Ch 66: Preparations
Vaeron retracted his wrist blade as he stood up and over a dead knight. He was inside a room made entirely out of crystal with a pair of aura guardians behind him.
"Mentor the top is just above us." One said.
"The time to end this has come, let's go." The other said.
"No my brothers, I must go alone from here." Vaeron said.
"What? Mentor you can't go alone." The first one said.
"He's too dangerous , we need to do this together." The other one said.
"I started this, I will be the one to end it. Please , go and help the others secure the tower. The free Kalos army will arrive soon." Vaeron said.
"Very well, may Reduka guide you to victory mentor." The other two guardians walked off as Vaeron stared at the stairway going up and took a deep breath.
"It's time to end this." He said to himself.
Vaeron slowly walked onto the top of the tower where he saw a very tall man wearing knight armor with the kings symbol on the chest. The man had fire reddish hair and a crown helmet on his head. He had a large shield and sword with him and a green tear of Reduka embedded his chest plate.
Behind him were 3 pedestals covered in a thick layer of gold. Contained in the gold were Xerneas and Yvetal with a Diancie in the center.
"Your Majesty, this ends now." Vaeron said as he stepped forward and revealed his hidden blades.
Aorazok had an almost souls expression on his face as he took one step forward and touched the tear on his armor.
"Kneel before the king." He said as Vaeron felt the power of the tear beginning to affect him. Despite this he was able to use his aura to keep the effects at bay and hold his stance.
Aorazok raised an eyebrow.
"Impressive , to be able to withstand the effects of the tear, you must be very powerful Vaeron.".
"You know my name.". Varian said.
"I know all the trouble you're caused me and my army.".
"Why are you doing this Aorazok , this weapon, this war, this genocide. Why?" Vaeron asked.
" There is no life worthy of living, not anymore. Nothing, this is only the begging, I will strip this world of all life. Starting with you!" Aorazok shouted as the tear began to glow and the 3 legendary pokemon did as well.
Vaeron smiled as he touched the stone on his right hidden blade. Moments later Aorazok heard a massive roar getting closer. Varian's Mega Charizard X flew right up from behind and unleashed a blue Blast burn.
The massive maelstrom of fire hit the gold layer around the legendary's.
"What, no!" Aorazok screamed.
The blast burn tore through the gold and destroyed the heart diamond.
"No!" Aorazok shouted as he tried to use the tear on Diancie. While he was able to maintain his control on Xerneas and Yvetal, he could not control Diancie.
Diancie moved as fast as he could across the top of the tower until he reached the edge. He nervously looked at the ground below.
"Everything will be alright your majesty, you must perform a leap of faith." Vaeron said through an aura message.
As afraid as he was, he did as he was told and leapt off the tower.
"No!" Aorazok screamed. Moments later Diancie started falling a Mega Pidgeot with an aura guardian on his back caught Diancie in his arms.
"Nothing to worry about your majesty, you're safe." The guardian said.
Yvetal and Xerneas flew up in the air and after Mega Charizard X as he flew at them with his claws glowing.
As Aorazok focused on the the battle above he didn't notice Vaeron rushing at him. The king turned just in time to see Vaeron leap at him with his hidden blades out.
Aorazok quickly put his sword up and blocked the first hidden blade only to have Vaeron stab his other hidden blade into Aorazok's right shoulder armor , tearing part of it off.
Aorazok used his tear of Reduka to unleash burst of energy that forced Vaeron back away from him. As Vaeron stumbled backwards the king raised his sword and swung at Vaeron. However, the much faster aura guardian summersaulted to the side and unleashed a burst of aura that forced Aorazok back a bit.
As the King stumbled backwards Vaeron got up and kicked Aorazok's calf hard making him lurch back as Vaeron came forward and held Aorazok's sword in place before slashing across Aorazok's other arm, tearing part of his armor off and cutting his shield off his arm.
Aorazok used his tear to force Vaeron back again. As Vaeron landed on the ground Aorazok came forward with his sword raised. Vaeron slammed his first into the ground and unleashed a burst of aura that forced Aorazok back again.
Vaeron got up and used his left arm to force Aorazok's sword arm to the side as he slashed his other hidden blade across Aorazok's armor, tearing another piece off.
Aorazok tried to kick Vaeron but the guardian master caught his leg and forced him back as he delivered a powerful kick to the king's stomach.
Aorazok hit the ground before unleashing another burst of energy with his tear of Reduka that hurled Vaeron back. As Aorazok tried to get back up and use his tear again, Vaeron took out his tear and kept Aorazok's from using it's energy.
"No!" Aorazok shouted. Vaeron ran forward and smashed his elbow across Aorazok's face, making him stumble backwards before he leapt into him and knocked Aorazok' onto his back. Once the king hit the ground Vaeron held his right hidden blade over Aorazok's face.
"It is over your majesty, your rein of terror ends now king Aorazok!" Vaeron shouted.
The dark king had a look of anger and hate on his face.
"Do it then, kill me!" He shouted at Vaeron.
The aura guardian mentor hesitated as he held his hidden blade over Aorazok's face. He had wanted to kill Aorazok for so long. The man had brought death and destruction to the land and had been responsible for the death of every guardian including his mother, father, and brothers.
"Do it! Kill me! I don't want to live without her anymore!" Aorazok shouted.
Vaeron looked deep into the eyes of the king and into his aura. He then shook his head.
"What good will one more death bring." Vaeron retracted his hidden blades before punching Aorazok in the face so hard it broke his nose.
Vaeron looked at the green tear of Reduka embedded in his chest armor. Vaeron used one of his hidden blades to cut the gemstone out before getting up. Moments later Xerneas and Yvetal hit the top of the tower looking hurt.
Vaeron turned and saw his Mega Charizard X land behind him.
"Well done Charizard, we are both victorious." Vaeron said smiling.
"Grauu!" Charizard X roared in victory. Moments later another two aura guardians walked onto the top of the tower.
One of them was Andre who seemed very happy to see Vaeron successful.
"Vaeron we've done it. Lord Thronin and his army have taken the city. It's finally over." Andre said.
"Ohh." Aorazok moaned.
"The king, he still lives!" The other guardian shouted. Andre walked towards Aorazok with his right hidden blade out.
"Stay your blades Andre." Vaeron said as he grabbed his friend's shoulder.
"Vaeron how can you say that. After everything he's done, we deserve justice!" Andre shouted.
"He is not our's to judge." Vaeron said as he walked over to the other guardian and handed him the tear of Reduka that Aorazok had in his armor.
"Take out you're Andre." Vaeron said as he took out his. Andre took out the red tear of Reduka that Vaeron had given him. Vaeron raised his in the air as the others did the same.
"Reduce, great creator of life. we beseech you. This man has committed crimes against life itself. We call upon you to judge this man and give justice for what he has done." Vaeron said.
Moments later the three tears began to glow as the sky began to darken. Aorazok opened his eyes and saw what was happening.
"What's going on?" He asked.
3 pillars of light began to form a massive triangle around the tower in the sky above them. One pillar was green, one was red, and one blue. The sky began to grow windy as lightning and thunder could be seen and heard.
A massive beam of light hit the top of the tower as the 3 aura guardians and Mega Charizard X all went to one knee.
Aorazok looked up again and saw a massive pokemon above him. He had blue, red, and gold skin, with massive wings shaped similar to Zekoroms. The pokemon had jaws like a Tyrantrum and massive claws over 6 feet long.
The pokemon turned his white and blue eyes to Vaeron as he moved his head over the dark king. He then turned his eyes to Vaeron.
"Vaeron Rathol, you have done well. You have stopped the bloodshed and saved this land. You have my thanks." The pokemon said in a very wise and uplifting voice.
"Thank you Reduka, for giving us the strength and courage to stop him." Vaeron said. Reduka turned his eyes back to Aorazok.
"You, Aorazok. You have caused so much death an destruction to all of my children. Human and pokemon alike. You will suffer for what you have done. More than you can possibly imagine. You will be stripped of all your power , and you will roam this earth for an eternity!" Reduka roared.
"No!" Aorazok screamed as Reduka opened his mouth and blasted the dark king with a beam of light. After the light faded Aorazok was on the ground unconscious.
"Live well Vaeron" Reduka said before he ascended back from where he came from. Vaeron stared deep into the tear of Reduka he was holding. Andre and the other guardian noticed him stare into it for nearly 3 minutes.
"Vaeron, Vaeron are you alright?" Andre asked. Vaeron raised his head and turned to Andre.
"Sorry, It was nothing." Vaeron said.
Ash's eyes opened as he saw Serena in his arms.
"Another vision, this time in the day." Ash said.
Tears continued to stream out of Serena's eyes as Ash held her in his arms. Ash wanted to say something to her, tell her everything would be alright. But how could he tell her that, she had just lost her father. He knew that was the last thing he would believe if he found out his own father had just been killed.
"Government of Kalos you have 24 hours to surrender or I will unleash the weapon on every city in this nation." Lysandre said over the tv before it went back to static.
"Dear Reduka, what's going to happen now?" One of the guardians asked.
"The enclave is destroyed, and the mentor is likely dead. Try and contact the other guilds." Eliza said.
"Yes master Borde." The other guardian said. Eliza turned and saw Serena crying in Ash's arms. She heard what Serena said and knew that the colonel from the TV was her father.
She got up and walked over to her before putting her hand on her shoulder.
"Serena, I can't imagine how painful this is for you. Loosing your father, we have another doctor here who's a Psychiatrist and therapist. If you'd like to talk to him." Eliza started.
"No! I just want to be alone right now." Serena said.
"Alright we'll leave." Eliza said as she and the other guardians left. Ash was about to leave when Serena tightened her grip around him.
"Not you Ash ! I need you right now." She said. Ash knew it was best not to say anything to Serena for a while. The best thing to do was to let her greave for a bit. After she got much of it out, then he could talk to her about it.
Elsewhere miles away in Lumoise city at the Kalos press building, everyone had gathered around the tv's watching what had just happened. After Lysandre's broadcast ended the reporters and journalists broke out in a frenzy of panic.
"Oh no, Alex." Delia said after seeing Serena's father turned to stone.
"Delia! I can't believe what's happening. The entire Kalos region is being threatened by team Flare!" Alexa shouted.
"I know , it's very scary. We should get back to our apartment. Felix will know what to do." Delia said. The two women quickly walked over to the elevator and were about to press the down button when the doors opened.
Standing on the other side was a woman with short green hair and green goggles wearing a team flare officer uniform with 2 grunts beside her.s
"Hello Mrs. Ketchum." She said.
Twenty minutes later Felix was parkouring across the rooftops of Lumoise city towards the Kalos Press. After he reached the building adjacent with it he leapt through the glass and onto he upper floor.
In the upper floor were most of the journalists and reporters being held hostage by a flare sergeant and 4 grunts.
"What the, an aura guardian!" The Sergeant shouted as he raised a pistol and fired 3 shots at Felix.
Felix unleashed a burst of aura that knocked the bullets off path and away from him before throwing a pokeball forward and touching his Mega evolution stone. His Lucario came out and instantly mega evolved.
"Close combat!" Felix shouted.
His Mega Lucario rushed forward and unleashed a furious assault on the 3 flare mantric standing guard as their trainers rushed at Felix. Felix blocked each of their baton strikes before knocking them out one by one. He then turned to the sergeant and hurled him back with a burst of aura.
Before the Sergeant could get up Felix leapt onto him and held his right hidden blade to the man's throat.
"Delia Ketchum! Where is she!?" He screamed. The Sergeant smiled.
"So you're her husband are you. Sorry guardian, but she's long gone. We already have her and she's probably at the ultimate weapon by now. Now we've got your wife and one of your kids." The sergeant said.
"What are you talking about!?" Felix screamed.
"You mean you don't know, we got one of your sons too. What was his name, Red. Got brown hair , looks like his mom. Who knows what might happen to them now?" The sergeant said laughing before Felix plunged his hidden blade into the man's chest.
The sergeant convulsed as he looked up at Felix.
"I haven't killed in years, but threaten my wife and son and I won't hesitate." The man's head dropped back before Felix closed his eyes and got up.
"Rest in peace." Felix said as his Lucario came up behind him and put his hand on his shoulder.
"I know Lucario. Right now we need to focus on finding Ash and stopping Lyandre. We need to get to the guild.".
"Grouu." Lucario said nodding. Meanwhile back in Santalune city guardian guild Ash was still comforting Serena, who was now sitting in a chair. Ash was still waiting for the right time to say something to her. She had stopped crying but still wasn't speaking.
From their aura connection Ash could tell Serena was past the initial shock of what had just happened and perhaps he could now talk to her.
"Serena, I'm sorry that this happened to you. I want to say everything's going to be alright. But I know that's not true, you've lost someone you loved. I know there probably isn't anything I can every say that will make you feel better, but I just want you to know that I'm here for you." Ash said holding her hand.
Serena slowly raised her head to his and hugged him.
"Thank you Ash, I love you and I need you now more than ever" She said . Moments later Eliza walked in and saw them.
"Serena, are you feeling any better?" Eliza asked.
"Not really." Serena said.
"Well I know this may not sound very sensitive but we have just gotten word from another master. He has informed us that he is forming an enclave of guardians at the Lumoise guild and that he wants guardians from every enclave but not every remaining guardian." Eliza said.
"Which master?" Ash asked.
"Master Felix Ketchum." Eliza said.
"Felix, that's my dad." Ash said.
"Really? Well I was going to head to Lumoise with two of my best guardians. I think you two should come too." Eliza said.
"Serena, I can't make you go to Lumoise if you're not feeling up to it" Ash started before Serena got up with an incredibly angry expression on her face.
"I'm going to Lumoise city! I'm going with you and Felix after Lysandre! I'm going to make him pay for what he's done!" Serena screamed.
Several hours later Felix stood in the main room of the Lumoise city guardian guild with another guardian beside him.
"I still can't believe this is actually happening." The guardian said.
"Is Serina safe Daniel?" Felix asked.
"Yes, I got her on a plane to Kanto. Though if we don't stop Lysandre I doubly she'll be safe even there. I'm sorry about Red and Delia, but you have to believe that Ash is safe." The guardian said.
"Yes, he has to be." Felix said.
Meanwhile on route 4, Ash and Serena were traveling with Eliza and 3 other guardians on their way to Lumoise city. They had stopped for a rest as Ash and Serena found a place they could be alone.
"I hope Gurkinn is safe." Serena said.
"He should have been in Shalour city. He should be fine." Ash said.
"Do you think he knows that Korrina has been kidnapped?" Serena asked.
"Probably not, but he probably deserves to." Ash started before he felt something.
"Ash are you alright?" Serena asked.
"I feel something, familiar aura's. They're." Ash started before several dark figures stepped forward.
Ash's and Serena's eyes widened as they saw who stood before them.
"Prepare for trouble." Jessie said.
"And make it double." James said as the duo stepped out.
"To protect the world from devistation." Duncan the dragon said as he stepped out.
"To unite all people's within our nation." Isabel of infestation said as she came out.
"To denounce the evils of truth and love." Christian the cleaver said as he stepped out.
"To extend our reach to the stars above." Electric Earl said as he came out.
"Jessie".
"James".
"Duncan."
"Isabel."
"Christian."
"Earl."
"Team rocket blast of at the speed of light." Jessie said.
"Surrender now or prepare to fight." James said.
"Meowth that's right!" Meowth shouted as he came out in between Jessie and James.
"Well look who we finally found after all this time." Duncan said.
"The little twerps who caused us so much trouble." Christian said. Ash took out his hidden blades as Serena took out two pokeballs.
"How are you all here, We thought." Ash started.
"That we were all dead. Tell me boy, did you actually see any of us die?" Christian said. The more Ash thought about it , the more he realized that they were right. They never saw any of them actually die.
"I'm not in the mood to deal with you people right now so just beat it!" Serena shouted.
"Well she certainly has a new attitude to her, I like it." Isabel said.
"Calm yourselves children. As much as we'd love taking our revenge, we actually came seeking your help." Christian said.
"Our help?" Ash said.
"It took us months to find each other again, as soon as we regrouped we learned about this weapon that Lysandre found. Our boss is none to happy about it and wants us to take him down. Unfortunately we can't do that alone." Earl said.
"That was until we remembered you people were part of those aura guardians." James said.
"You really expect us to trust you people after everything you've done?" Ash said.
"It doesn't matter if you trust us, the truth is that Lysandre has that weapon and you need all the help you can get." Meowth said.
As much as Ash and Serena hated to admit it. Team rocket was right, they were in a serious situation and did need all the help they could get.
"What can you do?" Ash asked.
"We can provide quite a distraction for you. Here." Earl said as he tossed a small clicker to Ash.
"Just press the button and we'll make our entrance. You should be able to get past any flare forces with us distracting them." Earl said.
"We'll be waiting until then." Jessie said as the rocket officers backed up and away from the two. Ash stared at the clicker device.
"What do you think? Can we trust them, they are our enemies." Serena said.
"That's true , but they're also Lysander's enemies and the enemy of our enemy is our friend for now at least." Ash said. Several hours later Felix and the other guardian were waiting in the Lumoise guild.
"Master Ketchum, several guardians from the Santalune city guild have arrived." A guardian said.
"Good bring them in." Moments later Felix saw Ash and Serena walk in with Eliza.
"Ash!" Felix shouted.
"Dad!". The two quickly rushed over to each other and hugged.
"I'm so happy you're safe." Felix said.
"Dad Lysandre has Red." Ash said.
"I know, he also has your mother." Felix said.
"What!?" Ash screamed.
"Yes, they got her earlier today." Felix said. Ash felt livid, Lysander now had his brother , his partner pokemon, all his friends, and now his mother.
"Ash." Serena started.
"When do we take Lysandre down?" Ash asked.
"Soon Ash soon." The other aura guardian said.
" Good the sooner we take him down the better." Serena said.
"Ash we're going to discuss this with the other guardians when they get here. Wait in the other room until we begin." Felix said.
"Alright." Ash said. Ash noticed that the other aura guardian next to Felix had a very familiar aura. His face was masked by his hood and a cloth over his mouth. Ash and Serena went back into a large black room with several paintings on the wall of past aura guardians.
Ash and Serena stood against a wall, both with a lot on their minds.
"Ash, I'm sorry about your mother." Serena said.
"She could still be alive Serena, I'm going to save her and the others. I'm sorry about your father." Ash said. Serena looked back at the ground for a moment before looking up again.
"We're going to get Lysandre, he will pay for what he's done." Serena said.
Moments later another aura guardian walked towards them. She looked about 18 and wore a blue and brown robe. She also wore a black belt with a blue stripe on it around her robe. She also wore blue gloves with her mega evolution stone on her left ring finger . The girl had dark brown hair and brown eyes with glasses on.
"Hey you look familiar. Kind of like master Ketchum." The girl said. Ash noticed that she had a Kanto accent like him.
"Yes, he's my father. I'm Ash Ketchum, this is my girlfriend Serena." Ash said.
"Hello." Serena said.
"Really you're master Ketchum's son. I'm Diana Rivers, I came to Kalos last year from Kanto." Diana said.
"Really , I'm from Kanto too." Ash said.
"I figured from your accent. So you're really master Ketchum's son. What was it like being raised by such a master like him?" Diana asked.
"Well." Ash said sweat dropping thinking about how involved Felix was outside of training him and Red.
"Pardon me for asking, but you seem to have a lot of pain and stress in your auras. I know we're in a dangerous situation with the weapon, but has something happened to you two?" Diana asked.
"Actually yes, when Lysandre used the weapon on those soldiers my father was one of them." Serena said.
"Lysandre also kidnapped our first pokemon, our closest friends, my brother, and my mother." Ash said.
"Oh no, I'm so sorry I had no idea." Diana asked.
"It's alright you didn't know." Serena said.
"I still can't believe the mentor and all the masters at the enclave are all dead." Diana said.
"I know." Ash said. Several minutes later dozens of guardians had gathered in the room before Felix and the other guardian walked in as everyone in the room turned to them.
"Alright everyone is here. You all know what's going on , the ultimate weapon has been revealed. The story eluded my for some time before master Rian reminded me." Felix said.
"Rain? Does that mean?" Ash started.
"The Story of Vaeron the great. The aura guardian who first faced the weapon and saved the brotherhood and all of Kalos." Felix said.
"Vaeron! That's it! The story AZ told us and it means the visions I've been seeing have been that Vaeron!" Ash said in realization.
"Three thousand years ago the dark king of Kalos discovered a tear of Reduka. With the tear he was able to build an entire tower made of crystal. The tower had the ability to contain and emit large amounts of energy. The king also learned of the guardians of Kalos Xcerneas and Yvetal. He learned that if he could combine their power that he create a weapon that drains the life of everything around it." Felix said.
"That's why they were turned to stone." Ash said.
"However, a weapon like that needed immense power to be able to operate. The weapon required a heart diamond from Diancie for every blast. " Felix said.
"So that's why he needed Diancie."Serena said.
"Vaeron stopped the king and saved Kalos, but now the weapon is back and it's up to us to Finnish the job." Felix said.
The other guardian stepped forward.
"We need to take the fight to Lysandre, attack the Ultimate weapon. Unfortunately Lysandre will be expecting this. He has placed most of team Flare around the weapon and won't hesitate to use it on the area around the weapon to destroy us, even if he kills his own men in the process." The other guardian asked.
"Excuse me, but I think I have an idea." Ash said as he stepped forward.
"Ash." Felix said.
"The last time I saw Lysandre he made it clear that I have been a thorn in his side for a long time. That he has become obsessed with me and wanted me to suffer. I think we can use that to our advantage." Ash said.
"How so?" The other guardian asked.
"What if I were to approach the weapon alone. Lysandre wouldn't likely use the weapon on just me. Besides I have a feeling he would want to personally have me as his prisoner." Ash said.
"How would this help us?" Felix asked.
"If I could get inside, I have a way to cause a distraction. With the distraction in place it would draw Lysandre's attention away from the outside. Thus allowing everyone to move in and secure the base of the tower. " Ash said.
"How are you going to cause a distraction?" Felix asked.
"You just have to trust me dad." Ash said.
"This plan is risky, if Lysandre doesn't take the bait we could lose everyone to the weapon." Felix said.
"It's the same risk Vaeron and his guardians took." The other guardian said. Felix sighed.
"Alright, let's prepare to move out." Felix said. Serena walked up to Ash.
"Are you crazy? Going in there alone." Serena said.
"I won't be alone." Ash said showing the clicker.
"Ash you can't do this. It's to dangerous." Serena said.
"I have to Serena, my family is up there. I need to save them and get justice for your father." Ash said. Serena stared at the floor before looking back at him.
"Just promise me you won't get yourself killed." Serena said.
"I promise." Ash said before giving her a kiss. Felix walked over to Ash and the others.
"Ash I don't want you going in alone." Felix said.
"Dad I." Ash started.
"No, you're not going alone. I want another guardian to go with you." Felix said.
"Pardon me master but I could accompany him." Diana said.
"I warn you, it will be dangerous." Ash said.
" I can handle it." Diana said.
"Serena, from what I heard you can defend yourself fairly well. I know you will want in on this so you should stay with me." Felix said.
"Well ok." Serena said. Knowing that Serena would be with Felix made Ash feel better about her being part of the operation. He know though that it was going to be dangerous for everyone.
"I want to reiterate Ash, I know you won't like it. But team flare has used the ultimate weapon. When you get in a fight with them don't hesitate to kill them. It has come to this." Felix said.
Ash gave a determined look to his father.
"I'm ready to do what is necessary. To stop Lysandre." Ash said.
Author's note;
yup the rocket gang is still alive, I planned on them living all along.
We finally got to see Reduka, expect to see him one more time in this story.
The next chapter will be the end of the movie-flare arc so it will be a long one.
Also just so you know I added the character Diana from the request of one of you. I am willing to add one more if anyone sends me a one I think I can fit in.
So until next time please review, comment, suggest, or ask