Hello people, I present to you the second chapter I completed on holiday during my free time. I was expecting some raging people for me delaying the chapter for a day just to amuse myself. I did it because I wanted to give people a chance to fully read through and give me a chance to tweak up this chapter so no shouts please thank you. Enjoy.

Chapter 48: face off

Ash was watching everything that had unfolded before him. Zealot base was now in ruins from fire and smoke. Rayquaza has gone berserk from his torture and now on a rampage. Zekrom was holding him back from attacking Ash and his Pokémon. Rayquaza pulled just tail back and powered down the dragon tail. He floated back with Zekrom now floating up in the air ready to bring him down.

Ash was hoping that Zekrom would not have to inflict too much damage in order to break Rayquaza out of his rage. But he knew even with all the torture and damage inflicted upon the delta, he will not go down easy. He was hopeful however that Zekrom will be enough to bring down the berserk Titan.

The two were eyeing each other waiting for the other to make the first move. Zekrom opened his mouth and his sharp teeth were showing to Rayquaza. His red glowing eyes were fixated towards the black dragon. Rayquaza tensed up and released a hyper beam. Zekrom shot above it nimbly dodging and fired his own beam of dragon pulse. Hitting its target Zekrom watched as the delta flew out of the smoke with dragon claw ready. He threw his left claw forward and Zekrom brought his right arm and blocked the attack.

What Zekrom did not account for was Rayquaza's other claw and was slashed across the face. He was fazed by the attack but regained his posture quick and fired a point blank dragon pulse attack. Hitting its mark sent Rayquaza into the ground. Ash wondered now if that had been enough to help the legendary regain control.

Rayquaza however flew back out and spun himself before throwing up a dragon tail and upper cutting the black dragon. Zekrom felt real pain from that attack and had to shake his head to regain his posture. The two made a little distance between each other before Rayquaza begun to glow with green energy.

Everyone were confused by this move with it not looking familiar. Ash spoke next "Watch yourself Zekrom, this does not look good" In the blink of an eye Rayquaza zoomed forward heading straight for the black dragon. His only choice in time to counter was bolt strike. He was surrounding need in yellow energy and moved forward to meet head on with Rayquaza.

The two powers collided in the centre with a shockwave of power flying off in all directions making a powerful gust of wind. It caught everyone and they held fast. Ash held his hands in front of his face reeling from the force of the blast. Once the blast ended and the smoke settled the two titans were revealed out with Zekrom holding strong but all the battling now and before Zekrom looked like it was finally taking its toll on Rayquaza.

This however was not enough to deter the raging titan. His tail begun charging before he swinged it and a twister attack was formed it. The dragon tornado attack moved against Zekrom completely surrounding him. Thinking quick the black dragon charged up and unleashed a blue thunder attack and shot it out in a shockwave attacking the twister on all sides.

The two moves cancelled each other out and led to a small outburst. Rayquaza used this opportunity to close the distance and readied dragon tail. He lunged it upwards and uppercutted Zekrom in the face making him fall backwards. Rayquaza moves to him again and attempts to hit him down.

The black dragon sees it coming and nimbly dodges to the side. He then grabs Rayquaza's tail with bot of his claws and the lean it up and flies to the ground. Rayquaza being left helpless was released at the last second and thrown into the ground. Zekrom then fires another dragon pulse smashing into where the delta had crashed. Covering the whole area in smoke after Rayquaza had made a yelp in pain.

The group watching from the side-lines were impressed by Zekrom managing to hold his own against the powerful delta. After a few seconds Rayquaza lifted himself back up and floated back up into the air to face Zekrom once more. But now he was beginning to struggle. The delta was breathing heavily and begun leaning to his side a little clearly looking badly injured. But his eyes were still glowing red with an outline of purple energy surrounding him clearly not back in control yet. A ferocious snarl escaped the legendaries mouth and Ash yelled "Almost Zekrom, Keep it up" The mighty Delta opened his mouth and leaned up.

An orb of dragon energy formed before unleashing it into the air. Clearly seeing it was Draco meteor Ash yelled out to everyone "Quick take cover behind those rocks" pointing at huge rocks nearby everyone went for it. Charizard and Noctowl thanks to their quick speed were the first to get there as Lucario, Garchomp, Espeon and Floatzel ran up into place beside them.

Ash himself was helping Latias as he held her at his side due to her injuries against Rayquaza was not able to move completely on her own. The sphere detonated and pieces of dragon energy begun raining down all over. Ash and Latias were moving and spotted the pieces coming down. Ash realised that they wouldn't make it to the cover in time and his aura shield would not cut it against that firepower.

He also spotted Rayquaza fire two more Draco meteor spheres into the air ready to rain attacks all over. Ash placed Latias down next to him before he stood up. He funnelled mystical energy and became consumed in it. He morphed and changed into his Latios form.

Everyone were startled by this and Latias leaned up a little " Ash what...are you...doing?" Ash didn't answer as he focused his energy. He tapped in and suddenly more mystical purple energy surrounded him and his body morphed again with everyone realising what he was planning. He came out of the energy this time showing in his mega Latios form.

He spun his claws forwards ready to take on the Draco meteor. Latias was in shock that Ash was putting himself in the attack path for her while it did touch her at the same time. The first wave of Draco meteor was coming down with every spooling its Ash's claws. Aura spheres came together and lobbed them up smashing against the attacks. All the Pokémon in cover were watching as Ash looked to them above Latias said "Charizard get her now" He was floating above shooting another Draco meteor piece with aura sphere.

Zekrom who was using a protect shield to defend himself saw this and was impressed by Ash's devotion and willingness to protect those close to him. Even Rayquaza in his berserk state was given pause by this added to the fact he changed into a Pokémon. Charizard flew forward dodging two Draco meteors and approaching them.

Before he had a chance to react the next two Draco meteor attacks exploded and rained countless shards down over the area. Ash shouted in frenzy "HURRY CHARIZARD" The fire lizard was able to pick up Latias but pieces were already starting to rain down and Ash powered up a dragon pulse beam and fired it above and spun it around hitting a few pieces.

Charizard seeing an opportunity started flying towards the huge rock formation which would provide cover as quick as he could. But a few more pieces were on their way down and just as he was about to make it until two pieces fell and exploded in front of him. He beat his wings to avoid the blast but saw more pieces approaching and were about to hit him.

Just as it seemed to hit Ash flew over and shielded them. The Draco meteor pieces impacted into his back shocking everyone with worry and fright taking over all of them. Ash leaned down from the attack and groaned heavily, hurt from the attack he struggled to move completely ASH" The Draco meteors ended with smoke and craters covering the entire area.

Charizard flew back over to Ash and said "Are you okay Ash?" The mega Latios breathed heavily and said "urrrr...that...Draco meteor...was powerful...man that hurt" Charizard wasted little time and grabbed Ash and flew them both over to the rock formation with all of the others and set the pair down. Latias was laid against the wall on her back while Ash was placed down.

He resonated for a couple of seconds before he dematerialised out of his mega form back to a natural Latios. Espeon and Charizard were first to investigate him "Are you hurt Ash?" The Latios nodded his head relieving them all "Yeah, just hurts...I will be fine" After a moment he was shrouded in energy reverting back to human and leaning on his side a little. He slowly tried to stand up but he struggled to lean himself up completely as he was struck by three Draco meteor shards. He looked to Latias who was concerned for him said "Are you...sure you're okay...you had me worried?"

Ash knelt down next to her and said "I will be fine Latias it is you that I'm worried about" He checked her wound to see the scratch marks from Rayquaza's dragon claw on her side just above her left wing. He worryingly said "Heal pulse alone won't fix that" Latias placed her claw on his hand and said "Don't worry, I can handle it"

Ash was worried but the eon looked optimistic herself which forced him to calm. He stood back up and checked back to see Zekrom and Rayquaza resuming them battle with the pair locking claws and holding it against each other. Seeing the opportunity here Zekrom powered psychic energy on his head and smashed his head against Rayquaza's with Zen headbutt.

Rayquaza was thrown back with him breathing heavily and his red eyes glowing brighter. He built up two dragon pulse spheres in his claws and chucked them at his opponent. Zekrom decided to finally put an end to this battle and flew head and on to meet them. He flew around the two spheres and his tail engine begun glowing and spooling up.

He flew at a much faster speed and Rayquaza seeing this fired a dragon pulse beam in an effort to repel the black dragon. Ducking below the attack Zekrom now surrounded himself in blue electricity as he powered up his signature fusion bolt. With the added speed it add momentum as he closed the gap and smashed himself into the delta.

It brightened and they were covered in the field as electricity and brightness covered the entire sky around them. Ash was standing at the entrance to the cave formation with Charizard and Espeon watching the scene unfold before them. The brightness lessens before the entire area exploded before them. Covering the entire area in smoke and any clouds nearby were being blown away.

They heard the recognisable roar of Rayquaza but from the sound of it he was put in complete pain and agony from the powerful attack. It was blinding for a few moments before the light disappeared and they saw Rayquaza falling down from the smoke with the purple energy no longer emanating around him and his eyes were no longer glowing red anymore.

The group watched as Rayquaza slammed into the ground close to them with Zekrom floating his way down to land beside the fallen legendary. Ash ran out but he found slight difficulty due to his injury from the Draco meteors. Lucario who ran up with him said "Master hold on a moment" Ash looked to him and watched as Lucario placed his paws against Ash's back and activated heal pulse.

The healing wave flowed all over him providing relief to him. Ash waited until he felt the pain in his back diminish as his injury compared to others was only minimal. Once it was done he turned to the aura Pokémon and said "Thanks Lucario, what about Latias?" His response to the question wasn't as optimistic "I have managed to ease the wound but the claw attack was big so it will take some time to heal up"

Ash nodded relieved that she was okay before running over to find Rayquaza badly hurt lying on his back and very weak. He placed his hand on his side and said "Rayquaza" he waited for a response before the delta made a heavy breathe "I...I'm sorry...Ash...I lost ...control of myself...I don't know what happened to me"

Ash pressed his hand and projected a heal pulse of his own to stabilise him better slightly even though it will make little difference from the attacks that befell him. Zekrom was landed beside them in which Ash nodded to him "Thank you Zekrom...for freeing Rayquaza"

The black dragon nodded as all the entire group came over and to joined them. "We had no choice Rayquaza, I don't know what happened to you but while you had lost control you power skyrocketed. What did Team Rocket do to you? The delta struggled to reply to him "While...draining my energy...they also tested on...me too. I had...been defiled by them"

Ash understood and reassured the legendary "Don't worry, I'm going to get you help. You just sit tight" As he stood back up out of nowhere an ice beam came flying out of nowhere and targeted Zekrom. The ice impacted into his back and made his roar out in agony from the super effective move.

A gasp escaped Ash's mouth in response "ZEKROM!" The attack pierced into the black dragons back and forced him to lean down hurt from the attack after he was slightly worn out with the battle against Rayquaza. Ash ran up to the black dragon " Are you hurt bad Zekrom" the dragon shook his head in reply which relieved Ash of his worry before looking in the direction of the attack.

It had come from the ruins of the Zealot base where a bit of smoke was still puffing up from the ruins. But Ash could just make out a shadow of a massive Pokémon and a man that stood beside the Pokémon. Ash watched as the man stepped out from the smoke and it was revealed to be doctor Zager.

"Zager you are still here?" The scientist nodded his head before saying "Congratulations Ketchum you rescued the mighty Rayquaza. Was it a good victory to you? ...I hope it was worth that much because as we speak I imagine our army is attacking Fuchsia city right now" Ash gritted his teeth to this statement and shouted back "You would have attacked if I left Rayquaza here"

Zager couldn't help but let out a chuckle at the champion's words "Ah Ash you know us too well. Well this time is the last victory you have against team Rocket because with Specimen endgame at my side now and ready the second phase of Conquest will be ready to commence"

Ash was confused by this until he looked to the shadow of the huge Pokémon. It confused him before the shadows shape started to look familiar "Wait a second... I have seen that shape before...No it can't be? The Pokémon finally revealed itself out of the smoke "I...l…Impossible...K...Kyurem..." The legendary was indeed the one and only Kyurem which had red glowing eyes showing it under team rockets complete control.

Hearing the name caught Zekrom's attention in an instant who looked on to see this too and murmured "Impossible...My original...captured..." Zager was amused by the faces of the group and said "Indeed with the power of Kyurem under our control. We will finally have everything we need for world domination and the end of your rebellion against our worthy cause" Kyurem looking at the group produced a menacing growl at them.

Suddenly mystic energy spooled around the pair covering them in the energy. Ash was expecting Kyurem to transform exactly like when he did when Ash helped the swords of justice in Unova. But instead what happened instead shocked them all worse. The pair had disappeared from the spot of where the energy was.

"W...where did they go?" Ash used his aura vision to try and sense them out. Lucario and Espeon also assisted with this but to no avail they had truly disappeared from the area. Mind-blown at the moment Ash wasn't sure how to react to the events. Moltres, Tornadus, Heatran, Raikou, Rayquaza and even Kyurem were all confirmed to have been captured by Team rocket. But with the mighty delta rescued there were only seven under team rockets control with two more still yet to be identified.

"How can...Team rocket possess the power to control so many legendary Pokémon...I don't know how the managed it...they must be receiving so much help and support to manage such a thing...?" Ash decided he was going to have to think further of it later as he knew many of his team and Rayquaza needed rest and to heal up.

He then said "Right we have done everything here. Our next move will have to wait, we need to get everyone back to full health before we plan anything. Ash looked to Zekrom and asked him "Zekrom would you be able to carry Rayquaza back to my place" the black dragon nodded and turned to the delta 'Sure...I will need you to direct me however as I have never been to your establishment'

Ash now looked towards Latias who was being held by Charizard and walked up to her he placed his hand on the side of her face "Hang in there Latias..." Ash first returned Espeon, Lucario, Garchomp, Noctowl and Floatzel to their poke balls before took her and held her around him. Lugia floated up as Ash sat himself on Charizard's back.

Before take-off he looked back towards the site of the ruined Zealot base and right next to the lifeless body of Domino still laid. He looked to the ground and felt like he needed to move the body but he knew that some of G-men were on their way to clean up what remained of the base.

He turned away and signalled Charizard to lift off and they took to the skies. Lugia followed behind with Zekrom who carried Rayquaza on his back and the group moved away from the base and begun to make their way back towards the Kanto region. It would not take long as they merely had to pass around mount silver.

Meanwhile...undisclosed location...

In a room populated with grunts of team rocket and two figures consisting of Executive proton and Doctor Zager. They were stood before a screen showing Giovanni who looked disappointed "I see so not only did she fail to prevent Rayquaza from being released she also met her end at the hands of Rayquaza?"

Zager nodded his head once for which Giovanni looked away "While Domino's recent failures were troubling, she was a valuable asset to Team rocket and my greatest ace..." He held his hand up before submitting to them "She will be missed and will not be forgotten for her contributions and her sacrifice will not be in vain".

The Rocket leader turned back and said "Proton status report?" The executive stood to attention and bowed his head "Sir, phase one of operation conquest is now underway. Our army is attacking Fuchsia now and the other two targets are within the sights of our other troops. We will soon be ready to commence with phase two"

Giovanni smiled pleased with the news and replied "Excellent and what of phase three" Doctor Zager stepped forward to answer "Sir we still have preparations before we can achieve stage three. One piece is ready but we still await confirmation from your contact and for the other two to arrive while one of the two is differently here as your contact stated sir. Once I was able to use the teleportation with Specimen endgame sir" Giovanni grinned towards this "Good and how is Kyurem?"

Back with the group a while later...

Ash and the group were still flying through the sky after passing mount silver. They were not far out from reaching their home. Ash had called ahead to Alfred to make preparations for major medical procedures and to call professor Oak and Brock slate over to the house to assist with the healing of most of the Pokémon due to the severity of some injuries.

He was hopeful the team would be able to fully recover before Team Rockets next move but as much as he wanted to rush to Fuchsia city to help defend he could do little with the current condition of his Pokémon. Which also left what to be done with Rayquaza.

Having been tortured for years at the hands of rocket it was unclear about how able he would be but due to his rampage earlier Ash was hopeful he could make a full recovery. So much had to preoccupy him once he returned to the house. He looked to Latias in front of him who was laying in place trying to rest. He rubbed the back of her neck and comfortingly said "Hey, you okay Latias?"

The eon looked back to him and calmly nodded "Yes...I just need some rest and I will be okay...I was very touched by you willing to protect me Ash..." She leaned up and was able to plant a kiss on his cheek. She lovingly stared at him "Thank you Ash" The champion happily nodded to her "You know I won't let anything bad happen to you"

He suddenly heard a pinging noise on his C-DEX. He pressed it the main key on the bottom and it opened up with a video feed coming on. It showed Alfred who spoke "Master Ash?" The champion replied straight away to the caretaker "I'm here Alfred what's wrong?

Alfred replied back through on the comm "We are set up ready to receive you and professor Oak and Doctor Brock Slate are on route to the house but we have a problem" Ash because curious towards this as Alfred continued " We are fully stocked on everything else but we are low on Oran berries at the moment. We need to restock to help with healing all the Pokémon"

Ash looked across to Lugia and Zekrom with the injured Rayquaza. It was true that Rayquaza would not be able to wait long for treatment. "Okay I will head to Viridian City with Charizard to get the Oran berries as that is close. Everyone else will head to the house" Alfred nodded on the video link "Very well Master Ash, I will expect you back soon" The video link ended and Ash looked to his left "Lugia I need you to take Latias" The guardian nodded to this and powered up his psychic. Latias was lifted up off Charizard and moved over to be laid on his back.

"Thank you Lugia. Now can you lead Zekrom back to the house as me and Charizard need to go to Viridian City to purchase Oran berries as we are low at home" Lugia nodded his head to the Champion "Yes I will lead them back, it should not be long before we return" Ash nodded before looking to Charizard " Alright let's move Charizard as quick as you can. We need to get to Viridian City as fast as we can".

That was all the incentive the fire lizard needed and he beat his wings heavily and zoomed forward turning left slightly heading away from the group of Legendaries they made speed as best as they could heading towards Viridian City. Ash knew his priority now was to heal up his Pokémon but he was still worried about Fuchsia City and the people knowing the horrible attack taking place right now.

And there we have another wrap folks. So that is the second chapter I was able to complete during holiday. Now no more changes can be made to the plot for now as it is all set now so I can't accept any more suggestions for the moment. But later it should be okay again.

So Kyurem, another identified captured legendary. I decided at the start that Team rocket had to bump up their evilness in order to be taken seriously and the final battle is going to be off the charts if I play my cards right I hope I will. Let's just say the final battle will bring forth a Pokémon thought to be forgotten from history. See u next chapter.