In the Pokemon Center...
''That was an even better battle than the last one, Ash!'' May exclaimed. Ash had just walked into the Pokemon Center to heal his two Pokemon. After the Nurse Joy had healed them, he walked over to the small group.
''Thanks. Coiler even found a Dawn Stone.'' Ash said, taking out the odd item.
''Did someone say Dawn?'' a female voice asked. Dawn herself walked in, followed by Paul.
''Hey, guys!'' May said. She recognized Dawn, and knew a little about Paul.
''Ash, you better be ready, because, when I get the chance, you're going down. I always beat you, and this time won't be any different.'' Paul said harshly, not caring if Ash's morale went down from the insulting truth. In fact, he was hoping it would demoralize Ash. No such luck. The insult seemed to pass right over Ash.
''Nice to see you too, Paul.'' Ash said sarcastically, pocketing his Dawn Stone. ''Why does it seem like all my friends and rivals from over the years suddenly seem to be popping p randomly here? I mean, first May and Drew, and now you and Dawn.''
Ash's Dual Ball popped open, and his Bloomanther and Petim came out. He facepalmed himself, and Dawn squealed.
''They're so cute! And they look so strong!'' Dawn said, walking quickly over to the Grass-Type duo.
''Bloomanther!'' Bloomanther said softly, in a voice similar to a Charmander's. Ironically, their names sound similar as well. I swear that I didn't mean for that irony when I created the Petim chain.
''Return, you two.'' Ash said. The two Pokemon obeyed, the red beam of light sucking them back into their Pokeball. ''I don't know what came into me when I decided to catch those two. Though Bloomanther is actually pretty good at Physical attacks and Status moves.''
The intercom in the center of Corrinth blared to life.
''THE PALMO LEAGUE PAIRINGS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED! THE 64 MEMBERS LEFT STANDING HAVE THEIR RIVALS.'' The intercom said each pairing. Ash's was last, just as it had been in the other two rounds.
''AND ASH KETCHUM OF PALLET TOWN WILL BE PAIRED WITH SHEENA OF MACHENA TOWN.'' the intercom said.
''And yet another of my friends ends up in Palmo. This is either set up, or the biggest coincidence in the universe.'' Ash said nonchalantly, ''I didn't even know Sheena was a Pokemon Trainer.''
A crowd of people started walking outside of the Pokemon Center. In the center was a group of four adults, three men and one woman. They entered the Pokemon Center, and their entourage stayed outside.
''It's good to get away from those people!'' the woman said. She was wearing a red jacket and red jeans.
Ash quickly looked over at the quartet. There was that woman, a man in a black cloak, a man in a black karate outfit who Ash recognized as Koga, and a tall man who wore a black robe. His eyes were a stunning shade of blue. Ash felt like he recognized the man, but couldn't put his finger on it.
''Why are those people following you?'' Ash asked, confused. Iris squealed, knowing exactly who these people were.
''Oh my Arceus, you're the Elite Four! Why are you here? Who do you think will win? How long have you been Trainers?'' Iris went rambling, spouting out about ten questions a second.
''Well, I guess that answers my question. Sorry about her. I presume one of you is a Dragon-Type user, judging by her reaction.'' Ash said, his reaction exactly opposite of Iris's.
''Hey, Ash.'' Koga said. He was the only one besides David who had met Ash.
''Hey, Koga. I didn't know you were in Palmo now.'' Ash said, shaking the hand of the Poison-Type Pokemon Trainer that he had met way back in Johto. ''Mind any introductions? I have no clue about this region's Elite Four, except that they're extremely powerful.''
''I'm Analise.'' the woman said.
''I'm Lance. Sorry if you don't recognize me. It's my outfit for this region.'' the man in the cloak said.
''I'm David. You probably don't know me.'' the taller man with blue eyes said cryptically. Ash could tell he was hiding something.
A memory resurfaced in Ash's mind.
Flashback...
As Ash and Xyrule talked, Flarimist watched them. He was extremely angry, but calmed down a little when he heard Ash couldn't use his powers.
'If he can't use his powers, then he cannot protect himself from danger, and thus he is still mortal.'' Flarimist said to himself, melting into the shadows. Darkell, of course, was still following the evil Devil.
''Ash? But, he's dead. Flarimist killed him.'' Darkell thought, ''But, wait...'' He looked, and saw...Ash. His son was alive! He rubbed his helmeted eyes, and still he saw the infamous Trainer. He felt a Shadow Blast go through his torso. He calculated faster than the speed of light the trajectory of the shot. It was headed straight for Ash's head. Darkell immediately took action. He barreled towared Ash as fast as he could, his shadowy body solidifying considerably. Ash simply stood, frozen in shock.
Darkell successfully blocked the shot, which hit him in the middle of his back. The force of the impact loosened his semimetal helmet until it fell. The helmet bounced three times before it settled next to Ash's foot. Ash fearfully looked at Darkell's newly revealed face, and saw...himself. Darkell's face looked exactly like Ash's, except it was grimacing in terrible pain. Darkell doubled over onto the ground, curled up as pain racked his form. He had a terrible circular burn on his back, which was slowly turning white with foam. Ash sat down, holding the dying Shadows Pokemon's head up. Darkell reached an arm out to Ash's head weakly.
''I love you...my son.'' he said, and died, curled up in his long-lost descendant's arms.
''Father.'' Ash started, ''I've waited so long, suffered so much, to find you. Please, don't die now, just as soon as I finally find you.'' A single tear ran from Ash's face, landing on his father's forehead.
Flashback ended
That one memory kickstarted all of Ash's Palmonian past. David knew Ash had realized the truth when Ash bent his head down solemnly. ''Darkell gave his life to save mine. I never gave him anything. I only hated him. I only found out the truth when he died.'' Ash said sadly, tears threatening to form in his eyes.
''What are you talking about, Ash? We never met Darkell.'' Iris said, confused.
''Yes, you did. Ash, I'm sorry for blanking your memories of me. And Ash's friends, iris and Cilan, I'm sorry to you as well. I had to wipe any remnants of my past from you. It was the only way I could protect you.'' David said, his form flickering. His human form turned into a shadowy body, his arms lengthening and his fingers morphing into claws. His head enlarged, changing into a helmet made of an unearthly metal. His blue eyes shifted into a pure blood red. ''Your memory is correct. I am Darkell, and I am David. I am your father, Ash.''
''You didn't blank my memory, David.'' Cilan said, confused, which is ironic, considering he had already known what had happened. He didn't know it, but he was immune to Memory Swipe. Iris was as well, but she was just stupid. I'm kidding. She just naturally forgot.
David/Darkell shook off the question, turning to Ash, who had spoken again.
''What did you need to protect me from?'' Ash asked.
''An ancient, evil creature known as Dillemel, the Enigma God. He was created by Flarimist to destroy the forces of Xyrule. The knowledge and power you possess is necessary to him. I blanked your memory so that you would be useless to him, and therefore safe. I put it into your mind to return here because I know that you are safest in your homeland. You were not born in Pallet Town, Ash. That was a story Delia made up so that you wouldn't try to return until you were ready. You were born right here, in Corrinth.'' David said, changing back into his human form.
The next day, in the middle of Ash's battle versus Sheena...
''Coi!'' Coiler screamed, blown back by Sheena's Hawknem's Steel Strike.
''Ash, wake up!'' Sheena said, annoyed. Ash had been sidetracked by something for the entire battle, and his Coiler was his last Pokemon. Sheena hadn't lost any yet.
''Sorry. Coiler, use Zen Headbutt!'' Ash said, his mind sharpening once again. Coiler's Zen Headbutt easily knocked Hawknem unconscious.
''Return, Hawknem. How did that Coiler knock out Hawnem with one move? And it wasn't even very effective. Come on out, Chimpar!''
''Chimp Chimpar.'' the Spider Monkey Pokemon said, climbing the Stadium wall. It looked almost exactly like a real spider monkey, right down to the opposable thumbs.
''Chimpar, use Seismic Toss!'' Sheena shouted. Chimpar nimbly leapt toward Coiler, picking him up. He used his long limbs to jump up to the top of the Stadium.
''Coiler, use Vibrant Tail!'' Ash cried, and Coiler's tail began to glow a tannish hue, elongating into a blade shape.
Coiler slammed his tail into Chimpar's face, causing severe damage. Chimpar dropped Coiler, rubbing his sore eyes with a dextrous hand. Coiler landed evenly on his long tail, a rattling noise emitting from the end of the appendage.
''Coiler, finish that monkey off with Barrage Beam.'' Ash said. Coiler let out a huge blast of hardened bubbles, hitting Chimpar in the head. The Spider Monkey Pokemon fell headfirst, fainted.
Sheena returned her Pokemon before it completed the fall.
''Alright. It's your turn. Show that Coiler isn't the best at all. Come on out, Repstan!'' Sheena said, tossing a Luxury Ball.
''Rep.'' the Runespoor Pokemon's left head said.
''Stan.'' its right head said.
''Repstan!'' all three heads said together, hissing.
''Who's that Pokemon?'' Ash asked, taking out Dexter 2.0.
''Repstan, the Runespoor Pokemon. Repstan uses its unusual head design to look simoultaneously for prey, enemies, and predators. The left head is the dreamer, the right is the critic, and the middle is the thinker. Not much is known about this strange Pokemon, as it lives in hostile desert conditions.'' Dexter 2.0 said robotically. Ash closed it, ready to battle the exotic Grass-Poison-Type.
''Alright, Coiler! Use Vibrant Tail, followed by Fire Blast!'' Ash yelled. Coiler's tail turned into a blade, its color changing to silver. It slammed into Repstan's middle head, cutting it off. The head shriveled up. Coiler used Fire Blast, the katana forming, cauterizing Repstan's wound. Repstan started shaking uncontrollably, unable to think, as that head was gone. For those readers that worry about Repstan dying, all Repstans grow new heads after three months.
''Repstan! Use Regrow to get that head back, and then use Grass Knot!'' Sheena said. Repstan obliged, a new, temporary head forming out of its left one. A thick carpet of vines formed around Coiler's tail, which was the only thing on the ground currently.
''Coiler, jump into the air! Pull those vines with you!'' Ash yelled. Coiler obliged, dragging Repstan with it. ''Now, toss that snake with your tail muscles!'' Coiler flicked his tail muscles, sending an increasing amount of power into the end. The end was moving faster than the speed of sound. Repstan was flung off, hitting the ground hard.
When the smoke cleared, Repstan's two remaining heads were knotted, its eyes in swirls.
''And Repstan is unable to battle! That gives Ash and his Coiler yet another stunning victory!'' the announcer called, the Stadium erupting into applause once more.
In the stands...
''He won again! How did he do that this time?'' May asked, jumping in excitement in the same way as Coiler.
''How did he bounce back into victory so quickly?'' Cilan asked, pondering.
''Who cares? He won!'' Iris said happily.
''And that's it for the Third Rounds. Tomorrow, we have the Top 32 battling!'' the announcer said.
Two days later...
''I'm in the Top 16 now! Hurray!'' Ash said, excited. ''Ooh, I can just feel that trophy for first place!''
''I hear it's as big as a mountain.'' Cilan said, disbelieving of the rumors.
''I hear it is a mountain!'' Iris said, ''Wouldn't it be awesome to have a mountain named after you?''
''And now, for our final rounds for today, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town, who is rapidly gaining fame in this tournament, versus Jackson Carter of Holon! This will be a six-on-six Rotation Battle, and both sides may substitute Pokemon at any time.'' the announcer said.
Ash walked into the Trainer's Box on the Red side of the Pokeball painted into the middle of the arena.
''The Trainer who will start off the battle will be Jackson.'' the announcer said.
''Alright. Go, Gallade!'' Jackson said, tossing a Great Ball. A Poison-Type Gallade came out.
''Gallade.'' it said deeply, slashing the air menacingly.
''Alright, then. Come on out, Ornack!'' Ash said, tossing his Moon Ball.
''Or nack!'' the Zombie Pokemon said, its hideousness lowering Gallade's attack slightly.
''Gallade, use Psycho Cut!'' Jackson said. Gallade's arm turned purple, slicing straight through Ornack's arm. Ornack just looked at the severed limb, and picked it up, rejoining the piece to his upper arm.
''Remember, Ornack is a Dark-Type.'' Ash said, ''Now, Ornack, while it's close, bite it!''
Ornack bit the Blade Pokemon's chest crest, making Gallade yelp with pain. Ornack let go, a black energy seeping into Gallade's blood. Gallade froze, unable to stop the paralyzing liquid from being absorbed into his cells.
''Gallade, use Poison Jab!'' Jackson said. Gallade couldn't respond. ''Try to fight it, and use it again!''
''One...two...'' Ash said.
''One more time! Break through that poison!''
''Three.'' Ash said. Gallade yelped again, collapsing. His eyes turned to swirls.
''Interesting.'' Jackson said to himself. ''A Perish Song-esque ability that paralyzes as well. I'll have to keep that in mind. Return, Gallade. You've earned a good rest. We're not going down that easily.'' Jackson tossed a Quick Ball, releasing a Fighting-Type Fearow.
''Fear-ow!'' it called, Drill Pecking the air fearlessly.
''Alright, Fearow, use Silver Wind to blow ornack back, and then use Steel Wing!'' Jackson said. Fearow blew gusts of whitish windstorms at Ornack, already preparing his Steel Wing.
''Ornack, use Flame Wrap to pull Fearow closer to you, and then bite it.'' Ash said. Just after the Silver Wind stopped, Ornack pulled its chain off, whipping the air with it. It wrapped around Fearow's body, lighting itself on fire. It burned away some of Fearow's feathers, and began tugging the Beak Pokemon closer to the waiting Ornack.
''Quick, Fearow! Use Silver Wind again! Keep it up!'' Jackson said. He knew Fearow's best defense against Ornack was Silver Wind, but Ornack was a part-Ghost-Type, so it only did normal damage. That, coupled with Ornack's third Type, Shadow, meant Fearow had next to no chance in defeating the Zombie Pokemon.
''Ornack, don't do anything. Let Fearow wear itself down.'' Ash said calmly, knowing the same thing Jackson did.
''Fearow! Use Foresight, followed by Focus Blast!'' Jackson said. Fearow's eyes glowed blue, and Ornack became susceptible to Fighting- and Normal-Type moves. A white beam of energy shot out of Fearow's mouth, hitting Ornack directly in the stomach. Ornack's chain released Fearow, who flapped in an odd pattern, disoriented by the sudden release. Ornack replaced his chain, which wrapped around his shoulder and chest. His missing central torso regrew, forming into a perfect replica. Ornack had taken heavy damage, but he wasn't done yet.
''Ornack, let's get one more down before you're done! Now, Destiny Bond, followed by Giga Impact!'' Ash yelled, adrenaline beginning to creep in.
A purple light wrapped around the two Pokemon, disappearing almost as quickly as it had formed. Ornack jumped, his body turning a pale whitish yellow color.
''Fearow, Drill Peck!'' Jackson yelled. He knew that, whatever happened, Fearow would faint.
Fearow's Drill Peck hit Ornack in the stomach, just like all of its attacks had done. An explosion occured, blurring the outcome in smoke. When the smoke cleared, Ornack had fainted, and Fearow was flying weakly, just above the ground. A purple light shone, and Fearow collapsed, the Destiny Bond finishing it off.
''Return, Ornack. You did great.'' Ash said.
''Return, Fearow. Time for you to rest.'' Jackson said.
''Come on out, Querill!'' Ash said, tossing his second Pokeball.
''Quer ill!'' the Fighting Tide Pokemon said, ready for battle.
''Come on out, Machamp!'' Jackson said. An Electric-Type Machamp came out of his Nest Ball.
''Machamp!'' she said, punching the air.
''Machamp, use Thunder Punch!'' Jackson said. Machamp's fists sparked, and she started charging toward Querill.
''Querill, use your Lock-On-Focus Blast combo!'' Ash called.
Querill's eyes narrowed, pinpointing exactly where to strike. The white beam of light appeared, headed straight for Machamp. Machamp tried to dodge, but the Focus Blast followed. Eventually, it hit Machamp, sending her even faster toward Querill. It had done heavy damage, but now her Thunder Punch would also be more powerful. She hit Querill, knocking him halfway across the Stadium. He got up, anger flashing in his eyes. He defiantly stood, looking unaffected by the attack, but inside, he had taken a little damage.
''Querill, use Earthquake!'' Ash called. Querill jumped, landing hard on the ground. It cracked, dealing double damage to the Electric-Type Machamp. One more hit, and she would be knocked out.
''Machamp, use DynamicPunch!'' Jackson said, hoping to do more damage to Querill before Machamp fainted. He knew Machamp would be hit, thanks to her No Guard ability.
''Querill, use Mach Punch to block those DynamicPunches!'' Ash yelled. Querill's arm turned golden, slamming into every punch Machamp threw. This in turn wore Machamp's HP down, causing it to faint.
''Machamp is unable to battle! And that leaves Jackson with three Pokemon left, so we are now in a ten-minute break.'' the announcer said over the microphone.
''In the breakroom...
''Nice job out there, Ash. I can't wait to battle you.'' Gary said, drinking a Fanta.
''I still don't think you're Champion material.'' Jason said nonchalantly.
''Hey, I've battled him before. He's better than he looks.'' Paul said. Coming from him, that was about the level of helpfulness between best friends.
''Thanks, guys. I saw your battles, too. You all did great. i can't wait to fight you guys.'' Ash said distractedly, typing away on his laptop.
''What are you writing?'' Gary asked.
''I'm writing a biography. It's almost finished.'' Ash said, saving the work.
''You're writing your biography already? Don't get too conceited. It messes with your head.'' Jason said.
''Look who's talking.'' Paul said.
''What did you say? I'll have you know, I'm not conceited. Look at you. You release Pokemon if they lose a single battle.'' Jason retorted, a fist raised.
''Break it up, you guys. And besides, it's not my biography. It's a collection of myths and legends of a very famous Pokemon known as Xyrule. It's not as hard as it sounds, although that might be because I know him.'' Ash said, ''Whenever there is evil, good will rise against it. That's my personal favorite Xyrullean quote.''
''You've never met Xyrule, Ash. He's just a myth. There is no Karkoul, there is no magical portal, and there is no Xyrule. He's made up so kids can go to sleep at night.'' Jason said.
''Actually, I even have proof. It's right here.'' Ash said, taking out his necklace. It was a disc, engraved with a snake that spiraled outward.
''What an obvious fake. I bet I could break that with my bare hands.'' Jason said, snatching the necklace off of Ash's neck. Ash didn't look worried at all. Jason threw the necklace onto the floor, stomping it into a small crater. It started glowing, and Jason was flung into a wall. He wasn't injured, just a little dazed.
''I told you it was proof.'' Ash said, reattaching the necklace to his neck. ''The Power Plate is self-protecting. It holds Xyrule's very essence. It's impossible to break.''
Jason, Paul, and Gary were silent. They all knew that, somehow, Ash Ketchum had unearthed the secret of the most ancient and powerful Pokemon of them all.
The Power Plate started glowing again, only with a green light instead of white.
''All of you are connected through your Destinies. Uxie himself has decreed that you will aid the Chosen One in his quest to save the world. Just remember, just because you know someone doesn't make them your friend. Trust only lifelong friends.'' a deep, powerful voice said, emanating from the small token. The light faded. Only Ash knew that the voice was the voice of Xyrule.