Pokémon Advanced Wishes: Black or White

Chapter 40: Come As You Are

The Lake Guardians hovered over Iris, Cilan, Axew, Pansage, and Victini as they meditated. The Legendary Pokémon tried to help them focus. Uxie eyed Victini. "Ti?" Victini opened its eyes, sensing Uxie's stare. Uxie urged it to focus, prompting Victini to refocus.

On the other hand, Iris got impatient during the meditation, "What's the point of this?" She kept her eyes shut, but she couldn't conceal her scowl.

"The meditation will help you and Cilan learn to think better at a moment's notice. Meditation will also teach patience, Iris," Auro emphasized her flaw. Iris reacted with a groan. "The Lake Guardians will also help Victini and your Pokémon unlock their potential through this meditation." Cilan and Pansage nodded at Auro's words, never losing focus.

Iris sighed with Axew, "If you say so."

***

"Blaziken!" Blaziken threw himself to catch May. Fortunately, his feathered arms grabbed her in time.

The coordinator was relieved to be saved, "Thank you, Blaziken." Her loyal friend nodded. When they landed safely on the ground, May saw Nate and Rosa, but they were different. She sensed trouble. "Blaziken, get Ash and Pikachu down here," May ordered. Ash and Pikachu were relieved over Blaziken's save and went down with the Blaze Pokémon. They saw May staring at Nate and Rosa. "It's like Auro warned," May muttered when she sensed Ash and Pikachu behind her.

"Yeah," Ash had a stern face. He knew a challenge awaited them.

"I think you have something we want," Nate smirked.

"Hand it over if you value your lives," Rosa warned.

A smug Ash didn't let them scare him, "Sorry, not happening."

"Then share your friend's fate," Rosa tossed Tranquil's beaten body.

May and Pikachu worried for their friend. "Tranquil!" Ash ran to catch Tranquil, catching the bird in his arms. He showed concern for her, "Tranquil, are you alright?"

"Tran," Tranquil gave a weak coo and fainted.

Ash thanked his friend for her help before returning her. He glared at Nate and Rosa, "You'll pay for that!"

Nate chuckled, revealing the Dusk Stone in his hand. "If she'd given up the Dusk Stone without resistance, nothing would've happened."

"And that makes five," Rosa showed off the Everstone, Leaf, Dawn, and Thunder stones between her fingers. Ash and May's jaws fell in frustration.

"Since you've seen how far behind you are, spare us the effort and hand over your stones," Nate crossed his arms.

"No!" a combative Ash and May weren't discouraged.

Rosa sighed, "Aggression it is, then." A Feraligatr jumped from behind Rosa.

"Fera!" It flashed its sharp teeth and claws to pounce at its enemies. Nate smirked as Feraligatr jumped over them, targeting Ash and May.

"Piiiiii," Pikachu charged up.

"Blaaaz," Blaziken gathered fire.

"Not so fast," Rosa snickered. A Gardevoir teleported in front of Ash and May, scaring them. Gardevoir paralyzed their bodies with its psychic powers. Pikachu and Blaziken gritted their teeth as they tried to wriggle out of the psychic grip.

"Gaaaaaaatrrrrrrrr!" Feraligatr tackled Ash and May. They winced in pain when they fell on the ground, but May maintained a grip on the Fire Stone.

Ash reached for his lover, "May, you ha-" but before he could finish, he got blasted away by a Hydro Pump. Ash shouted when his body got slammed against the jagged wall of the canyon.