Love in the Time of Turbulence

Chapter 16: A Road

Once again, this was a chapter where using a song on repeat helped me write it. During one of the last parts of it, I definitely used XY&Z -Off Vocal ver.- to help write it. Listening to said version would probably set the mood really well. Now, time for Chapter 16!

Chapter 16

A Road

The light was blinding for a moment to Ash's eyes, though whether it was from the surprise reveal of the keystone, or because it was truly that bright, Ash wasn't sure. All he knew was that it had burst out and then faded, allowing both of the trainers opposing Dalton to see the new form of his Medicham.

Gone was the pink top of its head, now looking like a white turban, evidently concealing where the Mega Stone had been before. There were also pieces of gold on his wrists like bracelets, and more extending up its waist. Beyond that, Medicham was now exuding an even more otherworldly power as four ghost-like hands were protruding from behind it. Ash swallowed. He could feel the power of Dalton's Mega Evolved Pokémon from here, and from the way Pikachu's ears were twitching, he could too. Though none of it diminished their will to fight.

"You had a keystone...this entire time?" Seamus asked, his face twisted into a scowl. Dalton shrugged a little.

"I had to have a contingency plan," he admitted. "In case the keystones were separated from one another, I needed to make sure that the portal continued to open. The scroll indicated a way to use five, too: one for the fountain and four for each Gate. This way, it won't close unless I'm defeated."

"But it's not opening as fast," Ash pointed out, a grin on his face. Dalton raised an eyebrow. "We got those other keystones out of the way. I don't know how all this works, but if the keystones are apart then the portal won't open."

"True, but like I said, you can't close it. At best, you can halt it. Although, as long as I have my keystone, there's little chance of that unless you defeat me."

"You're one crafty bas-"

"Enough talking." Dalton snapped his fingers, the sound resonating like a crack of thunder. Medicham's arms (both real and ghostly) became imbued with a blue and purple light. Ash wasn't going to let that attack happen. He was getting those keystones.

"Pikachu, let's go!"

"You too, Alakazam!" Pikachu was bounding forward even before Alakazam was moving, aiming right for the charging Medicham. He wasn't fast enough as Zoroark's body glowed white, zooming to intercept Pikachu before a dark wave burst outward. Pikachu flew back as Alakazam crossed its spoons like a mighty shield, for all the good it did.

"Thunderbolt!" Ash cried. Pikachu skidded along the surface of the airship just as it rocked again. It was a little easier to maintain balance, even if Ash was starting to feel like the craft itself was tipping. Pikachu's body brimmed with lightning before shooting out the bolt. Alakazam was right alongside him, its own blue Shock Wave zapping forward. The two currents of electricity combined in a stream, aiming for Medicham. "Now, Quick Attack!"

"Pika!" Pikachu yelled, dashing forward towards the still charging Pokémon. Ash looked over in time to see the electricity slam into Zoroark to prevent it from mounting a counterattack. Not that it mattered. Pikachu slammed into Medicham, pushing the Mega Evolution slightly back, only as the glow on its fists reached a zenith.

"Focus Punch." Another snap and Medicham punched forward. It was just one punch, but with all six hands making it at once, the effect was brutalizing. Pikachu was thrown back, battered mercilessly by the one attack that seemed to split the very air itself with how powerful it was. That Medicham was certainly in a league of its own. Pikachu continued flying through the air and Zoroark blitzed forward, slashing him into the ground with a Shadow Claw.