Groudon, who was still in his 'Primal' form, began to glow as rocks shot out from its body, covered in lava. The rocks rained down onto Ash and Serena, as well as their Pokemon. 

"Greninja, cut them all down!" Ash warned Greninja, who reacted to Ash's urgency swiftly, cutting down the rocks that began to fall. Ash turned and crashed into Serena, taking her onto the ground just as a rock exploded where she was standing, her Pokemon flying back from the force. As soon as the smoke cleared, a large hole was left in the ground, leading deep into the ground.

"Kyogre, crush them!" The Boss had finally made it back to the shore, on top of Primal Kyogre, who listened to his command. "Meowstic, psychic"

Meowstic kept The Boss and itself steady as Kyogre leapt into the air, blue beams glowing around the rings on the legendary Pokemon's body. The beams sudden shot outwards, towards Ash and Serena. 

"Watch out Ash!" Serena warned, both of them still on the ground. 

Ash instantly picked himself up and turned Serena away, using his own back as a shield. "Pikachu, thunderbolt!" 

"PIKAAAAAAAAAAAAAA CHUUUUUUUUUUU!" Pikachu exclaimed as the electrical energy shot out from his body, straight into one of the beams. The force was enough to cause an explosion, protecting Ash and Serena, but the other beams hit each of their Pokemon, causing Sylveon and Delphox to faint. Pikachu, having not taken any other hits, slowly rose back to his feet. Ash-Greninja was hurt by the beam and this affected Ash, but only for a moment.

"Are you okay?" Serena asked Ash, who nodded.

"It's just the hit on Greninja, I'm fine" Ash stood up and turned to face Team Shadow's Boss. "You think you can win so easily?"

"Of course" he chuckled in reply. "I have a few tricks up my sleeve" 

"Greninja, Pikachu, you both ready to go?" Ash turned his head to both of his Pokemon. 

"Pika" Pikachu nodded and so did Greninja.

"Pikachu, get on Greninja's shoulder," Ash told Pikachu, before turning back to The Boss. "I can clearly see that the machines on the boat are not needed to control Groudon and Kyogre. So all I have to do is find a different way!"

"There is no way, stupid boy. Destroy him quickly!" The Boss pointed at Ash and both Ground and Kyogre turned to him. Serena stayed on the floor, staring at both of her fainted Pokemon with shock.

I am such a useless trainer...How can I ever help Ash if all I do is cause trouble for my Pokemon? She thought, not even paying attention to the battle. 

"Greninja, aerial ace, target Groudon!" Ash yelled before the legendary Pokemon could make their moves. 

Greninja swiftly leapt up, his feet and hands glowing white. Pikachu carefully stayed on Greninja's shoulder as they advanced up to Groudon, soaring through the sky towards the legs of one-third of the weather trio. 

"Now, Pikachu, iron tail!" Ash turned his focus to Kyogre, who was ignoring Ash's Pokemon and moving towards Ash himself. 

"Don't think we won't retaliate against you as well as your Pokemon!" The Boss shouted as Kyogre opened up his mouth, a huge jet of water shooting out at Ash.

"I remember what you did last year, don't think I am stupid!" Ash said as he rolled out of the way, the jet of water shooting right past him.

Meanwhile, Pikachu had leapt off of Greninja, swinging towards the stomach of Groudon. With one swift movement, Pikachu's tail became metal and he slammed it against Groudon, while Greninja smashed his feet into the right leg of Groudon. The combined force caused Groudon to lose some balance and Greninja continued, moving around Groudon with ease and slamming as many hits as possible into its legs. 

However, during this, Groudon began to glow once more, the lava around its body glowing even more than before. Seconds later, the ground became covered in lava and sharp pillars of stone, also filled with lava rose from the ground. All of them connected into Ash-Greninja, causing explosions with each hit. Ash-Greninja rocketed back towards Ash because of these explosions, tumbling next to his trainer. Ash felt the pain almost instantly, clutching his left arm and dropping to one knee, grimacing.

"Who would have thought your strongest offence would become your weakest defence, such a pity" The Boss sighed and then turned away as Kyogre began to glow. "Finish them!"

Kyogre fired off another round of blue beams, but only at Ash and Ash-Greninja. Suddenly, Pikachu came hurtling towards them with a quick attack of his own accord, ignoring Groudon. Pikachu leapt into the air, his tail turning metal. At the same time, an electro ball formed at the end of his tail. Pikachu spun and launched the electro ball at one beam, before using the momentum of the spin to do a full three-sixty, slamming his tail into the other beam like a sword blocking it. 

"Thanks, Pikachu!" Ash shouted before the beams faded. Although Pikachu had blocked both of them successfully, the power was too much and Ash's Pokemon dropped down from the air, landing in Ash's waiting arms. "Are you okay?"

"Pika..." Pikachu replied weakly. 

"It's okay, just stay here," Ash said, putting down Pikachu behind him. He instantly knew he needed some more help. Ash put his hand into his pocket and clutched onto the mega stone, taking two Pokeballs into the other hand. "Charizard, Sceptile I need your help!" 

Charizard came out with a giant roar, while Sceptile landed on the opposite side, in a combat ready stance. 

"Some more Pokemon for us to destroy, Kyogre!" The Boss was fascinated by Ash, who had the same look as he always had, one that he had when he was stacked against the odds over one year ago. The odd smile that Ash pulled when he was preparing to battle with everything. 

"Sceptile, mega-evolve!" Ash called out, holding his stone. It connected with the mega-stone positioned around Sceptile's neck and Sceptile began to change shape, becoming Mega Sceptile. "Now, Charizard, flamethrower on Groudon!" 

"Kyogre, take out his Charizard!" The Boss wanted to stop Charizard while Groudon still seemed to be slightly off balance, but Ash was waiting for this, his smile turning into a grin.

"Sceptile, leaf blade and Pikachu, thunderbolt on Kyogre!" Ash called out and both of his Pokemon instantly complied. 

Sceptile jumped into the air to meet the leaping Kyogre, who was preparing the same attack as before on Charizard. Sceptile's arms began to glow green as the mega-evolved Pokemon reached Kyogre, slashing across Kyogre's sides with ease. 

"PIKAAAAAAAAAAA CHUUUUUUUU!" Pikachu came leaping up on cue, firing the thunderbolt at Kyogre. The electricity also shocked The Boss, causing him to fall back into the water with his Meowstic, who suspended them both over the water just in time with a psychic. 

While this was happening, Charizard was flying around Groudon, firing a flamethrower continuously. There wasn't much damage being done and Ash could see this, but he was keeping the two at bay.

"Where the hell are the others?" Ash murmured to himself.

"Ash?" Serena finally spoke up, having returned her Pokemon.

"Are you okay?" Ash didn't even turn around, but he knew Serena was just behind him. "Greninja water shuriken, Pikachu quick attack into an iron tail and Charizard, dragon tail on Groudon!"

"I...I am sorry I can't help. I feel so useless" Ash turned around as Serena spoke. The tears on her face made his expression soften.

"It's okay, Serena. As long as you are beside me then we can get through this. Okay?" Ash put an arm around Serena and held her close to him. She nodded after a moment and then Ash released her. "Do you have any idea of where the others might have gone?"

"Maybe they got captured?" Serena wiped the tears from her eyes and thought about their whereabouts with a clear mind.

"God damn it" Ash cursed, before turning to his Pokemon, who were charging Groudon. 

Greninja had launched the water shuriken at Groudon, the large shuriken smashing into Groudon with immense force. 

Just as it hit, Pikachu leapt into the air, being carried upwards from the momentum of his quick attack. Then, Pikachu flicked his tail, which became coated in iron. Pikachu span and slammed his tail against Groudon like a baseball bat hitting a baseball, causing a huge eruption of force. 

Simultaneously, on the other side of Groudon's body, Charizard's tail became surrounded in a purple aura and Charizard slammed it into Groudon. The force of all three moves caused the weather trio Pokemon to stumble back, crashing into a few railings and destroying another piece of the road behind them. 

Using the distraction wisely, Kyogre had already fired off a hydro pump and the unsuspecting Ash, who was focusing on Groudon. However, Serena noticed this and she knocked Ash out of the way, taking the hit herself. Serena screamed out in pain as she flew across the ground, bouncing once, before landing several feet from her original position. 

"Serena!" Ash called out, instantly rushing towards her, a vital mistake in his battle. 

Just as he started running, another hydro pump came flying from Kyogre, slamming into Ash successfully this time. He didn't notice the hit, falling flat on his face and only moving a few inches from the ground. Blood began to drip from the side of his head and Ash felt very faint, his ears ringing. 

"It seems you are in a bit of a pickle" The Boss laughed as he climbed back onto Kyogre once more. "I am sure you also love a good plot twist, so how about it?" 

"Serena..." Ash called out weakly, still feeling a little faint. His Pokemon continued to fight Groudon on their own, since Groudon had decided to retaliate against the three of them. Sceptile stayed next to Ash, waiting for any call outs from Ash. 

"Ah yes, your dear Serena. Get up" The Boss called out, his voice cold. 

There was a moment of silence as everyone turned to Serena, who was still on the floor. Even the fighting stopped as Serena pushed herself onto her feet. As soon as she moved her hair from her face, Serena's eyes were red. Ash felt fear fill his entire body and he froze, completely paralysed. Although he knew it was going to happen, he didn't want it to happen now.

"Please, not now..." he murmured, trying to get up.

During these events, Groudon used the distraction efficiently, sharp stones shooting from the ground around Ash's Pokemon from out of nowhere, causing a gigantic explosion around each of the Pokemon, sending them all flying into the air and back down onto the floor. With all of Ash's Pokemon down, he suddenly felt helpless as he watched Serena stare blankly with her red eyes.

"Serena, you see that large hole over there? Please stand on the edge for me" The Boss's words sent chills down Ash's spine. Even more were sent down his spine as Serena complied without question, standing over the large hole Groudon had created. "That's maybe a twenty-foot or more drop. Now, Ash. I will give you a choice. It is quite similar to the one you had to make one year ago. All of your Pokemon and their lives, or Serena's. Make it quick" 

Ash immediately ran over to Serena and grasped onto her arms, refusing to let go. 

"I refuse to choose anyone, but there is no way I am about to let you make Serena jump into this hole!" Ash was ignoring the throbbing pain in his head, blood dripping onto the floor still.

"That's such a pity, because you need to make a choice. I'll give you a few minutes to consider your options. We have all night, after all" The Boss cackled manically and then sat down on Kyogre, patiently waiting for Ash and his decision.

Something that Ash was not prepared to make, the events of last year playing in his head all over again.