Pokémon the Movie: White: Victini and Zekrom
Drifting. That's the only word that can accurately describe the current state of Ash Ketchum. The young man's currently unconscious from a particularly excessive display of psychic might. Seeing nothing, a harsh purple soon flickers into his line of sight before solidifying into a plume of malevolent energy. The sight looks suspiciously like that of the Dragon Force he saw when Mannes and Juanita were retelling a tale of the Kingdom of the Vale. How the once tranquil energy became disrupted during the vicious civil clash between the Princes of Truth and Ideals and the Legendary Dragons of Unovan Mythology: Zekrom and Reshiram.
The violent energies seem to be congregating in a swirl at the base of where the Sword of the Vale rests in the present day. Or rather, rested, as the case may be. The illusion also shows the departed king, his face scrunched up in concentration in front of what appears to be the device that Damon utilized to move the castle and harness Victini's power. Next, the image shows the Sword of the Vale planting itself in the ground and causing the Dragon Force - what was previously destructive and purple - to turn into a serene flow of energy as it turns green once more.
Before Ash can get too comfortable with what he's seeing in the fog of his mental abilities, the scene changes to when the king gave a silent goodbye to his old friend before he passed on from the world. However, it would seem that that wasn't all the illusion had to offer as it seems he actually did say something before his end.
"The Sword of the Vale must not be moved!" The king advises, his voice surprisingly firm despite his old age combined with the exhaustion that must've been brought on by using Victini's power. "If the Sword of the Vale is moved once more, the Dragon Force will be disturbed and that could destroy our entire world!" The king's eyebrows furrowed as he raised a hand to Victini's face. "The castle should never be moved again!"
Victini offers a cheerful chirp as they embrace the warm gesture before, as previously shown in the illusion, the king drops his hand as his last bit of strength leaves him.
At the scene, Ash feels himself become choked up. Before he can become too immersed in the tragic display however, he feels an incessant shaking of his surroundings and a quiet murmur of his name.
"Ash?!"
Jolting awake (and accidentally headbutting Cilan in the process), Ash looks around erratically as he tries to regain his bearings. Finding himself in the basement where he first entered the castle from outside, he sees Misty sigh with relief, Marill in her arms as Pikachu's on her right shoulder, Iris place her right hand on Cilan's left shoulder as she has Axew in her arms, and the Pokémon Connoisseur putting his right hand to his forehead as his eyes are scrunched shut. And standing behind them, he can vaguely make out the figures of Juanita and Carlita.
"Ash!" Iris exclaims, her voice sounding equally pleased and discontented.
"You're...awake!" Cilan grounds out as he forces his right eye open.
"Pikapi!" The electric rodent exclaims from his perch.
"And good timing too!" Misty decrees before a malevolent smirk decorates her features as she pulls out her trusty mallet after making sure her Aqua Mouse Pokémon is secure. "I was thinking I'd have to whack you a few times with my mallet to wake you up."
"Gee, thanks Misty, what'd I do without you?" Ash mutters with a grin, standing up from his place on the floor.
"Too many things to count." Misty retorts, grinning wryly as she puts her mallet away from whence it came.
"Thank goodness!" Iris interjects, not wanting their playful banter to escalate into something more aggressive. Or even worse, affectionate! "We were all worried that the Psychic attacks from Gothitelle and Reuniclus put you into a coma or something!"
"Always so optimistic." Cilan remarks, Pikachu jumping onto Ash's shoulder as he seems to have recovered from being headbutted.
Iris, however, didn't seem to be done in the slightest as she crosses her arms after putting Axew back in her hair. "Although, I don't think it would take much to do that!"
"What's that suppose to mean?" Ash growls out, glowering at the adversarial girl.
"Anyway," Juanita begins with a cough as she moves between the two teenagers before a full out battle could ensue. "After Damon used his Psychic Pokémon to incapacitate you, he transported us to the castle's storeroom."
"The castle's storeroom?" Ash repeats, inhaling and exhaling a breath to try to calm down from his companion slight about his intellect, however subtle it might've been.
"Indeed." Cilan answers before bemusement clouds his green eyes. "Although, I'm curious why he didn't just transport us to somewhere within Eindoak Town."
"Who knows." Juanita murmurs, looking pensive. "At the moment, it feels like my son has become a different person entirely."
"Forgive my brother!" Carlita exclaims suddenly, her voice sounding as if she's been crying as her eyes seem to have the faintest redness surrounding them. "While he may not seem it, he's usually a kind, caring guy who strives to do his best and-"
She stops almost as abruptly as she started as she runs off, climbing the staircase that leads to the exit of the storeroom before disappearing behind it. The door slams close behind her. With a lingering glance in the direction that her daughter ran off to, Juanita offers the four teenagers and their Pokémon a slight bow. "Please excuse me." She says softly before running off in the direction her daughter fled.
Meanwhile, as Misty, Cilan, and Iris watch the two leave with both concern and puzzlement, Ash focuses on the floor as the gears in his head begin to turn. Turning his gaze from the floor to the singular window of the storeroom, he clenches his hands into fists before turning his attention back to his three friends.
"He shouldn't have moved the castle!" He barks out. Without pausing for any of the three in front of him to respond or for Juanita and Carlita to return, Ash continues emphatically. "If the castle's moved, the Dragon Force will be disturbed and it'll destroy the world!"
"What did you say?!"
The four teenagers and their Pokémon look to the staircase leading from the storeroom to find Juanita coming down the stairs as a seemingly soothed Carlita follows close behind, a tear-stained gray handkerchief clutched in her left hand
"Victini just told me so!" Ash exclaims, pausing momentarily to scratch the back of his neck. "Well, it was more of a vision from the past-" He coughs before continuing. "The castle was moved to the top of the mountain to keep the disturbance in the Dragon Force from getting out of control!"
"It can't be!" Carlita says after blowing her nose in her handkerchief.
"According to legend," Juanita starts, her right hand to her chin as her left is at her elbow. "the Dragon Force became disturbed after Reshiram turned to stone." She drops her arms before resuming. "Which means Reshiram doesn't know!"
"So what do we do?" Cilan asks.
"Reshiram's too strong!" Iris adds before a look of admiration crosses her features. "Not even an awesome Dragon-Type like that shiny Hydreigon was able to do anything!"
"And there's no telling what kind of destruction will be unleashed with both Reshiram and the Dragon Force rampaging about!" Misty adds.
As her countenance turns towards rumination, Juanita gives a gasp of alarm as she realizes something. "Zekrom." She says simply, gaze steely with determination.
"Zekrom?" Ash echoes, curious.
"The other great Dragon Pokémon." Iris says, unaware of how her arms tighten, however slightly, around the companion in her arms.
"Zekrom has the power to stop Reshiram." Carlita says, a small smile gracing her features.
"Okay, but where is Zekrom?" Ash inquires with a cursory glance of the storeroom.
"Reshiram was beneath the castle, that's where Damon found them then that means Zekrom must be nearby as well." Juanita answers.
"Beneath the castle." Cilan ponders aloud as he fixes his gaze to the ground.
"Beneath the castle…?" The aspiring Pokémon Master in the room muses under his breath before his visage lights up. Realization dawning on him, Ash absconds from his friends to a corner of the storeroom.
A corner that, as his friends and newfound companions follow him and the wall slides away, reveals a winding staircase.
"I found it while I was helping the Deerling." Ash explains before, without preamble, he begins to descend the staircase. Misty and her Marill close behind as Cilan, Iris, Juanita, and Carlita bring up the rear.
As the six humans and their Pokémon walk upon the crystalline structure that makes up the depths of the castle - Pikachu having jumped off of Ash's shoulder - their surroundings are almost unearthly silent as the only sound is that of their footsteps. Some of which, like Pikachu's, Ash's, and Misty's, seem to quicken their pace.
"Just how far does this path go?" Iris wonders out loud as she glances around the network making up their surroundings. Axew remains in her hair as the Tusk Pokémon clutches his trainer's shoulder.
"It feels like we keep going around in circles." Cilan remarks as he too glances about their space.
"To imagine that such-" Carlita begins before breaking off as her visage becomes puzzled. "Hold on, where's Ash and Misty?"
The four humans and Axew look around sporadically before they spot their two friends on a lower bridge of the intricate system.
"Hey!" Ash shouts as he waves at them with both of his arms as Pikachu stands next to him on his left as Misty stands on his right. The redhead in question having exasperation written all over her face. "You guys! Come down here!"
"But Ash, Misty-?" Iris begins before the strangeness of their position sinks in as she thinks about how her two friends were right in front of her.
"How did you two get down there?" Cilan asks.
At the question, the two humans and their Pokémon share a confused look before glancing back up at their friends.
"Beats me!" Ash answers with a chuckle as he scratches the back of his head with Pikachu doing the same.
"I was just following Ash." Misty adds with a sigh. Smiling ruefully, she cannot help but think that that is how most if not all of her problems begin and end.
Of course, she thinks as she glances at her boyfriend with unguarded love in her eyes for a fleeting moment, I wouldn't change it for anything.
"We're going to go on ahead!" Ash declares before running off with Pikachu close behind.
"We'll find Zekrom before you know it!" Misty adds before taking off in pursuit of the raven-haired male.
As Ash, Misty, and Pikachu descend deeper into the recesses of the ancient castle, those present cannot help but think that the Cerulean City Native is remarkably agile considering the fact that she's holding a Pokémon in her arms.
"Go for it!" Iris shouts, her hands cupping her mouth.
"Find Zekrom!" Cilan adds, his hands clenched into fists.
"You got it!" Ash responds, pausing briefly to give them an earnest grin and a thumbs-up. Misty's only reply is a grin and her left hand raised with two fingers up for victory.
As the quartet continues on their way, Ash stumbles and narrowly avoids plummeting to his death.
"What's wrong Ash?" Misty asks, surprising calm considering what could have transpired.
"It's Victini." Ash answers softly, his russet eyes shining as he looks above them, as if he could see the Mythical Pokémon through all the granite and dirt. "They're in a lot of pain."
"They won't be for long!" The redhead says with a smile as she has a fist raised in stalwart resolve.
The couple share a glance before continuing on their way, their pace quickened.
However, they don't get much farther in their trek until a strange, mystical energy seems to ripple throughout the strange structure they're walking upon and causes the quartet to stop..
"Is it within you?" A loud, booming masculine voice resounds throughout the peculiar underground chamber as the two humans and their Pokémon look around sporadically for what the source could be. "The will to pursue your ideals?!"
And with that ominous statement uttered, the ground behind the small group begins to shimmer before falling away into nothingness.
"We've got to keep moving!" Ash declares, pulling on the flap of his hat as more of the odd structure begins to disintegrate.
"Right!" Misty agrees.
With renewed determination - and the threat of falling into an obsidian abyss weighing heavily on them - Ash, Misty, and Pikachu resume running once more. Sprinting across crumbling rock and jumping over ground that was disturbed by the upheaval, they accelerate their pace second by second before reaching a darkened corridor. However, the group does not descend through it gracefully.
Given the speed they had taken on to avoid an unfortunate demise, the force of their momentum sends them hurtling down through empty space. The first to hit the bottom is Pikachu as Ash lands on his stomach next to his best Pokémon buddy. Luckily - or unluckily in the raven-haired Pokémon Trainer's case - Misty seems to have affected a sense of grace as she lands on her boyfriend's back, her Marill miraculously still in her arms.
"Well, let's never do that again." Misty remarks under her breath as Marill and Pikachu add their agreement.
Ash, for his part, groans pathetically as he feels his girlfriend and her Aqua Mouse Pokémon's combined weight press down on him.
"I agree." He mutters with another groan before glancing up at the redhead. "Think you could get off of me Misty?"
"Sorry Ash!" Misty exclaims with a rueful smile before she goes to do just that.
With the weight pressing down on him gone, Ash struggles to his feet. Once he gets into a standing position, he brushes the dirt off of him and readjusts his hat.
Given how their perilous encounter is over, the group looks around their immediate surroundings. Or, at least, what they can see of their surroundings. Despite the inherent darkness, the small group can make out what looks to be a small chamber with what looks to be crisscrossing lines of roots making up the ground. Aside from that, there isn't much more to the chamber except for a small pedestal sitting in the middle of the chamber
"I wonder where Zekrom could be hiding." Ash muses, a thoughtful look on his face as he scratches the back of his neck with his right hand.
"Pika Pikachu." The little Electric Mouse Pokémon adds as he jumps up onto his friend's shoulder..
"Well, only one way to find out!" Misty suggests cheerily, a smile on her face as she strides forward into the chamber.
Only to be forced back by some invisible force that sends her tumbling to the ground. Marill also seems to have been affected as she's sent flying from her Pokémon Trainer's arms into the chamber.
"Well, that hurt." Misty mutters as she rubs at her backside from her place on the ground.
"Are you okay?!" Ash asks as he rushes to his girlfriend's side. He kneels behind her as his hands hover near her shoulders.
"I'll be fine." She answers curtly before looking around with concern. "Wait, where's Marill?"
"Marill." Said Aqua Mouse Pokémon says, awe in her voice.
Ash, Misty, and Pikachu look to see Marill standing in front of the pedestal, appearing to be completely transfixed by whatever she's seeing.
"Marill!" The redhead exclaims, jumping to her feet and almost causing Ash to fall to the ground along with Pikachu. Running forward a few paces, whatever had caused her to be expelled backwards reacts to her presence again.
This time however, she manages to stay on her feet only to put her hands at her forehead from the impact of running into the unseen wall. Tears of pain welling up in her eyes, Misty blinks them back as she glares at the obstacle in front of her.
"Nothing's going to keep me from my Marill!" Misty shouts, walking forward hesitantly before her hands seem to find whatever was impeding her progress. With a scowl, she slams her fists against the strange wall in front of her.
"Let me see if I can get through." Ash suggests, placing a placating hand on Misty's right shoulder. Flashing her an encouraging grin after she ceases her pounding for the moment, Ash walks forward into the chamber.
And continues walking as whatever was preventing Misty from moving across the threshold of the room either ignores or accepts the russet-eyed male's presence.
"Huh." Ash murmurs lamely as he looks around the dark room he's found himself in. Gazing upward, it would seem that the ceiling is made of interconnecting structures reminiscent of the ones that he had previously walked upon earlier. Moving his line of sight to the platform and Aqua Mouse Pokémon in front of him, Ash also spots a strange circular object on top of the platform. Looking to be made up of obsidian rock, the sphere is almost entirely unblemished save for the indentation going from its middle to the top of the orb.
Shaking his head, he walks up to Marill.
"Okay Marill, time to-"
Before Ash can continue, the globe he sees begins to rise into the air as it flares to life. With blue electricity arcing off of it, Marill retreats from the pedestal to stand behind Ash.
Puzzled, the three present take an unsure step forward before a familiar voice fills the cavernous space.
"What is your wish, your ideal?" The masculine voice inquires as it seems to resonate from the strange, levitating orb.
After getting past his initial wonderment, the question causes Ash to be taken aback as he ponders.
"Ideal?" Ash repeats, moving his gaze from the crackling orb to the ground. The sentence causes him to think of Victini. Of how sad the Mythical Pokémon was and their short time spent sleeping beneath one of Eindoak Town's many berry trees. "I really want to help Victini." More images flash in his mind; of running through town, of laughing together.
Clenching his hands into fists, he jerks his gaze up to the sphere. "I've got to help!" Ash shouts, impassioned on Victini's behalf. He sighs, almost inaudibly, as he glances back at the ground. Once more, he thinks of Victini and how excited the Mythical Pokémon was at the prospect of going to the ocean. Of how they were ecstatic by the mere sight of it. "Victini lived all alone for a thousand years! Lonely. Must've been so lonely." Closing his eyes for a moment, Ash steels his resolve before returning his eyes to the floating stone. "I promised I would take Victini to the ocean."
As if spurred on by the young man's words and the strength of his convictions, the strange orb ascends even further into the air. Electricity arcing off of it in even greater frequency and power, Ash, the two Pokémon next to him, and even Misty have to squint so as to not become blinded by the brilliance of the azure light. The two Pokémon Trainers even throwing up their arms for good measure.
What doesn't help such matters is how the strange orb, as if reaching some arbitrarily determined point in the air, crackles with energy, the electricity soon filling the whole of the peculiar cavernous space. The radiance brought about by the aforementioned electricity manages to encapsulate the sphere entirely; the strange orb suffused with energy.
Originating from the sphere, a bolt of electricity shoots down to the ground in front of Ash, Pikachu, and Marill before being followed by two more bolts. The three of them taking a collective step back, they as well as Misty open their eyes fully as a huge sphere of an ethereal light blue energy fills the room. Ash and Misty lower their arms while the electricity previously bouncing off the walls gradually subsides.
As the energy begins to dim, the huge sphere flickering and shimmering, the four present soon show expressions of shock and surprise at the sight of what exists before them. The huge sphere dissipating into particles of light, it leaves behind a being of massive stature. Their arms crossed in front of them, their wings folded inward, their head bowed, their eyes closed, and their knees pressing upon the ground, the four other occupants of the room recognize the mysterious creature as none other than the Deep Black Pokémon, Zekrom.
Zekrom soon opens his eyes, revealing irises bearing resemblance to a solar eclipse as it's surrounded by a startlingly clear ice blue. Beyond that a deep crimson red. Uncrossing his arms and unfurling his wings, Zekrom raises his head with pride as he rises to his full height. Releasing a bellowing roar, one final burst of electricity rips through the air surrounding him before vanishing from sight.
"It is your will that shall bring your ideal to life!" The Deep Black Pokémon says, his intimidating presence causing Marill to take another step back.
In that moment, Ash acknowledges three things.
The first and most apparent is how the peculiar orb from before is in actuality the fabled Dark Stone said to be the weakened, sleeping form of the great Legendary Pokémon.
The second is how Zekrom is communicating. His voice sounding as if it is both reverberating off the caverns' walls yet also ricocheting around in Ash's head, he surmises that the Deep Black Pokémon must be able to communicate via telepathic means.
The third and final thing Ash pays attention to, as a huge grin breaks out across his features, is how amazing such a display was. He isn't sure what he was anticipating should he eventually find Zekrom lurking beneath the Sword of the Vale's structure, but it definitely wasn't that.
"So awesome!" Ash remarks, a certain effulgent glint sparkling in his eyes, almost childishly so.
However, the young man isn't able to enjoy such feelings of awe as Pikachu gives him a slight jolt of electricity (most likely to remind him of their purpose; why they're in a underground chamber beneath an ancient castle) and Zekrom begins to speak once more.
"Long has it been since I've been a part of the waking world." The Deep Black Pokémon says before giving Ash a critical stare, his eyes seeming to thrum with electricity. "Why is it that you've awakened me from my slumber, young one?"
Pausing for a moment to both recover from the Legendary Pokémon seeming formality and compile his thoughts, it doesn't take Ash terribly long to respond.
"Victini and Eindoak Town are in trouble!" the young Pokémon Trainer starts, hands clenching somewhat at the prospect of the Mythical Pokémon in pain, possibly on the precipice of death. "The Dragon Force is out of control and threatens to destroy everything!"
"I see." Zekrom murmurs, his eyes shifting with contemplation.
Contemplation that seems to flare into something else entirely as Ash continues.
"Reshiram is keeping us from helping Victini, saving Eindoak Town, and keeping the Dragon Force under control!"
"I see." Zekrom repeats, though there seems to be a certain hard edge to his voice.
His tone of voice serves as a portent of things to come as the Deep Black Pokémon raises his mighty arms into the air as a violent growl, almost animalistic in its entirety, rises up from his stomach to fill the cavernous space with its almost ear-splitting volume. Shortly thereafter, a brilliant light blue light emanates from Zekrom. Shielding their eyes with their forearms, Ash, Misty, Pikachu, and Marill watch on as Zekrom's electricity fills the room once more. Ash even has to take a step back to prevent himself from getting inadvertently electrocuted when an arc of Zekrom's electricity strikes down dangerously close to his feet.
Another deafening growl fills the air before, as Zekrom lowers his arms, gradually subsides into nothingness. Looking significantly more calm than he had prior to the explosion of light and sound, the Deep Black Pokémon closes his eyes. Tipping his head up towards the dark, cavernous ceiling, the Legendary Pokémon seems to take a deep breath before turning back to Ash and the Pokémon around him.
"Very well." Zekrom intones, his eyes opening. With speed and grace proving incongruous with his rather large frame, he turns around. With only the briefest disturbance of dust shifting through the air showing Zekrom had moved at all, he continues speaking. "We must act swiftly before everything we know has been brought to ruin!"
Either ignoring or oblivious to such a dramatic declaration, Ash turns to look at Pikachu and Marill before meeting the eyes of the former. Giving one of his closest companions a close-lipped smile, he nods his head with determination and pumps one of his fists in the air in front of his chest. Glancing back at Marill as Pikachu chooses that moment to climb up his Pokémon Trainer's body before coming to rest on his left shoulder, Ash picks the Aqua Mouse Pokémon up, settles her in his arms, and begins to climb up Zekrom's back.
It's only when he settles the three of them near Zekrom's neck and glances behind him does Ash both see and hear a certain volatile redhead clear her throat. Though there exists a certain hard edge to her features, Misty has an eyebrow raised as well as a half-smirk tugging at her lips. The final piece to the picture is how the former gym leader of Cerulean City knocks on the invisible wall in front of her.
Chuckling half-awkwardly, half-sheepish, Ash turns to Zekrom, clearing his own throat as he does so. "Zekrom, could you maybe-"
"You needn't say more young one." The Deep Black Pokémon advises. Zekrom turns his head to glance at Ash out of his peripheral vision. "I shall lower the barrier blocking the way into my chamber."
With that said, the invisible wall in front of Misty, who had started to lean against it as she waited, shimmers a strange dark blue light before disappearing noiselessly. And sending the orange-haired girl tumbling forward as she loses her balance.
"Misty!" Ash cries out, almost instinctively as he reaches a hand out before letting it drop to his side.
"I'm fine Ash." Misty says, something akin to admonishment in her voice as a slight smile tugs at her lips. She brushes herself off before walking over to her boyfriend, their Pokémon, and the Legendary Pokémon before them.
"I-I see." Ash says, his own lips twitching upwards.
As Ash helps Misty up onto Zekrom, the aforementioned Legendary Pokémon chuckles, a low deep sound. What he says next causes Misty to utter out a coherent stammer as Ash's eyes go wide, a light rose seeping into his cheeks.
"Ah, young love." The Deep Black Pokémon muses, almost nostalgic. As if he were remembering a relationship he was either involved in or bore witness to a long time ago. "To see such displays that represent a strong bond of love and utmost affection warms my heart."
After a beat of silence, Misty finally finds her voice.
"A strong bond…?"
"Of love and utmost affection?" Ash finishes.
The couple soon look at each other. Russet meeting viridian, their cheeks crimson beautifully.
Another beat of silence soon ensues before Ash scratches the back of his neck and Misty coughs almost too loudly.
"Ri-right." The former murmurs.
"Yeah, right." The latter agrees, her own voice quiet.
Without preamble, Zekrom raises and drops his arms once.
"Ready yourselves young ones," Zekrom advises. "The battle with my other half shall be quite challenging!"
"I'm sure it's nothing we can't handle!" Ash exclaims, a determined glint in his eyes as he pumps a fist into the air.
"Pika Pikachu!"
"Marill!"
Misty, for her part, merely nods her head, her own eyes alight with determination.
"Very well." Zekrom says, the beginnings of a smirk on his features.
Without a moment's pause, Zekrom flies up and out of the cavernous space they're in, their destination and quarry on everyone's minds.
Meanwhile, as Ash, Misty, and their Pokémon companions seek to defeat Damon, Reshiram, and restore order to the Dragon Force - and ultimately, the land of Eindoak Town and perhaps even the Unova region itself - Cilan, Iris, Juanita, Carlita, and Axew run across the floor to soon gaze upon the cloud layer. From their vantage point at one of the castle's ledges, they can see - intermittently though it may be - the twisted and violent violet energy of the Dragon Force tearing throughout the land.
As the energy continues with its rampage, they all watch with worried frowns as it sends the many Pokémon scattering about, trying to flee to safety and out of the destructive tendrils of the disturbed energy. The distant, almost cacophonous cries of Reshiram floating through the air only further add to such a despairing scene.
"It's horrible." Juanita remarks solemnly, a deep sigh soon passing through her lips.
"How could Damon be responsible for something like this?" Carlita wonders aloud, her eyes managing to remain dry.
A surprised gasp originating from the Pokémon Connoisseur in their midst prevents the former from contemplating the destruction ripping through the sprawling countryside below. It also keeps the latter from mulling over her brother's actions and a certain aspiring Dragon-Type Master from voicing any negative thoughts she may have shifting around in her mind.
"Juanita, look through the clouds!"
At Cilan's request, three pairs of eyes glance to his face and back to the cloud layer to pinpoint where he insists the older woman to turn her gaze.
Aside from the rather obvious rampaging energy tearing a seam in the earth, the four humans and lone Pokémon see a familiar form rise up and through the clouds.
Or rather, two familiar forms.
With a heavy pant from one of them and a kind of rattling sound from the other, Juanita and Carlita are reunited with their Golurk and Hydreigon respectively, both Pokémon looking no worse for the wear despite taking on a foe of literal legendary significance.
However, before the mother and daughter duo can rejoice in the appearance of their beloved Pokémon, a third figure breaks through the clouds. A beat of sweat on his forehead before running down his face and into his aviator helmet, Mannes appears troubled in his crimson airplane.
"It's Mannes!" Juanita remarks.
"Things look really bad down there!" Mannes exclaims.
"The Dragon Force is out of control!" Juanita agrees.
A look of puzzlement quickly flashes over the man's face before disappearing as quickly as it arrived. "How did you know?"
A series of gasps rippling through the four people gathered on the castle's cobblestones, the three teenagers turn to Juanita.
"Because Ash told us it would happen!" Carlita exclaims.
Juanita merely nods her head.
Turning back to look upon her Pokémon, Juanita closes her eyes. Hands soon clenching into fists, she opens her eyes to reveal a resolute light burning within.
"Golurk, you must go and stop the castle!"
"Hydreigon, you go to!" Carlita orders, her eyes burning with a fraction of the fight within her mother's. "Stop Reshiram, stop my brother!"
Without preamble, the Automaton and Brutal Pokémon ascend through the air until they're in front of Damon. Wishing to obey their respective trainer's orders, they both position themselves at ninety degree angles in front of Damon; Golurk on the left, Hydreigon on the right.
Alternating the fires jutting from their wrists for their hands, Golurk puts both hands close together in front of their body. Steadily, they form an orange ball of energy between their hands. Meanwhile, pale purple winds manifest around Hydreigon's body as she prepares to unleash an attack of her own.
If Damon feels at all threatened by the prospect of getting hit with a Hyper Beam and Dragon Breath, he doesn't show it. Without so much as a flinch, Damon turns to Reshiram.
"Reshiram," he starts, his voice stern. "Make sure Golurk and Hydreigon don't get in my way."
Galvanized by the man's words, Reshiram flies in close to the two Pokémon.
Orange-red energy gathering in rings around the Vast White Pokémon, beginnings of flame gather in their mouth. After the rings dissipate, Reshiram unleashes a torrent of white-hot orange-yellow flame at the two Pokémon. Before either one has time to react, Golurk and Hydreigon are both engulfed in a sphere of bright, orange flame.
Soon subsiding into black smoke, Juanita and Carlita both look upon the place where their Pokémon stand obscured with worry on their faces.
"Golurk, no!"
"Hydreigon!"
Nearby, Mannes lands his airplane upon the cobblestones.
"Everyone, get in!"
Without hesitation, Cilan, Iris and Axew, Juanita, and Carlita board Mannes' vehicle. The mother and sister duo sitting behind the pilot while Cilan, Iris, and Axew take their place in the seats behind them.
Mannes quickly begins to ascend once they've situated themselves inside the aircraft.
Back in the sky, Golurk and Hydreigon are sent hurtling backwards and in opposite directions. With the latter ending up behind Reshiram, the former receives the full brunt of the Legendary Pokémon's next attack.
The three claws on Reshiram's left wing glowing bright pink, they don't hesitate to slash in a downward arc across Golurk. A faint trail of bright pink energy left in the attack's wake, the Dragon Claw ends up sending Golurk hurtling back.
With the Automaton Pokémon's strength waning for the moment, this leaves Reshiram free to direct their attention to Hydreigon. Opening their mighty jaws, it unleashes a huge sphere of flames, two rings encircling it. Upon firing it, the Fusion Flare soon engulfs Hydreigon. The attack exploding, it leaves the Brutal Pokémon consumed with smoke and fire.
When the result of the Fusion Flare subsides, it shows how much the attack affected Hydreigon. Appearing to breathe heavily, it looks as if one more attack will render them unable to battle.
Reshiram doesn't get a chance to finish attacking Hydreigon as Golurk - after regaining their senses - rams into the Vast White Pokémon's back.
Crying out in outrage, only the vaguest undercurrent of pain existing, when the two Pokémon separate, Reshiram wastes no time in retaliating.
Opening their mighty jaws once more, Reshiram unleashes a powerful stream of brilliant light blue flames. As the Blue Flare attack hits its mark, Golurk isn't the only one that ends up enveloped in the flames. Screaming out in pain, Hydreigon too ends up swallowed by the Fire-type move.
The attack dissipating into billowing smoke, Golurk and Hydreigon fall from it, the two rapidly descending. However, before the onlooking humans can be concerned, the two quickly regain their bearings, soon flying back up through the sky to battle with Reshiram.
When Golurk and Hydriegon stand before Reshiram, the two unleash their attacks upon the Legendary Pokémon.
As Golurk brings their hands together in front of their body, an orange ball of energy forming between them, Hydreigon rears her head back, a cyclone of pale purple wind encircling her. At the same time, the two unleash their Hyper Beam and DragonBreath attacks with Golurk unleashing an orange flame-like beam of energy and Hydreigon unleashing a stream of pale purple fire. Despite the ferocity they show in their attacks, it proves to be wasted effort.
Not only does Reshiram manage to effortlessly evade the Hyper Beam, when the DragonBreath does hit, the Vast White Pokémon shrugs it off as if it never occurred.
In response to the attacks, Reshiram releases a loud, animalistic shriek before unleashing an attack of their own. Rearing their own head back, Reshiram unleashes another Blue Flare attack, the light blue stream hitting Golurk directly in their chest as Hydreigon ends up engulfed in the attack as well.
After being hit by such a powerful attack, nothing stops Golurk or Hydreigon from hurtling through the air. The two soon end up crashing into the wall at the base of the castle. Leaving large craters in their wake, the two Pokémon lay there as bricks go flying, landing around the immediate area.
As Mannes directs the aircraft closer, those aboard see how truly defeated the two Pokémon look. Bruised and scratched, neither seems ready to leap back into the fray. They also realize with no small amount of concern that they aren't the only ones who flew in close.
Hovering in the air just a few paces away from Golurk and Hydreigon, Reshiram looks ready to launch a finishing blow.
"Hydreigon!" Carlita exclaims. A look of terror in her eyes, she wastes no time in retrieving her Poké Ball and pointing it at her Pokémon. The crimson energy manages to get halfway before dissipating.
"Golurk, get out of there!" Juanita demands at the same time Reshiram gathers energy in their maw. Culminating in a sphere of glorious flame, two rings encircling it, Reshiram's current Fusion Flare looks much more powerful than ever before.
After a few moments of fitful movement, even coming perilously close to falling over the edge of the aircraft, Carlita falls back in her seat.
"It's no use!" she laments. "We're too far away!" she forces her eyes shut as Reshiram unleashes their Fusion Flare. "I can't watch!"
"Too late!" Mannes exclaims.
However, as the Fusion Flare hurtles through the air, it's never given the opportunity to hit its target. A beam of pale purple flame pierces through the Fusion Flare. Not only does the Dragon Pulse stop the attack in its tracks, the Fusion Flare implodes on itself, leaving behind a giant conflagration.
With Mannes, Carlita, Juanita, Iris, Cilan, and Axew hunkering down into the aircraft to try and shield their eyes and themselves from the blast, Damon stills, his hands recoiling away from the pedestal in front of him.
"Ah!" Damon exclaims, the miniature Pillars of Protection spinning around the stone dias regardless of Damon's interference. "What's that?!"
Judging by the way Reshiram's eyes narrow, soon releasing an ear-splitting cry, the Vast White Pokémon is the lone one present who knows exactly what it is.
As the flame and smoke dissipate into nothingness, Zekrom appears in its wake, four familiar figures riding upon his back.
Zekrom gives a mighty roar of his own, as if in challenge to his counterpart.
"It's Ash!" Cilan exclaims, the occupants of Mannes' aircraft relaxing in their chairs.
"Pikachu and Marill, too!" Juanita adds.
"And Misty!" Iris adds. A gleam in her eyes, she looks entirely focused on the Deep Black Pokémon. "They're riding on Zekrom!"
"Axew!"
Although the occupants of Mannes' aircraft react to Zekrom's appearance with joy and amazement, Damon's reaction is much more severe.
"Zekrom." he murmurs, all but growling out the word.
Meanwhile, it seems Zekrom and Reshiram are content with merely staring the other down. The relative tranquility between the two Pokémon doesn't exist for long however. Rearing their head back, Reshiram is the first to attack as they release a Blue Flare. Zekrom, for his part, manages to evade the stream of blue, flying higher into the sky.
He doesn't simply evade however, as Zekrom releases a stream of pale purple flame from his mouth. Unlike his counterpart, Zekrom's attack hits its mark. The Dragon Pulse causing an explosion of purple flame and smoke around Reshiram. Although Reshiram is hit by the attack, that doesn't slow them down.
If anything, the retaliation manages to spur Reshiram on, galvanizing the Vast White Pokémon to chase after the Deep Black Pokémon. Closing in on Zekrom, the claws of Reshiram's right wing glow bright pink. Aiming to land a powerful Dragon Claw, the Dragon-type move ends up being neutralized when Zekrom raises his left wing to block it. The action causes sparks of crimson to arc off of where Reshiram's wing meets Zekrom's.
After a few moments keeping the attack at bay, Zekrom thrusts his wing forward, the action sending Reshiram flying back. From his position a few yards away from Zekrom, Reshiram prepares their next attack. Tendrils of orange fire appearing around Reshiram, they rear their head back. It isn't long before Reshiram unleashes their DragonBreath attack, the orange stream of flame flying through the air.
It ends up being a wasted effort on Reshiram's part as Zekrom manages to evade their attack once more.
It's at that moment that Ash speaks for the first time since they emerged from the bowels of the Sword of the Vale.
"Zekrom!" he shouts. "Get us down to the castle as far as you can!"
"We have to help Victini!" Misty adds.
"Very well." Zekrom says. With that terse statement spoken, Zekrom turns his back to Reshiram, flying in close to the Sword of the Vale. Undeterred, Reshiram gives chase.
Upon Zekrom's landing on the cobblestones, Ash and Misty waste no time in jumping off Zekrom's back with Pikachu close at their heels. Such actions happen not a moment too soon as Reshiram unleashes a Blue Flare upon the cobblestones that Zekrom only narrowly avoids as he takes flight once more. The stream of blue flame erupting into a cloud of blue smoke, Reshiram cuts through it in their pursuit of Zekrom.
As Zekrom busies himself with doing aerial combat with Reshiram, Ash, Misty, and Pikachu run into the interior of the Sword of the Vale.
"Victini!" Ash shouts.
"Pi Pika!"
Moving his gaze to the two interlopers and their Pokémon, Damon wastes no time in directing his Pokémon to attack.
"Go Reuniclus!" he exclaims, sweeping his right arm high into the air. "Gothitelle!"
"Reuni!"
"Gothi!"
Upon their trainer's orders, Reuniclus and Gothitelle encroach upon Ash, Misty, and their Pokémon. The targets in question are quick to defend themselves.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt now!" Ash demands, pointing at Reuniclus.
"Marill, you use Water Gun!" Misty says, allowing the Aqua Mouse Pokémon to jump out of her arms.
The commands given, Pikachu and Marill attack Reuniclus and Gothitelle respectively.
As yellow sparks appear around Pikachu's tail and cheeks, he soon releases a powerful bolt of electricity, the Electric-type move completely encompassing the opposing Multiplying Pokémon.
At the same time that Reuniclus wavers in the air, momentarily bested by the Electric-type move, Marill releases a spiral of water from her mouth at Gothitelle. The Water-type move completely drenching Gothitelle, the Astral Body Pokémon recoils from the scene as well.
As Damon and his Pokémon do battle with Ash, Misty and their Pokémon, Zekrom and Reshiram continue their bout. Going on the offensive, the electric generator inside Zekrom's tail spinning and glowing light blue with electricity, Zekrom prepares to attack with Bolt Strike. His fists clenched, Zekrom's entre body becomes surrounded in yellow electricity with large yellow lightning bolts arcing off of him. Flying through the air, Zekrom slams his body into Reshiram.
The Electric-type move managing to leave its mark on Reshiram, the Vast White Pokémon is sent hurtling back through the sky. Although it appears bruised from the attack, Reshiram is far from beaten.
Unleashing an attack of their own, Reshiram rears their head back. A huge sphere of orange and yellow flame forming above Reshiram's head, dual rings circling about the sphere, Reshiram unleashes the Fusion Flare upon Zekrom. This time, their attack manages to hit Zekrom. Only having enough time to cross his arms defensively in front of his chest, the Deep Black Pokémon ends up being consumed by the Fire-type move.
The blast not only results in a massive amount of smoke and flame, but also sends a shockwave ripping through the clouds. As the smoke and flame clears, Zekrom uncrosses his arms before enveloping himself in blinding blue light. A mighty roar escaping him, Zekrom becomes encased in a large sphere of his own electricity, the blue sparks arcing off of him in a violent display.
Without delay, Zekrom charges forward, soon coming in contact with Reshiram.
The attack encasing them both in a massive sphere of electricity, not only does it obscure them from the sight of any onlookers, but the Fusion Bolt attack ends another shockwave ripping through the clouds. After a few moments, the sphere containing both Zekrom and Reshiram explodes in a blinding display, the resulting shockwave enough to tear a hole in the clouds.
Allowing light to shine down on the land below, as Zekrom takes deep, even breaths to try and recover from such an expenditure of energy, it's through the hole in the cloud cover that he sees Reshiram. Though he's fatigued, yet unharmed, Zekrom sees that Reshiram isn't as fortunate.
Their eyes closed, Reshiram descends through the air. With Reshiram appearing to be incapable of recovering for the moment, Zekrom wastes no time in flying after his other half.
Falling through the air and into the chaotic purple energy of the Dragon Force, Zekrom flies into it. Grimacing at the sudden onslaught of pain that comes with such an intrusion, Zekrom nonetheless manages to fly beneath Reshiram. Once Reshiram is on his back, Zekrom uses all the energy still within himself to push them both out of the Dragon Force.
Hovering above the Dragon Force, Zekrom forces Reshiram off of his back at the same time he notices two things. As the pain from escaping the Dragon Force dims, Zekrom cannot help but feel significantly stronger and more refreshed than he had beforehand. Zekrom also sees, as their eyes flare open and they come to regard the swirling chaotic energy with shock and horror, Reshiram seems to have recovered their strength as well.
As the aforementioned swirling energy flares up, a huge spout reaching high into the air, it forces Zekrom and Reshiram on either side of the destructive energy.
It's only when the energy subsides into a relative calm that Zekrom speaks, leading with a powerful roar.
"Do you see now?" he intones. "What your very actions have wrought? The Dragon Force is unstable, the very land being ripped apart!"
As if to punctuate the sentiment, Zekrom rips a claw through a nearby shard of crystalized energy from the Dragon Force at the same time Reshiram must fly higher for a few brief moments to evade a sudden spout of it.
Reshiram gives a mighty roar of their own before speaking.
"I apologize Zekrom." he says. "I knew not the true extent of my actions. I truly believed it was for the best."
"Enough of that!" Zekrom barks, his gaze turning to the clouds above, the hole having long since mended itself. "There are more important matters we must attend to."
And without another word, Zekrom flys up towards the clouds, Reshiram close behind.
With Mannes' aircraft moved in closer to the Sword of the Vale, Juanita and Carlita quickly return their battered Pokémon. After pulling themselves up from the battered wall behind them, Golurk and Hydreigon quickly vanish, disappearing in a stream of crimson light to their respective trainers.
"You did well Golurk." Juanita remarks, regarding her Poké Ball silently before directing her attention to the Sword of the Vale.
"You too Hydreigon." Carlita says, gazing at her own Poké Ball with a fond smile. "You deserve a nice rest."
With the battered Pokémon safely within their Poké Balls, all aboard Mannes' aircraft turn their attention to the topmost part of the Sword of the Vale. Mannes quickly directs his aircraft in that direction.
Recovering from the Electric- and Water-type moves, Gothitelle and Reuniclus move in once more. Reuniclus puts his hands together in front of him, shooting a prismatic beam of energy at Ash and Pikachu as Gothitelle - his eyes glowing a dark red - fires a prismatic beam of energy outlined in dark purple from his chest at Misty and Marill.
For their parts, Ash and Pikachu manage to dodge the Psywave as Misty and Marill dodge the Psybeam. The four are quick to retaliate.
"Pikachu, use Iron Tail!"
"Marill, use Bubble Beam!"
At their trainer's respective commands, Pikachu begins to charge towards Reuniclus, his tail glowing a metallic gray. Meanwhile, Marill puffs up her cheeks before unleashing a stream of light blue bubbles at Gothitelle. At the same time Gothitelle is hit by the Water-type move, Pikachu leaps into the air, spins around, and strikes Reuniclus with his tail.
The two attacks sending Damon's Pokémon flying back, while they nonetheless appear damaged by the attacks, they are not out of the battle quite yet. Gothitelle puts his hands together in front of it, a light green orb of energy forming between them. Crossing his arms behind the orb, Gothitelle quickly opens them, firing the Energy Ball at Marill.
Reuniclus does the same as his ally; pulling his hands apart before bringing them together, Reuniclus forms a ball of black and purple energy if front of him. Purple static arcing off the orb, Reuniclus fires the Shadow Ball at Pikachu.
Although Pikachu is able to dodge the Ghost-type move, Marill isn't as lucky. Marill ends up taking the Energy Ball directly to her stomach. The attack explodes in a cloud of green smoke, completely hiding Marill from view.
Before Misty can cry out in concern for her beloved Aqua Mouse Pokémon, the smoke clears to reveal a standing, if slightly bruised, Marill.
"Pikachu, hang in there!"
"You too Marill!" Misty cheers. "Show 'em it'll take more than an attack with a type advantage to get you down!"
As Damon's Pokémon pant, showing signs of exhaustion from the battle, the man himself steps away from his ancient device to more adequately regard the interlopers.
"Sometimes, in the search for the truth, sacrifices are required!"
"You're wrong!" Ash retorts. With a grunt, he begins to climb the contraption holding Victini captive. The machine slowly draining the Mythical Pokémon of their life. "'Cause I don't need that kind of truth!"
Damon grits his teeth at the perceived insolence as his Pokémon fly above Ash to try and keep Ash at bay. Preparing to launch another Energy Ball and another Shadow Ball, Gothitelle and Reuniclus aren't given the chance as Pikachu fires an Electro Ball at Reuniclus and Marill releases another Bubble Beam. The two attacks not only matter to negate those of Damon's Pokémon, but send them crashing to the ground. Gothitelle and Reuniclus lay on the ground, the latter crackling with electricity after his encounter with Pikachu.
"Thanks Pikachu, Marill!" Ash exclaims, giving the two of them a thumbs-up and a wink.
"Pika Pikapi!" the Electric Mouse Pokémon chirps, his tail still crackling with electricity.
"Marill!" the Aqua Mouse Pokémon exclaims, even jumping happily into the air.
"What about my thanks?" Misty wonders, more to herself as a lopsided grin adorns her face.
After expressing his gratitude, Ash manages to jump onto the platform holding the miniature Pillars of Protection holding Victini in place as they drain Victini of energy.
"I'm coming Victini!" Ash shouts, drawing ever close to Victini.
Meanwhile, as Damon returns his two battered Pokémon, Misty, Pikachu, and Marill work to join Ash. Ash is just about to slam a fist against the cage of energy produced by the Pillars of Protection when he stops. His hand stills, eyes narrowing as Reshiram comes flying into the chamber. The Legendary Pokémon soon comes to hover above Ash and Victini.
"Pika." Pikachu murmurs upon joining his trainer, Misty and Marill close behind.
"Marill."
"It's Reshiram." Misty remarks.
"Reshiram, stop them!" Damon demands. "We've come too far to be stopped now!"
At the command, a mighty roar escapes the Vast White Pokémon. However, instead of attacking, Reshiram settles on the castle's ground, giving Ash, Misty, and their Pokémon a level stare.
"Reshiram!?" Damon exclaims, clearly puzzled by the defiance. "What's wrong!"
Upon realizing that Reshiram won't pose a threat, Ash advances on the cage of energy holding Victini captive, raises a fist to slam against it—
And is promptly sent a few inches away, almost crashing into Misty.
At the sight, Pikachu instinctively unleashes a bolt of yellow energy upon the cage. Marill soon lends her assistance a moment later; the moderate spheres of a Bubble Beam joining the Thunderbolt.
When the attacks don't do anything, Ash and Pikachu cry out in dismay, a frown making its way to Misty's face.
A plaintive wail escapes Victini.
The sound appears to be all the motivation Reshiram requires as he speaks, "Allow me to offer my assistance."
Rearing his head back, red orange circles enveloping him, Reshiram unleashes the red-yellow flame of a Dragon Breath upon the cage holding Victini captive. When the Dragon Breath collides with the Victini's prison, a bright, violet incandescent light ensues.
Shielding their eyes against the brightness, the humans and Pokémon watch as - after a moment's delay - the cage of energy keeping Victini trapped shatters, the miniature pillars holding it in place falling to the sides.
Removing his arm from his eyes, a panicked gasp is wretched from Ash's mouth. Watching as Victini falls through the air, Ash wastes no time in sprinting forward. Ash manages to catch Victini right before they hit the ground; stomach touching the ground, he looks over the Mythical Pokémon for any external signs of damage.
"Victini." Ash murmurs. Getting into a sitting position, Ash regards Victini, the Victory Pokémon opening their eyes after a few moments. The gratitude within, the small smile on their face, is enough to set Ash's heart at ease for the moment as he smiles back.
"Pikachu." Pikachu chirps, softly, but happily.
"Victini…" Victini murmurs.
Jumping off the raised pedestal where Victini was being held suspended in the air, Ash meets up with Misty, Pikachu, and Marill as they do the same. Meanwhile, as the purple energy moving about the interior of the room begins to subside, Damon advances on Reshiram. The Vast White Pokémon emits a mighty cry right as Damon stops before him and Zekrom appears on the scene, landing a few paces away from them both.
Damon glances between the two Legendary Pokémon, focusing on Reshiram as Mannes lands his aircraft on the terrace nearby.
"But why Reshiram!?" Damon demands, then softer. "But why?"
"I can hear the land's anger." Reshiram declares. "Her suffering."
"Anger?" Damon echoes. "Suffer—what?"
"Damon, the vale is in deep trouble!" Juania adds as she runs up to stand beside Zekrom with Carlita, Mannes, Cilan, Iris, and Axew.
"The Dragon Force is out of control!" Mannes adds, gesturing with an arm at the area beyond their immediate surroundings.
In the face of such ominous statements, Damon doesn't speak. Eyes wide, a stifled gasp of sorts escaping him, Damon rushes back to his podium holding miniaturized versions of the Pillars of Protection. Looking past it, all he can see for miles upon miles is an expansive cloud cover.
Currently.
Zekrom and Reshiram fly over him into the open sky beyond, briefly leaving his features in shadow and causing a breeze to rush past him.
"It can't be!" Damon exclaims, daring to hope that the truth of the matter is much different.
However, such hopes will soon be dashed after Zekrom and Reshiram unleash their attacks.
Producing a pale purple flame within his mouth, Zekrom releases a stream of the pale purple fire of a Dragon Pulse at the same time Reshiram has multiple rings of reddish-yellow flame appear around his body, firing a stream of the reddish-yellow flame of a Dragon Breath. The attacks intermingle together at the same time they hit the clouds.
The resulting blast causes a massive explosion of orange flame to ensue.
Mannes, Juanita, and Carlita join Damon as the combination of the two Legendary Pokémon attacks disperse the cloud cover, revealing the devastation unfolding on the ground below.
Damon gasps at the sight of the spidering web of purple fire spreading throughout the land.
"Oh no…" he breathes, horrified. "Fulfilling my mother's dream, how could that be wrong?"
"Damon!" Carlita exclaims as Ash, Misty, Cilan, Iris and their Pokémon rush over to join them. Victini rests peacefully as they can in Ash's arms. "Isn't there any way to calm the Dragon Force!?"
"Please, Damon." Juanita adds.
The young man can only clench his jaw in dismay at his family's inquiry, glaring down at the onslaught of rampant energy.
"I don't know." he admits, soon slamming a closed fist on the castle banister in front of him. "I just don't know!"
Having revealed the truth of the matter to Damon, Zekrom and Reshiram return. The two of them hover in the air in front of them, features impassive and regal.
"You must soothe the anger of the land." Reshiram advises.
"Use the sword!" Zekrom adds. "Only then will the Dragon Force be quelled."
A quiet gasp escapes Damon, a look of realization on his face.
"That's it!" he exclaims. "The Sword of the Vale will once again restrain the Dragon Force!" he looks up at the two Legendary Dragon-Type Pokémon, saying, "Reshiram, Zekrom, lend me your power!"
In response, the two of them bark out reassuring roars. At the same time, the Sword of the Vale glowing a strange, ethereal green before transitioning to purple, the rampaging Dragon Force arcs up through the air in the direction of the structure. Zekrom and Reshiram waste no time in flying down to meet the quickly approaching tempest.
With the two of them writhing inside, the Dragon Force curls upward, spiraling around the base of the Sword of the Vale. As the chaotic purple energy flows throughout the structure, illuminating everything in a harsh glow, it agitates the multitudinous array of Solosis and Duosion within. Not only that, but when the Dragon Force reaches it, the Sigilyph Damon was utilizing earlier begins to convulse violently, its large eye wide. Finally, the miniature Pillars of Protection Damon had his hands over shudder and shake, pointing inward to the center of their platform.
Damon regarding it with startlement, Mannes glances between the pillars and the purple energy winding throughout the Sword of the Vale.
"The Dragon Force reversed on itself!" he observes.
The Sword of the Vale begins to make its descent, the Pillars of Protection at the very top of the structure closing in on each other.
Silently taking in the events himself, Damon focuses on Mannes.
"Look, Mannes!" he says. "The castle is starting to crumble! You must get everybody out!"
"Right Damon." Mannes concurs, turning to regard Damon's family and Ash and his friends. "Everyone, this way!"
The mayor of Eindoak Town doesn't hesitate, already rushing in the direction of his aircraft with Damon next to him. After a moment, Juanita and Carlita run after them with Cilan and Iris close behind. As for Ash and Misty, they remain where they stand. As Ash looks down at a suffering Victini, Misty regards her friend with concern.
"Victini…" Ash murmurs as the Victory Pokémon lets out a piteous groan.
"Ash…" Misty says, her voice soft. She has a hand clenched at the base of her throat.
"Ash!" Iris cries out, the five humans and their Pokémon stilling next to Mannes' aircraft. "Misty! Quick!"
The exclamation is enough for Ash and Misty to shake off their concern. They look up at the aspiring Dragon-type Master and, after a moment, run over to meet them with their Pokémon close behind. With Ash, Misty, and their Pokémon on their way, the rest of them begin to prepare for their departure.
As Mannes, Juanita, and Cilan board the mayor's aerial vehicle, Carlita releases her shiny Hydreigon. Somehow finding a brief moment to gush over the majesty of such a beautiful Dragon-type, ("It's scales are so shiny!") Iris jumps on one side of the Brutal Pokémon as Carlita takes to the other. Miraculously, they seem rather comfortable in the small space Hydriegon's back allows. They take to the sky soon after, Axew content in his Pokémon Trainer's hair.
"Damon!" Juanita cries out, an arm outstretched in a wave at her son.
"You go on ahead!" Damon asserts, Ash, Misty, and their Pokémon stopping behind him.
Juanita only regards her progeny curiously.
"Damon, wait!" Ash exclaims, getting the other man's attention.
"Are you staying behind!?" Misty adds.
"Ash, Misty, you've gotta get away from here!" Damon advises, glancing between the two of them in turn.
"But Damon!" Ash exclaims.
"Ash." Damon says. "You and your friends must go. I've got to do this alone."
Meanwhile, glancing behind her in surprise, Carlita orders her Hydreigon to fly up next to Mannes' aircraft.
"Mannes!" she cries out. "Behind you!"
Heeding the young woman's evasive warning, Mannes finds a large Pillar of Protection drawing closer and closer behind him. At the sight, Cilan and then Juanita give a cry of alarm. It doesn't take long for Mannes to take his aerial vehicle to the sky, effortlessly dodging the massive structure.
Those still remaining on the Sword of the Vale watch their revolutions as Mannes directs his aerial vehicle to hover near the castle's banister.
"Ash!" Cilan exclaims, reaching a hand out over the edge of Mannes' aircraft. "Misty! Hurry up!"
In face of their friend's demand, Ash and Misty require no further prompting. They move, however, on their way to join Cilan, mindful of the large Pillars of Protection rotating around the air, right as they're about to pass the pillars, something unexpected happens.
A translucent barrier of concentric circles and unidentifiable symbols flickering into existence, Ash is sent flying backwards. Crashing to the ground at the foot of the stairs leading into the area where Victini was previously being held captive, Ash doesn't lose his grip on the Victory Pokémon.
"Ash!" Misty cries out. Picking Marill up, she rushes over to his side, Pikachu doing the same.
"It's the barrier!" Mannes observes.
"Oh no, Ash!" Cilan exclaims.
Helping Ash to his feet, Misty and him retreat up the stairs. As they do, the Pillars of Protection encroach ever closer on one another, the translucent barrier shining bright. Right as Ash, Misty, and Pikachu stand atop the stairs, the barrier sends Ash flying once more. He gives a painful shout as he's sent careening across the floor.
"Pikapi!" Pikachu cries as he, Misty, and Damon rush over.
"Victini…" Ash groans. "...can't...get past."
Damon turns his gaze from Ash to their surroundings.
"And the barrier's closing in." he observes.
Suddenly, the Sword of the Vale tips to one side. With their balance disrupted, the structure at an odd angle, Ash, Misty, Damon and their Pokémon begin to fall along the floor. Fortunately, Damon manages to grab a handhold along one of the bronze pillars affording the room support. With his arm draped over the pillar, Damon manages to catch Ash, Misty, Victini, and Marill in his other whilst Pikachu finds purchase along the pillar.
A grunt escaping him, Damon forces the two humans along the front of the pillar, their backs to him. However, although he managed to save Ash and Misty, he cannot save himself. Instead, he falls through the air and out of the Sword of the Vale. His scream grows distant as falls out of line of sight.
"Oh no, Damon!" Ash exclaims, glancing over his shoulder as Misty does the same.
"I hope he'll be okay…" Misty murmurs.
Any further conversation is deterred as the entire structure shudders violently. The Sword of the Vale regaining its balance, standing upright, the Dragon Force around it launches it straight up through the air. The sound of thunder echoing throughout their surroundings, rain and ice batters the outside of the Sword of the Vale.
Finding purchase once more, the two humans and their Pokémon rest on the ground. Grateful for the solid ground, they're unable to enjoy it for long as frigid breezes assaults them. Meanwhile, the Sigilyph falls from its pedestal as the Solosis and Duosion rise up out of the opening in the center of the room. They blanket the floor, them and the Sigilyph pouring out of the castle.
Bombarded with the icy temperature and furious winds, Ash, Misty, Pikachu, Marill, and Victini don't pay much attention to the other Pokémon. Shuddering in place for any bit of warmth, the five of them engage in a bitter group hug.
"Misty, Pikachu!" Ash exclaims. "Victini! Stay close to me!"
"D-Don't need to tell me twice, Ketchum!" Misty mutters, her words ending on a shaky breath. One hand wrapping around Ash's back, the other brings Marill closer to her chest. "I've got you, Marill!"
"Pikachu!" the electric rodent cries.
"Marill!"
Victini's only response is a shudder.
The Dragon Force solidifying along the base of the case, the Sword of the Vale continues its ascent before soon, it exists high above the cloud cover. In fact, it exists in an entirely different plane: space itself.
"It's s-so cold…" Ash stammers, shaking harder with each passing second. "Pretty soon...we're gonna...run out of air…"
"D-Don't say something l-like that!" Misty demands, shuddering just as hard, if not harder than Ash.
"Pika…"
"Ma rill…"
"Tini…"
"G-Gotta think…" Ash mutters, wrenching his eyes shut. "What can I do!?"
Just then, familiar roars echo throughout the area. Turning his head to the left, Pikachu sees Zekrom fly by. At the same time, turning her head to the right, Marill sees Reshiram fly by. Struggling to keep her eyes open, Misty looks to her right to find Damon aboard his mother's Golurk.
"Ash, Misty, listen!" Damon advises. "You'll make it!"
Despite the chill and the decreasing amount of oxygen, Ash and Misty both manage a smile of relief at the man's reappearance.
"Damon, it's you!" Ash says.
"You're alright!" Misty adds.
Returning the smiles with a thin one of his own, quickly frowning, Damon looks up. Undoubtedly, as he speaks, he refers to the two Legendary Pokémon that previously flew by.
"Now, destroy the Pillars of Protection!" he orders. "We've got to release all of the energy!"
Zekrom and Reshiram give roars of agreement. Hovering above the top of the Sword of the Vale, both of them prepare their attacks. Zekrom encases his entire body in crackling electricity, readying his Fusion Bolt attack. Rearing his body back, he charges directly at the Pillars of Protection. The contact causes a brilliant blue glow to appear and although the pillars shudder, they remain firmly in place. Despite this, the color of one of the pillars fades, its energy evaporating.
Feeling reinvigorated, Ash and Misty manage to get to their feet.
Afterward, Reshiram rears his head back. Flames gathering in front of his mouth, he prepares a Fusion Flare. Firing it, not only does it manage to dissipate the energy of one of the pillars, it inadverantly sends them careening to the right of the Sword of the Vale. With their new position, the two humans remaining in the castle see the translucent barrier drawing closer to them.
Not wishing to be sent flying, Ash and Misty run out of the castle into the area outside. Given how the ground starts to collect ice upon it, they almost narrowly avoid slipping along the floor.
Reaching the other side of the translucent barrier, Ash falls to the floor regardless. Pikachu jumping out his arms, Ash's breaths become more and more shallow. Wishing to protect his friend, Pikachu's cheeks crackle with electricity before his entire body is enveloped in it as he sends a Thunderbolt attack at one of the still glowing pillars. Misty's breathing growing more and more shallow as well, collapsing to the ground, Marill jumps out of her arms.
The same drive compelling Pikachu forward blazing inside her, Marill aids him by unleashing a Water Gun at the same pillar. Unfortunately neither of their attacks do much of anything. Instead, the pillars surround Ash, Misty, and their Pokémon, severely limiting their ability to move around.
Managing to get to his feet, Ash looks around their enclosed space with shock and determination. Not wanting to be caged, the young man throws himself into one of the pillars. The action does nothing but give him a throbbing sensation of pain in his right shoulder.
"Pikapi!"
Despite his previous failure, Ash remains unfazed. Getting a running start, he slams directly into the opposite end of the space, only to be sent to the ground by the energy the Pillars of Protection contain.
"Pikapi!"
"Ash!"
Getting to her feet, standing on shaky legs, Misty manages to walk over to Ash only to collapse to her knees at his side. Marill stands on her right as Pikachu stands on her left .
"Victini?" the Victory Pokémon cries, looking to have recovered, if only slightly, from their previous torment.
"Ash, you can't give up!" Damon advises, him and his mother's Golurk hovering directly in front of an opening in the Pillars of Protection. "Because you've been chosen by the great Dragon Pokémon!"
The pillars slam together then, obscuring Damon from sight.
Ash gives a shallow breath, bordering on a gasp.
"Me give up!?" he says, managing to move himself into an upright sitting position. "No way!"
Getting to his feet, Ash takes no more than a single step forward before he collapses to the ground. Hugging Victini close, the young man lies on his side.
"Ash!" Misty cries out in alarm. She runs over to him flanked by their Pokémon. "You...You shouldn't push yourself!"
"Vic...tini...ni…"
Golurk manages to use its brute force to separate two of the pillars by hand.
"We're coming!"
Damon barely has time to utter that proclamation as the pillars slam shut once more, the force their exerting too much for the Automaton Pokémon. On the outside of the Pillars of Protection, Zekrom and Reshiram continue their assault. Using all manner of attacks in their repertoire, they even charge at them with their bodies alone.
Unfortunately, nothing happens.
"Pikachu!" the electric mouse laments. His eyes appear warm and most as he moves his paws along Ash's hat.
"I...I can't move…" Ash admits, his body shaking. "My body w-won't let me…"
Misty regards her friend with concern, her own eyes, feeling warm with tears.
"Ash…" she breathes, her voice soft.
"Victini…" the Victory Pokémon cries, their own eyes looking damp with imminent tears.
"Victini…" Ash says. "Pikachu...Misty...S-Sorry...you wound up in th-this mess…"
The words hit Misty's chest like a Hyper Beam.
"A-Ash…" she stammers. "What...What are you saying!?"
"Victini…" Ash repeats, as if he hadn't heard her. "I'm really sorry." With painstaking, agonzing slowness, Ash doesn't just reveal his face beneath the brim of his hat. He reveals dulls eyes, frostbitten cheeks, and an unmistakable expression of defeat. "Victini...I know I promised you...I'd take you to the ocean…"
Victini makes little sounds in the back of their throat.
"I'm sorry." Ash says. A lone tear escapes from one of his heads. Falling down his face, it crystallizes, hardens, before shattering into pieces on the ground.
And his eyes close.
The sight is enough to knock whatever breath she has left out of her lungs.
"Please, no…" she cries, her voice so soft it's almost inaudible. Tears begin to brim the corners of her eyes, stinging her with their coldness. "Ash, you...you can't...Please!"
"Pikapi!" Pikachu cries, Victini shouting out sounds of lamentation at the same time.
So focused on Ash are Misty, Pikachu, and Marill, they don't even notice Victini utter a loud cry of what can only be described as heartbreak. Nor they acknowledge what happens next: how Victini becomes enveloped in red-orange flames and how the temperature dramatically increases. The heat the Victory Pokémon radiates is so intense, it manages to warm the two humans and their Pokémon inside and outside. Defrosting the ice upon Ash's cheeks, the young man opens his eyes.
"Ash!" Misty chokes out.
Eyes flicking around in surprise, he raises his head slightly to regard Victini.
"Victini!?" he exclaims. "What are you—?"
The question gets lodged in Ash's throat as - with a triumphant cry of its name, the flames enveloping it intensifying - Victini flies up to the top of the space created by the Pillars of Protection. When Victini comes into contact with it, a glorious explosion of flame occurs. The flames of Searing Shot dissipating, Victini crashes to the ground between Ash and Misty.
"Victini!" Ash exclaims.
"You...You saved us!" Misty adds.
On shaking arms, Victini rises to its feet. Blue eyes bright, Victini closes its eyes with a happy, relieved grin. The grin turning into a frown of determination, it's with open eyes that Victini glares up at the top of the space they're trapped in. A hand clenched in a fist, Victini flies up through the air. The Mythical Pokémon stops, midway through the air as it begins channeling its energies.
Dots of red-orange flame gathering around Victini, they soon disappear. Victini's head glowing a bright and vibrant golden, its entire body has a dull reddish-orange shine.
"VICTINI!"
With that proud exclamation, using the power of its signature move, V-Create, Victini slams into the top of the Pillars of Protection with much more force than before. Ash and Misty and their Pokémon have to shield their eyes from the resulting explosion of flame and smoke. Not only does the force of Victini's collison create such an explosion, it sends the Pillars of Protection flying in different directions. Damon and Golurk, Zekrom, and Reshiram regard the scene with awe and curiosity.
The shockwaves of the blast intensifying, Ash and Misty hunker down with their Pokémon. With their backs to their blaze, Pikachu and Marill are protected snugly beneath Ash and Misty respectively.
Risking a glance up at the blaze, Ash cries out, "No, Victini!"
The energy remaining within the Sword of the Vale arcs up from the edges of the structure before meeting high in the sky. The lines of energy converging on a single point, the Dragon Force is sent high into the greater reaches of space.
And then, it dissipates. It all ends, leaving a strange, unnerving silence behind. Once it's over, Ash tries to get to his feet, Pikachu scurrying away, the young man of Pallet Town manages to turn around, look up to see if he could spot Victini, before prompting falling on his back. Breathing heavily, Ash stares up at space.
Trying to get to her own feet, in the process, Misty only manages to join her friend on the ground, lying next to him. Their Pokémon stand above their heads, looking up with them.
"Vi...Victini…"
Ash says no more, the stress of recent events, the exposure of such harsh climate conditions, making him pass out. Try as she might to hold on to her consciousness, it isn't long before Misty loses her grip, passing out too. As for Pikachu and Marill, the two of them look down at their friends with concern. Whilst Marill hopes her friend will wake up soon, only one thought runs through Pikachu's mind.
He thinks, wondering what exactly Victini has just done.
Originally Added: June 12th, 2019