The return of a legend

Alton

After what felt like hours of running, Ash and Greninja finally came to a stop. Ash was panting heavily, unable to stop himself from sinking to his knees. He couldn't breathe. Greninja knelt down next to Ash, watching as he panted. Greninja was worried. Did he push Ash too far? Maybe he should've stopped a bit back. Ash huffed, looking around. "Well, I think we got away. Are you okay, Greninja?" Ash panted out, watching as the Pokemon nodded. 

Now that they were away from Akae and his group, they needed to find someone else. Someone who could help take them down. Although Ash couldn't do much at the moment, there had to be something they could do. "Okay, while I'm catching my breath, let's try to get this off. It's keeping our bond weak." Ash motioned to the bracelet, holding his arm out for Greninja to see. Maybe they could activate the Battle Bond, and use the geyser of water as a beacon. It was getting dark, so people had to know he was missing. Maybe they were looking for him.

Before Greninja could do anything to attempt removing it, a box flew out from the bushes. It turned out to be more Team Rocket tech, wrapping around Ash's arm and pinning him to a tree. Greninja placed himself in front of Ash, watching for any other attacks. A man walked into view, a smug look on his face as he got closer. "Well done, Ash. I figure'd you'd escape them." The man said, adjusting his gloves. 

"Who are you? What do you want?" Ash demanded, struggling against the new binding. 

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Alton. I am the man who's been trying to see you and your Greninja." 

"You mean you're the one who told Akae to kidnap me." 

Alton waved his hand. "Potato Potato. Now, if you'd be so kind, I'd like you to come with me." 

"Why? So you can take over the world? I hate to break it to you, but Greninja and I are not going to be used as pawns." Ash growled, forcing himself to stand. 

Alton laughed. "I was hoping I'd see some of that courage I hear about. Now, as amusing as this game is, I'm afraid I have things to do. Either you come along willingly, or I let Steelix deal with you." 

"You better get Steelix out, because I'm not going anywhere with you." 

"Good. I was hoping for a battle today."

Alton pulled out a Pokeball, although his was streaked with black and gold. "Is that a luxury ball?" 

"Very perceptive, Ash. Yes, this is a luxury ball. After all, a champion Pokemon deserves a good Pokeball. Don't you agree, Greninja?" 

Greninja ignored Alton. He knew what this stranger was trying to do. He was trying to cause a rift between Greninja and Ash. Well, Greninja wasn't going to let that happened. He'd swam across a giant ocean to see Ash. A few words weren't going to split them up. "I may not be able to afford expensive Pokeballs, but I give my Pokemon the best life I can. I create bonds with them, and I put all my trust in them." 

"But where are they now? They weren't with you when you were taken." 

"Because I wasn't supposed to be at the Pokemon Center at all. I was supposed to be resting, so Professor Kukui took them to allow them to play. Just because they're not here doesn't mean I don't trust them. We always find each other." 

"So show me. Show me how much you trust your Greninja." Alton threw his Pokeball up, allowing it to open. His Steelix appeared, towering over Ash and Greninja. It had a band around its horn, glowing gold with a gem in the center. "So it Mega Evolves. Greninja, be careful. Use Water Shuriken!" 

"Flash Cannon, let's go!" Ash and Greninja were both blinded by the bright light emitting from Steelix, but Greninja's Shuriken managed to block the blast. 

"Don't let up! Double team, now!" Dozens of Greninja appeared, all glitching like they were made of static.

 "Incredible. but useless. Steelix, Sandstorm!"

Ash and Greninja shielded their faces as sand swirled around, unable to see the battlefield through the haze of sand. "You see, while Sandstorm doesn't actually get rid of double team, it coats the real Pokemon with sand. It'll stick out like a sore thumb. Steelix, use Bulldoze once you find it!" 

Ash grit his teeth. "We need to get out of this Sandstorm. Greninja, climb up into the trees! Get out of the sand and get a better viewpoint of the battle!" Greninja leapt up, disappearing into the leaves right as the sand calmed down. Steelix looked around, but couldn't find anything besides the fake Greninja to hit. 

"Smart, Ash. You and Greninja fight quite well together. You seem to adapt quite well to its style." 

"Hey, what kind of trainer are you if you can't fight with multiple Pokemon?" 

"Not a very strategic one. However, I need this over quickly. So, while I look forward to one day battling you at your strongest, right now I need this finished. I do hope you see this as a courtesy. Now, Steelix, Mega Evolve!"

Ash could only watch as the pure strands of light streaked through the air, spreading from the ring on Alton's finger to the band on the Steelix, glowing brightly. The Steelix roared as it changed, slowly growing bigger and bigger. Small chunks of rock were floating around it, forming a circle around the giant Pokemon. Ash knew he should've gotten that band off, but it was dangerous for Greninja to get close to Steelix since they didn't know what moves it used. Now it's power was more than doubling, which meant this battle was not in Ash's favor. He needed to get the bracelet off. Without their Battle Bond, Ash and Greninja would lose and would be taken captive again. He needed another plan. Greninja couldn't take Mega Steelix like this. The light cocooned around Steelix broke, revealed a freshly Mega Evolved Pokemon. "I'm sure you can see what you're up against. I'll give you one more chance. Surrender now, or meet crushing defeat." 

Suddenly, it hit Ash. "I'll take neither. Greninja, throw a Water Shuriken at me!" The blue weapon flew out of the trees, slashing through the Team Rocket tech and the bracelet. 

"No! Flash Cannon!" Ash dodged the cannon, which completely destroyed the tree behind him.

"Alright, Greninja. You ready?" Ash asked, grinning as the familiar bond surged through his veins again. He got a determined not from Greninja. "Then let's get into it. You said you wanted to battle us at full strength one day. We'll give you our all now!" Ash grinned as another viewpoint invaded his, giving him another view of the battle. A giant water spout erupted from the trees, shooting high into the sky. 

Alton grit his teeth as Greninja leapt down, a giant Water Shuriken on his back. "No matter. I'll have this finished before anyone finds us. Steelix, use Hyper Beam!" Steelix roared again, firing the purple blast at Greninja. 

"Dodge, then use Water Shuriken!" The Hyper Beam landed in the ground, and the Water Shuriken landed on Steelix's head.

 Alton growled. "Fine. We'll finish this now. Be prepared, Ash. I don't give mercy."