Mega Rayquaza's voice echoed through the grand chamber, reverberating off the walls with an almost musical timbre. His massive and deadly form was nothing short of something out of one's worst nightmare. Even his mere gaze seemed to radiate power.
"You have done marvelously, my daughter," he spoke to Iris. Iris bowed deeply, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.
"Thank you."
"We have one more thing to finish. Can you bring out our guest of honor?" Mega Rayquaza's tone was calm, yet it carried a hint of malice. Iris's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"With pleasure." She moved swiftly, her movements fluid and confident, as Mega Rayquaza ascended into the arena, his immense form casting a shadow over the gathered crowd. May, still hidden in the rafters of the arena, looked down and gasped, her heart sinking. She could hardly believe her eyes. Kyurem, once a majestic and powerful creature, was now barely a fifth of his original size, brought out forcefully and struggling to stay upright.
"Kyurem!" May's voice was a mix of shock and sorrow. From nearby, a piercing scream echoed through the air. May turned quickly and saw Glaceon was caught in the jaws of a menacing Charizard. The sight made May's blood run cold. The scream attracted everyone else's attention as well.
"Seems we have more guests to welcome." Mega Rayquaza's voice cut through the chaos. Iris glanced around the area with her eyes, her smirk widening when she finally spotted May up above.
"Ah, Mrs. Pigtails..." May's eyes narrowed as she glared at Iris. Without a second thought, she leapt down into the arena, landing gracefully between Iris and the weakened Kyurem.
"Good of you to drop in." Iris sneered as May landed before her.
"I'll be taking my partner and my Dragon back home now." May's eyes blazed with determination.
"Adorable." Iris laughed, a sound dripping with mockery.
"Thanks for the compliment," May smirked. "I wish I could say the same about you, but unfortunately, you got your father's looks. And no offense, but he looks really ragged."
"How horrible. I'm shaken to my core." Iris rolled her eyes, her expression bored. She moved with lightning speed, grabbing May by the neck and hoisting her off the ground with terrifying strength.
"Ack!" May gasped, struggling against Iris's iron grip.
"I've outgrown my use for you," Iris said coldly. May gagged and fought to speak.
"I-I couldn't...agree more...! Guess it's time...to settle this...!" Summoning her inner strength, she charged her foot with Dragon Force and swung it with all her might, connecting with Iris's jaw in a powerful Dragon Hammer.
"Gah!" Iris stumbled back, momentarily disoriented. May broke free from Iris's grip and landed back on the ground, breathing heavily. "Little brat!" Iris snarled, recovering quickly. She launched herself at May with a ferocious Dragon Rush. May had no time to react as Iris tackled her, slamming her into the arena wall.
"Ack!"
"Stay down, punk." Iris stood over her, victorious. May panted, her body aching but her spirit unbroken.
"Not a chance..." She summoned a Thunderbolt and launched it at Iris. Iris lost her grip and was pushed back but quickly caught herself. She retaliated with a brutal Dual Chop, striking May in the ribs and face. May screamed in pain, her chest burning with agony, but she pushed through, grabbing Iris's wrists and channeling Thunderbolt directly into her. Iris yelped and dropped to her knees.
"What…?! That actually stung..!" she growled.
"You're welcome." May panted, a smirk forming on her lips.
"I do hope she's not proving to be too much for you, Iris." Mega Rayquaza's voice boomed across the arena. Iris glared at May.
"I said it stung...nothing worse!" She fired a Dragon Pulse straight into May's stomach. May screamed in pain as she was thrown backward. Iris stomped on her gut, eliciting another scream from May as she lost more blood.
"BACK AWAY FROM HER!" Ash's voice suddenly rang out. Rayquaza, Iris, and the other dragons turned around, observing the commotion. May coughed up blood, her vision blurring as her entire team suddenly changed into the arena.
"A...Ash..." May's voice was weak, barely a whisper. Ash charged through the ranks of Dragons, determination etched on his face as he used his Aura to kill one after another, determined to reach his wife no matter what. Gary followed behind him, cutting down several enemies with his blade, while N blasted down several more. Dawn ran a dagger into the Charizard holding Glaceon, managing to catch the Pokémon as it was released. Glaceon yelped in relief as she landed in Dawn's arms. Ash hit the surrounding dragons with everything he had, relentless in his assault as Rayquaza observed with mild interest.
"Hm. More resilient than I gave them credit for," he commented. Iris glanced at her father.
"Carry on, Father. I've got this." she assured him.
"See to it that you do," Mega Rayquaza commanded. Iris stomped on May once more, causing her to scream weakly.
"MAAAAY!" Ash's desperate cry echoed through the arena. Kyurem looked at May sadly, frustrated that he was too weak to assist her. May panted weakly, her eyes taking in the sight of her husband and friends battling valiantly but struggling against the overwhelming onslaught. Even her own body was failing her.
"I...I can't...do this..." Her eyes widened in realization.
"Just try and remember that all the other elements are controlled by the Dragon element. Remember that and you should have at least some control over the others." N's voice echoed in her mind. May's eyes lit up.
"That's it..." She struggled to move her body even a little under Iris's foot.
"How adorable. Still struggling." Iris sneered. She drove her heel in deeper. May screamed in pain as another wound was punctured in her skin. Nevertheless, she looked towards Ash, her eyes pleading with him to trust her and give Iris everything he had. Ash's response was immediate. He bull-rushed towards them, his determination unwavering. Summoning any strength she had left, May suddenly pushed Iris off her and into Ash's path. Ash struck Iris with a blow so aggressive his staff shattered and exploded on impact. Iris screamed as she was knocked clean through the stone walls and beyond, crashing several yards away. Ash panted, his chest heaving with exertion. May coughed up more blood, struggling to move towards Kyurem.
"K-K...yurem..." Kyurem glanced at her, his eyes filled with concern. May rested her hand on him, her voice barely a whisper. "It's...up to...you..." She closed her eyes and began to glow with Dragon Force. Kyurem's eyes widened in shock as he felt a surge of life within him. May summoned every ounce of Dragon Force within her body and forced it into Kyurem. Everything she had received from Zekrom and Reshiram before they disappeared as well as all of her own as well. Kyurem roared, breaking free from every restraint holding him in place, his form changing and growing more powerful.
"What the?!" Iris watched in horror from a distance, her body weak and battered. Rayquaza looked over in shock.
"Impossible...!" May screamed as she gave everything to Kyurem. Kyurem shone with a new, formidable form, his skin a fusion of black and white, his forelimbs like Zekrom's, wings like Reshiram's, and a tail and facial features embodying traits from all three dragons. He was a sight to behold, a true force of nature. May collapsed to the ground, her strength spent and unable to remain upright without the endurance the Dragon Force had provided. Mega Rayquaza growled, his voice echoing with anger. "So you finally show your true face..."
"I see you're still leeching off of me..." Kyurem growled back, his eyes narrowing.
"What I will be doing is finally ridding the world of your evil!" Mega Rayquaza roared, launching a Draco Meteor. Kyurem retaliated with Glaciate, the two attacks colliding mid-air and exploding with tremendous power.
"We'll be killed if we stay here! Everyone outside quickly!" N shouted over the chaos.
"Not...without...May..!" Ash muttered through gritted teeth, barely able to stand. Rayquaza charged towards Kyurem, his massive body knocking down more debris in the process. Dawn yelped as debris fell near her and ran outside. Ash, his movements sluggish, ran for May and weakly lifted her into his arms. May slumped against him, only able to take weak, shallow breaths. Gary cut down any dragon attempting to follow them, clearing the path as best as he could. N ran out, urging the others to hurry.
"This way..!" Pikachu called out, locating the exit to the area through the falling debris. Glaceon, limping from her injuries, followed Pikachu closely. Ash ran to the stairs, each step a struggle. Dawn was already ahead, running down the stairs as the building started to cave from the damage. Kyurem roared, launching a Fusion Bolt. Mega Rayquaza roared in pain as he was hit. Kyurem hissed, his eyes filled with fury. Mega Rayquaza crashed into him with Dragon Ascent, causing Kyurem to cry out in pain before firing another Glaciate. Mega Rayquaza roared in agony.
"All that power does you no good without a complete form!" Kyurem taunted.
"All that form has ever made you is a demon!" Mega Rayquaza spat back.
"This coming from the one who invented the infernal ritual," Kyurem retorted. Rayquaza fired a Hyper Beam, but Kyurem tucked out of the way just in time. Rayquaza flew directly at him, and Kyurem roared in pain as he was struck. Rayquaza wrapped his serpentine body around Kyurem and carried him into the air. Kyurem thrashed, trying to break free from the bony grip. Rayquaza dove straight to the ground, uncoiling just enough to slam Kyurem into the ground with full force, causing tremors to course through the earth. Kyurem gasped in pain. Rayquaza slammed his tail into Kyurem's body, pinning him to the crater in the ground. Kyurem fired a Fusion Flare in retaliation, causing Mega Rayquaza to roar in pain and recoil. Slowly, Kyurem stood up, defiance burning in his eyes.
"You will not win! I won't allow it!" Mega Rayquaza bellowed.
"I expected someone who's all bone to have a bigger spine." Kyurem sneered. Mega Rayquaza glared, then glanced at the small group fleeing the area.
"Or perhaps a change in tactics is in order." With that, he flew off quickly. Kyurem's eyes widened as he realized what Rayquaza intended to do and chased after him, refusing to give an inch. Dawn looked back and saw Mega Rayquaza approaching swiftly.
"Ah!"
"No!" N turned, his eyes widening in shock. Before Mega Rayquaza could reach the fleeing group, Kyurem slammed into him.
"You will not harm them!" Kyurem roared, his voice filled with fury. Rayquaza roared in pain as the impact sent him reeling.
"What the?!" Gary's eyes widened in surprise. Ash glanced up, his voice weak but filled with hope.
"There he is, May..." May lay weakly against him, fading in and out of consciousness, barely registering the battle around her. Rayquaza growled and summoned a Draco Meteor, raining destruction down on everyone in the area. Ash ducked instinctively, while Dawn screamed and covered her head. N, quick to react, blasted several meteors to pieces before they could hit. Kyurem bit into Rayquaza and plowed him into the dirt, pinning him by the neck under his foot. With a dominant roar, Kyurem ripped out one of Rayquaza's bones. Rayquaza's roar of excruciating pain echoed across the country. Rayquaza lifted his head, trying to charge a Hyper Beam.
"Go! Now!" Kyurem commanded, his voice urgent. N's eyes widened in realization.
"Kyurem, no!" Iris, summoning all her strength, unleashed a Draco Meteor centered on Kyurem. He roared in pain, stepping back from the impact. Rayquaza fired his Hyper Beam at Kyurem, launching him and causing him to fall near the group amongst the rubble and slain dragons. Rayquaza rose from the ground, his rage palpable.
"Enough!" He started channeling all of his Dragon Force through his body, glowing with immense power. Kyurem weakly struggled to his feet.
"You...will not...hurt...my...FAMILY!" He channeled all of his Dragon Force into an Ice Burn.
"Kyurem!" N shouted, desperation in his voice. Rayquaza flew in with the biggest Dragon Ascent yet as Kyurem turned bright white as the air around him froze over. The two titans collided directly, with Kyurem unleashing a devastating attack so cold it made even Glaceon shiver. "KYUREM!"
"FATHER!" Iris gasped. A frozen explosion blasted the surrounding area, obscuring the impact with a massive cloud of smoke and ice shards. N shielded his eyes with his arm. Dawn yelped, shielding Pikachu and Glaceon behind her. Ash protected May as best as he could and Iris struggled to see through the cloud of smoke. Finally, once it started to clear, everyone saw Kyurem lying weakly among a collection of disassembled bones, his breathing labored. Iris's eyes widened in horror. "NO!"
"No!" N rushed to Kyurem's side. "Kyurem! Hang in there..."
"Bring me... May..." Kyurem's voice was weak but determined. N's eyes widened in surprise.
"What...? But she's barely conscious..."
"Now..." Kyurem insisted.
"...As you wish..." N conceded, looking over at Ash. "Ash, bring May here quickly...!" Ash winced but followed his instructions, gently laying May down beside Kyurem. Kyurem glanced sadly at her.
"May... you... must live..." May's breathing was weak, her body having lost a massive amount of blood. "I... love... you..." Kyurem whispered, beginning to share the last of his life force with her. May's breathing began to steady as Kyurem's power healed her wounds. N watched in shock, having never seen Kyurem behave this way. Kyurem felt the light in his eyes begin to dim as he gave everything to save May. Her injuries were reduced to mere cuts and bruises, and she slowly began to regain consciousness.
"May...!" Ash's voice trembled with relief. May shifted slightly, her eyes slowly opening.
"H...Huh...?" Ash hugged her tightly, unable to contain his relief. "A-Ash...?" May winced, still a little sore. Ash refused to let go, holding her as if his life depended on it. May rested her head against him, feeling a sense of safety. Her eyes then widened in realization when she heard Kyurem weakly moan beside her. "Kyurem?!"
"May..." Kyurem's breath was shallow and labored. May took his head in her hands, her voice desperate.
"Kyurem, what's wrong?! What happened?!"
"I... saved... you..." Kyurem gently nuzzled her, his strength fading. May's eyes filled with tears as she realized what he had done.
"Kyurem no...! Please no...! I'll find a way to save you, I promise... I-I..."
"Y-you... al...ready... have..." Kyurem mustered the last of his energy to speak. He nuzzled her one last time. "All...three...of...us..."
"Please no... Kyurem, please don't leave me..." May's tears flowed freely as she clung to him. Ash watched sadly, placing a hand on her back in comfort.
"Love... you... May..." Kyurem's voice was a mere whisper. May cried uncontrollably as she hugged him.
"I love you too... please don't leave me..." she begged. Despite her protests however, Kyurem took his last breath and died in her arms. Ash held her close as she sobbed into his chest, shutting his eyes to hold back his own tears. May's voice was filled with heartbreak. "He can't be... he can't be..."
"I know..." Ash's voice was gentle.
"He trusted me..." May cried harder.
"He loved you..." Ash replied softly.
"But I let him down..." May sobbed.
"You could never let him down, May..." Ash said, his voice firm.
"He's dead...!" May cried.
"He's a hero, May..." Ash said, trying to comfort her.
"And I was supposed to save him in return..." May's voice broke.
"You did, May... you did..." Ash assured her. May sobbed into his chest, her body shaking with grief. Nearby, Iris stared at her father's skeleton in stunned silence before her eyes filled with rage. She turned towards Ash and May, holding out her hand and preparing to fire at them. But before she could, a sword was suddenly plunged through her from behind, stunning her and causing her shot to fire harmlessly into the air.
"That's for Janine..." Gary growled, weak but determined, held his blade. Iris coughed up blood and collapsed. Dawn ran over and caught Gary before he fell too.
"Easy... I gotcha..." she promised. Gary groaned, panting from the effort. Dawn quickly got her kit and began making splints for him. May sobbed into Ash's chest until she ran out of tears, leaving her sniffling into his tunic.
"I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough..." Ash's voice was filled with guilt.
"Their protection was my job..." May cried softly. Ash was silent, his heart heavy. "I don't even know what to do with myself anymore..." May said, her voice filled with despair.
"Don't talk like that..." Ash pleaded. May looked up at him, her eyes red and swollen from crying.
"I just don't know what to do now..."
"Let's go home..." Ash's voice was gentle but firm.
"I can't leave him behind..." May said, her voice breaking.
"May..." Ash tried to comfort her.
"It doesn't feel right..." May insisted. N stepped in, his voice gentle.
"May... he gave you this chance so you could live a normal life... he'd want you to go..."
"...He's part of the family..." Ash's voice was soft but resolute. May looked up at him in surprise.
"What...?"
"Right...?" Ash nodded. May hesitated, then nodded slowly.
"... Just... surprised to hear you say it... I thought you still..."
"That doesn't matter..." Ash interrupted her.
"Ash..." May said, her voice filled with gratitude.
"He was family to you... so he's family to me..." Ash said firmly.
"Thank you…" May hugged him tightly. Ash hugged her back, holding her close.
"Let's go home..." he suggested again. May nodded, tears still streaming down her face.
"Let's go home..." Together, they stood up and rejoined the rest of their war-torn group, knowing that they would carry Kyurem's memory with them forever.
To be Continued...