A Study in Mega Evolution

Chapter Twenty-Two

The trainers raced towards the water shuriken jammed into the Zygarde-Rock. Corina could feel her blood pumping in her ears as they got closer and closer. She had no idea if their plan was going to work or not, but they had to give it their all anyway. For the sake of everything, they knew and loved. Eda had mega evolved and was running at her side, the two of them using all their power just to keep going.

"Everyone head towards the water shuriken! That's where Chespie is! We've got to save Chespie first!" Diantha shouted. The Zygarde-Rock threw more vines at them as they approached.

"Eda, thunder!"

Corina had a hard time running along the vines, trying her best to keep her balance and not fall in the tangle of vines below. It was even harder to keep focus when everyone around them was being captured or knocked away. But their top priority was ensuring Ash or Alain made it to Chespie in time. That was the only way to end this.

Corina found herself running alongside Professor Sycamore, Leon, Malva, Diantha, and Steven. They were the last few to help Ash and Alain.

"Dragon pulse, Eda!" She glanced over and saw Professor Sycamore, Leon, and Malva get trapped by the vines. For a moment, she paused. "Professor! Leon!"

"Keep going!"

"Get Chespie!"

She nodded and kept running, trying not to feel guilty for leaving her mentor and best friend behind.

"Eda, discharge!"

She looked up, and suddenly a vine came crashing down on her, and she screamed. All at once, Corina felt it wrap around her and constrict her movement.

"Corina!" She looked up through the pain and saw Alain had stopped and was staring at her, fear in his eyes.

"What are you waiting for, huh? Keep going, Champion, you promised!" She reminded him, telling him to keep going. He nodded and turned back around, obviously reluctant to leave her behind.

She tried her best to squirm and beat against the vine holding her, but nothing did any good. She couldn't even reach the pokeballs in her bag to get help. She just needed to wait it out and hope that Alain and Ash could save Chespie soon.

Suddenly, everything froze. The vines and the Zygarde-Rock stopped moving, and she felt the restrictions lax around her. She slipped right through and landed a bit uneasy on the vines below. Corina looked over and saw Ash and Alain running back, Chespie asleep in Alain's arms. She smiled and slowly made her way back down, Eda at her side.

She stood beside Alain as he returned Chespie to Mairin, their friends all gathered around them. "Chespie, I've got you." Mairin hugged her partner close, on the verge of tears. "Thank you so much!"

"All that's left is what's in front of us," Steven announced, turning everyone's attention towards the still Zygarde-Rock.

She stood beside Alain as they lined up with their partners, ready to demolish the shell in front of them.

"Let's all attack together!" Diantha readied them. "Now!"

Eda launched a powerful dragon pulse at the same time that everyone sent out their most powerful moves. It all morphed into one strong attack and crashed right into the Zygarde-Rock, causing it to keel right over.

But their moment of victory didn't last as the Zygarde-Rock suddenly roared back to life and stood upright again. "It can't be!"

"I know...but how?"

They looked up and saw Lysandre himself come into view on top of the creature. Corina frowned, and Eda readied herself.

"Even if you're somehow able to stop me, I will still destroy the world! Count on it." Lysandre glared at the powerful trainers gathered before him.