Pokémon Journey: XYZ

Hey guys Paradox here and welcome now to the big chapter 100 and Chapter 17 of XYZ. Man oh man we are finally here and now this story succeeds to triple digits and here's the thing, I still don't know how long this story gonna be, so we'll just go along with the flow. So for now this chapter we'll head into it. All I can say is expect something similar to 'Trial by Fire'. Now enjoy.


"Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work."- Mark Twain


Chapter 100: Heaven's Wrath

On a stormly evening, the group was traveling through a forrest on their way to Joule Town. However one of them was way more excited to get there. "Come on guys. We don't want to miss this." Clemont was running ahead of the group. "Does anyone know what he's talking about?" Bonnie said. "Must be interesting for Clemont to be excited about." Ash said. "Speaking of which, Clemont can you tell us this thing you're talking about?" Drake asked.

"Why I'm Speaking by none other then the great Zapdos Festival." Clemont said excitingly. "Wait a town that honors Zapdos?" Rene asked. "Yes, the story that long ago, there was a tree in the town square that grew fruit for the people there. But one day Zapdos appeared and struck the tree with a lightning bolt. But instead of burning it and dying, the tree grew bigger, stronger and bare more fruit then before. Since then the townsfolk have honored Zapdos and hopes his presence would bring the town good luck." Clemont explains.

"That's quite a story. And you're interested in this?" Rene asked. "Why wouldn't I be? As an electric type trainer I am astound to finally one of the greatest Electric type Pokémon in history." Clemont said. "Wait, didn't you guys ever encounter Zapdos?" Serena asked Ash. "Yes and like many many other moments. They weren't pleasant." Drake said unamused. "Let me guess, try to kill you two?" Rene said. "How'd you figure?" Ash asked playfully. "Well I hope this won't be the case today." Serena said as she held Ash's hand tightly. "I wouldn't t bet on it." Drake said.

"The weather is starting to act up." Bonnie pointed out. Up in the sky thunderclouds stirred the air and suddenly multiple golden lightning bolts rang in the clouds. "Thing are starting to get dicey." Drake said. Suddenly they heard a shriek in the air and look up. Flying through the air was a great yellow bird with black outline patterns and long beak. In the air, Zapdos was channeling lightning and discharging it around the area.

"Wow, he's majestic." Clemont awed. "They always start out that way." Drake muttered. "Wow I never seen a Zapdos in person before." Serena said. "That must mean the festival will start soon. Come on we gotta get to town." Clemont said. But before he could take a step, a lightning bolt struck a tree in front of him. The tree snapped and causing it to go down in front of Clemont. Ash managed to pull Clemont away before the tree went thud.

"Clemont are you alright?" Ash said. "Uhh...yea, I'll be fine." Clemont stutters. "Is it me or is Zapdos channeling more and more lightning?" Rene asked. "It's not you. Zapdos is pissed off." Drake said. "But why is Zapdos so angry?" Serena asked. "He's a Legend. They always have short fuses." Ash said. "Either way we don't want to remain out here. We gotta get to shelter." Drake said. "We're still ways away from Joule Town, but there's a cave nearby." Serena checked her map. "Lead the way Serena." Ash said.

A good eight minute run before the storm could get worse and the group managed to make it to a cave entrance. "Whew we made it." Clemont cried out. "Not a moment too soon, we could wait this out." Rene suggests. "I don't think it'll stop, that's the problem." Drake said. "Hello, is some one there?"

The gang was startle when they turn their heads quickly. There sitting against the cave wall was a man around thirty years of age, beaded, and was wearing a helper's uniform. "Who are you?" Ash asked. "Name's Stan and I'm a paramedic. Say you kids wouldn't be heading to Joule Town are you?" Stan asked. "We are in fact for the festival." Serena said. "How excellent, now I must ask you all a favor." Stan asked. "What happen to your leg." Drake ask when he saw some spints supporting his ankle. "I was driving to the hospital in Joule Town when a lightning bolt cause a rock slide. I swerve off the road and manage to move myself here, but my ankle is twisted." Stan explained.

"And this favor you wanted?" Rene asked. "I must get this medicine to the hospital. A young boy needs it desperately, but since I can't go, you kids can deliver it." Stan asked. "Of course, anything we can do. Can you stand?" Drake said. "No I can't, you have to leave since I'll slow you all down." Stan said. "We can't go back outside in this conditions." Serena said. "...take this cave, you should be able to the other side of the mountain to get to town." Stan said. "It looks seal off." Bonnie pointed to the large boulder in the way.

"Not a problem. Hawlucha come out." Ash manage to retrieve his Kalos Team before leaving the Hotel this morning. The Wrestling Pokémon comes out of its Pokéball with a pose. "Hawlucha use Karate Chop on that boulder." Hawlucha nods and dashes to the boulder where he manages to slice the boulder in half with a single chop. "Excellent work." Clemont commends. "We'll still need a way to navigate through the cave." Drake said. "I got the answer for that too. Noibat come on out." Ash released the Sound Wave Pokémon out. "We'll need your help to go through this cave buddy." Ash told Noibat. "I got an idea too. Delphox come out." Serena release the Fox Pokémon. "Use your branch to help light our way." Serena said as Delphox pick her branch and lit a flame at the tip. "We'll come back for you Stan." Drake said. "Thank you,and be careful." Stan said as the group began to move.

Moving through the cave was simple except of the sounds of thunder roaring from outside. Finally the group hits a fork in the road and pause for a moment. "Alright, Noibat use Supersonic and examine each route." Noibat nods and emits sound waves in each route. For a moment, Noibat use its ears to pick up sounds and decided that the left route was the best bet.

Meanwhile outside above them Zapdos was still on a berserk rampage but hone in on one target. Playing mouse was a metal robotic Ferrothorn. Inside was Team Rocket fearing for dear life. "I don't understand why it's chasing us. He still managed to break free right?" Meowth asked. "Try telling that to him!" James yelled. Meanwhile Zapdos channeled more lightning and fires a ThunderBolt at the robotic Ferrothorn. "Ah, gun it Meowth!" Jessie yells as Meowth hits the gas causing the robot to speed up.

Back down the cave was rumbling causing dread in the group. "That doesn't sound good." Drake said. "What exactly could Zapdos be mad about?" Serena asked. "I really don't want to find out." Ash said. The rumble got louder and louder to where Rene saw the roof began to crack. "Look out!" Rene pulled Serena away as the roof began to cave in. Hawlucha managed to dive Ash, Drake and Noibat out of the way. The cave was now block by rocks and the group was separated. Serena coughed and look to see Ash wasn't with her. "Ash,Ash! Drake!" Serena ran to the rubble.

"We're alright sweetheart , how is everyone?" Ash called. Serena drew a breath of relief that Ash as okay. "We're all safe." Serena said. "We gotta get through here." said Rene. "I doubt it. The roof can still collapse more." Drake called from the other side. "What do we do now!?" Bonnie cried. "We can head to town from here. You guys head back to Stan and get to town ASAP." Ash said. "Got it. Don't forget you guys have the medicine Stan gave us." Rene said. "We know, stay safe guys." Drake said as he and Ash ran away.

Climbing up a small cliff and going on, Ash and Drake now face a three way fork in the road. "Okay this is getting boring." Ash said. "Surely we must be close to the outside by now." Drake said. "Only one way to find out. Noibat do your thing." Ash said as Noibat use Supersonic on each path to find the correct route. Noibat studied each path with its ears and saw light coming out of the left tunnel. Noibat chirps and flies down the left path. "Noibat's got it." Ash said as they ran down the tunnel.

A two minute run and the brothers saw dayline coming out of the cave. Unknown to them Zapdos manage to down Team Rocket who then manage to run inside a cave and now Zapdos is waiting for them outside perch on a pillar. Ash, Drake and their Pokémon ran outside and confronted an angry Zapdos unexpectedly.

Zapdos saw two other humans but quickly recognized them both. "You!" Ash and Drake heard through Aura. "Aw shit." Drake and Ash groaned. Zapdos fires a ThunderBolt at the humans which Ash and Drake had to react quickly to avoid. Taking out their Staffs, Ash and Drake fire consecutive Aura waves at Zapdos who maneuver out of their path. "We really don't have time for this!" Ash yells. "I'll end you both!" Zapdos yells as it fires a Shock Wave causing electricity to fly everywhere. "Back to the cave!" Drake yells as he, Ash, Hawlucha and Noibat dash back to safety inside the cave.

"Man I think Zapdos has an even shorter fuse than Moltres." Ash said. "No kidding." Drake agreed. Noibat was catching his breath when he saw shadows in the walls and scream loud. "Noibat what is it!?" Ash asked. "Grrr, keep that bullhorn shut off you-." Jessie, James and Meowth came out and then suddenly saw the twerp brothers. "Ahhh, twerps!" Team Rocket cried.

"You three!" Ash said when he and Drake saw Team Rocket who were in tatters in terms of appearance. Almost like they were nearly fried. "What did you guys do this time!?" Drake yelled. "We did nothing. Honestly." Meowth defended. "Why don't I believe that?" Drake said. "Oh alright, we tried to catch Zapdos." James said. "And as you twerps can see, it didn't go well." Meowth pointed out. "Yea, clearly it didn't." Ash said. "We thought it would be so simple." Jessie said.

"NOTHING IS SIMPLE WITH A LEGEND!" Drake yelled startling Team Rocket. "Maybe you twerps could get us out of here." Jessie suggested. "Personally, we rather leave you guys here. But that's not the case because Zapdos still wants to fry us so we're all stuck." Ash said. "Wow, and we thought we have it hard." Meowth said. "Look it doesn't matter that this point. We still got a medical delivery to do." Drake said. "How exactly you suspose we get out of here?" Ash asked. "Only option is one on one. If we play cat and mouse we'll get fried." Drake said.

"We'll get fried nonetheless aren't we?" Ash said. "Most definitely, we just got to play our cards right." Drake said. "Alright, you only live once." Ash said as he and Drake ran to the outside. "Twerps to the rescue." Team Rocket cried as they ran behind them.

Ash and Drake ran outside where Zapdos was perch on a pillar waiting for them. "Your end is nigh." Zapdos said. "Enough of the pointless theats! We need to deliver medicine to a sick boy!" Drake yell. Zapdos's only response was a Thunderbolt at the brother's feet. Ash and Drake retreat behind a pair of rocks as more Thunderbolts rang pass their heads.

"Okay...I'm gonna fry this turkey." Drake spat out. "What we need is a distraction." Ash said. "We can't leave our Pokémon to Zapdos alone. Our only option is to fight." Drake said. "I really hope you don't mean ourselves." Ash said. "Don't be ridiculous." Drake said as he went on the move. "Pidgeot come on out." He release. "Talonflame come help out." Ash release as well. "We'll keep it on its toes constantly. You hit him low, I'll hit him high." Drake called out. "Got it. Talonflame use Razor Wind." Talonflame flies below Zapdos and fires out two wind buzz saws at Zapdos. "Use Sky Attack." Pidgeot shine brightly and then charge at Zapdos full speed.

At lightning speed, Zapdos avoided the Razor Wind and Pidgeot zipping past him. Feeling surrounded Zapdos unleash a Shock Wave that went in all directions. Now on the defensive, Both Pidgeot and Talonflame maneuvered around to avoid get struck. "Hurricane now." Drake ordered as Pidgeot strongly flap its wings to push a strong wind against Zapdos's body who staggered in the air. "Now Talonflame use Brave Bird." Given an opportunity by Pidgeot, Talonflame bust in a blue flame and charge at Zapdos, making the move stick.

Zapdos went down until it managed to regain its attitude but more angry than before. Gone wild Zapdos fire rapid Thunderbolts at both birds who are now on their toes. "Mirror Move." Pidgeot mimics Zapdos's last move and fires a Thunderbolt back which struck another Thunderbolt that cause an explosion. "Flame Charge now." Busting in a red flame, Talonflame charges at Zapdos behind the smoke but Zapdos was well prepared. Zapdos saw a glow shimmering through the smoke and once close, it fires a Shock Wave that Talonflame gets caught in. Talonflame suffers from the Electric type move but Zapdos wasn't done and fires a Charge Beam which strikes him, causing Talonflame to go down.

"Talonflame return." Ash concedes as he returns Talonflame back to its Pokéball. "We're taking a beating." Ash said. "You might want to try something. Pidgeot can't hold it on his own." said Drake when he saw Pidgeot get the wind down out of him by a Thunderbolt. Hawlucha cried out and decides to join the fray in Talonflame's place. "You got this Hawlucha." Ash said. "Pidgeot, give Hawlucha a ride." Drake call as Pidgeot swung around and pick up Hawlucha. "I could get you in close, and then you take the shot." Drake said as Ash nods.

"Evasive action." Pidgeot flies in close in a zig-zag pattern in order to get above Zapdos. "Now use X-Scissor." Hawlucha jumps off and crosses his arm in a X fashion to strike Zapdos and succeed. Afterwards Hawlucha perches on a stone pillar. Zapdos cries out and fires a Shock Wave that staggers Pidgeot but has Hawlucha on the run. Jumping from pillar to pillar Hawlucha kept dodging Charge Beam after Charge Beam. Unfortunately that only lasted so long as Zapdos finally landed a critical blow that Hawlucha flew through a stone pillar.

"Hawlucha!" Ash cried. Noibat watched and couldn't stand on the sidelines anymore and flew to Hawlucha's rescue. Ahead of him, Noibat noted of sharp rocks where Hawlucha was falling to and flap faster and faster. Screaming to push its limits, Noibat broke the sound barrier under a bright blue light. "What the?" Ash saw.

Getting closer to Hawlucha, Noibat went under metamorphosis from an increase in size, enlarge ears, bigger talons, much bigger wings. By the time Noibat's transformation was complete, he caught Hawlucha under a new guise. "Noibat evolve." Drake said as Ash took out his Pokédex.

"Noivern, the Sound Wave Pokémon, They fly around on moonless nights and attack careless prey. Nothing can beat them in a battle in dark."

"Huh neat, and he's learn a new move." Ash cheered. Hawlucha looked up to see a familiar face in a new body. Retreating for now, Pidgeot and Noivern went back as Zapdos channeled more lightning. "We gotta outmaneuver him somehow." Drake said. "We can use the pillars. Noivern can use echolocation to stay a step ahead." Ash smiled. "No doubt his ears have improve now." Drake agreed. "Great I'll play the bait, while you land the blow." Drake said.

Pidgeot flew above the pillars which Zapdos immediately saw and engage. Meanwhile Noivern use Supersonic to be able the maneuver around the next rock that comes after the current one. Zapdos fires Charge Beams at Pidgeot who would maneuver around them, giving Noivern the chance to get behind. "Now use Boomburst." Using its big ears, Noivern shot out high frequency sound waves that Zapdos didn't see coming, causing it to go through a stone pillar.

The duration of this duel and constant attacks made Zapdos drain of engery. However one thing happened that no one saw coming. Zapdos was restrained by magnetic lines that came from a familiar nuisance from earlier. Ash and Drake saw Team Rocket in a metal Ferrothorn who fired magnetic missiles that ensnared Zapdos.

"You idiots! You never learn do you!" Drake yelled. "The victor goes to spoils. You twerps soften Zapdos up and we reep in the benefits." Jessie laughed. "Oh goody, you guys just forgot one thing." Drake mocks. "What's that?" James asked. "Us, Pidgeot use Mirror Move." Pidgeot mimics Zapdos's last Thunderbolt. "Join in with Boomburst." Noivern adds in a flare with powerful sound waves. Both moves struck the robot that which of course lead to an explosion and sent Team Rocket on their way.

"WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" they screams as they flew across the sky. Zapdos broke free from the magnetic lines and flew angrily at the brothers. Pidgeot and Noivern went and land in between to protect their trainers. "I would end you both right now." Zapdos theatens. "Empty theats from a giant bird and now I'll wonder how you have an even hotter temper than Moltres." Drake said. "Do not provoke me by comparing me to my hotheaded sibling...for now I'll spare you today. A life for a life." Zapdos said. "Ain't that always the story. For years and years to come." Ash said as Zapdos was disgusted to be in debt to anybody, especially these humans. With that Zapdos flew off, leaving the brothers alone.

"He was never one for gratitude. Even Moltres has a bit for giving thanks." Ash said. "Yes and Articuno is the most level headed of the three." Drake said. "You and I both know we can get along with Articuno at the very least." Ash said. "I know, look let's just get pass this. We still gotta get the medicine to the hospital in town." Drake said. "I know, I suspose we could take Noivern and Pidgeot to make up for lost time." Ash said. "That's what I was thinking." said Drake.

Flying to town, the brothers landed in front of the hospital and walked inside. "Hello can we help you?" A nurse walked by. "Yes, we understand there's a young boy would needs this medicine." Drake said as he hands her the medication. "Oh yes excellent. Thank you, your efforts might've save this boy's life." The nurse took the medication and ran off. Ash and Drake smile as they left the hospital. "Well all that leaves is to find the others." Drake said. "I just hope they got here safety." Ash said. "You might not have to worry anymore." Drake pointed to Ash's side where they saw the others.

"Ash!" Serena yelled as she ran towards him. Ash opens his arms to let Serena in tightly and never wanted to let her go. "Are you okay?" Ash asked as Serena hum yes. "Are you sure because your clothes look toast." Rene said when she saw burn marks on Ash and Drake's clothes. "We're fine, just a little skirmish with Zapdos and Team Rocket." Drake said. "You guys weren't kidding when you say it wouldn't like you." Rene said. "We prefer to not talk about it." Ash said.

"Where's Stan?" Drake asked. "We managed to get him over to Nurse Joy. She's mending his leg and gonna make a full recovery." Clemont said. "And the medicine?" Rene asked. "Already delivered and a young boy is gonna sleep happy tonight." Drake said. "Great that leave just the festival." Clemont said. "Actually there is one other thing. Come on we'll show you." Ash said as he and Drake drag everyone to the town square where the lightning treee was.

When they got there, Ash pointed to a branch where Noivern was eating a piece of fruit. "Wait is that?" Rene questioned. "Ash, Noibat evolved?" Serena asked. "Yep and totally save our butts earlier." Ash smiled. "Aww I wanted to see it evolve!" Bonnie pouted causing everyone to laugh. Suddenly fireworks fill the skies and the town saw Zapdos flying high. "Wow so I guess that means Joule Town is gonna thrive this year." Ash said as the group agreed.

Rene saw Drake plunder in deep thought and decided to ask. "Hey what'cha you thinking about?" She asked. "Well...we been through a hell of a lot, and by we I mean me and Ash. We've been here for almost nine months...and we still gotta ways to got." Drake said. "Okay, it's not the end Drake and you guys aren't alone. We all been through a hell of a lot together." Rene said as Drake remember every key moment he went through since coming to Kalos. And no doubt more moments will come. "Come on, let's just celebrate." Rene invited as Drake smile. tonight the group enjoys themselves and tomorrow they're back on the road for Serena's Master Class as the Journey continues.


Done guys, this is Chapter 100, one of the many triple digit chapters up to this point. For now all I can say is this took awhile to think around, not to mention things at school are still a bit hectic so I might take awhile to upload. Otherwise here's Chapter 100.

Another thing is by October 1 will be the second anniversary of this story since it started, the last part of Drake and Rene is a reference to this. Man it's already been two years and we've reach all the way to a hundred chapters. It probably won't be long now and I'll probably reach the end at some point next year. But this story wouldn't be possible without you guys and that I'm ever thankful.

So the next Chapter is a doozy as we finally reach Serena's Master Class. Until my next set of notes all I can say is it'll be a two-part arc like the anime. But I can guarantee you guys gonna be surprise entirely, so just bare with me.

That's all for now, leave a Like and Comment on this and thanks for reading. This is Paradox signing off. Goodbye.