Chapter Forty-Six: The Final Weeks

Nora had given them quite the scare that morning, tossing and turning in her sleep and refusing to wake up. A glowing light had encompassed her body, causing everyone to freeze in place, and it was gone just as soon. The typhlosion's eyes drifted open shortly afterwards, eliciting a collective sigh of relief.

"What the hell was that?" Brooke asked.

"I… had a weird dream," Nora replied. "There was a darkrai and a cresselia, and… I think I got the gift…"

"Well that would explain the ominous glowing I guess." Aaron placed a hand behind her shoulder as she sat up. "Feeling alright?"

"Yeah. But… no different than before." Even the tiredness from yesterday had settled in once more. The floatzel spoke up again.

"Well… I trust that whatever she gave you is gonna help. We should probably head to the gym. Wouldn't want that asshole to snap at us again."

Aaron was mostly silent over the drive. He had watched Nora wrestling with something for hours in her sleep. Whoever those Kyurem had spoken with had invaded her dreams – and the same could likely be said for Mewtwo. There weren't many pokémon he knew of that could accomplish such a thing, and with the internet down it wasn't like he could just research it. Besides, there were far more important matters at hand. The first of the three battles – Elesa versus General Surge – was less than two weeks away. The next two would occur the following two days. It had not escaped Aaron how the battles had been set up, either: Elesa's and Clay's matches would each take place within the cities they had radicalized. But the final one was in Castelia's own colosseum, the most influential city in the world.

Sofia's team was already there when they arrived. The mock fights between the two groups had served Aaron's pokémon extremely well, even if Nora herself couldn't gain much from them. But the training that had taken place could very well be the difference between landing an attack – or dodging one of Nathan's – and that itself more than made up for it. As they walked into the facility, Aaron couldn't help but laugh to himself. He was a good trainer. That much he could honestly say. But not nearly good enough to warrant a team of this caliber, one that, had the world been somewhat normal, would have been capable of defeating Iris.

Whether that would be enough to defeat Nathan remained to be seen.

When they arrived inside the gym, Aaron's team was just as dumbfounded as Sofia's. Mewtwo formed a psychic blade, a curved razor just like each before it. Only difference was a black aura seeped from the transparent surface, almost like a flame grasping at the air. Three parallel slashes had embedded within the back of his right hand, the middle being larger and more prominent than the others, and the same was visible in the middle of his forehead. "What uh… what've ya got there?" Brooke asked.

"I do not know. It formed in the night. I attempted to remove the affected area, but the marks form again once the wounds heal." His eyes singled out Nora, narrowing when he realized she didn't display the same.

"You… took Bael's offer…" she said under stifled breath.

"And it would seem you did not," he stated. "With both of our strengths combined, you and I alone would be enough to take down Nathan."

"He wanted our souls… and you… gave him yours…"

"You stupid girl. There is nothing more to you than the bioelectrical signals going on within your head. Once those cease, so do you. You wasted what may be our only chance on nothing."

"Well I guess we'll just have to see," Nora replied.

"Agreed, though it seems that I will be doing all the heavy lifting. I should be able to take the latias; any flaws in my design have now been perfected." As if to prove his point, Mewtwo launched the blade through the bleachers, cutting the steel like butter. Everyone went silent as he closed his fist. Brooke nervously squeaked from behind Marcus.

"Let's… not use that during training. Alright?"

The penthouse was abuzz with activity, three separate teams often going in and out of it those last weeks. Several legendaries occupied the premises as well, and amid serious talks of their final preparations, Aiden could occasionally be seen stampeding through the rooms with Genesis, laughing as she clung onto his horns. Though it was still cold outside, the weather was beginning to warm, albeit slightly. Reshiram laid down in the sunlight on top of the building. Wes sat by Nathan at the bar while their teams rested from a brutal day of training.

"Well, there's only a week left," Nathan said to the two other trainers. "Elesa has been training rigorously from what I've heard. I'd assume Clay is doing the same."

"It won't do 'er any good," Surge stated. "Her team's about to get embarrassed in front of billions." Wes folded his arms.

"Yeah. Shame your friend is about to get the same treatment," he said to Nathan.

"That it is. But he is fulfilling his role as the champion of chaos." Even then, the younger trainer had good in him. A lot of it, in fact; had it not been so, Adira would never have felt called to approach him in the bar that night several years ago. It was regrettable that he hadn't come around to seeing things Nathan's way, but ideals could not be forced. In truth, he knew that much from the start. Omega was never intended to force the souls of mortals along the right path but rather to contain the chaos they were capable of unleashing.

And it had been effective. In just a few short years, what had once been the developing world would be full of bustling and advanced cities. Human advancements would reach unimagined heights given the Megalopolans' technology. Once that had taken place, perhaps they could work on colonizing new distant planets or establishing bases within their own solar system. People who had once been starving, oppressed by their leaders and trapped within inescapable poverty now knew what it was like to go to sleep without wondering if they would wake up. The effects of humanity's negligence and selfishness had been combatted in that aspect of life. So why couldn't it be for all others?

But the people in the western world were spoiled. They needed to have things exactly the way they wanted. For that reason alone, there would always be opposition. What remained to be determined was whether that opposition would be contained or abandoned. The latter would be a shame, too: Omega possessed the might and the resources to fix nearly every single problem across the world. With ease.

But at the end of the day, they couldn't fix humans.

Wes went behind the counter and grabbed a bottle of vodka, mixing it to produce a drink that effectively masked the sharp alcohol within it, though Nathan knew Wes was capable of drinking it as is. He fixed three glasses and slid two of them to the other men. "That's a damn woman's drink," Surge commented.

"It's a Unovan staple," Wes replied. "Besides, too late to turn back now. At least, it is for me. Felix is giving me the death glare from the corner of the room." He raised his glass to the espeon in question and downed a third of it before turning around.

A call came from Nathan's PDA. He took a single glance before answering it, stepping away from the minibar and towards one of the large windows. After a small sip of the drink, he set it down on the coffee table, leaning his weight against the window as he looked over the city. "Hey. I presume you've got news for me?"

"Yes sir," Dulse replied. "We've looked through all stored data on the Guardian Project. The Mewtwo that has joined Aaron's team is stronger than any other that has been created, mainly due to the amount of technology implemented into his design. But he is still a prototype. Elesa became desperate for her weapon against Alpha and overlooked that little detail. As for his weaknesses—"

"Do not tell me that," Nathan stated. "The fight must be fair. Besides, both Valerie and Adira are easily capable of taking him down, even if he has accepted one of the gifts of the night. All I must know about him is whether the technology used in his body must be included in the others." The scientist cleared his throat.

"No. The mewtwos that we recovered from the containment units had yet to see any of the intrusive operations that the prototype underwent. Synthetic muscle and tendons had to be used alongside its real ones for the sake of maintaining the mega-evolved form. Should that not be forced, there is no need for the operations."

"That's good to hear. Terminate the project where it stands. Gradually transition them off of life support systems until they can sustain themselves. They will not be made into living weapons." The prototype would be the only of his kind; the project would end with him.

"We have already begun the process," Dulse stated. "Forgive me, but I assumed you would say something of the sort." If anything that was a compliment, Nathan felt.

"There is nothing to forgive. When they are cognizant – which shouldn't take long given their enhanced aging – they will be granted their choice in terms of who to follow. In the meantime, continue the planning process of the new power grids. I'd like to have those fusion reactors up and running in a few years' time," he said.

"Of course." It sounded like what needed to be said had already been covered. With that, the conversation was winding down. Dulse was never a particularly talkative one. But then Nathan remembered something. "Oh, one last thing. Since there's only a week to go, it's about time we uploaded the data for the upcoming matches."

"Very well." There was a brief pause. "How much detail?"

"Win-loss rates, species – the likes. At least, for Surge's team. Everyone but Raiden has already seen some level of public spotlight, anyways. As for Wes… that's trickier. Hardly anyone outside of a few older people in Orre even know he exists. Clay won't know what he's going up against at all. I'd say give the same treatment – everyone but Uriel. Just like Elesa, he can face that little surprise towards the end."

"Understood. And what of your team?" That was the real question. Nathan knew all six members of Aaron's team whereas the younger trainer only knew four of his upcoming opponents. That said, Aaron did possess a distinct advantage that Clay and Elesa wouldn't during their own fights: Aaron had already battled his opponent several times. Though the results had always been the same, and Nathan's team had never used all of their tricks, Aaron would be coming into that fight with more experience than anyone else.

"I'll tell you what," Nathan said. "We'll make it interesting. Upload all six – but codenames, win rates and movesets only. Leave out their species and estimated levels. I doubt he'll figure out exactly who he's up against, but his various conflicts against my team will have provided him with enough."

"It will be done within the hour," Dulse said.

"Thank you." With that, the call ended. Nathan shoved the device into his pocket before reaching for the glass. Only, it wasn't there. His eyes fell on a mew holding a half-empty cup between her hands. Nathan's eyes went wide.

"This is some really good juice."

"Genesis!" She flinched a bit from his tone. Several people glanced towards them. "Why was your first instinct to investigate with your mouth?"

"Why isn't yours?" He seized the glass from her; even though Wes had taken it easy on the vodka, that was far more than she should have consumed even if she was of age. The absolute last thing he wanted to explain to Adira was why a mew might be drunkenly flying around the house that night.

Every second that passed was another one closer to the inevitable. They had been sure to taper their training, lest they be exhausted for the final fight, and though they had prepared to the best of their abilities, Aaron felt that it wasn't sufficient. Brooke could speed past an opponent in the blink of an eye, but was it enough to outrun the attacks that could strike legendaries? Marcus could likely compete in international tournaments, but would his combat skills be able to break through Nathan's defenses? Nora's gift had definitely proven its worth: she could form shields almost instantly and could recover injuries and spent stamina with ease. Yet whether her strength, though, could contest Nathan's team remained to be seen. None of it felt like it would be enough. But it had to be.

A news update went across the world. Both teams sat around their trainers, appreciating the much-needed break when the calls came. This time, Nathan stood in his full suit in front of a holographic globe. Half of it was solid purple whereas the rest was gray, including most of the North American and European regions, some of the Middle East and Shansu. "As you all have likely realized, seven days from now will mark the start of our conquest. It took us little more than eight months to seize control from your decrepit politicians. Now, it will be given to the legendaries so that peace, prosperity and morality can spread to every corner of the globe. And then, once that is done, to the very stars." Aaron glanced at Sofia.

"Well that's kinda neat."

"Hush."

"But as said before, the legendaries have given you your chance to fight back. I have uploaded information regarding the upcoming battles. You have selected your trainers of choice, and now, they will be put to the test. In the event that they triumph, the regions who did not willingly submit to Omega and still wish to oppose us will be granted their independence – with some altercations to their borders, that is. The oppression of your governments and forced displacement for petty reasons have not gone unnoticed, and as such, some territorial changes have been made."

To prove his point, the screen zoomed into Unova where a couple of massive portions of land had been designated as purple. One was labeled appropriately as The Desert Resort. The other was called Avalon, taking what was likely enough to make an entire state within the northeastern part of the region. "We will even help you reestablish governments of your choosing. But make no mistake: you will not stretch your hands against our protectorates. We will have our people there. Should you contest these boundaries, we will subdue you once again. Furthermore, you will not come for us. You will count your losses and move on with your lives. But that is if your three chosen dissenters can best our greatest trainers. I would not personally bank on that. We have simulated the results of the battles to the best of our abilities and these are the results." He swiped the at the holographic display, making the globe disappear from sight. In its place was a general layout of the three matches. Elesa versus Surge, Clay versus Wes… Aaron against Alexander.

What was concerning was the fact that he had seen fit to include an estimated chance of victory. "Heh, you guys are screwed," Wynette said. The comment wasn't appreciated, but it was likely true.

"He's bluffing," Mewtwo stated. "They do not know the power we now wield."

"He probably does. The dude hangs around dozens of legendaries. He pretty much learns whatever the hell he wants…" Brooke replied. According to Omega's observations, Clay had the greatest chance of victory in his match at little more than a twenty-two percent whereas Elesa had an estimated five percent chance of winning her match. The far more terrifying fact was that her estimate wasn't the lowest.

That was Aaron.

"Point-eight percent," Wynette said, shaking her head. "Not looking the best for team Aaron."

"Not now," Pierce said, nudging her.

"Yeah, that's really encouraging," the male trainer retorted.

"Sitting here and brooding over their numbers will do you nothing. See what information he uploaded." Nora had a point.

There was little surprise with the first one. Elesa's team would challenge Surge's in a five-versus-five match, a team of all females against one of older males. That was the single thing working against the general; electric-types were typically known for their speed, and their age counteracted that quite a bit. Unlike Elesa, Surge had stepped out of the public spotlight long ago, never replacing the original members of his team – a team had seen legitimate combat. Some of them had most definitely killed people, and all had been trained with lethal techniques that were usually unknown to even the greatest trainers.

What made things particularly bad for Elesa was the estimated level difference. Hers drifted around the low-to-mid eighties whereas Surge's weakest member – his jolteon – was level eighty-seven. The strongest was level ninety-four, but his species was concealed. All that was stated was the name Raiden.

The Wes character also came with his own surprise. He pretty evenly matched the levels of Clay's team, so if there was one benefit, it was that this particular match might be closer. And while he had an ace that was similarly withheld – one by the name of Uriel with an estimated level of ninety-eight – the more concerning fact was that Wes had a quilava on his team. "That… doesn't seem right. Why wouldn't he evolve?" Nora asked.

"I've got no clue," Aaron admitted. It made no sense. He was putting himself at a distinct power disadvantage. But if their levels and a ninety-eight percent win rate were anything to go by, they knew what they were doing. Nathan wouldn't have pitted them up against Clay otherwise.

But they had no control over what happened in those two fights. It was best to focus on the things they could influence, if only slightly. The unfortunate realization they faced, though, was that Nathan had uploaded next to no information about his own team. Not their levels or species – not even their names. All that was given was the very same titles that Kyurem had spoken of. "Well that's useless," Sofia said.

"Yeah, no kidding. There's practically nothing here."

"We already know four members, right?" Nora asked. "It isn't particularly hard to look at their movesets and figure out who's who."

"I mean yeah – I get that much." Aaron handed the phone to his typhlosion in frustration. "But it gives us nothing to identify the other two, and we don't know how strong any of them actually are." Nora scrolled along a ridiculously long moveset.

"Well let's just use process of elimination. Gentle flame…"

"Aiden," most of them answered in unison.

"Queen of Avalon… well, she knows a lot of psychic moves. And… there's hyper beam. That's got to be Trina." She looked up. "I don't know what I'm supposed to get from 'Behemoth' or 'Leviathan' though…" Mewtwo decided to contribute to the conversation.

"They are creatures from mythology, both extremely powerful. One dwelled in the sea and the other on the land. I have heard that Groudon and Kyogre have been referred to as such."

"He isn't using them in the fight. But Naomi's probably the leviathan."

"And Behemoth?" Aaron shrugged.

"I don't know. We've got three, but we sort of knew what we were dealing with there anyways. I'm not sure how any of this is supposed to help us – or what the hell Valerie and Kiel even are."

"A seraph is a form of angel," Sofia added. "I remember that from a book I read awhile back. They were supposed to look pretty weird, though."

"So maybe Adira?" Nora asked. "She looks like every other latias, though. Minus the color…" Nora leaned over and looked over the last two codenames with Aaron. None of it was very telling; just from the sheer size of their move pools, they could be anything.

"That leaves Kiel as the King and Valerie as Behemoth, but they know hundreds of moves apiece. They could be anything."

"So we're back to square one – and with a 0.8 percent chance of winning at that."

"There are three potential scenarios where we win," Mewtwo stated. "The total probability amounts to less than a one-point-four percent chance, but that is still a chance nonetheless." For the brief time they had known Mewtwo, that was the only semi-encouraging thing they had heard from him. "And that is a chance we will take."

"Let's say we do win." Nora handed Aaron back his phone. "You'll get your revenge. Then what?"

"I do not know. But if I did, it would be none of your business." She looked downward, sorry for having brought the topic up. "In any case, it would be best that our paths do not cross again. Concern yourselves only with your performance in our potential battle. I will see to my own affairs."

Nathan watched as the final preparations were made in Nimbasa's stadium. A few aircraft had settled in the middle of the field, bringing with them supplies to touch up the arena before the first fight. Elesa had frequented this place much, whether to challenge trainers or give speeches on behalf of Delta. Now, she would make her final appearance on the global stage and lose to Surge.

Claws worked their way between his fingers. 'You have come a long way from beating up Delta members and leaving them for dead.' That much was true. The idea of what would happen here in two days would have been completely foreign to his younger self. With the power Nathan possessed, he could have simply wiped Delta out once and for all rather than allowing their chosen representative to fight back. 'What troubles you?'

"The losses have been great," he said with a sigh. Thousands of soldiers had passed in this war against mortals. This morally repugnant country – the very region that needed Omega's light the most – had instead received the blinding flare of their own nuclear weapons, a widespread murder of nearly two million from a desperate president. Then there was Larek, Soliera and Solgaleo… "I could not predict the future… but I am responsible all the same. I am in charge. I began this war. The blame lies with me."

'I don't think that's true,' Adira said. 'Lunala does not seem to think so, either. You could not account for what happened. None of us could.'

"But I still set the events in motion."

'We all did, in some manner of speaking. But you know as well as I that death is merely the beginning of eternity. We will see them again. Of that I am certain.' He nodded, still not maintaining eye contact. Their training had finally come to a halt, deeming it best to rest the three days remaining before their potential fight rather than heavily exert themselves.

"But I suppose we'll need to wait a while." The war came with risks. It was only until he had personally felt the effects of that had he realized just how much. "For a region so beautiful, Unova has caused more moral destruction than any other country. Were it not for the fact that I would come across as petty, I would level its major cities and build greater ones in its place." In any case, following President Ellis' destruction, Nathan's own position within the minds of Unova had risen considerably – but those who thought well of him were still considerably less than half.

'I would advise against it. There will be great enough change without such things taking place.'

"You're probably right."

'I tend to be,' Adira said with a smile. He shared it.

Still, regardless of what actions he took within this region in the future, Unova would by far take the most time to adjust to the tenets of the new world. His previous promise to set aside territory for both Alpha and Delta would likely involve mass relocation of its citizens – or there was also the possibility of just forfeiting a good portion of Unova as a Delta protectorate and Kanoma as Alpha. But those decisions could wait until then. For now, his focus needed to remain on the upcoming battles. Surge's team had long trained for their fight, and though it had probably done her no good, Elesa had done the same. In just a few days, all of this turmoil would be over and Omega would solidify its claim to the planet.

Then and only then would there finally be peace.

The twenty-eighth of February marked the final day before Elesa's match against Surge. A portal had formed in the Unovan skies, one that brought forth an airship containing the imprisoned team leader. Mewtwo seemed to contemplate pursuing the ship before it landed in some untold location within the city, but it didn't take much to remind him of what had happened the last time he tried to enact his revenge within the presence of Omega's legendaries. He would have to wait.

All the same, there wasn't any time left. "There are only three days until our potential fight. Yet I seem to be the only one even remotely prepared."

"We've done the best we could," Marcus said. Kyurem watched over the exchange in the middle of the court with great interest.

"It will not be enough. I estimate your levels to be around the weakest member of his team, provided the espeon is still level eighty-nine. Nora and I are the only ones who can actually contest them."

"You're really great at giving motivational speeches," Brooke said. "Look, I know you still think you're Arceus' gift to the world and all, but you're more or less in the same boat we're in. Adira wiped the floor with your ass." Mewtwo stomped the ground as he took a hasty step towards her.

"Speak to me that way again and I'll rip your tails off and shove them down your throat!" That got her to quiet down.

"We're all on the same side here," Aaron said, trying to diffuse the situation to the best of his ability.

"Indeed. It is not wise to spark hostilities. You share a common goal," Kyurem agreed.

"For now." Mewtwo glared at the water-type before backing up. He then fixed his attention on the typhlosion. "All the same, the situation has become dire. You have put me in an extremely bad position by refusing the one gift that would have settled it."

"Well it wasn't worth it to me," she stated. "Not in a million years."

"Mark my words. If your decision costs me what is rightfully mine, you too will experience my wrath."

"Oh? And what if you get knocked out? Or is everything just everyone else's fault?" Nora had had enough of this crap. Though Mewtwo was still extremely useful to them, that didn't give him the right to treat everyone else like he had the past weeks. "I chose the gift that was suitable for me. If you take issue with that, then that's your problem – not mine."

"Then how about we test your so-called 'gift' now?" She glanced towards the others, looking for their thoughts – or maybe for a way out. Kyurem nodded. Mewtwo levitated over the ground, his fingers materializing the curved blades from the air. The dark aura flamed to life as she stepped back and prepared for a fight.

He immediately attacked. Nora rolled to the side as one of the blades sliced through concrete, forming shields over her body before one could land. And the next one did. Nora raised her arm and blocked a slash aimed at her chest. His eyes were narrow – darkened and cold. Mewtwo was faster, slicing in the blink of an eye and cracking the protective barrier she had formed. The blades clashed with her body, each blow threatening to knock Nora off her feet as she was continuously forced to retreat.

She lunged at an opening in his onslaught, allowing a hit to land one of her own. Her own psychic constructs coated her hands, digging through the muscle on his chest and leaving a deep gash. The flesh sealed up within seconds. His fist caught her jaw, flinging her to the ground. Aaron and his team stepped forward in panic but were interrupted by a harsh blast of air. The typhlosion hurriedly tried to gather her bearings. "From the moment we started, I knew you were capable!" Mewtwo snapped. "Had you made the right choice, you may have even been stronger than me!" As she lunged back towards him, Mewtwo caught her with a swift uppercut to the gut. She sputtered as air was forced from her lungs.

"I-I…"

"But you placed your stupid sentiment over what it would take to win, so now I'll have to kill his entire team on my own!" Nora felt a surge of heat within her body, enraged that he would even think of such a thing. "Maybe I should start with you." Another psychic blade formed, this one a gleaming purple, and she charged. Mewtwo blocked her attack with his twin constructs, going for her legs as she jumped over him.

Mewtwo grunted as the deep slice split the muscle along his back, pivoting around as it mended itself shut. Nora's fangs glimmered in the light, snarling as she struck over and over, opening his body up to no avail. One of the blades slipped into his stomach, piercing his body and protruding out the back. Everyone went deathly silent as Mewtwo looked down. "And yet, even now, you still cannot manage!" He crushed the construct into nothingness, hurling a massive psychic blast towards her. The typhlosion protected herself from it, but as she looked up, froze as the mewtwo grabbed her by the throat, lifting her into the air.

Nora kicked and squirmed as he floated upwards, choking the life out of her without so much as blinking. There was no choice. She grasped at his hand, steadying herself, and used cataclysm. The sheer force hurled him out of the sky, sending him rolling as she barely managed to slow her descent. Her ears rung, her body trembled, but if this was a matter of life and death, she would choose hers over his. "You're out of your mind!" the typhlosion yelled as she hurled a massive wave of flame towards him. Mewtwo made no effort to block it, instead standing up in the midst of the attack.

"No, you little bitch! I'm just willing to do what it takes!" It felt like her ribs would collapse when he struck her side, hurling her into the air despite the shields covering it. Nora formed another blade construct, slicing at his feet when he approached. They shattered upon contact with his bone, and the pain of tendons being sliced apart didn't seem to register to him as they healed just as fast. Nora's body was telekinetically forced into the air, struggling to break free from his hold to little avail. The ground was met promptly, drawing a pained yelp from her as she bit her lips. She watched as her blood dripped onto the ground, looking up as fury tried to mask terror.

'Nora! Try cataclysm again!' She had never managed the move twice in a row, but right now, it seemed as though it was the only thing that had an effect on him. Mewtwo drew near, a dark and curved blade forming in his right hand as she slowly pushed herself up.

Without warning, she flung the attack with every ounce of force she could manage, launching him off his feet and shredding the outer muscles along his front. Bricks and glass shattered from the force as she lost sight of her target in the destruction. The energy slowly siphoned out of her body as the attack died down, leaving her panting for air. Aaron ran to her side, helping her up while glaring at the damage in her wake. Part of him hoped that damn creature died underneath it. But the sound of shifting wreckage disbanded any idea of the sort.

Mewtwo rushed out, flying through the two of them and slamming Nora into the wall of the gym, hurling Aaron to the ground in the process. His fingers clamped around the typhlosion's throat, pressing in with every intent to crush it. She felt the blade press slightly into her midsection.

"Pathetic!" he spat. "To think that you would waste your opportunity like that! If you've gone down this easily, then I will have no need for your assistance after all!"

A frigid blast slammed into him and sent him flying through the building. Aaron hurriedly returned Nora before anything else, contemplating whether he should do the same with the rest of his team and make a break for it. Kyurem stomped into the middle of the courtyard, roaring his own challenge. Mewtwo sprinted out with heavy burst, closing his distance towards the new opponent. The gray dragon showed no concern as the blade neared his head. It met its mark.

And shattered.

"What?!" Mewtwo asked. His body was slammed into the ground, shattering the road beneath as Kyurem loomed overhead. The light was blotted out as he lifted a foot and stomped his head.

"Holy shit!" Seth yelled. "Guys, I think we should leave!" Aaron was too shocked to do anything of the sort. Kyurem backed away from the bloody scene as Mewtwo's body twitched. But all the same, the healing process occurred. The flesh and bone mended itself closed. He exhaled, blood leaking from his mouth as he tried to sit up and failed.

"W-why…?"

"You will not lay another finger on her. On any of them. You will fulfil your duty, should things come to it, and you will never see them again. Is that understood?" Mewtwo didn't budge, a hand feeling along his jaw as it shifted back into place.

"I was told… I could kill a greater legendary."

"You were lied to," was Kyurem's simple response. "Even if you had been granted such a power, I have existed for thousands of years. I can end you before even a thought could cross your mind. Contrary to your egotism, you are not the most powerful thing in creation." Mewtwo slowly managed to work his way onto his feet, trembling as he did so. Kyurem turned his attention towards the others. "Leave. Rest so that you may have your strength for your battle. I will see to it that he is there should the time come."

A/N: Special thanks to FuryWrites for beta reading this chapter.