Pokémon Journey: XYZ

Hey guys Paradox here and welcome to Chapter 108 and Chapter 25 of XYZ. Here guys we set off what appears to be completely normal. Like how for the first time in a while it's back to the original group but enough of that. Here we take a turn and as I mentioned before, there is a reason why I decided to pave the road in this direction. Sure I can tell you the reason but...where's the fun in that? Sure call me an asshole but I'm sure some will figure it out the purpose. Besides eventually I will spilt the beans and say the reason why, I just hope you are patient until we finally get there.

For now, let's just get through this.


"Men stumble over pebbles, never over mountains."- Marilyn French


Chapter 108: Twist and Fall

Siszor couldn't hold with Greninja's strength and speed and collapsed. "Scizor is unable to battle, Greninja wins." Clemont announces. A day has pass since the discussion with Diantha and Drake and Rene left for Kanto, the group continues moving forward as Snowbelle City was just hours away. They stop at the Pokémon Center to take a break and while there, a trainer named Hank recognizes Ash and challenges him to a battle. Being the energetic, not turing down a challenge type, Ash agreed to battle with Greninja. Which leads to now.

"You did great Scizor." Hank said. "It was a great battle Hank." Ash called over. "I agreed. It was truely an honor to battle a master battler." Hank said as Ash nods and Hank leaves to heal his Scizor. "That was great Ash, though I was surprise you and Greninja didn't synchronized during the match." Serena said. "Well I didn't think I would have to use it against Hank. Beside I wasn't really...feeling it if you guys know what I mean?" Ash said.

"I get it Ash. I think we should do some more test with the Battle Pulse Meters before we get to Snowbelle City." Clemont suggested. "I agree. Since that battle with Team Rocket, I really felt the huge power surge that it almost overloaded my body." Ash said. "That being said, you still can't control it freely Ash." Serena worries. "Don't worry dear, I'll master it before my gym battle." Ash said with confidence. "Is that confidence I hear?"

The group turns to the doors to see Sawyer approaching them. "Sawyer you made it." Ash spoke. "I was hoping to run into you guys." Sawyer said. "Perhaps we could catch up over lunch?" Bonnie asked. "I second that, after that battle I could eat like a Munchlax." Ash joked. "What else is new?" Bonnie added which everyone else laughs at.

"So how are your travels Sawyer?" Serena asked. "Excellent, in fact I was just coming out of Snowbelle City." Sawyer said. "Really so that means you beat the Snowbelle Gym." Ash said. "Yep, check it out. Now I got eight badges which means I qualify for the Kalos League." Sawyer said as he shows everyone his full case of Gym badges. "Wow...I take my privous statement back Sawyer. You get around faster then a Heliolisk." Ash said. "The challenge the gym leader was tough but my hard work paid off." Sawyer said

"So what type does the gym leader specialize?" Ash asked. "He deals with Ice types." Sawyer said. "That'll work, Water types are adaptable to Ice types." Clemont advices. "And Fighting, Steel, and Fire are super effective against them." Serena added. "So for my gym battle, I think I would use Greninja, Talonflame and Lucario." Ash said. "What about that special power you and Greninja have?" Sawyer asked. "I have it planned to use it when the time comes but I haven't really gotten a grip on controlling it." Ash said.

"That's why we're going to conduct more tests with the Battle Pulse Meters before we leave." Clemont said. "Well do you have a partner to battle with? Cuz I've been dying for another battle to see how far I've came." Sawyer asked. "I don't have a problem with that." Ash agreed. "And to make it more exciting, let's make it a three on three." Sawyer said. "I couldn't agree more." Ash said.

Route 22

Meanwhile on Route 22 in a village, villagers along with Officer Jenny were investigating noises in the surrounding forest. "You sure you heard them in this direction?" Jenny asked. "Yes. We don't know what the noises are. It sounded like machinery and the Pokémon in the surrounding area began to flee." A male villager said. As they continue inward, Officer Jenny trips on a piece of earth and falls. "Officer Jenny, are you alright?" A villager asked. "Yes, I'm fine." Officer Jenny said as she stands up. "Uhh everyone, you might want to see this." A villager calls from over a rise. Everyone then rushes up to see what the man was seeing and it was devastating. Over a mile radius was scorched earth with plant life vaporized. "Great gods above." Officer Jenny gasped.

"Test was good Master Lysandre. All life gone within a mile radius. Although I was hopeful that with this much power from the Z-Cells, the radius would've been much larger." Xerosic said. "Preferable Xerosic, move on to Test site B." Lysandre orders. "Acknowledge Sir, and let me say so sir that the Genyis weapon will have to mounted on the mothership immediately if we are to keep on schedule." Xerosic said. "I understand, commence the second test and return to base." Lysandre orders then hangs up.

Lysandre sighs, this is very taxing work and the outcome that will shadow the future weighted heavy on the soul. But for the sake of Kalos, to secure its future and for Kalos to evolve further, it must be destroyed and reborn. Lysandre looked at an angry Z-2 as he ponder in thought. "Soon my friend, you and Z-1 will be charge with rebirthing Kalos once this one is wipe from history. With me leading that rebuilding, Kalos will rise even greater like a shining beacon to the world. People will understand, they must." Lysandre vowed.

Pokémon Center on Route 19

Ash and Sawyer were on opposite ends of the battlefield. Both agree to save Greninja and Sceptile for last. "Alright Doublade, I choose you." Sawyer release what was two conjoined swords scabbarded with each one having a magenta sash wrapped in the hilt. Ash then decides to scan it using his Pokédex.

"Doublade, the Sword Pokémon and the evolve form of Honedge, The complex attack patterns of its two swords are unstoppable, even for an opponent greatly accomplished at swordplay."

"Let us see about that. Talonflame let's go." Ash release the Scorching Pokémon. "Having the air and type advantage will surely give us an edge." Ash thought.


Ash vs. Sawyer: three on three

"I'll let you guys go first." Ash let Sawyer make the first move. "Your mistake. Doublade use Slash." Unsheathing the swords from their scabbards, Doublade rush over swinging wildly at Talonflame. "Slide dodge and use Flame Charge." Talonflame quickly flies sidestep to avoid the sharp blades and once having an opening occurs Talonflame flames on and strikes Doublade square on.

"Fury Swipes." With a quick rebound, Doublade engages with fast swordplay. "Fight back with Steel Wing." With wings of steel, Talonflame attempts to block each strike but true to the Pokédex's word Doublade's complex sword skills were confusing Talonflame's eyes until one horizontal swipe struck him on the back. "Recover back up and use Brave Bird." Pulling himself together, Talonflame rockets up in air and crashes downward in a blue flame. "Use Iron Defense." Knowing that Talonflame was coming in too fast, Sawyer went for the second option as Doublade crossed his swords together and took the blow from Talonflame while greatly increasing defense.

"Gotta try something else." Ash thought. "Use Night Slash." With a glowing purple blade, Doublade quickly strikes once more. "Use Flame Charge." Quickly side dodging the first swipe from Doublade, Talonflame quickly flames on and smakes into Doublade. Despite the super effective damage, Ash remembered the Iron Defense Doublade used earlier. "Again Talonflame. Before it recovers." Talonflame sulks in air into its flame sac but rather combusting, it expels a powerful fire ball into the shape of a star. Doublade couldn't react until it was too late. Once the smoke went away Doublade was fainted.

"Doublade is unable to battle, Talonflame is the winner." Clemont announced. "Was that a new move Talonflame used?" Sawyer asked as he return Doublade. "Ash, that move was Fire Blast." Drake yells over. "That's great Talonflame. You learn Fire Blast." Ash cheered. "Take a good rest buddy, you've earn it." Ash returns Talonflame back.

"Say hello to my next partner. Clawitzer you're up." Sawyer calls out as he released a blue crustacean with black stripes and a abnormally large right claw that looks like it could chop anything in half with one snap. Ash decides to scan it with his Pokédex.

"Clawitzer, the Howitzer Pokémon and the evolve form of Clauncher, Their enormous claws launch cannonballs of water powerful enough to pierce tanker hulls."

"So it packs a cannon, great." Ash said. "Lucario come on out." Ash release the Aura Pokémon to battle. "We'll go first this time. Lucario use Bullet Punch." Lucario rushes in with a steel fist. "Counter with Crabhammer." With its large claw, Clawitzer engages and counter Lucario's Bullet Punch. "Use Water Pulse." In a surprising move, Clawitzer opens its large claw to fire out a ball of water that Lucario couldn't avoid, forcing him back.

Ash could feel Lucario's pain and knew something was odd about the Water Pulse that was done. "I agree buddy. That Water Pulse had more power than normal." Ash said. "Oh that would be Clawitzer's special ability, Mega Launcher." Sawyer said. "Of course, Mega Launcher can boost the power of aura and pulse moves." Serena said. "Guess we'll stay on our toes then." Ash said.

"Use Ice Beam." Clawitzer jumps and fires a beam of ice at Lucario. "Roll forward and use Bone Rush." Lucario quickly rolls a few feet forward and charges in with a bone staff in paw. "Crabhammer now." Clawitzer jumps ahead to meet Lucario head on. Both struggled to overpower the other but Sawyer saw an opportunity. "Use Dragon Pulse." Clawitzer opens its claw to fire a rainbow beam. "Quickslide around him and use Force Palm." Lucario quickly rolls around Clawitzer's body, particularly using its large claw to get out of sight. Once Clawitzer turns its body toward Lucario, the Aura Pokémon was already using Force Palm and hitting him in the face.

"Clawitzer, use Heal Pulse." Glowing in a bright light, Clawitzer heal its wounds and restoring health. Ash growled to himself that Clawitzer knows such a move, which Lucario also agrees. "I know buddy. We just gotta hit him fast and hard." Ash said via Aura Link. "Quick use Swords Dance." To compensate for Clawitzer's Heal Pulse, Lucario draws power in and having swords dance around him, sharply increasing his Attack power.

"Use Water Pulse." Clawitzer tries to strike Lucario with a ball of water. "Close up Lucario, but stay at arm's length." Lucario easily dodged the Water Pulse by side jumping and remained mobile once being in Clawitzer's personal space. "Use Crabhammer." "Dodge." Clawitzer tries to hit Lucario with a large claw continuously, but each time the jackal's quick reflexes avoids them, even once using its flexibility to split his legs to duck down. "Bone Rush." Unleashing a bone staff, Lucario swipes down on Clawitzer's tail to knock it on the ground then another swing to its front causing Clawitzer to slide back hurt towards Sawyer.

"Use Heal Pulse." Clawitzer slowly gets up to use Heal Pulse and begins to glow. Ash knew one flaw in using Heal Pulse and that it takes time depending on how wounded the user is and that leaves it vulnerable. "Quick use Bullet Punch before it heals anymore." Lucario rockets aheads with a steel punch while Clawitzer was still healing, allowing Lucario to nail Clawitzer on his underbelly with a strong uppercut and launching it to the air. "Now use Aura Sphere." Charging up a ball of aura, Lucario unleashes it on the still airborne crustacean and nailing it head on.

"Clawitzer!" Sawyer yelled as he saw Clawitzer fall to the ground, fainted. "Clawitzer is unable to battle. Lucario wins." Clemont announces.

"You did good Clawitzer, take a good rest." Sawyer returns Clawitzer back to his Pokéball. "I gotta say Ash. You might do just fine at the Snowbelle Gym." Sawyer said. "That maybe ture, but I could use the practice. Now we get to see how far we come. Greninja let's go." Ash said as he release the Ninja Pokémon. "Sceptile, let's show them what we're made of." Sawyer release the Forest Pokémon.

"First thing's first." Ash said as he went over to Greninja, put on his Battle Pulse Meter and his own and runs back. "Okay...now." Ash smirked. "Sceptile use Leaf Blade." Sceptile kicks off with two green arm blades and engages up close and personal. "Evade." Ash told as Greninja merely twist his body to avoid each strike, some even flip to dodge. "Now use Aerial Ace." To counter, Greninja capoeira kicks Sceptile only to have it bounce off one of Sceptile's Leaf Blades. It was only with a leg sweep that knock Sceptile to the ground.

"Water Shuriken." Greninja flips back to his feet and fires two water stars at Sceptile. "Use Agility." Sceptile hops back up and zips pass the Water Shuriken with great speed. "Bullet Seed." Sceptile started to spew out a barrage of seeds at Greninja. "Night Slash." With a purple blade, Greninja slices every seed that came his way. "Guess we should try some tricks of our own. Sceptile Agility." With greater speed, Sceptile ran around the field at an incredible speed. "Now use Leaf Storm." While using Agility, Sceptile unveils a Leaf Surge around the field, surrounding Greninja by four walls of leaves and cutting Ash's view.

"Greninja try cutting through with Night Slash." Under pressure, Greninja tries slashing through the thick Leaf walls but to no avail. Suddenly with grass power, Sceptile control the walls and causing the leaves to cut and smother Greninja inside. "Serena, how are the readings?" Bonnie asked. "If I'm reading this right, they're rising exponentially, and almost ready to merge." Serena called.

Ash felt a rise in his gut and knew that Synchronization was their only hope. "Let's do this...come on..come on!..come on!" Ash yells as Greninja expelled a veil of water that knocks the walls of leaves away. However Ash saw that was all it had done and Greninja was still in his base form. "Serena nothing happen." Bonnie pointed out. "It's the wavelengths, Ash's isn't trying to merge at all." Serena explains. Upon hearing this, Ash tried to focus harder. "Come on dammit! Work!" Ash told himself but in fact his efforts made things worse. Greninja collapse from a lack of energy and from his wounds. It wasn't long until Ash followed suit.

Sawyer, seeing this as a opportunity acted on it. "Now use your strongest Leaf Blade." At incredible speed, Sceptile zooms in with dual green blades and one cross chop was enough for Greninja to falter and faint.

"Greninja is unable to battle. Sceptile wins it." Clemont said.


Upon this Ash grew distraught, somehow the Synchronization not only failed him, but also weaken him and Greninja for Sceptile to deal a final blow. Ash felt this was a step back and now wonder if he could even tap into the Synergy connection, much less control it.

Sawyer meanwhile was felt pride. At last he knock Ash off his game and that was enough to beat him. Sure it was two out of three but he'll take it. "We did it Sceptile. We beat Ash and Greninja." He smile as did the Forest Pokémon. "Ash, are you alright?" Clemont and the others rush over. "I..I.I don't know. Can anyone explain what happen to me?" Ash asked. "Well base on what Serena explain. You and Greninja did merge in wavelengths which did manage to knock down the walls of leaves Sawyer put up. But it only lasted a second until your Synergy wavelength began to separate, thus throwing the Synchronization into flux." Clemont said.

"So this is on me." Ash said as he looked to the ground. "Don't worry Ash, We'll figure this out. Together." Serena tries to reassure him but Ash however didn't respond back. "Hey Ash, that was an awesome battle." Sawyer ran over. "I agree Sawyer, though I did blow it in the end and Greninja was my powerhouse." Ash said. "Well with Lucario and Talonflame successful and add Greninja's strengths. I'm sure you'll beat the Snowbelle Gym with what you go." Sawyer said. "I guess so...thanks Sawyer. Ash smiled a bit.

A while later the gang decided to get going but not before saying farewell to Sawyer. "Snowbelle City is an easy walk from here on out. Be sure you guys got some cold gear once you get to the city limits." Sawyer said. "Thanks Sawyer. I guess you'll be heading to Lumiose City?" Ash asked. "Yep, I'll wait there and train until they announce where they decide to host the Kalos League." Sawyer said. "That's understandable, travel safe." Serena said. "Thanks everyone. Oh and Ash; just play to your strengths and who knows, maybe you won't even need that Synchronization form to beat the Gym Leader." Sawyer said trying to take Ash's mind off today. Ash could do nothing but smile.

After saying goodbye to Sawyer and a thirty minute walk, the gang in their winter gear stood on a rise overlooking a small city. "Here it is, Snowbelle City." Clemont said. "Yea, time for Ash to win his final gym badge." Bonnie cheered as Ash smiled a bit. However thinking back to what Sawyer said, Ash couldn't help but think would he need the Synchronization form to beat the gym leader? All this thinking put Ash under a mountain of doubt and figure this wasn't gonna be so simple. Olympia said it herself, it was his destiny and Greninja's to Master this power. For now all Ash could do was hope.

Meanwhile that same night Diantha was on the computer in a makeshift office when Kathi Lee walked in. "Diantha I schedule you for the Morning Kalos talk show for tomorrow." Kathi Lee said but didn't get a response back. "Um..Ma'am, is everything okay." Kathi asked. "I..no, I've receive reports of attack in two areas on Route 22 where the area is...ceased of life." Diantha said. "You mean like from the island we found out? This is certainly troublesome Ma'am." Kathi said. "Thankfully no people or Pokémon were injured or worse but...I can't help but think that the next attack will be in a town or a city." Diantha said. "Have you contact the local authorities? Surely there must be someone who can help." Kathi Lee said. "Luckily we have a couple of contacts in the International Police." Diantha said as picks up a landline and dials a number. "Hello, yes this is Diantha Carnet. I am looking to speak with Special Agent Looker."


And done, this was Chapter 108 and it looks like things are starting to heat up on all sides. So now the gang arrives in Snowbelle City but Ash is very skeptical about what might happen once he challenges the Gym Leader. While Diantha is now facing a major international crisis and calls for aid. Let me just say that things will start to pick up more from here on out.

So next chapter is you guessed it, we finally see Ash battle for his eighth and final gym badge. Let's see if he'll stay frosty the whole time (pun intended). So guys, leave a Like, Comment and thanks for reading.

This is Paradox signing off. Goodbye.