Flame13H: One of my intentions for this fic was to make Pokemon more self-sufficient. I don't know why, but the fact that in games and the Anime a Pokemon's every move in battle seems to have to be micromanaged by their Trainers irks me. That said, looking back, I may have overdone it a bit and made the Trainers, or at least Marcus, practically superfluous, which was not my intention.

Thanks for the feedback! I'll take it under advisement for later chapters.

The night sky exploded in a flash of lightning, illuminating the small, dingy town for the briefest of moments. Then the darkness returned, swiftly flowing back into the spaces where the lightning had driven it from.

But in that flash of light, any observer could have at once told that this town had seen much better days. The streets were filthy, the buildings even worse, and each chimney sprayed a vast quantity of smoke into the air, making it seem even filthier. The rain helped a little, but everyone who lived here knew that it would only bring a day's reprieve at best.

At the far end of the town lay a complex of buildings, separated from the rest of the town by a high barbed-wire fence. Everyone who lived in this town knew that beyond that fence was somewhere no one should go.

Everyone except one.

The boy with ripped clothes and bare feet, soaked to the brim and face portraying fear and desperation, dropped from the fence. He could feel his hands stinging, feel blood dripping from them to the sodden ground, but he ignored it. For the sight of searching flashlights and the sound of barking from behind him let him know that if he stopped to take care of himself, they would find him.

The boy ran. He felt a sting to his foot as he stepped on a piece of glass someone had carelessly tossed there a long time ago, and nearly fell, but adrenaline forced him to keep running.

He practically dove for the shadow of the first building he reached, and only once he was safely behind a wall did he risk a glance back. The first thing he saw, something that made horror leap into his heart, was the slavering Mightyena that stood at the gate, next to a tall, blue-haired man wearing an almost exclusively white outfit; white shoes, white pants, and a white jacket with a bright red R emblazoned over his heart.

"Archer!" a voice cried from inside the complex. "We've searched everywhere in here! The intruder's gone!"

The blue-haired man put a hand to his chin. The Mightyena snarled, glaring around. The boy pressed his back to the building, praying the Mightyena wouldn't see him or pick up his scent.

"Forget it," Archer called. "It's just six Pokemon. Barely a drop in the bucket for us. Take the base off alert and resume operations."

The sound of man and Pokemon retreating did not assuage the boy's fears. It was only when he heard the metallic clang of the gate slamming shut that he allowed himself to relax.

Then he turned and ran deeper into the night, not for the town, but for the forest beyond. He had a place there, a shelter from the storm and from any other hunters Archer might send out.

Deep in the forest, he found his place, a hollow log just large enough for him to fit inside, stuck beneath a thicket of bushes and branches that provided additional shelter. In here, the rain could not reach him, and though it was cold the boy had become used to it by now.

His trembling fingers withdrew, one at a time, six Pokeballs from the pockets of his pants.

"I'm sorry," the boy whispered. "I'm sorry I couldn't save more of you. But it'll be all right."

The Pokeballs trembled in response.

"We're going to train," said the boy. "We're going to become stronger. All of us. And when we're strong enough, we're going to go back to that place. We're going to beat those monsters, and save all the Pokemon there."

A ghost of a smile reached the boy's face. "But I need your help," he said. "Are you with me?"

The Pokeballs trembled again.

"Lysandre?"

Lysandre blinked and pulled his hand away from his Pokeballs. It was time. He had no time to be lost in the past.

Phase 1 of the final plan was complete. Phase 2 was in Lysandre's pocket.

Slowly, Lysandre reached inside.

The power to understand Pokemon was rare. Strong Psychic Pokemon could communicate with humans, and over the years his Mienshao had gained enough Psychic potential to communicate with Lysandre, at least a little. But non-Psychic Pokemon were hard-pressed to communicate with their Trainers. A Trainer who was extremely powerful in the Psychic arts could speak with Pokemon, but those were limited to a few: Sabrina, for example, or, if he was actually real, the boy N from Unova.

But technology could do wondrous things. And Lysandre had known that he would need a way to communicate with Pokemon. For after the Ultimate Weapon was fired, all of the Pokemon Team Flare had captured would need to be released. And not just thrown out onto the new Kalos to fend for themselves. Families would have to be reunited, enemies would have to be separated, Pokemon would have to be released in places they recognized.

Lysandre lifted the visor from his pocket. It glowed orange with steel-gray lines running horizontally through the center. Slowly, he placed it on his head.

There seemed to be little change, but that was understandable. He was not close enough to any Pokemon for the visor to translate their speech.

"Lysandre?"

The voice broke into his thoughts again. "Yes?" Lysandre asked with a frown. "What is it?"

A smoky tendril of darkness wrapped around his throat before he could react. Two more yanked his arms upwards, away from his Pokeballs.

"What are you thinking?" Yveltal snarled. "You had the advantage of surprise! You could have had the Ultimate Weapon in firing position before those fools even realized what we were planning! But no, instead your plan is to broadcast your entire plot across all of Kalos like a child excited about his new toys!"

The tendrils were holding his arms up, preventing Lysandre from releasing his Pokemon. It didn't matter. He had never bothered with Pokeball seals.

Half a dozen Pokeballs flashed, and Lysandre's entire team materialized, already in crouches and glaring at Yveltal. "Let him go," Gyarados snarled.

Yveltal turned one malevolent eye on them. "Or what?" he asked. "You'll attack me? Do you really think you can face the Harbinger of Death and walk away?"

"No," Gyarados growled. "But for him, we will."

Yveltal sighed. "Hmph. I do not understand why so many are willing to throw their lives away so pointlessly. But very well. I will be watching, Lysandre. You would do well to remember our agreement."

Lysandre fell to the ground, released from Yveltal's grasp. The Harbinger of Death disappeared in a swirl of darkness, leaving Lysandre and his team alone.

The team wasted no time in rushing to Lysandre's side.

"Are you all right?" Pyroar asked, nuzzling Lysandre's face.

Lysandre took in a few deep breaths; Yveltal's tendril had not done wonders for his throat. "I'm fine," he rasped. "It'll…just give me a few minutes."

"Is that the visor?" Noivern asked. "Can you…understand us now?"

Lysandre half-smiled. "Yes, Noivern," he said. "I can."

"That's great!" Noivern cried. "Did you hear that? The Savior can understand us!"

"The Savior?" Lysandre asked.

"It's what we call you," said Gyarados. "You saved us, and countless more. It's a fitting name."

"Yeah, and it sounds cool," Trevenant added.

Lysandre's half-smile blossomed into a full smile. "Thank you," he said. "I…I don't deserve you."

"Savior," said Mienshao, "don't say that. You're not just our Trainer. You're our friend. This isn't about who deserves who. We…we're a team."

"Why did you do the broadcast, anyway?"

"Honchkrow!" Gyarados growled.

"No, Gyarados," said Lysandre. "He deserves to know. You all do." He took a small, furtive glance to make sure Yveltal wasn't nearby. "I…" he began, and then stopped.

For how could he tell them this? That now that the end goal was within reach, he was balking at it?

"There's…" said Lysandre, "…a difference between planning to press a button that will kill millions…and actually pressing the button. It's…I can't explain it. I…"

"We understand," said Mienshao.

"You do?" Lysandre asked.

"Of course," said Mienshao. "Remember those rogue Rockets in Hoenn?"

Lysandre's face dropped. "You…don't need to dwell on that. The Hypno would have…"

"It's okay, Savior," said Mienshao. "I don't. But…that decision…it was easy to think of doing it. But when it came time…you know. It's not easy to pull the trigger. And…whatever decision you do make…just know we're always with you."

"Thank you," Lysandre whispered.

"Boss!"

Lysandre rounded on the Grunt that had just raced into the room, waving a Pokedex. "You have to see this!"

Lysandre stepped to the Grunt's side, looking down at the Pokedex's screen.

Diantha's face was imposed on the screen. "Trainers of Kalos…"

"…for those of you who did not receive the recent broadcast, Team Flare is threatening to wipe out everyone on Kalos. Lysandre, of Lysandre Labs, is their leader. They are located in Geosenge Town. We of the Kalos Elite Four have already initiated Phase One of Galactic Protocol. It is time to initiate Phase 2."

Diantha let out a sigh. "All Trainers under Gym Leader level, head to Kalos's west coast for immediate evacuation. Boats and Pokemon with Surf are being organized as we speak. Those who have Pokemon that can Fly or Teleport, help those that do not. Gym Leaders, ensure your towns and their surroundings are evacuated. No Trainer or Pokemon will be left behind."

Diantha paused again. She looked behind her at her assembled forces. Siebold, Drasna, Wikstrom, and Malva, the four members of the Kalos Elite Four. Behind them, Lieutenant Surge and Jasmine. That was all for now; as she'd hoped would not happen but expected all the same, the other regions had been slow to respond, clearly not expecting Team Flare to make a move this quickly. Only Unova and Alola seemed optimistic about getting forces into Kalos to assist in this battle.

Diantha nodded to her allies, then turned back to the screen in front of her.

"The Kalos Elite Four and I will assault Geosenge Town," Diantha finished. "We will be aided by visiting Gym Leaders Lieutenant Surge and Jasmine. My fervent hope is that we will succeed in stopping Lysandre. To all of you: good luck, and may the Lifebringer protect you."

The screen of Serena's Pokedex faded to black, a black that reflected Marcus and Serena's stunned faces.

Medicham cast her gaze around. Already, she could see people responding. Several Trainers could be spotted moving swiftly towards one of the routes out of Anistar, and at least two people were hopping on the back of a massive Pidgeot, which leaped into the air in a whirlwind of Flying energy.

"What do we do?" Cloyster asked.

What do we do, indeed, Medicham thought. Her first thought was that they should follow instructions. After all, Geosenge was about to turn into a warzone, and if Diantha and her allies failed, it would be better if Marcus and his team were off Kalos.

But…on the other hand, they'd fought Team Flare before. They'd taken on Grunts and Executives before. Even Admin-level Pokemon had fallen to them. And…as Medicham pictured herself on a boat, watching as Kalos erupted in a conflagration behind her, she pictured herself wondering if she could have made a difference. If her involvement might have changed things.

And had they not made a promise? A decision to fight for the Pokemon who Team Flare had oppressed? Was this not the culmination of that promise?

She found herself glancing up at Seeker-Of-Endings. The Absol was still watching her. His eyes glittered as they made contact, but he said nothing and betrayed no emotion.

Medicham sighed, then turned to Cloyster and the rest of the team. "We have to fight."

Cloyster stayed silent for a moment. "Why?" he asked at last.

"Because it's our job," said Medicham. "We made a promise, remember? A promise to take down those who sought to oppress Pokemon. This is the endgame. This is the moment we-"

"No," said Kriesh. The Fearow's voice sounded surprisingly dull. "It's not."

Medicham turned to Kriesh incredulously. "But…" she began, hardly able to believe this. Hadn't she made that promise? "It's not like we can stand back and do nothing," she said. "What happens if they fail? What if we could have done something about it? We…we have to do something."

"Last time we did something," said Kriesh, "Phantump nearly died. And the time before that, we would have all been captured if it hadn't been for Drapion evolving!" She shuddered at that sentence. "We've fought Team Flare, yes. We stopped them from taking my flock. We stopped them from capturing the Skorupi swarm. We stopped them from taking over the Power Plant. We aided in the capture of one of their Admins." She sighed. "Haven't we done enough without charging into a brawl between the Champion and her Elite Four against every single Admin that hasn't been captured plus Lysandre, who's definitely more powerful than his Admins?"

Medicham had barely heard the last part, for Kriesh's words had brought images that Medicham had fought back surging forth again. Phantump's body motionless under the claws of a vicious Weavile…Kriesh splayed out on a catwalk with a Beedrill hovering menacingly over her…Skorupi, twitching feebly as a monstrous Ursaring stomped towards him…

"We don't have to be the heroes every single time, Medicham," said Kriesh.

Medicham hadn't even heard that last sentence. Her mind was elsewhere, plunging through an abyss of memories, each more horrific than the last.

"Serena!"

The hard-edged voice slammed into Medicham's thoughts, forcing her out of her mind. For practically the first time, she was almost glad to see Calem.

"Calem?" Serena asked. "What are you doing?"

"I have a Kadabra," said Calem. "Caught him way back near Lumiose."

"The Abra?" Serena asked. "You evolved him?"

"Just so that it could become strong enough to Teleport more than one person," said Calem. "I can take you both, if you want."

"I thought you never wanted to see us again," said Marcus.

"I don't," said Calem. "But this is Team Flare. Rivalries can wait. Serena, you coming?"

"Of course!" said Serena. "Marcus, you're coming too, right?"

Marcus nodded. "Come on, all of you. In the Pokeballs. Let's get out of here."

Medicham saw Kriesh glance at her for a second before being recalled. In that glance was conflict, fear, and above all worry; worry for her, Medicham realized as she, too, was recalled.

That left Marcus, Calem, Serena, and Seeker-Of-Endings the only ones out of Pokeballs.

"All right," said Calem, releasing his Kadabra. "Kadabra!"

He grinned. "Take us just outside Geosenge."

Serena's eyes widened. "Wait, wha-"

Anistar City disappeared in a flash of light.

"How did we not anticipate this?" Bringer-Of-Visions asked, staring around at the roughly twenty Absol standing with her in the Perish Dimension. "How did none of us see this coming?"

"Bringer, we are scanning the immediate area of Geosenge," said another Absol. "We cannot see. It is being Psychically shielded. We can not anticipate any probabilities in the vicinity."

"How?" another Absol asked. "How could something Psychically block us from viewing an entire town? It is impossible!"

"But it explains why Betrayer-Of-Kin is lost from sight," said yet another Absol.

"She must be in the Psychically blocked area," said Bringer-Of-Visions. "Reader. Where is Seeker-Of-Endings?"

"Analyzing," Reader-Of-Minds stated. "Seeker-Of-Endings is in Anistar City, along with Marcus. It appears they are teleporting. They have now left Anistar City."

"Where?" Bringer-Of-Visions asked. "Where have they left to?"

Reader-Of-Minds hesitated. "Seeker-Of-Endings and Marcus have both been lost from sight."

Bringer-Of-Visions did not show emotion often. She preferred to remain stoic even if events were not going as planned. It was better that way. The other Heralds expected it of her, and she did not enjoy subverting their expectations.

But as Reader-Of-Minds gave his last report, Bringer-Of-Visions's eyes went wide with panic.

Seeker-Of-Endings and Marcus were in the Psychically blocked area. The same area that Betrayer-Of-Kin was in. What is he thinking?

"We must break through the Psychic block!" she cried. "Focus all your strength! The Psychic block must not remain!"

Heliolisk did not prefer to walk for too long. Merely traveling to Anistar City had been exhausting. But it would all be worth it when he was able to bring that Medicham to her knees before him.

At least, that was what he thought before he actually reached the top of a hill overlooking Anistar.

And there she was, standing in a group with three Trainers, one of whom was Marcus, along with an Absol and a Kadabra. Heliolisk's eyes narrowed as he saw the Absol. He'd heard whispers before from his subjects - his former subjects - warning him of how dangerous Absols were. But those thoughts were unworthy of his time while the object of his hatred stood so close to him.

"Kadabra!" one of the other two Trainers shouted. "Take us just outside Geosenge!"

And then, much to Heliolisk's fury, all six beings disappeared into thin air.

Heliolisk remained standing on the hill for a few seconds, one eye twitching. No. Just no. How in Distortion was he supposed to get to wherever Geosenge was? At least he'd known about Anistar City, if only from some offhand words from Marcus. But Geosenge? He'd never even heard of the place!

"This way! This way! Teleportation to Cyllage City! Evacuate immediately!"

Heliolisk twisted to see a Clefable with arms spread wide and several Pokemon clustering around her.

Evacuate immediately? Why were they evacuating?

Heliolisk stepped swiftly down the hill, approaching the Clefable. "What is going on?"

"Team Flare's gonna destroy all of Kalos!" the Clefable cried. "Get over here! You want to be blown up?"

Heliolisk did not want to be blown up. Survival was a priority over revenge. Even so, Heliolisk seethed as he stepped next to the Clefable. How had he been brought so low as to be a refugee, fleeing from his home?

The Medicham, that was how.

The Clefable cast a quick gaze around herself. "Get ready!" she cried. "Three, two, one-"

A burst of light flashed around them, and when it cleared, Heliolisk was at once taken aback by the sheer amount of bustle around him.

What had to be dozens if not hundreds of Trainers, each with their Pokemon, were crowding this place, moving in a not-orderly line towards a row of boats that Heliolisk could barely see over the heads of the milling mass. "All right," said the Clefable. "Wait your turn and don't panic. I have to go. There are others in need of teleportation."

"Wait!"

The Clefable turned at Heliolisk's cry. "Where are we in relation to Geosenge?" Heliolisk asked.

"Gesenge is two miles or so that way," said Clefable with a smile. "Don't worry, we're not in the mile radius."

With that, she dematerialized. Heliolisk took a look at the evacuation group. The rational part of him screamed to leave, to abandon Kalos. No amount of revenge was worth dying for.

But Heliolisk had ignored the rational part of him ever since his humiliation at the hands of that stupid Medicham. And the rest of him, the part that he had given into, refused. He was so close. He could not allow that Medicham to go unpunished for her slight against him.

He would not allow it.

Heliolisk began to move in the direction of Geosenge, striding purposefully away from safety and into the teeth of danger.

The three Trainers, Seeker-Of-Endings, and Calem's Kadabra materialized behind one of the large stones that dotted the area around Geosenge. Medicham barely had time to adjust her eyes to the new surroundings when Marcus released her onto the grass, along with the entire rest of the team.

The reason for that became clear as Medicham found herself staring up at four clearly surprised Team Flare Grunts.

Serena and Calem immediately sent out their teams. Serena's team consisted of Meowstic, Seeker-Of-Endings, a Delphox that Braixen must have evolved into, a Jolteon that Medicham didn't recognize at all, and an Eevee that was hiding behind the Jolteon. Calem had thrown out a Blastoise, a Chesnaught, a Lapras, and a Lucario, all of which Medicham recognized as either the Pokemon Calem had used in his fight with Marcus or their evolved forms. In addition, he had an Aurorus, standing tall amidst the rest of the team, and the Kadabra he'd used to teleport them all here.

And Marcus, of course, had Medicham, Drapion, Kriesh, Cloyster, Houndoom, and Phantump.

The Grunts looked surprised at the assortment of Pokemon facing them. Then one of them chuckled. "A trio of kids? This should be a piece of cake! For Team Flare!"

It was a piece of cake. Just not for the Grunts.

Seeker-Of-Endings, in a display that unnervingly reminded Medicham of Betrayer-Of-Kin's assault on Marcus's team, scythed through three of the enemy Pokemon before they even knew what hit them. Medicham charged, slamming a Poochyena with a Fighting Strike that sent the Dark-type Pokemon flying. She caught sight of Drapion hammering a Slugma and an Electrike with his massive arms, and on the other side, Calem's team ripping through two full Grunt teams in an instant, Lucario and Chesnaught tossing Pokemon away with quick and brutal punches while Aurorus, Blastoise, and Lapras sent the remainder scattering with precise blasts of Ice and Water energy.

Medicham caught sight of Kadabra as well. Despite clearly being more of a teleporter than a fighter, the Psychic-type was busily dealing with a Gulpin with several blasts of Psychic energy.

Medicham's heart leaped into her throat as she spotted a Litwick on Kadabra's right that the Psychic Pokemon was not seeing. "Kadabra!" she cried. "Look-"

But it was too late. The Litwick sent a sphere of Ghost energy at Kadabra, one that Kadabra had no time to react to. Kadabra screamed in agony as he fell under the attack.

Lapras swiftly blasted the Litwick with a barrage of Water energy, sending it flying, but it was too late to save Kadabra.

Thankfully, that was the only Pokemon on their side that fell. The four Team Flare Grunts gaped as their teams fell within fifteen seconds. "How…how did we just lose to three kids?" one of them asked in shock.

"Lucario. Knock them out," Calem ordered.

"Calem-" Serena's protest fell on deaf ears. Lucario was swift and unwavering. The four Grunts collapsed, unconscious with nasty bruises on their foreheads.

"Good, that's four less Grunts to deal with," said Calem, recalling his unconscious Kadabra. "Now-"

Serena grasped Calem's shoulder and forced him to turn to face her. "What are you doing?" she asked in a furious whisper.

"You said you wanted to come," Calem defended.

"Not here!" Serena whispered. "I thought you were taking us to the evacuation! You know, where we're actually supposed to go!"

"I'm sorry," said Calem angrily. "I just assumed that you wanted to make a difference. Like you've always done before. And what about you, Marcus? I know you've fought Team Flare before and won."

Marcus chuckled hollowly. "Yeah, I won. But…the only time I won by myself was against a few Grunts. Every time I fight Admins, I have help, and even then…" Marcus swallowed. "Phantump nearly died fighting Mable. I'm not throwing my team into a fight against every Admin they have."

"Besides," said Serena, "this isn't our problem. This kind of thing is what the Champion and Elite Four are for. Sure, we can beat Grunts, maybe even Executives. But Marcus is right. We're not strong enough to deal with the forces that are assembling here. We need to go while we still can."

Calem scoffed. "Cowards," he whispered under his breath.

Marcus took one furious, menacing step towards Calem. He clutched a hand to the bottom of his shirt. With a swift yank, he revealed the scar wrapped across his stomach. "I got this from fighting a Team Flare Absol," he growled. "I was put on life support. I'm not a coward. I just would rather walk away from this with my life."

"Fine," Calem growled. "Whatever. Run off and evacuate. But I've got strong Pokemon. I know I can make a difference here. So screw Diantha's orders. I'm going to help out. If you want to run away, by all means, do so. But I prefer to face my problems instead of running away from them."

"I can't believe you," Serena hissed. "Come on, Marcus. We're leaving."

"Right," said Marcus.

As Serena and Marcus recalled their Pokemon with Calem watching in disgust, Medicham locked eyes with Seeker-Of-Endings once again. She was shocked to see near-panic in them. He was looking from side to side in a manner that approached wildness, clearly afraid of something. Then they both disappeared into their Pokeballs and he was lost from sight.

"Let's get out of here," said Marcus. He turned and began to take a step forwards-

"Hide!" Serena hissed, dragging him back behind the stone.

Calem and Serena both had their backs pressed tightly to the stone. Marcus did the same. Medicham looked around, scanning the area as best she could through the crack in her Pokeball.

"-Siebold and Drasna?" a voice was asking. "Why have they not arrived?"

"Remember, Malva," said another voice that Medicham recognized as Diantha's, "they detoured to pick up the Unovan representative. They'll radio us when they arrive."

"It's the Champion!" Marcus whispered. "Why are we hiding?"

"Because we're not supposed to be here!" Serena hissed. "Do you realize how much they're going to freak if they see a few kids in the area?"

"Hark, for I spy four of our foes already felled!" A third voice rose above the other two.

Serena gasped.

"Indeed, Wikstrom," said Malva. "It seems that someone has been busy. Maybe felled a few Grunts on their way out of Geosenge?"

"Possibly," said Diantha. "Unconscious Grunts aren't our problem. Let's move on."

The trio moved off. All three of the teenagers breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank Arceus," Serena whispered. "Okay, Marcus. Let's-"

A crunching noise sounded from right behind Marcus.

Marcus, Calem, and Serena twisted. Medicham spotted a growing depression in the stone as something slid backwards. "Marcus, what did you just do?" Serena asked.

Another crunch came from all around them. The three teenagers had just enough time to look at each other before the ground dropped out from under them.

There was a brief moment of weightlessness. All three of the teenagers cried out in shock, stealth forgotten, and then the ground stopped dropping and they landed, barely keeping their feet. A second later, a final crunching noise sounded, and Medicham looked up in time to see the last vestiges of daylight swiftly cut off by the ground shifting back into place.

"Ow…" Marcus groaned. "What was that?"

"An entrance," said Calem. Medicham could barely make him out in the darkness, but Calem appeared to be outright smiling. "I think Marcus has just discovered one of the entrances to Team Flare's secret base."

Serena's eyes widened. "No…this is…what do we do now? Can't Kadabra-"

"Kadabra's down, Serena," said Calem. "And I don't have any Revives."

Marcus spoke dully, his breaths shaky. "We've got no choice. We're going to have to fight our way out."

-going to have to fight their way out. She rounded on her foe, eyeing its white fur that would have blended in with the snow if it hadn't been for its dark claws-

"Does anyone else realize we're still moving downwards?" Serena asked, breaking through the latest unwanted memory.

Medicham looked around again. She could see a little more now as her eyes adjusted to the darkness; indeed, the walls and floor around them were moving downwards, slowly but surely.

Calem sighed. "Your Jolteon knows Flash. Use it."

"Right," said Serena. "Jolteon, Flash!"

The sudden outpouring of light nearly blinded Medicham. She had to duck, one hand over her eyes, as light streamed through the gap in her Luxury Ball.

When she finally looked up, the elevator around them was lit to a degree where they could actually see. Serena had apparently recalled her Jolteon once its task was done, for Medicham couldn't see it anymore.

"Medicham/Absol, come out," Marcus and Serena said. Medicham found herself standing on the elevator's cold metal floor. Seeker-Of-Endings was looking around nervously. His eyes caught Medicham's.

"We shouldn't be here," said Seeker-Of-Endings. "It is dangerous. I cannot see. Someone is Psychically blocking me."

"What did you want to talk to me about?" Medicham asked.

Seeker-Of-Endings sighed. "My intent was to warn you not to come here. A warning that apparently did not matter much."

"What about Betrayer-Of-Kin?" Medicham asked.

"I have not been able to locate her," said Seeker-Of-Endings. "She went missing after her assault on Marcus. But…since this area is Psychically blocked, I must conclude that she is in this same compound."

Medicham felt a sharp pain in her palms. She barely registered it was her own fingers, clenching so tightly into fists that they were digging into her hands.

"Listen to me, Medicham," Seeker-Of-Endings urged. "Do not engage Betrayer-Of-Kin. She is beyond you. She is beyond all of us. If she truly is here, the Champion and the Elite Four are the only ones who could possibly engage her."

Medicham nodded, letting out a shaky breath. Her fists unclenched slightly. "All right."

The air around them was suddenly filled with a buzzing noise. Marcus's face whitened. Slowly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his Pokedex.

"What's going on?" Serena asked.

Marcus sighed and pressed the screen on his Pokedex.

"-us? Marcus? Where are you?"

Medicham stiffened at the sound of Sarah's voice emitting from Marcus's Pokedex.

"I'm fine, Mom," said Marcus; at that Calem and Serena stiffened as well. "I've...met with some Trainers I know, and one of them's got a Kadabra with Teleport. I'm...I'm fine, and I'm going to be fine."

"Thank Arceus." Sarah's sigh of relief was clear and filled Medicham's heart with guilt. "James and I are safe too. You...stay out of trouble, okay?"

"Okay," said Marcus. "Love you, Mom. Bye."

He touched the Pokedex with one finger, shutting off the call, and immediately let out an explosive breath, bowing his head in shame.

Serena smiled sadly. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," said Marcus, lifting his head to glare at Calem.

"Don't look at me like that," Calem growled, noticing Marcus's glare. "You're the one who dropped us down here, not me."

Marcus took a furious step towards Calem. Serena stepped hastily between them. "Calem, Marcus, now's not the-"

At that point, a muffled booming noise sounded around them and the elevator shuddered to a halt.

Marcus let out a deep breath and tore his gaze away from Calem. "Do you think this goes back up?" he asked.

"Not from in here," said Calem. "Only one way to find out if it's the same outside."

The doors of the elevator slid open with a quiet whoosh, revealing a long metal corridor stretching out for about fifty feet before it hit a wall, along with a nearby pair of Grunts with their backs turned to the elevator.

One of them looked backwards. "Glad you could make it. No sense in being up there while - hey, wait a minute! Who are-"

"Lucario," Calem ordered.

The Grunt's voice was cut off by Lucario surging straight out of his Pokeball to deliver a swift punch to his forehead. He slumped, motionless. The other Grunt, however, was quicker on the uptake. Five of the standard unevolved Team Flare Pokemon emerged, along with a Manectric that reminded Medicham of Ripper, just weaker-looking. "For Team Flare!"

"Medicham, pick your targets!" Marcus cried.

"Lucario, Bone Rush!" Calem ordered.

Medicham's eyes fell upon a snarling Houndour. She charged, slamming into it with a Fighting Strike that knocked it backwards. Lucario spun, mustering a staff of Aura in one hand, and clocked a Slugma hard enough to bend it around the staff, then kicked out and sent a Croagunk flying into the wall. Seeker-Of-Endings lashed out with his horn, sending a Litwick to the ground.

That left the Manectric, who was quickly looking a little less confident, and a Sneasel who lunged for Medicham, claws wreathed in Dark energy. "Psychic Dodge!" Medicham cried, shifting out of the way. Seeker-Of-Endings struck the Sneasel with several rays of Dark energy, staggering it. Medicham swept out one leg and slammed a Fighting Trip into the Sneasel's chest, knocking it unconscious to the ground.

"Thunderbolt!" the Grunt ordered his Manectric, before turning and beginning to run down the corridor. "After him!" Calem ordered. Lucario twisted and darted after the Grunt. The Manectric glared at Medicham and Seeker-Of-Endings and fired a crackling bolt of Electric energy at both of them.

"Detect!" Marcus shouted.

Both Medicham and Seeker-Of-Endings obediently twisted out of the way, allowing the Thunderbolt to soar between them. "Psychic Blast!" Medicham cried. The Manectric stumbled, and in that moment Seeker-Of-Endings lunged, horn drawn back, and stabbed it straight into the Manectric's gut.

-Betrayer-Of-Kin's horn embedded in her stomach, slashing up, ripping her open from stomach to chin-

Medicham shook her head, letting out a grunt of effort. One of her hands was clasped to her forehead; she withdrew it before anyone saw. She looked up in time to see both the Manectric and the Grunt collapse from Seeker-Of-Endings and Lucario's attacks, respectively.

"Um…" Serena's voice came from behind Medicham. "We might have a problem."

Medicham twisted to see Serena staring at a piece of technology that looked as if it might have been a mechanism for the elevator, at least until it had been fried.

"Looks like there was a way back up," said Calem.

"Okay," said Marcus, "what's the plan now?"

"As you so succinctly said in the elevator, we're going to have to fight our way out," said Calem. "But right now, we have no idea where we are. There's got to be a map of this place somewhere. It wouldn't make much sense for there not to be."

"Right," said Serena. "We need to stick together. If we do encounter an Admin, we'll stand more of a chance against them together."

"Let's go, then," said Marcus. "Medicham, stay out. Work with Absol and Lucario. If something goes wrong, I'll send out the rest of the team."

The three teenagers and their Pokemon dashed off down the corridor.

Diantha, Wikstrom, and Malva stood before a specific stone embedded in the ground, eyeing the area around them.

"I could have sworn those cries came from around here," Diantha murmured.

Malva shrugged. "Eh, forget it. Let's move on."

"Hold!" Wikstrom cried. "For by thine hand, Lady Diantha, my eyes doth see a depression in the stone!"

Diantha looked down. "Hm. I see what you mean, Wikstrom. This part of the stone does seem separate from the rest."

"I wouldn't touch it," said Malva. "It could be dangerous."

"Gardevoir." Diantha released the majestic white-and-green Pokemon. "Step back, everybody. Gardevoir, you see that depression in the stone?"

"Yes, I do," Gardevoir responded.

"Use Psychic on it," said Diantha.

Gardevoir reached a hand out and sent a wave of Psychic energy at the depression. At her mental touch it sank into the stone. The ground let out a crunch as it seemed to open up, revealing a square gap in the ground behind the stone.

Wikstrom looked down. "It is a pit," he stated.

Malva joined him. "Looks like an elevator shaft," she said. "But where's the elevator?"

"Gardevoir, Trace," said Diantha.

Gardevoir raised a hand. "Trace: Radar Scan." In the air, a swath of Psychic energy formed, glowing purple, and slowly twisted into the shape of the square shaft.

"It appears it is an elevator shaft," said Gardevoir. "The elevator, though, is at the bottom of the shaft. It would not be advisable to use it for its intended purpose until the elevator returns to the top of the shaft."

"Thank you, Gardevoir," said Diantha, recalling her Ace. "Clearly, this is another entrance into Team Flare's base, but one which we will not use. We will return to the front entrance as previously said. Let's go, Wikstrom, Malva."

The two Elite Four members followed the Champion away from the gap even as the ground shifted back into place. None of them saw the being who had been watching them the entire time.

Kecleon tore its gaze away from the scene and raised its hand towards its Trainer, hiding behind a nearby bush. ALL CLEAR.

"Good work, Kecleon," said Xerosic. "We will move to the other point of attack. I would much rather not test my creation against the Champion. Some Elite Four members and Gym Leaders will be a good starting point."

A flash of light burst through the air and quickly faded, revealing five Trainers. Siebold was in the center, with Drasna, Lieutenant Surge, and Jasmine arrayed around him. Behind him stood a Trainer with slicked-back dark hair and a nasty grin on his face, fingering his Pokeballs excitedly.

Starmie allowed the power he'd mustered for teleportation to fade and looked back at the fifth Trainer. He could not help but shudder. The Trainer just…rubbed him the wrong way. Perhaps that was due to his type specialty.

"Glad you could make it, Grimsley," said Siebold.

"It was no trouble," said the Unovan Dark-type Elite Four member. "After Plasma…I'd rather no region suffer similarly."

"Siebold," said Drasna. "Remember to radio Diantha."

"On it." Siebold pulled a private PokeGear out of his pocket and pressed a button. "Diantha. We're ready."

"Did you call the International Police?" Diantha asked.

"Yes, they're sending some operatives over," Siebold responded. "But it'll take time on such short notice."

"A shame, but expected," said Diantha. "Did Grimsley at least arrive on time?"

"He's with us right now," said Siebold. Grimsley waved. "Hey."

"Good to hear you," said Diantha. "All right, let's run through the plan one more time. Malva, Wikstrom, and I will move through the front entrance first. Siebold, Lieutenant Surge, and Jasmine will move in afterwards and provide support. Grimsley and Drasna will move in last, guard our backs, and mop up the remainder. Is everybody ready?"

"Yes," said Siebold. Starmie stirred with nervous anticipation. This would be a difficult battle. But not too difficult. He was confident in his Trainer and in the rest of his team.

Team Flare would not fire the Ultimate Weapon. Not on their watch.

Deep in the bowels of the stronghold under Geosenge, Lysandre stood before his remaining Admins. Betrayer-Of-Kin watched from the shadows, eyes flicking between Lysandre, the Harbinger of Death who was hovering on the ceiling, and the Ultimate Weapon in which the Lifebringer still stood.

"Mable is gone," he said. "Xerosic is ready to assault their rear. And I must remain down here to fire the Ultimate Weapon. It falls to you to defend against the rest."

"You expect us to fight the Champion plus whoever Xerosic doesn't occupy?" Celosia asked.

"Remember, our mole will assist you," said Lysandre. "And you will have the remaining Grunts and Executives. Now. Is everybody prepared?"

"Yes," chorused Aliana, Bryony, and Celosia. Betrayer-Of-Kin let out a quick sigh. This battle would be a perfect opportunity to escape, and a quick withdrawal into the Perish Dimension (or Oblivion, as Yveltal called it), would enable her to avoid the Ultimate Weapon's blast if it did fire. But she would have to wait. She could see one of the Harbinger's red eyes glaring at her. She knew he was watching her. And he knew that she knew.

No, she could not escape yet. But once the Harbinger was distracted, nothing in Kalos would make Betrayer-Of-Kin remain in this den of catastrophe.

In one of fate's many strange quirks, as a scientist and his creation moved towards some of the strongest Trainers in Kalos, as three teenagers ran down an underground corridor driven only by fear and a need to leave, as a single vengeance-consumed Electric-type stepped over a hill and looked down upon a field of stones, as a single Trainer among the Kalos Elite Four reflexively touched a hidden PokeGear in their pocket, and as twenty Absols strove to break through a Psychic blockade that masked their sight while three more, all unheeding of the others, moved within it, two voices rang out in perfect synchronicity, though neither of them would ever realize it.

"Let's do this."