So here we go with my first pokemon story. Even if english isn't my native language, I hope you will enjoy my work and leave reviews as constructive as possible. I also took some liberties with the anime's story and I tried to not rewrite things that happened in it. So don't be disappointed if I skip the kiss scene in the airport ;) So let's go !

Chapter 1 : The Awakening of the Renegade

Skies were becoming darker and darker around the Spear Pillar. The highest point of Sinnoh region was now fully hidden beneath a purple and gloomy mist. Pure energy and power were emanating from the Red Chain that was inserted in Cyrus' gloves. The blue haired man was jubilating ! Finally ! After ten years of research, disillusion and disappointment, his new world was here, at hand !

"Everything is ready for the creation of a new world. Now all will end, and all will begin. With this Red Chain created from the power of the Lake Guardians, I will pry open the portal to another dimension."

The Red Chain was now burning more than lava ! Its bloody lights was covering the whole temple, forcing Mars and Jupiter to cover their eyes, but Cyrus didn't bat an eye. He was feeling the Lake Guardians' energy running through his veins and didn't dare to move. A lightning suddenly struck the ground just between the three guardians and two huge forms began to appear in front of Team Galactic's Leader. A wicked smile appeared on his face while he proceeded to the rest of the ritual. He was clearly enjoying the process of becoming a creator, a god.

"By the power of this Red Chain, I order to you to kneel before me. Recognize me as your true master. Dialga, master of time and Palkia, creator of space !"

"It's fantastic!" Charon exclaimed, not realizing one second that he was interrupting his leader. "We are reaching a level of energy able to light up the entire region for the next decade ! It's unbelievable…"

"Shut up old man!" Mars interrupted. "We don't give a damn about your stupid datas ! Can't you just, enjoy the moment?!"

The scientist began to open his mouth to reply but the icy look that Cyrus gave him was way clearer than any world. He focused back on his screen, giving one last murderous glare to Mars who smiled at him sadistically.

"Now Dialga and Palkia, I command you to unleash your power for me!" Cyrus resumed.

"I hope we are not interrupting anything!" A voice shouted from behind.

A grin appeared on the leader's face. Here they were. The three twerps and the champion came for him. They were going to try to stop the beginning of his new world. Not over his dead body !

"What a shame that you are way too late." Mars taunted. "Our new world is at hand and we will never let you stop us!"

"You are crazy!" Brock shouted back. "I admit you that our world isn't perfect, and it will never be. But imagine all the lives that you are going to destroy! You just can't do this!"

"That's right." Cyrus replied coldly. "Billions will die. But next to it, a new world will emerge, better than what came before."

"If you want a better world, why don't you just try to improve this one? There is no need for a slaughter Cyrus!" Cynthia tried to reason him.

"You, among everyone, should know that this world is long lost ! But you are way too indoctrinated to admit that I'm saving mankind by consenting this sacrifice. So I think it's time for me to give you a lesson ! Dialga, show them your power with Roar of Time!"

The blue legendary dragon rose a few feet in the air and the diamond on his chest began to glow. A terrible blue blast left his mouth toward the group as he used his most dangerous attack, able to ruin the course of time itself.

"Garchomp, use Dragon Pulse to protect us!" Cynthia commended.

The ground Dragon quickly fired back a powerful blast which collided with Dialga's attack, stopping it just before it hit the group.

"He can't stop indefinitely attacks from those two beasts." Cynthia warned the group. "Don't forget that they are gods."

"Palkia, use Water Pulse!" Cyrus thundered, quite pissed.

"Pikachu, thunderbolt to intercept it!" Ash shouted.

The incoming wave was stopped by a powerful lighting just in front of the young trainer. "Now Spacial Rend!"

"Disperse, quick!" Dawn yelled.

The purple orb struck the ground just a moment after the group hid behind pillars.

"You are no match for gods!" Cyrus madly sneered, looking pitifully at them.

The madman brutally lost interested in his adversaries : they were nothing to be bothered by anymore. Soon, all of them will become only memories. So he just stood here, admiring his work and his new world that was at hand.

"I've waited so long for this moment, Dialga and Palkia. Shaping this world can only be done by the spiral power of time and space. The very thing you happen to have

the ability to control. With you serving me, I will create and entirely new world. This incomplete and ugly one can now disappear. I am resetting everything to zero.

Nothing shall remain!"

The Team Galactic's Leader rose his fist high in the air and the Red Chain seemed to glow even more.

"We've got to separate him from this chain, it's our only hope." Cynthia whispered.

"Hey!" Ash said. "What is happening behind him ?"

The others looked where the young trainer indicated them, and indeed, a strange dark substance was accumulating in a perfect circle form and Dialga and Palkia didn't seem to have anything to do with it. An aura of darkness was emanating from it and Ash felt a disturbing coldness. Something was coming from this portal. Something evil and angry.

"Oh my god no…"

"You know what it is Cynthia?" Dawn asked.

"Oh yes I know, and I think Cyrus also knows it very well. He has to stop or he is gonna free something far worse than Dialga and Palkia."
Cyrus had also noticed and his face was becoming paler by the seconds. Was it truly possible ? Was he coming for him ?

"Palkia, use Spacial Rend to condemn this portal, now!"

The gigantic dragon obeyed promptly. Soon, the purple attack connected with the dark substance which seemed to Cyrus' horror to absorb it. Two red eyes appeared a the center of the circle.

"Cyrus, you've got to free the Lake Guardians!" Cynthia shouted. "They are the only one who can close the portal!"

"You think I'm stupid?!" He roared angrily. "It will destroy my Red Chain!"

"And it will prevent him from rising again! Please Cyrus I'm begging you!"

Ash looked at the Champion then at his two friends who seemed as lost as he was. What was she talking about ?

"Mars, Jupiter. Free the Guardians." Cyrus ordered.

"What? Master Cyrus, we can't do this!" Mars protested. "Not now! Your… our project is here, at hand!"

"Yes. But you are going to free them. Now."

The two commandant looked at each other, totally lost. What the hell was going on ? But there loyalty to their leader and there trust in him was way to high to disrespect his orders so they did what they were compelled to do. The three little Pokemon rose into the air and placed themselves in a perfect triangle around the dark circle. Observing all the process, Ash risked and eye to the portal. A snake-like head and neck was emerging from it.

"Cynthia, is it a pokemon?" he muttered.

"Oh yes it is, and the most dangerous of them all."

A soft white light emerged from the Guardians, enveloping the dark matter. A loud shriek emanated from the pokemon who retreated back into the portal, but the three legendaries didn't stop there. They continued to send light on the dark circle, destroying it step by step.

"Dialga, Roar of time! Palkia, Spacial Rend!" Cyrus thundered.

The two powerful blast struck on what was left of the circle. There was a terrible explosion and the group was temporally blinded.

"Is everyone alright?" Brock shouted.

"I think I am." Dawn responded.

"Ash and I are here!" Cynthia replied from the other side of the old ruins. "What happened ?"

They ran to Cyrus and his two admins. The Red Chain had lost her color and the five legendaries were nowhere to be seen. It was over. The Team Galactic's Leader knelt in front of the place where his dream stood just a minute ago. And now it was gone.

"You took the right decision, old friend." Cynthia said.

"How dare you call him your friend, you bitch!" Mars shouted, slapping Cynthia in the face in the process.

The Champion was taken off guard by such a sneaky punch and took a few steps back, but Ash had her back. All the rage he had accumulated against team Galactic behavior toward humans and pokemon was freed in one terrible moment.

"Pikachu, thunderbolt!" the young trainer shouted angrily.

The two admins were splattered away by the powerful lightning and finally Cyrus rose from his knees, not even caring about their fate.

"Did I Cynthia? Isn't being absorbed by the Torn World or the Distortion World how you like to call it a far better fate than the slow decline of our kind?"

"The fact that you lost hope in this world and in the people who inhabits it doesn't give you the right to play god and destroy everything" Dawn countered.

If glare could kill, Cyrus would have murdered Dawn right here. Instead of it, he took a deep breath and regained his composure, and took something from his back.

The group was frozen in horror, realizing he was holding a gun and was aiming it at Ash's face.

"So, what do you think kid? One little push and your pathetic and insignificant life is over. Do you think death isn't a better fate than the Torn World?"

Ash's brain was working as fast as he could. He didn't see it coming, and his friends neither. It was clear that Cyrus expected an answer, but as he said, he was just a fourteen kid ! Did he truly want to hear how he wanted to be able to fulfill his dream of becoming a pokemon master ? Or how he missed the friend he had made over his journeys ? How he wished he had the opportunity to visit Alto Mare once more ? Moreover, he didn't know what this torn world thing was. But he was sure of one thing : he trusted the pokemon gods, if he had to die here, to have mercy on him. He had never been very religious but he always tried to act as kindly as possible to people and pokemon in general. And because of it, he knew it. He wasn't afraid!

"Stay away from him." Dawn groaned angrily, getting Ash back to reality in the process.

"Try to move, you or your pokemon and I shoot. I want him to answer me. Now!"

Ash took a deep breath and decided to give Cyrus what he wanted : a honest answer. He was tired of fighting this madman. If this was to end here, then it will end like he had lived.

"I'm not afraid of you Cyrus." Ash replied, defying him with his eye. "I'm not afraid of dying right here. If this is the end, I thank whatever gods may be and I trust Arceus to have mercy on me!"

"So you have faith in gods…" Cyrus muttered, taking a few steps back, as if he had been struck by a lighting. "He will be so disappointed when you will meet him…"

"What do you mean"

"I mean it's over. I failed twerp and war is coming. And none of you can help it."

Cyrus rotated the gun in his hand, aiming it at himself.

"No don't!" Brock shouted.

"Master Cyrus!" Mars shouted, getting back to her feet.

"You saw what is coming from the Torn World Cynthia." Cyrus said. "Soon he will be back. I wish you good luck."

Ash had only enough time to close his eyes. There was a loud detonation and silence fell back on the ruins. Nothing happened during a few seconds and the young trainer finally dared to open his eyes. He first saw Brock on his right who was holding Dawn in his arms, comforting her. Mars and Cynthia were checking Cyrus' body, which was stained with blood drops.

Ash was suddenly taken by a powerful nausea. The coldness he had felt during the opening of the portal to the Torn World overthrew him and he passed out, hearing himself screaming.

Ash suddenly awoke in his bed, sweating profusely. It was the third time he had this nightmare, reliving that night at Mt Coronet. The young trainer sat on his bed, trying to think clear. It had been two years since Cyrus' death at the Spear Pillar and for him, it had been nearly two years without thinking about it until the two last weeks which were filled with terrible memories of Cyrus killing himself right in front him.

"Why now ?" The dark haired boy muttered to himself.

He checked the clock on his right : only 3 a.m. Pikachu was fast asleep at the end of his bed, as Clemont was in his own. Ash finally rose to his feet and went out of the pokemon center : sleep seemed to be something out of reach right now. He hummed in the pale light of the moon and sat down on a bench two blocks away of the pokemon center in the deserted streets of Lumios City. Even two weeks after Cyrus violent death, the nightmares had vanished … Mostly because he had to focus on his eighth gym badge and the Sinnoh League. So why now ? Was it because of his defeat at the end of the Kalos League or the thought of being separated of his friends ?

"It's not like there is a Darkrai at Lumios City chasing me down!" Ash screamed, rather angrily.

The dark haired boy sighed : it was cooler when said in his head.

"Ash are you alright?" a voice stained with concern said behind him.

He jumped and let out a not so masculine scream when he heard Serena's voice.

"Sorry I didn't want to frighten you." The young girl said, terribly embarrassed.

"It's fine … I wasn't excepting you to have insomnia at the same moment as me." Ash replied, trying to make her forgot that he had jumped out of his skin.

"You actually awoke me when leaving the Pokemon Center. You are lucky that Bonnie is a heavy sleeper."

"I suppose I am…"

"So why did you go outside? Is everything alright?"

"Nearly."

"Is it… Is it because our group have to split up, probably for ever, tomorrow?" Serena asked sitting down next to him, trying to mask her own sadness in her voice.

"Oh that ? We are still together for now right? So I try to not think too much about it. No it was because of…" Ash said, trying to phrase it without passing for a coward : he knew his friend won't judge him like that but anyway … Lately being as flawless as possible to her had become something very important to him.

The honey blonde girl remained silent : she knew her friend enough after travelling so much to let him take his time to speak about what had happened.

"I had a nightmare." Ash finally revealed. "About something that happened two years ago."

"Do you want to tell me about it?"

The dark haired boy nodded quietly.

"At this time I travelled with two friends in Sinnoh region. I wanted to be part of the Sinnoh League so I collected the region badges. During this time we came across some kind of sect : they called themselves the Team Galactic."

"I see … Just like Team Flare?"

"Precisely. Their leader, a guy named Cyrus wanted to use the power of Dialga and Palkia, the gods of Space and Time to reshape Sinnoh and the world to his own image."

"What a charming dude … What happened ?"

And then he told her everything. How he and his friends fought Cyrus at the Spear Pillars and how the creature had escaped from the dark hole and finally the death of team galactic Leader.

"Oh my god…" Serena muttered.

"Seems pretty crazy ha?" Ash smiled. "But it wasn't his suicide that frightened me the most. It was the hatred. I don't know how to explain it but the thing that came

from the hole was full of anger and rage. I just … felt it. And Cyrus was terrified, I remember it now … This thing was dangerous enough to frighten a guy who had

clearly completely lost it."

They remained there for a couple of minutes. The silence wasn't as uncomfortable as Ash thought it would be. His friend understood him. He didn't know how, butshe understood. And suddenly she began to laugh. At the beginning she tried to contain it but it was clearly a failure.

"Happy to see my nightmare and fears cheer you up." Ash pouted, sternly.

"Sorry, it's nervous … it's just so much terrible things happens in Sinnoh that it's nearly ridiculous." "What do you mean?"

Serena took a few seconds to regain her composure and looked right into his friend's eyes. "Will you keep a secret for me Ash?

"Of course I will. You just took the time to listen to me. It's only fair for me to do the same."

"Well … You don't know that I was born in Sinnoh, don't you ?"

"What?" Ash replied, clearly taken off guard by her revelation. "I thought you were born in Kalos."

"I came here when I was only two years old you know. I was born in Twin Leaf town : at this time, it was a world-famous spot for Rhyhorn race. Until the incident."

"What incident?"

The boy suddenly realized that his friend was crying. Without thinking of it, he placed his arm around her shoulder and caressed softly her back.

"Thanks Ash." Serena said, trying to give a weak smile under the tears. "It's the first time that I tell this story to someone. It's just … Hard."

"I understand perfectly. Take all the time you need. You can even stop there if you want to."

The young girl smiled at him and looked at the moon. She had taken her decision : she will tell him. If there was someone she can tell … It was clearly him.

"It happened twelve years ago, I was only two years old as I said. I don't have many memories from this period, it's my mother who told me. There was a huge storm outside. In fact, most people thought it was the most terrible hurricane that they had ever seen. A baby named Dawn Belitz and her mother were left outside during the storm. My father tried to help her out with other people … He was struck by a lighting so powerful that he was turned into ashes in less than a second. When my mother learnt it, she tried to go outside to help him, even if it was no use. I suppose people do stupid things for loved one right? Anyway, a tree fell on her leg : it was the end of her career as a racer."

"I never suspected any of this…" Ash said, feeling guilty : even Dawn who he had travelled with never raised the subject.

"Don't blame yourself, how could you know?" Serena chuckled. "And it's alright, I don't have much memories about it to be honest."

"I guess so…" the boy said, relieved she wasn't mad at him. "Your mother and you moved right after that ?"

"Yes, just after my father's burial. My mother wanted to have as much distance as possible between Sinnoh and us. We met four years later at the summer camp. You already know the rest."

Ash silently nodded, registering all the informations he had gained. Serena and him shared a traumatic experience with Sinnoh. She was right : it was ridiculous.

"Serena…" he began softly.

"No please, stay quiet. Tomorrow I will go to Hoenn and you will go back home to Kanto. I want to enjoy the moment. One of our last before a very long time…"

And so he did, just looking at the moon with her while she was resting her head on his shoulder. A soft smile appeared on his lips.

"You know, I think you are wrong. "

"What ? She asked, rising an eyebrow."

"I think we will see each other again very soon. Just a feeling."

The honey blonde girl looked at him quizzically and finally smiled : his confidence was contagious. And so she just smiled, looking at the moon, feeling a great heat in her heart : she had never been that close to confess him how she felt.

A red lighting tore the skies of the Torn World. Energy was running everywhere in the cursed dimension. If someone had witnessed it, he would have probably seen that all this energy was converging at the highest point of the dark dimension, more precisely on what seemed to be a portal. A gigantic snake like pokemon was using a purple beam on it, and right behind it, a man wasn't paying very close attention to his friend progress and was admiring the dead beauty of the place that had been his home for the last twelve years.

He wasn't tall, only 5.6 feet but a menacing and cold aura was emanating from him : something dark. He had short raven hair and iceberg blue eyes. A perfectly cut beard made him look old but he was only 28. He wore a black jacket with white fur attached to the collar. His blue jeans and his rangers seemed to have lived more than one life but he was clearly menacing. Maybe it was because of his eyes, colder than ice, or because of the deadly smile that was paint on his mouth.

Onyx, it was his name, suddenly heard the triumphal scream of his Giratina. He abandoned the contemplation of the Torn World to look at his old friend creation. The portal was now as red as blood.

"Do you think it will work?" he asked mentally to his dragon.

"Honestly ? No. But it's not like we had something else to lose now. Our situation is quite terrible, Onyx."

"I know that. If only that Cyrus bastard didn't close the gateway."

"Stay calm. Now we have our way to come back. And to ask for justice."

A wicked smile appeared on the man's lips. Giratina was right. After twelve years of captivity in the Torn World, they had the opportunity to break free. He couldforget the deception of two years ago, when Giratina was closer than ever to enter the Spear Pillars.

"Plus. Giratina added. Now we know there is the kid. We know that we have a new enemy."

"And that's why we will be very careful. I don't want this twerp to spoil everything. We will begin with him. Then the rest of the plan. And God will finally pay."

"Don't you think Arceus has already approach him?"

"It's a possibility but as arrogant as our enemy is, I think he didn't."

"So it will be clandestinity."

"Until we have localized the sword, yes. Arceus doesn't know what we learnt from Caleb during our exile and I would be very pleased if things stayed that way. Speaking of him, where is he?"

"He returned to the fortress. He can't come back with us, as you know."

"I'm not stupid old friend. I didn't forget the terms of his captivity. We will free him soon enough."

"So, let's proceed to the ritual, will you?"

Onyx nodded quietly and called back his legendary dragon in his pokeball. He took a deep breath and began to chant in a very low voice, in a language forgotten decades ago. The portal turned to a jet black and the course of energy faded slowly, stabilizing the gateway in the process.

"It is time for the payback, God. As I promised, I'm coming back." Onyx muttered, before going through the portal.

New Moon Island wasn't known to be crowed with tourists. Most people, even the sailors of Canalave City didn't know its existence. And the dreadful aura of the Darkrai living there was often enough to sent away the curious. But the legendary pokemon knew something was wrong this time. The man who appeared right in front of him shouldn't be here. He shouldn't be there, disturbing the peace of his territory.

"You are not supposed to be here, Renegade!" Darkrai roared mentally, knowing the man he was speaking to was able to hear it.

"What do we have?" Onyx whispered. "The king of nightmares himself came here, on this land far from every children he could terrorize, juste for me! What an honor!"

"I won't repeat it! Leave this place right now. Go back where you belong!"

"Or what? You will warn Arceus? Please do it. I can't wait to see him again."

"Do you truly think he has time to waste with someone as insignificant as you? It's the final warning Onyx. Leave, or I will destroy you."

"I would like to see you try." the Renegade answered, a devilish smile painted on his face and a pokeball in his hand. "Infernape go!"

The monkey pokemon appeared in a glowing light.

"Trying to use your type advantage? It won't save you! Dark Void!"

A black orb formed into Darkrai's hands, joined above his head. And from it, emerged a thousand of smaller spheres which rushed to Infernape who hadn't moved yet.

"Dig. Quick."

In less than a blink, the monkey was under earth, getting closer of Darkrai.

"Now Mach Punch just under him!"

Infernape burst from under Darkrai, his glowing fist striking the legendary pokemon just under the chin.

"Now go on with flare blitz!"

"Dark Void!"

It was a sneaky move from Darkrai but he had no choice, or to be defeated. And letting Onyx win wasn't even an option. The dark orb hit Inferape at point blank. Even the flames that engulfed him couldn't protect him from the attack and he was put into a deep sleep.

"Now witness the power of Dream Eater!" thundered the master of nightmares.

The attack struck Infernape at full power, koing it instantly.

"You will pay for that! Come to me Giratina!"

Darkrai felt the temperature significantly drop around him and he experienced an emotion that he hadn't felt for years : fear. He couldn't help but think how ironic it was, for the master of nightmares.

The legendary dragon had just materialized behind Onyx, of course in its alternative form. His large black ghostly wings were spread, giving him a more menacing look. His reverse areola was shining like gold on his head. And pure rage was emanating from its eye.

"I'm not letting you win Onyx. Never will I! Dark Pulse!"

A black wave of energy left Darkrai's palm and flew to Giratina.

"Dodge it." Onyx said calmly.

And in a fluid motion, not only did the ghost dragon avoided the attack, but he also happened to get closer of his adversary. Way to close.

"Not good." Darkrai muttered to himself.

"Aurasphere!" Onyx thundered.

Darkrai knew there was no way he could avoid this attack so he only raised his palm, creating and ominous wind which slowed down the powerful orb that was going to him but also blinded Onyx and Giratina for a second. He didn't need more time.

"It's over Onyx! Blizzard!"

The Renegade saw its enemy up in the sky, preparing his deadly attack : if it hit Giratina, he will be doomed for good. But he had one last trick for Darkrai to discover. A trick powerful enough for him to win.

"Giratina, Vengeful Reign."

The dragon rose in the air, reaching the same height as Darkrai. Powerful icy winds were already sweeping the area, weakening it. His wings suddenly began glowing red. The king of nightmares felt the power of his attack go lower and lower, as if Giratina was absorbing it. He prepared himself for the attack. He wasn't disappointed. A rain of red beams struck him everywhere, causing so much pain that he felt like his soul was teared apart from his body.

He violently crashed on the ground, fainting in the process. His last thought was that he had failed : the only man dangerous enough to frighten Arceus was free again. Onyx was back. He passed out after that, without even hearing the powerful roar of Giratina, claiming his victory. He didn't feel neither the pokeball that hit him in the head. The ball moved just twice and then remained still on the ground.

The Renegade picked it up.

"We've got to move. Darkrai's energy will mask ours and Arceus wont be able to track us down, but while the boy is on the lose, I don't want to take any risks."

Giratina mentally nodded and lowered himself on the ground, allowing Onyx to climb on his back. For now, the plan was definitely a success.

Far from New Moon Island, nearly at the exact opposite of Sinnoh, in Celestic town, a woman knelt before an altar, studying it closely. She was almost certain it glowed during a brief second but now it remained as usual. Grey and dusty. She finally sighed and stood up, removing a strand of blond hair from her sight. Whatever had happened here, it was over.

Cynthia went out of the temple that she had studied during the last three months. A new room had been discovered by her grandmother so she had decided to study it : she was pretty frustrated. Even three months later, she had just no clue what was this room's use, or what the painting on the walls meant. She had recognized the Pokemon Regigigas and three forms around it, that wasn't the three other Regis. It wasn't much, after so much hard work.

The glowing of the altar had been like a gift from heaven to break the monotony of her days, but unfortunately, she didn't understand it neither.
But what Cynthia understood very well, was the cold that she was feeling in her skin, despite the fact it was spring and she was wearing an enormous black coat. A strange instinct made her look to the Mt Coronet. Everything seemed peaceful there. She could even see a group of snovers going back to the top of the mountain, fleeing the warming of the season. But something was wrong and she knew it immediately. She knew it because she recognized the dark presence that was back in Sinnoh. She gritted her teeth.

"Onyx."

To be continued in chapter two : To the bottom.