Xerneas stood in the early morning darkness before a house, Sawsbuck beside her. She sensed the six burning life forces within the house. All six slept peacefully. One belonged to a Fletchling, asleep with her head tucked under her wing. One belonged to a Rhyhorn, asleep by the foot of a bed. One belonged to Pikachu, whom was asleep in Bonnie's arms. The three other life forces were human, and female. Serena and Bonnie shared Serena's bed. Grace had fallen asleep on the couch, something she had been doing more often thanks to the flooding brought on by the rain and the recent storms. Grace had developed a fear of storms after what had happened on a mountain road long ago. Serena was very young and did not remember. It had rained heavily, and Serena's father and Grace's husband, Will, had been driving. He had hit a slick spot and the car had gone off the road to crash into the trees. Grace had suffered a broken back, thus ending her riding career. Serena's car seat had saved Serena's life. She had been completely unharmed. Will had died of his injuries after managing to get out and get back to the road. Grace had been told that once he knew help was coming for her and Serena, he had let go and died. Since that day, Grace had been afraid of storms, her biggest trigger being rain. She refused to do any driving what so ever in the rain. She was getting better about the rain.

Sawsbuck leaned into Xerneas's flank. "How did I get so lucky?"

"I wonder that too sometimes. How did I get so lucky to find you?" Xerneas returned.

They shared a giggle and a nuzzle.

It grew lighter as beyond the ever thickening cloud cover, the sun rose. The day would bring more rain for Vaniville Town. Inside the house, the sound of the radio woke Gracie up. She stood, and stretched. The weather was on. As usual, Vaniville was under flood watch. More rain. The rainy mountain road flashed through her mind. She shut her eyes. Hers and Wills screams filling her ears. No, no, no! Breathe! That's it, breathe! A rock hard head bumped against her leg. Grace opened her eyes and knelt, throwing her arms around Rhyhorn. Rhyhorn rumbled softly, helping her come out of her panic attack.

"I'm sorry, boy. You know how mama gets when it rains." Grace said. Rhyhorn nuzzled her. "Let's get breakfast going." together, they entered the kitchen. Grace began making breakfast. Before long, Fletchling flew in to land on her shoulder. She chirped her good morning song and nuzzled Grace's ear. "Thanks, sweetie. Why don't you go wake Serena and Bonnie?" Fletchling chirped and flew off. Grace giggled. It sounded just like Fletchling had said okay.

Up in Serena's room, Pikachu was already awake. He was being held by Bonnie. He stayed still, letting Bonnie and Serena sleep. How many times had he woken up in Ash's arms like this? He closed his eyes, letting the memories come. He would always wait for Ash to wake up first. Often, he would rest his head against Ash's chest, listening to the steady thumbing of his heart. How many times? A tear worked free of his left eye. It had been months, but the wound still ran deep. The ache was raw today. Fletchling chirped, having flown into the bedroom. She landed and tugged on Serena's hair.

"Fletchling! Can't I sleep longer?" Serena mumbled against her pillow. Bonnie woke upon hearing Serena's voice. Fletchling gave another tug. Serena mumbled again. A firm tug got her awake. "Morning, Fletchling, Bonnie, Pikachu." She yawned, and looked out her window, "Another rainy day? I miss the sun." A rumble rattled the window, "Thunder too?" She got up.

Grace had just laid out plates on the table when Serena and Bonnie appeared.

"That rumble was not thunder. I know thunder. The frequency is off and it sounded too shallow." Bonnie was saying, "I grew up in an electric type gym, remember?"

"What else could it have been?" Serena sat at the table, "Morning, mom!"

"Morning, Grace! I can safely say it was not an earthquake. Something burrowing by underground maybe?" Bonnie replied.

"Morning, girls! You two felt it too. It felt like the move dig being used to me. I agree about it not being thunder, or an earthquake." Grace said, "I turned the TV on. Indigo City was attacked yesterday."

"The death count in Indigo is now at 1879. For those of you just tuning in, yesterday, Indigo City, Kanto, came under attack by Shadow Pokemon. Clean up has begun under the watchful eyes of Steven, Champion of Hoen, and Iris, Champion of Unova. Both Satoshi Ketchum and Lance Gold are currently receiving treatment at Lilly Valley Memorial in Sinnoh. Satoshi is in fair condition while Lance is still critical. We have been receiving reports that Arceus himself did battle with the Shadow Pokemon. He summoned Zyta whom opened her domain and pulled the Shadowed Pokemon there after she evolved. Ash too was seen." A picture of Dark Ash appeared on screen. Serena dropped her spoon with a gasp. Bonnie froze. "Ash was said to have died of Rabies. We are searching for the truth right now!" Iris appeared on screen next to the reporter.

"Did it ever occur to you that it was a Shadowed Zorua?" the young Champion asked hotly, "For the last time, Ash Ketchum is dead! He had Rabies! He did not die of the Shadowing, nor is he secretly a Pokemon! No, his death was not in any way faked! You all need to give it a rest! It was a Shadowed Zorua! It was taken to Zyta's domain to face it's punishment! Yes, Arceus did speak to it. He told Satoshi he was curious, and the fact the Zorua was able to talk and answer questions meant that the Shadow has gotten stronger, nothing more." Iris ground out.

"Champion, is it true that Champion Satoshi was not here when Indigo was attacked?" the reporter asked.

"Satoshi was not here at first. He rushed here as soon as he got word. He ended up pinned by debris and because the fighting was still going on, it took a while for rescue to reach him." Iris explained, "Give him some credit!"

"Up next, the weather!" it went to commercial. Serena and Bonnie looked at each other. They both knew that Satoshi had been there the entire time, as Arceus. How would Satoshi handle this?

"What would you do if you discovered Arceus's human form?" Serena looked at her mother.

"Well, I don't know. Why?" Grace asked.

"Bonnie and I have met Arceus, in his human form and his true form." Serena looked down, "Remember the legend of the Prince of Pokemon?"

"Yes, I do. Arceus fell in love with a human girl and became human to be with her. Together they had a son, the Prince. Why?"

"What would you do if it were true?"

"What are you trying to say, Serena?"

"It's true. Satoshi and Arceus are one and the same. Ash is the Pokemon Prince. He didn't die of Rabies. He died of the Shadowing. It used him up, and now wears his skin so to speak."

"Are you still suffering from your concussion?"

"No, I am fine. Arceus revealed everything to us. He was there with us when Ash died."

"It's true, Grace. I was there too." Bonnie said, "Xerosic made sure Ash didn't hurt in the end. I miss him. He would know how to put an end to the Shadowing."

"You two have heard the fairy tale about the Prince in stone, right? I know I read it to you a lot when you were little, Serena." Grace said.

"Mama reads that story all the time to me." Bonnie said, "It is my favorite story."

"Yes, I remember that fairy tale. It is my favorite story too." Serena said, "The prince fell in love with a human girl. The girl fell in love with him too. They had a happy life together, traveling all over the kingdom to handle problems and help maintain the peace. One day, Miasma flooded the kingdom, sickening everyone. The Prince knew the time had come. Sick himself, he and the girl traveled to the very center of the kingdom. There, the Prince blessed the kingdom, and became like stone. The girl expressed her love to him, crying as she hugged the statue. Xerneas heard her pleas and answered by bringing the Prince back to life. The Prince and the girl married, and ruled the kingdom together. I once wrote a fan fiction about them. I gave them a daughter named Serena. I was young, and when I last read it, I actually wondered what drugs I was on at the time. It was bad, very, very bad."

"Going back to read stories you wrote when you were young is an experience. I remember my own fan fictions. I am still a huge fan of the Rhyhorn Racers, a show I watched as a girl." Grace said, "I have the entire series on DVD."

"I admit, I'm a fan of the show too." Serena looked away, "Mom, I admit it. I snuck the DVDs into my room and watched them. I still can't believe they killed off Blue Rider. You never see his death coming! It happens so fast, and right after he and Teal Rider finally get together too!"

"I actually screamed at the TV when I watched that episode for the first time. It was never hinted at in the previews ether!" Grace said.

Serena looked up at the window. "Xerneas is here. Bonnie, lets go."

The girls excused themselves from the table and walked outside to stand on the porch. Xerneas stepped out of the falling mist. Following her was Sawsbuck. The legendary and her mate stopped before the porch.

"It's time, isn't it?" Bonnie asked.

"Saw, Sawsbuck." Sawsbuck said.

"Sawsbuck says yes, the time has come." Xerneas translated, "A great journey must be undertaken. You must take Squishy and Z2 to the Altar of Creation deep within the Temple of Arceus. There, they must merge into their their final form and unleash the supreme power hidden within them. Chespie must go too because he holds the Prince's Miracle. While he was dying, Ash passed his Miracle to Chespie in order to do two things. One, hide it from the Miasma, and two, make sure it didn't die with him." Xerneas laid down, "You two are probably going to hate Ash after I reveal this. You see, Ash knew this was coming. He made plans with us legendaries in order to fight the Miasma. This time, he plans to make the Miasma go away forever. I believe the power of the Princes Miracle is far more powerful than the Miasma. Ash knew this was coming for a long time. At the same time, a second journey must be undertaken. Those going on this second journey must travel to Alola and meet with the four Tapu. They must convince the four Tapu to help in the coming battle. Dark Ash intends to fully infect the world. Even humans will become infected. It will spread into the plant life, and eventually the entire world will die. After this, the Miasma will leave the remains of our world and find a new world to infect. It will repeat the process until there is nothing left, leaving our universe barren of life. It won't stop there. It will enter the Flux and find a new Universe to enter. I know you are wondering about the Flux. Imagine a place that is pink. Now imagine that place is full of bubbles. At the center of this place is a giant whirlpool. From this whirlpool comes multiple ribbons made of light and darkness. These ribbons pass through and around the bubbles."

"Like a carousel?" Bonnie asked.

"Yes, very much like a carousel. The bubbles are in constant motion. Sometimes they collide, and a new bubble is born from the remains. Sometimes they merge together into a new bubble. Sometimes they only bounce off one another. Each bubble is an Universe." Xerneas continued, "Our Universe was born when Arceus hatched explosively from his egg. I believe that long ago, there was another world. Like our own world, it was populated by Pokemon and people. Something happened that led to Zyta singing her Ballad of Ending. This led to that great dying, and Yveltal absorbed everything. He collapsed into his cocoon and died. That cocoon hardened as from his remains, Arceus rose again. He hatched, and everything began again. Once again, Arceus brought forth the world and all of its Pokemon and people. I don't know if he fell in love during the last world, or if ether of you were even born. In fact, Serena, you might even have been your own mother, Grace, in the last world." Xerneas explained.

"That means I could have been Clemont!" Bonnie squealed.

"Yes. You could also have been your own father." Serena said.

"I could have been Arceus. For many ages, the Prince's Miracle has been growing. As each time the cycle spins, it absorbs the life energy released by Zyta on her final note. This is a cycle that will never end. It is endless. You two might be born as Pokemon in the next world. No one ever knows what they will become. Anyway, the Temple of Arceus is in the heart of the Entralink. Because of the Miasma infected Pokemon, you can't travel there by the usual routes. You will have to travel down the Breach."

"That doesn't seem so hard." Bonnie said.

"Isn't there another way?" Serena looked fearful.

"There isn't, Serena. The Breach is your safest route." Xerneas responded.

"Really, what is so scary about that giant canyon? Rock slides?" Bonnie asked again.

"The Breach is home to the Fragments, Bonnie." Serena turned to look at her.

"Fragments? Fragments of what?" Bonnie asked.

"Fragments are Pokemon that are... different!" Serena hissed.

"Why are you so afraid of Pokemon?" Bonnie pressed.

"A fragment is a Pokemon made up of two or more different Pokemon." Xerneas responded, "Think of a Blastoise with Venusaur's flower on its back, or Venusaur wearing Blastoise's shell."

"They are horribly strong, and you can't catch them because a poke ball can only recognize one species at a time. Basically they overload the poke ball. They don't fight until their opponent faints. They fight until they kill their opponent! We can't travel down the Breach! It is horribly dangerous! I rather fight shadowed Pokemon instead!"

"I would like to see these Pokemon."Bonnie said, "They can't really be as bad as you think. Remember the Pichu that ran over your foot? You screamed and jumped into Ash's arms."

"I was scared, and that is very different than a fragmented Pokemon!" Serena snapped.

"Winterra is made up of Braviary and Pyroar. You aren't afraid of her."

"She's not a fragment. She is the Griffon Pokemon. She is supposed to look like that." Xerneas said. "Those that must go on the main journey are the two of you, Miriam, Chespie, Squishy and Z2, and Greninja. Others may join you. The second journey must be undertaken by Clemont. Remember, the entire world is counting on you." Xerneas stood, "Zyta should go with you. She has yet to awaken her true form. This could be what she needs to fully awaken. Come, Sawsbuck. Our part is done." Together, the Life giver and her mate walked away. Serena and Bonnie entered the house and went to sit in the living room to make plans, unaware that miles away, Clemont was receiving his own orders.

Once again, Clemont found himself staring at the remains of Prism Tower. It was hard to believe that the still smoldering ruins was once a tall tower that he called his home away from home. Pain pierced his heart as he thought about the Magnezone. They must have been terrified, especially upon realizing that he wasn't coming to save them. Did they keep fighting anyway? Did some just give up? Did it hurt long? Was it mercifully quick? He felt tears bead at the corners of his eyes and wiped them away angrily. It just wasn't fair. His beloved city was just a ruin, some spots still smoldering. Everybody was currently living in the camps that dotted the Luminous Badlands. Crime was up, and law was weak. He still had 30-00, whom hovered next to him solemnly. It was wearing a haphazard ride harness. Clemont could easily ride bareback, but Dianthe had flat out refused to let him leave until she saw him harness 30-00. The tragedy had brought 30-00 and Clemont closer together. Clemont heaved a sigh. The Magnezone he once had were products of careful breeding by generations of his family, and now, that was gone. 30-00 was an incomplete male. It couldn't be bred. Plus, there was the egg Clembot had saved. Hopefully it would hatch a complete male. He could then start breeding up and hopefully create some decent Magnezone. May be he might get lucky enough to find some viable sperm within 30-00...

"Leader! Fighting broke out in Camp 4!" A trainer ran up to him. "Why is it so hard to keep the peace? I know it is hard for everyone right now, but is it really necessary to loot?"

"People do things they wouldn't normally do when they are scared, Jimmy. Everyone is scared. It is perfectly normal. Right now we are at war. Even I'm scared, and he," Clemont pointed a thumb at 30-00, "Is behaving, and that's even more scary!"

"30-00 doesn't do behave!" Jimmy laughed, "It does maim!"

30-00 snorted, and playfully bumped Jimmy, tilting it's head forward to accept some scratches. Jimmy was more then happy to comply. Sometimes after tragedy, vicious Pokemon gentled. This could happen to even the most vicious Pokemon. It was a strange little phenomenon. So far, the top explanation was that the Pokemon in question suffered shock along with it's trainer. It was believed that the shock acted like a reset to the Pokemon in question. Others said the Pokemon in question realized how close it came to losing its trainer that it was scared straight. 30-00 had lost pretty much it's entire Bolt. It most likely saw Clemont as a member of its Bolt and had gentled because it knew humans couldn't be bumped around like other Magnezone. It had also taken to tending to the egg, a very rare trait in male Magnezone, even for one that was incomplete. Clemont mounted, and helped Jimmy up. At his gentle nudge, 30-00 rose and turned. They left the ruins behind. Before long, the Badlands stretched out below him.

A better term would be flood lands. A good 65% of the Badlands was under water. Clemont felt the charge in the air. A storm was coming. At least the rain had moved on, and he didn't feel any rain from this coming storm. The storms struck at night, bringing high winds, thunder, and lightning. There was the occasional tornado, but so far they had stayed small and were able to be dealt with with a Rapid Spin. Clemont was worried about the larger ones, which thankfully had not formed.

They landed outside Camp 4. The Camps resembled large vaults, which brought to his mind the Fallout series. The vaults were actually giant storage areas that fed into the Power Plant. Here, foodstuffs, water, and other supplies were stored. Clemont had secretly hoped one of the vaults were full of money, but that wasn't to be. He knew it would be a while until his beloved city could finally be rebuilt. Some rebuilding had already begun, but due to the weather, all rebuilding had been halted. Clemont entered the Camp. He found his gym trainer quickly.

"What happened?" he asked.

"They are getting very restless in here." the girl answered, "I've put down the fight already, but I know there will be other fights. This weather has been crazy lately!"

"You are right. Not just here in Kalos ether. Every region is suffering. Natural disasters, crazy weather, it's everywhere!" realization was beginning to dawn. "The shadowing, maybe?" that didn't feel right to him, but it was all he had at the moment. After a few more minutes, he stepped outside. Jimmy lived in Camp four, so he was home. Taking the reins, he began to walk. "30-00, what is this world coming to? Six months ago, everything was normal and good. Now? War. All we can do is react. I want to act, to deliver a decisive blow that will weaken it. I can't. I don't know where it hides, or how to fight it other than what we have been doing. It has got to have some kind of weakness."

"I don't have a weakness." Clemont jumped with a surprised yip and turned. A nearby rock glowed, and a purplish, greenish mist formed above the rock. Clemont groaned to himself. Spiritbomb. His personal pain in the butt who haunted him, and liked to appear when least expected. "Clemont."

"You again. What mumbo jumbo are you going to spout now, false legendary." Clemont waited.

"You've noticed the changes around you." Spiritbomb drifted lazily in the low breeze, "Your world is dying."

"Dying? The Shadowing?" Clemont asked.

"Yes. Look around you. The plant life is beginning to wilt. You know it is not because of the water. Even the very ground you stand on is losing its life. The shadowing as you humans call it, is responsible. I can not explain why. That knowledge is not mine to know."

Clemont groaned, "How do I know you are not up to your usual tricks?"

"I have been ordered by my superiors to bring to your attention, a journey. One that you must take. You must travel to Alola." Spiritbomb ducked into its rock to reform above another one, "I have been selected to travel with you." Again it changed rocks, "Your mission is to meet with the Tapu." Another rock change, "You must convince them to save Ash." Spiritbomb finally settled on a rock, "The Tapu have... abilities that even Arceus does not have. They do not wish for this world to end."

"What? I can't leave my people! Look around you! A Gym Leader must never abandon their people during both good and bad times! This is a bad time! I'm sorry, but go bug someone else!" Clemont roared, seriously considering picking up Spiritbomb's rock and flinging it as hard as he could from the top of the highest rock in the Badlands, that wasn't underwater.

"Not even for Ash? They could save him, maybe even put an end to this entire thing." Spiritbomb waited.

I said no!"

"Not even to rebuild your city, or save all its people, even those who recently lost their lives? Wash your hands clean of their blood? You are quite bloody, Clemont."

"Will you please cut that out? I'm not going! My people, my city, my region needs me! I can't just drop everything and leave!"

"Not even for your region? How about Bonnie?" What passed for Spiritbomb's eyes glowed.

Clemont saw an alter. Zyta stood over the body of a young blond girl, tears running down her face. A second body, this one of a light brown haired girl sat slumped against the wall. Before Zyta, hands bloody, was Ash. His face was twisted in a cruel sneer.

"Ash, stop this! Please, no more!" Bonnie looked up from under Zyta, "Serena! She needs help! Please! Stop!" the girl was crying. "This isn't you!"

"Bonnie, it's over. I have no choice. I have to bring the end." Zyta lowered her head, "It will be all over. Maybe in the next world, the Miasma will be stopped." She raised her head.

"Stop... Zyta..." Serena got to her feet, ignoring the protest of her injured body. She stumbled toward Ash. Ash lashed out, and held her up by her neck. Serena gasped. She smiled, and placed both hands on Ash's arms. Her left eye was swollen shut. "Ash..."

"Why do you smile, wretch?" Ash growled, "You should be afraid! I'm about to kill you!"

"Ash will not let you. I smile because I'm not afraid. I am not afraid of you Ash. I love you. I know you won't hurt me. It's okay. You can let go now. Everything will be alright." a shiny pink dome formed around them, "I know what to do. Let's meet again someday, okay?"

"Serena! Don't do it!" Bonnie sobbed, "Please don't do it!"

"That will only kill you, and Ash!" Ash hissed.

"Ash, I'm sorry this must be done. I love you." Serena closed her eyes, "Good bye, my love." the pink dome darkened, and vanished. Serena was on the ground, a calm smile on her face, her eyes closed, her body still. No breath or heart beat stirred within her. Ash sat on his knees, leaning forward a bit, arms outstretched. Horror in his amber eyes.

"Serena..." he seemed to glow with rage. "Miasma! Take this!" he plunged his arm into the ground. A violent earthquake gripped the world. Bonnie screamed. Her scream cut out as the cave collapsed. When the dust cleared, a dark land shuddered, the only thing that could be seen was a statue, and the bloody, shattered remains of a blond little girl and a black Rapidash standing over her. Zyta began to sing, her voice broken by tears. Fire erupted from the ground, racing out to consume everything. Everything zoomed out until there was just the world. It burst in a puff of flames as Zyta hit her final note. More zooming out. Yveltal folded himself over everything. Everything became dark.

"No. No! What did you show me?" Clemont wiped tears from his eyes.

"I showed you the future, Clemont. The Tapu can prevent that future. You must convince them to help." Spiritbomb explained.

Clemont took a shuddering breath, "When do we leave?"

"We leave," Spiritbomb changed rocks, "Tomorrow at dawn."