Chapter 64: Duel of the Fates

Ash, May, N, and Pikachu took some steps across the foyer until they were confronted by Archer, Charon, and Brodie. The three of them looked as menacing as ever with dark energy enveloping them.

"This is as far as you go," Archer threatened the trio with a Pokéball in hand.

"We will take the Griseous Orb at all costs," Charon laughed maniacally.

"Lord Omega will have what he wants soon enough," Brodie fixated his eyes on Ash.

"Then we'll just have to fight you too," Ash grabbed one of his Pokéballs.

"And I can assure you that we'll win," May also grabbed a Pokéball.

"Go Carracosta!" N brought out the ancient Proturtle Pokémon.

"Krookodile, come out!" Ash brought out his strongest Unova Pokémon.

"Glaceon, take the stage!" May brought out her trusty Ice-type.

Brodie, Charon, and Archer were amused. The trio threw their Pokéballs and revealed three Legendary Shadow Pokémon. Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres let out violent cries as they appeared before their opponents.

"The Legendary Birds of the Kanto region," N clenched his teeth, cursing the enemy for enslaving more legendary Pokémon.

Ash and May recognized the birds from when they saw them on live TV the day the Cerulean Power Plant was attacked. They remembered how Moltres and Articuno had ganged up on Zapdos before it had been captured. It all made sense now, these were the same birds they saw then. Ash and May thought things were coming full circle.

"You won't get as lucky as you did with Mewtwo. You don't have your Legendary Pokémon to defend you this time," Charon smirked evilly, seeing that Victini was absent.

"There won't be any need for that, we're enough," Ash said confidently, making Charon frown in annoyance.

"We'll wipe that smirk of yours soon enough, Articuno use Ice Beam on the floor!" Archer commenced the triple battle.

May knew exactly what Archer was trying to pull, "Glaceon counter it with Ice Beam." The ice Pokémon prevented Archer from using the battlefield to his advantage.

"Quick thinking May," Ash complimented the brunette.

"We're just getting started," May stated confidently.

"Carracosta, use Rock Slide!" N commanded the Water-type. The turtle shouted its name proudly and unleashed a shower of rocks to target the three birds.

"Dodge!" the three said simultaneously. The Kanto birds easily dodged what Carracosta threw at them. They quickly proceeded to have them use Ice Beam, Flamethrower, and Thunderbolt on the heroes' Pokémon.

The birds and their attacks were coming in too fast to dodge. "Defend with Stone Edge!" Ash commanded Krookodile. N was puzzled as to how he would pull that off, but May and Pikachu knew Ash had his ways. The Dark-type stomped the ground and tall sharp pillars of stone rose from the ground that blocked the three of them from the birds' attacks. Since none of the attacks are super-effective against rock, the heroes' Pokémon were left unscathed.

"N follow our lead," May told N as she and Ash knew how to proceed.

N raised an eyebrow and nodded, "Right!" He prepared to see what they could do. Ash and May took advantage of the birds' close proximity and had their Pokémon use the pillars as jump points to reach the birds and strike.

"Glaceon, use Ice Beam on Zapdos!" May lunged her arm forward upon making the command.

"Krookodile, use Stone Edge on Articuno!" Ash punched his fist forward.

N saw what the trainers did, "Carracosta, use Hydro Pump on Moltres!"

The trainers' quick reaction caught the villains off guard as they saw all three Pokémon climb to the top of the stone pillars and then throw themselves at the birds. Glaceon struck Zapdos powerfully enough to send the bird crashing into an old bust. Carracosta blasted Moltres into the ground with its pressurized water. Lastly, Krookodile's sharp stones pierced through Articuno's icy feathers and had the Ice-type fall to the ground.

"That's your first and only strike!" Charon announced with anger. The madman had Zapdos unleash Thunder on the entire battlefield, hoping to shock his opponents all at once.

"Krookodile, lunge at Zapdos with Dragon Claw!" Ash had Krookodile take Zapdos head-on since it was immune to electricity.

"Articuno, use Agility and Ice Beam to take it out!" Archer provided Zapdos with assistance. Articuno swiftly moved to Krookodile's position once it lunged toward Zapdos.

"Oh no, you don't. Glaceon get in there and use Iron Tail!" May came to Ash's defense. Glaceon leaped in front of Articuno and took the Ice Beam at close-range, but it proved ineffective. The Ice-type's tail began to glow white, and it swung powerfully at Articuno.

"Agility," Archer ordered again, narrowly dodging the Iron Tail.

However, it failed to stop Krookodile from hitting Zapdos. Charon had his own countermeasure though. "Agility," Charon smirked as Zapdos moved out of Krookodile's way just in time.

Brodie took his chance there. "Moltres use Agility and then Sky Attack!" Moltres flew at an incredible speed and began to glow an intense light blue.

"Don't forget me," N kept his focus on Moltres. The leader of Team Plasma had Carracosta use Hydro Pump to stop Moltres's assault. Just when it seemed that it would hit its mark, the Water-type attack was frozen by Articuno's Ice Beam. N clenched his teeth in frustration. With no one to stop it, Moltres struck Krookodile with Sky Attack and sent the croc crashing to the ground. Its sunglasses fell off and landed near Ash's feet.

"Krookodile, are you ok?!" Ash became concerned for his Pokémon. Krookodile felt pain, but he shook it off and gave his trainer a thumbs up. His raven-haired threw the sunglasses back at him and Krookodile got back into battle stance.

"A sturdy one," Brodie appeared amused as Moltres flapped its wings beside him. Articuno and Zapdos also hovered near their trainers. The trio of villains glanced at each other and nodded.

"What are they planning?" May glared at them, bracing for anything.

"Moltres," Brodie said.

"Articuno," Archer also said.

"Agility with Wing Attack on Krookodile and Glaceon!" they shouted simultaneously.

Ash and May widened their eyes. "Zapdos let it, Thunder!" Charon spread his arms out excitedly. Articuno and Moltres came at Krookodile and Glaceon too rapidly and began hitting the pair from every direction. They were too fast to dodge. Carracosta and N were too occupied trying to dodge Thunder as lightning struck randomly around the battlefield. "You can't escape!" Charon laughed insanely as he enjoyed watching Glaceon and Krookodile get beat down.

"We're pinned down!" Ash tightened his fist as he saw his friends get the beating of their lives from the speedy birds.

"I don't think so," luckily N had a counter maneuver. "Carracosta, use Aqua Jet!" the trainer yelled.

Carracosta instantly launched itself into the air and became enveloped in water. This gave the turtle-like Pokémon enough speed to easily avoid Thunder and come to its allies' aid. The Water-type was faster than Articuno and Moltres with Aqua Jet, allowing it to push them back. It gave Glaceon and Krookodile some reprieve as they caught their breaths.

"You're going to pay for that, Glaceon use Blizzard!" May made her next move angrily.

"Gla!" Glaceon glared at the three birds and released a Blizzard to stop Zapdos' thunderstorm as well.

"Moltres, counter with Heat Wave!" Brodie had just the thing to fight back. Glaceon and Moltres entered a standoff where their weather attacks canceled each other out at the halfway point of the battlefield. Alongside Zapdos's Thunder, the battlefield looked like a mess.

"Articuno, use Haze!" Archer intended to provide some relief to his team with some cover. Articuno flew to the top of the field and released white smoke to cover the field.

"They're going to sneak attack us, Krookodile use Dig!" Ash immediately recognized the situation.

"I might have a way to help us track their movements. I hope your Pokémon's hearing is good," N told his teammates. Moltres halted its Heat Wave and Glaceon stopped its Blizzard as they reassessed the condition of the battlefield. "Carracosta, use Rain Dance," N instructed. Carracosta looked to the ceiling and howled as it began to rain over them.

N wants us to hear where a raindrop lands on one of the birds versus the ground, that's how we can figure out where they are, May acknowledged the strategy and smiled eagerly at Ash, who realized the same thing. The two trainers closed their eyes and became one with their Pokémon. They could hear the birds approaching their Pokémon.

"Left!" Ash warned Krookodile. The Dark-type obeyed. It sprang out of the ground and swung Dragon Claw to its left, sending Moltres flying against the wall.

"Right!" May alerted Glaceon. The Ice-type swung Iron Tail to the right and sent Articuno crashing against the other wall.

"Enough!" Charon became impatient. "They've figured us out, we're going to use this Rain Dance to our advantage. Zapdos, use Thunder!" Charon knew Thunder would become more powerful under Rain Dance.

"Carracosta, stop it with Aqua Jet!" N ordered his Pokémon to move hastily. Zapdos unleashed Thunder, but Carracosta was still much faster and bashed the Electric-type bird. Zapdos squealed in anger since the turtle hit it pretty hard.

"They're holding their own," Brodie started to lose his patience as well.

N ordered Carracosta to use Aqua Jet one more time on Zapdos. "Not this time, Zapdos use Detect," Charon smirked as Zapdos narrowly avoided the Aqua Jet. Ash, May, and N gasped at the clever trick. "Zap Cannon!" Charon threw his arm in the air, seeing his opportune moment. With Carracosta at such close range, Zap Cannon would easily hit its mark. The Electric Pokémon fired the electric blast and sent Carracosta crashing to the ground.

"Costa!" the turtle cried in pain as it felt the shock travel through its body. When it hit the ground, the Water-type fainted.

"No," May clenched her teeth at the defeat.

"Poor Carracosta," Ash lamented as he felt the intensity of the battle elevating.

"Thank you, my friend. You did great," N returned the Pokémon. He prepared to bring out another until Archer stopped him.

"Don't think about bringing out another Pokémon, I'll have Articuno use Agility and freeze you where you stand. You had your chance," Archer gave N a warning.

"That's hardly fair," N frowned at the blue-haired crook.

"It's ok N, save your Pokémon's strength. We will take it from here," Ash told him to stand by for right now. The green-haired antihero nodded at Ash.

"We're going to avenge Carracosta," May said with firm resolve.

"I don't see how that's possible, but you're welcomed to try," Brodie mocked the remaining two trainers.

"You should know that with all your skill and everything you've learned up until this point, it will never be enough. You may defeat us, but it will certainly not be enough to defeat Lord Omega. You are out of your depth children," Charon taunted his opponents.

May smiled smugly at him, "You're welcome to think whatever you want you 'has been'. All I care about right now is putting you in your place so you can stop talking."

Ash raised an eyebrow, "Whoa May," surprised by her fiery attitude but he liked it.

"How dare you? You feisty little brat, didn't anyone ever teach you to respect your elders? Zapdos, use Thunder on that girl!" Charon lost his patience.

Even Archer and Brodie were surprised by the sudden move. Ash, N, Glaceon, and Pikachu prepared to protect May, but the attack came too fast. Surprisingly, the brunette faced the incoming without even flinching. Abruptly, Blaziken emerged from its Pokéball and shielded May with a fireball it formed in its palm. The fire it emitted canceled out the Thunder with ease and caused a small explosion. The gust from the collision blew May's hair back. She continued smiling smugly at Charon once the dust cleared up.

"Nice one," Ash expressed with admiration at how coolly Blaziken defended May's life.

"I knew he had it covered," May winked at her boyfriend before turning back to Blaziken.

Blaziken looked at its trainer, "Blaz."

"Thank you Blaziken. Glaceon and I can take it from here, but you're welcome to watch," May told her first Pokémon, causing Blaziken to nod and step to the sidelines with Pikachu. N let out a sigh of relief, he was beginning to see how much more powerful Genesis's training had made them and their Pokémon.

"Curse that girl," Charon complained.

"Finish the battle and you can do whatever you want next," Archer told Charon to cool it in other words.

"Let's finish this," Brodie smirked as they prepared to pick up from where they left off.

"Ready Glaceon?" May asked her Ice-type.

"Gla," Glaceon shook its head eagerly.

"You too Krookodile?" Ash smiled excitedly at his Ground-type Pokémon.

"Krookodile!" Krookodile roared and used Stone Edge. Instead of large stone pillars like before though, two stone daggers emerged that the croc caught in its hands.

"Awesome," Ash and May said at the same time with sureness.

Archer rubbed his chin with intrigue when he saw Krookodile's flashy technique, "Interesting." With Carracosta out of the picture, Archer took advantage of the situation. "Articuno, use Haze!"

"Think again!" Ash yelled, stretching his arm out to the right. Krookodile threw its two stone daggers at Articuno to stop it from using Haze.

"Moltres provide cover using Agility and Endure!" Brodie had Moltres get in the way.

"Use Blizzard!" May had Glaceon attack everyone on the opposing side at once.

"Zapdos, use Agility and Drill Peck to stop Glaceon!" Charon had his bird try to stop Blizzard.

Without any need to get instructions from Ash, Krookodile stomped in Zapdos's direction and had a powerful Stone Edge emerge from the ground to send Zapdos flying toward the ceiling. Glaceon successfully executed Blizzard and Krookodile's daggers turned to ice as they hit Moltres and Blizzard flew Articuno back. "Finish Zapdos with Ice Beam!" May took advantage of the other birds still recovering from Blizzard and ice daggers.

Glaceon aimed for the falling Zapdos after it was hit by Stone Edge and blasted it with Ice Beam. Zapdos screeched with pain as it hit the ground with a frozen wing. Charon badmouthed his luck.

"Alright, time to end this," Ash declared. Krookodile used Stone Edge again, but this time dozens of stone daggers popped out of the ground. "Go for it May!" Ash gave May the signal.

"Glaceon, batter up!" May ordered her Ice-type to swing her tail and hit the stone daggers like baseballs. The feline-like Pokémon was fast enough to send them all out like a storm of daggers. Not even Agility could help the birds dodge since they were so small and so many.

"Moltres counter with Heat Wave!" Brodie hoped the speed of Heat Wave would stop the daggers' trajectory. Unfortunately for Archie and him, Glaceon hit the daggers with enough force that it could still push through the Heat Wave. On the other hand, the Fire-type attack managed to hit Krookodile and Glaceon. Ash and May's Pokémon endured though, refusing to lose.

"No!" Archer exclaimed as the daggers bombarded the birds and since they were made of rock, they were super-effective. Zapdos, Articuno, and Moltres were mercilessly struck and were down for the count once the madness had settled.

May placed her hands on her waist, a very cocky grin spreading across her face, "Looks like we cleaned your clocks."

"This isn't over!" Charon went mad and threw another Pokéball. Archer and Brodie considered the old man a fool, but they could not allow the couple to progress without giving them hell.

Brodie's Ditto, Archer's Rampardos, and Charon's Klinklang appeared on the battlefield to replace the Legendary Pokémon. Ditto quickly took the shape of Moltres, giving it the bird's powers.

"That's not fair. You didn't let N use other Pokémon," Ash complained, although he wasn't surprised that they were playing dirty.

"We make the rules!" Brodie protested as he prepped to attack again.

"And we decide what happens next," Archer pointed at them with aggression.

"Frosslass, Rhyperior, Shiftry, show them that we have something to say about it!" N brought out three of his Pokémon.

Omega's henchmen were caught off by N's action. "Forget your rules. You're fighting me now, Ash and May are going to keep moving up," N looked at his foes intensely.

"Are you sure N?" May looked at him with concern.

"We can stay and fight with you," Ash also wasn't sure about leaving him alone.

N nodded sideways. "You're needed elsewhere. I can handle this, trust me." The pair looked into his eyes and saw that N was certain of himself. Blaziken and Pikachu looked at N as well. The leader of Team Plasma smiled at them, "Take care of them."

"We won't let you down," Ash extended his hand out and N shook it.

"I know. Take this too, I have a feeling you'll need it." N handed them some healing items just in case.

May took them and stored them in her fanny pack, "Thank you."

"And thank you two for putting up such a great fight," Ash turned to Krookodile and Glaceon.

"You two were really awesome as a team, you deserve some rest now," May acknowledged their efforts and were recalled by both trainers. They told N they'd see him later and headed towards the stairs, but they heard Brodie release a Flamethrower. Pikachu or Blaziken could've easily countered, but N intervened. N had borrowed a page from Ash's book and had Rhyperior use Stone Edge to defend them. Ash, May, Pikachu, and Blaziken took advantage of the situation and continued up to the next room.

N laughed at the villains' desperate measures. "As I said, you're fighting me now," he spread his arms while Rhyperior, Frosslass, and Shiftry lined themselves up in front of him.

"Curses," Charon clenched his teeth.

"No matter. Ash and May will face other challenges as they climb up the strange house," Archer smirked at N, startling the man.

Good luck Ash, May, Pikachu, Blaziken…N thought as his Pokémon charged forward to fight Ditto, Rampardos, and Klinklang.