Chapter Text
Ash flopped down on the large ornate blanket, Pikachu immediately taking the opportunity to snuggle up to his trainer's hand. After he started petting Pikachu, Ash lifted his head to ask, "Lillie, why do we need such a fancy sheet? We have perfectly fine beach towels at Kukui's house."
He traced the lace patterns with one of his free fingers as she continued to comb Snowy, "They do have a few holes from rockruff's fur... and burn marks from Litten... and you've let Rowlet use them to nest." She answered.
Ash tipped his head in confusion, "So? They still work," Pikachu nodded along with his trainer. She frowned, "But that's not proper! You can't use the same towel for every job, it'll gather so much grime that you'll never be able to clean it." She imparted.
"Stains are just proof you did something cool!" He wiped his nose, "Plus, all stains fade away eventually, right buddy?" This time, when he looked to his partner, Pikachu didn't back him up as Lillie moved to brush Snowy's ears, "That's not true, some damage lasts forever."
"Alola!" Ash turned to see the rest of the group emerging from the beach house. Everyone was carrying snacks and drinks, save Sophocles, who was dragging a large contraption along the sand.
"Alola!" Ash called back. Burnet reached the blanket first and set down a tray of fresh Pinap juice that was practically singing to him with its tangy fragrance and vibrant yellow hue. Before he could snatch up a glass, Sophocles yelled out, "Hey, a little help here?!"
Ash sprang to his feet and saw Sophocles' invention that he gave one last tug to before it was square in front of their spot.
It was filled with sand. The satellite dish? Sand garden in the making. The outer casing? A literal sand-box. The actual electronics? Yet another victim devoured by the growing beach that was still being dumped from tubes and computer boards.
"Aw man!" Sophocles groaned, "How are we going to collect data from the phenomenon now?!" Kukui patted him on the back, "It'll be fine, we've got a Trump Card after all! Aether Paradise will be collecting the data for us, and Burnet will make sure to Snatch it afterward for you to analyze."
Sophocles smiled again, but his shoulders were still slumped, "But I wanted to collect the data myself..."
Mallow grabbed his hand, "C'mon, you can at least enjoy the company and food!" Ash agreed, "Yeah, I'm starving!" He zipped back to the blanket where a whole array of malasadas, sandwiches, and snacks waited.
He smiled as he grabbed a particularly crispy croquette sandwich, tearing off a piece for his partner and handing it behind him before gulping down his portion. Lana smirked, "If you eat too fast like that... You might become a Pelipper!"
Sophocles snorted, "That's too unbelievable, even for you," Ash nodded in agreement even as he was struggling to push down his food all the way. Rotomdex chimed in, "That is physically impossible-roto! The act of eating food too quickly can not change Ash's species!"
Mallow giggled, "I don't know! if anyone could, it'd be Ash." Lillie looked like she was deep in thought, "He is quite remarkable..." She admitted
"Not even Ash could become a Pokemon," Kiawe huffed. Rotom agreed, "Indeed. I have no data on such a thing-roto!"
He thought about his special partner from Kalos, but was brought out of his thoughts by Professor Burnet laughing, "You'd be surprised by what people and Pokemon can do when they're connected! But we should focus on the incoming storm instead of arguing." She reasoned.
Ash realized something he was missing, "Hey, what do you mean by 'incoming storm'?" He wondered aloud to the group. He got blank stares in return, "What, did I say something wrong?" He asked.
"Ash, this is the Rainless Storm! You've never heard of it!?" Mallow exclaimed. He glanced up at the sparse clouds, "Nope, never. And it looks pretty clear to me."
Sophocles huffed, "The storm isn't until later. It's a fascinating recent weather phenomenon in which Galarian storm clouds charged with Dynamax energy travel erratically before returning to Galar. They produce an illusion of a rough thunderstorm, but without the rain."
Ash blinked, "What's Galar and Dynamax?" Lana hummed, "With how much you like battles, I'm surprised you haven't heard of it." She started.
Lillie continued after she finished her bite of Nanab Tart, "I've read about this in my books. Galar is a region near Kalos known for its special phenomenon called Dynamax. Dynamax is triggered by the direct exposure of a Pokemon to Galar Particles, which are also the region's source of energy."
"Dynamax causes a Pokemon to temporarily grow much bigger, around 100' feet tall on average," Sophocles added, "There's also Gigantamax, where a Pokemon's physical characteristics besides their size are also changed."
Ash scratched his head, "But what does that have to do with the storm?" Kukui smiled, "The storm is the product of the Stored Power from Galar particles agitating clouds and causing them to use Quick Attack across the sky until they return to Galar. What happens after that isn't known for certain, but there are several complicated theories which Captivate the scientific community-"
Ash interrupted him, "I understand now, you don't have to explain them! I'm ready to see a cool storm pass over the island!" Mallow shook her head, "You're the same Ash as always..."
The sun started slipping into the sea, and Kukui got an alert on his phone, "Ah, it'll start soon!" Kiawe grinned fiercely, "I can't wait!" Ash looked around to see everyone stop what they were doing. Mallow and Lana abruptly laid on their backs, in the center of the blanket, "This is the best way to watch!" They insisted. Lillie sat in rapt attention, Snowy observing the sky curiously.
Kukui and Burnet relaxed on the back edge of the blanket. Sophocles settled down to watch near Ash while Togedemaru sparked with energy. Rockruff stopped playing and came over to Ash, tail wagging. Litten and even Rowlet woke up to watch. Ash looked up.
A storm thundered across the sky in an unnaturally quick rush. It crashed and rammed against itself, clouds merging in one mass of anger. Wind began to rustle his hair as the deep gray tempest emitted low thunder that echoed over the island.
It grew closer, growling louder and louder while it raced itself until it was over his head. Looking straight up, he could see how intensely volatile the clouds were, lashing down in tendrils and circling each other like sharks. It was familiar, like he'd seen it somewhere before.
Suddenly, It stopped in its tracks and stood over the island. A giant mass of darkness, swirling and roaring like before, just in place. He looked down to see that everyone else was surprised too. Kukui was pulling out his phone when the storm glowed .
His eyes shot back up. Peeking from the clouds was a soft red energy that was building. It emerged from more and more clouds until the entire sky for as far as his eyes could see was red.
It was red. It was red like Kalos. Not just like Kalos. They looked identical. They were the same. Those clouds had followed him, they were after him, they wanted to hurt him like they all had. They had to be behind it, those clouds only heralded them.
They were Lysandre's . he was here he Was Here He Was HERE HE WAS HERE HE WAS HERE-
Someone grabbed his arm.
He's here he'll take me he's going to use it
he'll take my friends he wants it
He'll take our powers
he'll take our mind
he'll kill everyone he'll take our bond
He'll take the world.
"Pika-pi!"
His partner was screaming for him.
He had to fight it like before with Greninja!
Stronger and STRONGER -
'Ash, are you alright!'
"Team Flare are after me they want to take they want to kill they want to control they want to-"
'Team Flare is gone, Ash! They're dead!'
"But those clouds! They're the same red clouds!"
'You're having a panic attack. Just rest, I'll come over soon.'
"But they'll get me!"
'I- I'll make sure they won't.'
"Come quickly!"
'I will. Now rest'
"But... I have to be... Stronger....................."