Polaris-Ponyta, Shanjin-Greninja, Yarak-Talonflame, Nelly–Auroros, Anakri-Dragelge, Lenaren-Noivern

Shira-Reshiram, Phantom-Darkrai, Lily-Mewtwo, Link-Raichu

Chapter 24: Poison and Flame

The police scoured every part of the secret Team Flare facility, but there was no one left. Most of the important information was gone too. As the police investigated the remains, Fleur and I headed outside to join Ben and Hari.

"They moved really fast," Fleur muttered. "I bet Lysandre was all ready to go. They must be closer to finishing than I thought. We need to get to Geosenge. But they'll know we're coming. They'll try to stop us."

I nodded. "We'll get there. I've got some tricks that will get us in, especially since the police will be helping. I'll be right back. I need to make a call."

"Who are you calling?" Hari asked.

"Grant. He can rally the gym leaders."

"Cara," Ben said. "Do you want me to have any Pokémon sent over from Avalon?"

I nodded, listening to the phone ring. "Have Link send Shira and Phantom. And ask him to be ready to call Lily and Mewtwo, just in case." Lily and Mewtwo were so tired that I wouldn't call them unless absolutely necessary. Grant answered the phone and I rushed to explain what had happened.

"I'll get the gym leaders!" He promised. "I'm not far from Geosenge, so I'll be there soon."

"Thank you, Grant!"

Ben returned from the Pokémon Center with the two requested Pokéballs. Looker was organizing the hit on Geosenge. We joined in to listen.

"We found a little more information about the weapon. It was used to end a war 3,000 years ago. A number of Pokémon were sacrificed to power the machine. The standing stones on Route 10 are their graves. Team Flare has gathered more Pokémon as a power source for the machine. We need to free them, which should also reduce the power of the weapon. But Geosenge is remote, and it will take too long for a ground team to get there. We'll send officers by air as an initial strike. Since we don't know when Team Flare is planning to use the weapon, we need to get there as soon as possible. We leave in ten minutes."

I huddled up with Ben, Fleur, and Hari. "They'll be waiting for us," Fleur said. "They have a team of sky trainers."

I looked down at the pair of Pokéballs I held. "I think we'll be able to get through. Fleur, are you familiar with the facility in Geosenge?"

"A little."

"Great. Then I need you with me. Ben, Hari, could you distract the sky trainers while Fleur and I slip through?"

"How?" Hari asked. He had no experience, or interest, in battling Pokémon.

I handed him Shira's Pokéball, then gave Phantom's Pokéball to Ben. "I've explained the situation to Shira and Phantom. They'll fight for you." Ben and Hari nodded, understanding that they were the only people I would trust to command these legendary Pokémon. "Join us when you can. We may need their power at the front."

They looked nervous. Of course they were. Who wouldn't be when there was some machine that could destroy the planet? I made myself grin, trying to show confidence. "We've got this, guys. They don't stand a chance against a team like us." Then because I hoped it would psych them up, I stuck out my hand. Ben, Hari and Fleur placed their hands on mine and we exchanged smiles that were far more reassuring than we felt.

I sent out Lenaren and Yarak. Lenaren wasn't strong enough to carry more than one person, so I rode on her alone. Yarak was backup for when the aerial battle started. Looker borrowed a Salamence from one of the officers (he wasn't a trainer himself), and he and Fleur rode together. Ben and Hari rode Ben's Pigeot. Looker gave the signal, and in unison, almost thirty police took to the air on their flying Pokémon. We flew over Lumiose and out into the country.

I took the time to communicate telepathically with my Pokémon, forming a strategy. When I shivered, I realized we were getting close to Geosenge. Up ahead were the fields of standing stones. The place where I had passed out. Now I knew why – even my weak psychic powers had reacted to the horrible sacrifice that had taken place there thousands of years ago. I wanted to help the Pokémon down there, but that was a job for the police. Fleur, Looker and I had to stop the machine. Saving the Pokémon sacrifices would mean nothing if the world was destroyed.

As Geosenge came into view, dozens of Pokémon rose up in front of us. Many of the Pokémon carried Team Flare trainers. They formed a barrier across the sky, blocking us from getting through.

Exactly what we expected.

The police engaged their airborne foes. I gestured to Ben and Looker. They nodded, and our flying Pokémon shot upward, trying to slip above the battle. A flock of Staravia and Sigilyph appeared, along with a Hydreigon with a rider on its back. The flock sent out a combined Whirlwind, pushing us away.

"Now!" I shouted to Hari and Ben.

Hari threw out Shira's Pokéball, and my Reshiram charged straight into the battle. Team Flare cried out in alarm as Shira opened her mouth and unlashed a vortex of fire. The flames punched through the blockade. Lenaren shot forward, through the fiery tunnel Shira had provided. Behind us, Looker and Fleur followed on Salamence. A Staravia flew up to try to stop us, but Yarak knocked him out of the sky.

We were through, rocketing forward and leaving the battle behind. As we drew near Geosenge, something caught our attention. The ground in the center of town was shifting.

"What is that?" Fleur called. Lenaren and Salamence stalled in mid-air as we all watched.

Something erupted out of the earth, sending houses splintering off of their foundations. Lenaren, Yarak and Salamence drew back in alarm as a massive crystal speared out of the ground. The shining stone split and fell open like a giant flower. We stared at the beautiful and menacing shape in the center of town. The weapon from 3,000 years ago.

"Look!" Fleur shouted. "There's Lysandre!"

Across town, I saw a tall man dressed in back, with flaming red hair. He had spotted us, and seemed to be waiting. I watched, alert for any ambush. But he waited until Lenaren and Salamence landed nearby.

Looker sent Salamence to look for injured people in the ruined town. A few frightened residents were already pulling aside rubble to look for someone trapped beneath.

"I'll distract Lysandre," I whispered. "You guys shut down the machine when you get the chance." I strode up to Lysandre with Fleur and Looker at one side and Lenaren and Yarak on the other.

But Lysandre was looking only at Fleur. "So," he said. "You show your true colors. I took you in and gave you a job, and you repay us by betrayal. Everyone said I shouldn't let in a girl who can't pay, and it looks like they were right."

I made to move in front of Fleur, but she stepped past me. "Hah! You talk about betrayal. But you want to betray the whole world."

Lysandre didn't even blink. "The world betrayed you too. Your parents and home gone, forced to live like trash on the street. You should want a new world more than anyone. A beautiful, pure world free of human corruption."

Fleur hesitated. I knew she didn't agree with him, but it would be impossible to grow up on the streets without some lingering bitterness. I had to take Lsyandre's attention away from her so she could get to work.

I laughed out loud. "You think you're going to build a better world? How often do you have to tell yourself that? A world built on death and destruction will never be beautiful. Hate and death only lead to more hate and death! It's a never-ending cycle."

Fleur put a hand on my arm. I shot her a quick smile and stepped toward Lysandre.

He just shook his head. "A never-ending cycle, you say? That's exactly what I want to prevent. I'll bring this world to an end and start from scratch."

I clenched my fists, wanting to punch some sense into him. He was hearing only the things he wanted to hear.

"I tried helping people," he continued. "No matter how much I gave to them, the problems never got any better. The same despicable things happened over and over."

"You think throwing money at a problem will fix it? It takes planning and involvement."

"Even this weapon is proof," he continued, ignoring me. "Do you know why it was created 3,000 years ago? It was created to bring a dead Pokémon back to life. A noble goal, no? But then it was turned into a weapon that was worse than any war."

"Why do I bother talking to you?" I snapped. "You've got blinders on your ears, twisting everything to your own purposes."

"Then prove your convictions to me in battle." He pulled out a Pokéball.

Smirking, glad he'd taken the bait, I sent out Lenaren. He sent out a Meinshao. A battle was just the distraction Fleur and Looker needed to slip away.

Lenaren launched forward, but Meinshao sprang into the air with Bounce. Lenaren looked up, surprised, and Meianshao slammed down on top of her, knocking her to the ground. He started lashing with the fur on his arms. She screeched in pain, and let out an explosive Boomburst, knocking Mienshao away. Meinshao landed on his feet and dashed around, dodging Lenaren's Supersonic and Air Cutter. I wondered why he was only dodging and not attacking. Meinshao were known for their swift relentless strikes. Lenaren jumped into the air, but I noticed a hitch in her flight. Something was wrong. A quick thought from her confirmed my suspicions. Mienshao had used Toxic. That's why Mienshao was stalling. It was only a matter of time before Lenaren collapsed from the poison.

I returned her and Yarak shot forward. Two could play the speed game. Yarak engulfed himself in flame, sending out heat mirages to throw off Mienshao's aim. Mienshao struck with his whip-like fur. Lenaren crashed right through it, hitting Mienshao dead-center with Flame Charge. This made Yarak even faster, and left Mienshao with a burn.

Yarak dodged away and flew higher, taunting his opponent and staying just out of range. Mienshao used Bounce again, trying to get up to Yarak's level. Yarak struck with a saved-up Razor Wind, and Mienshao crashed to the ground.

"You're the Kanto champion, aren't you?" Lysandre said, swapping out a Honchkrow. "I heard about you. But that doesn't mean you'll win."

I wasn't really listening. I directed Yarak into a spiraling dance of fire and wind, hoping the embers would distract Honchkrow. He used Flame Charge again, increasing his speed until he was a flickering blur. Honchkrow lashed out in frustration, missing. Yarak used Flame Charge once more, and this time Honchkrow managed to claw in a quick hit as Yarak dodged away. Seconds later, I saw my Talonflame's movements begin to slow. I hissed as I realized that Honckkrow had also used Toxic. Lysandre only needed one hit, and Toxic would do the rest of the damage on its own. I couldn't keep switching out poisoned Pokémon, or I'd run out of my team too fast. We had to finish this now.

Yarak charged in with Brave Bird. Honchkrow whirled to face him and used Night Slash. The attack hit, but Yarak's momentum slammed them together. Both birds crashed to the ground.

Nelly was my next Pokémon, and Lysandre sent out Gyarados. Two giants facing each other. Nelly used Rock Throw, but Gyarados slipped out of the way and struck with Aqua Tail. Nelly fell sideways, smashing one of the damaged houses. She sat up and used Ancient Power. This time it hit. But when Gyarados straightened up he began to glow and grow. Gyarados was mega evolving.

"Get up, Nelly!" I shouted.

She started to get to her feet, but she was big and slow. Mega Gyarados used Hydro Pump and knocked her out.

I sent out Anakri next. She split into Double Team, surrounding Mega Gyarados with copies of herself. Gyarados lashed his tail, wiping half of them out. The rest rushed forward, and the real Anakri hit him with Toxic. Time for Lysandre to have a taste of his own medicine. Gyarados roared and bit at Anakri, but she slipped out of the way and refreshed her Double Team. This time she hit Gyarados with Poison Tail. Gyarados sprayed out Hydro Pump, hitting the real Anakri. Double Teams vanished, and Gyarados charged. Anakri hit him with Dragon Tail, but Gyarados's Thrash took her down. As Anakri fell, Gyarados raised his head and roared. Not a roar of triumph, but of pain. Toxic had done its job, and Mega Gyarados fell.

Lysandre took out his last Pokéball. His final one was a magnificent male Pyroar. Shanjin faced him. He spat out Smokescreen, but Pyroar's Hyper Voice dissipated it. Shanjin was startled enough that he couldn't dodge. Hyper Voice knocked him off his feet. By the time he stood, Pyroar was already bearing down on him, jaws open wide. Jin jumped, but Pyroar grabbed his leg.

Jin wailed, but blasted Hydro Pump at his attacker. Pyraor was swept away by the torrent. Jin started a barrage of Water Shuriken. Pyroar used Noble Roar, knocking Shanjin back again. Once more Pyroar charged, this time opening his mouth to use Flamethrower. Jin leapt into the air and whipped out his tongue, wrapping it around Pyroar's middle. He reeled himself in until he was riding Pyroar like a bucking bronco. Pyroar whirled, snarling, but Shanjin held on. Then Pyroar's body began to glow as he prepared Overheat. Shanjin readied another Hydro Pump. The two attacks hit at the same moment. Jin was blasted backward and landed in a heap. Both Pokémon collapsed.

Lysandre smirked as he returned Pyroar. "I suppose we have a draw."

I snorted. "What makes you think that? I still have one Pokémon left." I held up Polaris's Pokéball.