@Scytherwolf; @Soups;

Episode 109c: Great Bowls of Fire (part 3)

Previously, on "Pokemon Moonlight Silver...

Once sure his master and the Pikachu were safely aboard, Blaze soared off, allowing Ash a clear and safe vantage point to see the enraged Dragonite. "Metheris, listen to me!" Ash pleaded. "Can you hear the cries of the wild Pokémon around you? Please...don't hurt innocent Pokemon!"

"Ash...Metheris likely entered the berserk state in response to something terrible, so she likely won't listen to reason." Kaburagi cautioned.

"That reminds me..." Kamon sighed. "I confess...I was the one that tried to take the Prayer Flame and caused this whole mess. If there's anything I can do to make amends, I will do it."

"We'll discuss that as soon as we calm Metheris." Clair replied as Kaburagi hurried off to help Michelle repair the shrine. That is, if there even is a way to stop Metheris' rampage...what if even the Swanna Song isn't enough?

Meanwhile, Blaze and Metheris stared each other down as they hovered over the lake. Finally, Blaze opened with a Flamethrower, knocking Metheris into the water with a huge splash. Metheris, however, emerged unharmed.

[Ash!] Minerva gasped as she spotted Metheris about to fire a Hyper Beam at Ash. She quickly formed a sparkling silver shield around Ash, making the orange beam bounce off of it with an explosion.

"Thanks, Minerva." Ash smiled as he hugged the Dragonair. "I would've been roast Psyduck had you not intervened."

Clair arrives and heaved a relieved sigh when she saw Ash was none the worse for wear. "Ash...would you be willing to help me try to stop Metheris?"

"Sure." Ash replied. "Tell me what you want to do, and I'll do it."

Clair nodded, then called "Minerva, use Bind to cut Metheris off!"

Minerva complied by wrapping the huge Dragonite in a shining blue rope. "Okay, when I give the word, ask Blaze to use Flamethrower alongside Minerva's Hyper Beam." Clair instructed as Metheris struggled to get free.

"Hear that, Blaze? When Clair gives the signal, use the most powerful Flamethrower you can." Ash instructed his faithful Charizard.

[Got it!] Blaze replied, charging a ball of flame as he waited for the signal.

A few tense minutes passed before Metheris finally shattered her shining binding. "NOW!" Clair called.

Ash watched in horror as even the combined Flamethrower and Hyper Beam failed to even make a scratch on the enraged Dragonite. "We have to try a new plan!" he called as he watched Minerva move in for a second attempt at a Hyper Beam.

[Any ideas, bud?] Blaze asked as Metheris blocked Minerva's attack.

"Try to pick her up with Seismic Toss!" Ash suggested.

He gasped in horror as Metheris dodged the attack, picked up Blaze, and hurled him into the woods! [I'm okay...I had the bushes to cushion my fall.] Blaze reported as he shook some burs off of him.

"That's good." Ash was equally relieved. "Maybe if engaging on the ground isn't working, we should try an aerial assault!"

[Great idea!] Blaze agreed before soaring into the sky.

Clair watched as Blaze returned to the air. Metheris is too powerful for any one attack to work...we'll need to combine our power somehow...

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"Okay, Minerva--summon some thunderclouds while Blaze distracts Metheris." Clair called.

She braced herself as Metheris unleashed another Twister. "We're okay, but that attack is making it harder for Charla to fly." Liza explained as the balloon, now carrying Ethan, Lyra, Brock, Misty and the evacuated wild Pokémon, landed near Clair's and Ash's position.

Misty smiled as a thunderbolt jolted Metheris. "Clair, what a great idea!"

[HAAAAAAAAAH!!!] Tintri cried as he unleashed a huge Thunder attack, pinning the huge Pokémon down.

Ash noticed Metheris attempting to charge a Hyper Beam. "Blaze, try to contain Metheris' attack with Fire Spin!"

Misty watched in shock as Blaze created the flaming tornado. "No way...the energy of the Hyper Beam was reflected, turning Metheris' attack back onto her!"

Ethan gasped as he saw Metheris attempting another Hyper Beam. "Hit the dirt!"

Everyone dove for cover as the combined attacks exploded in Metheris' face, sending her plummeting into the water.

"Is it over?" Brock asked some moments later. "Has Metheris been calmed?" he asked as the group uneasily looked out over the lake.

Minutes seemed to tick by like hours as the group reunited by the lake, watching and waiting to see what would happen when--or even if--Metheris emerged.

Finally, Metheris emerged from the lake with a huge swoosh, her eyes burning red from berserk fury. "This is it--we're gonna be dragon food!" Lyra worried as the group braced themselves for the Dragonites next attack.

Gatrandis favel, secret, edena.... Ash's voice rang over the lake. Emusto ronzen fine el balaziis...
Katoradis favel siicletu edena...
Emusto koron sen fine, si...

As Misty hurried to keep Ash from falling in the water, the others heaved sighs of relief as Metheris' eyes returned to their normal color.

She gasped in horror as the swatches of charred grass, scorched bushes, charred trees, and the shrine Kaburagi was repairing. [What have I done...] she gasped as huge tears welled up in her eyes. [It's hopeless...I've failed the very land I was supposed to protect!]

[There there...] Minerva assured the sobbing Dragonite. [This isn't your fault...]

Misty eyed Kamon as the other Pokemon did their best to console Metheris. "If you truly meant that you're sorry, you should start by leaving here, returning to New Bark Town, and telling Prof. Elm you're sorry for trying to take Dundee."

"If and when you do return here, it should be as a trainer that loves and respects their Pokemon as companions." Kaburagi added.

"Okay..." Kamon replied. "I will travel on my own to redeem myself. If anyone does decide to come with me, great."

He offered Ash the Dragon Fang. "Here, Wonder Boy...can you put this back where it belongs?"

"Sure." Ash replied as he followed Brock into the newly repaired Dragon Shrine, where Brock was watching Raquel screw the censer holding the Prayer Flame back in place.

[There...now the Flame can't be knocked over or picked up.] Raquel reported as she admired her handiwork.

"I only told Clair and Kaburagi how to pick it up, in the event it needs to be moved." Brock replied as he watched Ash set the Dragon Fang back in place. "Arceus willing it won't have to be moved for a good, long while."

Ash met Clair as he and Brock emerged from the shrine. "Clair...since our first match was interrupted by this mess, can we start over?"

"Of course--Minerva should have this place healed by morning." Clair replied. "We'll have the match in the Gym, for safety reasons."

[Good luck, Ash--you've got me and the whole tribe cheering for you!] Blaze purred as he gave his master a fistbump...

To Be Continued...