Chapter 80: Life, Death, Order, and Chaos Pt. 3: Beyond Evolution

CRACK!

The ceiling shook, dust raining down upon us. I glanced upwards to see large cracks spreading across what remained of the ruined concrete. Another booming sound made the fissures spread wider. Then pink light spread along the lines, radiating energy before exploding. Zanarchggon roared as the ceiling collapsed around her and I watched as more rubble fell to bury us. I closed my eyes, only to realize I hadn't been crushed yet. I blinked through the dust as sunlight poured in from the sky high above us. The remains of the ceiling were floating via psychic energy before being slammed into Chaos, driving her back and making her topple over.

Two giant shapes fell into the hole, a whoop sounding from someone riding atop Xerneas. "Heck yeah! The cavalry has arrived!"

"HOW DARE YOU-!" Zanarchggon began rising, only to be pushed back into the rubble by a blast of dark red energy. Yveltal let out a cry, lowering himself to the ground to let his rider disembark. She scanned the area, spotting me and running over.

"Alex," I croaked, stumbling forwards. "Watch for-cough! Water!"

Alex veered around the water, stopping for a brief moment as she caught sight of what lay amongst the charged water. She then rushed over to me, catching me as I began to fall over.

"Zeno," She whispered.

"You came," I coughed.

"I'm sorry I was too late." she touched her forehead to mine. I let myself soak in the moment, trying to block out the cruel world. I pulled away, glancing at all the people we managed to rescue. "We need to get them out of here."

"They got that covered," Alex said, glancing towards the sky. I followed her gaze to see several helicopters descending through the hole in the ceiling. I could see a woman with flaming red hair in the doorway of the closest one, her bright uniform reflecting the light of the sun.

"Radiance!?" I choked out in surprise, trying to stand, only to get hit by a wave of dizziness. Alex held me close as the ground rumbled and the sound of the three legendaries battling echoed all around. As Alex started leading me towards Eve's Helicopter, I glanced back at Arcanine. New energy surged through me and I wanted so bad to run to him, but the water would electrocute me in an instant.

A yelp made Alex and I whip around to see Clara struggling in Sebastian's grip, his knife pressed up against her throat. Emma was crouching feet away by Looker, who was holding his bleeding arm in pain, glaring at the Cultist leader. I instantly thought of when I was in this same exact position before. A small girl, Mira, about to meet a cruel fate.

"All you're struggling has been to no avail!" He laughed maniacally, foaming at the mouth. Clara tried to break free, but he pressed the blade harder, a droplet of blood pooling at one end. "Chaos has risen and there's no stopping her!"

"I won't-!" I took a step forwards, then fell to one knee, feeling pain course through me. I was in no state to help her. I looked on helplessly, just like before, as I knew I was about to watch my friend die.

"PATHETIC!" Sebastian howled with laughter. "Now watch, Hero Born of Darkness, as your dear friend is sacrificed to the All-Powerful One!" He seemed to relax, as if he saw what he was about to do in his mind.

A sudden yell made me jerk. Preston lunged forwards, closing his hand around the jagged blade before the Cultist could slice Clara's neck. Her eyes widened as Preston gritted his teeth in pain, blood flowing from his hand as he struggled against Sebastian's force. With a grunt, he began pulling the knife away from Clara, allowing her to slip free. The former Team Rocker member thrust his face close to Sebastian's, hand still gripping the knife tightly. "If you think you'll get your way after everything, think again! I won't let you hurt her!" He jerked the Cultist's arm down before slamming a fist into his face. Preston yelled, closing his bloody hand into a fist and swung it into Sebastian's stomach, making him double over and collapse.

Preston relaxed his hand, breathing hard. Without warning, Sebastian lurched upwards as if possessed, stabbing Preston in the stomach. His eyes widened as he opened his mouth, coughing up blood.

"NO!" Clara yelled, yanking Sebastian away and slamming him into the wall. The old Cultist slumped to the ground, blood tricking from his mouth as his eyes stared far into the distance.

Preston fell to his knees, the knife still embedded in him. He tried to speak, but couldn't manage. Clara gripped his shoulders in panic. "You stupid idiot! Why'd you go and do this!?"

Someone pulled Clara away, sticking a needle into Preston. Kamake glanced up and ordered, "Help me with him!" Clara acted immediately, helping the Team Radiance scientist to carry Preston towards the closest helicopter.

"We need to get you out of here, Zeno," Alex urged me, tugging me along. I returned my Pokemon as I went, all too aware that I was one pokeball short. Greninja stayed out, helping me with Alex to get me to the helicopter where Eve was urgently hurrying us onwards.

"Get us out of here!" She yelled to the pilot as soon as we were aboard. The aircraft lifted off, but rocked as a gust of wind blew us dangerously close to the concrete wall. I looked to see Yveltal beating his wings, blasting air against Zanarchggon. She floated upwards, wrapping her tail around the Destruction Pokemon and slamming him into the wall as Xerneas fired a gigantic Moonblast into her. Chaos ripped through it, dousing Xerneas in a wave of poison.

The helicopter jerked upwards and I nearly fell out of the helicopter before Alex caught me and slammed the door shut. "No," I grunted, pushing her away. I grabbed ahold of a side bar and gripped it tightly as I pulled the door back open. We had risen from the hole now and were flying above Lumiose. I could see emergency vehicles on every street and International Police Officers herding people away. The gaping hole took a small chunk from the city and the three legendaries still battled within, Zanarchggon trying to rise from it, but kept being pushed down by Yveltal and dragged by huge vines from Xerneas.

Greninja stood beside me as the helicopter circled the hole. I clenched a shaking fist, Greninja's eyes narrowed. "We won't stop fighting here, not while we still have breath within us." My knuckles turned white as I felt a surge of emotions flood through me. "For Arcanine."

"Greninj," Greninja agreed, tugging his tongue tighter around his neck before leaping out into the open air. Water surged around him, tightening into a bullet-shaped missile. He zoomed back into the hole, slamming into Zanarchggon, sending her crashing into the wall with a roar of pain. Greninja leaped backwards, cloak flapping in the wind as he directed the water around him into a large blade. He swung, the water breaking up as it slashed into Chaos.

A vine wrapped around his middle, jerking him out of the way as Chaos slashed downwards with poison tipped claws. Greninja was flung back into the air as Xerneas slammed her horns into Zanarchggon, draining her life force. Yveltal blasted another dark energy beam, absorbing more life energy.

Zanarchggon roared, the skies far above turning a dark violet color. Her body glowed with power as she surged forwards, sinking her fangs into Xerneas side, yellow eyes flashing. Dark leathery wings sprouted from her back with a powerful blast of wind, slamming into Yveltal and cutting off his attack. Greninja slammed his foot down on her head, which suddenly sprouted horns and made the Water type bounce off. A beam of violet energy ripped from her maw, slicing through the earth and blasting into the sky, blowing apart the clouds.

A small green creature formed into existence on the side of the helicopter before immediately turning into a beam of green light, shooting towards something running across the rooftops of Lumiose. More beams arced across the sky, blasting down as the shape became larger. It sped up, becoming a blur as it dived into the hole and crashed into Zanarchggon with a loud boom. Zygarde skidded back along the ground, his Z-shaped body glowing green. Xerneas stood to his left as Yveltal hovered on his right. Greninja landed in front of the Order Pokemon, his cloak gone as a large shuriken gleamed on his back.

"So you have all come to stop me," Chaos growled. "XY&Z!"

"I could not stand idle as life was harmed," Life's antlers glowed with a radiance of colors. "Not when the humans and Pokemon of this world haven't given up hope."

"Death is eternal." A dark blood red aura enveloped Death. "But there must be a balance."

"There must be order," Order's voice echoed around the area. "Chaos is a force that helps bind this world in perfect harmony, but too much of it will upset the world."

"GRENIN!" Greninja cried, standing tall as he clenched both fists.

"I have awaited this moment for an untold number of years!" Zanarchggon roared, dark liquid pooling beneath her, creeping closer and closer to her enemies. "I have amassed followers over many generations as I slowly conserved my power! My vengeance must be fulfilled and this world must be mine! Chaos will rule all! And you cannot stop me!"

She shot out her arms and the liquid surged forwards. Greninja flung off his shuriken, using it as a shield as it grew and spun upright. Yveltal flew straight up, body glowing with golden light. The ground cracked around Xerneas nimble feet as multicolored lights shone around her. Zygarde grew larger, becoming 100% of what he is capable of. All four of his limbs that hung from his shoulders sprang up, maws opening as they blasted draconic energy, disintegrating most of the poison. His body glowed green as he zoomed forwards, slamming into Zanarchggon. She plunged her claws into him, flinging him upwards where she blasted him with a powerful beam of violet energy.

Grass popped up along the cracked concrete, beautiful flowers with sweet aromas sprouted, and tall lush trees surrounded Zanarchggon. They glowed with light before exploding around her. Chaos flew skywards, body glowing as she slammed into Yveltal, who was diving for her. She bit his right wing, swinging him back down to earth. Greninja leaped atop the Destruction Pokemon and jumped off of him. His tongue whipped outwards, stretching to wrap around Zanarchggon's tail as she flew into the sky above Kalos.

Xerneas laid her antlers on Yveltal, giving him more energy before falling to her front knees. Yveltal burst back into the air, body glowing with an array of lights. Zygarde appeared above Chaos, slamming his fist towards her head. She pulled herself back, flipping in the air and flinging Greninja into Zygarde. She flew to the right as Yveltal screamed past, coming to a halt just above her. He held out his three wings wide, each one glowing a darker shade of red before firing nearly a dozen energy beams. Zanarchggon twisted and turned like a snake on land, dodging each attack before finally getting blast in the side. She barely had time to recover from the attack before Greninja slammed a shuriken into her head before running down the length of her twisting body, slashing with two blades as he went.

Zanarchggon twisted, snapping at Greninja before he leaped off and extended his tongue. Zygarde grabbed hold and flung Greninja higher before slamming his fist into Chaos. She lurched back and was engulfed in a beam of darkness. A giant glowing tree grew with alarming speed from the ground, slamming into her back before dissolving away. Chaos roared, firing a beam of energy from her maw as she carved through the sky, blasting Yveltal in the wings and Zygarde in his side.

Zygarde began storing up power, a glowing Z being shaped in front of him. Zanarchggon streaked towards him, fangs glowing. Yveltal crashed into her, tightening his talons into her side and blasting her at close range with multiple beams. She twisted her head around, grasping his leg and tearing him off. She blasted him towards the city below and turned back to Zygarde, only for Greninja to land on her back and use his tongue to hold her back with all his strength. She flung him off, but Zygarde shot out his hands, blasting all of his energy into her. An explosion ripped through the sky, blowing Zygarde back as he shot out his hand to grasp Greninja.

A shape flew upwards, drawing a Z in the air with violet energy that blasted into Zygarde, sending him earthwards, but not before tossing Greninja upwards. Greninja roared, feet and arms glowing as he slammed his foot upwards, slamming it into Zanarchggon's jaw. He twisted his body around, slamming a fist into her eye. He formed a Water Pulse, blasting it at point-blank range and used that energy to propel himself backwards and avoiding Chaos's fangs and claws. She fired another beam of energy straight towards him, but he pulled off his shuriken, slamming it down on the beam, shaking as he struggled to make sure the shuriken didn't break. An explosion sent him higher into the sky and Chaos flapped her leathery wings and ascended after him. Greninja raised the shuriken above him, dark thunderclouds forming. Lightning struck the shuriken, morphing it to several times its original size and turning it a gleaming black with electricity running across it. Greninja roared as he dived for Zanarchggon, flinging the massive shuriken. It spun faster and faster, zooming towards Chaos. Her eyes widened as she swung her claws, slamming the giant shuriken aside. It spun off course and crashed into the hole in the city with an explosion of water and electricity.

Greninja reverted back to his regular form as he fell, no longer able to put up a fight. Zanarchggon roared with delight, ready to snatch him out of the air with her maw before Yveltal flew by, grasping Greninja with his talons. A blast of energy hit him in the back and he was sent spiraling down to earth. He crashed next to the gaping hole, Greninja rolling out onto the cobblestone street, bruised and unconscious.

The helicopter set down close by and I stumbled out, making my way over to my Pokemon. I lifted him up and he struggled to open his eyes and let out a weak croak. I hugged him gently and looked back up to Chaos, outlined by the violet sky. She hovered lower, just above the rooftops as her yellow eyes flashed.

"You have all been defeated," Chaos spoke, the sky darkening above her. "Life and Death have been conquered and Order has fallen! I win! Chaos wins!"

I stand, my whole body screaming in pain. But I was helpless to do anything now. I-

Light began radiating from Yveltal. He still lay slumped on the ground, but his blue eyes were focused and determined. He began curling back up in a cocoon, dark red light pooling around him and flowing into the large hole. I looked to see Xerneas still below, turning back into a tree, her light spilling out around her as well. Electric currents ran along the ground and walls, making me stumble away from the edge as a spark nearly hit me in the face.

"What's happening?" Alex asked, eyes wide as she steadied me.

The sound of thunder above made us jump and a jagged bolt of lightning arced down into the hole, lighting it up with energy. I felt something inside of me stir, something that hadn't fully died away. I stumbled forwards onto my knees, gripping the edge of the crater as I felt something spike within me.

A blast of white and golden light surged upwards, shooting up into the sky. Something zoomed out of the hole, slamming into Zanarchggon before landing on top of a building. The shape moved in a blur, striking Chaos again and again like a bolt of lightning. Fire blasted against one side as lightning struck the other.

Zanarchggon blasted poison all around her, but each splatter was blasted with flames. Energy began gathering around her and she blasted it outwards. The chaotic energy ripped up the streets and tore through the surrounding buildings, but then fizzled out as it came into contact with a spark of electricity. A ball of fire formed behind her and crashed into her with a fiery explosion. The shape sped away, coming to a stop between us and Chaos.

"Arcanine," I whispered in awe.

He stood proud and tall, his body leaner than before. His fur flickered with fire and electricity as his dark amber eyes narrowed at Chaos. The spiky fur near the bottom of his legs shot out behind him like rough lightning bolts. His mane of fur along with his bushy tail were an amber fire color, the fur lining his body a darker orange with yellow wavy stripes like flickering flames. His two front fangs had grown slightly longer with his height reaching nearly 7 feet. He crouched, spreading his paws as his stripes began glowing, charging with electricity. His bushy fur whipped along in the wind, fire and electricity sparking. He roared, taking a running leap and zooming into Zanarchggon again, making her roar in pain and fury.

"What are you!?" She screeched. "You're not possible!"

She slammed Arcanine away and he crashed into a building. He leapt out, blasting a powerful Flamethrower into her before curling into a wheel of blue fire. He spun into Chaos before bouncing back, skidding along the road.

Zanarchggon fired a beam of energy at him, which he blasted apart with Heat Wave. Wisps of small clouds began forming around Arcanine, crackling with fire and electricity. A lightning bolt shot from the sky, blasting and lighting him up with energy. He roared as he ran forwards, going faster than he ever has before. Violet energy blasted from Chaos in a sphere, but Arcanine blazed right through it, slamming into her with an explosion of fire and electricity, the sound of thunder echoing across the city. Arcanine leaped back as Zanarchggon roared in pain as fire and electricity encircled her, making her writhe about. Zygarde flew above her, punching her to the ground before blasting the ground with draconic energy, forming a glowing Z. It glowed brighter and brighter before exploding. The blast was so powerful it ripped the air beneath Chaos, sucking her into a newly formed rift.

"NO!" She cried out, dragging her poisonous claws along the ground as she forced her way towards Arcanine. "I WILL NOT BE FORCED BACK IN THERE!"

Arcanine blasted her with more fire and electricity, the energy sapping her own. She roared as the rift's pull became stronger, sucking her halfway inside. Her wings began to smoke, holes being ripped in them. One of her horns snapped in half and the piece fell into the rift.

I stood, catching Zanarchggon's eye. "Goodbye, Chaos."

"NOOOOOOOOOO-!" She roared before being cut off entirely as she disappeared and Arcanine blasted the rift with a a charged Flamethrower, sealing it shut before it collapsed in on itself, winking out of existence.

I stumbled forwards as Arcanine padded over to me, nuzzling my chest. I sobbed in relief, hugging his massive head as I finally began to hear the sirens wailing around us. The sky had cleared, almost making it feel like any other ordinary day in Kalos, with the final summer sun shining down upon the region.

Alright, time to explain Zanarchggon's name! The "Z" of course is to symbolize the fact of XY&Z. "Anarch" symbolizes anarchy. "Hggon" would be for Nidhogg or Níðhöggr, the dragon/serpent who gnaws at the roots of the World Tree in Norse Mythology.

So, how'd I do? Was it epic or what? Arcanine is alive, which I'm sure you all are thankful for. But, he's back with an all new look and moves! Further details will have to wait! Chaos has been defeated and returned to the Chaos realm and the city of Lumiose once again suffers damage. Can't catch a break can they? Anyway, I have 2 chapters and an Epilogue left to wrap things up. With school delayed again for me, I definitely should have enough time to finish LDOC. The end is nearly upon us. Till next time. Toodles