The dawn light glimmered on the surface of the lake, casting a serene glow on the imposing tower that loomed in the distance. The morning air was crisp and filled with the quiet sounds of nature awakening. Ash led the group with determined strides, his eyes fixed on the distant fortress as the rest of the group lagged behind.
"Damn it, Ash, slow down!" Dawn panted, struggling to keep pace. Ash threw her a harsh look over his shoulder.
"What for?"
"For the rest of us, for one thing!" Gary called out, his voice tinged with exasperation as he jogged to catch up.
"And for a plan," Zinnia added, her tone firm. Ash stopped abruptly, frustration etched across his face. Dawn took the opportunity to catch up, hands on her knees as she caught her breath. Zinnia surveyed the tower with a critical eye. "That place is still a fortress."
"Stealth is my forte, you know." Janine offered.
"But we still have two targets, and unless you've learned Double Team on the journey over, you won't be able to get them both before being found." Zinnia countered. Ash clenched his fist, his temper flaring.
"Go after your stupid leader if you want to. Just stay the hell out of our lives once we're out of there." he spat.
"Excuse me?" Zinnia raised an eyebrow at his outburst.
"This is a one-time gig," Ash snapped. "When it's done, we're done. Dragons and all..."
"Yes, I'm sure if you tell Iris that she'll happily stop looking for the next totem that can kill May from across the country." Zinnia rolled her eyes.
"SHE CAN HAVE KYUREM FOR ALL I CARE!" Ash roared, his anger spilling over.
"Ash-" Dawn began, her voice pleading.
"They're connected, you idiot," Zinnia interrupted, her tone icy. "If Iris kills Kyurem, she kills your little wife."
"The connection has been transferred before," Ash retorted. "It can be done again! Whatever gets rid of them is enough for me!" Zinnia stepped closer, her eyes blazing.
"Listen here, you uptight little-"
"Stop it!" Dawn cried, stepping between them. Gary glanced at the sky, the sun climbing higher.
"We're burning valuable daylight. Settle it once we get them out." he insisted.
"Fine." Zinnia huffed, crossing her arms. Ash sighed, his anger simmering down.
"Where would they be held?" Gary asked.
"Our leader is a long-time prisoner," Zinnia explained. "Furthest cell in the lowest level under heavy guard. May's a new prisoner, but just as valuable, so highest room of the summit."
"Complete opposite directions..." Dawn groaned.
"Great..." Ash muttered. Gary considered the options before looking at Zinnia.
"If we got your leader out first...would he help us break May out?"
"Once he learned who she is, no question." Zinnia nodded.
"You're sure...?" Janine winced.
"Before her, he was the one person most connected to Kyurem. His sole devotion is to Kyurem's protection," Zinnia said with conviction.
"Oh, sure." Ash scoffed. "Next you'll tell me he's thousands of years old or is secretly our king. You know, the man who inherited the connection before May."
"He's the embodiment of the Dragon element itself," Zinnia said matter-of-factly as her eyes narrowed. "You want your wife back alive or not?"
"Hmph..." Ash's face hardened.
"So how do we get him out?" Dawn broke the tense silence.
"The same way you did me," Zinnia said. "Lure the guards away and use the angry Aura Boy here to break the restraints."
"Call me that again and you're dead," Ash warned, his voice low and dangerous. Zinnia rolled her eyes.
"Janine and I can get them away from the doors," Dawn offered.
"Great...we're bait." Janine sighed.
"Simple door locks I can handle," Gary added.
"Then let's get moving," Zinnia said, heading towards a nearby bridge across the water. Glaceon trotted nervously alongside Pikachu, glancing up at Ash ever so often.
"He's not usually like this, right?" she whispered.
"I've never seen him like this..." Pikachu admitted, his voice filled with concern. "We just...have to help him get May back...that's all he really wants..."
"It's what we all want," Glaceon said with a resolute nod. Pikachu gave a small nod, determination settling in his eyes.
"Then let's focus on that." he agreed. Together, the group crossed the bridge, their resolve steeling with each step. The tower awaited, and with it, their greatest challenge yet.
Once inside, the group spotted a Dragonite and several other dragons patrolled the dimly lit halls of the fortress, their eyes alert for any signs of intruders. Dawn and Janine moved closer, staying hidden for a brief moment longer.
"Ready...?" Dawn whispered, crouching beside Janine.
"Think so..." Janine nodded. Dawn picked up a pebble and, with a swift flick of her wrist, launched it across the hall. The pebble whizzed past Dragonite's head, startling him.
"Dra?!" Dragonite gasped, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the corridor. Janine seized the moment and lunged forward, revealing herself and Dawn with a swift kick to Dragonite's head.
"Ha!"
"Dra! Dragonite!" Dragonite bellowed, but before he could react further, Janine threw down a smoke bomb. The corridor filled with thick, choking smoke, causing Dragonite to cough and stagger back, momentarily blinded.
"Go!" Dawn shouted, taking off running. Ash darted ahead, seizing the opportunity. Gary and Zinnia followed closely behind. They reached the furthest door, and Gary quickly pulled out his skeleton key, working swiftly to pick the lock.
"Got it," Gary said, as the lock clicked open. Ash forced the door open, flooding the dark cell with light. Inside, a figure glanced up, wincing at the sudden brightness.
"You're N?" Ash asked, his voice edged with urgency. N squinted at them, his expression wary.
"...So what if I am?" Zinnia stepped into the cell, her eyes softening.
"N..."
"Zinnia...?" N's eyes widened in surprise. "How is this possible...? How did you escape...?"
"It's a long story," Zinnia replied, kneeling down and placing a comforting hand on his arm. "But what's important right now is that Kyurem is back. Or at least...part of him is."
"Part of him...?" N repeated, confusion flickering across his face.
"When he left Unova he went to another Kingdom all those years ago. While he was away, he formed a soul link symbiosis with a girl being held at the top of the tower..." Zinnia explained.
"...You're sure it's our Kyurem?" N's eyes darkened with disbelief.
"There's only one left in the world, N," Zinnia said softly. "And he's running out of time..."
"...Then it's our duty to help." N nodded slowly.
"Damn right it is..." Ash interjected.
"Then do your job." Zinnia glanced at him. Ash glared daggers at her before storming over, his patience wearing thin. Zinnia rolled her eyes but focused on the task at hand.
"Pikachu, ready an Iron Tail," Ash commanded from the edge of the room, charging an Aura Sphere in his hands. "Stand back." Zinnia moved away, giving Ash the space he needed. With a fierce yell, Ash hurled the enormous Aura Sphere at the energy restraints binding N. The sphere made contact, and the restraints crackled with energy before disintegrating completely. Pikachu, who had been ready to strike, skidded to a stop in surprise. Before they needed Iron Tail to complete the task, but with Ash's Aura so flared from his anger, the force alone was enough apparently. N winced, rubbing his now-free wrists.
"And you called her reckless." Zinnia couldn't help but comment. Without warning, Ash slugged her in the jaw, his anger boiling over.
"Now we're doing things my way. You better stay out of it," he warned coldly. Zinnia held her mouth in shock but didn't argue. Instead, she turned and helped N to his feet. Ash was already storming off into the keep, with Gary, N, and Zinnia close behind. They soon met up with Dawn and Janine in the main hall.
"It worked?" Dawn asked, hope in her voice.
"No thanks to your friend." Zinnia shot a glance at Ash. Ash growled under his breath and Gary intervened before another argument could start.
"Don't start again. We still have a lot of ground to cover." he reminded them.
"It's a straight shot up the spiral staircase." N pointed ahead.
"Let's get a move on," Janine urged. "Ash is practically gone already..." Everyone turned around and saw Ash walked coldly forward, his focus unyielding. Dawn gulped and followed along with everyone else, the weight of their mission pressing heavily on her shoulders. Together, they ascended the spiral staircase, Ash led the group from a distance, his steps firm and unyielding. They ascended the spiral staircase, the tension thick in the air.
"We have company..." N warned, glancing upwards. Several Flygon swooped down towards them, their wings creating a gust of wind. Altaria followed with a flock, closing in from the other direction. Ash reacted swiftly, rapidly firing multiple Aura Spheres, each one finding its mark with deadly precision. Several foes fell from the sky, crashing into the stone steps. Gary swung his sword, cutting down several more enemies that made it through. Zinnia, with a flick of her wrist, zapped the last few with bolts of lightning.
"More are coming!" Dawn shouted, looking down the stairs.
"Keep climbing!" N urged. An Aerodactyl dived towards Ash, who struck him with such precision that he literally shattered into bits.
"Wait, Aerodactyl...? Only one person commands them..." N muttered.
"He's here...?" Zinnia's eyes widened.
"He must be..." N replied. As if on cue, a new person's voice echoed through the hall.
"I had hoped we'd meet again." a tall man with red spiked hair chuckled on the steps above them.
"Lance..." N growled.
"Another member of your club?" Gary glanced at Zinnia.
"Controller of fire..." Zinnia muttered.
"Oh man..." Dawn's face paled.
"What are you two doing out of your cells, hm?" Lance taunted, stepping forward.
"Doing our sworn duty. Unlike you and your cousin," Zinnia spat.
"We're making sure Kyurem doesn't bring about the destruction of the world. Just as our mandate demands," Lance replied coldly.
"You're a sick man, Lance," N snarled, firing a Dragon Breath. Lance countered with Flamethrower, the two attacks colliding in a brilliant display of power. Zinnia launched a Thunderbolt, aiming to take Lance down. Dragonite flew towards Gary and Janine, unleashing a powerful Dragon Pulse.
"Look out!" Gary shouted, blocking the attack with his shield. Janine took the opportunity and leaped over him, her shurikens striking Dragonite's wings, causing him to roar in pain. Meanwhile a Charizard flew towards Ash and Dawn.
"Ash, look out!" Dawn cried. Ash ducked as Pikachu fired a Thunderbolt at Charizard. Ash followed up with a perfectly aimed strike from his staff. Charizard roared in pain but quickly regained his balance, launching a Flamethrower in retaliation.
"Don't let them get away!" Lance ordered. Charizard launched a Fire Blast. Pikachu tried to evade but was still hit by the cascading fire.
"Ah!" he cried out in pain.
"Pikachu!" Glaceon shouted. Dawn ran over, catching Pikachu before he could crash land.
"Not my best fall..." Pikachu winced as Dawn began quickly treating him. Charizard charged at Ash with Dragon Claw. Ash leaped and struck Charizard in the head, pinning him down. Gary seized the opportunity and ran Charizard through with his sword. Charizard let out a dying breath as Ash suddenly felt a phantom pain in his heart.
"Ack!" Ash stumbled, clutching his chest.
"Ash?!" Dawn gasped, kneeling beside him. The pain spread, not his own but very real. Ash gritted his teeth.
"No..!" The surge of pain reached its peak, and both Ash and Kyurem felt May's internal emotion and spirit shatter. Ash fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face.
"Ash, what's wrong?! What's going on?!" Dawn cried out. Ash, his face a mask of agony and hatred, began to rise. A visible Aura started to surround him, growing stronger by the second.
"Finish them, Aerodactyl!" Lance commanded. A flock of Aerodactyl swooped towards the group. Ash let out an enraged battle cry and hurled a person-sized Aura Sphere into the flock. The explosion was devastating, body parts raining down. Gary gasped, using his shield to protect himself and Janine from the gruesome fallout.
"What the?!" Ash charged up the stairs and tackled Lance down in a blind rage.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" he roared. Lance slammed into the staircase, his ribs cracking under the force of Ash's punch. He hollered in pain as Ash ran up the stairs. "MAAAAAAAAAAY!" Ash screamed, his voice echoing through the fortress as he sprinted towards the summit. Ash blew the door to the top cell to pieces and stormed into the room, his eyes blazing with fury as he saw a Haxorus with his claws on May in a way that left little to the imagination. "GET AWAY FROM HER!" he roared, lunging forward and striking with his staff.
"Hax!" Haxorus roared as he was forced backward with so much force that he crashed into the wall. Before he could recover, Ash was upon him, raining down a relentless barrage of punches and slams. Haxorus struggled to move under the onslaught, attempting to cut Ash with his horns. Each of Ash's strikes was accompanied by a cry of rage, each blow a testament to his anguish. With a final, desperate swing, Haxorus tried to slice Ash's throat with a Dragon Claw. But Ash, fueled by an uncontrollable fury, blasted him in the chest with an Aura Sphere before the claws could reach him. Haxorus roared in agony as the Aura Sphere tore a hole through his chest. Ash, not yet finished, bashed his skull in for good measure. Haxorus's body went limp, blood spraying everywhere. Ash stood panting, his eyes wild. From the corner of the room, a weak whimper drew his attention.
"May..!" he cried, rushing over to her. May, chained to a pillar, slowly lifted her head. Her voice was barely a whisper, raspy from pain.
"Ash..."
"Oh May..." Ash's heart shattered at the sight of her. She looked away, shame evident in her eyes, as she moved her legs to hide the bruises. Ash broke her shackles, his hands trembling. May moved her arms away from where they were being held, tears streaming down her face. Ash hugged her tightly, holding her as she started to break down, sobbing into his tunic. "What did they do to you...?" he whispered, tears filling his eyes.
"I don't want to talk about it..." May's voice was filled with sorrow and pain. Ash hugged her closer, feeling his own heart break. "I'm sorry...I'm so so sorry…"
"Shh...Don't you dare be sorry..." he insisted. May sobbed softly against his chest.
"Please...please don't let go…" she begged.
"No chance..." Ash promised, holding her tighter. A sudden shout broke the moment.
"WHAT...DID...YOU...DO?!" Iris's voice was filled with rage. Ash glared at her, his fury rekindled. May flinched, instinctively tightening her grip on him. Iris strode forward, her eyes blazing with anger. "How DARE you kill Haxorus! Not to mention the countless others! You SAVAGE!"
"You..." Ash clenched his fists, his anger boiling over again.
"I WON'T tolerate such barbarism in my country!" Iris shouted.
"Then practice what you preach, lady..." Ash growled, charging an Aura Sphere. Iris fired off a Dragon Pulse. The two attacks collided midair, exploding and dousing the entire area in smoke. Ash shielded May with his body as the debris settled. Iris, taking advantage of the chaos, launched a Thunder Wave at Ash's back. "GAH!" he cried out in pain, the electricity coursing through his body. May gasped, feeling the electric shock pass through Ash and into her.
"Ash...!" Iris launched a Dragon Breath attack, sending Ash crashing to the ground. May yelped as she was shielded beneath him. Ash gritted his teeth, the adrenaline starting to fail him. Iris sneered.
"Not as a big a bully when you're fighting a real opponent, are you?" She launched a Thunderbolt. Ash struggled to move, his body weakened by the attacks. He knew he had to protect May at all costs. As the Thunderbolt crackled towards him, he braced himself for the impact, but suddenly Pikachu ran into the room and sprang into action, countering Iris's Thunderbolt with his own. The electric clash illuminated the room, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Pikachu ran up the stairs, determined to protect Ash and May.
"Leave them alone!" Gary shouted, following Pikachu with the rest of the group close behind.
"You're hopelessly outnumbered, Iris!" Zinnia yelled,
"Your father won't be returning tonight or any other night! The jig is up!" N added.
"Hmm...that's a tough one," Iris smirked. "I'm going to have to go with... no." Her skin transformed into scales, and she launched a Scale Shot at the group, battering them with sharp projectiles.
"Ahh!" Ash cried out in pain as the scales cut into his skin.
"Eek!" Glaceon squealed,
"Ash!" May clung to Ash, yelping. Janine winced, jumping up to avoid more hits, and aimed a shuriken at Iris.
"Thanks for volunteering, dear." Iris sneered. She quickly fired a Dragon Dart, sniping Janine through the heart.
"JANINE!" Gary screamed.
"No..." Ash gasped in horror. May's eyes widened, tears streaming down her face. Iris smirked as Janine dropped to the ground, lifeless. Gary tried to rush over to Janine, but Iris snapped her fingers.
"No, no hero. None of that." Dragonite burst through the window, firing a Hyper Beam at the group. The powerful beam ended up hitting Ash directly, sending him crashing to the ground, battered and bleeding.
"Ash... NO!" May screamed, her voice breaking with fear and desperation. Iris smirked, letting out a soft whistle that echoed through the tower halls. Several Altaria flew up the stairs and into the cell, flanked by a Noivern and a Goodra. Flygon joined Dragonite on the other side along with a Dragapult and a Salamence, completely surrounding the group.
"Remind me, N, Zinnia, who is it that's outnumbered again?" Iris chuckled.
"You're a sick woman, Iris..." Zinnia gritted his teeth. Ash lay on the ground, coughing and bleeding. Pikachu trembled with rage, his cheeks sparking. Ariados cried out in fury, ready to fight despite the overwhelming odds. Iris's eyes narrowed with cruel delight.
"Let's see...how about we start with the girl who started all this?" She nodded to Salamence. Salamence flew forward, charging a Dragon Pulse aimed directly at May. May's eyes widened in fear as she struggled to move out of the way on her injured legs.
"No...!" Suddenly from out of nowhere, Kyurem burst through the tower walls and roared with an ear-piercing fury, shielding May beneath his massive body. He lunged at Salamence and lashing out at the smaller dragon's neck. The dragon's response was cut short, only able to let out a gurgle of pain before being decapitated. May's eyes widened in shock. "Kyurem...?!"
"Protect!" Kyurem roared in triumph, the sound echoing through the tower.
"That's Kyurem...?!" Zinnia gasped, barely recognizing the dragon in his current form. Kyurem unleashed a powerful Glaciate, freezing the other dragons in their tracks.
"That's Kyurem, alright..." N nodded. Iris smirked, unfazed by the scene unfolding before her.
"Too easy. Now!" Kyurem lunged at her but was snagged mid-air in magic bonds.
"No...! Kyurem...!" May screamed. Iris laughed, her eyes gleaming with malice.
"Poor little Kyurem. Do you like our little toy we stole from the Fairy tribes?" Kyurem struggled against the bonds, roaring in frustration.
"IRIS!" Iris smirked, enjoying his pain.
"Father can't wait to see you again." She turned to May and the others. "Thanks for all your help, sweets."
"No...!" May reached out, desperation in her voice.
"S-stop..." Ash muttered weakly, barely able to move.
"Don't worry. I have one more gift for you before I go. Zygarde!" Iris chuckled darkly. The entire tower shook violently as Zygarde unleashed a barrage of Thousand Arrows into the supports of the tower. Zinnia looked outside, eyes widening in alarm.
"Crud!"
"Run!" N shouted. Iris sent power boosts to Altaria and Salamence, who both glowed brightly, transforming into their Mega forms. Mega Altaria squawked loudly while Mega Salamence roared. Iris hopped onto Salamence as they picked up Kyurem and flew off.
"Good luck to you all. Bye-bye."
"NO...!" May screamed, as the tower began to crumble. Zinnia put up a barrier of electricity, turning to Dawn and Gary.
"Get them out now!" Gary ran to Ash, helping him up onto his feet. Ash slumped onto his shoulders, barely conscious. Gary dragged him out of the crumbling tower, while Dawn did the same with May. Ariados looked despairingly at Janine's lifeless form but followed the group. N led the group out, clearing debris with his powers. Pikachu batted away bits of the tower that fell. N blasted open a wall, creating an exit.
"Go now!" Gary leaped through the opening, followed by Dawn, who ran out quickly with May.
"C'mon, Glace!" Pikachu called out. Glaceon ran out, and Zinnia jumped through the opening. N dove out just as the last of the tower collapsed behind them. Gary collapsed into the water, panting heavily. Zinnia surfaced, also panting. Ash lay on his back, breathing shallowly, while May lay nearby, weak and devastated.
"We need to get out of here…" N informed them in between breaths.
"And go where? They need help." Gary asked, still catching his breath as he gestured towards Ash and May.
"We have a hidden settlement nearby that can help them," N explained. Dawn looked back at the tower.
"What about...?" Her voice trailed off, filled with worry. Gary clenched his fist, staring at the rubble.
"...There's nothing we can do for her..." Zinnia spoke softly,
"You don't mean..." Dawn's eyes widened in horror.
"...I'm sorry." N's expression was somber. Gary slammed his fist into the muddy ground.
"That bitch...! That sadistic bitch...!" Dawn covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face.
"Janine..." N looked at each of them with sympathy as he rose to his feet and helped everyone else do the same despite their grief. They moved quickly, carrying Ash and May between them. The battle was far from over, and they would need every bit of strength and strategy they could muster for the fight ahead.
To be Continued...