Here's chapter six!

Long time, no update! Sorry about that...

Also, I currently have three active stories on this account. Rising from the Ashes will be my main focus though, with a guaranteed update once a month (unless something comes up). This story, Death Curse, along with my newest story, Mirror Me, will be second in priority. With hopefully at least one update a month. No promises though.

This will be the last of the slower chapters in this story (I hope), which the plot and the battles picking up next chapter! So please bear with me!

Anyways, please enjoy chapter six!

Day Four

Ash closed his eyes, trying to calm himself down. His hands were stuffed deep in his pocket, heart hammering as Dexio talked and talked and talked. An alien anger was building up within him, and Ash had no idea where it was coming from. Dexio was a lot like Shauna, hyper, loud, and loved to talk. Yet he was fine when around Shauna, she was sweet and tolerable. But Dexio... he was just annoying.

Perhaps it was just because of the fact that Ash was already upset and stressed that made him so edgey with Dexio, but the professor's assistant just didn't know when to back off or how to be quiet.

"... And that's when it hit me, why don't I collect shinies? Red was one of my favorite color, after blue, and I already had two shinies of that color anyways..." He went on and on, and Ash couldn't block his rambling out. Shauna was delighted to listen to Dexio's story as he lead them though Lumiose city. He had humored Shauna by letting out his shiny Chesnaught, who was dark green with maroon highlights. Ash did have to admit that it was a pretty cool Pokemon, but not even that could distract him from his unknown tension.

"Wow! Doesn't time fly, we're already at the lab!" Dexio exclaimed to Ash's relief as they arrived outside a large cream colored building that Ash recognized to be Sycamore's lab. Ash looked up at it, but only felt the hammering anger in him. Ash tried to calm himself down, but he just wanted to lash out at someone. He hated this place, this world.

Shauna frowned, "... Shouldn't we wait for the others before we meet the professor? You think he'd want to see us all at once, we don't want to take up his time."

"Nah, Sina sent you guys ahead for a reason. You can go right on up," Dexio said, returning his Chesnaught, "I'll finish telling you my story another time," Ash glanced at Shauna, who seemed mildly disappointed.

"I'll go on and meet the professor," Ash said, "And you can stay and wait for the others Shauna, and I'm sure Dexio will want to finish his story," In reality Ash just needed to get away from them. He wasn't trusting himself with how tense and angry he was, he just wasn't his usual self right now.

"You sure Ashy?" Shauna asked, frowning, Ash nodded, quickly walking into the lab without another word. Part of him regretted the cold cut off he gave her, but he just needed a moment to think, a moment to calm himself down. The lab doors slid shut behind him, and he let out a sigh. He was finally alone... Or so he thought.

"You're so slow," A voice said next to him. Ash jumped, but was barely surprised to see a certain someone next to him, "You'd be going backwards if you were moving any slower."

"What do you want now, Yveltal?" Ash growled. The legendary grinned with his creepy red and black lips. Yveltal took a few steps towards Ash, not saying a word. Ash glared for a moment, then walked right past him. He was not in the mood to deal with the Pokemon.

Yveltal reached out with a leather-gloved hand, gripping Ash's shoulder with unnatural strength, preventing him from taking another step, "Now now," He said quietly, "I wouldn't turn your back on me."

A chill ran through Ash, and it wasn't from fear. It was like Yveltal's touch was dropping his internal temperature. Ash could feel his heart rate slowing down as the icy wave traveled through him. Ash's whole body felt slow and heavy, like everything was shutting down by the chill. Just as Ash's vision began to darken, and Yveltal took away his hand.

"I..." Ash let out a series of mumbles, staggering. He felt like his strength was leaving him. The human-shaped Yveltal watched him for a moment.

"My bad," Yveltal said, holding back a laugh as he watched Ash stumble, "Sometimes I forget to tone down my powers," He rolled his eyes as he watched Ash struggle to stand, "Oh calm down, I barely took any your life force. Sit down if you must, " Yveltal grabbed Ash again, dragging him over to a couch and dropped him on it unceremoniously. He stared down at Ash's dulling eyes for a moment, "That's what you get for trying to ignore me. I could just kill you here and now, but that would be boring for me."

"Ugh..." Ash let out a moan, barely moving. His eyelids were half shut as he tried to move, but he felt weak, very weak. Yveltal sat down next to him, crossing his arms, not concerned by any of Ash's struggling actions.

"You have a bad habit of annoying me. Keep it up and I just might just kill you without even thinking about it," Yveltal said. He poked Ash on the side of the head, he chuckled, "Though this just might be a good lesson to you Ashy, if you're still all there. I don't know, I usually don't leave people part way drained of their life force. It might affect you, but you'll just probably regain it all back in a few days. I think."

Ash closed his eyes tightly, like he had a headache.

"A little Pidgey told me you were planning on skipping the Lumiose gym for now," Yveltal whispered in a singsong tone, "We both know that your just trying to put it off. That's fine though, you can pass over this one for now Ash, for a small price of course," Yveltal grinned, "That's what I came to discuss with you, you can put things off, but you may not like the price, Ash. So do it with caution."

Yveltal stood up, "You have about a half hour until your little friends come in here. I'd get up before then, or else they'll start asking questions," Yveltal stared at Ash for a moment, before flickering and vanishing with a flash of red light. Ash's eyes rolled into the back of his head, and he blacked out.

"Hey," A voice said, "Wake up."

Ash groaned, rolling over. Something sharp jabbed his side, and he groaned again.

"My lab is not a Pokemon Center. Wake up."

Ash opened his eyes. He was on a couch... somewhere. He sat up, head throbbing. He blinked, trying to remember where he was and how he got here, "..."

"What's your name?" The voice asked, and Ash looked over to see the somewhat-familiar face Professor Sycamore staring down at him.

"Ash... Ash Ketchum..." Ash muttered after moment of thinking. The Professor's face changed instantly.

"Ah," His face had changed, but it still wasn't friendly, "One of our gym challengers. Why were you asleep on my couch?" Sycamore asked, glancing at him with suspicion.

"I-" Ash closed his eyes, trying to remember, "I was with Shauna... She was going to wait for the others... Then I came in here... Then- then-" Ash paused, remembering Yveltal. He couldn't recall much of what the Pokemon had said. A price of some sort? Life force? He couldn't recall...

Ash rubbed his head, knowing he couldn't say anything about Yveltal. So instead he lowered his head, shrugging.

"Hmm..." Sycamore muttered doubtfully, "Follow me then. I would like to ask you some questions personally before the others arrive."

Ash carefully got to his feet, following the professor into an elevator uncertainly. Sycamore pressed a button, and the doors slide shut. They rode up into a higher floor in silence. Ash shifted uncomfortably, the professor wouldn't take his eyes off of him and he didn't seem to trust Ash. It was kind of hard to think with that stare of his on him, "Er-"

"Come," The professor said simply, interrupting him as the elevator doors open. He walked out of the elevator and into a fancy hallway. Ash trailed after him, head spinning as he tried to keep up. He still felt dizzy. He rested a hand on Kindle's Pokeball, ready to release her if necessary. The professor so far had been cold to him, and Ash wasn't quite sure if he trusted him.

The professor took a sharp right, heading into into a large office. Ash followed him, and the professor closed the door, locking it as Ash stepped in. Ash tried to ignore this, studying the office instead. The office itself was nice and bright, which was lit by a large window facing the streets of Lumiose. Professor Sycamore silently closed the blinds and flicked on the lights. He sat down at his desk, sighing to himself. Ash awkwardly remained standing, unsure of what to do. Three Pokeballs sat on the desk, right within the professor's reach. Ash's eyes flickered from the professor, to the door, to the Pokeballs.

"Um..." Ash tried to speak.

"Sit down," Sycamore said, gesturing to a chair in front of his desk. Ash sat, and the professor stared at him, "So tell me Ash, what made you want to start this journey?"

Ash shifted, "Nothing in particular," He replied, keeping his voice even. Absolutely nothing at all.

"No reason?" The professor asked, "Gym journeys are not easy. Usually takes conviction," He typed something on his computer, "And you already got one gym badge on your third day of training. You've had a Pokemon for five days now, and are already at the next gym. Now with Serena I understand, both of her parents are first rate trainers. But you... You just kind of popped up in our database," He focused his cold gray eyes on Ash, "Literally."

Ash said nothing.

"No record of you anywhere... No record of your parents... Or of a home region. You just showed up out of nowhere 'Ash Ketchum', suddenly registered for one of my starters. Everyone else didn't seem to notice this, they acted like you've been there all along," Professor Sycamore stared at him, "I'm not crazy, I did my research, and as far as I've seen, you did not exist five days ago."

Ash blinked, "I-"

"I want to know how you accomplished this and why you felt the need to have one of my starters. You are not leaving this room until I have answers," Professor Sycamore said coldly, "I honestly have no idea have everyone else seems to know you, but I know that were not always here. Start talking."

Ash stared at him, mind racing. It had seemed that everyone so far had been fine with the fact that he was here, like the Professor said, everyone acted like he had been here the whole time. Ash had guessed that Yveltal had something to do with that, but it seemed that the Professor had been unaffected by this...

Ash couldn't hold it back, and he started to laugh. Yveltal had made a mistake.

The professor stared at him as he laughed, eyes narrowing.

"You're not denying anything," The professor noted, "And your laugh either means you think I'm crazy, or I'm right."

Ash's laugh didn't last long, it was only fueled by surprise, not joy. Ash took a deep breath, trying to think of what to say and how to approach the situation at hand. A small story would not satisfy the professor.

"You are right," Ash finally said, "I was not involved with you, your starters, or any of this, until five days ago," Ash sighed, then shifted, "But I did not do it. Like I told you earlier, nothing made me want to start this journey. If I had a choice I would not be here. I'm afraid I cannot give you the answers you want though, and there is nothing I can do about this."

The professor glared at him, clearly not satisfied with the answer Ash gave him. Ash's hand went to his chest nervously, clutching the garnet amulet on his neck. What else was he suppose to say without lying? Perhaps that's what he should have done, acted like he had no idea what the professor was talking about. Make the professor doubt himself. Too late for that though...

The professor's gaze flickered to Ash's chest, and he stood up, "What's on your neck?"

"N-nothing?" Ash muttered after a moment uncertainly. Professor Sycamore narrowed his eyes, coming around the desk so he was next to Ash, staring down at him.

"Move your hand."

Ash stiffened, not taking his hand from the amulet, "This has nothing to do with you."

Professor Sycamore grabbed Ash's wrist, pulling sharply. The leather cord snapped off his neck, and the professor quickly yanked it out of Ash's grip, studying it. Sycamore's eyes narrowed as he turned the small black gem in his hand, and he held it up to the light. The smooth surfaces provided no reflection or gleam though. A minute of silence passed between them, then finally Professor Sycamore sighed, tone softening.

"This is the real thing, isn't it?" He asked quietly.

Ash sat there, stunned at this response. The professor turned, returning himself to behind his desk. He stared at the amulet in his hands for a minute, sighing, then dropped it to the floor. It fell out of his hands, rolling onto the floor. He kept his eyes averted from Ash and the gem, his stare glued to the wall.

"Argh," Ash cried as a sudden surge of pain zapped him. He glanced down nervously at his neck, and sure enough the amulet was back.

Professor Sycamore was watching Ash closely, then sat down, "So it is the real thing..." He muttered, then he looked Ash in the eyes, "You've been cursed."

Ash could only nod in surprise.

Professor Sycamore sighed, collapsing down in his chair. He rubbed his forehead with one of his hands, "... I'm sorry for how I acted earlier. I shouldn't have been so rash. I probably should have thought this out more."

Ash shifted uncertainly, "It's fine... I guess," Ash watched the professor for a moment, "So... You know about the curse?" He asked hesitantly, "... Serena made it sound like it was just known as a legend..."

Professor Sycamore sighed again, "I to once thought it was only a legend. That changed quite a few years back though, you see, you are not the first person that I've met that's been cursed."

"What?!" Ash cried, sitting up. He wasn't the only one here? "H-how long ago?!"

Sycamore sighed, "Including you, I believe I've met four about cursed individuals. The last one was quite a few years ago though... maybe a decade or so? She was less than pleasant though, never really got to know her. I only guessed that she was a pariah by her realistic amulet and her attitude," He looked up at Ash, "I usually do feel bad for your kind, but had to do something to earn the Sentinel's attention."

Ash blinked, "'Sentinel'? Do you mean Yveltal?"

Sycamore raised an eyebrow, "You're not afraid to say his name? Most that believe don't dare anger the Sentinel, only treat him with respect if it is necessary to mention him."

Ash snorted, "Respect? That stupid excuse for a Pidove doesn't deserve an ounce of it. He's nothing short of annoying."

"Hmm... See why he wouldn't like you. So how did you fall into the Sentinel's grasp?"

Ash gritted his teeth, "Doesn't your little legend here explain all that? I cheated death, apparently."

The professor watched Ash for a moment, "'Apparently'? You don't sound too sure about that. And 'little legend here'? Your wording makes it sound like your not from here. I assume you were brought to this world in that case. Two of the other Pariahs were the same, claimed to be from another realm."

Ash chewed his lip, thinking. Yveltal had made it seem like this world had just been made for Ash, a place to be like a host as he tried to complete his 'trial', but Sycamore was making it sound like that wasn't the case... like others had been through here... Either the the professor noticing him wasn't a mistake on Yveltal's part and this whole story of seeing other 'Pariahs' was just a move to get his hopes up or... Or Yveltal had been lying.

Ash palmed at his stupidity. He knew Yveltal hated him, he knew that Yveltal was playing with him, and he knew that Yveltal wanted to kill him in the end. Of course Yveltal was capable of lying, infact it was probably in his nature to lie! To 'play' with his prey!

"I'm so stupid," Ash muttered.

"Is something a matter?" Professor Sycamore asked curiously.

"Yes, me," Ash growled, "I should've thought of this earlier... Yveltal. He's been showing up, talking to me lately. I never took into consideration that half of the stuff he's been saying could be lies!"

"Wait, you've had direct contact with Yveta- Er, the Sentinel?" Sycamore cried.

"Yeah... He did say he didn't usually do that..." Ash muttered, still upset at himself.

Sycamore stood up, pacing, "That's not good... From what I've researched the Sentinel hasn't taken that much interest in a Pariah since... since him... He usually keeps his distance... humans are below him, but if he's been paying as much attention to you as he did him..."

"Er... Who's 'him'?" Ash asked as the professor rambled.

Professor Sycamore looked at him, "The first Pariah. Alphaus Omegan, AZ himself."

Ash glanced down at his amulet, "... Oh."

The Professor tapped his foot nervously, "... What's your trial?"

Ash looked down, "To complete the league and defeat the Champion."

The professor took this in with silence. Ash waited, since it looked like he was about to comment about it, but instead he just sighed.

Professor Sycamore glanced at the three Pokeball at his desk, and he picked up one of them, "... These are reject starters from Kanto- their natures were deemed bad for battle. But still they evolve into rare and powerful Pokemon. Maybe not elite four material, but perhaps this guy can help you out for now," He set the Pokeball down in front of Ash, "You'll need strong blood lines if you're taking on the league. This Bulbasaur has probably the best nautes of the three, and good parentage like all starters. He's pretty calm which will make him a good listener in a battle. Unfortunately a Pokemon must remain high on their toes to keep up with high leveled trainers. But I'm sure he'll do well for the next few badges. Scan his Pokeball with your Pokedex and it should become registered as your own since it's in a starter ball."

"T-thank you, Professor," Ash said, taking out his Pokedex. A light flashed, scanning the Pokeball. After a moment several words appeared on the screen:

[Scanning... Scanning complete. Pokemon: Bulbasaur. Pokemon registered. Current team full: sending to PC.]

The Pokeball became drenched in a white light, then flashed, vanishing.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Introducing: Brandosaur

Bulbasaur: male

Level 10

Obtained at: Lumiose City

Nature: Calm

BOXED

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

"Full team? You can exchange him out at the Pokemon Center later if needed," The professor glanced at the last two Pokeballs, "I'll offer these to the rest of your group when they arrive, if they want them. I'd recommend you get going though. I've seen horrible things happen to those who upset Y-yveltal, and I think you should keep up with doing your trial. Warning, it will only get harder from here on out. Yvelt-yveltal is setting you up for failure."

Ash stood up, thinking, "Will, I don't have much of a choice, do I? I've already started his little game, so I'm going to continue. One thing for sure though, I have no plans on losing. I will be challenging the Cyllage gym next."

The professor held out his hand, a gleam in his eyes, "I will be in contact with you, and will help you in any way possible. I wish you luck, Ash."

Ash shook his hand, then turned to leave. The door didn't open as he tried to swing it open, then he remembered that the professor had locked it. He slid the lock, then slipped out. Professor Sycamore watched him leave.

Such courage and determination... Yveltal may just not know what hit him...

"Good luck Ash," Sycamore muttered, "Because I'd love to live to see one of you Pariahs actually survive this."

So you didn't listen to my advice, Pariah? Shame, for you. You shouldn't have skipped the Lumiose Gym, and like I said there would be a price.

Unfortunately it won't be you paying it.

Current Teams as of Lumiose City:

Ash: Fennekin (Kindle), Pidgey (Aura), Panpour (Chester), Bunnelby (Anne), Litleo (Mufasa), Skitty (Midnight). Boxed: 1

Serena: Frogadier (Jet), Fletchinder (Robin), Charmander (Charlie). Boxed: 1

Shauna: Chespin (Chesa), Zigzagoon (Ziggy), Skitty (Luna), Psyduck (Squirt), Combee (Buzzy), Squirtle (Shelby). Boxed: 6

*Gasp!* Plot! ... sort of...

Well, I hope things get more interesting from here on out! (And I have more motivation to write this...) So we learn that Professor Sycamore has met more 'Pariahs', and that this world may not be as simple as Yveltal has made it out to be...