Red

I have the strangest feeling when I saw the live battle footage. I knew that Ash wouldn't back down on a Pokémon battle, but this seems different somehow. 

The boy that Ash is competing against... it's like I've met him before.

"Red, do you know where Ash is?" Serena asks me, which shook me by surprise of her appearance.

"Ser, don't scare me that!" I yelped. She was in total embarrassment of what she done, and I can see why my brother has a thing for her.

"Uh, I really don't know where Ash went, per say. Maybe Ash has something to do." I replied.

But I knew that if I told Serena that Ash is having a Pokémon battle, Ash wouldn't like it if she would get involved, and knowing him, that's one of his biggest fears that his friends would be in danger that he would regret it for the rest of his life.

"Oh, ok, I guess. I'll ask someone else then. I'll see you around, then?" She asks as she left me.

I sighed as I saw Gary who also is watching the live Battle showdown.

"Oh, man. I never been so nervous about watching a battle." He said, as I listen into his conversation with Professor Oak.

"Gary, you have to remain calm. You know that Ash will be fine. He's a Pokémon Guardian after all." Professor Oak reassures his grandnephew.

"I know, Grandpa, but I really wish that I can support him, you know. I felt so helpless just watching the battle going on while we are still in the base!" Gary groans.

As I got the vision screen closer, my eyes grew widen as I now recognize who he was.

"No... it can't." I said.

Ash 

It was the moment that I wished that never happen again. The one closest to me is been mipluated by evil dark forces and I have to save them.

"Get ready, little brother, I'm not going to make it easy on you. I will save you from Giovanni's dark source and you'll come back to me!" 

Roma chuckled evilly, "I really don't know what you're talking about, Ash, but I say let's get this battle started shall we?"

I flex my wrists, knowing it wasn't really Roma who was acting this way. Pikachu notices this as he said, "Ash, calm down. We'll get Roma back and we'll show Team Rocket that we meant business!" 

I nodded, "Ok, let's do this! Charizard, I choose you!" 

Charizard came out, roaring in triumph as the ground shakes.

Roma said, "A Charizard, huh? Pretty phatic, don't you think?"

 "Charizard has a lot of stuff that you don't know. He's one of the strongest Pokémon I got before I became a Guardian."

"Hm, Let's see you can handle this Pokémon. Lycanroc, come on out!" 

A brown Pokémon wolf appears in front of us and was waiting for his master's commands.

"Whoa. I never seen that Pokémon before." 

I took out my Pokegear to catch information about the newest Pokémon I've seen before me.

"Lycanroc. The Alohan form Pokémon. Lycanroc is a camion form, resembles much like a wolf. It has three forms, Midday, Midnight and Dusk. "

I asked, "I didn't expect that you own an Aloha Pokémon in your team. I got to admit, Roma, I'm actually got jealous of you. Since when?"

"Let's just say that I gotten stronger." Roma jeered.

Red

I can't believe it. Roma... is alive. I haven't heard from him for a long time, but I can tell that something is off about it. 

I guess that Ash knew this as well, but why now? Why are fighting? I couldn't remember what exactly happened to Roma when we were little, but he has grown into a Trainer like the rest of us.

"Roma..." I said, looking at the battle. I hate of not helping Ash when he needs it the most. 

When I was controlled by Lysandre, he was so determined to save me, without anyone stopping him.

That is exactly I'm going to do, with or without Serena's help.

As I run past the others, Clement and the others are trying to catch up to me.

Clement said, "Whoa, Red, what's gotten into you? I never seen you act like this before. Is this something to do with your brother that Ser doesn't know about?"

I remained silent as I continue to run to find Ash. 

Gary seems to realize of what I was capable of doing, he asked, "You finally remember him, don't you? And you decided to help Ash out aren't you?"

May ask, "Gary, what you mean by telling Red you remember him? And what's this thing you want to know about Ash?"

I flex my wrists as I grabbed my Pokegear out for everyone to see. Everyone gaps at the scene before them.

Dawn said, "I- I can't believe it. Ash has been challenged to a battle!" 

Clement pulls up his glasses closer to his face, "Yeah, but who is the Trainer that Ash is competing against?

I never seen him before, and in top of that, Ash seems so determined, more than he did when the Kalos League started and got into the Top 2 finals."

I said, "I... I know who it is, but I can't talk about it. It's my fault and Ash's." 

Gary touches my shoulder, "Red... it's all right. Ash is trying to do his best right now. I know the truth about you." 

I gasped in shock, "How? Ash never told anyone about-" 

"Actually, Grandad told me of your family resemblance, but I never imagine he was an older brother, considering he's well... Ash." 

I laugh, "Well, Ash has secrets, even with battling. I have to get there somehow."

Clement said, "Well, I have a solution. Clemotic gear on!"

Everyone looks at his invention. "I knew that we might encounter dangerous, so I figured we can track his powers with this. I call it "Ash Power Finder." With this, we might catch up to him in a flash."

Gary said, "As I recall from Serena, your inventions are impressive, but they intend to blow up in the end."

I said, "How can this be any more different? Science is so amazing!"   

We followed the invention, and we were in a shock to see Bonnie, Brock and Jessie were surrounded by a group of goons.

When Bonnie saw us, she said, sarcastically, "Oh, nice of you guys to drop in!" 

Max asks, "Why is Jessie here?!? Is she trying to get Ash's Pikachu again for Team Rocket? And why Team Rocket's men are surrounding you guys?"

A blue Shurkian appears out of nowhere and Clement asks, "Greninja? What is going on?"

"We're kind of busy at the moment, but if you guys want to help, now's the time!" Brock said.

"Charizard, use Dragon Claw!" I said, releasing my Charizard from the Pokeball. 

Charizard's attack was powerful enough for the Team Rocket's goons to run in fear.

"We have to find Ash now! I don't know how long he can handle this battle." I said.

We run as fast we could to the battlefield.

Ash

Roma chuckles, "Let's go. Lycanroc, use Rock Slide!" 

I yelled, "Charizard, dodge it and use Thunder Punch!" 

Both Pokémon uses the attacks at the same moment, and I can feel the aura between two Pokémon, just like when I was when I was in the Top 2 finals in the final showdown between Alain and me in the Kalos League.

Roma said, "Feel any weaker, brother?"

"Not a bit, Roma. I know you can bring up the pressure, just to give me time to counter attack. Use Flamethrower, now on Lycanroc!"

Charizard's flamethrower blast so intense that Roma has to cover his eyes, but he wasn't going to give up that easily.

As the dusk clears, I saw that Lycanroc was still up, waiting for his master's commands.

"Charizard, can you still go on?" I ask my oldest friend. 

"Yeah, Ash."  He said, giving me a thumbs up. 

I stare at Roma, who was looking at me with evil grin. 

"I have to admit, Roma, I thought that attack would finish your Lycanroc, but it looks like it didn't take a lot of damage." I said, complimenting my admire of the Alohan Pokémon.

Roma chuckles, "Lycanroc and I been through so much together that damage couldn't tear us apart, that is what I believe." 

"Roma, being a Trainer and partner is a bond that can't be more than desire to become stronger. What makes us stronger together is being surrounded by friends you've made. 

All my Journeys as a Trainer taught me all people and Pokémon have their unique bond between them, focusing on what they want to accomplish in their lives." 

Roma's eyes starts to tear up, as if he was trying to fight the darkness within him.

"Ash, look! I think Roma's trying to fight Giovanni's control!"  Pikachu exclaims.

"Charizard, return!" I yelled out, as I exchanged my Pokémon. 

I pulled Latias out, which gave Pikachu confused of why I picked her.

"What you intend to do, Ash?"  He asks me. 

I replied, "Remember how I was able to get Red out of Lysandre's mind control back at Prism Tower?" 

The little mouse Pokémon nods, "How can I forget? I was..."  He suddenly realize where I was going with this.

"Ash! You can't be serious! You passed out during that attack and Red almost destroyed you along with it!"

"Pikachu, I have to. Although, I never tried it with another Pokémon, like Latias, but I think we can use Mega Evolution." 

I pulled out the Latiasinte Mega and Key Stone.

As I was about Mega Evolve Latias, doors bursts in and reveals the gang who was in total shock.

"Ash! Roma!" Red yelled.

Author's note:

What will happen next? Find out soon! - Jan