Authors notes
Really quick notes this time. I've decided to extend my deadline for votes to be in for team flare to my Oct 27 update. Reason, I've been hit with a couple of ideas I can write before I start setting the stage for team flare. So please post you vote in the comments.
As always if you have an episode or an idea you would like to see please message me the idea and I'll see if I can use it. If I use it I will give you credit for the idea.
Lastly I love seeing the views going up, so if you like my work share it with others, vote, and tell me would you think, or ask questions if I wasn't clear on something or your are courious about something and I will answer. I just won't tell you detailed plans.
Now without further ado, I bring you chapter 21. Enjoy.
It's been three days since the gang left Lumiose City and are now on their way to Laverre City for Ash's sixth Kalos Gym Badge. Currently they are all enjoying a delicious lunch made by Clemont, as they take a break from walking by a stream along with their Pokemon. They were cleaning up from lunch when a bellsprout slid down the hill by them and ran to Goodra. A few seconds later an older man came up also, "why it is you. It's good to see you again Goomy, I mean Goodra." "Excuse me sir, but do you know my Goodra?" Ash asked as he walked up. "Oh how rude of me. My name is Keanan. I'm a naturalist studying the wetlands not far from here that Goodra used to call home back when he was a Goomy." Everyone then introduced themselves before Keanan invited them all to the join him at his home/research lab in the wetlands, to which everyone accepted.
A short time later everyone was was standing on the dock connected to Keanan's house, looking out at the wetlands. "It looks so pretty." Said Bonnie. "So how does it feel to be home Goodra?" Ash asked. Goodra just looked out into the wetlands with a sad look on his face. "Goodra? What's wrong?" Asked Serena. "It probably has something to do with the reason why he left." Said Keanan. "What do you mean?" Asked Korrina. "The Pokemon that lived here lived together happily for years, however that all changed a few months ago. A small army of wild Pokemon came and just attacked the native Pokemon, trying to drive them out of the wetlands." Informed Keanan. Everyone was shocked and looked sadly at Goodra. "Why would they do that?" Serena asked nobody in particular. "I believe it's for the water here." Keanan answered. "Why would they be fighting for the water?" Clemont inquired. "The water here has remarkable healing properties. This is why I'm here, I'm trying to figure out the source of the healing. Although I'm afraid that I won't be able to figure it out in time." Keanan said sounding depressed saying the last part. "Whys that?" Asked Bonnie. "I've been studying the water here for years and I've noticed the effectiveness of the water has been steadily decreasing, however it's been even faster since this war has started. I've theorized it was the due to the drop in the water level," Keanan said pointing to a rock in the water showing an old waterline almost a foot higher than the current water level. "I've seen over the last few years less and less rain fall here and the underground spring that feeds the wetlands just can't keep up. And with this little war happening I believe it proves that whatever gives the water it's healing property's is something that can be used up." Keanan said. "What about Goodra's friends?" Ash asked. "They're still here, living in secret in a small corner of the wetlands." Keanan informed. Just then Goodra let out a loud cry that was heard all over the wetlands, by both sides.
A few minutes later a wooper that heard Goodra's cry came out from some bushes and walked up to Goodra. After speaking for a few moments the wooper realized that Goodra was his friend back when Goodra was a Goomy. The two spoke with each other for a few minutes with Goodra showing off how strong he had become. Then all of a sudden several explosions were heard. "What's going on?" Ash asked. "Goodra's friends must have been found and are under attack." Keanan deduced. Upon hearing this Goodra took off running in the direction of the sound of the explosions. "Goodra wait up." Ash said as he and the others started to run after Goodra. "Ash," Keanan yelled, "this is a battle between wild Pokemon, we need to stay out of it." Ash clenched his fist, he wanted to help Goodra and his friends, "alright we'll stay out, but I need to be there to, if nothing else show my support to Goodra." "That should be fine. Just stay safe, all of you." Keanan said as he was concerned for their well being. "Don't worry we will." With that Ash and the others ran off.
Back with Goodra's friends, they were scared due to being peaceful for their whole lives and never having to battle. Currently they were hiding behind large rocks as the attacks exploded around them, with some of then occationaly using water gun to try and keep them back. Then suddenly one of the larger rocks exploded into pieces exposing a group of the Pokemon. The Pokemon cowered in fear as several attacks were coming right at them. Then just as the attacks were about to hit Goodra ran upfront of them taking the hit while using bide. The attacking pinsir, seviper, ariados, beedrill, and yanmega were temporarily suprised by Goodra's appearance. This gave Goodra the needed opening to fire back the powerful bide attack, firing the beam to make a line in the ground infront of the attacking Pokemon, knocking several of them back. Goodra's old friends looked at him, confused about who he was and why he helped them, until the wooper came ran up to them and explained everything. Upon discovering who Goodra was they all rallied behind him and started using their own attacks to cancel out the incoming attacks and provided cover while Goodra targeted the attacking Pokemon, knocking several out. This didn't go unnoticed by they attacking Pokemons leader a blue flower Florges. Upon seeing her army losing she jumped down from the Yanmega she was riding on, landing in the water at the front line. Upon seeing her Goodra remembered her leading the first attack and became scared. Florges smiled seeing how well just her entering the battle intimidated this new Pokemon. "Goodra", Ash yelled. Goodra turned to Ash, "remember, your not a weak little Goomy anymore, your a big powerful Goodra now. You can beat her." Ash's words rang in Goodra's head and restored his confidence, as he stood tall and ready to fight. Florges became irritated at Ash for inspiring Goodra, she then used moon blast on Goodra. Goodra used ice beam, canceling out the attack, then charges forward and follows up with Aqua tail. Florges dodged it and countered with petal blizzard, hitting Goodra. Florges then used grassy terrain and followed up with solar beam. Goodra then used Dragon pulse to block the Florges's solar beam, but was then hit by several smaller solar beams that came from several nearby flowers. Goodra was hurt but not out, and used ice beam. Florges used moon blast to block, but Goodra's ice beam overpowered the moon blast and hit Florges partially freezing her body. Two Yanmega came and picked up their wounded leader and flew off while several beedrill used pin missle to cover their escape. When the dust settled the attacking Pokemon were gone. At this time Goodra fell to the ground, hurt and tired from the battle. "Goodra!" Ash yelled as he ran to his Pokemon. "Dont worry, your going to be ok." Said Ash as he put his hands on Goodra and both of them glowed blue as Ash used his aura to heal Goodra. "What is going on? Why is Ash glowing blue?" Asked Korrina clearly freaked out at what she was seeing. Clemont chuckled lightly, "oh yeah that's right, you've never seen Ash use his aura before." Korrina looked at Clemont confused why he was acting like this was normal to him. "Come take a seat and I'll explain everything." Clemont said as he lead Korrina to a small rock for her to sit on as he explained Ash's Aura.
Pokemon speech translated
Later that evening at Keanan's house everyone was eating dinner. "I still can't believe Goodra managed to fight and not take any damage." Said Keanan as he ate. "Yeah, it's pretty amazing. Right guys?" Said Ash nervously. The others nodded in agreement, including Korrina who after Clemont explained Ash's aura and how he wanted to keep it a secret, was able to understand why it was kept a secret. After dinner they rested while Goodra wondered what to do about Florges. Just then there was a loud knocking on the door, Keanan went to open it and saw two seviper and a pinsir standing there. Pikachu smelled them and ran to the door. "What do you want?" Pikachu demanded with his cheeks sparking. "Relax, we're not here to fight. We've come to deliver a message to the Goodra." Said the pinsir. Goodra and the others walked to the door. "What's your message?" Asked Goodra. "Our queen has decided that further conflict will only do more harm to the wetlands. So she has decided there will be one last battle, between you and her. If you win we will leave without any further conflict, if we win you and the native Pokemon here will leave without conflict. The battle will be at the source of the spring at dawn, if you don't show up then we will attack not only the native Pokemon, but also the humans and their Pokemon as well." Informed the pinsir before he and the others left. "What was that all about?" Asked Keanan. "From the looks of it they just challenged Goodra to a battle." Ash said acting like he didn't understand what was said, Goodra nodded, playing along. After Keanan was asleep Ash filled the others in on the details and they all agreed to be there to support Goodra.
Before sunrise Ash and the others quietly snuck out of the house without waking Keanan, once outside they made their way to the source of the spring. Upon arriving they see that the source of the spring is inside a plateau with the water flowing out of a tunnel about twenty feet up. At the base of the plateau was Florges and her Pokemon, about fifty feet away were the Pokemon native to the wetlands, ready to cheer for Goodra. "Looks like everyone's here for this final battle." observed Ash. "Looks like it." Everyone turned around to see Keanan and bellsprout with suprised looks on their faces. "What? I'm old not deaf. You might have tried to be quiet, but you weren't quiet enough," Keanan sighed, "This place has become my home, I need to see this play out." With that they walked over to the native Pokemon as Goodra and Florges took their places between the two groups.
Florges attacked first with moonblast, Goodra countered with ice beam. The ice beam broke through the moonblast and continued to Florges, who used petal blizzard to block the attack. While Florges was focused on blocking the ice beam Goodra used aqua tail, Florges didn't see the attack until it was too late and was sent back several feet. Florges was frustrated about not getting in a hit yet, she then used grassy terrain followed by solar beam. Goodra blocked the main solar beam with Dragon pulse, but was unable to stop the smaller solar beams that came from several nearby flowers, but instead braced himself for the hits. Goodra then used Dragon tail on a large rock nearby breaking it up into several smaller pieces, and then used Dragon tail again to launch the pieces at Florges. Florges was able to dodge some of the larger pieces, but was still hit by most of the others. Goodra then used ice beam again, Florges was able to jump high into the air to dodge. Goodra then turned around and used Dragon pulse on the ground, sending him into the air after Florges. Florges smiled when it was clear to her Goodra was going to miss her, but then Goodra used him two long antennae to grab Florges. As he started to fall down Goodra gauged where he was going to land, and with a mighty throw of his antennae sent Florges flying to the ground. Florges hit the ground hard and struggled to get up, she was finally able to roll over just in time to see Goodra about to hit her as he used body slam.
When Goodra stood up he looked down at Florges and saw that she was knocked out, a pinsir came up and announced this to everyone. Goodra then leaned down and picked Florges up and began to walk with her in his arms. "What are you doing with our queen?!" A seviper demanded as many other Pokemon began to surround Goodra. "She is hurt, I'm taking her to the water to heal her." Goodra responded. The other Pokemon were taken back by this and got out of his way. Goodra walked into one of the pools of water, laying Florges near the edge so that her whole body could receive the healing effects while keeping her head above the water. Goodra walked a few steps away where the water was deepest and sat down so most of his body was under. After a minute Florges started to move and opened her eye's. It took her only a moment to remember the battle and that she lost, at this time she began to cry. Goodra saw this, "why are you crying?" "Because I failed her." "Who?" "My sister. She's a Floette and is very sick. That's why I came here, I heard of the healing waters and brought her here." "You didn't have to drive everyone out, you would have been welcomed here." "I came weeks before we attacked, I had her in the water for days, but she didn't get any better. That's when I came to the conclusion that you all were using the healing effects as well, preventing her from getting the full effect." Ash had been listening to the entire conversation decided now he had to speak. "Florges, I think I might be able to help." "You understand me?" "Yes." "It doesn't matter, I took her to a Pokemon center and they weren't able to help her. There's nothing you can do." "I think there is. I believe I understand what gives the water it's healing effect and I think I can recreate it." Everyone was shocked by his words, but Keanan was sceptical. "Impossible, I've spent years researching these waters and the only special thing I've seen is it's rare mineral content, and it can't heal." Ash smiled, "your equipment can detect alot of things, but they can't detect aura." "Aura? As in all those old legends of Arua Gardians?" Said Keanan sceptical of Ash. "Yes. My theory is that an Aura Gardian came through here hundreds of years ago and for some reason transferred a large amount of his aura into the water here giving it it's healing effect." Explained Ash. Keanan sighed, "Ash I don't have time for this, aura guardians are a legend, a myth, a story told to children. They aren't real." Ash then looked at Keanan and smiled as his eyes glowed blue and he formed an Aura sphere, "do I look like a myth to you?" Keanan's eyes were wide and his jaw dropped as he saw this, and started to wonder if all the stories about aura guardians he heard as a child weren't just stories. Ash then looked back to Florges, "Florges, I have a plan, and I'm confident it will work if you'll let me try." Florges nodded, giving Ash the go ahead. "First, Goodra I need you to use rain dance, and I mean a big one. Big enough to help with the water level across the whole wetlands. Can you do it?" Goodra didn't say anything, he only smiled as he stood up and brought forth a massive rain cloud. "Florges, show me to where Floette is." Florges then got out of the water and lead Ash and the others up the plateau and into the cave, to Floette and the source of the spring.
Once there Ash took off his shoes and socks, and rolled up his pants. While he did this Serena had to ask, "Ash, do you think you can do this?" "Honestly I don't know. From what I can feel of the aura, the guardian was very strong. I've never done anything like this before. Either way I'm going to be very weak after this, I'll probably pass out before I use too much aura." Ash said casually. "What will happen if you use too much aura?" Serena said very concerned. "If I use too much aura at once it will kill me." Serena's eyes widened open hearing this. Ash realized as the words left his mouth the effect it was going to have on Serena and looked at her to see so much worry in her eye's. Ash then put his hands on her cheeks as he looked into her eye's, "don't worry, I'm not going to let that happen. I want us to have a long happy life together, so I will make sure to live through this." Serena blushed a little at Ash's words as four words kept repeating in her head, long happy life together. Ash then turned and began to walk into the water before, "Ash wait." Ash turned around just in time for Serena to pull Ash into a deep passionate kiss, "for luck." It was now Ash's turn to blush as he smiled and turned back around. Ash took a deep breath and put his hands into the water as he concentrated. In seconds Ash was glowing blue, then the water glowed blue as Ash began to transfer his aura. This lasted for only a minute or two, but to Serena it felt like an eternity as she worried about Ash. Then the glowing subsided and Ash began to fall over, Goodra extended his long antennae and caught him, pulled him out of the water and gently lowered him to the ground. Serena ran over to him and breathed a sigh of relief as she could see he was still breathing. Then Floette started to move, Florges saw this and went to her, arriving just in time to see her eye's open. Florges then took her little sister into a hug as everyone smiled at the sight. "It worked." Serena looked down to see Ash smiling, "ASH! I was so worried." Serena cried as she held him. "It's ok, after I started I knew I was going to be ok." Serena then looked at Ash confused, "how?" "I had to synchronize my aura with the water so I could transfer my aura, when I did that I also synchronized with the aura guardians remaining aura. That aura showed me him when he did this and how he did it so I could also. I think this was his plan, for another aura user to do this again. Serena I know who did it too, my ancestor, Sir Aaron." Upon learning this everyone was amazed that hundreds of years later the descendent of the person who gave the spring its healing ability did it again as the power was almost gone.
Florges walked up to Ash with tears of joy in her eyes and bowed her head," thank you aura guardian, thank you for saving my sister. If there is anything I can do for you, if it's within my power, I will see that it happens." Ash smiled weakly, "You don't owe me anything. I'm just happy I could help." Upon saying this, as if on cue Ash's stomach rumbled. Ash sweat dropped, Florges laughed and pointed to two pinsirs, "You two, bring the Gardian some food." The two pinsir left and the Florges looked back at Ash, "it's the least I can do before we leave." Goodra looked at her, "why are you leaving?" Florges looked back with sad eyes, "Because I lost. Remember, I said the loser would leave." Goodra looked at Florges's and her followers and could see they didn't want to leave. He then looked to his friends and they nodded, showing they new what he was about to do and trusted his judgment. "Florges, how about a new deal." Florges looked at Goodra with a confused look. "Even though this is my home, I'm a trained Pokemon now. So when Ash leaves, I'm going too. After I'm gone i won't be able to protect the wetlands and my friends. If another group of wild Pokemon come, they could use a protector, maybe an army of protectors." Goodra continued. "You want us to stay and protect the wetlands, even after all that we've done?" Florges said as she looked at Goodra amazed about what he was asking. "This is how you can make up for what you've done." Florges then looked at the wetlands Pokemon who were smiling, then at her Pokemon who's eyes were full of hope. Florges then smiled, "very well, we'll stay." The Pokemon from both sides cheered.
Everyone then left the cave, Goodra carried Ash and was about to lay him back down when Serena stopped him. She sat herself down and then asked Goodra to lay Ash down, with his head on her lap. By this time the two pinsir returned and placed a large amount of berries next to Ash, where Serena then started to feed them to Ash one by one, never taking his eyes off of Serena's face. "You know I could get used to this." Said Ash with a smile on his face. "What, me feeding you?" Serena said trying to act annoyed at the comment. "No, resting my head on your lap. It's very comfortable and has a great view." Serena blushed, then an idea popped into her head. She put one of the berries into her mouth, then she leaned down and kissed Ash, while at the same time passed the berry into his mouth. The kiss ended and Ash smiled, "that was the best berry yet."
Meanwhile at the Cyllage City gym, "Onix is unable to battle. The winner is Treecko and Max Maple from Petalburg City." Announced the referee. "Congratulations Max, as proof of your victory I present you a cliff badge." Said Grant the gym leader. "Thank you very much. Look Treecko, our first badge." Said Max as he congratulated Treecko. "Max you keep surprising me, first you actually climbed my wall, then you managed to overcome Onix's rock tomb. And the way you beat us was the same way another trainer beat us a few months ago." Said Grant. "Honestly our battle style is based off of another trainer that really idolize." "Well he must be some trainer. So tell me, where are you heading next?" "Laverre City, I've got a good feeling something is good is going to happen there."