I guess once-a-month chapters are the new standard, sorry about that you guys. Still, a fun chapter to write, and I hope you all continue to enjoy, love you!
~
"So you think Houndoom gained a new type when it transformed?"
Zenith nodded. "Kind of like the move Trick-or-Treat that gives the opponent's Pokemon the extra Ghost-Typing, even if it already has two types. I think Shad-M. Houndoom was a Fire-, Dark-, and Ghost-Type, especially given it had those strange paws and used that haunting move."
"Do you think it has a name?" Bonnie had stars in her eyes talking about Houndoom's new form while the girl and her Pokemon healed, and Greninja was brought out from the Pokemon Center all ready to go.
Looking through her Pokedex, Zenith finally found what she was looking for. "Yep, I think I just found it actually! Astral Barrage... Apparently it's a move only a few Pokemon can learn, the most important of which being a Legendary Pokemon from the Galar region! It's a very strong Ghost-Type attack that can hit multiple targets."
"That's so cool!"
Just then, Ash came back with Greninja, and they both put on their gear, the Battle Pulse meter that Clemont had instructed them to wear.
"I think the special bonds, like the one between Ash and Greninja, are psychological. The changes occur when their mental and emotional states are truly in-sync," Clemont explained to Alain. "There's got to be a scientific explanation, so we're going to gather data to find out."
"We're all ready here!" Ash exclaimed. "Let's do this!"
"Grennnninjaaa!" The Pokemon began doing some stretches and squats on the battlefield.
Alain sent out his Charizard, who roared to announce its arrival.
"Alright, we're all set! Battle, begin!" Clemont announced enthusiastically.
"Okay, we'll go first. Water Shuriken!"
"Move in, Charizard, we won't be losing this one. Dragon Claw GO!"
Charizard managed to use its ability to fly to dodge the Water Shurikens and get in close, swiping up with its powerful claws and knocking Greninja backwards.
"Double Team, let's go!"
While in the air, Greninja was able to recover and create copies of itself, but Charizard began getting rid of the fakes with Flamethrower. At least the real Greninja managed to speed away, appearing behind Charizard and slashing its back with Cut.
Charizard landed heavily on its feet, sliding back, but neither side was close to being out yet.
"Way to go, Greninja!"
"Nin ja-ja."
"This is only the beginning," Alain reminded them, while Charizard turned around and made a fist. "Yes, it's only right to use the massive power we possess to face them in battle." He held two fingers up to his Key Stone bracelet. "Respond to my heart, Key Stone. Beyond evolution: Mega Evolution!"
Orange scales were enveloped in light, replaced by shiny black. Blue flames emit from its body, and when the transformation ended, Mega Charizard X stood strong before its opponent.
"Yeah!" Ash looked excited just by the Mega's reveal.
"Alright, let's see if we can trigger that change. Charizard, use Thunder Punch!"
"Aerial Ace!"
Greninja managed to hold the super-effective move off, shoving Charizard away and kicking it toward the ground. Charizard used its wings to recover and land safely, while Greninja landed and prepared to use Cut. There were no changes yet on the Battle Pulse meter, but that didn't stop the battle from being intense and full of passion to win.
As Greninja ran at Charizard, Alain suddenly instructed his Pokemon to grab the Cut, blade stopped mid-strike. With Greninja locked in place up close, Charizard unleashed a powerful Flamethrower in its face. It didn't do much damage, but did knock it away.
"Next, Thunder Punch!"
"Use Water Shuriken!"
Charizard was bat away into the air, but managed to arc back down and finally land the hit. Greninja was finally blown back, taking a hard landing on the ground and throwing up dust.
"Greninja! You can still battle, right?"
The Pokemon slowly pulled itself up, displaying a determined fist to its trainer.
"Yeah!" Ash was both relieved and proud, visibly so. "That's the spirit!"
Clemont watched the readings more closely, letting out a few gasps as the readings changed. They seem to be getting more in-sync. I've sort of noticed that, about Ash and Greninja. The further into battle they go, the more beatings they take and push through, the closer their mentalities become.
"It's starting to happen... There's the overlap!"
"Clemont, what does that even mean?" Serena was dumbfounded.
"They're beginning synchronization!"
"Gotta get strong," Ash murmured, though his voice began raising in volume. "Strong. Let's go!" His and Greninja's poses matched, eyes illuminated, narrowed with their shared desire to pull through and win.
A wave of energy expanded out in every direction.
A shimmering column of water shot up in the air.
The readings became one.
"Use Cut!"
"Heads up. Dodge it!" Charizard just managed to do so, flying away, but Greninja was able to turn on its heel and prepare to move again. "Flamethrower!"
Ash directed Greninja to use Cut again and deflected the flames with its water column. "Alright, Aerial Ace!"
"Intercept it! Use Thunder Punch!"
Milliseconds before the hit would have landed, Greninja leaped into the air, water column becoming like a sphere of condensed, constantly-churning liquid around it. Charizard crashed into the ground below, giving Greninja the perfect opportunity to pummel it with Aerial Ace as it descended. Both were still standing at the end, though.
"Oh yes! This... This is what we've been waiting for, isn't it, Charizard?" Alain rolled his shoulders, seeming just as into the battle as he had been with Shadow. His eyes were bright with energy, no doubt calculating his next moves with a sort of wild glee only the most equal of battles could give. "Can you feel it like I can? Can you feel all their incredible power yet?"
"Tell me, is this not the famous Mega versus Synchro duel that Blaze and Yuki kept going on about?" Zenith asked Pine as she leaned over, wry smile on her face. "They've even got the fire and water dynamic going on, albeit on opposite sides."
"I hadn't even noticed, but it really is. Ironic Blaze just gained her own Synchro-bond though, eh?"
"It truly is." Zenith focused back on the battle, running her hands softly through Star's fur while she watched.
"Alright, let's really ramp it up. Use Cut!" Ash exclaimed.
"Dragon Claw, go!"
The two collided, both struggling to overpower the other, caught in a stalemate.
Zenith could feel the energy pulsating off all of them, but it was growing stronger from Ash and Greninja's side. The red-brown of his eyes gleamed brighter as he himself felt transported into the heat of the battle, truly connected with his Pokemon.
"Use Cut one more time!"
The water column shook as Charizard was blown back into the ground.
This time, the Pokemon did not land on its feet.
The dust cleared.
Alain called out for his partner Pokemon, but there was no response for a long time.
Ash smiled; he and Greninja had finally landed a good, solid hit.
Then he froze.
His body began to shake.
He looked exhausted.
His eyes dulled.
On the sidelines, Clemont, Serena, and Bonnie watched the Battle Pulse meter's readings for the both of them begin to fall out of sync. The graph showed the two separating.
Ash shook, heaving for breath, clearly beginning to panic, until he collapsed on the spot.
"Just like with Blaze," Zenith breathed, already on her feet and hurrying over to help him. "These sorts of bonds are not meant to last in the long run, especially without proper training. Overexertion of this degree can be dangerous." With the help of Gardevoir, she managed to pick him up, Glacey and Espy already doing their best to heal him as much as they could.
Greninja's liquid casing fell away as it, too, became suddenly unconscious. Charizard, who had managed to stand, returned to its normal form, both it and Alain looking concernedly at Ash.
Thankfully, though the group was still concerned, they had seen such a thing coming; after all, Shadow and Houndoom had reacted the same way. And Zenith reassured them Ash would be just fine after some rest, and he was in good hands. For good measure, Crystal even brought out her Vaporeon and Sylveon, who used Wish, Refresh, and Aqua Ring to help him out.
Unbeknownst to the rest of the group, Zenith could tell Ash was already almost healed. The damage had all been shallow, superficial, just like the lingering sting or bruise from a good punch or two. The real kicker had been exhaustion, but already, his energy was replenishing faster than anyone she had ever met before, and his body was oozing out magical readings that would have even the greatest mage families hide in shame.
I have a sneaking suspicion what his ability must be... but isn't that impossible? That bloodline was wiped out entirely in the war, hadn't produced any heirs in years... Though I guess they always were quite connected to the legendaries, and Ash has mentioned some run-ins with them before.
They carried Ash to the Pokemon Center, thankfully finding Shadow had woke up and recovered fine, if not being a bit tired and cranky. And thus, only a few minutes later, Ash himself was back awake and on his feet.
"Sorry I messed up our battle," he told Alain a bit sheepishly.
"Nonsense. You should take it easy and rest; we can always have a do-over at a later date."
"Oh yeah! I really look forward to that! But you know... No matter what I did, I couldn't move. Then I just blacked out, I think."
"Synchronizing to that degree seems to put a heavy load on a trainer. We've seen it with the Sawyer sisters and with you, now," Clemont assured him.
"That doesn't surprise me at all. Such a powerful transformation no-doubt requires plenty of energy- raw energy, in fact- and time to build up tolerance to using so much at once. Like when I trained with Charizard to be able to use our Mega Evolution."
Shadow nodded from one of the other benches. "Exactly. It really wipes you out once it wears off. Kind of like an adrenaline rush brought on by the same mentality in the heat of the moment."
"You said it. But man, once Greninja and I learn to control it, we're definitely going to become Pokemon masters and defeat everyone, starting with you, Alain. Then we'll move onto the Kalos League!"
Both Alain and Zenith raised an eyebrow at that. "Really?"
"You're gonna enter, too, aren't you, Alain?" Bonnie asked him.
"I'm... not. No, not really."
Ash's face fell. "But why? All the strongest trainers in the entire region are gonna be there! I'm so psyched! And whoever wings gets to face off against Zenith and challenge her for the title as Champion! That's always been part of my dream."
"It sounds like fun. Maybe I'll enter, after all," Alain considered.
"Good luck; you'll probably need it. But we've been waiting years for someone to finally dethrone Sky," Pine pointed out.
"Please. She needs to get knocked down a few pegs after so many victories in a row. Gah, can you imagine? Going undefeated as Champion and Kalos Queen?" Shadow groaned.
Zenith just rolled her eyes with a small laugh. "It took a lot of work to get where I am. I won't be losing it to just anyone. But I feel like this year, there'll finally be some good competition."
"Yeah! All this time, I've been thinking about getting my Pokemon strong, but now? I think it's about time I get strong, too! So we can reach new heights of power and finally make our mark. It's marathon time!"
"That sounds just like you, Ash," most of our heroes replied, with varying levels of affection and exasperation.
"Pikaaa."
"We'll all do it together!"
~
Ash and Alain always have such interesting interactions. I look forward to writing more of their battles in the future, but until then, our heroes are off again! Next up, they have a run-in with a certain former Champion, begin training their special bonds, and have some more intense battles!
Goodbye for now,
Zenith