Ash x Serena Rise of the forgotten hero

Fragments of Hope

As everyone stared toward the smoke and flames still rising from the wreckage, the distant sound of helicopters filled the air. Big trucks rumbled closer, their headlights cutting through the dust. Firefighters and police units were arriving on the scene in full force.

Steven was the first to break the heavy silence. "Let's go. They'll need to know what happened here." His voice was steady, but there was a sombre undertone.

The group nodded in agreement, still shaken, and made their way toward the aircraft. The engine roared to life, and they lifted off, heading for the charred remains of the base.

The devastation was overwhelming. But through the smoke, they saw Water-type Pokémon hard at work: Clawitzer, and Barbaracle unleashed torrents of water, working tirelessly to douse the flames. Nearby, Fighting-types like Pangoro and Machamp lifted massive chunks of debris, their muscles straining as they cleared the area for the rescue teams.

Officer Jenny was directing the operation, her face tense with focus. Spotting her, the group hurried over, their hearts heavy with concern.

"Have you found anyone under the debris?" Diantha asked, her voice betraying a hint of urgency.

Officer Jenny turned, her expression grim. "We've found a few Team Flare grunts," she replied. "And there was a boy identified as Calem Xavier. Do you know him?"

Serena's face clouded with sadness as she nodded. "We do. He was with Team Flare," she murmured, the weight of the situation sinking in.

Officer Jenny's gaze softened, but there was no time for comfort. Before Serena could stop herself, her voice trembled with worry. "There's someone else... Ash Ketchum. He was inside when the explosion happened."

Officer Jenny hurried off to check with the rescue teams, her expression tense with the weight of Serena's question. When she returned, her face said everything before her words even reached them. Shaking her head, she delivered the crushing news. "We haven't found anyone by the name of Ash Ketchum."

Serena's heart sank. She felt the hope draining from her body, like a dam breaking within her. The thought of Ash being lost, buried under the wreckage, was almost too much to bear. But Diantha wasn't ready to give up. "Is it alright if we stay and help with our Pokémon?" she asked, her tone steady despite the sorrow gripping them all.

Officer Jenny gave a supportive nod. "Not a problem at all, Champion. We could use every bit of help."

Determined to do whatever they could, the gang released their Pokémon and joined the rescue efforts. For hours, they moved debris alongside their Pokémon, their muscles aching but their will unwavering. Yet, as the hours dragged on, exhaustion and despair began to settle in.

Serena, along with her Pancham, was carefully clearing away rubble when something unusual caught her eye. Her breath hitched in her throat. "Pancham! Over there, use Arm Thrust on that debris!"

With precise movements, Pancham thrust away the heavy rubble, revealing something underneath. Serena's heart skipped a beat as she stepped closer, then gasped. "I FOUND HIM!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice echoing across the site.

The others, along with several first responders, rushed over. Together, they lifted Ash from the wreckage, laying him on a flat surface. Tension filled the air as the medics immediately began running tests, checking for any sign of life.

Minutes felt like hours as the team worked tirelessly, but with each test, hope seemed to diminish. The responders' faces grew grim. Just as they were preparing for the final test, a medic shouted, "Wait!" Everyone held their breath as they listened to the monitor.