*Is this really necessary?* Ash asked, staring at the Metapod Arceus had placed in front of him.

*Yes it is necessary. It is my duty as your parent to teach you how to battle. Mewtwo taught you the basics of using your moves. Now you need to learn how to fight another Pokémon. Metapod is a great teacher. He will never evolve into a Butterfree because he was hatched as a Metapod.* Arceus explained.

*Ash, lets focus. Try using an attack move on me.* Metapod ordered, *You won't hurt me because I can't feel pain.*
Ash focused. His fore hooves glowed purple. Rearing, he brought his fore hooves down on Metapod. *Good Punishment.* Arceus nodded, *Punishment gets stronger when used after your enemy ups their status.* This went on for a bit until Metapod fainted. Ash felt a surge of power course through him. He looked at Arceus, confused.

*You leveled up!* Metapod clarified, *You are nearly level seven, and in three levels, you'll learn a new move. The next step is to battle wild pokemon so you can get even stronger.*

*I see.* Ash said as he followed his dad outside to a patch of tall grass. Arceus laid down in the shade of a tree. Ash stepped into the tall grass. Within moments, he found himself facing a level 7 Pidgey. He managed to defeat the Pidgey after a while, earning himself level seven. This went on for a bit and by dinner time, Ash had reached level 16 and learned Gravity. Father and son shifted to their human forms before entering the pokemon center together.

There was no training the following day due to Ash having therapy. First up was ride therapy, which Ash was enjoying. He was riding on Bayleaf, who had made it very clear during Ash's first session that she alone would carry her trainer. Ash recalled that he had been so weak back then that he needed a team of orderlies to hold him in place on Bayleaf's back. It was hard to believe that it was only four weeks ago. Now he was riding unassisted. He urged Bayleaf into a trot. Finding the rhythm, Ash began to post with the motion.

"Left leg out, up, left leg in, down." He heard his physical therapist call out, "Remember, head forward, elbows in, knees down, heels tucked! You are not a sack of Geodudes! Stop slouching or I'll get the harness out and make you use it!"

Ash quickly made the correction. Already, his legs were burning.

"Relax, no need to be stiff. Move with Bayleaf." Brock, on Onix, called out.

"How much longer until I can stop posting?" Ash groaned.

"Higher! Rise higher! I want another 10 minutes of posting!"

Ash groaned.

"Bay! Bayleaf!" (*Its not so bad, Ash!*) Bayleaf replied cheerfully.

"All you have to do is walk, trot, and canter when asked!" Ash complained.

"He is much stronger. How much longer does he need before he is ready?" A familiar voice asked. Lance.

"Ash, back straight, and lift yourself higher! He is getting there, Champion." The therapist answered, "I know you need him, and yes you'll have him, but my worry is that his body won't be strong enough."

"Optimally, how long would you need, Waylon?"

"12 weeks, but I'm making due with the six weeks you gave me."

"Algid is fighting hard. They've taken some heavy losses already. Team Nova is vicious. I fear they may have gotten Winterra. Reports from N say she's nearly feral. She barely tolerates N."

"I'm planning to join the fight for Algid."

"Champion Lance! Jessie did it! She cracked the code!" Will rushed toward Lance, "We have access to the PET!"

"That is good. I'm calling a meeting of the Champions, and I want Giovanni there too. Get them together." Lance ordered, already walking toward the exit.

All Champions and Giovanni gathered inside the meeting room inside Indigo Hall. The room was comfortable and it was clear Lance had decorated. He had kept the design simple. Several shades of blues filled the room. The back wall was dominated by a fireplace where Lance currently knelt, getting a fire going. He refused to update to electrical. His Dragonite lit the kindling with a flamethrower. Above the fireplace was a large flat screen TV. The center of the room was dominated by a round table with white chairs. A white rug sat under the table. The PET rested on the center of the table.

"I knew Jessie would solve the code." Giovanni replied as Lance took his seat at the table. They all stared at the PET.

"Seriously? Its not going to bite!" Steven reached for the PET, "I have one, but it is an older model." He turned it on and put in the password, Solarize. He then plugged a cable into the PET which led to the TV turning on to display what was on the PET's screen. The background was blue, and a single file sat in the center of the screen. Steven tapped the file, which opened up to reveal a video. He clicked the video.

"My name is Xavier Hikari, and I am the Champion of Algid. By the time you see this video, I will have died by Dominicus's hand. Do not fret over me. I fully expected to die. What you are about to see will be difficult to watch. This is not for the squeamish to see. I will reveal everything to you. Team Nova began as a scientific research program. It was harmless. The Director passed of unnatural causes." The screen changed from Xavier to an old man with blue eyes and white hair laying in a hospital bed. It was clear this was being recorded. A purple haired nurse inserted a needle into the mans IV. A bubble of air slid down the tubing. The nurse grinned darkly as she disposed of the needle. She waited. The man began to convulse, and his heart monitor flat lined. She waited for five minutes before rushing to the door and screaming code blue. Xavier came on screen. "Director Thomas Hikari was murdered. He was my father. I became suspicious when it was announced that he died of a myocardial infarction. My father was very healthy, and had no heart problems. Those in the program began to call themselves Team Nova, and the program was ended. Six weeks later, Algid's largest city, Crystal City, was the site of a massive causality event. Crystal Gym was hosting a battle tournament. It was blown up. Of the 7500 people there, only 1500 survived. Team Nova took credit for the attack. They demanded that I step down and give my title to their leader, Dominicus. They promised more destruction if I refused. I refused their demands. Two weeks later, a hiker stumbled onto this scene." The screen switched from Xavier to a field of glass. Blue mane and tailed Rapidash and Ponyta lay in twisted heaps, long shards of glass jutting like spears through their necks. Overhead through the ice roof, Winterra circled and mourned. "Algid's treasure, the ice type Rapidash, was nearly completely wiped out. Only 2 percent of the herd escaped death. Team Nova took credit and demanded I step down again. I refused to deal with terrorists. Team Nova knew it could not hope to stand up to me. I created this video because I know my days are numbered. Team Nova will stop at nothing to get what they want. They want Zyta, the devourer herself, to awaken and devour our world so it can be remade the way they want. They must be stopped. This task I leave to you, fellow Champions. May your anger burn and your sword be swift." The video ended.

"Sweet Arceus!" Lance breathed.

"Team Nova is so going down!" Satoshi roared, fist pounding the table, "They must never disturb Zyta's slumber!"

Iris gasped, and pointed at Satoshi's hand. What should have been a hand was instead a golden hoof. Steven's eyes went wide. Cynthia stared in shock. Lance's jaw hung open. Diantha blinked. They watched as the hoof resumed being a hand.

"Satoshi?" Lance found his voice at last.

"What?" Satoshi asked.

"Your hand!" Diantha sputtered.

"It was a golden hoof a moment ago!" Cynthia gasped.

Satoshi sighed. "I guess I should come clean. You all have noticed how my Pokémon act around me. There is a reason for that. I am their god, Arceus." With that, Satoshi stood and stepped back from the table, and dropped his human form. Gasps rang out. "18 years ago, I was injured. I collapsed. When I came to, I was inside a warm barn. A woman was changing my bandages. Her name was Delia. She nursed me back to health. I fell in love with her. Giovanni here is my human twin. I took the chance to become human long ago, and was born as Giovanni's twin brother. When I turned ten and began my Pokémon journey, I started dreaming of my old life as Arceus. I regained my old life and form. Then I got injured. Delia and I dated. We married, and I revealed myself to her. She was fine with me. After two years of married life, we began trying for a child. Two years later, we were blessed with Ash and Tanokia, and I nearly lost my Delia. I locked Ashes true form away. Recently, to help save his life, I unlocked his true form. I will fight beside you all. Zyta must never be allowed to awaken. Ever." Satoshi shifted back to his human form, "I came very close to death in my last battle against her. I dropped a glacier on top of her, and I laid down to die. I only lived thanks to the tears of my creations. I am glad I lived. I have Delia, Tanokia, and Ash to love and cherish. Ash will take my place someday."

"I am proud of you, my brother." Giovanni replied, "I used to be harsh on my Pokémon. Satoshi taught me that I would be far stronger if I respect and love my Pokémon. I saw how he and his Pokémon worked together. Persian and I became very close and she got very strong. I will fight with you, and you will have the full resources of Neo Team Rocket. I have sent in the Junior Corps to oversee evacuation."

"My gym leader of Snowpoint Gym has opened his city to welcome the evacuees." Cynthia said, "3500 men, women, and children have crossed safely into Sinnoh. Satoshi, it will be an honor to fight beside you."

"It will be my honor to join forces with you." Satoshi smiled, "Many legendries have decided to join the battle. Groudon, Mewtwo and all of his clones, Mew, the legendary bird trio, the Sword of Justice, Lugia, Rayquaza, Deoxys, Entei, Raikou, the golem trio, Dalgia, and the Eon Duo are going to help us. Suicine, Regigigas, and Kyurem have been protecting the route taken by the evacuees. The Lake trio have been helping the evacuees by tending to injuries and allowing themselves to be cuddled by those who need it. Celebi and Jirachi are with them. War is coming, and we are ready."

Celebi giggled as several children chased him. It was good to hear them laughing. The children needed this, and Celebi had to admit that he was having fun. Jirachi dozed in the grip of a nine month old girl. Mesprit was in a mock battle with a Mime JR, a circle of preschoolers around them, cheering for their favorite. Azelf was helping with dinner. She was watching over a pot of stew on a portable stove. Uxie was in the medical tent, healing those who needed it. Other Pokémon pitched in here and there. More evacuees were coming in all the time. Suicine was pulling a sled to help move people over the pass quicker. Kyurem circled overhead before landing before the medical tent. He placed the human he carried on a stretcher being pushed by a Chansey before lowering himself to the ground to let several humans climb off his back. Inside the tent, Uxie hovered over his latest patient, his two long tentacles busy. Electrode monitored heart beats, several Meowth, Skitty, Delcatty, and Persian provided comfort. A small pink Mew oversaw the coma ward. The people here in the tent were getting the best care they could get despite the circumstances. Uxie let the Chansey move the man to the right area. The people were doing well despite the circumstances. He did worry about how they were handling the situation internally. Uxie prayed the war would be short, and that She was left alone.

Darkai raced along the edge of the glacier, the seven rocks trailing behind him. He was nearly there. Up ahead, a boy with green hair and a girl with brown hair watched Winterra soar in flight. Darkai sent a dark pulse at Winterra, who dodged, let lose with a screech, and dived, racing toward Darkai. She opened her beak and let an Ice beam fly. Darkai dodged the attack. He revealed himself, a dark pulse ready to go. The two humans tossed two poke balls into the air. Reshram and Zekrom appeared, voicing their readiness for battle. They let their humans mount up before charging into battle. Darkai let his dark pulse fly. A flamethrower from Reshram halted the dark attack. A thunderbolt cut through the smoke to lash Darkai. Winterra circled, watching.

"Did we get it?" The girl asked.

"Darkai are protectors. They don't attack without provocation. I sense something strange about this Darkai." The boy answered.

Darkai rose and used shadow claw on Reshram, tearing into the female white dragons hide. Reshram screamed. Zekrom roared in rage and used thunder. Darkai avoided the attack. Winterra was waiting for this as she unleashed a powerful glaciate attack, which Darkai took the full force of. He ended up frozen.

"N, the eyes! Look at its eyes!" The girl sounded horrified.

"Lady J, those are human eyes." N stared.

Zekrom tended to his mates injured side.

"A human turned Pokémon? That only happens to humans with strong spirits after they die. They become an Yamask." Lady J responded, "Reshram, are you okay?"

"Reshram!" The white fire dragon answered.

Unnoticed by the two trainers, the ice incasing Darkai cracked and shattered. The enraged Pokémon unleashed a powerful Dark Pulse at the humans tending to Reshram.

"Zor, use your own Dark Pulse!"

Lady J looked up and turned in time to see the two attacks collide. She spotted a Zorua, and then her trainer.

"Tanokia?" She whispered softly.

The girl met Lady J's gaze.

"Jayasuriya." The girl responded, "Never turn your back on a Pokémon that is afflicted by a status condition."

"Tanokia!" Lady J moved toward the girl.

"Zor, use Shadow Bolt." The girl replied coolly.

A large dark colored thunderbolt slammed down on Darkai, who quickly faded into shadow. He was still lashed by the attack, but not as badly as he would have been had he remained corporeal. Zor growled at where Darkai had been.

"Tanokia, the only reason you would be here is because... no, no way! It can't be! Say its not true!" Lady J begged.

"It's true, Jayasuriya." Tanokia replied softly, "I see you have figured out who Darkai used to be. Leave him to me."

"He was one of the best! If we work together, we can restore him!" Lady J dropped to her knees in tears, "Please, no! There has to be a way to set him free!"

"Jayasuriya!" Tanokia backhanded Lady J, hard. "Stop letting your emotions cloud your mind! This is why Father Arceus gave me the mission! He knew you would not be able to do what needs to be done! He is dead, Jayasuriya!"
"

Um, girls?" N cut in, "Darkai?"

"What if there is a way?" Lady J shot to her feet, ignoring N.

"There is no way! Darkai must never reach Zyta! Stop this, Jayasuriya!" Tanokia snarled.

"Why are you so cold?" Lady J hissed.

"Hmm, maybe because my partner ditched me!"

"I never ditched you! We went our own ways! You had the mission from the Forefather!"

"You didn't think maybe I'd want my friend to join me?"

"You didn't think maybe I wanted no part in helping you kill?"

"For the last time, I'm not killing anything! I'm putting him to rest!"

"Girls?"

"Shut up N! He is not dead!"

"Jayasuriya, will you please face the facts? He died on Mt. Silver after falling into Zyta's hold!"

"GIRLS!"

Both girls whirled to face N.

"Do you mind? I'm discussing Darkai with an old friend."

"Darkai is getting away."

"Not on my watch. Zor, a shadow bolt, if you will."

"Reshram, kindly use Blue Flare."

"Zekrom, a Bolt Strike, please."

Darkai knew his life was going to be over the moment the three attacks struck him. He sunk deep into the ground. It wasn't deep enough. The three attacks struck, chewing down into the glacier and buffeting Darkai. The energy of the three attacks ground out, leaving behind a rather large crater.

"You think we got him?" Lady J asked.

"I don't see him." N responded.

"Darkai has been neutralized." Tanokia confirmed.

Ash hurt after his therapy session. Satoshi had him put in two hours of training next. That evening, Ash collapsed into his bed at the Pokémon center. He had made it to level 17 by battling Brock's Onix. The Onix had not made it easy for him.

"No dinner? Your mom made your favorite, and if you want to eat, you better hurry before Ledan eats your share." Satoshi said, watching as his son came alive to dash to the table. Ledan buzzed angrily at Pikachu after the pokemon got the last pancake. A thunderbolt met a fire punch. A vine whip restrained the two pokemon, while Quilava chewed the two out for their behaviour. Bayleaf joined in. Ash turned and calmed his team down.

"That is enough. We are all friends here. Ledan, you are not starving. If you keep overeating, you will get too heavy to fly." Ledan buzzed sourly, "I heard that! Don't make me shift and go over there!"

Ledan wisely chose to behave. A knock came at their door. Satoshi answered it.

"Yes?" He asked.

Standing at the door was none other then Jodye.

"Champion Satoshi, Lance sent me to tell you that the attack has been moved up. We are storming Algid in two days, and we leave tomorrow." Jodye relayed her message.

Ash turned, and his jaw dropped.

"Thanks for the update, Jodye." Satoshi said, "Brace yourself." He stepped aside.

Ash pounced.

"You look much better then the last time I saw you." Jodye smiled.

"You're Jodye! I'm a huge fan!" Ash had stars in his eyes, "I've seen each one of your battles! Is it true you captured a shiny Ho-oh?"

Jodye raised a pokeball and released her Ho-oh, "Her name is Gloria." Gloria trilled a greeting and dipped her golden head to Ash, who gave her a scratch behind her plume.

"My cousin, Silver, has a non shiny female Ho-oh. She suffered a wing injury and he is nursing her back to health. He has said that he'll let her decide what she wants to do." Ash said.

"That is the best way to do it. Cute Pikachu! He reminds me of my Kach back when he was a Pikachu. Kach wanted to evolve. I found him when he was a tiny Pichu." Jodye watched as Gloria and Pikachu checked each other out.

"Jodye, do come in. I can hear your stomach growling. There is enough here for everybody." Delia replied.

"It will be my pleasure. Mind if I release my team? Everybody is well behaved." Jodye entered the room. "Go ahead." Satoshi added a chair to the table.

"Kach, Archer, Cindy, Venus, and Lady, come on out!" Jodye called. A Raichu, Ariados, Typhosion, Venusaur, and a Latias appeared. Pikachu went toward Kach. Kach let some electricity flood his cheeks as he lowered his head to Pikachu's level. The two began to communicate through electric pulses from their cheeks.

"They are communicating!" Ash pointed out.

"Kach is probably asking why yours hasn't evolved." Jodye chuckled, "Pikachu tend to be very hesitant about evolution. Kach on the other hand could not wait to evolve."

"Pikachu has decided against evolution. I have given him the choice. I let my Pokemon decide what they want to do." Ash and Jodye took seats at the table after Jodye fed her pokemon. Lady nibbled at her kibble. Venus and Cindy shared a bowl of kibble together. Archer finished wrapping up his Caterpie and began to eat. Kach shared with Gloria. Ash watched.

"Archer can't eat kibble. He is not designed to eat kibble. He eats prey such as Caterpie, Wrumple, and other worm like pokemon except for Weedle. Weedle are poisonous." Jodye explained, tucking into a chocolate chip pancake, "Mrs. Ketchum, these are delicious!"

"Thank you, Jodye. Call me Delia." Delia smiled.

Ash's exhaustion returned in full force. Twice he nearly nodded off over dinner. Once dinner was over, he managed to brush his teeth and get into bed. His pokemon followed and took their spots around their trainer. Gloria came in a bit later to alight on the bedpost. She began to croon softly, watching the boy sleep. She knew Ash would save them all.


Queen Sunstar: Up next, the war begins. There will be battles, and character death. I am not saying who. Pokemon will die too. I've got big plans for this next arc. here is a preview.

The glacier was bleeding. That was the best way Lance could think of to describe it. Instead of blood however, it was streams of Unown. As the Unown passed by, crystallization began. Ash, in his Arceus form, unleashed a Punishment on the Unown. both of his fore hooves crystalized. Ash could only give voice to his horror and shock. Lance couldn't tell if the boy was in any pain.

"Ash! Shift forms! hurry!" Brock cried out.

Ash focused, his body shaking, and shifted his form to his human one. he held up his arms, both of which were shining crystal. the look on his face nearly broke Lances heart.

And that is all. You'll see this clip in the upcoming chapters.