Title: Above the fallen city.

Pokemon fanfic.

Ash fell to his knees.

Below him, the ruins of Lumiose City stretched endlessly, a scar upon the world. The remnants of the Kalos Incident lay beneath the tower-buildings reduced to rubble, streets lined with despair. The people, the Pokémon... all had suffered.

And he had let it happen.

His fists clenched against the cold steel floor. His breath was uneven, shallow.

"It's all my fault..." he whispered. His fingers dug into the metal, trembling. "I-I should've been stronger... I should've-"

"No."

Alain's voice was firm, yet distant, as if the words pained him to speak.

"It's my fault."

Ash's breath hitched. Slowly, he lifted his head, his eyes locking onto Alain's. The former Champion stood still, his expression unreadable, but his fists were tight, his knuckles white.

Ash stared at him for a long time.

Then-

His gaze lowered.

Pikachu, standing beside him, met his eyes.

A moment passed.

Then another.

"Pika..."

A simple call. A question.

Ash exhaled sharply and turned back to Alain.

"No." His voice, sharper than before. "It is your fault."

Alain blinked. "...What?"

"You helped Lysandre. You fought for him. You-" Ash's fingers curled into his palms. "You knew something was wrong, but you still kept going. You chose this path."

Alain's lips parted slightly, but no words came.

The wind howled through the ruins.

Then-

"You think I chose this?" Alain's voice rose, the first hint of emotion cracking through his usual composure.

"You did," Ash shot back. "You fought for him. You made this happen.'

Alain's expression darkened. "I was trying to save Mairin. I was trying to protect her-"

"By letting the whole world burn?" Ash's voice carried the weight of something raw, something breaking.

Alain's eyes narrowed. "And what would you have done, Ash?" His voice was quieter now, more cutting. "Would you have stood by and done nothing while someone you cared about suffered?"

""

Ash hesitated.

Behind him, his Pokémon stirred. Noivern fluttered its wings, a soft "Noii..." escaping its throat. Goodra shifted slightly, releasing a low "Goooo..." Hawlucha clenched its fists, pacing. Talonflame let out a sharp cry. Pikachu's ears flattened.

Greninja remained still. Watching.

Alain's voice hardened. "If I hadn't done what I did, Mairin would still be asleep. You don't understand-"

"Of course I understand!" Ash snapped. "You think I don't know what it's like to want to protect someone? To want to save them no matter what? But this-" His voice shook.

"This wasn't saving anyone."

Alain's eyes flashed. "Then tell me, Ash. What would you have done?"

Ash froze.

A beat.

Another.

The city below them stretched endlessly.

"I don't know." The words barely left his lips.

Alain exhaled sharply, as if the confession had struck him.

Silence settled between them, thick and suffocating.

Then-

Greninja moved.

It stepped forward, placing a hand on Ash's shoulder.

"Geki."

A simple word. A reminder.

Ash's breath steadied. He turned to look at his Pokémon.

Greninja didn't need to say more.

Talonflame ruffled its feathers. "Flaaame."

Noivern clicked its fangs together. "Niiii."

Goodra let out a soft, comforting hum. "Gooo."

Hawlucha crossed its arms. "Lucha."

Pikachu pressed against Ash's leg. "Pika."

Alain's Charizard, watching from behind, let out a low growl.

Ash swallowed.

"...We can't fix this," he muttered. "No matter what we say, no matter what we do... the damage is already done.'

Alain closed his eyes. "I know."

Ash took a deep breath. "Then... what do we do now?"

The wind answered for them.

Charizard rumbled. Greninja's grip on Ash's shoulder tightened slightly before letting go.

Alain's fists loosened.

"I don't know," he admitted.

Ash sighed. "Yeah. Me neither."

They stood there, atop Lumiose Tower, staring down at what was left of the world they failed to protect.

And for the first time since the battle ended-

They weren't alone.

(The story takes place after defeating Lysander on the lumiose tower.)