Ash easily defeated the Tyranitar that knew only mindless destruction. Just as he was about to catch up with Misty and the others, an Ursaring blocked his path. It was a mother bear, with a cute Teddiursa following close behind.
"What is it?"
Ash sensed no malice from her. She looked at him once and then turned to walk away.
She wants me to follow?
Ash recalled Typhlosion, which had reverted from its sphere state, and followed the bear. He soon realized that the Pokémon of the forest were all waiting for him along the pathSentret, Stantler, Bellossom, Beedrill, Ariados...
Led by these Pokémon, Ash soon reached a serene, hidden lake.
"Oh? You're all here?"
Indeed, Misty, Brock, Molly, and Sam were already there.
"Big brother Ash!" Molly was the first to pounce, hugging his leg and jumping with joy.
Meganium followed close behind, rubbing its face against Ash's cheek. He patted its neck gently. "Looks like you dealt with the pursuers. Good job."
"Misty, what happened to your foot?" Ash noticed immediately that Misty was leaning against Meganium's back.
"I twisted my ankle, hehe," Misty said, sticking out her tongue sheepishly.
Ash helped her down and looked at the lake. "This must be the Lake of Life that Mr. White and Towa mentioned. The Pokémon brought us here for a reason. Sam, let go of Celebi..."
Sam had been holding Celebi, but after the effects of the Revival Herb began to fade, the Mythical Pokémon's spirit was flagging again. A single herb clearly wasn't enough for a Mythical beast.
Blue light shone in Ash's eyes as he used Aura to lift Celebi and gently place it into the Lake of Life. The forest Pokémon gathered at the water's edge, offering their silent prayers for the recovery of the Voice of the Forest.
Soon, Celebi's body began to glow with a brilliant radiance. It started swimming through the water, faster and faster, its joyful emotions projecting to everyone present.
"Celebi looks so happy!" Misty and Molly cheered.
Celebi flew out of the water, its injuries completely healed. it circled Ash once before tapping Misty's foot with a tiny finger.
"It doesn't hurt anymore!" Misty hopped on one foot, testing it. The injury was gone.
However, before they could celebrate, a blood-red mechanical claw shot out from the foliage, snatching Celebi out of the air. Vicious had appeared out of nowhere!
"Dammit!" Ash cursed. Celebi's recovery had caused even him to relax for a split second, giving Vicious the opening he needed.
"Vicious, don't push your luck!"
Enraged, Ash charged forward with Pikachu, Meganium following suit.
"Meganium, Petal Dance!"
"Typhlosion, Eruption!"
The falling petals actually seemed to enhance the intensity of the flames. A terrifying ball of fire hurtled toward Vicious's mechanical spider.
Vicious didn't even flinch. He tossed out a Dark Ball. The evil Tyranitar reappeared to block the attack. Even though the fire pillar was horrifyingly powerful and left the Tyranitar heavily wounded, its sacrifice gave Vicious the time he needed.
He threw an empty Dark Ball at the newly captured Celebi. The dark sphere crackled with purple-black lightning as the evil modification process began.
Ash was the first to reach the machine, leaping onto the mechanical spider. He was burning with fury. "Vicious, you're dead!"
Ash threw a heavy punch straight at Vicious's masked face. His fist was coated in Aurait looked almost like it was hardened with Armament Haki. The blow sent Vicious flying off the machine, his face instantly swelling.
Falling to the ground, Vicious didn't seem to care about the pain. His twisted eyes behind the mask were filled with hatred and insane glee as he stared at Ash.
He laughed maniacally. "It's done! I finally have the strongest Pokémon!"
The conversion was complete. Vicious released Celebi from the Dark Ball.
This Celebi was shrouded in a dark, murky aura. Its eyes were sunken with heavy dark circles, looking terrifyingly cold. It floated there, motionless.
The forest Pokémon gathered around, trying to wake Celebi, trying to move against Vicious.
But Vicious feared nothing. "What do you think you're doing? You want to save this Celebi?" He laughed hideously. "I'll make you realize that the Celebi you knew no longer exists! Celebi, take them out!"
Celebi looked up. Its pupils shrunk to tiny dots, and all light vanished from its eyesjust like Tyranitar and the others. A massive psychic wave erupted, blowing back every Pokémon in the vicinity. Only Ash remained standing.
"Don't get too ahead of yourself!" Ash snapped.
[Typhlosion: Level 25]
"Hooo!"
Responding to Ash's rage, Typhlosion's bond value hit its peak. Sensing the power surging through its body, it let out a thunderous roar. Flames to burn the heavensthis was Typhlosion's true power!
The fireball enveloped it again before shattering, forming a literal cloak of living fire. Flames of fighting spirit even burned upon its hands. It grew larger, reaching a height of 2.4 meters. A heatwave rolled off it as it glared at Vicious with eyes full of righteous fury.
Name: Ash-Typhlosion
Type: Fire
Ability: Flash Fire (Absorbs Fire moves to power up its own) / Berserk (Special Attack increases when damaged)
Moves: Eruption, Flame Charge, Lava Plume, Quick Attack, Flamethrower, Inferno, Solar Beam, Laser Focus.
"What is this? Some kind of evolution?" Vicious gasped, though his shock was short-lived. "No matter how special you are, I have the strongest Pokémon! Celebi, finish it!"
Ash's heart sank. Vicious was a pathetic Trainer. His commands were always just "finish it" or "destroy it," providing no tactical direction and leaving the Pokémon to act on instinct. Such a man was like a child with a cannoncompletely out of control.
Sure enough, Celebi charged forward. A massive psychic impact surged out, intending to blast Typhlosion away.
"Eruption!"
Typhlosion's eyes were ablaze with actual fire. A wave of overwhelming heat tore through the psychic energy and slammed into Celebi.
However, Celebi began to change as well. Countless vines and trees from the forest began to converge under its control, forming a massive sphere of wood that shielded it.
Then, the sphere transformed into a colossal, wooden monster. Perhaps this was the true, terrifying form of an evil Celebi.
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/kleinmoretti to access 100+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).