Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or it's affiliates.

A/N: A big thank you to any who chose to read this story, it means a lot. I would like to say sorry to any of you who read my previous story and came to this one because of the poll I was doing, this is not the Gym Leader story that I said I would do next. That story is still in the works but this just came to me one night and I just had to write it. Please give your opinion on this and tell me if I should continue it or not, I leave it up to you the readers. A few little things I should mention are that this is set after the Sinnoh League and that Ash is sixteen. Thanks for listening and hope you enjoy.

Sweat rolled down Ash's forehead as he took a few quick intakes of air to try and regain his breath. Battling always got his heart racing and blood pumping, especially at a League with the crowd cheering and all the cameras taping for the world to see. But this time was different, there were no cameras, no crowds cheering or some trophy to win. No this wasn't a battle for honor and glory, it was a fight to keep everything he had worked so hard to get over the past six years.

"Have you had enough kid? Are you ready to hand over those Pokemon so they can be liberated from an abusive trainer like you?" A man with a gray hooded uniform yelled from across the battlefield. The uniform consisted of the gray hoodie, a long white apron that went to the man's knees in the front and the back, gray gloves and boots, and black pants. Behind the man who had spoke stood twenty more individuals with the same uniform, some who Ash had defeated already and others with Poke balls still at the ready.

Still breathing heavily, Ash looked around at all the destruction that had occurred in the last hour since these weirdos had showed up demanding his Pokemon be liberated from his cruel imprisonment. Professor Oak's lab had windows busted out and the windmill was broken and bent on the ground. Scattered across the once green field was areas of blackened grass and impact craters with smoke wafting from them from where stray attacks had hit. The sky was partially blackened from a Rain Dance attack that was used earlier but the dark clouds were slowly clearing off and the sun was beginning to shine through. Despite how bad the makeshift battlefield looked, Ash's Pokemon looked far worse.

The battle had been a huge strain on himself and his Pokemon, battling nonstop with one opponent after another in a battle royal. This meant that his Pokemon were fighting multiple opponents while he was trying his best to give directions while dodging stray attacks that came his way. The battle was still fairly even but Ash's Pokemon were having varying degrees of success. Pikachu and the other small Pokemon had been doing okay, using their small size to dodge most of the multiple attacks that were sent their way but the constant attacking and dodging was taking it's toll and most were ready to collapse at this point. The larger Pokemon had a much tougher time of things, especially Snorlax. The big guy was just too big a target and too slow to dodge the onslaught of attacks but despite all that he was making the best of the bad situation. Using his massive size he sacrificed himself as a wall, protecting his comrades for a time before using Rest to try and recover from the massive damage he had endured. This tactic had worked for a while but eventually even Snorlax fell to the brutal stream of attacks, going down like a true hero.

The quickest defeat had been the herd of Tauros that Ash had caught in the Safari Zone all those years ago. Mostly wild and untrained, the bull Pokemon fell one after another to the trained Pokemon's assault. The lone Tauros that Ash used for battling tried to protect it's herd but even he had fallen.

Ash saw all of this and looked back toward the lab to see a sight that brought him hope despite how bleak the situation was. His mom and her faithful companion Mimey running toward him with Professor Oak trailing behind holding a Poke ball. The trio had retreated to the lab when the fighting had started for safety and to alert the police about what was going on. Ash wasn't counting on the police, Pallet didn't have it's own police force but relied on the Viridian City police to handle the small amount of crime that occurred in Pallet and they were at least two hours away. No the Poke ball the Professor was carrying was Ash's ace in the hole to finish this group for good.

"Well are you ready to surrender your Pokemon to Team Plasma boy?" The same man from before asked with a cruel smirk.

Shooting the man a glare, Ash turned to face Professor Oak as he handed Ash the ball. "Good luck my boy. I hope he helps." The Professor said and then joined Mimey and Delia under Mimey's Light Screen.

"Show them what your made of hunny!" Delia yelled to Ash with a proud smile on her face.

"I will and thank you both for your help." Ash said with a kind smile on his face that vanished as he turned back to the battle.

"Well what will it be? The easy way or the hard way?" The leader of the group asked with a Poke ball in his hand to reinforce his point.

"Pika!" Pikachu sparked wildly at the man, giving his answer to the man's question.

Smiling at his best pal, Ash finally answered the man. "If you think that I would give up my Pokemon, my friends, to the likes of you then your crazy. We will fight to the very end and here's a late arrival that will teach you how foolish it was to challenge us. Come on out old friend!"

Ash tossed the ball and in a flash of light one of Ash's oldest Pokemon appeared in all his fiery glory. "Char!"

Wasting no time, Ash ordered an attack. "Charizard use Fire Spin to cut off our friends from those guy's Pokemon!"

The flame on Charizard's tail blazed higher and then he unleashed the attack, effectively separating the two sides of the battle with a wall of fire.

"Everyone else take a breather!" Ash yelled over the roaring flames. "Charizard, it's all you buddy! Give them your best Flamethrower, cover the whole group!"

With a sadistic smirk, Charizard pushed off with his wings and rose above the flames that were separating the two sides until he had full view of the entire enemy ranks. Then he reared his head back and unleashed a monstrous blast of fire from his mouth that had Quilava, Torkoal and Infernape awestruck and envious of the incredible show of raw power. The flame engulfed the ranks of Team Plasma's Pokemon and even caught some of the trainers who were standing too close. The heat of the flames was so intense that it was melting the rocks that were laying on the battlefield and causing everyone to back away from the intense heat that was radiating off.

"Seismitoad use Muddy Water to douse the flames."

Suddenly a wave of dirty brown water flooded the battlefield, extinguishing the flames and revealing the damage the flames had done. Most of Team Plasma's Pokemon were knocked out and some of the trainers were covered in severe burns and had parts of their uniform still smoldering. The ground beneath them was now covered with mud and completely devoid of vegetation of any kind.

Charizard turned and glared at the large blue frog that had wiped out his flames, readying himself for battle. Ash moved up next to where Charizard had landed but he wasn't looking at the frog, he was looking at the trainer that had released it. It was an older man in his late forties with light green hair that went all the way to his back and stood up on the top and sides. He wore a strange red monocle over his right eye and walked with a cane that had the same insignia that was on the other trainer's chests. The rest of him was a mystery because of the black cloak he wore that had strange eye patterns all over it.

"Return Seismitoad." The man muttered before walking forward toward Ash, causing Charizard to growl in warning. "I would like to congratulate you Mr. Ketchum. You have exceeded my expectations and past the test with flying colors."

"Test? What test? Who are you and how do you know my name?" Ash asked while watching the strange man carefully. Something about him made Ash feel on edge and he knew better that to trust strangely dressed men after dealing with Team Galactic a few months back.

"Forgive me, my name is Ghetsis. I am the leader of the Seven Sages of Team Plasma, second only to our king." Ghetsis explained. "Now as for your other question, we have had our eye on you for some time now Mr. Ketchum. However it wasn't until you recently defeated not one but two Legendaries that we decided to test you. That is what these fine men and women were doing by challenging you to battle." Ghetsis said while motioning to the group who were attacking Ash for the past hour.

"Testing me for what exactly?" Ash asked suspiciously.

"To see if you were worthy to join Team Plasma as the King's body guard of course." Ghetsis said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Our King needs the strongest trainers as his body guard and only the strongest can take down two Legendary Pokemon. So now I formally ask, will you join Team Plasma and protect our King as he makes this world a better place for people and Pokemon?"

"Char!" Charizard grunted disapprovingly.

"Pika pika Pikapi!" Pikachu yelled his opinion at Ash who's brow was furrowed in thought, something about all this just didn't add up.

"If you wanted me to join, then why did your flunkies want me to turn over my Pokemon for liberation?"

A scowl crossed Ghetsis face as he looked to the group of subordinates who wouldn't meet his gaze. The scowl quickly disappeared as he turned back to face Ash. "A mistake I assure you."

"Some mistake. I'm sorry but I' going to have to decline your offer. I only protect those in need along with y family and friends, not some King who's underlings take Pokemon from trainers who care about them. Now I think it best if you and your little group leave." Ash said sternly while giving a hard look that surprised his mom and Professor Oak. Charizard gave a growl in warning to emphasis what his trainer had said.

"Well said Ash." Professor Oak said, proud that Ash made the right decision.

Shaking his head disbelievingly, Ghetsis began to speak. "I had hoped you would be smart about this but I see I was mistaken. Perhaps our King can change your mind. Lord N will you come forth please."

From behind the group of Team Plasma grunts, a boy of about eighteen emerged and began walking toward Ghetsis. He looked normal enough to Ash with a plain black and white hat, gray pants and a white pull over shirt with black under shirt. His hair was a similar color to Ghetsis and was pulled back in a ponytail that went to his waist. The thing that Ash did find odd was the reaction the boy got from Ghetsis and the other Team Plasma members. As the boy walked by them they all bowed their heads in respect. This boy couldn't be the King, could he? Ash though to himself.

"Yes Sage Ghetsis, you called for me?" N asked in an aloof, airy voice.

"Yes I did Lord N. This young man needs some convincing about joining our cause. Could you give him a demonstration of Team Plasma's true power to persuade him." Ghetsis finished while gesturing with one arm toward Ash.

Ash watched N's reaction to Ghetsis request and even the little Ash knew about facial responses he could tell that N was hesitant to act. A slight grimace came to the green haired boys face as he reached down and grasped two Poke balls from his belt. Bringing the two seemingly normal Poke balls in front of his face, N looked at them for a moment before sighing and tossing them into the air. As the two red and white orbs sailed through the air they suddenly burst open in a brilliant white light. The pair of lights began to form two figures and as the light faded the two giant Pokemon came into full view.

Ash gasped in awe at the two imposing figures that had appeared and seemed to be staring straight at him. Intimidating as their stares were it didn't stop Ash from looking at the rest of the two huge Pokemon. One was completely white from head to toe with a strange cone shaped tail and wispy hair on its head. Its arms doubled as it's wings and it's body was fairly slender. The other was black from head to toe with what looked like a Beedrill's stinger for a tail. It's body was much bulkier than it's white counterpart and it's wings were separate from it's hands. But the thing that Ash keped going back to look at on both of them was the eyes, the brilliant blue of the white one and the fierce red of the black.

"Reshiram, the Vast White Pokemon and the keeper of truth. Zekrom, the Deep Black Pokemon and guardian of ideals. These are the Pokemon who answer only to the hero of Unova, the one who will lead the region and later the world to peace and prosperity." Ghetsis said proudly while motioning to the two powerful Pokemon. "Our King is that hero and you would do well to follow him instead of opposing him Mr. Ketchum."

Ash was brought out of his awe by Ghetsis' words. Next to him he could hear Charizard growling at the larger Pokemon, clearly not intimidated by their size. Ash looked back to see his other Pokemon coming up to join Charizard and Pikachu beside him, their eyes full of determination and ready for the challenge to come despite how tired and injured they were. Ash had to smile at how much his Pokemon were just like him, too stubborn and full of pride to know when to quit. Turning back to face N and Ghetsis, Ash spoke his decision confidently, completely sure that it was right and prepared to face it head on. "I'm only going to repeat this once more, leave this place now."

"Such a shame. My Lord if you would." Ghetsis said with a gesture of his hand toward Ash.

"If you deem it necessary, My Sage." N said sadly. Turning to the two dragons he met both their eyes and gave a nod. Both dragons then turned to face Ash and his team and as they did their tails began to change. Reshiram's tail began to glow red and a flame like a blowtorch came out the end of it. Zekrom's tail didn't just glow blue but began to spin like an electric generator.

Ash had been battling for many years and had seen thousands of attacks, both up close and far away, and it only took him a second to recognize that the two dragons were charging attacks. Acting quickly Ash called out to his Pokemon. "Everyone attack quickly before they finish charging!"

Despite the heavy fatigue that they were all feeling from the non stop battling, Ash's Pokemon managed to get their attacks off before the dragons could. Ash knew nothing about the two giant Pokemon he was fighting but the effect the attacks had showed the experienced trainer all that he needed. As the Thunderbolts, Flamethrowers and Razor Leafs hit Ash could tell they had little effect but when Gible's Draco Meteor and Glalie's Ice Beam struck the two imposing Pokemon their was a roar of pain from both dragons. Unfortunately, before Ash could use this new information both dragons finished charging their attacks.

Everything happened in slow motion as Ash watched the massive fireball that Reshiram had fired head straight for him and his Pokemon. Seeing the fire attack coming, Charizard stepped in front of it to try and stop it from getting to the others but it was too much for the fire lizard to handle and sent him crashing into the very ones he was trying to protect. As he was thrown back, Charizard's tail swung wildly and would have caught Ash square in the face if it hadn't been for Gible taking the hit to protect his trainer. The little dragon was able to deflect the tail but the force sent him flying out of sight to the far side of the ranch. The fireball engulfed most of Ash's Pokemon, at least those that weren't knocked back by Charizard crashing into them.

Ash couldn't move, he could only watch as his Pokemon suffered because of him. Because he wouldn't submit to this King. As the fire faded only a few Pokemon remained, some that were far enough away or had a resistance to the flames were still standing. But as Ash looked he saw Zekrom heading towards the survivors with electricity covering it's entire body. Thinking only of his Pokemon, Ash ran in front of them to try an intercept the attack.

"Ash no!" Delia screamed in horror.

Just as Zekrom was about to hit Ash, something collided with Ash's side and sent him tumbling to the ground and out of the attacks way. Looking back quickly, Ash just caught a glimpse of a scorched looking Glalie as the attack struck it head on and sent the Ice type flying towards Pallet Town. The black dragon continued to charge straight through the rest of Ash's Pokemon, leaving unconscious bodies in it's wake before returning to it's trainers side.

With a wide smirk Ghetsis looked at the devastation proudly, as though he was personally responsible for it. Turning his gaze on Ash, who was just standing up and looking at his beaten Pokemon with tear filled eyes, Ghetsis spoke. " All of this is your fault. If you had just agreed to work for us none of this would have happened." Ghetsis then turned to N and bowed deeply. "Thank you my Lord, I can handle things from here."

N heard Ghetsis but didn't respond to him, he was watching Ash and seeing the boy's reaction to his fallen Pokemon and Ghetsis' words. N could see the sadness on the boy's face quite clearly but there was something else there as well. Frustration? Self pity? Anger? N couldn't be sure but looking at the boy's slumped shoulders and glazed over eyes he could tell that the will to fight was gone. His will was broken just as his Pokemon were. Still staring at Ash, N finally answered Ghetsis. "Yes my Sage. I leave it to you." Recalling Reshiram, N mounted Zekrom and took to the skies.

Seeing the large black dragon fade on the horizon, Ghetsis moved toward Ash purposefully. When he was a few feet away from him he spoke. "Stupid boy. Such talent wasted and because of what? Pride? Self righteousness? It's pathetic!" Turning to the group of Team Plasma members, Ghetsis issued an order. "Round up his Pokemon. They will be useful, if they recover that is."

"What of the two that were sent flying sir?" The head grunt asked.

"Leave them to die. We have plenty of strong Pokemon. While most of you gather the Pokemon, the rest can restrain those three while some of you teach this boy a lesson in a different kind of pain than he is feeling now. Not emotional pain, physical pain but leave him alive. I want him to suffer and dwell on how he failed. Understood?"

"Yes sir!" The group answered as they split up to perform their tasks. Ash barely noticed the grunts gathering around him until the first punch hit his gut.

"Ack!"

For the next ten minutes Delia and Professor Oak could do nothing but cry while two grunts restrained them as the others took turns beating on Ash. Even as Ash lost consciousness from the pain the grunts continued to beat the boy until he was nothing but a bloody mess on the grass.