Chapter 7

July 8th, 2006

Ash sprinted as fast as he could after Iris. Cilan kept up a similar pace just behind him. Ash knew exactly where that cry came from. He's heard it before, more than just a few times. His mind flashed to the Swords of Justice. He had helped them stop the destruction of Roshan City, and now he was most likely needed as some sort of hero again.

"The Giant Chasm…" He said quietly once he had caught up to Iris in their frantic pursuit of running. The air was bitter, it hurt his lungs with each rapid intake of breath he took, it chilled his very core. His throat stung harshly, a piercing pain you only get from winter exertion. The cry resounded through the air, sending shock waves, making their hair follicles rise.

"Team Plasma has to be in there." Iris hissed, barely out of breath from their extensive adrenaline induced race to the area, unlike him and a panting Cilan. "I can't wait to just stick them all in prison and never have to worry about them again." The frigid chilly air was chopped with the sound of beating wings, from a massive helicopter. "No!" Iris instantly shouted as the big black helicopter rose in the air, more cries could be heard from the inside of the machine. She grabbed a pokéball from her side, unleashing her large Dragonite. She attempted to mount him, ready for flight when Cilan halted her.

"Iris don't! It's much too dangerous for you to go up there! That helicopter is hundreds of times bigger than Dragonite." He said gently, albeit loudly over the reverberating booms from the helicopter wings. Iris gave him a glare, but made no move to argue with the tall man. He was right. "Where could they possibly get a helicopter of that size? Along with being a connoisseur of many things, I am also one for aircrafts; I know for certain that it is definitely of military grade."

Ash shifted, pulling his hat farther over his ears. "I've seen ones like that before, but they were all owned by a person named Hunter J back in Sinnoh. Even though she's not exactly the kindest person to regular people, I don't think she'd give her technology to another evil team, or people with a mission that is semi-similar to hers." Ash explained as they watched helplessly as the helicopter flew away; there was nothing they could do. They could not stop it with one of their pokémon, it was far too large, and if there was some possibility of them being able to reach it and actually destroy it, there was still a chance of the aircraft crashing, hurting people and pokémon in the process.

"I think we should go and see Georgia…" Cilan began, "She's probably a protector considering the state she was in when undoubtedly Kyruem was being captured." The helicopter was now out of sight, just a gray clouded sky above, though the noise from it could still be heard.

Iris grumbled and whirled to the two men. "I think you're right Cilan, though this is unfortunate because she is far too immature to deal with something like this."

"And you think Ash is any more mature than she is? " Cilan rebutted, Ash send a wounded look to his tall friend which Cilan ignored. "I always hear you calling him childish, yet I have no doubt in my mind that Ash has some kind of relation to many of the world's legendary pokémon."

"I do find Ash to be more mature than Georgia." She stated shortly, flashing Ash a quick look. "Though he is still a kid and reckless. His personality however, makes him more aware of the responsibility. I do think it is time for him to grow up a little, at least by now, you're seventeen Ash."

"Okay, okay!" Ash groaned. "Let's stop worrying about me growing up and actually go and see Georgia. She's the one who actually collapsed on the ground!" Then as an afterthought he quietly added. "Plus, she's more mature than me by one-hundred percent."

"Ash, she is too driven by her emotions. You can control yours better than she can; she gets upset by very little things—"

"Iris, let's leave your rivalry out of this okay?" Cilan cut her off, gaining a glare from her. "You are emotionally driven as well, right now is a prime example."

"I can—"

Cilan cut her off again. "Exactly my point, let's stop arguing and actually go and check back with Georgia. She needs us no matter how much you dislike her, you have to support her, it's what a champion does. She's not on the bad side, she is with us." Without giving Iris another chance to speak, he began to lead the way, his breath billowing out around his head like a halo.

Iris snorted at the sight; of course it would do just that. Despite his annoying tendencies, Cilan always thought of others before himself in most situations, truly allowing him to be such a kind soul. It was one trait Iris really admired in him, one of the countless reasons as to why she loved him.

Gary had immediately recognised what was wrong with Georgia. So instead of bringing her to the small Lancunosa Hospital; he insisted for them to carry her back to a spare, warm bedroom in Burgundy's extravagant home. What had occurred to her was something no hospital could ever deal with, or fully disperse. Medicine was barely an aide, just numbed the feeling a bit so it wasn't as prominent and distracting.

"Bring up an ice pack, water and acetaminophen please." He asked, "And another pillow, we should elevate her head more." He kept shifting her body around on the bed, taking care of her head. He knew how to set her in the best possible way. Her skin was chilled and was becoming a pale colour from lack of heat, yet she showed no signs of hypothermia.

"She'll be okay right?" Burgundy asked genuine worry was planted into her voice as it shook slightly. Gary could see how close the two women were. Good friends he assumed.

"She's only fainted," He assured her. "She was in a trance before and wasn't all there with us like it seemed. I know what I'm doing and go get that stuff, she needs it." He didn't want to explain everything without having Ash, Iris and Cilan there. Those three were big members in the entirety of what was going on, he just knew it. Another feeling, like Lugia was still calling out to him even being regions apart.

Burgundy gave a quick nod and left the room at a quick pace. Clemont came over and kneeled next to him, feeling her forehead and standing up to carefully feel around her skull. "I was the designated group doctor in Kalos," he explained. "Had to deal with quite a few things." Gary moved back so Clemont could look. Honestly, Gary did in fact wish that Brock was here. The man now being a pokémon doctor, he could really help out with the group. The way Brock was, he just brought people in together, bringing a homey feeling to wherever they could be. Growing up travelling, Gary didn't much understand Brock, only seeing him as a failed gym leader, leaving his position and fawning over every girl he ever spotted other than Misty. Now, Brock finally settling down with one of the planets strongest trainers, Pike Queen Lucy Morinelli. He's seen them together; Brock frequently came and visited his place to check up on the many pokémon his grandfather watched over. Gary could very much see how Brock and Lucy fit together, even with a gap in age. They were what you could call a power couple, bringing in Lucy's fame, possibly a celebrity power couple that people dreamed of becoming. One thing Gary knew for sure was that the two would stay together happily unlike most celebrity couples. To name a few, Wallace and Winona, though that was mostly based on sexual preference realization, The Pyramid King Brandon and his wife… There were also countless others from varying degrees of jobs, from musicians, to actors, to gym leaders and such.

"Like a delusional fevered Ash." Serena added, walking to the other side of the bed, her hands were clasped together over her chest. Gary looked up, startling slightly as he broke out of his thoughts.

"Yes, that was a fun experience," Clemont grated out, sarcasm dripping heavily in his voice. "At least this time we're in a town which gives us easy access to a pharmacy and hospital instead in the middle of a forest because Ash wanted to be stupid and train in the river." He used the back of his hand to push his glasses up from the bottom. Seeing the movement made Gary do the same. Clemont stood up, "Gary's right, she'll be fine, just a goose egg, no skull fractures or anything." He confirmed.

"Goose egg?" Dawn questioned.

Serena flicked her blue eyes onto her. "A bump on the head, we call them goose eggs in Kalos."

"What's a goose?" May asked, bringing attention to her. She was sitting on a plush seat at the side of the room; Misty was perched on one arm and Leaf on the next.

"A bird family," Gary said. "Kind of like a Swanna? It's hard to explain. They existed a long time ago."

"They found a few remains in Kalos; nothing could really be done to them like any other fossils. They just had eggs around the same size as a bump on your head would be." Clemont said. "They weren't pokémon, different cell type, the same as ours."

Burgundy returned with the asked items, handing each one off to Gary one at a time, listing them verbally as well to make sure she had everything.

"She can't exactly take the acetaminophen right now so I'll just leave it on the bedside." He gently lifted up her head and placed the third pillow under it, lightly placing the extra blanket over her as well and stood up.

"Would the battle have any kind of influence on what happened to her?" Leaf asked. She was rubbing her arm with her left hand. "I didn't really notice the difference until Ash butted in."

"You just don't know her fighting style." Gary reasoned with a smile and pushed his glasses up his nose back into their original place. "It's fine that you didn't see it, very understandable. I don't think the battle would have any big impact, but it could've helped a bit possibly by connecting her more with pokémon. Still I have an idea on what happened and still I don't really understand it so I can't make any final assumptions."

Leaf nodded. "Okay, I was just making sure I didn't do anything wrong." She had a calm smile on her face, a relieved smile.

"No you're fine." Gary promised. Seeing her smile cause one from him, one that hopefully expressed his reassurance fully.

Leaf nodded again, "Okay good. I wanted to make sure." She fiddled with the edge of Gary's sweater which she was still wearing. "Being back with people has made me a little more aware of myself, some social anxiety if you will… I just don't want to do anything stupid that could hurt others around me."

Dawn appeared behind her with a wide grin. "There's no need to worry!" She promised with a wink. "You're probably one of the most caring people here if I do say so myself." She laughed lightly. "So honestly, don't think about that kind of stuff too much, none of us will really be bothered by it, we've all seen and heard worse on our journeys no doubt. What you have said can barely hurt a cutiefly!" She then visibly remembered something, her mouth forming an 'o'. She whipped around to look at Gary, her blue hair splaying out around her in the action. "I wanted to ask, what is your assumption?"

Gary couldn't help but let his smile broaden. Dawn was truly a gift to them. Between her and Serena, they were definitely the kindest and friendliest of them all. They could brighten anybody's day with a simple greeting in the morning. "I think she's the same as me and Lyra… like the rest of us here." He gestured to everybody but Burgundy. "She's a protector as well. It's the only think that seems reasonable to me.

"But she wasn't in Olympia's prophecy." Paul cut in, speaking for the first time. He was leaning in the doorway, his coat discarded and only in his gray khakis and black t-shirt. Paul's arms were crossed firmly over his chest, still holding that reserved air. Gary held back a laugh when he could see some very brightly patterned socks on his feet, so unfitting of his character.

"Things can change. Nothing will directly follow what it's told no matter what it is, destiny or not." The group looked over to the doorway; Iris, Cilan and Ash were standing there, Cilan was the one who had spoken. Sweat dripped down Ash's face and left a trail down his neck. Dawn wrinkled her nose in response.

"Go shower please." There was a snort of laughter from Misty at the comment. Ash didn't glance her way but Dawn did and a small smile danced across her face.

Ash gave her a cheeky grin. "No way."

"You're disgusting."

"I'm fine with that. It's literally the exact same as it would've been when we travelled in Sinnoh." He shrugged. Ash always brought in some sort of comic relief to a situation, it was very refreshing.

Dawn grimaced and looked away. "That doesn't change the fact that you're disgusting right now."

"But I'm not disgusting any other time?" He carefully slinked closer to the blue haired girl.

"Most times, yes." Dawn responded flatly. There were a few hushed laughs at that comment.

"Okay so anyway," Iris started. "That cry we heard was Kyurem, one of the legendary dragons in Unova. It was being taken in a helicopter by none other than Team Plasma. So we need to think of a way to beat their asses and get Kyurem back." She was visibly seething with anger. Like a little dog pokémon, the smaller ones were usually more aggressive, and Iris was smaller than the rest.

Voiding his last thoughts, Gary asked, "So then I'm guessing I'm right?"

Iris walked in and stood over the bed. "It's out best bet. Georgia is an ice type specialist. She's wanted to reopen the ice type gym in Iccarus City. Kyurem lives in the Giant Chasm, its part ice type. So if ice is Georgia's speciality it would make sense plus the fact that we are all legendary protectors."

"But she wasn't listed with us." Dawn said with a frown, repeating what Paul had said only moments ago. She was standing near him now. "Why is Kyurem in trouble and not whichever legendary that the two of us are protecting?"

"Kris, Ethan, Silver, Ritchie... none of them were listed, and Lugia's child was in danger just as much as Lugia and Ho-Oh were, Celebi as well, that's why Sammy was there." Ash explained. "Could prophecies change over time? Even if we don't know about it?"

"Possibly," Clemont stated, "Only if we greatly change it in some way… but what could change it so drastically? I'm not sure."

The group was silent as they pondered.

"We ran into Jessie, James, and Meowth?" Serena said. "Gary, Paul, Dawn and I."

"What did they do?" Serena perked up at Iris' question.

"Told us where the uniforms were. They weren't happy with what Team Rocket was doing so they left the battle instead of defending the building. They helped us when they shouldn't have, they were going against orders and what they usually stand for and believe in. They realized that what their jobs were, they were wrong."

"No I don't think that would be it..." Ash trailed off. "They've been good people before in the past, gone against orders too."

Misty stiffened, "What if… what if… Khoury? What if Khoury wasn't supposed to die?"

"He was stationed there since this whole thing started." Iris frowned.

Paul shifted his weight and leaned against the dresser on the wall closest to the door. "What if everything that's happening with Georgia is just the start for whoever the two prophesied protectors are? Kyurem isn't necessarily in immediate danger, just used as bait to attract others. Things like this have happened before. It's not like it's the first time evil organizations have attempted something regarding the legendary pokémon of their given region." He stood up straighter. "What I think is that the reason that we are being called on now is because the world really is in danger. Before, all those chances were just trials for the teams. It's been years since most have 'disbanded'. Their leaders and admins gone missing, they were really just hiding to prepare for now."

"What if they were all under one leader? There are a few leaders known to be dead, and one was for sure in prison until now. Maybe Ghetsis broke out with the help from not his team, but another?" Cilan suggested.

"That could actually be possible." Iris agreed. Burgundy sat on the edge of Georgia's bed, her head looking between everyone in the room one at a time. She still didn't quite understand the situation and didn't expect to ever at this point really.

There was a low moan from Georgia as she attempted to sit up. Almost immediately Clemont and Gary were pushing her back down on the bed, handing her a glass of water and some medication. "What the hell?" Georgia grumbled, taking hold of the two items being held out to her. "Why is my head pounding and why am I in bed?"

"Do you not remember what happened on the battlefield?" Cilan asked worriedly.

"Yes…? I remember, I was battling Leaf, we weren't close to finishing so why am I here?"

"Could she have amnesia from hitting her head while falling?" Serena chirped.

Georgia blinked from her spot, quickly looking around at everybody in the room. "What do you mean I fell? I definitely do not remember that."

Burgundy sighed. "This will be a fun story to go over…"

Georgia's green eyes narrowed suspiciously, "Just tell me what happened. Did we go out or something after? Did I get hammered or what?"

Ash awkwardly scratched his head. "So you know how Gary is connected to Lugia?"

"Yes..." She replied slowly.

"Well it's kind of the same situation for you, except it's with Kyurem."

Georgia frowned, "You've got to be kidding me." She wrinkled her nose. "I mean that's fine but me? What the f—"

"You're not at all concerned?" Drew cut her off.

Georgia waved a hand haphazardly. "Not too worried, I mean, who else is better for the job than me? An ice type specialist?" She gave Iris a look.

Iris rolled her eyes, "Of course that's your reaction."

"Well it's not like there's much I can do about it. I can't exactly say, 'no thanks Kyurem, I don't want this job, sorry bro'."

"Yeah but wouldn't you worry just a little?" Cilan reasoned.

"There's no point." She shrugged, taking her water, going in for another drink. "Really why bother?"

"Well I can think of a few reasons as to why."

"Well I guess those reasons don't matter then." Georgia rebuked. "Like I said, there's not much option or choice for me so if I have to be it then I have to be it. There's no way of getting out of it as I assume?"

Drew shook his head. "If there was a way out, we haven't found it yet."

It done!

So just to let you guys know why it took so long... basically school+work+dance= no time for my other hobbies :'(

But it is here! I will never just drop a fanfic so this is here to stay and here to be updated I promise!

So no Drew aint super annoyed by the fact that he's a legendary protector, just kinda concerned because hey anybody can die at any given time right?

Also I headcannon that our world, current day Earth, is a past to the pokemon world. I think it's been confirmed that they're seprate but in the OS they had random normal dogs and cats and fish.

Also by the refrence to goose eggs, I hinted in there that pokemon have a different cell structure than the basic archae and bacteria, their cells are an entirely different kind. Same kind of processes, but entirely new, explaining why they have powers and such.

Also...

POKEMON SUN AND MOON NEXT FRIDAY!

That is all! Have a lovely week guys! 3