It's getting a little dark, don't you think?

Ash ran straight to the Pokemon Center, ran to his room and locked the door. He was sweating, and deep down, he knew that Giratina was right. He knew that deep down, something was rising. Something hateful and vengeful that made him feel rage. This rage that he felt, that rose up so suddenly recently, had come out and attacked Serena. He hated himself, knowing that her sweet and innocent spirit must have been shattered with fear. Ash gritted his teeth and a tear slid down his cheek.

"Him," Ash whispered, "It's all because of him...because he left...I've never felt the same. Maybe he's right...I'm just like-"

Someone knocked at the door.

"A-Ash?"

He knew that Serena was outside the door. She sounded as if she had been crying.

"Serena?"

He walked over to the door and unlocked it and opened the door. Serena's blue eyes sparkled like she had been crying. She walked in and closed the door before coming to sit next to Ash.

"I'm sorry...I don't know what's wrong with me."

She made him face her.

"What did you see? What happened after I left?"

"I can't say..."

"Please tell me! I can't stand to see you hurting like this!"

A tear slid down her face.

"Please..."

"I looked at my reflection in the lake, and saw Gary."

"I didn't know he was even there! Where was he?"

"I saw him in myself."

"What do you mean? You're nothing like him!"

"He was angry...I was angry...he's taking advantage of the fact that I am angry too."

"But why? You looked fine earlier today. And who's he?"

"Remember when I was unconscious at the lake?"

"Yeah..."

"I entered the Distortion World, and came face-to-face with it's sole resident and ruler himself..."

Serena pulled out her PokePedia and searched the term 'Distortion World'.

"According to this, it's an alternate universe where all forms of matter in this world became something anew. Apparently it can only be accessed in the Sinnoh region. The only Pokemon that lives there is called 'Giratina'. He's ruled by despair and fury, and is attracted to those who are hiding their anger. Is that right?"

"Yes!"

"But how did you enter something that can only be accessed in the Sinnoh region in your dreams?"

"I don't know! But I have a feeling he has something to do with Gary."

"Enough about Gary."

She put her arms around his neck.

"What are you angry about?"

"I can't say...I don't want to remember."

"I understand. In the meantime, you should practice for tomorrow. You have a battle with Wulfric."

"I completely forgot! Thanks!"

The next day, after the gym battle...

"Congratulations, Ash!"

"That was an amazing battle!"

"Well done!"

"Thanks, guys! Now on to the Pokemon League!"

"But wait, Ash," Clemont said, "You haven't been to the Pokemon Village yet!"

"But-"

"There are some really adorable Pokemon there!" Bonnie said.

"She's right," Serena chimed in, "You should go!"

Outvoted again, Ash submitted.

"All right, fine. Let's go!"

In Pokemon Village...

"Wow, you weren't kidding about it being a beautiful place!" Ash said in awe.

"I told you!" Serena said.

"Why don't you catch some?" Bonnie suggested.

"You may want to update Pokemon for your team in the league." Clemont pointed out.

"But I only have one spot left!"

"Make the most of it then!" Serena said.

The group walked around and admired the many kinds of Pokemon. Ash searched for a Pokemon that deserved the 6th and final spot on his team. He found a Snorlax, Banette, and Gyarados, but he continued to look. He looked in a cave. Bonnie caught up to him.

"Hey, Ash! What if there was a legendary Pokemon in here? Would you catch it?"

"Maybe I will...if there was, that is..."

Bonnie ran out to join everyone else, leaving Ash alone in the cave.

"Well, nothing much to look at in here!"

"I wouldn't say that, Ashy-boy!"

He whirled around and found Gary standing in front of him. Except Gary this time looked different...he had dark eyes and added an ominous vibe to the environment, similar to the one Giratina produced.

"What-What-"

"See you soon, Ash!"

"Ash?" Serena stepped inside the cave.

"Did you see that?"

"See what?"

"Gary!"

Serena gasped.

"How did he find you?"

"I think I'm seeing things...maybe we should go. There are lots of Pokemon in the Pokemon League."

"You're right. Let's go!"

They rushed out of the cave and headed toward the Pokemon League gate. An ace trainer blocked his path.

"Hello, trainer! In order to continue, you need all eight badges. Let me see how many you have!"

Ash handed him his full Kalos badge case.

"Amazing! Good luck in the league!"

They walked past the trainer and continued to Victory Road. They entered a cave with platforms, steps, and lots of Pokemon. They walked past and Ariados tending to its newly hatched Spinarak. They passed a Graveler battling a Golem, with Geodude cheering. Hopping from one platform to the other, they walked up stairs and finally approached the Pokemon Cathedral.

"We made it! Are you ready Ash?" Serena asked.

"Yeah." Ash said with confidence.

"Good luck!" Bonnie said cheerily.

"NOT SO FAST!"

Behind them was Gary Oak, the rival turned enemy, smiling evilly.

"Gary?! Where did you-"

"Don't be so surprised, Ketchum! I said I would keep you from winning, and I will. Now all I have to do is finish the job."

Pikachu ran next to Ash's side, ready to battle. Bonnie ran to her brother and held him tight. Serena held Ash's hand.

"Scared?"

"No. If you want to battle, then I accept your challenge."

"Great! Except there's one twist..."

Ash stood silent.

"I'm battling you! LUGIA, LET'S GO!"

He threw a PokeBall to reveal a Shadow Lugia, prepared for battle.

"Use Aeroblast on Ashy-boy, please."

The Pokemon and aimed an Aeroblast at Ash.

"ASH LOOK OUT!"

Serena pushed him out of the way, and took the attack.

"SERENA!"

Surprised, Gary returned Lugia. Serena was on the ground, wincing in pain.

"Serena! Are you okay?"

"Ah-Ash..."

"Wow...you really care about her, don't you?"

Ash turned around to face Gary. He was seething with rage.

"Is that enough to make you release it? To see your sweet Serena hurt?"

"AAAHHHH!" Ash screamed.

"It hurts, doesn't it? Let it go! Let's have a real battle!"

"Never-"

"No? Okay, then! Let me help you!"

To Ash's surprise, Gary released another Pokemon. It was a Xerneas.

"Xerneas, heal Serena."

The Pokemon pranced over, and used Aromatherapy. Serena got up slowly, and ran over to Ash, only to be stopped by Xerneas.

"No, no, no...I'm not being that nice...but here's what I will do! Use Barrier on the inventor, Serena, and the little girl!"

Suddenly, his three companions were trapped in a large bubble with Xerneas on the inside. Gary walked inside.

"NO! AHHH!"

"ANGRY YET, ASHY-BOY? READY TO KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO HAVE EVERYTHING IMPORTANT TO YOU TAKEN AWAY?"

"AAAHHHH! LET-THEM-GO!"

He smiled.

"Why don't you make me? Xerneas, use Teleport!" (Xerneas probably can't use teleport, I know.)

"ASH!" Serena screamed.

"HELP US!" Bonnie yelled, with tears running down her face.

"Smell ya later, Ashy-boy!"

With that, they were gone. Ash and Pikachu were alone. Ash fell to his knees.

"WHY?! WHY?!"

Pikachu jumped and gave his broken trainer a hug. But it had no effect. (See what I did there?)

"Come on, Pikachu. We don't know where they are, but we'll find out."

They continued to the Pokemon Center before the Elite Four, and booked a room. He turned on the TV to be greeted with a news report.

"Breaking News! In Lavender Town, a large black cloud has appeared over the Pokemon Graveyard. Everything seems to be distorted, but we someone, or something, is in there."

Astonished, Ash looked at his past environment. He watched on, full of rage.

"Serena...Bonnie...Clemont...I'm coming for you."

TO BE CONTINUED...