Love in the Time of Teamwork

Chapter 16: A Team

So, for this chapter I was totally listening to the Japanese XYZ opening on repeat. I suggest you do, too...at least when Ash is battling. It will make it epic. Therefore, let's start Chapter 16!

Chapter 16

A Team

Ash's vision was growing just a little blurry, and his limbs were growing tired. Greninja was slowing down, too, so Ash had a feeling that it had to do with that. Whenever he seemed to merge with Greninja, this always happened...but he wasn't giving up. Hadn't he always told Serena to never give up until it was over? The thought of her brought a smile to his face and he turned to look at Greninja.

"We're not giving up, right?" he asked of his trusty Water type.

"Gren," Greninja said, the nod he was giving almost undiscernible underneath the water veil.

"Then, let's go. Use Water Shuriken!" Greninja's arms flew out as it dashed across the water towards Rhyperior and his trainer. The liquid shuriken formed and with a heave, Greninja jumped into the air and launched the two spinning water blades at Rhyperior. The Drill Pokémon stood fast, obviously knowing that it didn't have any speed to dodge. The attack struck with a small explosion that nearly knocked Rhyperior over, but it stood its ground. Greninja was still on a course for the Ground type.

"Rock Wrecker, let's go!" Rocky ordered his loyal Pokémon. Rhyperior raised its hands above its head and formed the glistening red rock between them. In no time at all, Rhyperior slung the very large projectile at Greninja. Exhaustion was taking over, Ash could feel it, and Greninja missed his chance to dodge. The Rock Wrecker slammed into Greninja's chest and sent him reeling into the water.

"Agh!" Ash screamed, clutching at his own chest as he nearly doubled over from the pain. He had forgotten about this strange aspect of synching up with Greninja. "Aerial Ace and Water Shuriken together!"

"Ninja!" Greninja roared out, leaping from the river in a shower of droplets as his water veil temporarily faded away, illuminated into a rainbow by the setting sun. Somewhere in the distance, gasps could be heard. Greninja formed the watery shuriken and tossed them once more towards Rhyperior. As soon as they were loose, Greninja dove forward, a blue X forming around its body as he raced towards his opponent. Greninja made contact with Water Shuriken, forcing a volume of water to rush around his body again. He drove right into Rhyperior seconds later, pushing it back slightly.

"Hammer Arm." Rhyperior had no difficulty whatsoever in raising its glowing arm down and striking Greninja with all it was worth. This time, Ash felt the pain on his back and his breathing became shorter. He had to finish this quickly, or both of them would be in trouble. Rhyperior was already planning his next attack, calling Rock Wrecker out to finish the job once more. Ash closed his eyes, willing Greninja to get up in his mind, even if his body was far too tired to say the words.

"Hurry and use Egg Bomb!" Ash's eyes snapped open at the sound of Brock's voice. Was he dreaming? Was his oldest friend (barring Pikachu, of course) really here? Turning his head up, Ash could see the arc of eggs aiming right for the Rock Wrecker still in Rhyperior's hands. The eggs collided against it and pulsed outward with a surprisingly great explosion that broke the rock to pieces. At the same time, Rhyperior nearly stumbled into the water. Ash felt his hand twitch; Greninja still had plenty of fight left in him.

"Double Team!" Ash roared, his throat just a little hoarse from the pain. Greninja crossed his hands and clones of him appeared all around the area, some up in the air, and some standing on the water below, each one reactivating the water veil that obscured it from view. With a distraction firmly set in place, Ash looked and saw Brock standing near the other end of the destroyed rubble that was once the bridge. Chansey was in the middle, bouncing into the thick of the Greninja doubles. Rhyperior, having now recovered from Brock's surprise attack, was looking around it complete confusion, unable to find the right Greninja.