, it formed three glowing orbs, each pulsing with the power to heal. With a burst of psychic force, Lugia sent the orbs to the respective birds.

Ash and his friends stood frozen, their breath held tight. The fate of the Orange Archipelago hung in the balance.

For what felt like an eternity, nothing happened.

Then, slowly, each bird's eyes opened.

One by one, they stretched their wings and took flight, soaring independently as Lugia released its hold. The trio cried out in unison, their calls echoing across the Elemental Islands and Shamouti, carrying their thanks on the wind.

The sun broke over the horizon, casting golden light across the sky.

With renewed purpose, the Legendary Birds made their move.

They flew toward their islands—not to rest, but to cleanse them. They unleashed their power in a final, decisive strike, purging the islands of Team Rocket's foul influence. Explosions erupted in the distance, but this time, they were in favor of the Legendary Birds. The invaders stood no chance. Their airships, their technology—everything was reduced to ruins.

Lugia, meanwhile, turned its attention to the remaining members of Team Rocket. Using its psychic power, it saved as many as possible, gathering them up, binding them with vines, metal, and whatever else it could find. They were immobilized—defeated.

But the Legendary Birds were not so merciful.

They continued their cleansing, their fury unrelenting as they obliterated the last remnants of Team Rockets.

Melody lowered her ocarina, the final note lingering in the air before fading into silence. The song had done its job—not just in calling upon the elements, but in soothing the very soul of the land itself. She took a step back, breathing in deeply, and then joined the others as they gazed out at the view before them.

The storm had passed.

The sky, once torn apart by lightning, now stretched endlessly in a soft, golden hue.

The sea, which had roared with fury, now lapped gently against the shore, its surface smooth like glass.

The earth, which had trembled beneath their feet, now stood firm, as if sighing in relief.

Ash turned to his friends, and for the first time in what felt like forever, he saw them at peace.

Dawn, Chloe, Serena, and Melody stood close together, their faces glowing with quiet joy, their smiles carrying a warmth that reminded him of the first rays of morning light after the longest night.

Goh and Gary, usually so caught up in analysis and competition, now simply stood in silence, content as they watched the faintest movement of the Legendary Pokémon in the distance.

Ash felt something stir in his chest—something simple yet powerful. Joy. Not just for what they had accomplished, but for this—for the chance to see his friends free of worry, safe, and standing together, bathed in the light of a new day.

He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the feeling wash over him.

No more chaos. No more danger. Just them.

Together.

A/N: The name Chloe can be translated to "Blooming."

The title for this chapter is Blooming Dawn of Serene Melody.

I hope that makes sense!

The next chapter will be the aftermath where loose ends will be tied up.

The site has been buggy lately. Sometimes, chapters go missing, which can confuse readers into thinking there are fewer available chapters or that there haven't been any new updates. I strongly recommend following the story to get notified whenever a new chapter goes up.

For new readers, there are currently 22 chapters (or possibly more, depending on when you read this) for you to enjoy. If the chapter count seems off, try refreshing the page to make sure you're seeing the correct number.

Anyway, thanks for reading. Feel free to share your thoughts on this arc or the story as a whole. Thanks again!

-Areyem Meyera