Chapter Nine - The Aftermath

[Oh come now, is that all you've got?] The Ninetails said in a taunting voice as Ash's attack missed once again. They had been fighting for only a few minutes, but Ash was using too much energy in using the attacks, which he wasn't aiming properly.

[Ash!] Pikachu called angrily. [You're wasting your attacks. Unless you aim your attacks are going to be no good!]

[I'm trying Pikachu!] Ash called back, dodging a tail whip attack that had come at him from the Ninetails, who yawned lazily. He took a deep breath and released a flamethrower, but the Ninetails' speed was to much, and she released a fire spin, which swirled around Ash and sealed him in a painfully burning prison.

"Ash!" Misty called the same time that Pikachu called "Pikapi!" While Dr. Wiseman watched on, confused.

Ash shot forward through the flames, eyes glowing brightly, and released a flamethrower, this time hitting the Ninetails hard, sending her flying back.

The Ninetails got up, slightly fased by the attack, and looked up at the panting Rapidash in frount of her. She grinned and reared back. [Prepare to lose!] She called, releasing a flamethrower on the Rapidash.

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Dr. Wiseman was gone now, and Misty and Pikachu were kneeling next to Ash. He had lost. The only reason he wasn't a Caterpie was because Ninetails was stopping to take a breather.

Pikachu sat with his ears lowered beside his trainer. [She can't do this] He said, glancing at the Ninetails. When he got no responce from Misty, he just looked down at the ground.

The Ninetails sighed and walked over to them. [Ok, move aside. I've got a bug to burn] She said with a grin, pushing Pikachu away with her tails and looking down at the unconcious form of Ash. She raised one tail and it began to glow a slight red. She was about to touch Ash's forehead with it when...

"Wait!"

Ninetails groaned and looked back at Misty. [What?!] She said angrily.

Misty looked nervously at Pikachu and Ponyta, who were confused, and then at Ninetails. "I have a proposition to make..."

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"Ash..Ash! Wake up!"

"Wha...?" Ash opened his eyes and saw Ponyta and Pikachu standing above him. He looked himself over. He wasn't a bug, but he was still a Rapidash. [What happened?]

Pikachu looked up at Ponyta before turning back to Ash. [Well, Ninetails was about to use that weird power-thingy to turn you into a bug]

[But then, that human Misty told it to stop] Ponyta butted in.

Pikachu started talking again. [And she and Ninetails came to an agreement]

Ash pushed himself up, worried now. [What do you mean...were's Misty?!]

Pikachu just pointed behind him. When Ash looked back his eyes grew wide. [M-Misty?] He stuttered. He couldn't believe it, Misty was a Rapidash too! She still had her aqua blue eyes, and he flames were the same colour as her hair, with parts of it a darker orange then the others.

Misty smiled sheepishly. [She said you could live if she could turn me into a Rapidash too] She said nervously.

[Only problem is...] Pikachu said. [Is that Ninetails made both on the 'spells' permanint. Your a Rapidash forever Ash]

Ash was shocked for a moment. [Forever?] He said in disbelief. It took a while for it to sink in, but after a while, Ash thought the idea of being a Rapidash wasn't so bad. [We'll be ok, at least we've got eachother, right?] He said to Pikachu, Ponyta and Misty.

[Ya, but one thing] Misty said gloomily. [What are we going to do now?]

Ash looked at the ground for a minute and grinned. [Hmm...] He said thoughtfully.

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"Go Rhydon!"

Ponyta looked up from her graising and her eyes grew wide at the site of the trainer and their rock Pokémon. She neighed an alarm to the other Rapidash and Ponyta, but before they could run, the trainer's Onix had blocked their exit. "You're mine..." He said, preparing to order an attack.

But before he could, a blur came up behind him and attack his Rydone, taking it by surprise. The Rhydon looked back, but whatever it was was too fast, and once again attack from behind.

The trainer stood back away from his Pokémon and it's attacker. "Wh-where'd that Rapidash come from?!"

Ash grinned as he dodged the Rhydon's horn easily. [Come on, is that all you've got?]

[Hey!] Misty called running over towards him. [Leave some action for me] She called ramming into the Rhydon.

Ash smiled and looked over at the Onix. Both Ash and Misty's Pokémon were having a field day, attack the rock Pokémon and chasing it away. After a few minutes both the trainer and his Pokémon were gone, and the herd neighed and cheered.

A few weeks ago, just after Misty had turned into a Rapidash, they had travelled back to Brock. After they explained everything, Brock couldn't believe it. All the same, he was somehow able to explain to Ash's mother what had happened, along with Misty's sisters. Ash and Misty's Pokémon had gone with them to Ponyta's herd, were Ash quickly became leader.

Ash and Misty were the protecters of the herd, fighting off trainers and other herds who challenged them. Ash and Misty's Pokémon gave a helping hand when they were needed most.

Ash was right, they life of a wild Rapidash wasn't so bad. In fact, it was great, apart from the horrible fact that he would never reach his dream of becoming a Pokémon Master. Well, maybe someday they'd find a way to change back, but for now, let the flames burn!

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The End?

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Voila! The end! Or is it... There may be a sequel, but then again, maybe not. Whatcha think? Was it good, or was it bad? Please review and let me know. This was a fun story to write and I hope you found it fun to read. Slán for now!
Bay Bay!
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