Ash's Pokemon
Pikachu (Thunderbolt, Iron Tail, Quick Attack, Volt Tackle)
Greninja (Hydro Pump, Mat Block, Dark Pulse, Ice Beam)
Talonflame (Flare Blitz, Steel Wing, Brave Bird, Double Team)
Lucario (MEGA EVOLUTION Aura Sphere, Blaze Kick, ExtremeSpeed, Psychic)
Tyrantrum (Dragon Claw, Crunch, Head Smash, Fire Fang)
Gogoat (Leaf Blade, Wild Charge, Aerial Ace, Rock Slide)
Charizard (MEGA EVOLUTION Flamethrower, Dragon Tail, SolarBeam, Seismic Toss)
Garchomp (MEGA EVOLUTION Stone Edge, Brick Break, Dig, Draco Meteor)
Heracross (MEGA EVOLUTION Megahorn, Bullet Seed, Rock Blast, Close Combat)
Xerneas: Geomancy, Thunderbolt, Moonblast, Focus Blast
Serena's Pokemon
Delphox (Mystical Fire, Psychic, Light Screen, Thunderbolt)
Sylveon (Moonblast, Trump Card, Shadow Ball, Reflect)
Furfrou (Return, Sucker Punch, Dig, Cotton Guard)
Vivillon (Energy Ball, Psychic, Hurricane, Quiver Dance)
Absol (MEGA EVOLUTION Sucker Punch, Swords Dance, Fire Blast, Play Rough)
Altaria (Draco Meteor, Flamethrower, Dazzling Gleam, Mist)
Rhypherior (Rock Wrecker, Megahorn, ThunderPunch, Giga Impact)
Scizor (MEGA EVOLUTION Fury Cutter, Bullet Punch, Swords Dance, Reversal)
Yveltal: Oblivion Wing, Phantom Force, Steel Wing, Sucker Punch
Clemont's Pokemon
Diggersby (Dig, Double Team, Hammer Arm, Facade)
Chesnaught (Spiky Shield, Hammer Arm, Wood Hammer, Stone Edge)
Heliolisk (Dragon Tail, Thunderbolt, Focus Blast, Surf)
Magnezone (Thunder, Flash Cannon, Tri-Attack, Signal Beam)
Clawitzer (Water Pulse, Dark Pulse, Ice Beam, Dragon Pulse)
Houndoom (MEGA EVOLUTION Flamethrower, Dark Pulse, Sludge Bomb, Will-o-Wisp)
Aggron (MEGA EVOLUTION Iron Head, Aqua Tail, Rock Polish, Dragon Rush)
Zygarde (shared with Bonnie) Dragon Dance, Land's Wrath, ExtremeSpeed, Crunch
Bonnie's Pokemon (Caught for and hers)
Dedenne (Thunderbolt, Nuzzle, Grass Knot, Rest)
Pyroar (Flamethrower, Noble Roar, Solar Beam, Hyper Voice)
Meowstic (Energy Ball, Thunderbolt, Psychic, Signal Beam)
Florges (Moonblast, Petal Dance, Nature Power, Safeguard)
Emolga (Air Slash, Volt Switch, Hidden Power, Agility)
Mawile (MEGA EVOLUTION Iron Head, Crunch, Play Rough, Ice Fang)
Kangaskhan (MEGA EVOLUTION Power-Up Punch, Sucker Punch, Fake Out, Outrage)
Zygarde (shared with Clemont) Dragon Dance, Land's Wrath, ExtremeSpeed, Crunch
Limone's Pokemon
Blaziken (MEGA EVOLUTION Flamethrower, ThunderPunch, Sky Uppercut, Giga Impact)
Ampharos (MEGA EVOLUTION Signal Beam, Thunderbolt, Dragon Pulse, Protect)
Gyarados (MEGA EVOLUTION Aqua Tail, Outrage, Iron Head, Earthquake)
Mienshao (Drain Punch, Wide Guard, Stone Edge, Acrobatics)
Honchkrow (Night Slash, Aerial Ace, Heat Wave, Steel Wing)
Pyroar (Fire Blast, Hyper Voice, Dark Pulse, SolarBeam)
(Route 16)
"So you live not too far from here, Yveltal?" asked Serena, brushing a couple of leaves off her boots.
"Yep. It's over at Frost Cavern, which is north of Dendemille Town, which is the last town on the route." replied Yveltal. The group's adventures had taken them to Melancolie Path, on their way to Anistar City, and Ash's 7th Gym Badge Challenge.
"Then it's off to Anistar City!" cheered Ash, Pikachu lifting a fist up in agreement.
"So what exactly is a Gym Battle, Ash?" asked Xerneas, wanting to know more about human culture.
"All over the world are places called Gyms, where trainers can challenge and fight the Gym's Leader for that Gym's Badge. If you collect eight badges in a region, you can enter the region's league competition." replied Ash.
"And you have six badges, correct?" inquired Zygarde.
"Yep, and Anistar's Gym Badge will be number seven!" The group continued trudging through the falling leaves, when Xerneas stopped to look at one of the leaves. He picked it up.
"No...it couldn't be…" muttered Xerneas. he showed the leaf to the others. Unlike the other leaves, this one was burned up, and then it disintegrated in Xerneas' hand.
"How is that possible?" asked Yveltal. "Northeast Kalos is the coldest part of the entire region! It couldn't have just...bursted into flames!"
"There is a possibility as to why." chimed Zygarde. Xerneas and Yveltal's eyes expanded in shock in response.
"You don't think…HIM...do you?" cringed Xerneas. Yveltal put a hand to his chin, and entered into deep thought.
"There's no doubt. He's here." finished Yveltal.
"But, why is he HERE?" asked Zygarde, looking around.
"Sorry to interrupt, but just who are you talking about?" asked Ash seriously. The three legendaries all turned to Ash, as if just remembering that he was there. Xerneas's eyes drifted to the Mega Evolution symbol on Ash's palm. His eyes widened in realization.
"We need to get away from here, NOW!" shouted Xerneas, grabbing Ash's arm tightly, and pulling him down the road.
"Xerneas! Wait up!" called Zygarde, running after the two, the rest of the group following close behind. "What are you thinking?"
"He's here because of the mark on Ash's hand! Don't you remember, he's always been attracted to great sources of power! Ash is in danger as long as he's here!" Xerneas replied heatedly, stopping suddenly in fright.
"What is it, Xerneas?" asked Serena, worriedly.
"Clemont, I'm scared!" muttered Bonnie, clinging to her older brother.
"Wait...what is that?" asked Clemont, adjusting his glasses. What he noticed was a lot of steam gathering all around the group. The steam was scalding hot, raising blisters on the skin of where the group didn't have clothes covering.
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. Something was slowly approaching, it's footsteps booming like a cannon's loud booming sound.
"HAND OVER THE BOY." A deep, masculine voice rang through the field. Finally, the origin of the voice came into view. Yveltal gasped in shock.
The Pokemon was quadrupedal beast. It had four colossal legs, twin orange shell-like appendages on its chest, a deep, inset face, and a red circular ring with blue dots emerging from its back.
"Volcanion!" Xerneas growled. Forming a Focus Blast in his hand, he used his other one to protect Ash. "Not another inch!"
"YOU DO NOT FRIGHTEN ME, XERNEAS." boomed Volcanion, calmly. He took another step forward. Xerneas threw the Focus Blast, but Volcanion shot it down with a Scald attack.
"Who's that Pokemon?" asked Serena, pulling out her PokeDex.
"Volcanion, the Volcano Pokemon (unofficial). Volcanion can fire blasts of 4000 degree water from the ring on its back, which split into dual cannons when attacking." chirped the PokeDex.
"That thing sounds powerful." whimpered Bonnie, clutching her father's leg tightly.
"What do you want with me, Volcanion?" shouted Ash, running past Xerneas' arm. "Time to give some information."
"Ash, get behind me, now!" ordered Xerneas, pushing Ash back. At the exact same moment, a massive Hyper Beam slammed into him, setting him aflame in red energy. Xerneas howled in pain.
"No, Xerneas!" cried Ash worriedly. "Urgh! Pikachu, let's protect our friend!" Pikachu clenched his fists in agreement. "Let's go buddy!" Pikachu ran out in front, cheeks sparking with electricity. "Use Thunderbolt!" Pikachu's signature shocking attack fired towards the hulking Pokemon. The attack struck Volcanion, damaging the part-Water type slightly.
Volcanion roared in protest. "YOU INSOLENT BRAT! STEAM ERUPTION!" A massive orb of steaming watery energy gathered in front of Volcanion's twin cannons, and fired, slamming into Pikachu, instantly KO'ing it, and sending it flying to Xerneas, then Yveltal, and the rest of the group, causing a large plume of dirt to kick up.
"Everyone! No!" shouted Ash. He turned around in pure hatred. "You need to be taught a lesson in respect!" Ash then charged towards Volcanion, fist outstretched. Volcanion merely sighed and launched a small ball of blue fire: Will-o-Wisp. The attack exploded in front of Ash, causing scorching hot flames to rain upon him. Ash yelled in agony as Will-o-Wisp's burn effect took place, singeing his skin. Ash eventually passed out from the pain.
(Later)
Serena opened her eyes groggily and sat up slowly. She cracked her neck twice, and then remembered what had happened. "Ash? Where are you? ASH!" She frantically stood up, and ran to the place she had last seen Ash standing. He was no longer there, but rather, there was now a small hole in the ground, surrounded by the remains of a Will-o-Wisp attack. "What happened here?"
"It was Volcanion's work no doubt." Serena turned around to see Yveltal walking up to her. "He must have taken Ash hostage somewhere."
"But why Yveltal? What has Volcanion got against Ash?" Serena asked helplessly.
"Volcanion has always been attracted to great sources of energy. He then uses that energy to further advance his own. He must have been attracted to the Mega Insignia on Ash's hand. That mark doesn't just symbolize Ash's connection to me, rather, any Pokemon capable of Mega Evolution Mega Evolves upon contact with that mark." explained Xerneas, who had joined them.
"But why would Volcanion go after Ash's mark when he can't Mega Evolve?" pondered Zygarde, who asked them from behind.
"He may think that coming into contact with that mark might allow him to Mega Evolve." said Clemont, yawning.
"But brother!" whined Bonnie. "What will happen to Ash?"
"Nothing. I won't let anything happen to our friend." stated Limone. "I created the Blaziken Mask persona just for this purpose: to help the needy. Now, Ash needs our help. Yveltal, do you know where Volcanion took Ash?"
"I do. There's a dormant volcano south of here that Volcanion likes to hang out at. It's a favorite HOT SPOT for him! Haha!" Yveltal laughed at his own pun, while everyone else just sweatdropped.
(Mt. Volcanion)
Ash slowly opened his eyes to witness the dim red glow that appeared in his closed eyes. As his eyesight expanded, he realized his hands were bound by two cuff-like rocks above him. He struggled against his bonds, but it was to no avail. "Where am I? And how do I escape?"
"You don't." said a voice in front of him. Ash strained his eyes to see the source of the speech. "My boy, this is where it all happens." A man came into view. He was maybe 19 or 20. His red hair matched surprisingly well with his blue eyes, and yellow tribal markings. He wore a lava red dress shirt with two orange pockets, and six blue circles, complete with blue streaks of moving light. He wore sunset orange pants, and sun-yellow designer shoes.
"Volcanion!" growled Ash.
Volcanion raised his eyebrow. "I wasn't expecting you to recognize me so soon. Usually it takes my guests eons to figure out my identity."
"Why am I here?" raged Ash. "Let me go now!"
"Quit your incessant complaining, human. It is most unrefined." said Volcanion mockingly, with a French accent. reverting to his normal tone, he added, "As soon as I get what I brought you here to get, you can go."
"What is it you want?" shuddered Ash.
"I want you to touch me with that mark on your hand." Volcanion stated greedily.
"...Why?" asked Ash, surprised. Volcanion fell down anime-style.
"You're going to give me the power I need to remake the landscape!" said Volcanion.
"What is that supposed to mean?" yelled Ash.
"By touching me with that mark, I will gain the ability to Mega Evolve, and then I can use that power to make this volcano erupt, changing the entire Eastern Kalos region forever!" cackled Volcanion maniacally.
"You're out of your mind!" protested Ash, savagely. "I won't cooperate with you!"
"Not even for you little buddy Pikachu?" Volcanion said menacingly. He motioned his arm to a small alcove where Pikachu was hanging from by a rope. He was dangling loosely above a small lava pit, which was bubbling, very much active, unlike the rest of the volcano.
"Pikachu!" Ash shouted, now visibly struggling with all his might to free himself and rescue his friend.
"Do as I say, or I'll be having deep-fried Pikachu for dinner tonight!" Volcanion angrily muttered. Ash ground his teeth in frustration and fear, before sighing.
Ash then said, "I'll do what you want. Just don't hurt Pikachu, please!" Volcanion smiled, and snapped his fingers. The rock-cuffs receded into the walls, freeing Ash's hands.
"Now come here, boy." ordered Volcanion. Ash obeyed without retaliation. "Hold out your hand."
"No. Pikachu gets let go first, then I give you what you want." Ash ordered, taking charge.
Volcanion's eyes narrowed in anger. He snapped his fingers, and the rope holding Pikachu began to lower slowly, bringing Pikachu ever so closer to the soopy fire. "You need to learn to do what you're told, boy!' With that he struck Ash's face so hard, that Ash felt like he had been hit by a train, sending him flying back. "Now, listen to me, and do it!"
Ash staggered up, and grudgingly stepped toward Volcanion, holding his hand outward. Volcanion smiled, and extended his own hand to touch the mark on Ash's palm…
BOOM!
A Flamethrower attack struck the ground in front of the two, kicking up a cloud of volcanic ash. Ash, taking advantage of the situation, quickly backed away from the coughing form of Volcanion, and rushed over to Pikachu, jumping up, and grabbing his yellow rodent, cutting the ropes with a pocket knife in the process. Ash skidded to a halt, and untied Pikachu, who promptly hugged his trainer. Ash then looked up to a small crevice in the wall of the volcano to see his saviour.
It was none other than Mega Blaziken and Blaziken Mask.
"Limone! Mega Blaziken!" Ash shouted in relief. He watched as the two jumped down to them.
"Are you two alright, Ash?" asked Limone.
"I think I might have broken something when Volcanion hit me in the head, but thanks to you, I'm fine now." Ash muttered, rubbing his head in pain,
"ASH!" Ash turned back to the crevice to see Serena, Bonnie, Clemont, Xerneas, Yveltal, and Zygarde sliding down towards him.
"Everyone! You're alright!" Ash said in relief.
"What did you expect? Like Volcanion's Steam Eruption could keep us down. We're here to settle the score with that creep!" raged Bonnie, Dedenne, being adorable, squeaking in agreement.
"Ash! Let me handle this!" said Xerneas. "This punk has it coming!"
"I appreciate that Xerneas, but I can handle this. He put my partner in danger. NO ONE messes with me and Pikachu. We've been through too much, and we've tackled every challenge and hurdle in our path. An over-sized Pokemon won't stop us. I'll take him on all by myself! Volcanion, you messed with the wrong trainer!"
"I look forward to crushing your little rodent once again, Ash, and take your power!" Volcanion roared, changing back to Pokemon form. He placed his hand on the volcano's surface, and said, "LAVA PLUME!" A tidal of wave of flaming hot magma erupted from the underground reservoir of lava within the volcano, roaring towards Pikachu with a vengeance.
"Pikachu, Counter-Shield Thunderbolt!" called Ash. Pikachu spinned and let loose a powerful electric blast, reversing the flow of the Lava Plume. "Follow with Quick Attack!" Pikachu's white-outlined form smashed into Volcanion's head, causing even more damage. "Next, Iron Tail!" Pikachu backflipped, and smashed his silver-aura'd tail into Volcanion's leg, causing it to drop slightly. "Again!" Pikachu mimicked its previous movement, and smashed Volcanion's other front leg, bringing it to the ground.
"You scum!" screamed Volcanion. "STEAM ERUPTION!" The massive orb of steaming watery energy gathered in front of Volcanion's twin cannons, and launched at Pikachu, who front flipped around it, ending up directly above Volcanion.
"Great, now finish it with a Volt Tackle at maximum power!" roared Ash. Pikachu descended rapidly, encased in a violent cover of electrical energy sparking all around it. Pikachu shouted as it smashed Volcanion's head into the volcano floor, rendering it unconscious.
"We did it, Pikachu!" shouted Ash in jubilee, pulling out his Master Ball that he received from the PokeBall Factory's President in Laverre City. "Volcanion, I think by becoming one of my Pokemon that you'll learn some discipline and respect! Go, Master Ball!" He chucked the purple ball at Volcanion, which hit his torso, and sucked him in. Immediately, the ball dinged, signifying Volcanion's capture. Ash picked up the ball, and got into his usual pose. "Alright! I just caught...Volcanion!" Pikachu jumped in happiness.
(2 Days Later: Dendemille Town)
"Finally, we're in Dendemille Town!" cheered Bonnie.
"Check out the windmills! The snow covering them makes them look so pretty!" added Serena.
"Dendemille Town is well known for its' windmills. They rotate at a speed of 300 cycles per hour!" said Clemont scientifically.
"Hey, guys! Look at this!" Ash pointed at a notice board nearby. He read a large sign on it. "'Calling all trainers! Dendemille Town's Coliseum will be the host site of this year's Inter-Regional Grand Tournament! This tournament is welcome to trainers of all regions to showcase their battling prowess in this tournament! The tournament begins in one week, so register now!'" Ash's eyes expanded to the size of PokeBalls after finishing.
"Same here!" added Serena.
"Count me in!" said Clemont.
"Don't forget me!" chimed Bonnie.
"I'll enter too." said Limone.
"I'd love to get in on that action!" finished Ash.
"Once a little kid, always a little kid, I guess."
Ash turned around after hearing that last voice, and his eyes widened in recognition as he gazed upon a certain caramel-skinned crazy-haired wild child with an Axew in her hair.
"Hey, Ash!" said the girl.
"IRIS!" replied Ash in happiness.
Next Time. Chapter 11: The Gang's All Here!