Pokémon Journey: XYZ

Hey guys Paradox here and welcome to Chapter 97 and Chapter 14 of XYZ. Here the story will progress further as Team Flare tighten their grip as they attempt to capture Z-2. I must say this will feel different but expected since the group isn't gonna have much of a presence in this chapter. So... I feel like I said everything I need so I'll just get out of the way. Have fun.


"It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways."- Buddha


Chapter 97: Engines of War

"Alright guys, it took some work but meet my first team." Ash said as he released his new team of five. His first was a small green creature with a green bulb on its back, Bulbasaur. The next was a baby blue turtle with brown shell, Squirtle. The third was a familiar large orange lizard with wings, Charizard. The fourth was a purple sluggish slime without a skeleton, Muk. The fifth and final member was a big, large, blue Pokémon with thin eyes, Snorlax.

All five came and ambushed their trainer smushing him with love. Everyone in the group laughed at Ash and his first team as they piled on top of him. "Okay guys, okay." Ash said laughed. Eventually everyone managed to get off Ash and got up. "Ash you never said you had a Charizard." Rene said. "Or a Bulbasaur or a Squirtle. They're so cute." Serena said. "Must've slipped my mind." Ash said until he trips on the ground. He looks at his feet to see Muk still hugging him. "I'm happy to see you too Muk." Ash pets his head. "Your Muk must really miss you." Bonnie said. "That's true but honestly Muk is a hugger. Professor Oak was really ecstatic to have him out of the Lab for awhile," Ash said. "A hugger? In that case." Bonnie went over to Muk and introduced herself and Dedenne. Muk response by giving them a hug which caused them both to laugh.

Ash let them be until he was blasted in the face by a Flamethrower. Excluding Drake, everyone gasped by Charizard's actions. "Ash are you okay?" Serena went over. "It's fine. It just how Charizard says hello." Ash smiled. "I don't understand why you're smiling about that?" Serena said. "Because that Flamethrower really hurt which means he's been training hard. Good job Charizard." said Ash as Charizard growled more. "Really?...I didn't think you guys were capable." Ash said. "What did Charizard say?" Clemont asked. "Apparently my Charizard is now a dad." Ash said.

"So he and Charla finally took the plunge...I'm impressed." Drake said. "Yea, three little Charmanders..." Ash spoke. "So how's the calm life at the Lab Bulbasaur?" Ash asked as Bulbasaur spoke plainly. "Always the negotiator." Drake smiled. "And you Squirtle? How's is the Squirtle Squad?" Ash said as Squirtle rephiled happily. "Nice to hear the job is never dull." Ash smile. "Wait your Pokémon work for a living?" Rene asked. "Squirtle does, as a firefighter. Charizard trains and lives in Johto, and my Bulbasaur maintains peace among the others Pokémon back the Lab." Ash said.

"Wow, you are perhaps the most supportive trainer I've met." Rene said. "That's my Ashy." Serena hugged him. "Perhaps we can learn more about them over lunch Ash?" Clemont asked. "Well you had me at lunch." Ash said causing everyone to laugh.

The spot the group was at was already perfect as they set lunch by a stream. The table was set and everyone was preparing to dig in. Bonnie then notice Squishy wasn't with them and looked around. She finally spotted Squishy laying on a rock in the middle of the stream. "Squishy, Squishy it's lunch time." Bonnie called as Squishy looked to see everyone eating. "I'm sure Squishy is fine Bonnie. That rock it's laying on is on sunlight for it to absorb." Drake said as Bonnie was reassured.

Squishy was relaxing and bathing in the sun's rays energize his body until sudden his senses perked. Nothing was happening around it so that meant another thing. "Respond...hello...respond."


In a canyon far away, Z-2 felt the message pass through their link which meant Z-1 was trying to contact it. However he couldn't risk compromising his associate's position as well and decided not to rephile as Z-2 was on the run. Behind it was a Weavile chasing it down for its master. It hobbles on its stump as fast as it could but Weavile's speed quickly caught up with it. Weavile then strikes with Metal Claw, hurting it.

Finally catching up, Alaina, Mable and a team of Grunts work on surrounding Z-2. "Excellent work Weavile." Mable said. Z-2 tried to escape once more until Aliana summon her Druddigon to block his exit. Z-2 still decides to take high risk to jump over. "Slash now." Druddigon unleashes mighty claws and slashes Z-2 to prevent his escape. "Alright, let's blast this poser." Aliana said Mable, armed with a Stun Blaster, blasts Z-2 with a shot quickly immobilizing Z-2.

"Now you little bugger. You're coming with us." Mable said as she and Aliana inched closer. Z-2 could barely move thus it had just one option. Summoning an energy shield around it and shining brightly it calls to all Cells in the surrounding area. All Cells then rush to Z-2 at light speed and began merging with it. Aliana and Mable gasped and quickly backed off while Z-2 begins morphing.

Like Squishy, Z-2's body morphs bigger and longer on the dog form. Despite being empowered, Z-2 still felt the paralysis from the Stun bolt earlier. Maximizing his adrenaline levels, the 10% Z-2 zips around the canyon walls. "We can't let it get away." Mable said. "Like hell we will. Druddigon use Dragon Pulse." Aliana orders as the big scary dragon type fires a rainbow dragon shape pulse at Z-2. Still zipping around at an incredible speed it was no effort to avoid it. Afterwards Z-2 retaliates with a Dragon Pulse of its own that was more powerful. It impacted on the ground that cause the earth underneath Team Flare's feet to explode under them. Mable and Aliana nearly escape by the skin of their teeth, the same with their men.

"Where it go." Mable said. "There's the bugger!" Aliana pointed to the top of the cliff where Z-2 watched. "Blast it!" Mable said as everyone took arms and fires Stinger bolts at Z-2. Z-2 jumps and spin dodges the volley as he fires another Drgaon Pulse to cover his escape. Walking through the smoke, Mable and Aliana look around but to see their prey gone. "Great!" Mable grunts. "I'll call in." Aliana radios in to Xerosic and Master Lysandre.

"Sir, we got a code red. The Spearow flew the coop." Aliana spoke. "None of your jokes today Aliana. What do you mean by flew the coop?" Xerosic asked. "Target got away sir." Aliana said, leaving Lysandre dissatisfied. "Ha even they can't even contain it either." Celosia laughed. "At least we didn't get beat by a bunch of kids." Mable said. "We like to see you two deal with them." Bryony said. "I think I like you better with your jaw wired shut." Aliana told Bryony which cause her to growl.

"Enough!" Lysandre roared.

Everyone stops arguing and didn't move a muscle. "Now scout reports says that the Ketchums are no where near your location. If they catch wind of this, then it's on ALL your heads, so under any circumstance GET. ME. Z-2." Lysandre theatens.

Nearby in the forest was Team Rocket walking through pondering in thought. "I thought the twerps were around here." James asked. "We already discussed this, they're not in the area." Jessie said. "For once can we not talk about the twerps. Just by mentioning them gives me a headache." Meowth said as he grabs his temple. "If there is one thing we should talk about is that green squishy thing the twerps had." Jessie said. "If we could just capture it this time, we will be unbeatable." James said. "Hey I couldn't agree more with you guys but how exactly are we gonna capture it from the twerps. It's not like there just another one of those little guys around here." Meowth said unknowingly playing Lady Luck's hand.

After reverting back to Core form, Z-2 ran and ran into the forest until he collapsed on the main road...right in front of Team Rocket.

Team Rocket was stun at what they saw. There in front of them was Squishy, a Squishy to call their own. Team Rocket googles over it as they run towards it. "Is this the twerp's Squishy?" Jessie said. "Not exactly, their Squishy had a red pattern on its body. This one has blue." James said. "So there are more of these things." Meowth said. "Possibly, for now let's take it." Jessie said. Suddenly they were cut short when an Ice Beam struck them, freezing them solid.

Z-2 looks to see his attackers have caught on to this but not before freezing another group of strangers. "Right in the kisser." Aliana laughed. "Cut the jokes Aliana. Just who are these guys?" Aliana asked just as Team Rocket freed themselves from the ice. "That was unpleasantly cold." James said as he looked up to see the strange orange clad glasses gang from before. "Hey its the glasses gang." He said. "He's right, the same type of weirdos that the twerps cross paths with." Meowth said.

"Hey at least we don't lick ourselves and cough up hair." Aliana mocks. "Stop it! So you're associated with the Ketchums I see." Mable spoke. "Far from it, we're our own group and now we have our own Squishy to keep." Jessie said. "If by Squishy you mean one of the powerful Pokémon on Earth, it's not yours to have. We'll be taking it." Mable said. "How just do you propose by doing that?" Jessie asked mockly. "These is how." Mable spoke softly as everyone on Team Flare pointed arms at Team Rocket.

"Umm...those look like some big guns." Meowth croaked. "Allow us to show you." Mable demonstrated by shooting a Stinger ray at Z-2 causing harm. By instinct Team Rocket jumped in front and absorb the Stinger as well. "This stings a lot." Meowth cried. "James do something." Jessie yells. "Right, Inkay come out and use Psybeam." Jessie releases the Revolving Pokémon and the squid wasted no time firing a Psybeam at Mable's blaster which destroyed it.

"No you've done it. Druddigon use Slash." "Weavile, Metal Claw." Both Pokémon rushed and tried to attack with physical moves. "Gourgeist come out and use Seed Bomb." Jessie release the Pumpkin Pokémon as the latter spews out a volley of explosive seeds that struck Druddigon and Weavile while also striking the ground that gave Team Rocket time to escape.

When the smoke cleared, Team Flare look to see their prey gone along with the four bozos who took it. "*sigh*...I report in." Mable said. "You don't have to." Aliana spoke. "It's procedure." Mable took the time to radio back to headquarters.

"Report." Lysandre orders. "I'm afraid we hit a snag sir. Someone else has managed to make off with Z-2." Mable said. "Please do not say its the Ketchums. If it's them then your mission is scrap." Xerosic said. "It's four individuals, none of which are the Ketchums." Mable said. "We never accounted a third party on this." Lysandre said. "Nah, these guys are just some wannabes posers who are way over their head." Aliana said. "For once I agree with Aliana. These guys are insignificant, we'll get Z-2 from them." Mable said then signed out. "I really hope they come back empty handed." Bryony said. "Can it Bryony, and where did Celosia go?" Xerosic said. "Oh something about taking a random Grunt somewhere and I quote 'Fuck his brains out.'" Bryony spoke as Xerosic was disgusted.

"Forget I even ask, just go check on the construction of the ship." Xerosic said as Bryony merely walked away. "We have to make certain that Z-2 is in our possession." Xerosic said. "I'm aware, do we have anyone in the area to assist." Lysandre asked as Xerosic conducts a search of nearby assistance. "Well...there is one but it's not one of ours. It's yours." Xerosic said. "He'll have to do. I'll give the call." Lysandre said as he contacts Alain via Holo Caster. "Master Lysandre." Alain spoke plainly. "I have a mission for you." Lysandre spoke.

Team Rocket ran back to the edge of the canyon and hid between the rocky terrain. "Man I don't think I can move another step." Jessie said. "You tell me, my lungs are on fire." Meowth said. "Hey guys Squishy isn't looking too good." James said as he cradles Z-2 who was in a lot of pain. "Hmm, I'm not sure we can treat it." Jessie said. "We may not have to. Look up there." Meowth pointed up to where the sun was hitting the top of a rock flat. "Doesn't the twerp's Squishy heal and energize using the sun?" James asked. "That's right." said Jessie. "Then what are you waiting for?" Meowth said. James wasted no time climbing up and placing Z-2 on top.

Z-2 felt the sun shine on its body and absorb its rays via photosynthesis, feeling refresh and the paralysis from earlier wearing off. "He's starting to look tippy top again." James said. "Great, now we have to get moving." Meowth said. "With our own Squishy to boot, Team Rocket will be number one once more." Jessie said.

Unfortunately they were cut short when an Ice Beam near struck Jessie and hits a wall. From the corner, Aliana and Mable come out with their troops having the high ground from a nearby slope. "So, who wants to play?" Aliana laughs. "I don't think I'll like this game." James said. "You won't be doing much of anything if you don't hand us over Z-2." Mable said. "Persistence jerks. We will never hand it over." James said. "Shame, this cat and mouse game was just starting to get interesting. Druddigon use Dragon Pulse." Aliana said as Druddigon fires a rainbow dragon beam at Team Rocket. Wobbuffet jumps in front of them and uses Mirror Coat to reflect back the Dragon Pulse back to sender.

"Wobbuffet rules." Team Rocket cheers. "Grrr, you annoying little pests. Weavile use Icy Wind." Mable commands as Weavile jumps and blows out a heavy wind of cold air that Team Rocket struggles against until eventually they were just blown away. In the struggle, the Icy Wind cause James to lose grip on Z-2.

Landing in middle, Team Flare quickly work to surround Z-2. "Now Z-2 no more delay. You'll be coming with us." Mable said. Under pressure once more, Z-2 took one final stand and summon an even greater shield, sending a greater call to all cells. All over Kalos, Z-cells zip to Z-2's location at lightspeed and merge with it. The transformation that Z-2 underwent was so great that the earth around it crackles and roar and a crater was form where Z-2 was. When the smoke clear, Z-2 was now a large snake like being that's black on its upper body and green on its lower body.

"It can do that!" Jessie cried. "Druddigon use Dragon Pulse." Druddigon flies upwards and fires a rainbow dragon beam Z-2. Now at 50% Z-2's body was much larger, making it a sitting duck. But what comes in size comes in power as Z-2 uses Extreme Speed to take the Dragon Pulse head on but didn't falter, instead still coming in at an incredible speed strike Druddigon into the crater wall. "Weavile use Ice Beam." Weavile jumps high to fire an Ice Beam unfortunately Z-2 sees it coming and charges up and fires a devastating Dragon Pulse that overpowers the Ice Beam and then striking Weavile.

"That's no joke." Aliana said. "Yea no shit." said Mable as Z-2 prepared to fire a Land's Wrath. "Here it comes!" Mable yells as everyone hits the dirt. But suddenly it never came as small explosion strikes Z-2 on the back, knocking him into the crater wall. Up in the sky a Charizard flies past Z-2. "I recognize that Charizard." Jessie said. "Who was that?" Aliana asked. "That would be my doing." Mable and Aliana turn around to see a familiar face. "Hey, aren't you Lysandre's little protege?" Aliana asked. "I'll give the word for you to jump in while we hold him off." Alain said. "Hold on, who are you to give orders?" Aliana demands. "Because you two need all the help. I have my orders from Master Lysandre to help catch Z-2 for his energy research. Now do what you're told." Alain said as he walks past them.

Walking to the crater, Alain took a good look at Z-2. "Hmm...this might be awhile." Alain said. Z-2 fires a Dragon Pulse at Charizard but miss. "Dragon Claw go." Charizard charges in with green claws at Z-2 who retaliates with Extreme Speed. Both challenge the others strength until both drew away. "We need more power. Respond to my heart Key Stone, go beyond Evolution and Mega Evolve." Alain touches his Key Stone which forms tendons to Charizard's Mega Stone.

Charizard underwent Mega Evolve to become Mega Charizard in all guts and glory. "Now we're getting somewhere." Aliana said. "Use Flamethrower." Circling around Z-2 fast, Charizard fires a continuous stream of flames arm Z-2 to try to wear him down. Z-2 fires Dragon Pulse after Dragon Pulse but still kept on missing. "Now use Dragon Claw." In a downwards strike, Mega Charizard attacks in a downward motion with green claws to knock Z-2 to the mouth of the crater.

For a moment nothing happened until suddenly a green explosion took fruition, Z-2 use every last bit of energy to fire Land's Wrath as Charizard was knock back into the air. "Hmm...it's not letting up." Mable said. "Just a little more, hold on." Alain said. Z-2 prepares to fire another Land's Wrath until a red beam envelope all over its body. Behind it, a Grunt is firing a continuous Stinger at Z-2's back as the other joined in and fire their blasters as well. With energy draining from him, Z-2 no longer had any strength left and collapse. Not long after all the Cells from Z-2 reverted and rush back to their hiding spots, leaving Z-2 back in its Core form.

Aliana jumps down and rushes to Z-2 while taking out a small containment field. "We don't think so." Jessie said. "Z-2 belongs to us." James added as they jump towards Z-2. On their own right, Druddigon and Weavile attack them with Slash and Metal Claw, sending them back to the sky.

"AWW NO FAIR!" Team Rocket blasted off into the sky and away from Team Flare.

"*whistle* they long gone now. Good job guys" Aliana said. "Home base, target is contain." Mable said. "Yes, we did it." Xerosic cheered. "Excellent, waste no time returning it back here." Lysandre said. "Yes sir, Mable out." Mable said then signed out. "Good job Charizard." Alain said. "You have your target. My work here is done." Alain said. "Thanks for the hand kid." Aliana said. "Do not thank me. It just orders." Alain said as he and Charizard walked away. "The kid doesn't know does he?" Aliana asked. "Of our plans? Ha, I think Master Lysandre got him thinking all this is for enegry research. Besides, he's on a need to know basics and he's devoted to Lysandre for his mentorship." Mable said. "He's got guts. I just don't want to see him puke them out when he finds out the truth." Aliana said.


"Respond, Respond!...are you still safe?" Squishy calls but only for no voice to come back to him. With no recall back to him Squishy assume the worst which mean one thing; Team Flare has him.

"Squishy, are you okay?" Bonnie asked as she saw Squishy with a sad expression on its face. "Guys Squishy sad about something." Bonnie showed the gang. Drake looks and examine Squishy's expression and could tell something happened. "Something happen. Something terrible, right Squishy." Drake asked as Squishy slowly nods. "What could've happened to make Squishy sad? He's been with us the whole time." Bonnie said. "Something it knows but we don't. Whatever it is, it's not good." Ash spoke. "Well...hope we find out what that is because I feel that the nature of this entire conflict will be reveal." Drake said as the group agreed.

Darkness was starting to set in, Team Flare took home a grand victory as Lysandre looked at Z-2, who was angrily staring back from inside a glass capsule. "Zygarde you like Kalos, are now...mine." Lysandre smirked evilly.


Done guys, here is Chapter 97. Now Team Flare has Z-2, its only a matter of time before they start the final phases of their plan. Alain was present as well but appears to be clueless to Team Flare's real goals and that will play havoc on him at the end. We are approaching the middle of this arc guys as the group's more and more deeper into Kalos.

So next chapter, I gonna do a skip over so now we will reach Fleurrh City, sight of Serena's third and final Princess Key. I can tell you right now that there will be a lot of drama enough to rival a soap opera. Next time we'll see how Serena will manage to tackle this next obstacle.

Until then please review and thanks for reading. This is Paradox signing off. Goodbye now.