A/N: New day, new chapter. This one will be a doozy as guess who comes to ruin the day again? I think once I get to a certain number of chapters, I might pause this to go back and work on some other stories (namely Remembrance and Dragons' Souls with the former needing to get the current chapters rewritten due to story changes). I've also got a possible new AU to put in Surprising Each Other that I want to work a bit on, probably won't be too big of a short, though.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's nor Pokémon. Both go to their respective owners. I only claim my OCs. And prepare the soap for Ren's potty mouth. Also, a bit of violence/threats in this chapter.

Chapter 6:

(Yusei's POV)

Ren's practices were touch and go for quite a while. Since he was nervous about training Toil against other Pokémon, I found some scraps of metal and concrete that the Magby could practice on instead. It seemed to help a bit. Though, the moment I noticed Ren was looking a bit tense, I had him stop and take a mental break. It happened more when Toil was using Ember over his other moves. I guess if this ability of Ren's works mainly on Fire-types, it would make sense that he would get worried over commanding the Pokémon to use Fire-type moves like Toil's Ember (which I noticed when Ren got a bit tense seemed to look bigger and brighter with each hit on the targets).

It was on the fifth day since coming back that Ren decided that he wanted to get onto the Gym Challenge again. I was a bit concerned he was forcing himself too soon to fight, but I wasn't going to stop him if he felt he was ready. He assured me that he wouldn't use Toil in the fight anyway, so that at least relieved some of my worry.

"You've got an idea for who to use?" I asked as we headed for the Gym.

"I think. Roxie's a Poison-type Gym Leader, so I think Auren is my best bet. He won't be able to be poisoned, so that Venoshock move she likes using is negated. Plus, I don't think they'll be able to completely knock him out even with a surprise strong hit," Ren replied. "I just hope Emerald doesn't get too upset about not fighting."

"He took care of the first Gym, even against a Pokémon that would normally be strong against him. I doubt he'll be that upset."

"Ye—wait, is that a battle going on?"

I looked ahead, seeing a huge group in front of the Gym. We got closer quickly to find that a group of Plasma members were attacking the Gym with Roxie leading the defense. She had brought out her stronger team she reserves only for veteran Trainers because the Plasma grunts were using just as strong Pokémon in their assault. "Ren, stay here."

"Wait, what are you...?"

"I'm going to go help. If they see you, you'll be their next target. Argen should be able to handle the ones that Roxie's partners can't." I pulled out Argen's ball, calling him out.

"Lux!"

(Ren's POV)

Yusei and Argen rushed toward the chaos. Part of me wanted to join and help with Cross and Ciel, but I knew he was right. Plus, considering how little training we did with Reshiram's blessing, I'd just be more of a burden than helpful.

I gritted my teeth, gripping my bag's strap. I hated this. I never liked feeling like I was useless which often lead me to rush in, guns blazing, like I could turn the tides of a battle. I couldn't recall one instance where I had helped. I always ended up making things worse, for others and often times myself as well. Like with back then...with Ellis...

I shook my head, trying to get those images of that time out of my head and feeling my shoulders shake when they wouldn't. But what could I do? I couldn't just stand around and wait for Yusei and Argen to come back. I...maybe I can't help by myself, but I can at least go find the authorities, right? They should be able to help better than I could. I took a deep breath, nodding to myself. Yeah. We passed a station on the way here. They can send a team down here quickly and get Plasma out of here. I better-

"Luuuux!"

"Agh!"

My body froze at hearing the cries, and I dared to look back to the fighting to see what happened. My heart stopped.

(Yusei's POV)

Argen and I got to the front of the Gym in the nick of time. Before a Plasma's Krookodile could bite Roxie's Seviper, Argen launched in and bit down hard with Ice Fang and threw the other away.

"Thanks, uhh..?"

"Yusei, and this is Argen," I responded to Roxie.

She nodded. "Thanks for that."

"What the hell?! Where did you come from?!" one of the Plasma grunts growled, returning their knocked out Krookodile.

"How long can you keep them back?"

"Long enough. Argen can handle them for long enough." Argen let out a growl to confirm.

"Good. I need to heal up Scolipede and then we can clean these bastards up." She called back the snake-like Pokémon and sent out a Drapion. "Drapion, help them out!"

"Draa!"

"Why you...Scrafty, High Jump Kick!"

"Argen, dodge and Spark them!"

The Scrafty charged at Argen, leaping into the air for his attack. Argen tensed his body to prepare for the Pokémon to get closer. When he did, he ducked away from the attack and launched his attack into the side of the Scrafty. The other cried out, skidding several feet away and fainting from the recoil as well as Spark's damage. We barely got a second to breathe before a Golbat swooped in and bit hard into Argen's shoulder.

"Lux!" Argen roared.

"Argen, quick, charge with a Spark and the Golbat off!"

Argen's body started sparking with electricity again. The Golbat's eyes widened at the sparks forming and released only to be struck with the attack. Argen panted a bit, blood dripping from the injury on his shoulder. I couldn't risk it getting worse. "Argen, re-"

"Luuuux!" A Watchog latched onto his injured shoulder, causing Argen to let out a pained roar.

"Agh!" I felt a jolt hit my arm right as I brought up the ball to return him. It caused me to drop the ball and fall to my knees, clutching my wrist.

"Yusei?!" I heard Roxie yell. "Shit. Scolipede, go!" There was a pause and no sound of a Poké ball being opened. "What?!"

"Hah! So it did work," a grunt sneered. "Doesn't have a big range, but at least it'll keep you both from sending out or returning your Pokémon long enough!" I managed to look up to see that the grunt was holding a remote of sorts in his hands. That must have been what caused the Poké ball to malfunction like it did.

"Drapion, get that Watchog off of the Luxray!" Roxie ordered.

"Dra!" The Drapion tried to get close to Argen but then was blocked off by a Garbodor and Zangoose.

Argen rolled onto his back, managing to get the Watchog off. He limped over to me and stood protectively in front. Dammit, that wound is too deep for a potion to heal. And thanks to that device, I can't even call out Stardust. Maybe if we can... That was when Ren skidded in-between. With him was his whole team and his late brother's Furfrou Ciel and Delphox Cross. I was really surprised to see that he had even brought out Toil much less Cross in a fight.

"Who the hell is this kid?" one grunt said.

"Wait! I recognize him! He's the kid that the leaders are wanting! We'll get a big reward for bringing him in!" another replied.

"Well well, this is our lucky day, then," a third grinned.

"Trainer, get out of here! It's not safe!" Roxie yelled. Ren didn't seem to listen. He's shaking...wait, don't tell me-!

"Ciel, Surf and then a Headbutt on the Krookodiles and Garbodors! Cross, help with your Psychics on the Pokémon weak to them or not immune to them! Auren, Force Palm on the Watchogs and Raticates that come your way and watch Cross's blind side! Emerald, Jason, make sure they can't hit back with a Leaf Tornado and Sand Attack combo!" Ren commanded.

Ciel let out a howl as water from the ocean behind came up and swirled around him as he charged at the Team Plasma Pokémon. The Krookodiles got swept up the attack and the ones that didn't get knocked out from the attack were hit with the Headbutt attacks that sent them flying into the Garbodors or any of the other Pokémon behind. Cros held his arms up, sending several Pokémon flying with his Psychic moves. A Scrafty and Krokorok tried to come up from the side only to be knocked out by Auren. The Lucario immediately moved to the Watchogs and Raticates, also easily knocking them out. Emerald leapt into the fray, kicking up a storm of Leaf Tornado that Jason added Sand Attacks into.

I was really stunned at the display while Ren's team battled. I knew Ren was hardly a new Trainer, but it was like he was a completely different person. Even though his main team was less experienced, they still followed his orders without issue. Cross and Ciel were ones I expected to hold their own with no issue, as they were much higher level with fighting experience. Could this be a part of the mark's influence? Or...could he be trying to emulate his brother's actions? I realized he hadn't sent Toil into the battles. The Magby stood beside him, waiting for an order that Ren seemed reluctant to let out.

Cross knocked out the last Golbat with a wave of his paw. Many of the Team Plasma members were looking scared at the battle. Several of their Pokémon had been weakened thanks to Roxie's team and later Argen joining, so there wasn't any left at full strength to even attempt a counter attack. One grunt, though, tried a different tactic.

"Grr, I'm not losing a chance to be promoted!" He pulled out a stun rod, running up to Ren while the Pokémon were finishing up.

"Ren!" I yelled to warn him.

"...Toil, Ember and aim at the ground!" Ren yelled.

"Mag Magby!" Toil jumped into action. He inhaled deeply and then released a huge fireball right in front of the grunt. The blast sent him tumbling backward, landing on his rear. He wasn't hit from the blast, but it did seemed to have singed his clothes and eyebrows from the heat of it. Even I felt it from where I was.

"R...Retreat!" the grunt screamed, scrambling onto his feet to the rest. The group recalled their Pokémon and made a run for it.

"Arceus dammit! Don't think you're going to be gone for long!" Roxie opened the doors to the Gym, probably to get the Gym Trainers to help out. I got up after finally returning Argen so he didn't loose any more blood.

"Ren? You o—whoa!" I had to grab Ren quickly as he fell forward. Turning him around, his face was bright red and he was sweating. Toil had also passed out after the Ember attack, Cross being the one to pick the Magby up. Auren, Emerald, and Jason seemed to be a bit dizzy but were okay to stand up. I lifted a hand to his face, feeling the heat of a fever through my glove. "Shoot, we've got to get to the Center!"

(N's Castle, Two Years Ago)

"Father, why did you do that?!" N gasped.

"Foolish child, could you not see he was a threat to your rule? He was trying to take down Zekrom, the Legendary dragon of ideals! How would it look to have you—the King—to lose to a nobody Trainer that wasn't even chosen by Reshiram?" Ghetsis scolded. "Now, stand down so I can clean up this mess." The Hydreigon behind him growled, leering at Ellis's Pokémon.

"N-No! We don't have to kill them! Their Trainer is gone, they can just be-"

"You've already taken out one Pokémon, so what's a few more."

"Th-That was an accident, Zoroark didn't mean to! He was afraid the Krookodile was going to hurt me! Please, Father, I-" N was cut off when Ghetsis struck across his face with his fist.

"Shut up! You are the king! A king must be strong and willing to make sacrifices! What have I told you? That a Pokémon would be better off dead than enslaved!" The two barely noticed that Ren had managed to stumble up to where Ellis lay. Cross, Ciel, and Blue followed him.

"Del.." Cross whimpered, kneeling down and nudging his Trainer. There was no reaction from the fallen Trainer. Ren's body started shaking as he gripped the bag closer to him, tears dripping down his face.

"But we're supposed to be saving Pokémon!"

"Bah! I should have known a worthless and defective boy was not worthy of the Harmonia name. You wanted to throw everything away and for what? You almost ruined everything!"

"What are you...?"

"Hydreigon, Bisharp! Start cleaning up this mess." The two Pokémon let out their respective cries, charging at where Ren was.

Zach (Spirit still on his back) and Mason came charging up to collide with them. Zach held off the Bisharp, and Mason squared up with the Hydreigon. Charlotte wobbly got onto her feet again and placed herself in front of the mourning group. Ren's other Pokémon (Cover the Cofagrigus, Pyre the Simisear, Archie the Archeops, and Chopper the Sawk) also came up as Ghetsis released more of his Pokémon to try and get them taken care of.

"Ellis," Ren whispered, falling onto his knees by his brother as the sounds of battle were going on around. Mason let out a roar as Hydreigon's fangs dug deep into his neck. The Bisharp sliced deep through Zach's strong hide, sending him backwards and Spirit to come out and check on him in worry. Pyre jumped up to try and take Zach's place, but he didn't get a chance to attack as a devastating Stone Edge caused him to fall. "No, no...this wasn't supposed to happen..." Blue, hearing the chaos, came up to try and help his team keep back Ghetsis, Ciel following him. The Samurott opened his mouth to let loose a Blizzard only for it to be blocked off by Ghetsis's Cofagrigus throwing a ball of Toxic into his mouth, causing him to lose focus and start coughing. Archie came to his aid, biting at the Ghost-type.

Unbeknownst to Ren, the Light Stone in his bag started reacting to the rising emotions and energy surrounding him. His head whipped up when he heard Blue yell out. The Samurott had tried to fend off the Bouffalant that had taken down Charlotte. He sported a huge gash on his chest and he was still gasping from the Toxic damage to his mouth alongside the move interruption. Ciel was currently engaging with the Bisharp, missing his left ear as blood dripped down the side of his face. Chopper kept the Hydreigon at bay, Spirit laying not far behind with Zach. The sadness and despair in Ren started burning away to anger.

Cross, sensing Ciel's pain, went to the Furfrou's aid. He sent a Shadow Ball to the Bisharp's face to make the Pokémon stagger back away from Ciel. However, it didn't stay stunned for long as it immediately got its footing and slash at Cross's head. The Delphox let out a howl of pain. Blue got distracted long enough for the Bouffalant to smash into his side, sending him sprawling. That was the final straw for Ren as the Light Stone reacted to his growing rage.

"No!" Ren yelled as the Light Stone burst from the bag. The Stone's formed changed into a swirl of flames as Reshiram appeared over Ren and Ellis's body.

"Reeeoooo!" Reshiram roared, causing the combatants to stop. Zekrom, even in their injured state, lifted their head and left out a low growl. N stood there stunned while Ghetsis looked murderous.

"Reshiram," N whispered.

(Present Day, Ren's POV)

My eyes fluttered open, looking up at the familiar ceiling of the Pokémon Center. I winced at the lighting, though, as the headache made itself known. I pushed myself up, a cloth flopped onto my lap. It took a few minutes for my brain to catch up as I flung myself off the bed in panic for Toil. "Toil! Toil, where-!" I barely got a few steps away from the bed when my legs gave out.

A pair of arms grabbed me before my face met the floor. I struggled a bit until I heard Yusei's voice say, "Whoa whoa, easy, Ren." I stopped moving at that, still panting from the slight panic as Yusei helped settle me back onto the bed.

"W-Where's Toil..?" I asked.

"He's okay, don't worry. The nurses said he got exhausted from the fight and should recover quickly with some rest."

I sighed heavily. "Thank Arceus..."

"So...back there, that was Reshiram's blessing, right?"

"...yeah, that's part of what it does. Since Reshiram is a fire dragon, any Fire-type I get in contact with gets a drastic increase in power. Though, obviously, it causes exhaustion right after for both the Pokémon and me. That was the second time I used it. The first time was with Cross two years ago."

"I can see why you never use it, and why you were scared after catching Toil."

"Yeah. I think it was only 'cause Cross was more experienced that he didn't immediately pass out when I used it then."

"There is one other thing, though, during that battle I noticed. Not sure if it's just me, but it seemed like you were different with the end of that fight compared to the Gym battle. You weren't hesitating to send out orders, almost like a general or something."

"I...I'm not sure how to explain that. It felt like someone else was telling me what to do once I jumped in and what to tell Emerald and the others. It might be another part of the ability, for Pokémon that aren't Fire-types."

"Maybe."

"I'm just glad I didn't listen to that voice when I had Toil distract that grunt."

"What do you mean?" I fidgeted a bit. "Ren?"

"I...it's still a bit fuzzy with a lot of the battle back then. The only things I can remember after...what happened with my brother...was this strong anger. It went black for a minute, and then Cross had been standing over what was left of Ghetsis's Bisharp. His flames that were still flickering on the ground were a different color, too, like when a Charizard got angry and their tail flame goes blue. Or..."

"Or like Reshiram's flames."

"Yeah."

(Yusei's POV)

Ren's voice had been shaky when he told about the last time he had used Reshiram's blessing. Piecing what Alder and Chelsea had mentioned, the retaliation that had killed this Ghetsis's Bisharp was more of an accident due to Ellis's death. So whoever or whatever this voice was that probably told Ren to have Toil aim at the Team Plasma grunt couldn't get him to do it at that time, compared to the first time when Ren was more blinded by pain and anger. "It wasn't-"

"Don't," Ren cut in. "I don't want to hear it. I've already been told by every official that 'it wasn't your fault' or that 'it was the right thing to do' or whatever bull crap they could think of. I still caused a Pokémon's death either way. If I hadn't snapped out of it, who knows what else could have happened? I don't want to rely on Reshiram's damned 'blessing' any more than I already have."

I didn't reply after he said that. I could tell even recalling that was hard enough for him. I couldn't imagine having that weigh on his mind, seeing his brother's death and also accidentally causing a Pokémon's while not being in control. Honestly, if the same thing happened to me, I'd be blaming myself the same way.

A knock on the door cut in to the silence that fell in the room. The door opened, revealing the Gym Leader Roxie. "Oh good, you're up," she said to Ren.

"Uh, yeah, I am," he replied after a quick wipe on his eyes.

"I just wanted to come by and thank both of you for coming in when you did. If it had gone any further, Team Plasma would have taken my partner Pokémon."

"I mean, we were heading to the Gym anyway 'cause I wanted to challenge you when we heard the ruckus."

"I figured. Unfortunately, my Gym Trainers couldn't find them after they bolted with that little fireball display." Ren winced at that. "Also, my Pokémon are going to need a few days to heal up. I had used the ones I reserve for starting Trainers by mistake, so they aren't in the top performance condition at the moment."

"Oh, all right."

"That'll at least give you and Toil time to rest up," I told him.

"Yeah, I guess."

"I'll send a message when I'm open again. See you for that challenge in a few days, Ren." She headed out after that.

I stood up from my seat once she left. "I'll be right back. I need to check how Argen's doing."

"'Kay," Ren replied, leaning back on the bed.

A/N: Well, I think it goes without saying that Ghetsis can go rot in the pits of hell. And yeah, I decided to give an even darker reason why Ren is reluctant to use Reshiram's blessing. I mean, Ghetsis replaces half his team (since he only has his Cofagrigus, Hydreigon, and Seismitoad) by the time of Black 2/White 2, and I'm sure some could probably come up with other theories for that. At any rate, he's only going to be a big bad for part one of this story. The other will come from the Pokémon Adventures manga (won't reveal which one as I don't want to spoil things). Also, dropped the name of Yusei's second Pokémon (very original, I know X'D we'll get to see him in a future chapter, don't worry). Anyway, guess it's time for the question for the day (gonna try to remember to put one on each new chapter but I know one day I'm gonna forget): which starter did you pick in the Legends Arceus game? Personally, I'm going to have a hard time when I get the game as I can't choose between Oshawott or Cyndaquil (sorry Rowlet but I like Popplio best). See you guys next time!