Author’s Note:
Hello Poliwags, hope you’re excited for Chapter 21 of GCTO. If you missed Chapter 20, you can catch it here. Otherwise, read ahead for this one!
Ash glared at Lysandre. He'd never hated someone so much in his life. He could barely believe it, but he thought Team Flare was far worse than Team Rocket. Ash could feel the monster in him that had come out on those grunts in the lobby, but he managed to control it. He knew he wouldn't be able to beat Lysandre.
Lysandre threw out a pokeball and a Pyroar came out in front of him. It was different from Malva's. This one's mane was all around its head. A male Pyroar. "I don't want to have Pyroar hurt you," Lysandre said, pretty much in a way that suggested he did.
Ash nodded his head slightly and Greninja stepped in front to face Pyroar. "You're not doing anything to us," Ash said.
Lysandre laughed and then he pointed behind Ash. A feeling of dread filled him as he turned. It only intensified with what he saw. A few Team Flare grunts had come up behind them. One had Mairin in a head lock, Chespie and Bebe were locked in cages. Bonnie was in the same position, Dedenne also in a cage. And, to Ash's utter horror, Serena was also held tightly, Delphox restrained next to her. Ash, Pikachu, Hawlucha, Greninja and the dog-form Squishy were surrounded, their friends trapped.
Mairin managed to croak out a warning. "Ash, don't let him do it!"
Serena's eyes widened, but she now had tape over her mouth so she couldn't speak. She shook her head wildly at Ash, clearly attempting to mimic Mairin's words.
Ash looked back at Lysandre and let out a shaky breath. "Fine."
Lysandre smiled, but then his eyes locked onto Squishy, who was growling. "You do anything and the little girl you care about so much is in trouble." Squishy glanced nervously at Bonnie and then immediately stopped growling. "Now let's go into the lab and get you ready."
Lysandre led the way into the lab and Ash followed, hating himself for what he was doing. The Team Flare guards pulled his friends along behind him. Pikachu remained on his shoulder and Greninja and Hawlucha walked closely next to him. Squishy stayed close to Bonnie but was careful to stay out of the reach of the Team Flare guards.
Lysandre turned and looked at Ash. "You and Greninja need to get in your places." He pointed over to the glass cage that he showed Ash earlier.
Ash looked at Greninja with worry, but Greninja just nodded back and led the way to the cage. As they walked over to it, Ash looked at the Zygarde in Team Flare's possession. It was in its snake form and he could hear the gasps of fear from his friends and an angry growl from Squishy.
Lysandre clapped his hands and a scientist rushed forward to hook up Greninja to the cables inside of the cage that he had just entered. Ash stood next to it and glared at Lysandre. The Flare boss smiled evilly at Ash as the scientist finished up hooking up Greninja. "Begin." When Ash just glared back, Lysandre gave a quick look to Serena and then back at Ash. "Begin...or else," Lysandre said, this time with more anger in his voice.
Ash took a deep breath and then turned to Greninja. His Ninja Pokemon calmly looked back and nodded. The two of them closed their eyes and focused. Ash focused on a desire to beat Team Flare, a desire to protect his friends and his desire to be with Serena. He started to get flashes of images from Greninja. Very similar, but he thought of Delphox over Serena. Then, Ash felt the raw power of his emotions. Anger, determination and love swirled around in his mind, flaring up his nerves. He clenched his fists and felt his knuckles burn on the hand he'd used to punch the Team Flare grunts. He used that pain to give him energy. He felt his stomach lurch and the power intensify. He started to flash between his thoughts and feelings to Greninja's. Their minds were becoming one. He felt a rush of water around him and then suddenly it exploded. He opened his eyes and looked to see the glass cage around Greninja shattered. The cables were now off of him and sizzling on the ground. Greninja had Mega Evolved.
Ash looked at Lysandre and was a little pleased at the sight of the big man's shocked and somewhat fearful expression. But, the Flare boss recovered quickly. He looked up to a platform where a scientist was standing in front of a computer. "Did you get it?"
The scientist clicked a few times at the keyboard and then Ash saw him smile, which made him feel a little sick. The scientist nodded down to Lysandre. "We got it." He clicked a few more times and then smiled again. "It's now linked to the Zygarde programming."
Lysandre smiled broadly and he looked at Ash. "And now it truly begins." He pointed his remote at the snake-like Zygarde and clicked a button. Then, he held a dial and turned it, and he clearly turned it all the way up.
Everyone in the room stared at the snake-like Zygarde and widened their eyes as it glowed white hot with energy. It was already a massive and intimidating creature, but Ash's fear intensified as he watched the monstrous Pokemon grow and morph its shape, the metal suit changing form around it. And then it emerged and glared at the room.
If Ash hadn't been bonded to Greninja at the moment, he doubted he would have had the energy to stand. He felt Pikachu shaking in fear on his shoulder and saw Hawlucha take a step back behind him. Only Greninja managed to stay strong and watch the creature, unflinching. It was the most powerful and intimidating thing Ash had ever seen. It was probably twenty feet tall. It had two massive legs and two massive arms, each extending ferocious looking claws. It had huge, powerful wings extending off of its shoulders and long, flat tail out of its back. One wing had a pattern of blue while the other had red. The rest of its body was black with some areas filled in green. On its chest was a thin stripe with rainbow colours. Its head was surrounded by spikes which gave it the appearance of wearing a crown. The metal body suit was still around it and its eyes glowed red.
It roared, relishing its new power.
Serena stared at the massive green and black Pokemon. She couldn't believe that Squishy could turn into that. She glanced nervously at Squishy to make sure he wasn't the one who had evolved, but he remained in his dog-form, apparently just as shocked and terrified.
Lysandre laughed. "Yes!" he shouted in glee. "Exactly what we wanted." He looked at Ash. "You've done well, Ash. You've helped to put Lysandre Labs and Team Flare on top of the world.”
Serena looked at Ash, worrying he'd attempt to attack Lysandre, but he just stood there, staring at the Zygarde in fear. He was pale, apparently sick at the thought that he'd helped to create such a powerful Pokemon.
"Well, Lysandre, it looks as if the plan has worked." Serena turned her head to see a pink-haired woman with a Pyroar. Her Pyroar was different from Lysandre's. This one was female with a long mane of fire that resembled a pony tail hairdo.
Lysandre turned to look at the woman. "Malva, hello." He looked back at his monstrous new Pokemon. "Yes, Ash and his friends have been a great help."
Serena's eyes widened. It was Malva. The Elite Four member. If she was part of Team Flare, Serena didn't know how she and her friends would be able to win. She tried to yell, but the tape kept her from saying anything. However she had managed to get the attention of the Flare members.
"What do you want?" Malva said, looking at Serena with distaste. She walked over and stood in front of Serena. "You're a pretty thing, aren't you?" Serena glared back. Malva smirked and looked at Lysandre. "What's her purpose?"
Lysandre smirked as well and then gave Ash a quick glance, before returning his gaze to Malva. "She has no purpose now. We used her to get this one," he nodded to Ash, "to cooperate."
Malva smiled at that. "Oh...that's sweet." She moved out a hand and pinched Serena's cheek. Serena would have lashed out, but she was still restrained. She, Bonnie and Mairin had now been tied up. Delphox, Dedenne, Chespie and Mairin's Flabebe were in a cage. "You're in love...interesting."
In that moment, Serena realized just how much Ash loved her. She had thought that his attack on those Team Flare grunts was terrifying, but it had still showed he was protective of her. But, this was different. Malva was somehow more intimidating. Ash was there in a heartbeat, though. He, Greninja, Hawlucha and Pikachu acted so swiftly, Malva, Lysandre and the Flare grunts were too stunned to move. Hawlucha kicked two guards in quick succession, knocking them both out. Greninja cut free Delphox and the other Pokemon. Pikachu shocked the remaining guards and forced them to flee. And, Ash tackled Malva aside, while Squishy blocked the Pyroar from attacking.
Malva was so stunned by being tackled that she lay there, frozen in shock as Ash quickly got up and untied his friends. He positioned himself so he was between the three girls and Malva, who was now getting to her feet.
"You filthy, little brat,” she spat at Ash. "How dare you touch me!" she screamed.
Lysandre was now at her side. He didn't have the angry hysteria that Malva had, but he still didn't look happy. "Now is not the time to be brave, Ash. You and your friends are no match for us right now." He gestured to his red-eyed Zygarde behind him, who was glaring at the four young trainers.
Ash took a step back and he lightly pushed Serena back so that she was now between Bonnie and Mairin. "Just take me on then,” he said. "Let them go."
Serena wasn't going to let him do that again. "Now way, Ash,” she yelled. "I'm not leaving you, again."
Malva looked disgusted. "Pathetic,” she snarled.
Lysandre smirked. "How about this...if you can beat my new Zygarde, I will allow you all to leave." He clicked his remote and the Zygarde shook the ground as it walked up behind Lysandre and Malva.
Serena noticed Ash step back again. Pikachu was shaking on his shoulder. She glanced at Hawlucha who was in front of Bonnie and Greninja, who was in front of Delphox. Everyone was terrified.
Ash didn't answer and Lysandre chuckled. "I thought you liked a challenge."
"There's no way you can control that thing,” Ash said. "Once it attacks, it's gonna go crazy. Get it back to normal."
Lysandre shook his head. "I've done tests. I know the limits of my technology. We have complete control of this creature and it will bring us total control." He clicked his remote. "Zygarde...Dragon Breath."
Ash backed up and attempted to spread his arms so that he was covering all of Serena, Mairin and Bonnie. "Stay behind me!” he yelled at them. Serena was too scared to argue. She noticed Bonnie and Mairin shaking in fear.
However, as they waited for the attack, nothing happened. Serena looked at the Zygarde and saw it shaking in what appeared to be anger and frustration. Its eyes glowed a brighter red than before. It stretched out its wings and gave a deafening roar, which shook the building and seemed to blow the group of trainers and their Pokemon back a bit further.
Serena looked at Lysandre. He and Malva had stumbled forward a bit from the roar as well. He looked to be completely stunned. He desperately clicked at his remote and pointed it at the Zygarde, yelling for it to obey, but the monstrous Pokemon just glared at him.
"I thought you had control of it!" Malva shouted.
Lysandre looked panicked. "It looks like the kid was right."
With that, the Zygarde roared again, this time aiming up above. He released Lysandre's desired Dragon Breath attack, but not where he had wanted it. It went straight up, blasting through the ceiling and amazingly it continued to blast through so that Serena could see the storm clouds from outside. The attack had blasted right through to the top of the building and outside. The Zygarde shook itself and launched upwards into the sky.
Lysandre immediately went into action. He recalled his Pyroar and ran towards and elevator. Malva hesitated a moment, with a glance at Serena and her friends, but followed, recalling her own Pyroar. Serena saw the elevator doors close and then it rose, likely on its way to the roof.
Ash turned around. "I'm going up there."
Serena's eyes widened and she shook her head. "No way. If that Pokemon doesn't hurt you, Lysandre and Malva will."
Bonnie spoke up. "I need to get to Clemont. I'm really worried about him." She had stuffed Dedenne into her bag and was already standing at the exit to the lab.
Ash nodded. "Alright. Serena, take Bonnie and Mairin with you. Go find Clemont. Bring Hawlucha. Greninja, Pikachu and I are going up."
Mairin held up her hands like she couldn't believe what Ash was saying. "Hey, no way. I wanna go up, too. I'm just as involved in this as you, Ash."
Serena shook her head at Ash, ignoring Mairin. "I'm not letting you do this again. I'm either going with you, or you're going with me."
Ash sighed. "...fine,” he said. He looked at Mairin. "Go with Bonnie."
Mairin shook her head. "Chespie, Bebe and I are gonna fight."
Bonnie rolled her eyes. "I don't need anybody to come with me." And with that, she ran off. Hawlucha gave Ash a nod and followed after her.
Ash opened his mouth as if to call her back, but realized it was no use. He quickly looked at Squishy. "Squishy, can you go and protect her?" The dog-form Squishy nodded and followed after Bonnie.
Serena looked at Ash, confused. "Isn't he our only hope to beat..." She looked up nervously.
Ash shrugged and looked up. "Zygarde's not even there anymore." Serena saw it was true. The big, monstrous Pokemon had flown up and was now out of sight, but she could just barely see the shapes of Lysandre and Malva on the roof. Ash waved his hand as if to dismiss it. "Come on, if you two are coming, we have to go." He ran towards an open elevator and clicked it to go up.
Serena, Mairin and the Pokemon all followed quickly and they squeezed into the elevator. Ash clicked the button to go up to the roof and they were all surprised as the elevator doors shut quickly and they sped towards the top.
Before they knew it the doors opened and they were on the roof. Ash stepped out first with Greninja next to him and Pikachu on his shoulder. He walked a few steps forward and stopped in front of the hole that the Zygarde's attack had made. Serena, Mairin and the Pokemon followed out of the elevator and stood either side of Ash.
Serena looked around and then noticed Lysandre and Malva were on the other side of the hole, but weren't looking at them. They seemed to be watching something. Serena followed their gazes and was shocked to see a massive collection of battles in the field out front of the building. Luckily the Zygarde wasn't involved, but Serena supposed it could still appear any moment. It was all the police that had come with Clemont and many of Lysandre's Team Flare grunts. Serena could just barely see Clemont's Bunnelby fighting that woman, Celosia's Drapion.
Serena heard Ash gasp next to her and followed his gaze. Her jaw dropped. Pidgeot, Noivern and Talonflame were all in fierce sky battles. Pidgeot was in a heated fight with a Salamence, Noivern was head to head with a Flygon and Talonflame fought a Crobat, not the same one Hawlucha had knocked out earlier.
Talonflame made the quickest work of his opponent. He used a Flame Charge to pick up incredible speed and only just missed Crobat. Crobat turned to use a Wing Attack, but Talonflame used its extra speed from its Flame Charge to whip up into the air and then drop down using Brave Bird. He hit Crobat square in its chest and launched it to the ground.
Noivern's battle ended next. He used Supersonic to confuse Flygon so that it started attacking various Team Flare members on the ground, before Noivern quickly hit it with a Boomburst. Flygon followed Crobat to the ground.
Finally, Pidgeot's battle remained. It appeared, Pidgeot's incredible flying ability and strength had found a match in the Team Flare Salamence. Salamence launched a Flamethrower attack, which Pidgeot swiftly extinguished with a Gust attack. Pidgeot moved next with a Double Edge attack, but Salamence countered with a Headbutt. They collided hard and both staggered back. They hovered in the air and glared at each other, both hating and respecting their opponent. Then, Salamence made his move. He launched forward and used Thunder Fang, closing his jaws on Pidgeot's wing and electrocuting it, causing it to fall in pain, looking as if it was done.
"Pidgeot!" Ash yelled in fear. Serena watched the powerful bird fall and she felt tears come to her eyes. She had come to think Pidgeot was unbeatable, but now she saw him at his most vulnerable. He continued to fall, his feathers sizzling and crackling from the electric attack. Ash ran around, leaving Serena and Mairin and not caring how close he was to a surprised looking Lysandre and Malva whom he passed on his way to the edge of the building. He held onto the edge, which was up to his chest. "Pidgeot! Don't give up!" he yelled louder.
Serena couldn't believe it. Those words had always had an impact on her, but the impact on Pidgeot was incredible. She could just barely see a flash as its eyes opened. He opened up his wings and electrical sparks shot off of him as he did so. He dipped and then shot up and hovered, glaring at Salamence. He was panting, but his trainer's words had given him new energy.
"Alright Pidgeot, go! Double Edge!" Ash yelled. And this time, Salamence didn't have time to come up with a counter, as Pidgeot's new energy gave him unimaginable speed. He started to glow white, just before he barrelled into the blue dragon-type Pokemon and launched it backwards.
"That was Brave Bird!" Serena said in shock.
Mairin gasped. "So that's Ash's Pidgeot?" she asked. Serena nodded. She saw Mairin glance over at Greninja and then up at Noivern and Talonflame, who were now watching Pidgeot's battle. "He's a really strong trainer isn't he?"
Serena felt a rush of pride and she smiled. "Yeah. One of the strongest."
Ash called out another attack for Pidgeot. "Pidgeot, don't let up! Use Gust!" Pidgeot rapidly flapped its big, powerful wings and Salamence's attempts to right itself became even more difficult as the wind flailed its body around. However, it just managed to spread its wings and take a gust of wind upward so that it was now above Pidgeot. It opened its large jaws and released a powerful Dragon Pulse towards Pidgeot. Serena knew Ash was hoping for this. "Okay, Pidgeot, Mirror Move!" Pidgeot answered immediately. It spread its wings and flapped them once and a light shimmered in front of it. All of a sudden a Dragon Pulse was on its way back to Salamence. It was so powerful that it blasted the opposing attack and it deflected towards the ground. Luckily it hit a few Team Flare Pokemon, allowing for the police to gain some ground. "Finish up with Brave Bird!” Ash yelled. Pidgeot glowed white, flapped its wings hard and launched towards Salamence, colliding with it square in the chest, before knocking it aside and passing it. Salamence hovered in the air a moment, looking stunned, and then it dropped.
Serena, Mairin and their Pokemon cheered. "Wow, Ash might be the strongest trainer I've ever seen." Mairin said, excitedly. Then she stopped for a moment. "Well besides Alain, I guess." She looked at Serena. "Oh yeah, you guys met him, right?"
Serena was shocked, but she managed a nod. "Yeah, how do you know him?"
Mairin waved her hand to dismiss it. "Long story." She looked over at Lysandre and Malva who were now glaring at Ash. "We've got other things to do."
Serena nodded. She and the others ran around, carefully avoiding the hole, so that they were now standing behind Ash. He had now turned away from the fighting off the roof, dismissing Pidgeot to go and help the battle below, and was eyeing Lysandre and Malva as they moved towards him, now both with their Pyroars out in front of them.
"Nice Pidgeot," Malva complimented. "It'll serve Team Flare well."
Ash glared back. "Greninja, ready?" Greninja, still in his changed form, nodded. Serena found it both intimidating and beautiful, how he resembled Ash in this form. Greninja moved forward, blocking Malva's Pyroar as it approached. Lysandre's was remaining by his side.
"Lysandre, why don't you go and search for your pet? I'll take care of the brats,” Malva said, sneering at Ash.
Lysandre nodded. He waved something in his hand and a flare went up. Immediately a helicopter that had been flying near the battle, flew up towards the building. They dropped a ladder and Lysandre hopped on, recalling his Pyroar. "Have fun, Malva,” he said with a chuckle. And then he was off.
Malva ordered her first attack. "Pyroar, Flamethrower!" she yelled.
"Water Shuriken!" Ash countered.
Malva's Pyroar inhaled deeply and then launched the most powerful Flamethrower Serena had ever seen. Even stronger then Aria's and Monsieur Pierre's Mega Evolved Pokemon could manage. It quickly approached Greninja, but he quickly launched his counter move. He quickly fired off a few watery stars that evaporated upon contact with the flames, but somehow managed to extinguish them. Serena felt pretty pleased seeing Malva's shocked expression.
"Pyroar return!" she called, and her Pokemon entered back into its pokeball. "Strong Greninja, kid,” Malva said. She pulled out another pokeball. "Houndoom, out!" She tossed her pokeball and out came a massive, black dog-like Pokemon with silver horns. Serena's eyes widened when she saw its collar.
Apparently Mairin saw, too. "It has a Mega Stone on its collar,” she said, gasping.
Malva laughed. "Yup, and it's time you see it." She pressed her Key Stone, which she had pulled out. "Houndoom, Mega-"
Malva didn't finish, because she was interrupted by a loud roar up above. Serena looked up and her eyes widened. Above, was a massive, black and blue Charizard. And, on its back, was Alain, the trainer who had defeated Ash a little while ago. He glared down at the scene below him. His black hair and black jacket were waving in the wind from the coming storm.
"Alain!" Mairin shouted happily.
But, Serena was starting to get nervous. To her, it seemed as if Alain was lining up behind Malva, as if to support her. His words all but confirmed her fears. "Malva, what's going on? I got a call from Lysandre that he was being attacked. I was close by so I came as quickly as possible."
Malva smirked. "Your brat friend and her pals have decided that Lysandre Labs is theirs for the taking."
Alain glared down at Mairin and his eyes widened. He clearly hadn't noticed her. His head moved and there was a flash of relief when he glanced at Chespie. Then, his eyes widened in shock again, seeing Ash and his Greninja. "Ash?" he said, shocked.
Ash looked up at Alain. "Alain, don't fall for this. I don't know what your relationship with Lysandre is, but whatever you think of him, he's been lying to you. He's trying to use a powerful Pokemon to hurt people."
Malva laughed. "Don't listen to that garbage, Alain. These kids decided to make a false claim to the police. Didn't Lysandre tell you, Officer Jenny had it out for him. This was just an excuse to attack. Help us."
Alain looked torn, but he stared at the scene and Serena realized he was looking at an outnumbered Malva and Houndoom, against three trainers and their five Pokemon. He sighed. "Mairin, I have to trust Malva on this. Lysandre is a close friend and if he says Ash and the police are wrongly attacking, I believe it."
Mairin's jaw dropped. "Alain, are you crazy?"
Ash echoed her shock. "These people are evil, Alain. They're nothing but criminals."
Alain's eyes flashed. "Enough! Charizard, Flamethrower!" The massive, black and blue dragon barrelled towards them and launched a ferocious Flamethrower. Greninja managed to leap back and grab Delphox, carrying her over to the other side of the hole in the roof. Meanwhile, Ash grabbed Serena and Mairin's hands and dragged them along, just barely keeping them all out of the way of the attack.
Mairin had tears in her eyes. "Alain! Stop!"
Serena felt pity for the younger girl. She looked like she had been completely betrayed. Serena supposed she had been. Alain didn't care, though. "Mairin, don't fight with them. They're wrong."
Mairin shook her head and ran forward, away from Serena and Ash. "I've seen what Lysandre is doing. He's evil, Alain. Trust me."
Alain shook his head back. "No, Mairin, you're just confused. Lysandre knows what he's doing. If they," he gestured to Ash and Serena, "are attacking, then they're the criminals."
Mairin clenched her fists. "No, you're wrong!" she shouted. She pointed at Alain. "Chespie, Pin Missile!" Chespie leaped out of Mairin's arms and launched a group of green darts towards Alain and his Charizard.
Alain was shocked his friend would attack him, but he responded quickly. "Flamethrower,” he said calmly.
Serena's eyes widened. If that attack worked, it would easily burn through the Pin Missile attack and hit Chespie and Mairin. Ash realized the same thing. He ran forward and grabbed Mairin, while Greninja leaped to Chespie. Ash pulled back Mairin and Greninja hopped back with Chespie. It was just in time as the flames scorched through the Pin Missile attack and hit right where Mairin had been standing.
"I hate you!" Mairin shouted, tears streaming down her face.
Ash glanced at Serena and then he nodded to Mairin. Serena nodded and knelt down next to Mairin, putting her arm around her to comfort her. Meanwhile, Ash and Greninja stepped forward. Serena glanced nervously at Malva, but noticed she was entranced by the battle that was about to happen.
Alain glared down at Ash. "You already know you can't beat me. My Charizard far outpowered your Greninja last time."
Ash didn't answer. He just pointed and ordered his first attack. "Greninja, Water Shuriken!" Greninja was already powering it up, knowing what his trainer was going to order. He launched, in quick succession, five blasts of watery ninja stars out towards Alain and his Charizard.
Alain's Charizard flew up and then twisted quickly, dodging the attack. "Dragon Claw!" Alain shouted. Charizard whipped forward, zoning in on Greninja.
"Cut!" Ash yelled. Greninja leaped up, and as Charizard swung his glowing claw towards Greninja, the Ninja Pokemon countered with a quick swipe. Each Pokemon struggled to force their attack through, but ultimately both fell back.
Alain looked shocked. He hadn't expected Greninja to be on even terms with Charizard. "Flamethrower!" he yelled.
"Water Shuriken and then Double Team!” Ash ordered. As the flames approached Greninja, he quickly fired off his watery ninja stars, extinguishing the attack. Then he leaped up and multiplied so that it appeared as though there were fifty or sixty different Greninjas on the roof. "Cut!" Ash yelled. All the Greninjas surged forward and bombarded Charizard. Serena realized that Ash had Alain exactly where he wanted him. He'd brought Alain low enough so that Greninja could pull off this precise attack.
Serena was feeling so confident as Charizard looked around wildly, attempting to pinpoint which Greninja was real, but then his eyes locked onto something and it was clear he'd seen his target. "Charizard, Thunder Punch!" Alain yelled. Serena watched in horror as Greninja's copies disappeared to reveal the real one as he swiped at Charizard, but the massive black and blue dragon pulled back its fist and brought it forward, crackling with electricity, and slammed it into the middle of Greninja's chest.
"No!" Serena yelled. She saw Ash gasp in pain and then Greninja went flying backwards. He slammed into Ash and then they kept going, as Pikachu fell off Ash's shoulder. Pokemon and trainer flew over the edge of the building and Serena felt terror like she'd never felt before. She got up, abandoning her hold on Mairin and stared at where Ash and Greninja had fallen over the edge. She stumbled, feeling her legs go numb.
Mairin spoke but Serena couldn't make out what she said. Her ears were ringing. She couldn't believe it. Alain had...Ash was...she couldn't even think the words. Was Ash really gone? Would she never see his happy smile again? Was their first kiss their last kiss?
She turned to Alain with pure fury and hatred in her eyes. He looked almost as shocked by what had just happened as her, but he was clearly not letting himself feel guilty over it. "It was his own fault." Alain said.
Serena clenched her fists. She was about to leap forward and attack Alain bare handed, but all of a sudden a loud roar was heard.
"What was that?" Mairin said, sounding scared.
Another noise this time. A loud screech that sounded like a monkey or something. Then, again, the roar. Serena looked back at Mairin and saw the look of fear in her eyes. They were both thinking the same thing. The Zygarde was back. But then, Serena thought. Yes, the roar sounded intimidating, but the Zygarde's roar was still much louder. And, there was the other noise. The monkey-like screech.
And then Serena saw it. Right where Ash and Greninja had fallen, was a large, monkey-like Pokemon. It was orange, with white fur on its legs and torso and yellow fur on its knees, wrists and shoulders. On its head was a flaming mane of hair. "Infernape!" it screeched. Then, Serena noticed it was holding Greninja in its arms. Greninja was safe.
"Pikapi!" Pikachu said excitedly. He was now next to Serena, having staggered over once falling from Ash’s shoulder.
The next sight filled Serena with even more relief, and she fell to her knees, barely daring to accept it was true. First, a blast of fire appeared behind Infernape, and then a big, orange, dragon-like Pokemon. Somewhat smaller than Alain's Mega Evolved one, but nearly as intimidating, appeared Ash's Charizard, with Ash, his determined expression on his face, riding on its back.
Author’s Note:
And Charizard and Infernape are on the scene. Hope you enjoyed that arrival. I remember being so excited writing this way back. A little bit of Charizard and Infernape is always good for motivation.
Anyway, if you want to join the discussion, you can head here. Chapter 22 will be here on Friday. See you next time.