New Goldenrod City

Now accompanied by Latias, Ash and the others soared over the city's skyline atop Charizard and Salamence to their usual training spot. However, it was not quite as jovial as the rides typically were. Where there was usually excited chatter between Ash and Serena about new strategies and potential endeavors they could employ those strategies with, there was now a deep, awkward silence besides the faint cheering from the city's citizens far below, having recognized them.

This was because of their newest addition. Latias and Tobias could not help but occasionally glance at each other awkwardly. In the time they had spent together, Latias had never attempted to communicate with Tobias in the slightest or even acknowledge that he was there. Sheepish, Tobias did not even know where to begin to try to make conversation with her. It had been a week since she joined their team, but no progress had been made between them. The pressure in the air was immense.

Unable to stand it any longer, Ash tried to talk to Serena, who sat in front of him on Charizard. "So," He said, "Mr. Star says he'll be busy for a while. Something to do with the other CEOs. So, we've got some free time to train or just hang around." He turned to Latias, adding, "That means I can show you around, Latias. There's plenty of stuff to do in the city."

Eager to have a reason to glance away from Tobias, Latias smiled at Ash and replied, "That's good! It's been a bit of a bummer seeing this huge, golden city and not really being able to experience any of it."

"I suppose we'll be able to get in more training too," Added Tobias to Latias's chagrin, "And progress is always valuable. The free time is nice as well, but I hope we get another formal mission from him or Arceus soon. The sooner we do, the closer we get to ending Team Rocket."

Latias almost snapped something at him until she noticed something ahead of them glimmering. A golden ring suddenly manifested in front of them and grew far larger than their entire group. Before they could even cry out, it rushed at them, a blue light at its center. When that light touched them, they flinched and covered their eyes. No sensation came, other than a sudden increase in heat.

When the group opened their eyes, they were overlooking a different city. This one was in utter ruins compared to the gleaming city that had just been in.

"What the-?!" Cried Ash.

Suddenly, something small jumped up in front of Ash's face, making him cry out. This, in turn caused the others to do the same. The small thing, a pinkish imp-looking creature with black horns and only one ring which hung on the left horn, jumped desperately trying to silence Ash's cries with hushes, rushing back and forth between the members of the group to do the same until their shocked cries swiftly petered out.

Ash was soon able to recognize the creature. "Hoopa?! What are you doing here? Why did you-"

"Shhh!" She hissed. The little Legend looked over her shoulder out at the city in fear, then back to Ash. Silently, she motioned for them to follow her. Ash and the others looked between each other for any other clue of what to do, but soon merely shrugged and abided by her command.

She led them to the rooftop of a skyscraper, at which point she sighed in apparent relief. Ash looked at her oddly as he and the others landed. He returned Charizard, and Tobias did the same with Salamence. "Hoopa, what's going on? Where are we?"

The city looked even worse than it did on a first glance. As he peered over the edge, he could see that many windows on the buildings had been broken. There were more of them on the lower floors, but even some of the higher ones were shattered. Cracks from a lack of upkeep were all over the place. Roads and buildings alike shared this trait. But what was the most odd was the overgrowth of plants that had seemingly taken over the city. Collections of vines that wrapped around each other stretched up much higher than they should have. Some overtook skyscrapers.

"Wait a minute," Said Serena, pointing out at the city, "Isn't this Dahara City?"

Evidently, Serena's memory far outclassed Ash's yet again, because he had no recollection of ever being in a city like this. "You mean the one we first met Hoopa in? That's odd. It doesn't look anything like Dahara."

"That's because it's nothing like it used to be." Hoopa explained. Her voice was much more quiet than he ever remembered her being. "After Necrozma, the people who stayed here and the people who came back weren't enough to keep the city running for more than a month. After that, they all migrated to other cities with more people. No one's left to keep the place looking good."

Serena clasped her hands behind her back and sighed. "That's a shame. This place used to be so beautiful."

In Tobias's clothes, the hot weather of this city made him disagree, though he didn't voice it. He pulled at his shirt collar to fan his chest and Poipole, then peered over the edge. "What about those vines?" He asked.

"When I told Xerneas that the place was abandoned, she came by to let the plants grow. Her power boosted them, and now they're all over the place."

Hoopa's head suddenly perked up. "Wait a minute!" She cried. "I forgot to tell you all why I brought you here!"

"That would certainly be useful information." Tobias said with a bit of a chuckle.

Ash knelt down to as close to her height as he could. "So, what's going on? If we can be of any help, we'll do our best."

Nervously, Hoopa peered over to the group's left. There was a small building tucked away between two hulking skyscrapers. "Well," She said, "Dahara isn't exactly abandoned anymore. I don't know if they're Team Rocket or those Nova whatever guys, but they're no joke." She motioned at her one remaining ring. "I let my guard down and they took one of my rings."

Latias's brow furrowed in anger, reminded of the Soul Dew. Suddenly, she went far too close to Hoopa's face. "What happened with them?" She demanded. "Tell us everything."

"Uh…" Hoopa backed away to give herself some breathing room. "Well, when I first found them, I wasn't too worried. I just decided to mess with them and used my rings to drop some of them into the waterways. They didn't like that very much, and eventually, they got the drop on me. There was some weirdo in black armor…"

Latias's heart skipped a beat.

"…And he got me pretty good. I dunno what was up with him, but he was nothing like a human. He was shooting fire and explosions all over the place and managed to snag one of my rings."

Serena looked to Ash with worry when his Aura began to spark around him of its own accord. He and Latias shared a dark look on their faces.

"Him again." She hissed. "So, it's not enough to just go for me. Has he been attacking other Legends too?!"

Hoopa seemed surprised. "Wait, you know him?!"

Scowling, Latias replied, "I wish I didn't. Truly, I do. That monster took every…" She briefly glanced at Ash. "…Almost everything from me. If not for Ash, it would have been. So, Hoopa, we kind of have similar stories."

"I guess so." Hoopa replied, looking between the members of Ash's group. "So that's why you were with him. Small world then, huh?"

Ash felt like Latias was underselling her situation, but decided not to comment.

Tobias decided to insert himself into the conversation. "Looks like we're all caught up, then. Say, Hoopa. Do you know where these guys are holed up?"

With a smile, Hoopa turned to address the new voice she didn't recognize. That smile quickly disappeared when she gazed upon the face of this person. Commander of Legends, the human who captured and led Legendary Pokemon into battle, and to their doom against Necrozma. That person now leered down at her, his face concealed by the shadow of the bright sun.

"You did get their location, didn't you?"

Hoopa fell onto her backside. "You…you're…!"

Chuckling, Latias floated down behind the frightened Hoopa. "Yeah, I wasn't thrilled about it either."

Tobias grumbled to himself, scratching at his shaggy hair. "I keep forgetting that I'm not exactly popular with the Legends."

"But you do know, right?" Ash asked, getting a shaky nod from Hoopa in response. "Well, that's good. But before we go…" He turned toward Latias with creased brows, knowing what he was about to say may reward him with backlash. "Latias, I'm not quite sure you should go."

"What?!" She cried, making him wince. "Why not?!"

Tentatively, Ash held up his hand to try to keep her as calm as he could. "It hasn't been long since you came to us. You're still injured and I know…" Knowing that where they were wasn't exactly private, he chose his words carefully. "…That the incident is still new. That kind of wound isn't good for the battlefield. I just don't want you to get hurt."

Latias puffed up her cheeks in frustration. "But you've been healing me every day!" She protested. "I'm telling you I'm fine for battle!"

Sending an opportunity to erase a teaspoon of bad blood amongst the bucket full of the stuff between them, Tobias spoke up. "Just let her, Ash. Injured or not, a Legend's help is something we can't pass up. Plus, knowing your own Pokemon, do you really expect her to just sit still? It's better that we take her with us where you can keep an eye on her rather than letting her follow us alone."

He winced when Latias glanced at him with an emotion he couldn't quite convey. All he knew was that it didn't look good. She suddenly turned away from him, uttering, "Hmph!"

Ash rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I guess you're the expert on Legends, Tobias, so if Latias feels okay to go, I'll trust your judgment."

Tobias winced, wondering why Ash had to bring that up. He could already feel the judging glances of the Legends in their midst upon him again.


A golden ring dropped the group beside the floor of a large building. Sensing others, Ash immediately brought up his hand to keep the others silent and knelt down. His Aura flowed through the area, sensing the surrounding buildings above and below. There were two people around the corner to their left, and they weren't exactly pure. Far above, several others with similar intent hid in the various rooms of other buildings.

"People are everywhere," He warned them, "So make sure to keep your eyes peeled. No doubt they'll be all over us once we make our move." His eyes brightened as an idea struck him. Turning toward Hoopa, he asked, "Hoopa, think you can get us below?"

Hoopa shook her head. "I can only open my rings either where I've already been, somewhere I can see, or somewhere that I can at least picture in order to get my rings there."

This news didn't deter Ash, who focused his senses away from the rest of the buildings. Instead, he focused it below to make out what he could of the base interior. Just as he thought, it had nothing to do with the tall skyscrapers that surrounded him. All of it, just like the base in Celadon, was below a small, unassuming building. He cast his Aura through it, thoroughly scanning every inch.

However, something odd happened when his Aura touched the seventh basement. There was a large 'pocket' just below and around it where there appeared to be nothing. No metal, nor even soil. But there was soil around it. It was just like with Nova Branch HQ. It was odd that, this time, the bubble didn't seem to cover the entire base, but the fact that such a presence existed outside of their old headquarters was disturbing. Nevertheless, what he was about to suggest was still a better alternative than storming the base and gathering the enemy's attention.

"That's fine." He answered at last. He held out a hand coated in ivory flame. "With this, I can point you where to take us."

Ash offered his hand, and then when he remembered the size difference between them, chuckle and offered only his index finger instead. Hoopa looked at the divine Auric flames that cascaded him with trepidation before grasping at it. The Aura rushed through her, and suddenly, she saw what he did. A look of confidence appeared on her face as she pulled away.

She took off her ring, twirled it around her finger, and replied, "Seventh floor, huh? Alright. I can take us there."


The ring spat them out inside a dark hall. Familiarly, there was nothing but metal in sight. That seemed to be a recurring theme with these types.

Ash and the others swiftly found themselves cramped. The hall wasn't wide enough to be comfortable for the lot of them. Still, they weren't entirely squeezed together. The first thing the group noticed was a set of stairs at the hall's end.

"Over here!" Urged Serena under her voice and pointing to it.

The others silently nodded along and followed closely behind. Hoopa spared a moment to close the ring behind her. As it shrunk, she pulled it closer to her with Psychic. And then, another ring appeared beside her.

With that selfsame, telling cyan glow at its middle, another golden ring made itself known to Hoopa. It shot wide open before she could react, and from it, a black, metal arm emerged. Along with the arm, a head appeared. Or rather, a helmet. On it, a faceless, black visor that obscured the warped monster hiding behind it.

They ignored Hoopa completely, focusing solely on her remaining ring. However, something that it could not ignore soon made itself known. A gleaming white hand smashed into the side of their helmet, completely ripping them out of their ring and sending them sprawling across the metal floor.

"You okay?" Ash asked Hoopa, flicking his wrist and hand.

Shakily, the wide-eyed Hoopa stared back and forth between him and the armored figure before nodding.

Just as fast as they had been downed, the person in armor tucked in their legs and threw themselves back onto their feet. Their ring swiftly moved behind them. Ash noted the sound of a high-pitched whistling from it that wasn't present with Hoopa's rings as it moved.

"I would expect nothing less," Started the armored person, "From the instincts of the Chosen One." From their voice, it seemed male. It was deep, booming and rough enough to vibrate the metal hall a tad.

Latias snarled at the man when she recognized the armor. "You!" She roared. Blindly, Latias would have raced headfirst into battle if Ash hadn't raised his arm to stop her. "What?! Ash, that's-"

"Take a closer look."

Though confused about what good that would do her, Latias obeyed and failed to hold in a slight gasp when she beheld this armored man again. Aside from the armor's coloring and plating, they didn't look anything like the Burned Man. Though taller than any of them, this one still didn't measure up to him. He was also vastly thinner.

"You're not…"

The armored man chuckled. "Were you expecting someone else?" His helmet tilted towards Ash. "One wielding a sword, or.." Then, Latias shined in the reflection of his visor. "…The new one, that flaming, senseless bull?"

Hoopa pointed a shaking finger at him. "You! You're the one that took my ring!"

Turning his attention to Hoopa, the armored man lifted his hand and opened his palm. The ring behind him shrunk until it fit between his fingers. "And you are the nuisance who graciously came to offer the other."

Serena noticed something odd about the ring he held. "Hold on a sec." She said. "His ring looks like it's got metal parts sticking out of it."

Surprised by this revelation, Ash looked at the ring again and found that it did appear to be covered in various pieces of metal and wires.

"So that's how he's controlling it."

"B-but it doesn't make sense!" Cried Hoopa. "I'm the only one who should be able to control them!" She then tried to pull it back forcefully. However, her Psychic power was combatted by something and hardly budged. Ash noted the same whistling noise from earlier. "G-give it back!" Hoopa wailed. "It's mine!"

To demonstrate his control over the ring, the armored man twirled his finger through the air. The ring spun firmly and obediently around his finger wherever he took it. "I think not," He told her. "My ring has already fallen into place. It hardly took us any time at all to make it bow. The same will soon be said for the rest of you."

His ring opened wide until it touched the walls of the hall. From it, more soldiers wearing bright red R's on their shirts emerged. A few of them also sported the Nova Branch patch. The last one to emerge was another one of the odd men in black suits that Ash recognized from the island.

In turn, Ash released Charizard and Sceptile from their Pokeballs. Pikachu hopped down from his shoulder and sparked his cheeks threateningly. Behind them, Serena released Sylveon, Braixen and Clefable. Tobias reached for Salamence's Pokeball, but he quickly realized that the tight corridor would not accommodate the dragon's size. Latias floated by Ash's side and activated Dragon Claw, glaring fiercely at her opposition.

"I don't care if you're not him." She hissed. "You're all a part of this too, and I'll bet you know where he is."

The armored man shrugged. "You should be more concerned with yourself."

His Rocket Grunts unleashed Pokemon of their own, from Granbull to Golem and many others. One of them even commanded a Druddigon. Yet the ones with the starry patches over their hearts wielded no Pokemon. In fact, they could not hide their disgust of them on their faces, instead opting to pull out weapons of their own. The Black Suit merely stood by the armored man's side, smirking at the rest.

"My designation is Launcher," Announced the man in armor, "And I have come for you all. You should not have come here, Chosen One. You should have stayed in Goldenrod, but this has presented a unique opportunity. There is someone in this base that would be interested in meeting you face to face, but it is not my place to say anything more than that."

Ash scoffed. "If they want to meet me so badly, they can come up here themselves. I probably have a lot to say to them too."

Launcher scanned the number of enemies ahead of him and compared them to his own. Six ordinary Pokemon with more in reserve, whatever power the Chosen One can muster for himself and them, and two Legends. He noted the lack of visible injuries on Latias in particular. For someone who was said to be on death's doorstep, she looked in great health. Comparing them to the meager soldiers at his side, he thought himself at a bit of a disadvantage. Not to mention that cramped spaces like this were not favorable for his abilities.

"That is not possible," He told Ash. "He is currently in the middle of an important event downstairs, but you are more than welcome to seek him out. Alone."

His ring shrunk once more, at which point he held out his index and middle finger toward the group and had the ring hover in front of it. Sensing his intentions, Ash raised a barrier around himself. However, the intent of whatever was coming next shifted toward Hoopa, so he prepared to protect her the moment Launcher attacked. If he did it too early, Launcher would just change targets.

To Ash's shock, the tips of Launcher's fingertips flicked open. A hot shockwave launched the ring past Ash, but he managed to cover Hoopa with a barrier before it could reach her. The ring opened up and swallowed her, barrier and all. Ash could feel his Aura separate from hers.

"Hoopa, no!"

Ash's first instinct was to race in after her, but shut out that instinct when he looked back at their opposition. If he left now, it would essentially be Serena and Latias alone.

"Go on," Goaded Launcher. "You may want to pursue Hoopa while that is still possible. I'll have you know that we work quickly."

Latias opened her mouth to say something, but Serena beat her to the punch. "It's fine, Ash," She told him reassuringly. "This is what we've been training for, isn't it? I can hold my own until you get back with Hoopa."

Ash wasn't yet convinced, but he knew the longer he waited, the more endangered Hoopa's life was. "Pikachu, with me." Upon his order, Pikachu unquestioningly dashed back onto his partner's shoulder. Ash took out two more Pokeballs. "Noivern, Hydreigon, let's go!"

The two faithful dragons emerged from their Pokeballs and roared at their enemies, making the halls quake as if they trembled in the wake of their fury. However, Hydreigon's appearance evoked a look of shock from Latias. Even some members of the opposition seemed disturbed. With only two of its three heads left and a stub of an arm that cut off around the elbow, Hydreigon looked almost like an overgrown Zweilous.

However, Hydreigon had taken the loss of his arm better than Pangoro. He had already gained and lost so much more. An arm was a worthy sacrifice if it meant continuing to live with Ash. Opening his maw wide, he sucked in air and unleashed another roar at the enemies before him who would dare to look at him with pity, making it known that such trivial feelings would be met with wrath. Especially when he looked at the armored man and was reminded of who took his arm to begin with.

"You two protect Serena and Tobias while I'm gone," He ordered. "You too, Charizard and Sceptile. I want you to obey their commands, got it?" The four loyal Pokemon nodded without hesitation. Finally, he glanced at Latias, gripping at the ring. "And Latias? Take care of yourself. I know it's hard to look at him, but try to control yourself." Then, he turned to the entrance, took a deep breath, and plunged through the ring's cyan light.

Once he was through, the ring shrank and returned to Launcher's grasp. He glanced at Hydreigon and chuckled. "Courtesy of Ryder, I presume?"

Hydreigon snarled at him furiously, flames glowing between his teeth.


Ash flew from the ring, sporting a barrier around himself and Pikachu. The yellow mouse arched his back to prepare to unleash a Thunderbolt in all directions if necessary. However, it seemed like the ring had dumped them somewhere empty. Ash sent a pulse into the ground to scan the area and found that he could sense nothing above him beyond a certain level, but below, there were several unfamiliar people and Pokemon. It wasn't long after that the ring vanished from sight.

He also sensed Hoopa even farther below. It certainly figured that they couldn't make anything easy on him.

"So," Said Ash, "We're probably below the seventh floor. I can't sense how the others are doing." He also let Greninja out of his Pokeball. "Let's get this done quick, alright, guys?"

"Pika!"

"Ja."

He noticed a door marked with stairs toward the hallway's end. Beside them, there was an elevator, but he figured that he could descend the stairs faster. Not to mention what Team Rocket would do to him if they caught him isolated in a box. No, he wouldn't give them that luxury. If they were going to make things as difficult as possible, then the least he could do was repay the favor.

Ash and his Pokemon raced down the stairs as fast as their legs could carry them. As he descended, he noticed a few people in white lab coats walking along the stairs as well. They cried out in fright when they spotted the Aura-clad chosen one and his partners practically flying down the stairs as he passed. Even though he knew he shouldn't take pleasure in the fear of others, a part of him was amused by their reactions. He felt a bit more justified in this feeling considering who these people worked for.

One unfortunate scientist on the bottom floor opened the door to deliver a large stack of papers, only to be met face to face with a smirking Ash on the other side. "Hey," Said Ash, making the man turn whiter than a sheet. "You wanna take me to your boss?"

Suddenly, the weight of the papers felt unbearable to the meek man's trembling arms, and the entire stack collapsed at their feet.

"That is unnecessary."

Ash and the scientist, whose face paled completely upon spotting who it came from, turned toward the voice's source and found none other than another Black Suit with his hands in his pockets. He beckoned for Ash to follow him.

"This way, if you would," Insisted the Black Suit. "Our superior has expressed a great interest in speaking with you face to face. I will take you to him."

Ash and his team stepped past the frightened scientist, whose weak knees failed him and caused him to fall on his backside, and tentatively approached the Black Suit. Making sure to keep a careful distance, Ash sized the Black Suit up and down. Just one of these people were able to get the better of him before. It was hard to believe they were still human.

He said, "As long as you're in front of me, go ahead."

The Black Suit merely nodded. "That is fine." Then, he turned and began walking. Ash looked at Pikachu and Greninja with uncertainty and found the same sentiment in their gazes back at him. He took a deep breath, then trudged after him. However, the Black Suit suddenly stopped, and so did they. He looked back and pointed in Ash's direction. But upon a second glance, he was pointing past Ash.

"You."

Ash followed the man's finger toward the pale scientist, who jumped when he realized he was being spoken to.

"M-me, sir?"

The Black Suit nodded up at him. "Those papers are important. Don't let them sit on the floor, and make sure you get them delivered on time."


Ash continued to follow the Black Suit through the expanse of halls at a safe distance. More people in labcoats, as well as ordinary Rocket and Nova Branch Grunts, ran to and fro around them. Whenever Ash and his guide passed, even the hardiest-looking ones with glares and scars on their faces dared not get in their way. The more doors Ash was led through, the less of these people they came across until they were eventually alone.

The suspicion of him being led into a trap hadn't left his mind since he exited the ring, but that prospect continued to seem more and more apparent to Ash until he could barely stand it. Yet his Aura told him that this man wasn't lying. He had every intent to bring Ash to whatever leader was here.

"Say," Ash said, "This 'superior' of yours. I assume I'm not lucky enough for it to be Giovanni himself, right? Is it just the director of this base?"

The Black Suit merely chuckled. Though unnerved, Ash figured that he would get his chance to find this out either way. Besides, Hoopa's presence was nearby, and her vitals were still strong. He decided that it was in his best interests to play along for now. To an extent.

He was led to an area with open windows up ahead with light peaking through. The Black Suit suddenly stopped and said, "Please wait here. He is still in the middle of an important meeting, but I will tell him of your arrival." And with that, he walked further into the hall, disappearing around a corner. Ash heard the noise of an electric door opening and closing.

Ash walked up to the window anyway. He clearly sensed Hoopa's presence within the room, so his patience was waning. Evidently, whoever else was on the other end of the wall expected this, and a set of metal window blinds kept him from seeing what was there. As if that would stop him. With his Aura, he created a small 'barrier' underneath the blinds to keep them from closing entirely and lifted them back up enough to see what was there.

More men in lab coats were what he first noticed. They sat behind various panels and a thick-looking glass pane. Beyond that, there was a large, metal table. Instruments of all kind dangled from the ceiling, attached to rigid mechanical 'limbs.'

There was also a man who stood a bit taller than the others. Someone wearing a greyish white trench coat who's back was turned to Ash. The Black Suit approached this person from the left and said something to him, but because of the glass, Ash couldn't hear it. That man pushed up his coat sleeve and finnicked with his watch. Regardless, it was clear to Ash that this person was the leader.

Ash lowered the metal blinds again and held up a finger, concentrating as much Aura into it as he could. "Pikachu," He spoke, showing the finger to his partner, "Use Thunderbolt here. Keep giving it as steady of a supply as you can."

Trusty as usual, Pikachu nodded without hesitation and obeyed. Ash's Aura diluted the flow of electricity, keeping it tightly around his finger but not letting it actually touch his skin. Ash pressed his finger against the glass until he managed to punch a small hole through it. It ended up being much thicker than he thought, and minutes had passed by the time he was done.

Yet it was enough. Ash lifted the blinds again and was met with a different sight. There were two black crystals, so tiny that they were barely visible to the eye, suspended in midair between the 'fingers' of the mechanic limbs. Between them was a vial of his own white Aura. Ash scowled at the sight, regretting making the statue at the memorial more with each passing day.

"Now then," Spoke the man in the trench coat, "Let's begin the experiment. Catalogue no. 4879, title: "Creation of Matter Using Crystal Shards, Entry 19." Begin."

With the wave of his arm, the man signaled for the scientists to engage the experiment. The two crystals were lowered closer to the table. An electric pulse manifested around them, and suddenly, small beams of light were ejected from them onto the table.

Ash watched with both awe and horror as those beams appeared to generate raw specks of soil. As the beams hastened and the soil piled up, it became clearer to Ash that it wasn't merely ordinary dirt. This machine and those otherworldly crystals were creating fertile soil. Perfect, moist soil fit for just about any plant. But it did not end there.

When a significant mound had formed, the twin beams left a visible hole at the top. Then, they began to generate something else. Sliver by sliver, they were creating something green. They were creating a plant!

Something within Ash, something so primal and instinctual that he felt it at the very core of his being cried out in abject horror when he began to sense signs of life from the plant before it was even finished. But before long, the plant was there, planted firmly within the mound of soil. And it was alive. There was no doubt about it to Ash. The flame of Aura was present within it. Ash suddenly felt his legs growing weak.

The sound of applause snapped Ash out of his trance. In the wake of their experiment, the scientists and that other man in the coat loudly clapped in celebration for their success. After a moment, the leader held up his hands and pinched his index to his thumb to make the others go silent.

"Now," He said, "We know these crystals can be used for more than destruction. And we did not even need to apply Aura. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the turning point. This is potentially the most groundbreaking moment in the history of mankind. We have achieved the impossible: creating something from nothing."

As the man spoke, Ash tried to get a good look at him. It was odd. No matter where he looked, it always seemed like something was obscuring it.

"However," Began the mysterious man, "Our work does not end here. No, this is only the beginning. Clear the table and take what was made for later testing. The next experiment will begin thereafter."

One of the scientists put on a large, white suit that covered every inch of their body. He took in a metal bowl and gently scooped the artificial soil into the bucket, making sure to leave the plant for last. Then, they walked out of sight. Just when Ash thought things couldn't get any worse, panels in the ceiling opened up, and two Pokemon in cages were lowered until they were just above the table. One, a Marill. The other was a Mincinno. The vial of Aura was lowered between the two crystals.

The man spoke once more. "Catalogue no. 4880, title: "Effects of Crystals on life, and Dilution of its Effects with Aura, Entry 258." Begin when ready."

One of the scientists fiddled with the panel, causing the crystal nearest to Marill to light up like before. Marill looked up at it in utter terror. It cried out in fear, rushing around the cage like the trapped creature it was. It rustled around the cage in an attempt to break the bars or knock the cage over, but with little luck, uncaring of the bruises it inflicted upon itself. Ash refused to watch any longer.

"Hey!" He roared through the hole. Every single one of the scientists jumped in fright at the noise, and that fright quickly heightened to pure, raw dread when they saw the glare of the Aura-clad Chosen One through the glass.

The doctor operating the machine staggered away from it, only to be grabbed by the scruff of the shirt by the man in the coat. When the doctor looked up at him, his eyes widened like dinner plates.

"Proceed, doctor," Ordered the man. And with that, the doctor proceeded.

Ash swiftly created a barrier around Marill's cage, but it didn't matter. A thin, concentrated beam struck and pierced the barrier as if it wasn't there at all. Marill and the cage were also hit. The Pokemon staggered back, then looked at where it was hit. It appeared bewildered at first rather than hurt. Then, it doubled over. A purple mist began eating away at everything the beam touched. Marill, its cage, and even Ash's Auric barrier. It didn't matter. Marill let out a wail of pure terror and reached out toward Ash with crying eyes, begging to be saved. And then, it was gone.

While Ash bowed his head, sick to his stomach, the mysterious man looked upon the disappearing barrier with intrigue. "How fascinating," He remarked. "From the source itself, the Aura appears to be resisting more. But-" Soon after, the barrier had been consumed. "-Even that could not last forever."

A bang from the window caught his attention. Calmly, he turned toward it and found Ash glaring utter death his way. Then, he and his Pokemon ducked to the right, quick as a blur. While the scientists stared at the door to their right in horror, the man snapped his fingers to regain their attention.

"Carry on," He ordered simply.

Ash genuinely saw red with how furious he was. His white Aura sparked and crackled like wild flames, and he could feel the same sentiment in the two Pokemon at his sides. The corner was in sight. Once he was in that room, even he didn't know what he was going to do.

A brown shoe crossed into his sight from the corner, so he skidded to a halt. At the end of the hall, that man in the coat walked out and faced him. The first thing Ash noticed about him was that he sensed nothing from him. Like the mysterious field above him and on that island, something blocked his Aura from sensing what was within the field of its effect.

"You." Said Ash.

The Man walked toward Ash brazenly, armed with seemingly nothing. Ash noticed that he didn't make any noise with his steps. "You should not have come here," He told Ash.

Ash scoffed mirthfully. "Neither should you. Even with how it is now, Dahara and the rest of the world would be better off without the likes of you."

"You should have stayed home," The Man repeated, "In your comfy little apartment on break while your puppet masters, that old man and the Legends, confer about where to string you along next."

And now, the monster who had just ordered the death of a Pokemon before Ash's eyes was trying to get him to doubt his friends. It was so sickeningly laughable that Ash actually reared his head back and did exactly that. "Are you kidding me? Save your breath. Mr. Star is the best thing that's happening to the world right now because he's the only one keeping the likes of you at bay."

"Do not mistake their charity for kindness," Hissed The Man. "That old man is senile. He would forsake humanity in its entirety for his own ends. Not to mention the Legends." Suddenly, The Man came to a stop just before the light from the lab room could touch him. "That look on your face...You have no idea, do you? They have you wrapped around their fingertips, obeying their every whim. Do you think it would end if we and our organization were to disappear? No. A Legend has responsibilities, Ash. They will never let you rest. They will never let you go. With them, that life you once lived, journeying with your friends, will never come back."

An exasperated Ash pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're really not making a good point for yourself. So, you're telling me you know my past? I shouldn't be surprised. You people never knew when to mind your own business."

The Man raised his arms out to his side, retorting with, "The future of humanity is my business. Someone such as you should not be bent to the will of others. Not to any Legend or Aura. Let me give you some advice, human to human."

He held his hand out toward Ash, stretching his arm into the light. His hand was covered by a latex glove. "You saw what we were capable of, Ash. We created matter and life! Our goals are not as evil as you are being led to believe by that-"

After hearing that, Ash lost it. His Aura roared outward in spades, burning the floors, walls, and ceiling. "Not evil?! Don't give me that! I watched you order that Pokemon to be killed! I don't care who you are. I don't care what you say you're doing. I'm tearing this place down, and then, I'll do the same to the rest of Team Rocket! And…" With a glare of death in his eyes, Ash concentrated the Aura around him between his fingertips. Greninja and Pikachu similarly readied themselves to attack. "...I'll start with you."

The gloved hand lowered, retracting into the darkness. "That is fine too. That course more than suits both of our goals."

Ash's eyes wrinkled. He opened his mouth to speak, but the utter nonsense this person kept spewing made it difficult for him to even form his own thoughts. "Wh-what? You… What are you talking about?!"

When The Man revealed his hand once more, it carried with it a large, golden ring. Hoopa's ring. "If you will continue with this path, I suppose this-" He jangled the ring. "-Would be more suitable."

"That's-! What did you do with Hoopa?!"

The Man pointed toward Ash, then to the laboratory window. "I have instructed them to continue with the experiment. What happens now does not matter to me. One Legend gone would certainly serve me well, but the data recorded from potential further battles could do just as nicely. With the data we've already gathered from the first ring, we may not even need a second. All of this depends on your speed, O Chosen One. Chosen of Aura. Chosen of Arceus. Chosen of the world. But for all those who call you chosen, when was the last time you have chosen for yourself?"

Then, The Man walked forward. But it seemed like he was moving backwards. A cry of panic from Pikachu tore Ash's attention from The Man. Then, one of his own filled the air. It seemed like the halls themselves were extending. When he looked behind them, the hall had twisted, looping in on itself without end. Ash turned back toward The Man for an answer.

"Hey!" He cried out. "What are you-"

He cut himself short when he saw The Man walking over the twisting halls as if they were completely normal. As if nothing was in his way at all. And when he touched the light, Ash still could not see his face. The same shadow that hung over it when he was obscured in the dark still persisted, even when the rest of him was revealed.

Ash suddenly felt a wave of dread washing over him as he beheld The Man. Something at the core of his being perceived this person as dangerous. He was frozen in shock as The Man approached him. Behind the shadow, he could see glasses only due to the light that bounced off of them from the ring he held. It was only when that man passed him was he able to regain control of himself, but when he turned around to face him again, there was nothing but the twisted hall.

Either way, The Man's disappearance alleviated Ash from his trance. But whatever was going on around them was still there. He sensed something ahead of them, further ahead than The Man was. "Pikachu," He said, pointing toward the source, "Use Thunderbolt."

The yellow mouse followed his finger, then nodded. Sparks of lightning raced from the red of his cheeks to the hairs of his body, and once he was covered in it, fired it in a stream toward where Ash pointed. There was a sharp cry of pain. There was a flash of light, and then the hazy world seemed to melt away, leaving them right where they were before. In the shadows, the leftover sparks illuminated the figure of a Zoroark that leered at them.

"A Zoroark," Ash remarked. He put a hand to his chest and sighed. "So, was all of that…?" He went to approach the Zoroark but stepped on something round. When he looked down at what he stepped on, he found Hoopa's ring at his feet. "What…?" He looked back up at where the Zoroark was, but the corner was empty. Kneeling over, he took the ring in hand and shook his head. It would take a while to wrap his head around what had happened, but that wasn't time he or the Pokemon in the room beside him had.

The scientists jumped as Ash and Greninja pried open the doors. In spite of their attempts to shut them again remotely, Ash's group were pushing their way in. They were just in time to see the fruits of the experiment. The vial of Aura and the crystal to its light glowed brightly. Ash pushed against the closing doors with all of his might, but he wasn't fast enough. From them, twin beams struck at the Pokemon and its cage.

"No!"

Ash only managed to get through just in time to see it happen. It was the same result as before. The terrified Minccino raced around its disappearing cage until its legs faded away. Soon enough, it faded along with its cage.

The lead scientist sighed, backing away from the panel. "A shame. Even with Aura, it-"

He was suddenly tackled to the wall and found a gleaming white kunai at his throat. An enraged Greninja stared up into his eyes, practically daring him to make a move. Ash came walking up behind it. The flames of his Aura singed the metal beneath his feet black with every step. He could feel something horrible beyond words when Mincinno died. The complete and utter bastardization of everything Aura meant. Life, used for death. Creation, for destruction. It sickened him without end.

The head scientist, meanwhile, glanced back and forth between Ash and the door. Ash could sense fear in him, but it was only partially related to the blade at his neck.

"H-how did you…? He…"

"You have something bigger to worry about than how I got past him," Ash reminded the doctor. "Now let Hoopa go and get out of here. Don't think I'll give you another chance to get away."

While the other scientists scuttled out of the room, Ash roughly swung around to shove the remaining one back toward the control panel.

"Now release Hoopa."

Shakily, the scientist nodded and went to work. There were a few empty moments of him busily tapping on the panel while Ash and his Pokemon leered over his shoulder, daring him to step out of line. A low hum rang out from beyond the glass as the crystals and the vial of his Aura were retracted into the ceiling. Ash was about to protest until he saw the bound, ringless form of Hoopa being lowered onto the table.

She yelled and struggled against the electric grip of the mechanical limbs that binded her. Her eyes had shut tight, making her completely unaware of everything except her bindings.

"Hoopa!" Cried Ash. He silently ordered Greninja to keep watch on the scientist before taking Pikachu to break in. This door offered much less resistance than the last, and they were able to enter without effort.

With Iron Tail, Pikachu shattered the robotic limbs that held Hoopa, and Ash caught her in his arms before she could hit the table.

"Hoopa!" Ash repeated, gently letting his Aura flow into her to ease the damage done. "Hoopa, are you alright?!"

Slowly, Hoopa managed to strain her eyes open to look up at Ash. He smiled down at her gently and showed her the ring he retrieved. "Don't worry. You're not trapped anymore. I managed to get your ring back too. What happened? How did you get…"

Realizing that he was asking too many questions, Ash stopped himself and merely asked, "Are you alright?"

Groggily, Hoopa groaned as she raised her head. "My ring…?" Her eyes shot open and she snatched the gilded ring, planting it back in its rightful place. "My ring! You got it back! When that guy got me with my other ring, it sent me to some weird black room. There was some guy in a coat, but I didn't see much of him. That's the last thing I remember before…well, right now."

"Some guy in a coat..." Ash mused aloud. "I think I met him too. That's where I got the ring from."

Excitedly, Hoopa jumped up and asked, "Did you beat that creep? I hope you got him good!"

There were sparkles in her eyes and a mischievous little grin on her impish face. After what she'd been through, it was a shame to Ash that he had to deny her.

"I'm afraid not," He told her. "But we can still take down that guy who's got your other ring. You think you're up for a battle?"

Hoopa jumped up, proudly putting her hands on her hips. "I was born ready! Let's get that creep!"

Ash looked over toward Greninja and nodded. The frog pushed the old scientist toward the door. Eagerly, the frail old man ran out of sight, which was just fine in Ash's eyes.

"Yeah. Let's make every single one of these guys regret the day they were born."


Ruthlessly, Latias chased after Launcher with Dragon Claw, but each one of her swipes were easily evaded. This only served to continue to infuriate her more and more. Just looking at Launcher's visor made her see red.

With every attack she missed, Launcher retaliated by continuously blasting her with everything in his arsenal. He revealed a weapon: a rotating grenade launcher, true to his name. However, each grenade that he fired seemed to have differing effects.

Latias nimbly dodged and sliced through the projectiles in her way. One exploded into flames as she passed it while another shot shards of ice out when she cut it. She hissed in pain as they cut into her skin, but continued after Launcher.

The armored man fired another, which she evaded, but his stolen ring caught it. As she neared him, the ring rushed in between them and shot it back out. Realizing she couldn't dodge, Latias's eyes went wide.

With a thunderous roar that shook the hall, the grenade exploded point blank into Latias's face. The shockwave nearly knocked the others off of their feet. Latias was thrown to the wall hard enough to bounce off and skid across the floor.

"Latias!" Serena called with worry. Her eyes went wide when Launcher marched out toward her from the smoke. "Clefable, use Light Screen! Sceptile, Solarbeam!"

Quick as the wind, Sceptile raced from behind Serena to intercept Launcher. "Remarkable speed," Commended Launcher, "But it is hardly something I haven't seen before."

Launcher tilted his head to let Sceptile's Solarbeam pass by. His ring moved to catch it, then moved toward Latias. Sceptile tried to stop it with Leaf Blade only for the armored man to catch his hand. When Sceptile tried to pull away, the metal hand began to crush his own, eliciting a reserved hiss of pain from him.

"On a daily basis, I fight faster and stronger than you," Explained Launcher coldly. "You have already met with Ryder, but he never displayed his true speed." Sceptile responded by trying to use Solarbeam at point blank, but that merely resulted in Launcher forcibly snapping his mouth shut with his free hand.

He turned Sceptile around toward Latias, saying, "Now watch."

The ring stopped just short of Latias. Her eyes fluttered open just in time to see it looming over her before Sceptile's Solarbeam made her see green. Before the beam could touch her, Clefable leapt in and summoned Light Screen to stop the attack.

Launcher raised his head in intrigue. "So, that was what that was for." He turned his attention back toward Serena, who continued to stand confidently against him. "I believed she was merely attempting to stop me from attacking, but she was already planning in advance if her attack failed. Even the Chosen One's lover shares his fortitude."

From behind, a smirking Black Suit walked up beside him. Noticing one of the Nova Branch Grunts approaching her from behind while the rest of her protection was occupied, he remarked, "But I guess he's the only one with eyes on the back of his head.

Serena flinched when she heard the click of a gun from behind her head. "Don't move!"

Gritting her teeth in frustration, Serena whispered, "Dang it!"

"Serena!" Tobias called when he saw her situation. His voice caught the attention of their other Pokemon, who cried out with worry when they saw her.

This distraction provided the perfect opportunity for the Grunts to strike, and before they knew it, Tobias and the Pokemon found themselves in similar situations.

"Hmph," Scoffed Launcher, still holding Sceptile tightly in his grasp. The guns at the heads of his friends made Sceptile reluctant to try to make a move. "It would seem that is checkmate. Though you'll be relieved to know that our superior would prefer you all to be intact, so this ends here."

While Launcher spoke, the Grunt nearest to Tobias noticed a rustling within his robe. "Hey!" Hissed the Grunt as he jabbed his gun near his face. "Keep your hands outside your shirt where I can see them."

Tobias showed the man his empty hands. "They are."

The Grunt raised a brow at him, lowering his gun toward where the rustling was coming from. "Empty your shirt," He ordered.

Narrowly, Tobias managed to hold back a smirk as he reached for his shirt collar. The rustling suddenly came to a stop when Tobias pulled the collar out. The Grunt peered inside, and then, something leapt out at him. Poipole darted out, spewing poison at the Grunt's face before rushing back into its spot in the robe.

The Grunt dropped the gun and screamed as the poison burned at his eyes and nose. This more than caught the attention of his comrades, who snapped toward the sound of the crying man just in time to see him drop to the floor.

Sensing an opportunity, Latias used Psychic to send the Grunt near Serena flying into a wall, then turned her attention back upon Launcher. His arm glowed red, and his fingers were slowly pried off of Sceptile who leapt away the moment he was loose and fired a Solarbeam back at Launcher as it retreated to Serena's side.

The Black Suit stayed the beam with his barrier. "Perhaps we should focus on putting down the Legend first." Just as he brandished his plasma knife, he and Launcher tensed when they received a call all of a sudden.

"The incident has unfolded," Came the voice of The Man on their transceivers. "The boy will proceed with the original plan. As such, there is no longer a need to meet with the rest at this time. This facility is compromised, but I've already taken care of the data stored here. BS-19, I'll need you to clear the scientists to the shelters before the facility is decommissioned. Launcher, clear out the rest non-lethally. They still have their role to play."

Then, the feed was filled only with static before it petered out altogether.

The Black Suit sighed. "I suppose rescue duty's on me, then. Mind if I borrow the ring?"

"All yours," Answered Launcher. As the Black Suit fell behind to carry out his orders, Launcher stomped forward to take care of his. "I have the feeling that these ones will have to be coerced into leaving before they'll fall for the ring trick again. I'll do things the old fashioned way."

With that, the Black Suit gave a two-fingered salute and hopped through the ring. It shrunk down and disappeared after him shortly thereafter.

Launcher came to a stop just short of Serena. "Now then…"

Sending a quick glance back at her teammates, she could see that the distraction seemed to have given the others an advantage over the Grunts. However, aside from Clefable and Sceptile, they all were preoccupied with their own enemies. This, however, presented her with an opportunity.

Serena scowled up at the armored man. "It was one of you freaks that took my Pangoro's arm!" From her pocket, she pulled out a fifth Pokeball. "So you'll excuse me if I want a little payback. Go, Rhyperior!"

In a burst of light, a new Pokemon revealed itself. Standing upon two feet and nearly wide enough to touch the corridor's walls with its shoulders, the armor-clad Rhyperior triumphantly raised its massive arms and bellowed its name.

Following the demise of Nova Branch HQ, Serena came clean to her mother about the horrors that transpired there. Worrying for her daughter, Serena's mother then insisted that she should take her old partner, Rhyperior, into battle to protect her from now on. Though Rhyperior was old and out of shape due to retirement from battle, Serena was able to whip him back into shape.

Launcher chuckled. "And your plan for revenge is to send this one to its death?"

Serena and Rhyperior scowled at him. She ordered, "Rhyperior, use Take Down!"

The giant rhino Pokemon stampeded toward Launcher with its shoulder brought forward. The thundering impacts of its feet made the hall quake.

Launcher scoffed at the attack. Though Rhyperior's size left no room to sidestep, there was plenty of space above it to jump and more than enough time to do so. Before Rhyperior could approach him, Launcher knelt down and moment his feet left the ground, Latias's eyes flared red and a Psychic grip brought him back down.

Rhyperior smashed into him with all the force of a speeding train, sending him flying back through the corridor. As he flew, the tips of his five fingers opened and he blasted a shockwave behind him to halt his momentum. Gracefully, he dropped back to the floor just in time to see Rhyperior following up with another charge.

Panels in the back of Launcher's suit opened, and another set of shockwaves shot him directly at Rhyperior. His cold, metal hand impacted Rhyperior with a surprising amount of force, stunning the rocky giant.

The jaws of the onlookers collectively dropped when Launcher proceeded to hoist Rhyperior off of its feet with one arm before slamming it into the ground. The opened fingertips of Launcher followed up with a final set of shots to its head. Rhyperior's entire body briefly spasmed from the force before going limp.

Serena's eyes widened with horror. "Rhyperior!" Scowling, she silently nodded over to Latias before shouting, "Sceptile, Solarbeam!"

Eagerly, Sceptile stepped forward to launch the emerald beam in the hopes of shooting Launcher off of Rhyperior. Launcher attempted to hold Rhyperior up as a shield, but a red glow held him down yet again.

The beam impacted his visor, eliciting a shocked cry from him as he was sent sprawling across the ground. In rage, he dug his fingers into the metal floor and crushed it into his palm. Leaping back to his feet, Launcher prepared to retaliate against Sceptile only to be stricken across the visor where the Solarbeam hit. Latias smirked as she drove her Dragon Claw further, relishing in the damage she had done.

She flew past him once she was done, then looped back around to his front in order to see the effects of her handiwork. Launcher had staggered backwards from the attack, and though his head was craned backwards to the point his back was arched, he managed to stay standing.

Launcher suddenly doubled over and made a mad dash towards Latias. She easily evaded, but Launcher did not stop running. Her eyes went wide when she saw who he was running towards. He was after Rhyperior. Latias swiftly gave chase.

When Launcher made it to Rhyperior, he pried it out of the floor by its head. Latias tried to stop him with Psychic once more until hurled the giant towards Serena and the others. She gasped and shifted the focus of Psychic toward Rhyperior to stop it, but it was clear that its weight and speed were too much to halt it in time. It would have to be stopped physically.

Latias chased after Rhyperior only to suddenly have her face grabbed and slammed into a wall. Her reddening eyes glared at Launcher to force him off, only for him to deliver a ruthless point blank shockwave from the palm of his hand that embedded her head in the wall.

"Stay down."

The force behind the savage shockwave raced all across the corridor, knocking friend and foe alike off of their feet. The Grunts all cried out in terror when they looked up and saw the unconscious body of Rhyperior careening towards them. Thinking quickly, Serena reached for its Pokeball and managed to return it mere moments before impact.

Tentatively, Serena's eyes fluttered back open, and she sighed in relief when she realized her gambit worked. "Phew! That was a close one…"

Latias managed to push her head back out enough to glower at Launcher. She gasped into his glove when she got a look at his face. Evidently, her Dragon Claw managed to tear open half of his visor, exposing his face. He leered at her with eyes reddened by a broken blood vessel. His face was badly wrinkled, twisted, and was a sickly greenish yellow color.

Just from glancing at him, Latias couldn't help but to chuckle at him. "I had a feeling you were ugly behind that thing."

Launcher's response was to rip her back out of the hole and blast her toward the others. She gasped for air when she bounced off of the ceiling. Before she could fall to the ground, she managed to catch herself. Launcher fired another grenade at her from his weapon, and when Latias attempted to catch it, it exploded with dark energy that writhed in crawling webs across her body.

"Latias, no!" Cried Serena. She pulled herself back to her feet, as did the rest of her Pokemon.

With the Grunts stunned, Tobias suddenly called out an order. "Everyone, ready your attacks at the Grunts!"

All of their Pokémon save for Clefable returned their attention toward the Grunts and aimed attacks at them. This earned an outcry from the men. One of the ordinary Rocket Grunts unwisely tried to rise back to their feet.

"Don't move!" Bellowed Tobias. "If you move another inch, I will order them to attack." Beside him, Ash's Charizard held a Flamethrower in its mouth, daring the Grunt to make another move. "If you want to leave here in one piece, I wouldn't do anything stupid."

A loud stomp caught their attention. Launcher stood next to the incapacitated Latias, hovering his weapon just above her head. "Kindly release our men. Our leader would gladly have one less Legend to deal with. His order to keep you all alive only goes so far."

"Everyone's evacuated," Informed the Black Suit on Launcher's comms. With the hole in his visor, everyone else could hear him. "The ring's all yours."

Serena felt a chill run down her spine when she witnessed Launcher grin. He held out his other hand and the ring manifested over it. One by one, the ring appeared near the Grunts to pick them up and drop them behind him where they regained themselves to face Serena and the others once more.

"This fight is over," Announced Launcher. "Take your leave willingly, or I will remove you with this."

Tobias stepped forward first. "Let go of Latias first."

At the call of her name, Latias managed to open her eyes and glance Tobias's way.

"And we're not going anywhere until Ash finds Hoopa and you give us back that ring!" Added Serena enthusiastically. The Pokemon under her command took their places at her and Tobias's sides. They and the Grunts scowled at one another from across the corridor, both sides eager to tear into the other.

Launcher responded by having the ring hover in front of him, where it proceeded to enlarge until its edges touched the walls. "That," He said, "Is no longer under the scope of your abilities."

He prepared to launch the ring at them, but suddenly, he received another message. He tended up when the voice of The Man came from it.

"The boy is currently en route to your location with Hoopa in tow. The base is being prepared for burial, so prioritize forcing him out at all costs. We still need them all. If his morale is impacted, the plan cannot proceed."

Then, his voice was gone, leaving Serena, Tobias and the Grunts pale-faced.

"B-burial?!" Cried Serena.

"He's coming back?!" One Grunt screamed.

Another ring appeared beside Launcher. The armored man whipped his weapon toward it, only for what was left of his visor to be impacted by the combined force of a Water-Shuriken, an Iron Tail, and an Aura-coated punch from Ash. Launcher was thrown to the wall with a resounding crash and he slumped over.

"Thanks for holding them off, Serena," Ash said to her. "I knew I could count on you." Serena's cheeks reddened a bit, and she bashfully clasped her hands behind her back. Sensing his opportunity, Ash suddenly cried, "Pikachu, use Iron Tail on the ring!"

Pikachu leapt up and swatted at the various pieces of metal that stuck out of the ring, sending them clattering onto the floor. Hoopa emerged from Ash's ring and reclaimed the other, shrinking both of them back to their normal sizes and placing them back upon her horns. Grinning, she squealed with glee at the feeling of their return.

Ash ran to Latias and used his Aura to clear the dark energy from her. "Hey!" He shouted as gently as a shout could be. "Latias, are you alright?"

Seeing him, she let out a content sigh and smiled before floating back up. "I am now. You always did know how to make a flashy entrance."

The sudden clap of metal against metal caught their attention. Hoopa squeaked with fright and jumped back to Ash's side. Pushing his hand into the wall and crushing it to get a better grip, Launcher pulled himself back to his feet.

Putting a hand to the side of his helmet and shielding his face with the other, he said, "Apologies, master, but he retrieved the rings. We may have to proceed to an alternative plan and take them by force."

"No. Without his concession, the alternative plan would not work as well as the original. He is at his most useful where he is. The base is one push of a button from collapsing. I will take care of things on that front. Use that information to chase them away. Hoopa would not risk dying, nor being responsible for the deaths of the Chosen One and his friends."

"And what of the ring?"

"From the first one, we have already acquired the data for the groundwork of our own. As long as we can continue to put Hoopa in battle situations, we can take more data from her use of them to finish ours."

Ash and his team gradually surrounded Launcher while he conversed with The Man. "You," Hissed Ash. "You're not getting away. I'll bet someone like you would have all kinds of information on Team Rocket."

"Is that information more important to you than your lives?" Asked Launcher, removing his hand from his helmet to reveal his contorted face.

Though Ash and his team briefly recoiled from the sight, Ash retorted, "Are you still trying to make threats? You're through! Give it up already."

"The bottom floors have been rigged to explode."

Ash paled a bit at that. He wasn't lying. As if on cue, the ground suddenly began to quake.

"We cannot afford to allow the knowledge of this facility's existence to mean anything to you and your allies. This is but one of hundreds of our bases. If you do not want a nameless grave for yourself and your friends, I suggest that you leave."

Still, something about this made no sense to Ash. "Why warn us? Wouldn't you rather we all die? We're your enemies! What are you hiding?!"

Again, the building shook, and far more violently this time. Everyone but Ash and Launcher were thrown off their feet. In his chilling voice, Launcher replied, "You could have had that answer if only you accepted his offer. But for now, you do not have the leisure for time, nor questions."

The Grunts suddenly sprung to their feet and ran into the darkness of the corridor. Getting antsy, Hoopa could not take it any longer. "I'm sorry, Ash," She cried, enlarging her two rings on opposite sides of the group, "But we can't stay here anymore!"

Ash gasped as the memory of the experimented Pokemon below flashed across his vision. "Wait! You take the others and go! There could still be more-"

But the rings flew together all the same, whisking Ash's group away before he could even finish.


The group stepped through Hoopa's ring that quickly closed shortly after. Ash wiped some sweat from his forehead before sighing. He checked the group's surroundings, realizing Hoopa must have teleported them back to the roof they were on when they initially scouted out the base.

Forlorn, Ash rushed to the edge just in time to watch a collection of buildings collapse, disappearing into a veil of dust. Gritting his teeth, Ash gripped at the railing and hung his head, unable to bring himself to watch. Even though the mysterious field prevented him from truly knowing if there were any Pokemon dying down there, simply knowing of them was enough to make his heart sore.

From behind, Serena came up and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. She didn't say anything, knowing there was nothing she could say to dull the pain. Shakily, Ash returned the gesture.

Eventually, Ash looked to his friends, "Is everyone alright? That was more of a struggle than I thought it'd be."

Tobias and the Pokemon all nodded except Hoopa. "I…" She started. Under the expectant gazes of everyone, the normally-jovial Hoopa found herself at a loss for words and bowed her head, regretting bringing attention to herself.

Sensing her inner turmoil, Ash waved her off. "It's…okay, Hoopa. I know you were just looking out for us. If anything, it's my fault for not thinking of the other Pokemon earlier."

"Even a hero can't save everyone," Spoke Tobias all of a sudden. "No matter how powerful you are, there isn't a way to protect every single thing. Don't put the blame on yourself."

Ash let out as much tension as he could with a long sigh. "…You're right," He admitted, "But it still stings."

Though Tobias responded to that with a chuckle, he pinched the bridge of his nose and looked away. "Ash, I know you of all people know this, but you couldn't be more right."

Ash looked at him with pity, then turned his gaze out toward the withered Dahara City. Above all else, there was one thing Ash could not get out of his mind. The empty stare of that man. Even now, Ash could hear his voice ringing in his mind and feel that sense of dread.

Just who was he?


Author's Note

Pokextinction Fact of the Day: Hydreigon initially was not meant to last longer than the chapter he was introduced in, meant to merely be a soul tortured by Damian that would snap out of its blood rage, courtesy of Ash, and then cower off into the forest. However, as I wrote its bond with both Ash and Zero, I realized that I couldn't just leave him behind. Not to mention, at that point, I had already begun to entertain the idea of many of Ash's Pokemon dying in the war to come, so there would need to be a replacement of some kind. Zero was plotted to die long before her character role was finalized, so Hydreigon couldn't have gone with her. Serena never had a bond with it at all even though she had open slots, so I couldn't give him to her either. Hydreigon's natural strength seemed to fit more with Ash, so with Ash he went.

The Creator- And now, the long-awaited meeting between Ash and The Man. To think he was able to provide the schematics to life itself. Imagine what else they have under their sleeves.

I also wanted to show off more of Latias and her abilities/relationship building with the crew. Plus adding more Legends like Hoopa to Ash's debt list.

Speaking of Ash, he seems to be getting a lot more violent lately. Due to his close bond with his Pokemon and his Aura, they feel the exact same way he does.

Hydra- We finally got to see firsthand how ruthless Team Rocket can be against pokemon. From this point we've mainly only heard of their atrocities, but now we were able to see it this chapter.

SilverWolf1130- I wanna punch Kyogre, honestly. Though, That little moment between Ray and Groudon Jr. was pretty sweet.

ITS CHRISTOPHER LEE! Calling it now! That "act of kindness" sounds like him! And shit… he's got some special abilities. Greaaat. As if King Baldo wasn't already deadly already with just his words…

I'm reeeeally worried about little Palkia. Something tells me Ryder or "the man" is gonna kill him when he has no more use to them and wear his tail as a necklace/trophy *cringes*. It would be such an evil and mocking thing to do…

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the Nova Branch is gonna have a problem with Arceus bringing back Legendaries and I wouldn't put it past them to order their deaths. There's no act beneath them, it seems.

Can't wait to see where this goes. Also, all the hugs for Latias. Didn't bring her up last time.

The Creator- Glad you liked the Rayquaza-Groudon part. That chapter was more of a "keeping up with the juniors" thing.

Having the power to manipulate space under your fingertips is an insane power that cannot be overlooked. Pair that with what they learned from Hoopa's rings and we've got trouble.

Imagine the fury of Arceus if he found out Palkia was murdered.

Hydra- It is quite worrying that Team Rocket now have Palkia. He's so young that he doesn't realize the severity of the situation and it's bound to lead to further problems down the line. You gotta wonder what the ultimate plan is though and what Team Rocket is leading up to with this. Also the feels with Latias really pulls at the heartstrings, such an innocent girl having almost everything taken from her, gotta think if that'll make her more desperate in the future...

G- Interesting chapter, intereting indeed, so we could see more of the inner thinkings from Groundon and Palkia 2.0. Well, was sad to see how much strained became their relationship with some of the older legendary pokemon, specifically Groundon with Kyogre, and Palkia with Arceus.

As in the case of Groundon, he was confused and angry with the sudden hostility and negative attitude of Kyogre toward him, as he cannot understand the reason of their rivalry, making that Groundon was frustrated for this, especially as he is too young to understand several aspects of the natural order of the pokemon world. Well, at least big brother Rayquaza gave him emotional support from this, adding some explanations about his role as legendary pokemon. Though that i wonder what would happens when young Groundon learns about Necrozma and possibly what exactly happened with his predecessor.

And in the case of Palkia, i am worried about him, because as result of the words of Giratina, he ended harboring some distrust toward Arceus, making that he only ended alienated from the legendary pokemon council. Adding that to get worse the situation, he end meeting to the Nova Branch and the Team Rocket, and even the mysterious leader managed to get his trust, to manipulated Palkia to makes him thinks that he is a friend of Ash, making that our naive young legendary pokemon possibly end obeying the Nova Branch, and could brings as consequence that he even end like a possible experiment, or even enslaved, like Mewtwo, something catastrophic, because with Palkia in their clutches, the Nova Branch and Team Rocket end getting a third of the power of the Creation trio; the Space.

To finishes, talking about Nova Branch, i would likes to speculates the identity of the mysterious man:

1. Christopher Lee: to considers that his death was too premature for a villain like him, adding that Lee always showed be a man that harbors no respect toward the pokemon in general, meaning that he was possibly out of character, to beg for mercy to Lugia when was about to be killed. I mean, perhaps Lugia only killed an imitator that posed like Lee, because if he was the true Lee, he only would goads Lugia in kills him to shows everyone present the "beast and animal" that is Lugia, than be begging for mercy, as i don't see Lee like a man that would gives the satisfaction to his enemies of see him defeated and humilliated, making out of character see him begging for help to a pokemon. Meaning that maybe Lee only faked his death and was only in low profile, to could waits for the right moment to makes his triumphal return.

2. Mr Star: i knows that is unlikely that Mr Star end being revealed like affiliated to the Nova Branch, but to considers several aspects from him, i couldn't helps in see him like another possible Palpatine; a wise and old man that shows a noble attitude to helps everyone in a crisis, adding that also is a mentor to the main protagonists and chosen ones; Ash and Anakin, making me thinks that could be still possible that Mr Star harbors some possible ulterior motive to the back of everyone, like Palpatine, aka Darth Sidious. Meaning that could be a great twist plot that the identity of the mysterous man, be Mr Star.

Keep the good job.

As other point, to considers that i compared Christopher Lee with the Count Dooku, and i am considering Mr Star like a possible Palpatine, i couldn't helps in thinks that could be another great twist plot that would be revealed that Lee is the subordinated of Mr Star, like that Lee was only a pawn that helps to Star to instigated some conflict to gives them more power to the Nova Branch, from both sides, making that maybe their master plan ended being that both makes that all the mankind became enemies of the pokemon, begin some purge toward the remaining legendary pokemon, like an order 66, and once wipe out the legendary pokemon, Lee and Star could makes a new order for the world, a world in that only the mankind is a worthy species, while the pokemon are only "beasts and animals", making that even some of them end being hunted and enslaved, much like the galatic empire did with the Jedi; pursued and others "recruited" like inquisitors.

The Creator- The oldies who didn't get hit quite as hard as the others seem to believe in old world views. But that time has passed. Now, the world hangs on a dim balance. There cannot be coexistence in this new world while those who keep it in balance hate one another. It is no longer a world that can take hatred. The old world can never return. For the world to live on, hatred must be shed. Arceus has realized this. So has Mew. Yet there are those who are not entirely convinced such as Lugia and Kyogre. Their grudges are chains around their neck that will become nooses in time.

Thanks as always for your review.

Hydra- I freaking love the theories you come up with it's always so refreshing to see lol. Things are starting to look very bad for our heroes. Team Rocket now has three legends under their control with very different powers and we have no clue as to what their motive is besides that it can't be good. One thing we do know for sure is once Arceus and Mew realize where Palkia is well… it won't be good for anyone.

DarkPugLord23- And now we check back in with the baby Godzilla Representations! I've still got the image in my head of a Groudon the size of a small human child talking to this enormous snake dragon the size of a airliner. Also, it seems Palkia's been kidnapped by Team Rocket, which I feel is gonna have some bad consequences later down the line. Actually, is it really kidnapping if the one being taken goes willingly? I don't know. What I do know is that I'm real excited for the next chapter!

The Creator- I hope this chapter didn't disappoint. Bet you weren't expecting to see The Man again so soon. Some info though: With the Tree of Life fully developed, Legends tend to grow much faster than they did before. Plus, Arceus was more experienced when he made these two. They're actually bigger than an adult human, but still not close to their original sizes. You can still feel free to picture them however you want.

Hydra- Love the Godzilla connection XD. Young Palkia does remind me of godzuki from the Godzilla tv show way back when. Hopefully you enjoyed this chapter, Ash and the mysterious finally met for the first time… or did he actually? Could it be that the creature pikachu shocked was really The Man all along? hmmm...

Leafy boi- So leafys new phone broke.. again.. had to get another new one -.- never trusting outhouses again.. ANYWAY owo this story keeps gettin better and BETTER! but ugh DAMN CLIFFHANGER AT SUCH IMPORTANT INFO THING FFS HATE IT YET IT WAS GOOD SUSPENSE! also poor latias ówò she so hurt.. and now tobias is there and he had a latios which died in his care way back when.. and hehe mr star is as hyper and silly as always but cool idea making him know lorenzo as kid, man hes ancient.. then there was the genesect upgrade too o.o AWESOME IDEA OF UPGRADING VIA STEALING TECH! Theres also the whole groudon being friendlier to sky gecko now that was cute "can you tell me another story owo" adorable puppy eyes ensue. Mew is gonna try to reconsile which is a great character evolution for her ESPECIALLY since she is scared and unsure of how to do so (gonna be huge trouble with gira) Loving this story a whole lot. Still miss zero tho.. she was cute with how she acted with ash.. also are we gonna have any galar characters enter the fray like gym leaders? Would love pierce to just show up as a street singer/musician and have like tobias or ash get distracted then hes at a meeting thingy after and they go all O.o WAIT!? Thatd be amusing

The Creator- Your poor phones. I would really look into getting a thick phone case. Mine has kept my phone going for years.

Love the mass review. Yeah, Genesect's new body using all the data from Ryder and his guys is going to be insane. I can't wait to show it off. She's only going to become more brutal.

We do have plans for SOME Galar characters far down the line. For now, it's only Oleana and Rose. And ohhhh yeah, Mew's gonna be in trouble with Giratina like you said. It won't be pretty.

I miss Zero too. I feel like there could have been much more to her character in relation to Ryder and Genesect, but she fulfilled her role.

Hydra- Mew is perhaps one of my favorite characters only barely behind… well actually I can't say hehe sorry about that. But I do have to admit that coming up with the young Groudon and Palkia storylines was one of my favorite things to do. It was my first attempt at coming up with cute characters that were purely innocent and I like to think I did a fairly good job. By the way love the cute little faces ^_^

The Creator- Next chapter, we will see just how Giratina reacts to the 'reformed' Mew. We may also even see just what Team Rocket plans on doing with Palkia.

Hydra- A ding ding ding that does it for this one folks. The story is really starting to ramp up and all fall together now so be ready for things to come. Alrighty guys have a good week and we'll see you on the next one!