Chapter 7

Ash didn't quite know when exactly he'd lost consciousness, he could feel someone shaking him roughly and slowly his amber eyes flickered open as he found himself face to face with dark eyes. Paul's purple hair tickled his face from where he was leaning over him, fingers digging into the flesh of Ash's shoulders.

"Jeez finally, I was wondering how long you were intending to sleep for."

"Huh… How'd you get here?!"

"The same way you did!" He snapped. "I tried to stop you from getting sucked into wherever the hell this is, but instead you took me with you! Where… What is this place?"

Ash sat up slowly, his head pounded, though no more could he hear the calls of his name. He glanced around quickly, it was dark, unnervingly so and all around him strange stone structures stuck out at odd angles, accompanied by a series of misshapen houses that decorated every square inch of the place. Though slightly different than he remembered, still it was familiar "The Distortion World." He eventually said. "Giratina's realm…"

"You mean like the Legendary Pokèmon Giratina?" Paul exclaimed incredulously.

"Mhmm… I think… It was the one calling to me, no I'm sure of it…"

"What—"

"Back in Miss Cynthia's, I could hear something call my name. If I'm here then it was definitely Giratina!"

"Why the hell would it do that?"

"Because it's my friend…"

"You've got to be kidding me— Do you know how insane that sounds?!"

"We need to find it Paul! If it's called me here, maybe it needs my help."

His rival simply stared back at him in utter bewilderment, "Do you even know where you need to go, where it is? This place is huge! If you don't know where it's hiding it'll take forever to find it!"

Ash mulled Paul's words over for a moment, sure the older had a point, but if Giratina had called him here, they had to be connected somehow. Perhaps if he concentrated hard enough, he'd be able to sense it. He squeezed his eyes shut and focused on calming his mind, clearing it of all thought, the way he did when he and Lucario were in sync. Once more there was a strange pull in his gut, he could feel that energy within him ebbing and flowing as though it were a gentle wave. He clung to it, trying to cast it as far as he could, trying to sense his surroundings without ever opening his eyes.

For a moment, for the first time in an age, Ash felt at peace.

'Ash…'

There it was again, the soft whisper of his name. A series of images flashed behind his eyes ever so quickly, faint glimmers of landmarks, things he to look out for, things that would lead him straight to Giratina.

"Ash… You—" he turned to face Paul, lashes fluttering as he slowly opened his eyes.

"Your eyes they—" he trailed off, "Ketchum, what the hell are you?"

The ebony haired teen merely snorted, "As soon as I figure it out, I'll let you know!"

"But your eyes they–"

He could feel his heartbeat stutter, a chill clinging to every inch of his being, they must have changed colour. Just like before, just like in his nightmares…

"Let's just go… I want to keep moving!" And for once Paul didn't argue. "Make sure you stay close, things can get…" Ash trailed off, "Well you'll see."

"How do you know all of this?"

"I've been here before. Now come on, I don't think we have much time."

"What do you mean you've been here before? Oi! Ketchum, slow down."

Ash offered a quick apology, his expression gentle, however Paul merely glared back. "So could you please explain how the hell you know Giratina? That's a pretty big claim, especially for an idiot like you!"

"Hey!" Ash exclaimed, "Come on Paul, gimme a bit more credit than that!"

"Why should I?"

"Y'know what, just forget it!"

"So are you gonna tell me or not?"

"I will when you stop being so–" He trailed off, "Hey, grab my hand."

"Wha–" Ash didn't wait for him to respond, instead he clamped his fingers around Paul's wrist. "Why –"

"Zero gravity zone!" Ash said softly, "Last thing we want is to lose one another, especially in a place like this."

"You really have been here before…"

"I told you!"

"Yeah, well… What the hell—"

Ash simply chuckled, "Relax, you'll get the hang of it all pretty quickly, just follow me!"

"Not like I have a choice!"

"I mean if you wanna get yourself lost in the Distortion world, be my guest!"

Paul merely grumbled something incoherent as he glanced around in confusion.

Silence fell between the two, just for a moment.

"Giratina and I met about two years ago now." Ash eventually started, "Dawn, Brock and I, we befriended a Pokémon called Shaymin, one that we'd never seen or heard of before and Giratina had taken an interest in it." He exhaled. "But at the same time, this guy called Zero had taken an interest in Giratina. Long story short, Brock, Dawn and I managed to save Giratina and we parted ways, though it seemed to take a liking to me, I got to ride around on its back for a bit, it was awesome!"

Paul simply stared, speechless, his mouth opened and closed as though he wished to say something though no sound came out. "Ketchum, you realise how insane that sounds?"

"I'm not finished!"

"Wait there's more?!"

"Do you want me to tell you the story or what?"

"Yeah but–"

"Then quit interrupting me!" The Sinnoh native sighed loudly, but clamped his lips shut and gestured for Ash to continue.

"Thank you, now as I was saying! Giratina and I went our separate ways but a couple of months later I came across it again. It was filled with so much… rage, I could sense it and I just wanted to help it to try and calm its rampage, so I approached it. It remembered me and I managed to assuage its anger. I haven't seen it since, but if Giratina is in trouble, no matter what, I'm going to help it. I won't betray the trust it has put in me, never."

Paul fell silent, he simply studied Ash's face intently, his mind racing a mile a minute.

"I know it sounds nuts, but I promise you Paul, I'm telling the truth."

The mauve haired teen shook his head mutely, before lifting his head to meet Ash's amber eyes with his own.

"You're right it does, it sounds completely insane, but somehow… Somehow I believe you!"

They continued on for what felt like hours though in reality it was probably just mere minutes. They were getting closer now. The whisper of his name continued, guiding Ash forth. He couldn't explain how instinctively he knew exactly where he was going, yet continually Paul questioned it.

"I've told you already, just… trust me!"

Eventually Paul relented, following Ash in silence.

"Are we close?"

Ash gave a pointed nod. "I… I think it's just up ahead. Stay close!"

Gravity had returned to normal by now and they moved swiftly, their surroundings becoming a blur of blue and black.

'Ash…'

' Hurry…'

' Battle…Danger…'

"Paul, do you have some of your Pokémon with you?"

"Huh? Yeah… Why? Don't you?"

"Pikachu got stuck back in Cynthia's when I got pulled through, but I at least have the rest of my team. We have to hurry, I think Giratina is telling us to be prepared for battle."

Ash picked up speed and Paul struggled to match his pace as he trailed behind him. As they turned sharply, they could just make out two figures cast in shadows and just beyond them…

Giratina…

It looked just as he remembered, its mountainous form towered over him, it's small, round eyes that glistened like rubies, fell upon Ash's small frame, as it spread its ragged wings and cried out in greeting.

"Hey! Back off, leave it alone!" Ash yelled, as he stole towards them at a lightning speed.

"And here I thought this would be easy!" A female voice sneered, she strode towards him, her long, red hair cascading in waves down her back, crimson eyes twinkling with an expression Ash couldn't quite identify.

"Who the hell are you?"

"I must say little adept, I'm rather disappointed you don't know who I am, especially when I went to the effort of learning absolutely everything about you, Ash Ketchum... Champion of Alola, friend of the ancient beasts, you've caused my boss an awful lot of trouble y'know! Really I should kill you on the spot and save myself the hassle—"

"Ariana! Enough of your games!" A male voice chastised, "You know the boss will murder us if we lay a hand on the boy, he's integral to our success afterall."

"Like I'd ever willingly help you."

"Who said you'd have to be willing."

The words hung unsettlingly in the air.

The second figure stepped slowly into view, a malicious smirk playing upon his thin, pink lips. "Let's just beat him here and now so we can finish what we came to do, yes? After all, we've already gotten the cores from both Dialga and Palkia, Giratina is all that's left in this region!"

Cores? What one earth were they talking about?

"What did you do to them?!" Ash shouted furiously, "Dialga and Palkia, what did you do?! What do you mean you stole their cores?"

"Now, now Little Champion, telling you that would ruin the fun! How about we just have a little battle instead. Then we can beat you, capture you and be on our merry little way with a beautiful pay rise waiting for us back at HQ." Ariana said, "So now, Arbok, stand by for battle." The poisonous serpent materialised instantly, baring its fangs with a furious hiss.

"Ooh how exciting, I must say it has been a while since I've had a good battle! I suppose dear Giratina can wait just a little longer, Houndoom, let's go!" Archer called.

"You!" Paul's voice was nothing more than a growl, "Finally, I found you! Now tell me, what the hell did you do to my brother?!"

Ash froze, a chill seizing his spine.

"You're going to have to be a little more specific, I've encountered many peoples Brothers. What exactly is so memorable about yours?" The man, Archer, snarled, with a twisted grin.

"Reggie! His name is Reggie, I know you're the ones who took him, so tell me! Where is he?!"

The woman's eyes widened with recognition and glinted with cruelty. "Ah that's right, that foolish, righteous breeder."

Ash's mind raced at a furious speed. "Paul…? What do you mean they took Reggie? What did they do to him?!"

"They took him. Dragged him out of Veilstone right in front of me and I couldn't do a damn thing!" Paul's voice cracked and his dark eyes glistened with unshed tears that he furiously blinked away, replacing the sorrow with unadulterated ire. "Mark my words, I will take out every last one of you bastards, I will get him back! I swear it!"

Ash could feel his anger flare to life, it burned within him, searing and strong, his stomach lurched, he could feel that familiar tug of his gut. Not now, not here, he needed to fight it, he couldn't lose control.

"Ketchum – hey, snap out of it!"

He could barely register Paul's cries of his name, in fact he couldn't register anything anymore except the desperate pull of his Aura, bubbling, broiling and desperate for release.

"ASH."

It was no use, that feeling, it grew stronger and stronger, he was losing his grip, no matter how much he grappled with it, it was beginning to overpower him. His blood felt as though it were burning, his skin feeling as though he'd just been struck by one of Pikachu's thunderbolts. Ash glanced around, the Distortion World's sky, it's reach was endless, if he could just send all the energy up there into the nothingness, maybe then he wouldn't hurt anyone, but his anger, his frustration, never before had he felt such negative emotions so strongly. He had to pull himself together.

First Looker, now Reggie. Team Vires were ruthless, no matter what, he couldn't let them get away with this.

Reggie was caring and kind, and Ash would do whatever it took to help him. But first, first he had to fight this godforsaken power before it consumed him completely, for if he lost control now, he'd be of no use to anyone.

All at once it tore through him, expelling, causing his entire body to shudder violently as he willed it to go toward the sky above his head. It was like a pillar of pure blue light, blinding and dense.

He screamed out in agony, his entire body felt as though it were engulfed in flames. It hurt, Arceus it hurt, spots danced in his vision, but he couldn't give in to the pull of unconsciousness, Giratina needed him, Reggie needed him, he had to fight. He was vaguely aware of Paul's hands resting on his shoulders, keeping him upright.

"I don't know what the hell you are exactly Ketchum… But right now all I care about is whether or not you can battle!"

Ash straightened and immediately plucked a Pokéball from his belt by means of response, tossing it into the air. " Sir'fetched, I choose you."

Paul smirked, "Alright then, Electivire, stand by."

He turned to Ash, jaw set.

"Come on Ketchum. Time to put these bastards in their place once and for all."

A/N: Hey everyone, I'm really struggling with writers block at the moment, so I might end up re-editing this in the near future, but for now I hope you enjoy. I know exactly what's going to happen, but getting it from my head onto paper has been really difficult! So please Bear with me as I try to find my feet again!