Favv, I'm glad you enjoyed those scenes. I definitely enjoyed writing them too. You can bet there will be more Advanceshipping moments as the story progresses. It'll be awesome.
As always everyone, remember to leave your questions or feedback as a review so I can address them. I appreciate your time leaving one!
So my question this week is: Who liked who first in the anime, Ash or May?
Leave your answer in a review. Now on with the show!
Chapter 11: Drown
"Hang tight, everyone!" Ash advised as the waves picked up. Lapras cried as it resisted the current. His family and friends braced themselves as the storm's winds threatened to knock them off Lapras's back.
Misty tried to peer through the rain and gust, "No wonder people refused to sail here!"
"You can do it, Lapras!" May encouraged the Transport Pokémon.
"Just a little more," Red groaned.
Brock also tried to keep their destination in sight. As he looked around, he saw schools and flocks of water Pokémon flee from the direction of the islands. "Even the Pokémon seem to be afraid of the storm," Brock feared.
"Too late to turn back now," Ash muttered. One wave crashed so hard that it nearly caused him to slip. He secured himself around Lapras, "Whoa!"
"Careful, Ash!" May tugged him by the shirt.
"This isn't the Orange Islands, you know!" Misty berated him.
Ash chuckled despite the tension, "Sorry, I was looking at the Pokémon." He saw Wingull, Mantine, Marill, and Goldeen among the various Pokémon that fled in a panic.
"I think I see what they're swimming away from!" Red grew alarmed.
The others followed where he pointed and saw a tsunami that threatened to swallow them. Lapras's eyes widened when it saw the fierce waters approaching. The heroes gulped when they saw it stretch for miles as it roared toward them. "We can't cross that. We need to turn back!" Brock worried.
"Brock's right, the storm is too strong!" Misty agreed.
"Even if we turn back, that wave will hit us faster than we can escape," Red argued.
Ash remained steadfast, "We can't turn back. We've come this far. The Pokémon are depending on us, and we need to get to that plate no matter what!"
"Ash is right. As scary as things look, we can't afford to retreat," May added.
Misty held her arm over her eyes to shield herself from the torrential rain. "You're quite the family, you know that?"
Ash leaned toward Lapras, "Lapras, you can do it. I'll help you."
"We're in this together," May reminded the kindhearted creature.
"It's almost here!" Red felt goosebumps when he saw the wave tower over them.
Misty was in awe when she saw it. The wave was unlike any she'd ever seen. Then she felt Brock's hand on her shoulder. "If they believe we can make it, then we can." He found himself reassured by their fortitude.
The tomboy tightened her grip around the knobs of Lapras's shell. "Right, what's a little water to the Cerulean City Gym Leader?" Misty dared to brave the wave.
"That's the spirit!" Ash raised his fist in triumph. Lapras cried as the wave was within range. Ash aimed at the threat. "Lapras, use Ice Beam!" Lapras charged the Ice-type attack to its full potential. "Do it!" Ash let her fire. Lapras mustered enough power to freeze a stretch of the roaring water.
"She did it!" May cheered.
"It won't hold for long. It's about to crack," Red could see the ice about to lose its grip.
"Don't give up, Lapras!" Misty pushed her on.
Once Lapras saw the wave cracking, it knew it had to dial it up. The water Pokémon used Hydro Pump on the water to push themselves into the air. "What's Lapras doing!" Brock felt like he was slung into the air.
"Getting us through!" Ash yelled. As they dived toward the wave, Lapras saw the last of the ice beginning to crack. It used Hydro Pump one more time to blast a hole through the wave and dived in through it.
They were impressed by her tactics as she safely got them through the worst of it. "Awesome," May's eyes shimmered as they bulleted through the wave, observing the wave from both sides.
"Way to go, Lapras!" Misty celebrated when they landed on the water again.
"That Hydro Pump was amazing. Great job," Ash complimented her. His Lapras squealed over the praise.
Brock leaned back to relax and laughed, "Only Ash's Pokémon would come up with a stunt like that." He sighed with relief as he wiped his forehead.
"We're here," Red acknowledged. The gang realized that the storm was behind them once they arrived at the calm shores of the Whirl Islands.
"It's so quiet here," May didn't see any sign of life around.
"But why?" Misty wondered.
As Lapras brought them to the shore, there were no signs of life on the island either. "It's as if everything got up and left," Brock found it odd. He looked back at the storm that kept them away from the island, "I don't think we were supposed to get this far."
"Do you think the storm was intentionally trying to keep us away or something?" Ash put his hands behind his head.
Misty nodded, "Maybe. Ever since humans left the islands, they've become somewhat of a mystery."
"We won't know more until we go in deeper," Red checked the radar he took from Sapphire. He frowned, "The plate is on this island. Let's keep moving."
Ash thanked Lapras, "Wait for us here. We'll be back soon." Lapras acknowledged with a nod.
"Brock, something's not right," Misty grew uncomfortable with the silence.
"We'd best be careful. There's a reason we don't see any Pokémon around," Brock warned.
May checked her Rotom Phone. "This is as close as we'll get to finding the plate. The radars can't pinpoint their exact locations."
"Do you suggest we split up?" Ash questioned.
"It's the best way to boost our odds of finding it," Red decided. Suddenly, he felt a chill run down his spine as the wind softly picked up from behind them.
May saw the alarm in his eyes. "What's wrong, Red?"
Red turned around. "Something's here." He saw the blades of grass bend and the trees begin to rustle. The only noise that accompanied them was the wind's howl. Ash, May, and their friends stood still as they tried to listen for anything.
"Watch out!" Red and his companions leapt to the side when an Aeroblast fired in their direction.
Ash looked up. "Where'd that come from?!" The trees started to rustle more and the wind threatened to blow off his hat. From the depths of the forest, a silver-winged beast shot into the sky and spread its wings. It cried in anger when it saw the humans.
"Lugia!" May gasped. Lugia fired Aeroblast again. The attack launched too fast for them to dodge again, but Red intervened when Lucario emerged from his Pokéball. The Aura Pokémon countered the attack with Flash Cannon.
"Are you alright?" Lucario ensured the humans were safe.
"Yeah, thanks," Red got up. He glared at the furious Lugia. "The silver wings I saw in Kingdra's memory. It was Lugia. It makes sense now. The storm. The attack on the Pokémon. Lugia's responsible."
"But why?" Brock didn't understand.
"May, look at its body," Ash noticed something unsettling.
May clenched her fists when she also noticed it, "That glow. It's Shadow Energy."
"Damn," Red cursed their luck.
"Shadow Energy?" Misty and Brock didn't understand.
The perpetrator emerged from the trees, "Team Rocket's legacy before the correction. Fortunately, Sapphire was able to replicate it." He smirked at them as Lugia hovered above him.
"You're kidding?!" Misty was shocked to see the familiar man.
"But you're not one of the Masters 8," May's legs trembled.
The man chuckled, "That's irrelevant."
"Contest Master Wallace," Red recognized him as the strongest coordinator in the world aside from his mother and the most skilled Water-type trainer around.
"In the flesh," Wallace bowed. He sported his white robes that captured his elegance and arrogance, but the look in his eyes carried the same coldness as the others.
Brock gritted his teeth, "What have you done to Lugia?!"
Wallace looked up at the Diving Pokémon, who flapped its wings as it waited to strike. "I merely enhanced it. You see, when I arrived in the Whirl Islands in search of the plate, Lugia proved to be a formidable obstacle. However, instead of eliminating it, I saw use for it. By using Shadow Energy, Lugia served its purpose and staved off anything and everything that would get in the way."
"So that's why there are so many injured Pokémon appearing in Cianwood City. You had Lugia attack to keep them away from the island," Ash despised his actions.
"And the storm was to keep people away from looking into the trouble you've caused," May remarked.
The smug Wallace crossed his arms, "Precisely. I'd hoped that wave would've sunk you meddlers, but I should've known better. Regardless, this is as far as your journey will go." Red stepped forward. He had a smirk on his face. "What's so amusing?" Wallace became irritated by his smile.
"I don't see you with the plate. You still haven't found it. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here," Red said.
"It's only a matter of time," Wallace's eyes briefly showed their red glow.
Red kept his smirk, "I didn't think I'd have use for these again." The trainer reached into his pocket, "Luckily, I'm pretty resourceful." He pulled out a purified gem.
Wallace grunted, "You would."
"If we can get the purified gem on Lugia, then we can free it!" Ash was relieved.
"Then let's get it done so we can find the plate," May smirked.
Wallace lost his patience. "I don't think so." He called out his ace Pokémon, Milotic, to aid him in battle. "Attack!" Wallace commanded. Milotic used Hydro Pump on the heroes.
"Gyarados, Hydro Pump!" May summoned her friend. The Atrocious Pokémon appeared and countered the attack. "You're about to learn what a real water Pokémon trainer can do!" Misty looked forward to the confrontation.
Wallace nodded sideways. "Fools, this isn't a battle. This is life or death!" From above, Lugia fired another Aeroblast at them.
Lucario interfered with Flash Cannon, but he had additional help. "Steelix, use Stone Edge!" Brock also brought out aid. Together, the Steel-type Pokémon stopped the attack.
When the dust cleared, Wallace appeared riding on Lugia. "Milotic, keep them busy!" Wallace ordered as he took off with Lugia.
"We can't let him get away with Lugia!" May protested.
"You go after Wallace. Misty and I will keep Milotic busy," Brock demanded.
Red turned to Lucario. "Stay with them and fight."
Right, Lucario joined Steelix and Gyarados against Wallace's Pokémon.
Ash and Red reached for their Pokéballs, "Charizard, I choose you!" The duo yelled at the same time. Red hopped on his black Charizard while Ash and May got on their Charizard. "Brock, Misty, stay sharp," Ash tipped his hat at them.
"You too," Misty flashed a sly smile.
Red raised his wrist to mega evolve his Charizard, surprising Ash and May. "Charizard, follow Lugia!" Red instructed. They took flight alongside Ash's Charizard and joined Wallace in the skies.
The Contest Master rolled his eyes when he saw them pursue him. "We've run out of time. This calls for Plan B." The callous coordinator looked down on the island. "Lugia, blast the island into nothing!" Lugia fired Aeroblast on the island.
Ash, May, and Red watched the Legendary Pokémon destroy everything in its path without any regard. "What is he doing?!" Ash panicked.
"He knows we have him backed into a corner. If he can't find the plate, he'll reduce the island to rubble and destroy the plate along with it," Red assumed.
"He's insane!" May clenched her teeth.
Ash agreed. "Well, I won't let him do that. Charizard, use Flamethrower!" Ash's Charizard roared and targeted Lugia in hopes of stopping the madness.
"Charizard, Dragon Pulse!" Red's Mega Charizard X provided Ash more firepower.
Wallace saw the incoming attacks. "Here they come. Troublesome brats." The Contest Master had Lugia divert its attention to the heroes. The Legendary Pokémon met their attacks with Aeroblast and cancelled the combined blasts. Lugia shrieked as boulders levitated in the air and launched them at the pair of Charizard.
"It's using Ancient Power!" Red's eyes grew wide.
"Dodge!" Ash commanded. The pair of Charizard moved away before the rocks could bash them.
Wallace threatened them. "You're only delaying the inevitable. The clock is ticking." Lugia fired Aeroblast on the Charizard and the island.
"Wallace, you're a coordinator, not a villain. Pull yourself together and snap out of whatever it is that they did to you!" May retorted.
"May, you understand so little. You always have," Wallace mocked her. Lugia fired Aeroblast again, forcing the Charizard to keep dodging. Unfortunately, as soon as they dodged Aeroblast, Lugia unleashed Hydro Pump and almost knocked the trainers out of the sky. The heroes held tight as the Charizard tried to regain altitude while they winced in pain.
Red glared, "Damn, that Lugia packs a punch."
"What did you expect from a Legendary Pokémon?" Wallace boasted.
"Charizard, use Flamethrower!" Ash commanded.
Lugia countered the attack with ease using Hydro Pump. The collision created a fog between the opponents. Wallace was amused, "Is that all the Monarch can do? How disappointing." The Contest Master would regret those words when the two Charizard emerged out of the fog.
"Flare Blitz!" Red stretched his arm out.
"Slash!" Ash pumped his fist.
The two attacks struck Lugia at the same time, making the Guardian of the Sea fall back in pain. The sneak attack caused Wallace to slip off Lugia. "I refuse to go out like this," Wallace cursed the trio as he fell.
"Ash, we have to save him!" May pleaded.
"Right!" Ash had Charizard dive down.
"You go, I'll hold off Lugia," Red got between them. The guardian unleashed a volley of Ancient Power in anger. Red had Mega Charizard maneuver through the shower of rocks, but looked back at his parents. "Look out!" he shouted.
Wallace smirked when he saw them come for him. "I have you now." Ash's Charizard almost failed to swerve away from harm when Ancient Power came from behind. Wallace saw the Ancient Power target him and leapt from boulder to boulder through the air until he reached Lugia and jumped back on it.
May and Ash gasped. "How did he do that?!" Ash's jaw hung open.
"Whatever Sapphire did, it seemed to enhance them," Red surmised when he rejoined them.
"Like aura?" May questioned.
Wallace waved his finger back and forth. "Not quite, but you could say we are enhanced. Superhuman, perhaps?"
"Whatever," Red fired back. "You almost had us, but we won't let that happen again."
"We'll see about that," Wallace smirked. Lugia fired blasts of psychic energy at the heroes. The Charizard spun between the attacks and approached Lugia. "How agile of you. Keep the pressure," the Contest Master wasn't undeterred. Lugia unleashed another Aeroblast.
Red got beside Ash and May. "I've got an idea."
"I'm game," Ash listened. After Red explained it, he took the lead against the Aeroblast by having Mega Charizard use Flare Blitz. Red's Charizard took Aeroblast head-on, enduring the damage.
Wallace raised his eyebrows. "Is he mad? His Charizard won't hold off much longer."
"That's what you think!" Red barked when his Charizard burst through Aeroblast and moved away, revealing Ash's Charizard behind him.
"Now, Charizard, use Flamethrower!" Ash had the Flame Pokémon at blank range.
Wallace's eyes widened, but his shock turned into a sinister grin. "You're too late," the coordinator raised his arms. Before Ash's Charizard could fire, five wormholes appeared. Psychic energy fired out from the wormholes. The attacks trapped both Charizard and caused them to shout in pain, including their riders. "Lugia used Future Sight earlier when you were dodging its psychic energy," Wallace said. " I knew you'd overlook the attack," Wallace continued. The Charizard and the heroes were immobilized by Future Sight, giving Wallace free rein. Wallace turned his eyes to the island. "Finish this, Lugia!" The Guardian of the Sea laid waste to the island once again.
Below, Misty and Brock remained occupied with Milotic. No matter what they tried, Milotic's Aqua Ring and Safeguard helped it maintain its defense against them. Their attention turned to the sky when they felt the ground shake from Lugia's rampage. "Brock, look!" Misty saw Ash, May, and Red at the mercy of Future Sight.
"Oh, no!" Brock sweated from angst.
Lucario disregarded Milotic when he saw his friends in danger. "I have to help them," Lucario dashed off but got pulled in by Milotic's Twister. Lucario barked. "I can't move!" With Lucario also trapped, Milotic used Hydro Pump on the field to drown Brock, Misty, and their Pokémon.
"Steelix, return!" Brock realized his dilemma.
"Get on Gyarados!" Misty pulled Brock toward the serpent as Milotic's Hydro Pump flooded the area. Misty frowned, "Gyarados, use Rain Dance then Hurricane!" The Atrocious Pokémon summoned a storm to put down Milotic. Unfortunately, Milotic conjured multiple twisters to shield itself against Hurricane. "Doesn't anything work against it!" Misty clenched her fists.
Wallace noticed the storm from Gyarados's Rain Dance and shrugged, "It's not looking too good for your friends down there either. Soon, they'll either drown or get caught in the Aeroblast. You've lost."
"Noooooo!" Ash yelled as the Future Sight coursed through his body.
"Wallace, stop!" May squealed.
Red and Charizard tried to resist the psychic energy; Lugia's power was overwhelming. "I can't let it end like this," the trainer uttered.
Wallace watched them suffer while Lugia continued to eradicate the island. Just when his victory seemed assured, an Ice Beam blasted Lugia to freeze its wing. The Legendary Pokémon lost altitude and dived down with Wallace. "What's the meaning of this?!" Wallace held on to the beast.
Ash, May, and Red broke free along with their Charizard once Lugia was shot down. "Lapras!" Ash saw his friend swim through the flooded island. The plesiosaur-like Pokémon cried to Ash out of concern. Ash and May dove down, "You knew we were in trouble." Lapras nodded in relief when she saw that he was alright.
Lugia shattered the ice that encased its wing and recovered altitude. "Get them!" Wallace retaliated. Lugia jetted toward the heroes.
"Here he comes," Red saw the incoming silver-winged Pokémon.
"Lapras, help Brock and Misty. We'll take care of this," Ash instructed. Lapras acknowledged and swam to their other friends.
Ash saw Lugia charge with rage in its eyes for getting caught off guard. "May, you may want to hold on tight for this one," the Monarch warned.
"What are you about to do?" May questioned. She secured herself by wrapping her arms around Ash's abdomen.
Her husband smirked, "You'll see." May gulped when she saw the look in his eye. Whenever he gave that look, she knew he was about to do something wild.
"I'll follow your lead," Red acknowledged.
Ash pulled down the brim of his hat, "Charizard, somersault into Dragon Tail."
"Somersault?!" May's face turned pale.
Ash's Charizard darted up in the air at remarkable speed, then proceeded to dive down in a somersault as its tail started to glow from Dragon Tail. As it built momentum from the somersault dive, Ash shouted, "Slam the water!" With careful precision, Charizard roared when it slammed the thickest part of its tail against the floodwater. The impact was so fierce that a powerful wave emerged against Lugia.
Wallace chuckled, "Child's play." Lugia defeated the wave with Aeroblast, but just as the wave was destroyed, Red's Charizard landed a Thunder Punch.
"You fell for the same trick twice, idiot," Red taunted him. Lugia and Wallace fell back as the guardian tried to recover from the shock. The Contest Master recognized that the family still had fight in them.
Meanwhile, Lapras swam through the flooded island as the rain and Milotic's attacks threatened to swallow the land. Amidst the ripped trees and rocks flowing down toward the ocean, Lapras saw a glowing object in the water and swam to it. The Pokémon grabbed it with its mouth and felt a surge of energy course through its body. Almost as if it spoke to it, Lapras accelerated to Brock, Misty, and Lucario.
"Where did Milotic go?!" Misty didn't see the Pokémon anywhere.
A sudden splash behind them revealed Milotic emerge from underwater. "Misty, move!" Brock pushed her higher toward Gyarados's head. Wallace's Pokémon wrapped itself around Gyarados, trapping it. Gyarados growled as Milotic squeezed it.
"Gyarados!" Misty grew anxious.
"We're trapped," Brock saw no escape as they barely clung to the edge of Gyarados's neck.
"It's not over," Lucario grunted as the Twister kept him ensnared. Milotic felt a Hydro Pump blast her away, unraveling from Gyarados. As it tried to recover, Milotic hissed at the attacker.
"Is that Lapras?" Misty saw it enveloped in a blue aura with something wedged on its shell.
Lucario's eyes widened. It's the Splash Plate!
Milotic allowed Aqua Ring to heal some of its power, but Lapras refused to let the Tender Pokémon regain the edge. Lapras used Hydro Pump again, but Milotic went underwater and fled from the scene. Lucario was released from the Twister and landed on Lapras's shell. "Cowardly, it knew it couldn't stand against the power of a plate." Lucario growled. Lapras glared where Milotic had been.
"So that's one of those famous plates," Brock observed.
"Is it me, or did it increase Lapras's power?" Misty noticed. Brock couldn't help but agree. They weren't sure, though. Now wasn't the time to ponder on that. "Lapras, Ash, and May still need your help!" Misty reminded her.
"We've got it from here," Brock assured them. "You might also want to hold on to that plate. It looks like it might come in handy," the Pokémon Doctor believed.
"They're right. Let's wrap this up," Lucario directed Lapras. Lapras and Lucario made it to the edge of the island where the Charizard danced around Lugia as they tried to avoid its moves. The Legendary Pokémon had them pinned as it used a combination of Future Sight and Aeroblast to target them simultaneously.
Red grew frustrated, "We're not making any progress."
"Lugia isn't giving us any more openings," Ash also struggled to find an opportunity.
"All this dodging is weighing on Charizard's energy," May saw their panting when they dodged another Future Sight attack.
Wallace frowned, "We have the advantage. Lugia, use Hydro Pump!" Lugia fired Hydro Pump into the air and spun around, catching the heroes by surprise. The Pokémon enveloped itself in the Hydro Pump until it became a thick jet of water. Lugia would put out their flames with the attack.
"What now?!" May saw it was too fast to dodge and too dangerous to take head-on.
"Brace yourselves," Red gulped.
Before Lugia struck, Lapras's Hydro Pump fired and caused Lugia to ricochet. Lugia stepped out of the water, glaring at the nuisance. "That Lapras has interfered for the last time. Lugia, use Aero-" Wallace froze when he saw the Splash Plate on its back.
"Lapras found the plate!" May was relieved to see it.
Ash was relieved, "And just in time."
"That explains the powered-up Hydro Pump," Red saw that it was the Splash Plate.
Lucario pulled his arms back and balled his hands to form Flash Cannon. "Together, my friend." Lapras nodded as it charged up Hydro Pump. Lucario lunged his arms and Lapras lunged its neck when they fired at Lugia and Wallace.
"Plate or no plate. Lugia is still a Legendary Pokémon. Show them what a real Hydro Pump looks like," Wallace stood his ground. Lugia wailed when it released Hydro Pump. The heroes and the Charizard watched as the attacks met, but Lapras's Hydro Pump easily overpowered Lugia's. "That's unfathomable power," A stunned Wallace dived off Lugia's back when he realized his predicament. Ash and the others gasped when it appeared he leapt to his doom until Milotic resurfaced and caught the Contest Master. "Retreat, Milotic," Wallace ordered. His Pokémon slithered away in the chaos as the others dealt with a defeated Lugia.
May glared at the fleeing Wallace, "Darn, he gave us the slip."
Ash turned his focus from Wallace to Lugia, "We got what we came for, but Lugia still needs our help!"
"On it!" Red flew to Lugia as he nosedived toward the ocean. "Don't think I'm letting you stay like this," Red jumped off Charizard and grabbed onto Lugia's neck. He pulled out his purified gem and had it make contact with the beast's body.
"Red!" May screamed. She feared he'd crash into the water with Lugia before it could wake. As the gem restored Lugia's soul, the silver-winged Pokémon glowed and opened its eyes. It spread its wings and caught itself midfall. "Phew," May exhaled.
Red climbed on Lugia's back and calmed it, "It's alright. You're alright now. He's gone." The trainer tried to put it at ease after the Shadow Energy confined it in a frenzy state.
Brock and Misty also made it to the site on Gyarados. "They did it!" Misty praised.
"Thank goodness," Brock hung his head low from exhaustion.
Lugia roared as it calmed the rampaging sea and storm, ending the rain and vanishing the dark clouds that surrounded the Whirl Islands. Red and Lugia landed on a dry area of the island where the others received them. "Good catch, Red." Lucario jumped off Lapras to meet his trainer.
Red got off Lugia to approach Lapras. "If it weren't for Lapras, we might've been the ones fleeing. You don't know how grateful I am." The trainer caressed the big blue Pokémon. Lapras showed its affection by cooing and nuzzling its head against him.
"Ash, May, are you alright?" Brock asked when they saw them hop off Charizard.
"We are," May smiled.
Ash grabbed Charizard's Pokéball. "Thanks so much for your help, pal. You get some rest now." Charizard nodded.
"You too, Charizard," Red smiled as he recalled his Black Charizard reverted to its regular form. The two Charizard eyed each other and smirked when they were returned.
Misty thanked Gyarados for its efforts and put it back in its ball. "You had us worried. It looked like Wallace had the edge there."
"He did," Red recognized. The trainer picked the Splash Plate off Lapras, which caused the glow around her to disappear. "It seems like the plate responded to Lapras and granted it the power to fight Lugia."
"The plates can do that?" May was surprised to hear.
"It's been said that depending on the type of attack, each plate can grant a Pokémon more power," Brock recollected.
Misty peeked at the Splash Plate. "So because Lapras used Hydro Pump, the Splash Plate enhanced its water attacks."
"Exactly," Red confirmed.
"That's amazing," an awestruck Ash eyed its glow.
Lugia roared and spread its wings to grab their attention. "It looks like Lugia wants to give us a ride?" May suspected when the Legendary Pokémon lowered its neck.
"It regrets what it did and would like to make things right," Red's eyes met with Lugia's.
Brock approached Lugia to rub its nose. "Let's get you to the Pokémon Center so I can treat your injuries. Then we can all work together to restore the Whirl Islands and the Pokémon." Lugia nodded in agreement. The friends got on Lugia, though Ash and May opted to follow them on Lapras. When they returned to Cianwood City, people were in awe of the silver Pokémon's presence. Upon reaching the Pokémon Center, the other Lapras waited for their leader, and Lugia descended near them. Brock and Misty walked up to Ash and May when they arrived. "So, the journey continues, right?" the Pokémon Doctor smiled.
"There are more plates we need to find," Ash stated.
"We wish we could come with you," Misty said with a gentle smile.
May returned the warm grin. "You're needed here. There are still Pokémon that need help."
"According to the radar, the nearest plate reading is coming from One Island in the Sevii Islands. As it so happens, there was a recent volcanic eruption there based on news reports," Red informed them.
"And that means you're needed there," Brock put his hands on Ash and May's shoulders.
Misty stepped forward. "Ash, please don't do anything rash," her eyes gleamed. "You have an example to set now, and May can't take care of both of you at the same time," Misty joked through her fears.
"What?" an insulted Ash and Red crossed their arms.
"After what happened at Professor Oak's and what we saw today, it's safe to say that you should be careful. I don't know when things will get better, but I do feel better knowing that the three of you have each other," Brock admitted. Ash and Brock grabbed each other's hands and raised them together. That's when Brock pulled him into a hug, "Take care, old friend."
Ash had a bashful smile, "You know I will."
They separated and Brock turned to May. "I know May will look after you. She was always more responsible," the doctor teased him.
"Got that right," May winked and flashed a peace sign.
"Thanks, May," Ash sneered at her.
"What an interesting dynamic," Lucario was entertained.
Red chuckled, "First time I'm seeing it like this, too." He wondered what Ash and May's other friends were like in the past. Red wasn't sure if he'd get a chance to know, but he was thankful that he got to experience some of their friendships thus far.