I'm alive...

*Sigh*, and I thought I'd be able to update more in the summer...

But in terms of good news, this is now my main story on this account, so expect more updates for this story. I'll also be updating Mirror Me again, while Rising from the Ashes is on hiatus.

Also, thank you for all the reviews last chapter, many of them had compliments, ideas, and constructive criticism; all of which I appreciated as as a writer.

Day Six

Camphrier Town laid just below many rolling hills that were south of the small town. The Shabboneau Castle laid just north of the town, the old worn down keep being the only thing that kept the small town running financially. With Lumiose City to the east and Ambrette town to the west, and Parfum Palace offering a much nicer medieval castle it was surprising that people still stopped in the small town.

Sitting on the top of one of the many of the vast hills was a human.

This human was a giant of a man, nearly nine feet tall. A wave of long white and gray hair fell from beneath his worn cap. His hair was unnaturally long as he was tall, with the white locks sprawling across the long grass.

The human was draped in a long black jacket despite the warm weather, which looked like it was centuries old. A long green scarf covered his neck and lower face, lined with holes just like his hat and jacket. He stared down at the town below him with his dark dim eyes that looked ageless. A makeshift backpack sat by his side, and several Pokeballs were on the grass in front of the tall man.

He picked one up, pressing the button on the front to release a Pokemon, but it only clicked. He sighed, but looked like he had expected the Pokeball to fail to open. He scooped up all of the spheres into his huge hands, tucking them away into a deep pocket, then his rough hands went to his neck.

He wore an old, rusted chain around his neck like it was a necklace. Hanging at the bottom of the chain was a key that was covered in grime and rust. The key was hooked onto a huge loop, and in the center of that loop was a bright, sparkling red gem. The ruby reflected no light as he rubbed it, and the crystal was cold to the tips of his fingers. The man let out another sigh, reaching into his backpack, pulling out a large pair of fingerless gloves. He slipped them on, flexing his rough fingers.

A shadowy mass of dark energy appeared behind him, churning quietly. The man took no notice of it though, only sinking farther into the grass as he looked at the small town with longing.

The mass of energy began to solidify into the shape of a man with greasy black hair and a shredded leather jacket. He had a smirk on his face as he slipped a pair of black sunglasses over his bright blue eyes. He watched the man in front of him for a moment, before speaking.

"I didn't expect to see you so close to home, AZ," He said in a silky tone.

The tall man, AZ, flinched, quickly spinning around. Panic shone in his dull eyes as he looked at the man that had appeared behind him. AZ's eyes hardened, anger radiating from him, "Yveltal," He spat.

"Hello, deary," Yveltal grinned, giving a mocking bow, "It's great to see you again, your majesty, King AZ."

AZ flinched, "Don't call me that," His voice was quiet.

"Why not? AZ is what everyone calls you now days!" Yveltal walked towards AZ, "Apparently 'Alphaus Omegan' is just too hard to say," Yveltal let out a chuckle, "I wonder what they'd think if they knew that 'Alphaus Omegan' was just as fake as the nickname 'AZ'?"

AZ turned away cooly, "What's with the new outfit?" He asked, tone low.

Yveltal looked down at himself, "This little getup? I call him Clyde. He's a gym guide-biker or something," He looked up at AZ, "I did tell you what gym leaders are, right?"

"Yeah," He said, refusing to look at Yveltal, "And you look horrible."

Yveltal let out a fake gasp, placing his fingerless-gloved hand over his heart, "But deary! I took inspiration from your outfit for this design! I'm shocked, I thought you'd like it!" He flipped his gray scarf, smirking, "That part is true. The gloves, jacket, and the scarf all come from what you like to wear. But if you don't like it, deary, I could always change. My Clyde form wasn't meant for you anyways."

AZ snorted, "Dragged another Pariah into your stupid 'game'? Is that where you've been lately?"

Yveltal smiled, sitting down next to AZ. He looked tiny next to the giant of a man, "So you've noticed that I haven't visited you? What happened to you not keeping track of the days anymore?" Yveltal's smile widened, "Did you miss me, deary?" He lowered his voice, "I missed you."

AZ still refused to look at him, "Did you bring another Pariah here?"

Yveltal smirked, "Yes, I did. Are you jealous deary? I wouldn't worry, I hate him."

"You hate everyone," AZ replied.

Yveltal tapped his chin in an exaggerated manner, "True," He looked up at AZ, "But you're still my favorite, deary."

"Nobody wants to be their torturer's favorite," AZ said quietly, clenching his fists together.

Yveltal looked up at AZ, and he began to glow, returning to his dark energy form for a few moments before the shadowy mass solidified once more. This time Yveltal took on a shape of a large man that stood even taller than AZ, with long smooth black hair that fell to his shoulders. He was dressed like he had stepped out of ancient times, with long red silk clothes and golden jewelry on his neck and wrists. He could have passed as royalty with his fancy garments and pale skin. The only thing that remained the same about him was his eyes, bright blue and cunning.

"Oh, but deary," He said in a deep voice, "Being my favorite is much better than being the one that I hate the most. My new little Pariah Ash is going to be in for a long and horrible trial. You on the other hand... I like to bring a bit of light into your life."

AZ glared at him, "Only to smother it out so I suffer even more."

Yveltal laughed, "You got me down to a science, deary!"

AZ brought his legs up, wrapping his arms around them, "Could you not take on that form?"

"Why not?" Yveltal asked, "'Victor' was your favorite back when you were 'king'."

"And before I knew who you truly were," AZ replied sharply, "I wish you'd just leave me alone, have you done enough to me! You've taken everything from me! My parents, my Pokemon, my kingdom!"

Yveltal slid so he was right in front of AZ, eyes gleaming dangerously, "Me?" He asked, tone low, "Me take away your kingdom? I didn't take your kingdom from you. The kingdom never belonged to you in the first place. The kingdom belongs to the oldest son of the royal family, not daughter, Rosa deary."

AZ froze, hands shaking. She brought her head up, her dark eyes shining with rage and pain. Yveltal grinned, reaching up and plucking her hat off of her head.

"Rosa, Rosa," He muttered quietly, "People think I'm horrible, but look at the things you've done. You pretended to be a male so you could take the throne instead of your little brother after your parents died. You did nothing but hide in your castle during a horrible war while 'your' kingdom was torn apart. And by the time you had no choice but to send in your own Pokemon to fight, the war had reached a point to where your beloved Floette was immediately killed in the fighting."

"Shut up!" AZ cried, her hands quickly rising up to cover up her face.

"In your grief you sought out Xerneas while she was in a dormant state," Yveltal continued, enjoying her trembling as he recounted her story, "Instead of trying to end the war you used your forces to seek out a legendary while in its weakest state. You built a machine, and took the lives of hundreds of Pokemon and humans, along with the energy of Xerneas, all to bring back one Pokemon from the dead," Yveltal leaned in close, whispering in her ear as AZ shook as the painful memories were forced back into her tormented mind, "And through Xerneas's energy you gave yourself and your Floette eternal life. Reviving the death and granting yourself immortality? You practically begged for me to come to you, Rosa."

AZ let out a sob, "Please stop!" She cried to Yveltal's pleasure, as he watched the broken 'king' in front of him breakdown.

"Then you used my energy in your little machine," Yveltal muttered, "And the ray that was fired from it you used to kill off all the warring armies. So many people died, so many people that were only trying to defend their homes, many of them defending 'your' kingdom. Men, women, and children, they were all fighting for their lives. You killed them all Rosa, all of them. I wonder what their families thought of you, I wonder what they'd do if they realized their precious 'king' wasn't even the rightful heir to the throne, if they knew that this false king was the one that destroyed their home and people."

AZ let out a whimper.

Yveltal seized her hands, forcing her to look him in the eyes, "You can't die Rosa. You forever belong to me, and just remember that you deserve it."

AZ fell to the ground, shaking and crying, and Yveltal released her, laughing as he watched her.

"You're my favorite, Rosa," Yveltal said quietly, "No matter how many times I break you, you just manage to pick up all of the pieces of your life again, and then I can watch you break down again. It has been about three thousand years since you've become my first Pariah, and you're still entertaining. I can't kill you, and I'm just fine with that."

She let out a gasp as she tried to get control of herself, and she looked up at Yveltal, "Don't lie to me," She muttered, "I know you're capable of removing my immortality- you could kill me if you tried! And I wish you would, I wish you'd just kill me! I get it, I was horrible, I was selfish!" She yelled, "I escaped death- so give me what I deserve! Give me death!"

She tired to sit up, but Yveltal was much quicker. He quickly slammed her back down to the ground, pinning her to the soft earth. His eyes gleamed with thousands of emotions, as their blueness bore into the immortal 'king'. Yveltal leaned down, so their faces were only inches apart.

"Death is the one thing you'll never taste," He whispered fiercely, "Just like me, you'll never know the relief of death. You wanted to live forever, and so your wish is granted," He glared down at her, his gaze softening ever so slightly, "We aren't too different Rosa, you and I. We were great and powerful, but rejected by our own kind. When people hear our names they only think of the death and destruction we've caused. They hate us Rosa, both Pokemon and human alike, they despise us. We brought death upon them, the one thing we'll never have," He wrapped one of his hands around her throat, "The one thing we'll never know."

"Ugh-!" She rasped, gasping for air as he tightened his grip.

"I made it so you'll never know companionship again. Millenniums have passed and the only thing you've ever been able to talk to is me. You know true rejection, you know true loneliness. That's why I'll never kill you Rosa," He said in a dark tone, "Because as long as your alive, I'm not alone. You get to suffer through rejection and being alone for all eternity right along side me. The other legendaries fear me, despise me, just like your kingdom did with you. Thanks to you I am never truly alone, because with you, for once someone gets to feel just. Like. Me."

He stopped choking her, withdrawing his hand, allowing her to draw in the air she needed. Though the choking wouldn't have killed her, she still felt the sensation. She rolled to her side, coughing as her lungs began to take in air once more.

"I hate you," She coughed, gasping.

He stood up, stepping aside as she pushed herself to her knees, "I know deary," He said quietly, "I know you do," He stretched, "Well, it was nice talking to you again Rosa, deary, but I have a certain Pariah I need to get back to. While your my favorite, this annoying little guy is the favorite of the other legendaries, so I'm particularly excited to watch him break," A cruel grin spread across his face, "And it's only because the Others cared so much about him that he's fallen into my talons," He smiled down at AZ, "You know the consequences for reviving the dead very well, don't you deary?"

"So the other legendaries revived this Pariah," AZ asked quietly, "So he didn't even choose break the laws of death?"

"Meh," Yveltal said, "l don't care either way. Just as long as I have my fun."

"He didn't choose this!" AZ cried, rising to her feet, "You're job to keep death balanced, to punish those who choose otherwise! You have no right to just take someone who did nothing-!"

AZ was cut off as Yveltal fired a Dark Pulse at her from the palm of his hand, and his eyes gleamed angrily, "You know nothing about this boy besides what I have told you," He said quietly, "So don't act like you care, don't pity him Rosa. Don't you dare believe for one minute that you have the right to change from your selfish self, don't you dare believe that you can."

AZ groaned, hand over her chest from where Yveltal's attack had hit her. The Dark Pulse had landed right on her ruby amulet- the same amulet that showed that she was cursed, "Maybe you can't change," AZ said quietly, "But don't you dare apply the same thing to me. I have had three thousand years to reflect on my actions, and I can say with no doubt that I regret my choices. Perhaps you should do the same."

Another Dark Pulse formed in his hand.

"Fine," AZ said, looking up at him without fear, "Blast me, I don't care. I still won't change my mind, I don't think that boy deserves the fate you're giving him."

Yveltal glared at her, then closed his hand, smothering out the Dark Pulse. His eyes scanned her, calculating. He curled his lip, before evaporating into a black mist of energy. His dark aura form hummed around her angrily, before vanishing with a swoosh! AZ let out a shaky breath, glad that Yveltal was gone. She stood up, shouldering her backpack, looking down at Camphrier Town one more time.

"Whoever you are," She said quietly, "I'm sorry you must endure the same fate as me by the wings of Yveltal. But unlike me I hope it's over for you quickly. I hope death comes swiftly for you boy, so you won't suffer like I have."

Then with that the ancient cursed 'king' turned her back, hiking away from Camphrier Town.

"Oh! You found her! You found my wonderfrou Furfrou!" A loud voice exclaimed as Shauna and Ash finally cornered the crazy Furfrou within the grass hedges of Parfum Palace. A weary Ash looked up in time to see an older man running up towards them and the Furfrou. The man let out a cry of joy, embrace the dandy-trimmed Furfrou, who trashed in his grip, and the owner of the Parfum Palace turned towards them as he forced a leash onto the diamond collar, "Oh, it is thanks to you that I have had my reunion with my wonderfrou Furfrou! Doesn't this just demand fireworks? Why yes it does, you two," The owner pointed to them, "Once night falls go up onto the deck, and I shall have a wonderfrou fireworks show all set up to celebrate and thank you for finding my Furfrou!"

Ash huffed, exhausted from chasing the Furfrou all around the back gardens, "Or," Ash panted between breaths, "How about you give us the Pokeflute instead so we can get the Snorlax out of the road? The one that you took from your 'friend'?"

The owner thought over this for a moment, "Hmm... It's not like I can play it myself, but me associating with a poor man like him, unthinkable!" Ash glared at the man, and finally he turned to the butler behind him, "Please go get the Pokeflute," He said, and the butler bowed, then turned to return to Parfum Palace.

"Thank you sir-" Shauna began, but the man waved his hand.

"No, thank you young lady for returning my Furfrou!" He patted the Pokemon's head, who let out a low growl, "My butler will meet you out by the front gates with the Pokeflute," He said, heading back towards the palace himself. His Furfrou dug her heels into the earth as the owner dragged his Pokemon away. Shauna watched the small dog sadly.

"Perhaps it would have been better if we would have never found her..." Shauna muttered, "I don't think she likes being someone's pet."

Ash shook his head, "At least she isn't going to be pitted into a death match," He said, walking away, "And besides, we got the Pokeflute, which means we can get the Snorlax to move and we can finally move on. We've wasted enough time trying to catch that Furfrou."

"Eager to get to the next gym?" She asked, jogging to catch up.

"Eager to get it over with," Ash replied as they exited the garden, "Serena already gave me the warning that they use harder teams every time you earn a new badge, so I'll need to get a ton of training done to make sure no one dies."

"Relax!" Shauna said with a sigh, nudging him playfully, "You won your first gym badge with no problem, this one will be easy too!"

Shauna flinched in surprise as Ash wheeled around to face her. His eyes gleamed with anger, "Don't tell me to relax," He hissed, "My Pokemon's life are at risk in every battle I enter, I'm not going to treat it like it's nothing!"

"S-sorry," Shauna replied quickly, "I just don't think you should be tense," She looked away.

Hehe~ A voice echoed in Ash's mind, Who's making the young lady cry?

Ash paused, "... Did you say something?" He asked quietly, Shauna shook her head, looking at Ash.

Not even going to apologize? The voice asked, and the bushes next to them shook, Then again not surprising for the one that smells of death.

"What?" Ash asked.

Something gleamed, and suddenly a small shape popped out of the bushes. Ash and Shauna both jumped back as a gleaming sword was pointed right at Ash's throat. He quickly raised his hands defensively, but after a moment he realized that there was no one wielding the sword. It hovered in the air, point pressing closer to Ash's neck.

You should apologize to the lady. The voice echoed in his head. Shauna gave no sign that she had heard the voice, but she was shaking at the sight of the floating sword.

"H-hey, Shauna?" Ash muttered, "I'm sorry I snapped at you like that-" The sword gleamed.

Say it like you mean it! The voice screamed.

"I've just been tense lately," Ash continued quickly, but honestly, "But you've been nothing but nice to me, I'm sorry I took my frustration out on you."

"Y-you're just fine Ash, but is really now the time for this?" She asked, but as she spoke the sword slipped itself into its sheath.

Now learn to mind your manners lad, The voice said, Because you'll never know when the young lady will know how to swing a sword right at you, There was a single eye near the hilt of the sword, which narrowed its gaze at Ash, Now tell me why you smell of death boy!

"Hey, you!" A voice shouted, "Shoo! Out with you!" The sword turned, then quickly dove into the bushes as the butler came running up to them, "Stupid Honedges," He muttered under his breath, "They were never a problem until last spring..." He huffed.

"Honedge?" Shauna squeaked, "Is that a...?"

"A Pokemon, yes," The butler said, and Ash noticed the Pokeflute that they needed in his hand, "A steel and ghost type Pokemon, they're usually found in the fields not far from here. Legends claim that they're the fallen warriors from AZ's armies after he fired the ultimate weapon the second time, killing off his own armies. The legends also claim that their souls were trapped inside of their own swords."

"Really?" Ash asked, horrified and interested at the same time.

The butler shrugged, "Legends are just legends, even if you believe in some of them this one doesn't make much sense, why wouldn't the Sentinel guide their spirits from this realm? I personally don't believe it. I just think that Honedges are a pain, especially that one. It has been hanging out around the castle, causing problems. Jumping out every time things don't go the way it likes," He tapped his chin, "Especially if someone is rude to a child or a girl, then it gets pretty angry."

"No wonder it attacked me," Ash said, he looked at Shauna, "I really am sorry you know. I haven't been myself lately, have I...?" He rubbed his head.

"Here you go," The butler said, handing them the Pokeflute, "I'm sorry for how my master treated you. Believe it or not he use to be best friends with Carson, whom the flute belongs to. Everything fell apart after my master's father gave my master... a sense of superiority."

"To say the least..." Ash muttered as Shauna accepted the Pokeflute.

"Thank you sir," Shauna said, "We'll be getting out of your hair now."

"Good luck on your journey!" The butler said, waving a hand in farewell as Ash and Shauna exited the palace garden, heading back towards the entrance. Neither of them noticed the Honedge drifting silently along the wall, watching Ash with its one eye.

You smell of death so strongly... It muttered, Can you provide me with the peace I seek...?

Ash wasn't quite sure what he should be feeling as he left the Bulbasaur, Anne, and Mufasa, at the Pokemon Daycare. Though it was expensive he felt that having his extra Pokemon there was better than sitting in a PC. Mufasa and Bulbasaur he had entered into a training program, so he would have some extra battlers just in case...

Ash wasn't sure if he should be relieved that they wouldn't be battling or in the wild, or ashamed that he had 'backup' Pokemon. He shouldn't be treating them like this, none of them should ever be forced into battles like this!

But that didn't change the fact that he currently had Kindle, Aura, Chester, and Scape, the Skiddo, in his team. Chester and Scape he would be using in the next gym battle, but that didn't feel right either. He wasn't close to either of those Pokemon, and he was afraid that he might think less of them during a fight to the death. What if he made more risky calls and one of them...?

He closed his eyes. The gym was still two towns over, he would train them up. Ash let his mind wander, trying to get his mind off of the upcoming gym fight. Carter had been overjoyed when he and Shauna had brought back his Pokeflute, and had been able to play it to awaken the Snorlax, which Shauna had captured with help from her Chespin.

Shauna had stayed back at the Daycare center, excited to see all the kinds of Pokemon. Ash was now wandering ahead on the route, studying a map that he had found in his bag. According the Yveltal-provided map, the next town was Ambrette Town, the last town between him and his next gym battle. The road to Ambrette Town went up and over some mountains, but this map showed a shortcut by cutting through a cave called the Zubat Roost.

"Hey! Ash!" Ash paused, turning in time to see Serena jogging up to him. She watched him for a moment, calculating as she caught up to him. Finally she closed her eyes, holding out her hand, "Hello there," She said, "My name is Serena."

"I... know that?" Ash replied uncertainly.

She kept her hand out, sighing, "Yes, I know. But I think we got off on the wrong foot, so let's start over. My name is Serena."

Ash stared at her for a moment, then decided to go along with it, "...Ash..." He muttered, gingerly taking her hand.

Serena nodded, "Good," She held out a Pokeball, "And now we're going to have a battle- not a death match," She quickly added with the look on his face, "Just a formal one, to the knock out."

"I don't know," Ash said, looking back towards where he had been heading, "I just want to get to the next town-"

"Hey, Serena!" A loud voice boomed, "And Ash too, hey, Trevs, get over here!" Tierno cried. He threw his beefy arms around Ash's shoulder, laughing, "It's been awhile! I tried to catch you after you left Lumiose, but you're too quick! Great to see you again Ash!"

"Yeah-" Ash croaked, "Could you- loosen up- a bit-?" Ash asked as Tierno crushed him in his grip. Tierno let out an apologetic laugh, releasing Ash as Trevor caught up to Tierno, huffing.

"Sorry man!" Tierno said, scratching the back of his head.

"Tierno!" Trevor cried, trying to catch his breath, "You said you wouldn't run ahead like that anymore!" Trevor then noticed the Pokeball in Serena's hand, "Oh! Were you two about to battle?"

"No," Ash said right as Serena chimed in over him with a loud voice.

"Yes!" She said, drowning out Ash's voice.

"Cool cool!" Tierno said, "Why don't we make it a tag battle? Then we could all join in! Me and Trevs against Ash and Serena!"

"Yes!" Trevor said excitedly, "Then I can see what Pokemon you have!"

Serena frowned, "Sure, though I wanted to battle against Ash."

"Wait-" Ash snapped, annoyed, "I never agreed to a battle in the first place!"

"Come on man," Tierno said, "Don't be a spoilsport," He had already a Pokeball out. Trevor and Serena were watching him as well, and finally Ash sighed.

"F-fine," He muttered, "But not a death match," Ash pulled out Scape's Pokeball, figuring this would be a good time to train the Pokemon.

"Never against a friend!" Tierno promised, releasing a Corphish, "Jian, get in there and set up with a Swords Dance!"

"Robin, Agility!" Serena ordered, releasing a Fletchinder, "And stay out of reach of that Corphish!"

Ash tightened his grip on Scape's Pokeball, "Use Vine Whip on the Corphish," He muttered, releasing the Skiddo. He stiffened at the sight of Midnight's killer, and he closed his eyes, telling himself that it wasn't her fault. The Skiddo hesitated as it was released, then charged forward, two vines forming from near her neck, flying at the Corphish.

"Thundershock the Fletchinder, Volt!" Trevor commanded, releasing a Pikachu.

Ash froze at the sight of the electric mouse, memories of his own Pikachu washing over him. Ash trembled as he thought of his best friend and starter, and he didn't give Scape another command.

"Catch the Vine Whip in your Vice Grip!" Tierno told his Corphish, and the water type snapped its pincers, clamping down on both vines, blocking the attack, "Great, now hit it with Bubblebeam!"

"Skid!" Scape cried as the speeding bubbles slammed into her. She may have had the type advantage, but she was untrained, putting her at the disadvantage.

"Chu!" Volt cried, darting around, firing Thundershock after Thundershock, but the Fletchinder was much fasting thanks to the Agility, and managed to dodge every electrical jolt the Pikachu sent out with ease. She swooped up, waiting for another command.

"Use Ember on the Pikachu," Serena said, Robin released a burst of fire from her beak, hitting the small Pikachu. The electric type let out a cry of pain, making Ash flinch at the sound.

This isn't your Pikachu... He told himself, He's safe back in your world, please focus.

"S-scape," Ash stuttered out, "Use T-tackle..."

Even with her vines still trapped in the Corphish grip, the Skiddo managed to run forward, slamming into him. He released her as her blunt horns struck him head on, and she quickly retracted them, huffing. She kept stamping her feet nervously, glancing around as if looking for a chance to run away. The Skiddo's eyes were wide and full of fear, and Ash had to remind himself that this was her first time battling under a trainer- it was a miracle that she was listening to him right now. The last time she had been out of a Pokeball was when she was being control by Yveltal, and he wasn't quite sure if she remembered the experience. Either way he was sure that there was only confusion rushing through her mind.

"Volt, Quick Attack on that Skiddo!" Trevor ordered, and his Pikachu became draped in a white light, darting at Scape. The goat Pokemon stumbled as she was hit, whimpering slightly. Ash closed his eyes, she wasn't ready for a trainer battle yet, why had he sent her out?

"Pika!" Volt suddenly cried as a Honedge swooped out of nowhere, slicing at the Pikachu with a Fury Cutter. The electric mouse was sent flying back, and all the Pokemon out eyed the sword Pokemon wearily as she hovered in the middle of the battlefield, blade gleaming.

Haha! That's right, stay back you puny creatures! Ash shivered as he heard the strange voice in his head again, I am superior to all of you!

"What's a Honedge doing here?" Trevor muttered, pulling his Pokedex with interest, "They are usually only found on route 6..."

Serena sighed, "This is route 7, I don't find it too unbelievable that one wandered over to this route, it's not that interesting. Besides, it's interrupting our battle."

"You're the same Honedge from before," Ash muttered, "The one that nearly attack me and Shauna..."

That is correct peasant! The voice snapped in Ash's mind, and the Honedge wheeled around to face Ash, her single eye glaring at him, And I found you worth my time to follow you way out here. First thing you're going to do is return this farming Siddo to those spheres you have, it doesn't know how to be a warrior! Then we will have a duel! If you win then I shall leave you alone, but if I win then you shall tell me why you smell of death! En garde!

"Um..." Ash muttered as the Honedge pointed her sword right at him, "I think she wants to battle..."

Tierno shrugged, "Makes sense, I mean, it is a sword!"

Serena crossed her arms, "What about our battle?"

Keep me waiting and I'll impale the Skiddo, The Honedge said, reaming her blade at the goat. Ash reached for a great ball, returning the Skiddo to her Pokeball.

"We'll battle another time," Ash said, "You wanted to battle me anyways, remember? I'll just have a quick little match with this Honedge," He didn't want to keep the steel type waiting any longer, not with the way it was eying the Pikachu, like it was looking for another Pokemon to use as a threat. Ash pulled out his Braixen's Pokeball, "Kindle, let's go!"

Serena snorted, recalling her Fletchinder with a huff, "Fine, but next time we see each other we're having a battle no matter what."

Ash nodded, "Kindle, use Ember!"

Tierno and Trevor recalled their own Pokemon as Kindle pulled out her stick from her tail, the tip of it lighting up with fire. She released the Ember attack at the Honedge, who dodged with no effort. The sword Pokemon darted forward, blade gleaming with Fury Cutter. The bug type move was slashed across the Braixen's chest, causing Kindle to stumble. Tierno and Trevor said goodbye to Serena, heading back towards the daycare.

Haha! The Honedge's voice echoed in Ash's mind as she began to glow red as blue energy swirled around her, That was nothing! I fought in the great army of Alphaus Omegan in the final battle! I was slay by my king's own weapon! That burst of fire was nothing! The glow from Sword Dance faded, and she Tackled Kindle while she stumbled to her feet. The sword swung around again for another Tackle.

"Use Flame Charge!" Ash ordered, and Kindle burst into flames as the Honedge came at her. She slammed into the sword, and a cry of pain filled Ash's mind. He flinched, not sure what to do. For some reason he could hear the Honedge in his mind, and the things she had said... Ash pulled out an empty Pokeball.

"You're going to catch it?" Serena asked.

Ash shrugged, "Why not? I have room in my team, and she seems pretty strong."

What?! The Honedge screamed in Ash's mind, Just 'strong'? I was the strongest female warrior in my troop! No one stood in my way, I conquered all! I would have won the war if it weren't for our cowardly king!

"Give her another Ember, Kindle," Ash said, and the fox complied, making the Honedge groan as she was burned. Ash looked at the Honedge, "You have some questions for me, and I have some for you," He told her, despite the weird look Serena gave him, "I think this will satisfy us both," He tossed the Pokeball towards the Honedge, sucking the sword Pokemon inside of the sphere. It shook harshly for a moment, before bursting open. Ash sighed, grabbing another Pokeball.

I will never surrender! She screamed at Ash, charging at Kindle for another Fury Cutter, only for another Pokeball to hit her. She let out a few curses as she was sucked into a Pokeball once more. Ash sighed as the Pokeball shook, then finally went still with a ding. Kindle scooped up the Pokeball, then walked over to Ash, offering the newly caught Pokemon to him.

"You're rather calm today," Serena commented as Ash accepted the Pokeball from his starter, "Usually you're ranting about Pokemon rights or something."

Ash stared down at the Pokeball in his hand, realizing that Serena was right in a way, usually he was ecstatic about catching a Pokemon, but lately his enthusiasm seemed to be gone, but that wasn't a surprise to him.

"I guess I have more important things to worry about," Ash muttered, patting Kindle on the head, "And judging by how wild Mulan was acting, it seems she'll be another one."

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

Introducing: Mulan

Honedge: female

Level 11

Caught at: Route 6

Nature: Naughty

Likes to fight

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

Yes... Mulan... Another Disney name...

I like Disney, okay!

As for Mulan the Honedge talking about being in AZ's army, just look at Honedge's Pokedex entry: "Apparently this Pokémon is born when a departed spirit inhabits a sword." So yeah, Honedge's were once human in this canon. And so Mulan is going to be an interesting character, especially since Ash can somewhat understand her...

Oh yeah, and AZ is a female in this story.

I got the idea when look at AZ's in game model... They use long hair to symbolize that AZ has been alive for a long time, but I noticed that AZ didn't have any facial hair. Also, Floette is a pretty girly Pokemon as well... And the idea just expanded from there, and I think I like where it is going. :)

The next few chapters are going to be quicker pace, like how I skipped most of Parfum Palace scenes in this chapter. This is mostly to get a more even pace in the story, so I'll be passing over in game events that won't have much effect on this story. Pokemon X and Y just has an uneven pacing in the game, and I'm trying to balance that out. I'll be focusing on important events- like team members, deaths, Yveltal, etc.

One question for you guys: Shippings with Ash. What do you guys think, should Ash end up with someone in this story? I already have ideas surrounding the subject, but I want to know what you guys as the readers think.