Chapter 9-Clash of the Champions

I stood gazing at the three opponents standing before me…Lance, Alder, and a third unknown opponent…his face was hidden by shadows so I could not even tell how old he was…I planned to rectify this situation.

"Before we begin I would like to know who he is," I stated gesturing to the stranger.

"My name is Xentus Ottomachi," the man stated stepping forward…he was a couple of years older than me with blond and black hair, "and I've heard of you and your people…you use your pokemon as simple weapons of war."

"Have you heard the entire story of my people?" I inquired scowling slightly.

"What else is there to know?" Xentus asked glaring at me.

"Pokemon bonded to Warriors in Ransei are not simple tools," I stated calmly, "they are citizens of the empire and can chose whether they serve in the military."

"Why would a pokemon want to fight a war?" Xentus asked the anger in his eyes.

"It is an honor to defend one's home and family," I stated smiling slightly, "but this talk will solve nothing…let us get to the battle…Masamune forward."

Masamune stepped forward taking his place in the square where he stood glaring at our opponents…I was intrigued by this young man…I know I heard the name Xentus Ottomachi before but I couldn't place it…I was deep in my thoughts as my opponents sent out their pokemon.

"Go, Volcrona," Alder shouted releasing a mouth like pokemon.

"Dragonite, Go," Lance yelled.

"Nightmare…let's do this," Xentus shouted releasing a Darkrai.

"Shit…a ghost type," I muttered under my breath…I knew that I would be suffering a severe disadvantage…this didn't scare me…if anything it excited me…it would make the battle that much more difficult…and that much more enjoyable , "Masamune…leave the Darkrai for last."

"As you wish my lord," Masamune responded.

"Prepare yourselves we begin now," I shouted as Masamune moved once again with his blinding speed.

Masamune moved to assault the Volcrona with an aura sphere only to be blocked by the Darkrai who attacked with its own aura sphere.

"Darkrai can't learn Aura Sphere," I muttered to myself, "I should have brought the book."

The book in question was Ransei's answer to the pokedex…it was a book that gathered all the information about pokemon by not just tapping into a data bank but literally modifying it and uploading new data to the bank so information was changing and expanding every day…the book also held more than just pokemon information…it held information on famous warriors from throughout the history of Ransei…I was snapped out of these thoughts by a shout…Masamune had been hit with an Iron tail from the Dragonite but he quickly recovered and responded with a powerful Dragon Pulse…it knocked out Lance's Dragonite…as well as shattering an abandoned building behind the pokemon into splinters.

"Seven," I whispered to myself.

"No!" Lance yelled running to his pokemon.

"Such wild power," Alder commented, "It surprises me every time how much stronger he is since the last time we fought."

"This pokemon's strength is unnatural," Xentus commented a snarl of defiance on his face, "I've heard the stories…but they do not do them justice."

"You must remain focused," Alder warned, "He will not let any mistakes go unpunished."

"You're right about that Alder," I stated a slightly demented smile appearing on my face, "Eight."

Masamune appeared right behind the Volcrona with two full charged Aura Spheres…one in each hand…and smashed them into the pokemon's back causing a huge explosion that threw the Volcrona into one of the few trees that remained standing smashing it to pieces…one of the pieces flew towards me and cut my cheek but I paid it no mind…I turned my attention to the Darkrai as Alder ran to take care of his pokemon…I think Xentus called the Darkrai Nightmare…I could sense great power in her.

"Masamune don't underestimate her," I warned.

Masamune nodded and dashed towards her launching another Dragon Pulse which Nightmare dodged easily…again and again Masamune launched this attack and just as the first one she evaded it.

"This is starting to bore me," I hissed my aggression starting to get the better of me…but I controlled it and formulated a plan which I relayed mentally to Masamune, "Masamune cease the attack."

Masamune stopped and Xentus took the opportunity to launch his own attack…just as I wished.

"Nightmare Ariel Ace," Xentus ordered hoping to make use of this apparent lack of movement.

Masamune didn't even try to evade the attack but as the attack struck him Masamune retaliated with an Aura Sphere and since the two were in contact with each other with Nightmare being the one to initiate the contact the attack struck with all of its force…I knew I wouldn't be able to use this tactic twice in a row but it would be enough to give Xentus pause.

"How did that attack hit!?" Xentus uttered in shock, "It was a fighting type move."

"It was you who allowed it," I stated a gleam of satisfaction in my eyes, "It's true that normally fighting type moves have no effect on ghost type pokemon but under certain conditions these attacks will connect…the one I just demonstrated is that ghost pokemon must mentally activate their ability to phase through objects and as such if the ghost initiates physical contact then they are unable to phase and are completely open to attacks."

"Nightmare…are you alright?" Xentus asked his pokemon.

"I think-," Nightmare was unable to finish her sentence as Masamune struck her with a Dragon Pulse.

"Keep your mind on the battle or you will fall just like Alder," I snarled, "and that wouldn't do now would it."

As Nightmare tried to rise again she was hit by a powerful Dragon Pulse…but this time she didn't go down…she rose into the air her aura swelling with power…and she unleashed a powerful psychic attack launching Masamune into a nearby building which fell inwards burying him in rubble.

"Masamune," I stated the disbelief evident in my eyes.

"I've punished your arrogance," Nightmare stated the calm in her eyes but this was soon replaced by shock as a Dragon Pulse ripped through the rubble and was soon followed by Masamune who was in bad shape but still able to stand at least, "How is he still standing."

"This is the strength of an Imperial Pokemon," Masamune snarled as I prepared a Full Restore.

"I will use my one item now," I stated healing Masamune with a small smile as I whispered in his ear, "I think it's time we stopped holding back."

"You're suggesting we fully open the link?" Masamune asked a small and feral smile crossing his face.

"No mercy," I whispered returning back to my position at the edge of the square where I closed my eyes and reached out mentally towards Masamune.

"Xentus you have to attack now!" Alder yelled, "If he completes what he's doing he shall be nearly invincible!"

"Nightmare hit it with Dark Void!" Xentus shouted as Nightmare launched her attack but just before it struck Masamune seemed to disappear into thin air, "How did he!?"

"We are of one mind," I stated hearing Masamune's voice echoing my words in my head, "We are clarity…we are the height of the warriors art."

Masamune then appeared behind Nightmare with a fully charged aura sphere which he launched with a single hand (paw) and struck the Darkrai who tried to phase through the attack but somehow she was unable to.

"What happened?" Nightmare asked in a panic rising slowly to her feet.

"Your tricks will not work on us," Masamune and I said in perfect unison and we opened my bodies eyes to reveal not the normal grey irises but golden ones with vertical slit like pupils, "Our senses are honed to the razor's edge…we can calculate are attacks down to the nanosecond now…we developed this ability to combat are weaknesses…we open ourselves completely to our pokemon's mind…and eventually…we are no longer multiple entities…but one singular entity…and with the power we've achieved you've no chance of victory."

"What are you?" Xentus questioned no fear in his voice…just shock and awe.

"We are all a warrior aspires to," We stated in unison, "We are what few are willing to become…we risk all for the betterment of the warrior's art."

"Xentus you have to attack him," Alder warned holding his pokemon, "He's completely opened his mind to his pokemon…their minds are connected to the point that they feel each other's pain and Anthony's skills are no longer watered down to 50% but transfer fully giving even more power to his pokemon."

"Does this ability have any downsides," Xentus shouted as Masamune launched another aura sphere that Nightmare barely dodged.

"By using this ability he's risking his own safety," Alder yelled, "any wounds Masamune suffers Anthony suffers as well…along with any other negatives…status ailments…fainting…and other things…but there is a way around it…if you can mentally fatigue either of them their bond will weaken to the point that their minds will literally separate back into their individual minds…also it causes an extreme amount of stress so they can only maintain it for so long"

"So we have to break their link," Nightmare sighed, "Easier said than done."

"I've a favor to ask you Xentus Ottomachi," we stated calmly, "You've snagged our attention…now give us an interesting showing…and don't disappoint us."

Masamune charged Nightmare using Extreme Speed to strike the Darkrai repeatedly…until she launched her counter attack launching an Aura Sphere that exploded with an extreme force…knocking Masamune out of his attack…and we were panting in exhaustion.

"We've exhausted ourselves," we whispered, "We must end this now…with one final attack."

We leapt back in Masamune's body and began charging an Aura Sphere with our remaining energy…but Nightmare noticed this and warned Xentus.

"Xentus he's readying something," Nightmare warned, "What should we do?"

"He's readying an attack," Xentus stated a smile creeping onto his face, "Let's match his move…start charging an Aura Sphere."

"But-," she began but stopped when she saw his eyes, "As you wish Xentus."

Both sides were prepared their attacks…Masamune's crimson sphere verses Nightmare's more purplish one…our mind was pulling at itself…we were putting everything we had into our attack…and as if to demonstrate this Masamune's crimson orb was soon shot through with green as my own aura joined his…our energy was rising much faster than theirs…but the theirs was also picking up speed on the power gathered…their bond was strong…the bond of family…a small grin crept across our faces.

"We are ready to fire," we stated calmly, "but will wait for you to are ready…we wish to see who's bonds are stronger."

Neither Xentus nor Nightmare said anything but continued to charge her attack…we could see the gleam in both their eyes…it was the gleam of ambition…but it was more…they were enjoying this battle as much as we were…the world could be ending around us but we wouldn't notice…then after all this time they attacked…are attack followed quickly after them…the two orbs of energy rushed towards each other…and when they collided the world seemed to stop for a second…before the explosion deafened and the blinding light from the energy being released…

-Nacrene City-

In a repository located somewhere in the museum a lilac colored crystal rested in a glass cabinet…it seemed to be a simple gemstone but it was an ancient artifact discovered hundreds of years ago by a Unovian prince and it was said to grant him immense strength…but he never spoke of where he had found it…nor why it seemed to be foreign in design…the crystal was a sphere with an obsidian Rayquaza surrounding it…it was kept hidden for fear of what it would spark…this was clearly a Ransei artifact…but until it was discovered what it could truly do it would be hidden…a scientist was studying it when something unexpected happened…the crystal began glowing with a brilliant light…causing the scientist to panic and run screaming for his wife Lenora…as he left the crystal's glow focused into a beam and formed the shape of a man…he was wearing black oriental armor with a purple overcoat and had his hair tied back and a slight mustache…his hair was jet back…he kept repeating something over and over in an ancient language only used by the royal family of the empire…Lenora came back and in utter shock stared at the figure before her…it was Oda Nobunaga…and what he was repeating was only known to certain members of the royal family…but as soon as it started the image of Nobunaga faded into the ethereal again.

-Ransei/Valora Region-

The warlord of Valora was walking through the halls of his citadel…his partner was not present at the moment but he continued to walk the hallways even though it was the middle of the night…something momentous was about to happen…and if he knew anything…he knew that his lord's son would be at the center of it…much to the distress of the dissenters…but whatever it was would have...all of a suddenly a burning sensation swept through his body and he heard the roar of his partner though their mental link…and before him a ghost appeared as he was enveloped in a teal light…and that ghost in front of him was Tadakatsu Honda…and he was saying something in the ancient language of Valora.

"To those who wish to inherit my legacy," Tadakatsu stated, "Show me your strength…"

With those words Liam was absorbed into the teal light…

-The entire Ransei Regions-

Above Ransei several cities were engulfed by lights as several crystals activated throughout the region…Terrera, Illusio, Nixtrom, Valora, Spectra, Ignis, Greenleaf, Cragspur, and Aurora…these lights glowed brightly…many people all over gazed at the sky as these lights shone like stars…

-Driftveil City-

As the smoke cleared and I regained my vision I knew that my mental link with Masamune had fell back into normal ranges…I knew that if my opponent was in any better shape than me I would be in trouble…I gazed towards my opponent to see the Darkrai still standing but in bad shape…just like Masamune…but me and my partner just stood there grinning…this was a fight we had been waiting for…and I was-…I felt someone smack in the back of the head breaking me out of my trance…I turned to see Haiko standing behind me and Spectral hovering in front of the Darkrai waging its finger and grinning.

"What do you want Haiko?" I inquired oblivious to my surroundings.

"Preventing you two from wiping this city off the face of the earth," he sighed gesturing to his surroundings…which were utterly destroyed…down to the last building.

"We utterly destroyed this square," I chuckled to myself, "that battle was the entertainment I was looking for…wait we have enough money to cover the damages right?"

"Yes…but your father's going to have your hide," Haiko warned me.

"What the hell did we do," Xentus stated walking up to me with Alder and Lance following him, "Did we really do all this?"

"Yes we did," I continued to chuckle, "but don't worry…all of these buildings will be rebuilt and their owners compensated."

"But the destruction…how can you be so casual?" Xentus questioned me.

"I'm a warrior damn it…scratch that I'm the damn shogun," I burst out laughing as Masamune dug into a bag Haiko brought and pulled out several berries and a book, "Thank you Masamune."

"What is that?" Xentus question confused.

"It's the Ransei equivalent of the Pokedex," I stated simply opening the book, "and I would like to catalog your Darkrai…she is unique."

"I don't see any problem with it," Nightmare stated smiling slightly, "and I would like to see what this book could do."

"Thank you," I stated…I feared I'd have to use espionage to get the information, "Open to Darkrai and begin scan of subject in front of us."

"Beginning scan," the book stated as it flipped its own pages to the Darkrai page and then projected an image of a Darkrai, "anomalies detected…unknown ability detected…move Aura Sphere detected…adding information to data banks…ability name: unknown…effect: boost all stats to max in a pinch…no other anomalies found…input name of newly discovered ability."

"The book talked," Lance said, "That book just talked."

"Yes…yes it did," I sighed, "She's yours so what do you want the ability to be named?"

"It's called Rightful Queen," Xentus commented like this was completely normal.

"I'm not even going to ask why you want it named that but," I sighed a small grin on my face, "Input ability name…Rightful Queen."

"Ability entered…congratulations on your discovery my lord shogun," the book congratulated.

"Your discovery!?" Lance asked incredulously.

"It's programed to say that," I stated pulling out a small crimson pouch, "take this…it's Sacred Ashes and should fully revive your parties…I shall also send you your winnings."

"Winnings?" Xentus questioned confused.

"Yes the wager I made…100,000 poke," I stated turning to walk away, "I'll send your winnings to you later…Haiko."

"Yes my lord," Haiko stated throwing down a smoke and allowing us to vanish.

-Ransei Main Encampment-

"I can't believe that worked," I stated smiling.

"Some people are easily fooled," Haiko commented, "but then again they were heavily exhausted from your battle…what are you going to send him anyway."

"The 100,000 thousand I owe him and an invitation to the Imperial League," I yawned heading towards my tent, "I hope he accepts it…it's been awhile since I've felt such a rush outside of a life or death battle…and I find his bonds with his pokemon intriguing."

"Who shall you send to deliver the money?" Haiko inquired, "…please tell me you are not thinking of sending Goto."

"Why not he should make the entire thing a blast," I joked.

"That's a first…you made a joke," Haiko sighed.

"Look just send Gaika and a couple soldiers," I yawned as we reached my tent, "Now leave me alone please…I need to rest…I feel tired."

"As you wish my lord," Haiko stated, "I shall see to it that the supplies for the celebrations are made ready…sleep well my lord."

I stepped into my tent where a cot was set up…and changed out of my armor…I was more exhausted then I'd ever been in my life…I felt something pulling at me as if calling me but it was weak.

"Masamune I've a warning to relay," I told him through our mental connection.

"What is it my lord,"

"If anyone wakes me up I'll have them whipped,"

"Understood my Lord,"

I lay on the cot and soon felt myself drift off to sleep…

-A Strange Forest-

I stood in a strange woods staring at a crater filled with a couple of puddles…my armor was different as was that of my followers…their faces were masked…but I felt that I knew them…we stood there just staring at it.

"I thought something was supposed to happen my lord?" one of the soldiers inquired.

"Hey don't pester him," another of the soldiers chuckled, "even the great ones make mistakes."

"Shut up," I hissed, "did you hear that?"

Before any of them could answer a blood curdling roar tore through the woods and too my shock snow began falling heavily obscuring my vision. Before I knew what had happened the entire landscape had changed…no longer was it the heavily wooded area but a huge tundra and I was completely alone…I began trudging through the calling for my soldiers and occasionally I heard an answering call. I gazed around through the blizzard until I stumbled onto something horrifying…my entire unit was frozen into solid blocks of ice…I ran towards them only to feel myself suddenly stop…I looked at my feet to see them frozen in place.

"What the hell?" I hissed trying to move as the ice began to move up my body.

I heard growling I looked up to see glowing yellow eyes glaring down at me as the ice continued to rise…I knew I was going to die…but what was this thing…

-Imperial Main Encampment-

I awoke with a start…

"What a nightmare," I stated to myself rising to my feet…I looked over at my mirror to see I was extremely pale.

I strode out of my tent to see the rising sun…I knew the nightmare couldn't have been caused by that damned Darkrai or I wouldn't have ever woken up…so what caused it…it wasn't normal…I gazed towards the horizon and I could have sworn I saw something streak across the sky…but I didn't know what it could be.

-Infinity Tower-

I stood gazing out over the world...ancient artifacts from an age long gone by were reactivating…and as in the ages where they were found…the peace of this age will be coming to an end…and an age of blood and fire shall be born in its place…I am Arceus…and I will defend this world with my life from the follies of its inhabitants as I've done since the beginning.

Here ends Chapter 9-Clash of Champions…Xentus Ottomachi is not my character but owned and created by the author known as BlitzSarecus…

So Anthony has proven he is one of the strongest people out there…naturally…and for those wondering how Anthony lost he was the first to withdraw from combat and therefore technically forfeited the battle…but I hope you've all enjoyed this chapter and the little bits of information on where this story is heading…those of you who've played both Pokemon Conquest and Black/White version 1 should be able to figure out the significance of the locations of both the Infinity Tower and the Strange Forest…and to make matters worse strange occurrences are happening all over the world…could these be the ancient artifacts reawakening after centuries of slumbering…an age of devastation approaches…I did tell people that this series would be for the most part a darker series right? And then there's the dream Anthony had…what could it symbolize…what could that creature be?

Stay tuned for the next Chapter…Chapter 10-Ransei V.S. Unova: Battle of Relic Castle

Preview-Anthony's soldiers have begun celebrations to honor the Ransei New Year…for today hundreds of years ago Hiro united Ransei under his banner…the celebrations quickly bore him through and he begins to wander around the city until he eventually leaves the city by the western exit where he encounters a merchant with a strange item…(Preview End)

Author's Notes-

Imperial League Invitation-The Imperial League (Ransei Challenge) is open to all trainers/warriors but a person under personal invitation are given access to special stores normally only available to warlords as well as being able attend the private opening celebration at the Aurora Palace where V.I.P. guests are located.

100% Mental Link-A warrior normally only operates with about half of their mind in direct contact but they can completely merge their minds increasing the benefits of the warrior's stats as well as negating certain type advantages used by the opponent (Ghost type's immunity to normal and fighting attacks for example) but risking the warrior's life in the process as any wounds the pokemon suffers the warrior suffers as well…very few people ever use this technique due to the risks…warriors have died using this ability.

All of my characters have battle themes from the games.

Anthony Doede-Battle Them of Infinite Tower/Infinity Tower (Final Battle)

Colton Doede-Ignis Battle Them

The Emperor-The Legendary Pokemon

Johnathan Heinz-Fontaine Battle Theme

Najil Demimsy-Aurora Battle Theme

Haiko-Spectra Battle Theme

Veku Fuma-Yaksha Battle Theme

I thank all who've read this…and if you're reading this story I beg you to review

-Shogun of Ransei