Ash the Iron Trainer

by Mar 'Darry' Darren

It was a freak storm. One that separated Ash from Misty and Brock but not with Pikachu. And yet Ash was able to find an entire new region and be reunited with a friend that he never thought he will see again. With four young Pokémon found in a crate as eggs, Ash will take this new region and in the future, Kanto with skill and Mega Evolution!

21. Where Life and Death are Trapped

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.

"Pokémon" – Normal Speech

'Pokémon' – Thoughts

Pokémon – Flashback

Pokémon – Move Names and Pokémon Abilities

{Pokémon} – Pokédex

Ash, the Iron Trainer

Where Life and Death are Trapped By Flames

Previously on Ash the Iron Trainer;

"You have lost. You and your little gang have lost." Ash spoke like a predator to his prey that have failed to out run him. "Now if you don't mind…" Ash then approached the defeated scientist with the intimidating forms of Blastoise and Charizard staring down as well. "Where is the switch to de-activate your fake weapon?"

"Fake…!?" Xerosic growled out until he saw the faces of the powerful Pokémon looking with faces of malice. "It is real. We made it so and why should I just turn it off now?" Large growls were his answer. "Alright! One of the switches behind me turns it off and the other turns it on! Just take your pick!"

"So be it." Ash said and walked over to the blue large button on the left without hesitation. Once he pressed it, the room roared to life but with the hum of a machine powering down. "I am sure that you wanted me to press the other button to turn this so-called weapon."

"…Yes." Xerosic said but then turned from defeated old man to a tyrant who has a sneaky plan to pull out of his sleeve. "But all you did was cut off the weapon from our headquarters! Why else did you think I made a miniature control for the weapon, right here!" Xerosic revealed some kind of handheld device with a large red button that he pressed immediately after he revealed it; he did this with a smile and the laugh of any evil scientist

Ash ignored the madman laugh cruelly to see what could only be in nightmares. Out of the ground near where the three stone slabs were located in Geosenge Town. Only that they weren't just rock slabs. They were the tips of the weapon.

The earth shook inside the entire town and ended momentarily when the three stone tips had moved, and submerged right back into the ground. Then the moment of silence ended with the ground shaking twice as hard. Then the earth cracked where the three large stone slabs vanished.

Out of it came the ultimate weapon. It looked suitable for its awakening like a flower bulb. It was a large flower with petals made of mystic glass/crystal. Inside was more of the crystal material and it contained something of a blue dome, based with a red cone, both were radiating energy. And at the bottom of the ultimate weapon, that disappeared back into the ground, were large power coils that are definitely coming from where Team Flare was powering the weapon.

"Ash…that…that weapon…" Serena could only gasp and struggle to find her words.

"It could do more than destroy Kalos along with everything living on it, the whole world can be destroyed by this giant weapon. If left unstopped, Team Flare can just might complete their plan." Ash could only reply, with memories of the world outside flooding his systems.

"Alright kids, thanks for the tip you left us." Thankfully Ash and Serena had a back-up plan if they should be captured or done in worse by Team Flare. Cleaning up the hidden headquarters was now done by the members of the IRPO (Interregional Pokémon Organization) stationed in Kalos; the local police will handle the grunts and closing off the sight from any interference from the crowds. "Now we have received reports that Geosenge Town has been closed off. The time it will take for us to open the roads will be too long, the only way in is by flying." This report was given to them by one of those officials.

"Can't you do that and open the town that way?" Serena asked while Ash was still quiet. What happened with Lysandre still haunted him, when he allowed the Gyarados to intimidate him into surrendering.

"Sorry kid, but unlike there, we have our hands full making sure that we have rounded up all the criminals. And so far, no one is getting hurt or in any danger." The official answered. "Sorry to ask this but since you kids stopped Lysandre's top scientist, you should try to hold off what they have planned in Geosenge Town. We will make the quickest work here in Lumiose City."

Serena wanted to argue but couldn't find the words. She lost all that when Ash finally showed some life, grasping her hand comfortably and showing her the blue eyes that Serena could get submerged in. "Let's go Serena. Charizard and Delphox can carry us there once we make a quick trip to the Pokémon Center."

"B-but Ash, Lysandre was the one who defeated you! Why would you run right into his hands again and risk another lost!?" Serena wanted to talk some sense into her friend, and when thought that she actually struck a nerve hard,

"I lost because I was against no ordinary trainer. What he did instead was show how dark humans can be." Ash said. "Thanks for the concern, but I am afraid that there is turning back now. It is either that we face Lysandre again or let his plan to wipe out the region and your home instead. All just to avoid another defeat." Serena didn't say another word, "I can't forgive myself if I let your home region get destroyed all for something that selfish. I am going and it is all on you to follow or not."

"I WILL!" Serena suddenly shouted, puzzling that no one else reacted to it. "I never regretted being with you during your most foolish moments and I am still your friend! I will be there when you fall like you always did me!" Ash smiled at the look of bravery and determination.

"Thank you, Serena. It is all I ask in a friend. A friend like you too Pikachu." Ash couldn't have included the little yellow rodent out. And Pikachu always loved Ash's finger rubbing the top of his head.

And so, a quick trip to heal at the Pokémon Center was done, without any questions asked. Once that was finished, Ash realized his sole Flying type while Serena improvised with her first Pokémon and Delphox's ability to use Psychic to mimic flight. It didn't take long at all to reach Geosenge Town. And the two trainers saw that the inhabitants were forced out of the town, the entrances and exits had blockades and grunts armed with Pokéballs ready.

Ash silently signaled for both Serena and the Pokémon to land without too much noise. They wanted to avoid any conflict to wear them down before meeting up with the madman again. That was why they had to knock out the guard standing in the path out of town and to the stone moment that was long declared to be just that. It was the prefect entrance to Team Flare's Secret HQ.

After stealing the entry card from the grunt, Ash activated the door which immediately led to an elevator. Both trainers returned their Pokémon for the time being and made their way inside. It took a while for the elevator to reach the bottom,

"Are you sure that you are ready Ash? You might not get the chance to bail out this time when…" Serena was still concerned and Ash smooched her on the lips quickly but left a lasting feeling.

"When that happens, remember that this might be the last time I will see you as my friend. I will never forget about my friends; can you promise me to do the same?" Ash asked and Serena nodded with a blush on her face. That was when the bell ringed for the elevator to reach the bottom-most floor, that has to be where Lysandre is.

The doors open wide like on the surface above to show a room that was as polished and metallic as the Lysandre Labs. There were rows of computers and scientists doing their work and ignoring the trainers walking past them. Then there was the man of the house, Lysandre himself!

"Welcome trainers, I am not surprised that you figured out our real secret Headquarters. It is just that you got here with a good amount of time. Otherwise you would have missed the show." Lysandre was as daunting and creepily calm as ever.

"Not miss you fail!" Ash retorted. "Why go this far? You were once a respected, noble man and now you become this monster!"

"You haven't lost anything children. No matter how much you thought you did." Lysandre responded. "You were once friends but now you are together again. Your families are still in their homes and your friends are who knows where. There is nothing you lost that will be anything like mine."

"So what!?" Serena then shouted. "So what Kalos isn't prefect? It is as beautiful as it always was. What's wrong with it."

"Everything!" Lysandre actually shouted this time but the two trainers steeled their nerves. "Why should I have lost my best friend while you keep yours!? Why should any of us be shunned while you are always welcomed!? You think that this world is for everyone, but it is not! This world is just filled with people that want and want more, to the point they steal and lie to gain it! This world can't exist a moment longer!"

"Then what about Pokémon!?" Ash retorted. "Not only will us be killed by your plan but all the Pokémon in Kalos will die! What did they do to deserve what you say we do!?"

Lysandre said nothing and Ash could have sworn to see something dripping down his red coat. Before he could say anything about it, Lysandre argued back. "Pokémon will also perish. That is a good price for making a more beautiful Kalos…"

"I had come all this way to not hear such words from that mouth of yours, Lysandre! Now you sound more like that AZ and what he did three thousand years ago, only worse!" Ash retorted. "It took him that much time to see what he really became, why should it take that long for the same thing to happen to you!?"

"SILENCE!" Lysandre now looked like a madman. "If you children won't see my pain and how I can't forgive this world for allowing it all to exist, then you will have to stop me yourself!" Ash saw that Lysandre took out a different Pokéball, one that he certainly never seen the large man use before.

"I planned to merely stall you but this time, I will win!" Ash took out another Pokéball himself.

"So be it, come and serve, Mienshao!" This Pokémon looked familiar to the two trainers so Ash scanned it.

{Mienshao, the Martial Arts Pokémon and the evolved form of Mienfoo. Mienshao's arm attacks are so fast they're almost invisible. It uses its long arm fur as a whip.}

Mienshao is a white and long bodied Pokémon with a small head and small, triangular ears. Its forehead has a purple spot adorning it as well as a yellow one on its snout. It possesses a pair of long, yellow tipped whiskers which have split ends. Its arms are almost completely covered by a large amount of fur that is tipped in purple and split at the end. This arm fur is used as a weapon in battle and acts like a battle whip. Its torso has one purple ring of fur around its midsection. It also has purple fur on the bottom section of the torso, which resemble pants, and its bottom paws are clawed. It has a long, skinny tail that, like its paw fur, is tipped purple and split at its end. Mienshao is respectful and is usually seen training with its Trainer.

"If you draw then I will, Gogoat!" Ash sent out one of his reserved Pokémon to prepare for this stalling of a battle. Ash's instincts warned him that Lysandre wasn't going to hold back like in Lysandre Labs; and the boy knew better to not ignore his instincts, they never failed him before.

"A very impressive specimen you have there, boy." Lysandre commented. "I look forward to this match up, so use Meditate." Mienshao chirped back and went into the standard meditation stance that increased its attack power.

"Get ready with Bulk Up!" Ash called out and Gogoat tensed its muscles, getting tougher and stronger. "Now use Bulldoze!" Gogoat stooped the floor so hard that it ripped like waves on the surface of an ocean. These not only damaged Mienshao, having been caught off guard surprisingly, but now the Martial Arts Pokémon is slightly slower than before.

"Nice skill too. Mienshao, lets attack with Acrobatics!" Lysandre responded to this tactic with Mienshao charging with the grace and moves of a circus acrobat. And despite what the name might suggest, this move dealt Flying type damage. But Ash just might have been more ahead than he appeared,

"Try using Wild Charge, standing still!" Ash called out just in time for Mienshao to start jumping and attacking Gogoat. But once it did, Gogoat covered itself with electricity. By a miracle, the power from that Acrobatics was halted by the lighting and instead, Mienshao was the one to take damage. "Now Double Edge!"

Gogoat stopped his protective flow of lighting to charge into Mienshao with his body covered in powerful but damaging energy. Mienshao took most of the damage Gogoat showed the recoil pain. "Mienshao, time to stop playing and get serious! Jump high into the air!"

Mienshao heard the voice of its trainer and obeyed despite the great bruising on its torso. Once up in the air, "Use Swords Dance and then High Jump Kick!" Ash saw that Mienshao was at the point it can cause great damage to his Pokémon,

"Bulk Up and then Leaf Blade at Mienshao!" Ash commanded and Gogoat got tense again, ready for the amount of power behind Mienshao's latest attack. The Bulk Up gave Gogoat the strength to jump high with its grassy main forming a jagged green blade, ready to attack the descending Pokémon. Within a few seconds, both Pokémon met in the air and with a shockwave sent from the point they touched. Just as quickly, both Pokémon fell to the hard, cold ground below. It looked like Mienshao and Gogoat both received damage.

"Get up, hurry and finish it off with Aura Sphere!" Lysandre cried out for a moment but saw that Mienshao was bruised even worse than before. No wonder the Marital Artist Pokémon was shaking violently; it was like all its bones were cracked and struggled to be sturdy.

"Use Milk Drink Gogoat!" Ash called out and Gogoat started to suck at his own utters, healing most of the damage he took. Milk Drink was a very valuable move, once made a Gym leader nigh undefeatable to rookie trainers; that was one of the tales Ash learned when he was giving his Pokémon a little break from it training and battling.

"Now finish with Horn Leech!" Ash commanded and Gogoat charged for the shaking and helpless Mienshao, unable to stop Gogoat from striking it with green glowing antlers that sapped away its remaining health. Mienshao suffered so badly, it fell unconscious in a split second; its body resting on Gogoat's horns like a trophy, but only until Lysandre recalled it to its Pokéball.

He soon took out another one. "Spread misfortune to our enemies, Honchkrow!" Like with Mienshao, Ash had a feeling of similarity with this and the Dark/Flying type that Lysandre used in the battle within his hidden labs. He scanned it immediately

{Honchkrow, the Big Boss Pokémon and the evolved form of Murkrow. Honchkrow recruits many Murkrow to travel with it, and it spends much of its time at home preening its feathers.}

Honchkrow is a dark-blue avian Pokémon with plumage resembling a person dressed in formal attire. It has a large feather crest resembling a fedora hat that has spikes extending from the back. It has circular red eyes with white sclera and dark blue eyelids. Its yellow beak is slightly curved, and its head is supported by a broad, short neck. Honchkrow has a white and prominent crest of feathers on its chest that bears resemblance to a beard or cravat. Its wings have red feathers on the inside. Honchkrow has black feet with four toes. The tail's base is a white, cylindrical stalk, on which there is a growth of red feathers on the end. Honchkrow is known to be ruthless. With a mere cry, it can summon and organize flocks of Murkrow in this manner, and is known as the "summoner of the night" by the pitch black darkness that often accompany such a spectacle.

It is said that a Honchkrow will never forgive the mistakes of the Murkrow that follow it. These flocks have been seen flying at night. The purpose of the flocks is unclear, but they are known to collect food for the Honchkrow that organized them. Honchkrow normally spends the daytime hours tending to its feathers in solitude. It is a scavenger that lives in swamps, forests, human towns and cities, and plains.

"Double Edge!"

"Sky Attack!"

Gogoat charged with the same self-damaging move while Honchkrow did its own powerful attack. But unlike Mienshao and its Acrobatics, this bird was much better adept to this Flying type moves. That was how Honchkrow evaded the Double Edge and finished off Gogoat with Sky Attack alone!

"Gogoat, return!" Ash did just that and whispered a silent and short 'thanks' before taking out one of the Pokémon he always had on hand. "Go! Bisharp!" This only made Lysandre smirk with amusement,

"I see. You aren't relying on those with a clear advantage, just those with diverse move sets and with a large amount of resistances. I truly never met a trainer like you!" Ash didn't a say a word, just retained his tense and unwavering focus on the battle, with his Bisharp doing the same.

"If you are going to talk instead of taking the first move than we will. Use Slash!" Ash commanded and Bisharp moved in with speeds that defined his weight and Steel typing. His right hand then glowed white, with power gathered on his fingertips

"Okay then boy. Retaliate!" Lysandre took the chance to call for a move too. Honchkrow moved in for a strike that had the conviction to avenge the fallen Martial Arts Pokémon. But it was inevitable that Bisharp will take barely any damage more than a scratch on the helmet, meanwhile Honchkrow felt a lot of damage from that Slash attack.

"Now let's not drag this along. Thunder Wave!" Ash called out and Bisharp moaned; this was a tactic for swift victories, no fun at all. But he did it anyways since Honchkrow will just be a boring match for him anyways. And Honchkrow was then covered with paralyzing lighting. "Guillotine!"

Ash and his Bisharp had found out that Guillotine's usually dismal accuracy rate is positively affected by the effects of Thunder Wave. That was why Honchkrow couldn't avoid that knock-out move. Lysandre sure took that a little hard, he almost cracked Honchkrow's Pokéball as he returned the Pokémon.

"Time for a rematch, with flames hotter and a mane that won't falter, Pyroar!" Lysandre sent out the Pokémon that became his trademark but not necessary his ace. Ash thought hard about this one then sent out and returned his Bisharp before,

"Go! Snorlax!" The earth shook violently as the larger-than-life sleeping Pokémon appeared and roared. It had actually been excited and rearing for another battle. Paired with his massive girth and strength, Snorlax will prove to be a strong Pokémon for Ash to fight with, for sure.

"You sure have quite the collection boy. Now use Fire Blast!" Ash ignored Lysandre's comments since they were getting dry and not worth any thought.

"Use your own!" Ash knew that Normal type Pokémon might be seen as the weakest of types with one weakness, one immunity and not super effective against any other typing. But their true worth came from their ability to learn a large variant of moves by typing. Snorlax was taken along to be another tank against Lysandre, from which Ash showed it how to use a couple of Fire type moves.

With that in mind, Snorlax roared and released fire that matched Pyroar's. "Now use Rollout!" Snorlax positioned himself into a rolling form and charged for Pyroar.

"Take Down and hold in place with Fire Fang!" Lysandre called out so his Pyroar charged towards the large and ludicrously heavy Snorlax. And the Royal Pokémon found out just how heavy the Sleeping Pokémon was and just how awful it was trying to keep Snorlax in place. He even noticed that while his fangs with fire were damaging Snorlax, there wasn't a 'yelp' of pain.

"Move to use Body Slam!" Snorlax then got the Pyroar to let loose the fangs and before the Royal Pokémon could move, he was flattened. "Nice try with that Fire Fang, Lysandre. Why do you think I even sent our Snorlax against a Fire type that I know can use Fire type attacks?" Ash said with a sarcastic tone that got Lysandre to grit his teeth at Ash's disrespect, only to sweat slightly once Lysandre was able to find out that Ash had sent out a Pokémon that humiliated his trademark.

Too bad that Lysandre had gotten his cool back, to keep his noble appearance up. "Yes, I do, boy!" Lysandre still had to vent some steam with his voice raised. "You already embarrassed me not once by twice." Lysandre then returned his Pyroar, deciding that it was a waste of time to try and fight a Snorlax that had the ability Thick Fat. "You have proven your point, that you hate me." Ash said nothing. "You also proven that you have guts, you have the clear judgement about Pokémon, you have skill with your team and that you have conviction to go against grown-ups and play our adult games." Lysandre then reached for the fourth ball.

"Now let's see that conviction against my ace, who roars at the heavens and splits the oceans, Gyarados!" Lysandre has changed his tactics for sure and this was Ash's chance to show that history will not repeat, especially that disgrace back at the labs' entrance. "Use Iron Head!"

Snorlax didn't hear any commands from Ash yet so the Sleeping Pokémon just took the damage. That left a bruise but Snorlax still didn't do a thing; he just got up and stared at Gyarados, trying his best not to show if the Intimidate ability was getting to him. "If you are not going to attack then so be it! Hydro Pump!"

Gyarados roared and sent out a large gust of water at Snorlax. Now the Sleeping Pokémon was drenched and tried to hold his breath while temporary submerged. Lysandre saw that this didn't even get Snorlax to flinch. Gyarados tried an Earthquake attack but Snorlax only wobbled and got back into position, an Aqua Tail didn't do a thing either. "Outrage!" Lysandre commanded and Gyarados charged, covered in raging red, ready to attack like a berserker.

"Thunder Punch!" Ash called out and Snorlax shout out its eyes to show the fighting spirit unbound. Reeling in his fist, Snorlax summoned lighting to that point and landed that hit on Gyarados when the Atrocious Pokémon was just about to touch Snorlax. "It seems that you can't even back your own words up. You wanted to see our conviction, so you say, but you really us to be in a jam that we can't attack until you stopped holding back." Serena and Pikachu, on the side lines, widen their eyes but didn't say a word.

"Now see that we are immovable, nothing will ever move us and especially not you and your madness!" With that said by Ash, Snorlax roared in a volume that shook the room and even Gyarados found itself intimidated ironically. They all just waited for Lysandre to issue another order and keep this battle going for longer still.

"Enough. That's enough." Lysandre suddenly said, getting the attention of his opponent and the Pokémon battling. When they all looked his way, Lysandre was looking at something on his wrist. "It is almost time. Why not you go and take a look at what took us years to find, both of them." Ash and Serena charged with Greninja still out to where Lysandre was pointing with an open palm.

XXXXX

Ash and Serena looked down to a large chamber, almost reaching down ten more levels. It was a lot like the one where the two trainers meet the creepy head scientist. But there was this single machine on the center bottom. It was a large mechanical stand with four cords going up to the ceiling. And then there was the pair of objects right on the machine, as if they both were the source.

"Legends say that when Xerneas saves the land and restores life, it turns to a wilted tree. And that when Yveltal completes the destruction of the world, it goes to sleep in a cocoon." Lysandre spoke up and the two trainers said nothing. They gaze on what truly looks like a dead tree pulled out of the ground and a cocoon that was just as large. "Both of them are due for their time of awakening. And once they do, their powers will cause Kalos to be reset, to be a much better land than before!"

"Shut up!" Ash finally snapped, and ignored everyone's surprise reaction. "I am getting tired of you saying that Kalos is ugly, a wasteland. It's not! I am not going to let you take anything anymore!"

"If you think that you can, then the door down will be on your right." Lysandre was still calm for someone who actually lost this time. "I won't stop you but I can't say for my people that still want a better Kalos. I will be a little late, healing my team, so good luck."

Ash didn't pay him any mind. There wasn't anything for him to say to a madman like him, and neither his friends. All that mattered was to go through the door and down the flight of stairs to where they saw the power room.

Of course, getting down the twenty sets of stairs was like a walk in the park compared to the pairs of grunts that at the bottom of every set and around every corner. There was nothing special about the Pokémon they used, mostly the same as the grunts from the Routes above and the Lysandre Labs; the usual Toxicroak, Liepard, Manectric, Mightyena, Houndoom, and Scrafty.

Then they came across the door at the bottom of the stairwell. It took some time with the lock since Ash had this thing in his head, trying to tell him which button to press. Ash wasn't sure what it was but it got his attention to how Team Flare was slowly disappearing from public knowledge; they were already near the competition of their plan despite what the two trainers did to foil their operations.

Regardless, the door opened and revealed the same room; it was much bigger up-close. The glow was still as eerie as ever, the air was cold and lifeless. But there was only one thing to do inside; shut down the power to the weapon up on the surface and in the middle of Geosenge Town. And there was that large button in the shape of a Pokéball, it was glowing red and pulsed like a heartbeat.

"Might as well." Ash said and moved closer while Serena stayed close to him. But when Ash got his hand close to the shut-down button,

"LOOK!" Serena shouted, with a look of absolute horror that appeared on Ash and Pikachu once they turned into the direction of her eyesight. It was the wilted tree and cocoon, something was happening to them. They started to glow and hum, rather loudly, and the air in the room suddenly felt both heavy and cold. The trainers and Pikachu soon felt like they were now in the presence of gods.

XXXXX

The dead-looking tree started to crack apart and reveal a majestic creature. Ash knew that he had to see for himself with his Pokédex.

{Xerneas, the Life Pokémon. Legends say it can share eternal life. It slept for a thousand years in the form of a tree before its revival.}

Xerneas is a blue and black, quadrupedal, stag-like cervine Pokémon with an eight-horned set of antlers extending out from its head, four on each side. The horns are pale blue and the protrusions the same blue as its upper body. Xerneas's head is blue with two horns on either side of its head, and the root of its horns mark its face, just below the eye and over the nose. Its eyes are the same color as its fur, and its pupils are X-shaped. The blue portion of its body ends at the chest area where the "fur" juts outward to the side, similar to the blue horns on its face. On its breast is an inverted V-shape that is also pale gold in Active Mode and pale blue in Neutral Mode. The inside of the V-shape is black and extends into its lower body.

The rest of its body is black with a blue stripe running along its spine; when it is in Active Mode, the shine from its horns decorate its back in small, multicolored spots. It has a slim, fluffy black tail where the blue stripe ends. Its legs are fashioned like blades with forward-pointing "hooks" at the tips, creating a cross shape, with the main "edges" trimmed with the same color as the horns (pale gold in Active Mode, pale blue in Neutral Mode); the trim on its forelegs further map a crude sword-like pattern: a long blade, a cross-guard, and a hilt.

Xerneas has the power to share eternal life; this occurs as the horns on its head shine in seven colors. When Xerneas is at the end of its life, it releases all of its life energy into all the living things in around it and transforms into a tree to sleep for 1,000 years. Xerneas also has the power to create forests, making Xerneas a benevolent force in nature. Xerneas is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Geomancy; which drastically increases Xerneas's Special Attack, Defense and Speed within two turns charge.

Then the cocoon started to crack and change color, Ash quickly scanned that one too.

{Yveltal, the Destruction Pokémon. When this legendary Pokémon's wings and tail feathers spread wide and glow red, it absorbs the life force of living creatures.}

Yveltal is a large Pokémon with avian and draconian traits. Its body is dark in coloration and is adorned with grayish patterns along the underside. Yveltal's wings have three spikes on each extending along the bottom edges, close to where they meet the body. There are five large claws on each appendage, three of which curve inwards. Yveltal's underside is bright red, with branching, black markings. Similar markings are present on Yveltal's head and neck.

Yveltal has a pointed, beak-like snout. Black horns extend from above its blue eyes, with a sharply curved portion pointing forward and thinner prongs facing the rear. A feathery gray ruff encircles its neck and billows out over its back. Yveltal has small, birdlike legs with powerful talons. Like the rest of the underside, the legs are red with black adornments, and the talons are gray. Each foot has two toes facing forward and one pointing backwards. When Yveltal's wings and tail are fully extended, Yveltal resembles the Latin alphabet letter Y.

Yveltal has the power to absorb life energy. When it reaches the end of its lifespan, it expands its wings and steals all of the life energy of every living thing around it before transforming into a cocoon to sleep for 1,000 years. Yveltal is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Oblivion Wing; which deals Flying type damage and heals the user based on half the damage done to the target.

"Xerneas and Yveltal…" Ash and Serena turned over to see Lysandre with some kind of strange armor. It consisted of a pair of goggles that had the hue of a flare, a metal gauntlet that had plates blooming outward and a power pack on his back, it had three devices attached by a cable that flew with wings. "Now that you both have awaken, I will capture the two of you and complete my plans!"

"They are not going anywhere with you!" Ash retorted, getting between the large man and the two Pokémon still dazed from just awakening.

"Get out of my way, boy. You are just a ten-year old! You can't hope to match the power of legendary Pokémon! They are nothing like the ones you have ever encountered anywhere in Kalos!" Lysandre retorted but Ash then surprised him,

"I do. Both my friend and I do have. In Terminus Caverns, we met the one that will stop both from any conflict." Ash argued back. "But there is no conflict between them, just you trying to weaponize Pokémon. Have you lost all love for Pokémon!?"

"If I don't fix this world than who will!?" Lysandre retorted. "And I need their power to do it! Now get out of my way!" But Lysandre didn't take another step when Serena also got between him and the Legendary Pokémon. He saw that they both glowed with green energy that filled the room with its glow, especially on Xerneas and Yveltal.

Then a miracle happened. Both the Pokémon of Life and the Pokémon of Destruction faced the two trainers, moving from their former prison and landing on both sides of Ash and Serena. Anyone could look into their eyes and see that these legends were going to fight by the side of the trainers, against Lysandre.

"You are just becoming a thorn in my side, a pain in my neck every single moment huh?" Lysandre then chuckled, as if he had snapped to see his plan crumbling to bits. "Fine! You got lucky last time but I will not fail this time! Meet my real team!"

The two trainers recognized the Mienshao, the Honchkrow, and especially the Pyroar. But there was something different about the Gyarados this time, it didn't even bother to use its Intimidate ability on any of its enemies. "Gyarados, with the power to crush mountains and silence the seas, become one that even the bravest of fools won't dare to face! Mega Evolve!"

It was difficult but the trainers and their new Pokémon allies didn't budge to see Gyarados glow brightly and morph almost completely. Ash knew for sure that this Gyarados has more differences than a coat of paint and losing its wings. He scanned it with a special app for his Kalos Pokédex.

{This Pokémon has undergone its Mega Evolution. Its typing has changed to Water and Dark. Its ability is now Mold Breaker.}

Now as Mega Gyarados, it is bulkier than its previous form. The fins on its face, its barbels, and its crest are now considerably longer. A large spike extends downward underneath its chin, and it now has a black underside. The yellow spots along its body are replaced by raised red scales that run down its side with a single red stripe below them. Two large white fins appear on its back, similar to those on its face. Most of the other fins along its back disappear, except for the one near the tail. Instead, it now has four white, pointed fins near is tail: two on its back and two on its underside.

"Mienshao use High Jump Kick! Honchkrow, Night Slash! Pyroar, Fire Blast! And Mega Gyarados, use Hyper Beam!" Lysandre called out to his team and they each acted accordingly. Mienshao jumped on high and ready to descend at the speeds of a meteor; Honchkrow charged too, with its wing ready to do STAB damage; Pyroar went for distance by roaring out fire in the form of the Kanji for the element; and Mega Gyarados sent out a brightly powerful beam of pure energy. Now, as they are attacking, it is Ash's turn.

"Yveltal, use Hurricane! Xerneas, do your Geomancy!" Ash called out and the dark and Flying type conjured up a wind wall that is called a hurricane to both meet the attacks head on and making sure that not one gets an inch closer. Meanwhile, the Pokémon with antlers glowed brightly, ready to increase its stats. "Now show me your skill, Disable on them all!"

This command was totally foolhardy but it was enough to appease this Legendary Pokémon. By the glint of its eyes, Yveltal caused the four Pokémon to glow red and suddenly unable to use the moves they just tried at the start of the battle. "Time for another plan, Mienshao use Quick Guard! The rest of you, attack!"

Mienshao made a wall of its own, on its guard from certain attacks. Meanwhile, the rest of Lysandre's team tried the other moves in their arsenal. Honchkrow glowed a bright blue outline, Pyroar charged with fangs covered with flames and Mega Gyarados also started to glow and dove in for a charge attack as well.

"Xerneas, take that Mega Gyarados's attack! Yveltal, use Air Slash on the other two!" Ash called out and Yveltal easily intercepted Honchkrow and Pyroar. Meanwhile, Xerneas has finished charging up its Geomancy move, moving in with increased speed and met Mega Gyarados head on. And Ash's judgement was spot on, that Pokémon tried to use Dragon Rush, a move that won't harm a Pokémon like Xerneas.

"Mega Gyarados, use Iron Head!" Lysandre shouted so his ace moved for another attack head-on. "Everyone, focus on Yveltal!" Ash then saw what Lysandre was plotting,

"Get ready to use your best move Yveltal!" Ash called out to the grim Flying type who nodded. "Xerneas, keep dodging until you have enough room to use Megahorn!" Ash turned to the Life Pokémon who had been annoying Mega Gyarados by being a target it can barely land a hit on.

And the Fairy type heard that perfectly, using its antlers to form a large horn that halted Mega Gyarados's Iron Head! Since Mega Gyarados's head was iron hard, the Megahorn couldn't as much scratch it. However, the Megahorn had done a good job preventing that otherwise super effective hit from landing on Xerneas.

"Focus Blast, wide range if you please." Ash then directed and Yveltal loved this gig every minute. After getting some attitude, the Destruction Pokémon used its legendary power to make not one but four spheres of focused energy! And they all were launched at Lysandre's team, with a critical hit on the Mega Gyarados!

Seeing his team being crushed by two Pokémon that were barely winded, Lysandre was about to overload his brain trying to think of a winning strategy. But it was all to no avail when Ash decided, "This is going on too long. It is time to finish this. Use Oblivion Wing on those three! Xerneas, Moon Blast on the Mega Gyarados!"

And once both attacks were sent into Lysandre's way, it was all over. Yveltal's Oblivion Wing had drained its target of their remaining health. Meanwhile, Mega Gyarados tried to dodge but Xerneas was able to land its Moon Blast with all its enhanced power from the Geomancy from before. While the other three Pokémon were scattered around, Gyarados landed right in front of Lysandre, out for the count for the first time.

Seeing that he lost the battle and didn't even challenge the two Pokémon Legends, Lysandre broke down. He grabbed and cracked his goggle, throwing it to the ground hard. He grabbed the gauntlet on his left arm and tore it apart in his hands. And he dislodged the pack from his pack and kicked it away. "This is it. I, the descendant and successor to what my foolish ancestor tried to, lost to a child. It's all over; this world will be forever rotten with greed and selfishness."

Serena didn't like one bit of it. "You know, that is not true. The world isn't rotten. You shared with your people, your men and your Pokémon. There are plenty of people that share and give still."

"…" Lysandre said nothing. "…I never met another person that I will share, give and call friend ever since they took away my first Pokémon. I've tried and I never found another friend. Everyone just wants, they never care, they never share or even bat an eye to people who have lost nearly everything they had. Why should I share with a world that never shares itself?"

"And what about your Gyarados!?" Ash then retorted and for once, Lysandre was silent. "You said that you hate mankind for being greedy and don't see Pokémon as your friends. But that's a lie! And your Gyarados's Mega Evolution is proof. Its power isn't yours, or its own! It is the power that you share with your Pokémon!" Lysandre can still say not a word, only grit his teeth.

"You can come with us, Lysandre. You still have a chance to give Kalos another go." Serena then spoke up. "If not then we will be your friends. We both can achieve Mega Evolution so we know what it's like to have a friendship with Pokémon."

"…maybe." Lysandre finally spoke up. "I lost my first and only friend to my fellow men and never saw them that way again. Only as monsters who were after me for my wealth and my status. I just wanted to vanquish them all, so no one will have to suffer at their hands again. And to me, this was the only way." This time, no one said anything. But then the room started to shake!

"What's this!?" Ash shouted, grabbed Serena's hand by reflex and secured his hold on Pikachu. Lysandre just looked up with the look of a sad man who had given up on life.

"This entire structure was designed to use the power of the Legendary Pokémon. Now that they have been removed and my men disabled, there was nothing stopping the weapon from firing on itself." Lysandre calmly responded. "It won't be long before the weight of the ground will cause a cave-in. You need to run!"

And the trainers did until they noticed that with about forties levels of rubble, even the two Legends of Kalos can't make through. The exit was just not built to be used for Xerneas and Yveltal in the event they awakened and tried to escape; the Secret HQ was just too cramped and small for them both to make themselves through. It was like cats trying to make their way through mouse holes.

"Just this once?" Ash asked in front of the large Pokémon. In both hands were Ultra Balls, the best thing below the Master Ball. There was just one Master Ball and two of the Legendries. Both Xerneas and Yveltal were skeptical about being inside the Ultra Balls, captured like just moments ago, but the rubble made short time of their decision. They just trusted Ash to release them once they got out; the trainer himself was glad there was now resistance or argument with the ceiling falling, any time soon to leave was great.

But Ash then noticed that they were short of one person, turned around and saw Lysandre still on his knees. He was still sulking in defeat despite the rocks falling and landing around him. "Hurry! You will get killed! Come on!"

"Go!" Lysandre turned around and showed the eyes of a man lost to himself. "It is too late for me! Make Kalos and the whole world beautiful! And may you find more happiness than I ever did!" Ash cried out until a boulder cut them off, and the trainer was forced to run to get out. What ever happened to Lysandre, it happened swift and painless; and somewhat peaceful for the man who forgotten what it was like.

End of Chapter 21.

*Well I think that the break is long over. I thought that I can get this done in time for the official arrival of Pokémon Generation VII. But that was too ambitious, especially for a college student like me.

If you noticed that I have copied Alian's strategy with his own Bisharp then I apologize. I don't want to steal the idea from the anime series. This will not appear again in this story. I promise that.

With that out of the way, the only left to do is get this chapter done and one day get the Kalos arc done. I plan to have Ash to have another adventure in a region but after having one in an alternate dimension. Tell me what you think of that and have a good holiday month! *

Pokémon on Hand;

Ash – Pikachu (Male), Doublade (Male), Bisharp (Male), Mawile (Female), Durant (Female), Greninja (Female), Charizard (Male), Snorlax (Male), Xerneas (Genderless) and Yveltal (Genderless).

Serena – Delphox (Female), Mr. Mime (Female), Cubone (Male), Kangaskhan (Female), Phantump (Female) and Weavile (Female).

Off Hand;

Ash – Ledian (Female), Kadabra (Female), Smeargle (Male), Sableye (Male), Quilladin (Male), Lucario (Male), Luvdisc (Male), Talonflame (Male), Gogoat (Male), Lapras (Female), Poliwag (Male), Ferrothorn (Female), Rotom (Female), Gourgiest (Female), Snover (Male), Venusaur (Female), Blastoise (Male) and Shuckle (Male).

Serena – Furfrou (Male), Spritize (Male), Swirlix (Female), Audino (Female), Luvdisc (Female), Poliwag (Female), Plusle & Minun (Female) and Gourgiest (Male).