Content warning: suicide. If you've seen the XYZ anime, it's nothing new, but I thought it was good to make it clear.
Kalos.
Lysandre turned to his ally beside him, on the floor of Prism Tower. With the hum of power in his hands, he felt the world open up before him.
He spoke. "Thank you. This Mega Evolution energy is quite useful in destroying this imperfect world."
The boy on the floor turned, startled by his voice.
"The next sunrise shall mark the beginning of the new and beautiful world, a world full of peace…"
His speech was interrupted. Thud. Thud. Thud. The boy was violently slamming his fist into the floor. Lysandre could hear the emotions overflowing through the dull metallic clanging. Anger. Regret. Disappointment.
He realized that he had lost an ally.
It was a shame, too. Alain had proven to be a powerful asset, with his Mega Charizard rivaling the strength of even Champions.
But there was another young Trainer on Prism Tower with promising strength. Perhaps, there was another ally to be had.
"Ash."
The young boy turned to face Lysandre, his features grim.
"I've heard many things about your Greninja and this… Bond Phenomenon," Lysandre spoke carefully.
"Forget about it!" Ash yelled defiantly.
With an acknowledging tilt of his head, Lysandre ordered his restraints into action. They locked onto Ash's hands, seizing them and raising them to shoulder level. His legs were gripped by another set of restraints, paralyzing him. His Pokémon, too, were grabbed and handcuffed, one by one. The boy's head slowly went limp as he screamed in pain.
Ash was being crucified.
Lysandre watched with a morbid satisfaction as the power began to drain from the boy, into his own Mega Ring.
"Stop this, Lysandre!" came the voice of his erstwhile ally Alain.
Lysandre ignored his words, continuing to feel the strength accumulate in his body. Ash's head drooped further and the color began to seep out of his cheeks. He looked on the verge of fainting; Lysandre could almost see the beautiful new world unfurl in front of his eyes.
"Pika, pika; pikapi!" Ash's small yellow rodent cried out for him.
But it was too late.
It was too late.
Was it?
Hearing his partner's cries, Ash's eyes snapped open, instantly alert. Lysandre raised his eyebrows.
"You show remarkable willpower. You shall serve as a guide to humanity in the new world."
"Never! Alain, this isn't you!" The other boy looked up beseechingly, surprised at these words. "I don't know what you've done, and I don't care. I believe in the Alain I know!"
"I really care about the world, and the people and Pokémon who call it home. I won't let it be destroyed!" Ash shouted, his voice filling with emotion.
Almost as soon as he reached the last word, Ash's Greninja began to glow with power. A dazzling vortex of water materialized, smashing through the restraints. Ash stumbled out into Alain's waiting arms.
Lysandre was impressed. Not even Mega Evolution could overpower Ash and Greninja's bond. He recognized a hint of himself in the boy.
As he absently released his Gyarados against the traitor Alain's Charizard, he reflected on his own past. He, too, was once generous, giving freely to those in need. But those who he supported invariably grew accustomed and greedy. Ash had not yet realized that doing good was merely an illusion that led to dependence and avarice. Lysandre felt for the poor boy, who was being taken advantage of by all who he helped.
Lysandre would restart the world, removing arrogance and entitlement. Only beauty would remain. A beautiful world, grateful for all it had, where both he and Ash would flourish.
Lysandre snapped back to the moment. He realized from the angry expression on Ash's face that he had a battle on his hands. It made no difference. He prepared his Gyarados, tapping his powered-up Mega Ring. Mega Gyarados emerged from a burst of brilliant light as Alain readied his Charizard back-to-back with Ash's Greninja.
"Mega Evolution. A wonderful thing, isn't it? Pure battle instinct. This art has nearly been lost, as Pokémon grow soft by interacting with us," Lysandre explained.
"It's not like that!" Alain retorted.
"Well, it looks like we'll find out."
Gyarados. Charizard. Greninja. Lysandre faced his opponents. The traitor, Alain, who had been so useful, but alas. The promising youth, Ash, who had echoes of Lysandre himself. Both worthy of respect. These were not the opponents he would have preferred, but Lysandre knew that great ideas elicited great foes.
He hesitated for a moment before attacking.
"Gyarados, Incinerate!" "Charizard, Blast Burn!"
Flames burst out rhythmically from both Pokémon, splashing over the field. Sparks hung in the air as the attacks clashed squarely in the middle. Neither wall of flame relented, pushing forward and rising higher until all Lysandre could see was a wisp of Alain's hair.
Greninja took advantage of the moment, charging headfirst into the clash of fire at a dizzying pace.
"Cut!"
Daggers blinked into existence in Greninja's hands.
Webbed feet pounded the floor of the tower. Greninja's body hummed with speed. Blade-sharp slashes whistled in the air. Gyarados dodged one, parried another. Charizard joined with a roar. A swinging fist crackling with lightning. Gyarados lifted its tail, glowing with phosphorescent power. It slammed into Charizard's stomach. The dragon recoiled as the breath left its body. Greninja pierced the thick scales on Gyarados's back.
Lysandre took a step back towards the edge of the tower. He saw he was getting overwhelmed.
"Gyarados, Hyper Beam!"
A white ball accumulated in Gyarados's mouth, casting its fangs into relief. Greninja reached for the shuriken on its back. Both attacks grew, swallowing up the tiny platform. Charizard lifted into the air with a tremendous flap of its wings.
Charizard swooped down, viridescent claws at the ready. Gyarados unleashed a beam of pure energy. Charizard struggled through for a moment. Its pace weakened. Then it stopped, like a spring about to snap. Ricocheting. The hard tower spire. Mega Ring deactivated. Gyarados was momentarily distracted by its victory. Greninja clambered over the body of its fallen ally. Its footsteps drew nearer and louder. Greninja heaved its Water Shuriken into the Hyper Beam, slicing through the energy as if it was butter. Gyarados's eyes widened. A tsunami-impact. Catapulting head over tail. The sudden lack of a floor.
Gyarados plummeted all the way down Prism Tower.
Abruptly, Lysandre realized his position. His views were discredited. His back was to the open air, whipped by high winds. His allies had deserted him. His toes teetered precariously over the tower-edge. His dream was crumbling. There was only air beneath his heels.
There was a moment of collective disbelief.
Taking stock, he decided.
Lysandre spun around, feeling Ash's tense eyes on his back.
And he jumped off, into the beautiful unknown.
A/N: The reason I didn't do the Kalos League is that I've already covered the theme of loss with the Johto chapter. Also, PurimPopoie's "After the Battle" is pretty much perfect in covering Ash vs Alain; seriously, go check it out.