Kanto. Vermillion City Hospital. Day. WIthin Ash's mind.
Still unconscious and resting. This is the longest Ash Ketchum has gone without being highly active. On this bright and beautiful day, the shining sun beamed through the windows, focusing all of its attention on him.
But, within Ash's mind, he was doing his best to break free of this unconscious state by focusing his mind and Aura. Ash has been sitting there for days now. To him, it felt like he's been sitting there for at least 4 hours. But, time is a bit different in his head.
All of his Aura had covered his body like some sort of cloak. Ash has said nothing this entire time. The only sound made was the grumbling of his hungry stomach and the flow of Aura.
"Come on..." Ash said to himself. His own mental actions were affecting the outside and his entire body. He was actually capable of fighting back against the Delayed Aura Ataxia.
Outside, Ash's hands were twitching. Both of them. His legs were starting to move as light groans came out of his mouth. And of course, something like this couldn't be ignored.
The doctors and nurses passing by immediately noticed this via the windows and open doors as they rushed into the room in shock.
"Did he just move?!" A nurse exclaimed.
"Only slightly!" The doctor gasped. "It doesn't seem to be a similar case to a Komala. He seems to be doing it continuously."
"Then, what does that mean?" Another nurse asked. "What's causing it?"
"Oh! Maybe he's part Komala? No that's not it..."
"I'm not sure." The doctor shook his head. "But it must be that he's somehow controlling himself in an unconscious state. How that's even possible, that I don't know."
"What should we do then? Does that mean he'll wake up eventually? Should we call Mrs Ketchum and the end the-"
"Hold on." The doctor put his arm out. "Let's not rush it. We'll come back later and see what else develops. But...perhaps it's best that she knows about her son's current actions."
Ash's sudden movements while unconscious was certainly something to behold. Unusual and essentially rare to the point where it has never existed before.
While they were able to see his movements in this state, what they couldn't see was the Aura emanating from his body. But then again, it was faint. However, the vibrance on it was gradually growing.
Ash was doing everything he can to counter this Ataxia problem so that it doesn't become a recurring problem.
Summer is here.
And everyone from both worlds is psyched and excited. Summer is a time where the most freedom can be found under the shining yet scorching sun. Plus, the heat is intensified. For better or for worse.
The days are longer, the nights are shorter, the sun is brighter than ever along with its newfound heat. Whether it's running down a grassy hill, eating some ice cream cones and drinking sodas, anything to beat the heat.
And in summer, Pokemon seem to be more abundant than ever. As if they weren't already. Summer Form Deerling and Sawsbuck were now present due to their usual season-changing abilities.
Naturally, over at Ponyville, they've already gotten a headstart of things. Thanks to Togekiss and Pikachu helping with an early summer setup, Ponyville was more than prepared for summer.
"Haha!" Rainbow Dash burst through the doors of her home, letting the summer sun dazzle on her. Out of the door, Braviary, Castform and Altaria were with her. Due to it being summer, Castform's cells had already reacted to the heat, transforming him into his Sunny Form. "Summertime! I've been waiting for this more than anything! Let's do all the best stuff there is summer, okay you guys?"
"Braviary!"
"Altaria!"
"Castform!"
"I hear there are some super rare Pokemon during summer. Let's go check it out. Having a 7th partner would be the best!" Rainbow Dash, eager to get out there, flew off with Braviary, Altaria and Castform following her.
Flying-Types, already a very common type, could be seen flying around under the summer sun next to their fellow airborne individuals AKA every other pegasus.
A major bonus for the Flying-Types in summer was that since the heat is so intense, Ice-Types which are super-effective against Flying-Types are less likely to be seen. They can't stand the heat so Trainers usually keep Ice-Types in colder areas or just in their Poke Balls.
And speaking of which, over at the Pokemon House, Zecora, who was currently staying with Fluttershy alongside Team Rocket, for the time being, her Weavile was hiding inside of the Pokemon House to avoid the heat.
"Weavile..." The Sharp Claw Pokemon sighed while hiding in the building, feeling the heat all over him. Zecora was there to tend to her Pokemon. She knew of a way to have Ice-Types live in the heat despite their weakness to it. After all, aside from Fluttershy, Nurse Joy and Pokemon researchers, she's not the only one studying Pokemon deeply.
And speaking of Fluttershy, the pegasus was currently watching Scorbunny and every other Fire-Type Pokemon take in the sunlight by just standing or sitting in one spot. The same goes for Grass-Types. While they share a weakness to Fire like Ice-Types, they can also draw on it for strength.
"What are they doing?" Jessie asked.
"They're taking in the sunlight. Fire-Types and Grass-Types can gain a lot out of the sun, especially during the summer from what I've found out. This way, they can gain energy faster that'll last for months until summer's over.
"Scorbun..."
"Chiko..."
"They'll be doing this a lot for a while. But as an extra benefit, even the tired Fire-Type scan stay awake longer with all of this energy."
"That reminds me. Last night, what was wrong with that Chikorita?" James pointed at Chikorita. "It's been sleepwalking for a while now. Three times in a row."
"Oh, that? Sorry about that. Chikorita tends to do that. I've been keeping an eye on her recently along with her fate-changing leaf. Audino's been doing it before me though."
"Fate changing leaf?" Team Rocket said as their attention had been drawn in.
"Mhm. Chikorita can change fate itself by using the leaf on her head. If something horrible is about to happen, a piece of the leaf comes off and changes the fate of somepony she cares about. But she's not conscious when doing it. Only at night." Fluttershy explained.
"...Huh. A moment!" Jessie whistled as she and Team Rocket moved away from Fluttershy, entering a group huddle. "Do you hear that? A Chikorita that changes fate?"
"Why is it always the twerps and twerpettes that get the special Pokemon...?" James sighed.
"This is a find in a million...!" Meowth exclaimed. "Think about what a Pokemon like that can do for the boss."
"Like what?" Jessie and James asked.
"Picture this."
Meowth's own imagination about Giovanni.
Just imagine the boss, being the go-getter he is as he's venturing out there on his own. If he's out there in some big landscape like a tundra with a blizzard, he's gonna have a hard time getting through. All that snow's gonna push him back to maybe his doom. But then that's where Chikorita comes in.
In Meowth's imagination, Giovanni was wearing some hiking gear while walking through a gigantic tundra with an aggressive blizzard. Within that blizzard, Giovanni gets knocked off the highest peak of the mountain, falling and screaming to what might be his end.
"Chiko!" But out came Chikorita from the imaginary Poke Ball.
Before ya know it, Chikorita's leaf comes off and changes everything. With one tap of that plant and all the care in the world for the boss, that falling to his doom part's gonna be wiped off the face of history.
A tiny leaf left Chikorita's main leaf as it connected with Giovanni's hand. Once it did so, a beautiful bright glow covered Giovanni and Chikorita as in a split second, the two of them were safe, appearing on solid ground and far away from the blizzard.
With that leaf, there ain't gonna be any issues with the boss' more daring activities, no problem. Chikorita's gonna be there for him through and through. And with a failsafe Pokemon like her on his side, the boss will say...
"Thanks to that Meowth and friends for giving me this wonderful fate-changing Chikorita, there's nothing too dangerous or extreme I can't do in this world! I am invincible!"
"Chikorita!"
"Like that." Meowth finished his fantasy.
"Ooh...Mm-mm." Jessie nodded in agreement. "That's something for sure. That's worth all the fortune in the world if you really think about it. Hohohoho!"
"Mm..No." James suddenly intervened as he shook his head in disapproval.
"No?" Surprised by his response, Jessie and Meowth turned to their teammate.
"Fluttershy's been too kind to us. Even after all we've done..." James crossed his arms. "Stealing from her doesn't seem right at all. It just doesn't."
"But James...Special Chikorita...?" Jessie nudged James, trying to convince him. But James made up his mind. He wouldn't steal Chikorita. And when James makes up his mind when it comes to Pokemon he refuses to steal, there's no fighting back against him. "Ugh...Fine. No Chikorita."
"Then who's gonna save the boss all the time?" Meowth sighed.
"Is something wrong, Team Rocket?" Fluttershy asked.
"Oh no!" They broke up their huddle. "Everything's fine and dandy here!"
"Uh...Okay."
"Audino..." Of course, Audino heard everything. Even with all the whispering. But she also heard James convincing his friends not to steal Chikorita so it was all clear and fine for now.
While the Pokemon at the Pokemon House, aside from the Ice-Types, enjoy the heat while some soak it all in for extra energy, elsewhere in Ponyville, some were planning on heading out for summer.
The best spots to head to are Alola and Undella Town. When it comes to summer, they are the de-facto destinations for any relaxation, especially Alola since it's so expansive.
And among the many ponies who wish to get out there for summer were the Dazzlings. More specifically, Sonata since she was the first to be made aware of summer. If anything, this would be their first summertime fun ever.
"Are you excited like me?!" She said with a beaming grin to her sisters. "I kinda knew about this whole summertime fun thing back at the human world but I didn't get the chance to experience it cause...ya know...Adagio."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Adagio narrowed her eyes.
"Ahem! Anyway! What do you wanna do first?!"
"Isn't summer just relaxing under the sun? Can't we just do that?" Aria asked while holding her Popplio.
"Yeah...but getting out there and doing a bunch of crazy stuff sounds much more fun, huh?" Sonata nudged her older sister. "Plus, I'm even planning to bring along some friends!"
"Huh? Friends?" Adagio's head snapped over.
"Yeah. There's Pinkie Pie, Vinyl, Sunset and...that's pretty much it."
"That's it?" Both Adagio and Aria said.
"Well, I haven't really made a ton of friends ever since I got here, ya know. But I'm getting there! Oh! Let's try heading to Undella Town! That place seems pretty neat for summer!"
"As long as Popplio can practice her singing, doesn't matter where we go. What about you, Adagio? You've wanted to train Kricketot for a while now, haven't you?"
"Hm? Yeah-yeah. Kricketot wants to evolve so that he can sing better and all that. Plus, I don't really care for the places we go to. But...beaches are pretty nice to be at..."
"Then Undella it is!" Sonata put her hooves around her sisters. "I'll see if I can bring everypony else along. Maybe Pinkie's gonna be a bit busy but I know Sunset and Vinyl won't mind! We're gonna have a blast!"
"With more company...?" Adagio sighed as she wasn't exactly the biggest fan of this. But, since she's mellowed down and gradually adjusted herself to Ponyville and Equestria overall, she'll stick around to see how this all plays out.
As long as she gets to spend time with her sisters, she'll be lenient towards anything that comes next. Even if it involves other ponies.
Canterlot. Day.
And of course, like everywhere else, Canterlot is ready for summer. Although, they're not as extravagant as Ponyville or anywhere else. Everypony just accepts that summer is here and they'll just go through every fun moment it has to offer.
But, the first pony in Canterlot, or rather residing there for the meantime, was about to experience some true fun in summer. Back in her world, summer wasn't exactly the best time for her considering her circumstances and who she was taking orders from.
Of course, this was Flurry Heart from another world. But, thankfully, some would guide her through summer. Her first summer. Those two being Celestia and Luna. And to an extent, Premium Polish.
Speaking of Luna, during this time, one of her Pokemon would be undergoing a special action during summertime.
"You'll be concealing yourself even more? Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you conceal yourself in the shadows constantly." Luna was currently speaking to Darkrai.
"I do. But summer...us Darkrai' aren't fond of summer. While we can come out in the day before the sunlight, summer's a different story."
"Oh, Darkrai. You're not going to let a little summer sunlight scare you, hm?" Luna teased the Mythical Pokemon with a cheeky nudge and grin. Darkrai grumbled after being teased, knowing he had to accept his constant dislike for sunshine.
"Tch."
But, while Darkrai would stay further concealed in the shadows, much like the Fire-Types at the Pokemon House and essentially everywhere else, Celestia's Arcanine and Premium's Flareon along with Luna's own Fire-Type Pokemon were enjoying the summer sun. And to an extent Luna's Grass-Types.
Drawing energy from the sun was what they needed. This is a Fire-Types favourite time of the year. And the best part, it lasts for months instead of one day.
However, there was one Pokemon in particular who was arguably getting the best out of the sunlight. A Pokemon of Legendary status who was resting and healing in the Canterlot Garden.
Reshiram.
This is what Reshiram needed. His healing was a bit slow but with the sun, that could change. Reshiram is part fire so this was a gigantic benefit for him.
Reshiram's eyes widened as he could feel the solar rays fuel his body. His healing process was being boosted at a breakneck pace, one that was able to bring back a majority of his strength.
And knowing that, Reshiram stood up from the ground at last with his eyes flashing blue. The Vast White Pokemon immediately towered over Canterlot Castle with his rise as everyone's attention was directed towards the Dragon-Fire-Type.
Reshiram, back to at least 40% strength, let out a majestic roar that could be heard far and wide. He also let out a blazing shine from his body by emitting a flaming aura. Reshiram's roar was intimidating at first, but once it was fully heard, it was beautiful to the ears.
Celestia and everypony gawked at Reshiram as the ruler of Equestria quickly flew out of the window to meet with him, face to face.
"Reshiram!" Celestia exclaimed, appearing before the Vast White Pokemon. "You seem better than ever! Are you fully restored now?"
"Princess. Thank you. But not yet. Just near half strength. I'm thankful that summer had arrived, it's a massive benefit for me and other Fire-Type Pokemon. The heat of the summer sun fuels our energy even further and even makes recovering easier."
"Oh." Celestia nodded as she turned to her Arcanine. "Is that why Arcanine is so hyperactive today?"
"Arcanine!"
"Now that I am in a better state, I can assist you in whatever scenarios there are. More specifically, the other worlds."
"About that. Shouldn't you be getting back to your world? To restore the balance."
"With how things are, sadly no. Ghetsis has already taken my world for his own, adding it to his rule. The same goes for other Legendary Pokemon he has captured. Until Ghetsis is defeated and all worlds are freed, I cannot rest or return. This is why I offered to assist you in the first place. I'll gladly fight alongside those working towards a similar goal to mine. A goal that holds truth.
"Ah. Well, if that's the case. Then it's a pleasure to have your assistance, Reshiram." Celestia held her hoof out, trying to shake Reshiram's claw.
While it would seem impossible considering the stark size difference between the two of them, Reshiram was able to actually shake Celestia's hoof by moving his claw forward along with his wing.
"On that topic...There's something I want to test if that's okay with you."
"Hm?"
"Ghetsis...or rather that scientist Colress had planted many spycams across Equestria. Due to all the constant Pokemon battling and the Dynamax Crisis and so on, many if not all of those spycams had been destroyed. But, I've learned that new ones had appeared as of late, proving that they're still spying on us. Ghetsis obviously wants you back, doesn't he?"
"I've read his soul. He would most definitely do anything to retrieve what was taken from him."
"Then...I was thinking that we could draw him in. Since he's searching for you and the second Pokemon that was taken from the airship if he was to ever see you out in the open somewhere..."
"He'll immediately take action and an opportunity to take me back." Reshiram finished her sentence before letting out an approving smile. "I can see what you're planning. It is perilous considering how powerful Ghetsis is but...I can see that you're not lacking in that class, are you?"
"I'll admit. Whenever I'm focusing on plans surrounding Ghetsis, I get a little tense considering my unpleasant experiences with him and Team Plasma, but that's no longer a major fear of mine. I'll do anything to protect my subjects and all of Equestria."
"I see. Then, I shall take part in this plan of yours. There is more to it, isn't there?"
"Oh, there is. Even if we can't bring Ghetsis out, we can always have someone else from Team Plasma. One of which we're aiming to capture is Colress. And for that...I'll need extra assistance for this."
Ponyville, Twilight's lab.
"Pikachu!" Taking in the freshness of the summer air, Pikachu let out a loud and relaxing sigh along with the rest of Ash's Pokemon who were all under Twilight's care at the moment.
As for Twilight herself, she had just recently opened up the door to PokePark, allowing the summer breeze to flow through. One thing that greatly confused Twilight was how an entire region was beyond the door and had been built with the lab. BigTime Ben was the only one with that answer.
Absol, unlike his teammates, chose to sit by instead of getting out there. He was a bit similar to Darkrai only he doesn't hide in the shadows.
"How does a summer party here first sound before we head off to Undella? I wanna try living in those villas for a while." Twilight spoke to her Pokemon and Ash's.
"Pikachu!"
"Espeon!"
But before Twilight and the others could get out there, have a quick party as organized by Togekiss originally and check out Undella Town in the summer, the perfect time to be there, someone was running towards her with important news. News that concerned a very close friend.
That was Delia Ketchum.
"Hm? Mrs Ketchum?" Twilight noticed Delia running up to her from the horizon.
"Pikachu?"
"Pikachu! Twilight!" Delia cried out as she came to a screeching halt by sliding. The summer heat already made her sweat the minute she even tried anything fast-paced as she breathed in and out.
"Mrs Ketchum! What happened?! What's wrong?!"
"You have to come quick! It's Ash!"
As the journey continues.
Chapter 442 End.