Present Day

"I'm impressed," Skyla said, "But you won't win!"

"Bring it on!" Nate and Rosa yelled. Serperior and Emboar roared as they did combo moves. Serperior sped at them with tail glowing blue, and Emboar spread blue energy around the blue fireball that he became.
"Dragon Ace!"

"Focus Flare!"

Both flew at Swanna and Braviary, but Skyla just grinned.

"Dodge it."

Both flew out of the way with ease. We were all shocked.

"Now how about some combination moves of my own? Bubble Brave! Aero Brave!" Bubblebeam and Brave Bird formed a shower of bubbles with Swanna right up the middle. Air Slash surrounded the Brave Bird, making Braviary into a powerful projectile.

"Sea of Fire!" The two ordered. But the columns were pierced by the two bird Pokémon, who hit Serperior and Emboar full impact. Both fainted as the attacks connected. It was our turn.

Rio and I walked up onto the field and assumed our fighting stances. I remembered the final test that Cobalion gave me: the Trial of Courage.
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Two Years Ago

"I congratulate you on making it this far," Cobalion said, "but my trial will be the hardest one you face. You must face and conquer your worst fear." My eyes widened.

"So I have to face h-her?!" I stammered. They nodded. That's exactly what I was afraid of. I backed away as a Mismagius with glowing red eyes flew to me.

"So we meet again, Shade," the bone-chilling voice sneered.

"Syren, you know very well I'm not afraid of your scream anymore."

"Yes, but what about my new ability? The ability to deceive the mind?"

"Bring it on." And with that, Syren sang beautifully, but it distorted the area as her voice also became distorted. I looked around as it became a void of violet and black energy. Below me was a spiraling violet cloud. And I'll admit, I was officially scared.

Syren showed up in front of me. I tried to hit her with a Psycho Cut, but she just chuckled and vanished. She showed up behind me and shrieked, startling me. I ran away from it, hating the darn noise, but I was surrounded by her Double Team. They all screamed at the same time, near making my ears bleed from the banshee-like din. It's ironic that she's named Syren when she has such an ear-splitting scream. I cried out in agony from the scream and the headache that I got. It made my head near rip apart. They barraged me mercilessly with Shadow Balls and Dark Pulses. I just wanted it to stop! I fell to the ground, covering my ears with my paws to try to block out the noise, but it failed. Maybe I wasn't ready after all. Maybe I was in over my head. Maybe... I just can't do it...

Then I remembered.

I was in the forest, walking with Gem, a Sableye and my only Ghost-type friend. He played pranks on me all the time, and he was my best friend. That's when I thought. Maybe all this time, Syren was playing pranks on me, and I was taking them way too seriously. The screaming faded from my ears, and the aura from the other trials surrounded me in a dark ring. I released it, and it spread out, destroying the illusion and every copy and knocking back the real Syren.

"But... but that's impossible!" she groaned, "How did you break my spell?!"

"I figured out your little prank," I replied coolly. "I'm not afraid of it anymore. How about we finish this?!"

"With pleasure, old friend." She is my friend. Dark Pulse and Psycho Cut met Dark Pulse and Shadow Ball, but I overpowered her attacks. She fell, defeated. I had passed the final test.

"Congratulations, Shade," Cobalion said, smiling. "You passed all the tests. You are now one of the Swords of Justice. Welcome, Scythe of Justice."

"No thanks," I replied. "I met new friends here, and I want to train with them so I can get to your level of strength." I helped Syren up as I saw Cinni, Grizzly, and Striker come up to us. "I hope we meet again." Cobalion nodded.

"Me too, young one. Me too."
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Present Day

We faced the bird Pokémon, clearly Skyla's strongest. Nate and Rosa aimed their Mega Discs at us, and fired. We were engulfed by the blinding light. When it died down, we had Mega Evolved. I felt the power surging through my body. It felt good.

"Use Aura Sphere, Rio!"

"Shade, use Psycho Cut!"

We launched the blue sphere and pink wave simultaneously, and they merged. They became a Psycho Sphere. Hey. That's the perfect name for it! It was our first combination attack, but definitely not the last. It hit the two bird Pokémon, but didn't do much damage. They swooped down at us and used a combination of Water Pulse and Rock Slide. I sliced the blue boulders in two with Secret Sword, but then it disappeared. My scythe had vanished! The remaining rocks hit us full-on, knocking us down.

"Now's our chance." Skyla grinned. "Bubble Brave! Aero Brave! Take them down!"

We tried to stand our ground, but they were too strong for us at that point. We fell hard, the Mega Evolution being broken. As I was knocked out, I remembered the last part of the story.
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Two Years Ago

It's been a week since I passed the three trials. We were relaxing in Undella Town, playing volleyball with Phil's sister, Kelly, her Sawk, and Phil's Machoke. Syren, who was with Striker on the sidelines, used Psychic to toss the ball in the air for me to hit, which I did. Kelly bumped it back, and Sawk and then Machoke hit the ball up and over.

"I got this!" I called as I head-butted the ball to my left. Cinni hit it up, and Grizzly jumped and spiked the ball. It fell into the sand, forming a miniature crater. Sawk picked it up as we cheered.
"14-7, game point!" I yelled out.

Then, I saw the vision.

Three Hydreigon flying over a forest northwest of Undella...
They are on a rampage and forcing Pokémon to flee...
The forest is ablaze..
And then they head for the town.

My eyes snapped open. I was in the villa, with Kelly sitting next to me and Cynthia, the Sinnoh Champion, stroking the neck of her Garchomp. He was more agitated than I thought. He also sensed the danger.
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"So, let me get this straight," Kelly said, her blue eyes filled with concern, "Three Hydreigon are gonna destroy the forest nearby, then the town?!"

"That's what I predicted," I answered, my voice also filled with concern. "And Garchomp also has that feeling."

"I for one ain't gonna let that happen!" Grizzly roared. Cinni nodded.

"We're supposed to defend people and Pokémon alike," Striker replied. "Besides, one helped me." He smiled at Phil, who smiled back.

"I agree," Syren added. "I'm sick and tired of hearing that Ghost-types only live in the shadows. I'll fight till the end!"

"We're going as well," Kelly said, "I'm not a helpless little girl like you think I am. I'm a great Trainer, which is why--"

"Which is why we need you to help set up a defense in case the Hydreigon come for us," Cynthia cut her off. "Besides, from the training we did, they seem prepared."

"She's right, Kelly," I said. "Besides, none of us want to see you hurt." Kelly smiled and stroked my head. I raised my head to tell her to stop.
"Let's do this."
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We saw three Hydreigon, their eyes completely red and rage visible. They roared upon seeing us, and used a triple Tri Attack. Three blasts each of fire, ice, and lightning merged with the other two of that type, creating a massive blast. We jumped out of the way and saw four slashes strike the Hydreigon. I saw the Swords of Justice as their Sacred Swords and Keldeo's Secret Sword disappeared.

"Strange," Cobalion thought out loud, "They're usually so calm. What caused this?"

"They could be brainwashed by a Psychic- or Ghost-type," I suggested. "I have an advantage. I can find and fight the mastermind."

"But what if it's stronger than you. Then what?" I froze, stunned by his tone. He sighed. "Sorry, Shade, but you may be going in over your head."

"Why won't you give me a chance?" I said under my breath.

"What was that?"

"WHY WON'T YOU GIVE ME A CHANCE?!" I yelled, startled myself with my volume. "Just because I'm an Absol and not a Legendary Pokémon like you doesn't mean that I'm weaker than you. If you were a real warrior, you would know that."

"If you don't want our help, you could have just said so," Cobalion said coldly. "Come on, guys. We'll evacuate the forest Pokémon." Whatever. I don't need him.

"So the so-called new guy goes rogue, huh?" a mysterious voice said as two red eyes and a sharp-toothed mouth grinned at us. It moved forward, revealing its coffin-shaped body and four ghostly arms.

"I knew it. You're the one controlling the Hydreigon and making them go Primape."

"And you ruined my attack on this forest. I'll just move on to the town, then!" Cofagrigus laughed as he called the Hydreigon to his side. "By the way, make sure the Swords of Justice come too." They left.

We took the shortcut to see that they were already there. A group of Trainers were ready to defend Undella Town. I saw Tetsuya, a young boy who had a crush on Kelly. He and his Buizel stood ready next to Kelly and her Roserade.

"You think I don't have backup?" Cofagrigus grinned as a swarm of Beedrill and a pack of Mightyena, Weavile, and Liepard charged at the defense teams, who fought back with great strength. A Dusknoir and four Scrafty turned to us and joined the Hydreigon. They all had the same red eyes as they charged. Suddenly, four flashes separated the team. It was the Swords of Justice!

"Come on, we'll hold them off," Cobalion told my friends, "Shade has to face Cofagrigus."

"You came back?" I asked. "After what I said?" He nodded. "I'm sorry for talking to you like I did."

"I'm sorry for being so stubborn," he said, smiling. They then readied their swords while Grizzly charged his fists, Cinni charged her tail, Striker charged his mane, and Syren readied her mind, all four emitting a blue energy. They charged at the other Pokémon, sparks of energy flying with each impact.

"What's wrong, Cofagrigus?" I asked in a taunting way. "Scared to fight me without bodyguards, or are you too weak?"

"I can destroy you on my own!" he yelled in rage. He fired a Shadow Ball followed by a Toxic. My Psycho Cut hit one, but I was still badly poisoned. A giant eye glared at me and weakened me. Cofagrigus was using Hex! I cried out in pain. His eyes flashed red, as did those of the Hydreigon. They used Dragon Rush, and I heard Keldeo yell to me.

"Get out of the way!"
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Present Day

I got up and looked at Rio, who was being brought back to the side by Pathor. The Gym Leader's Pokémon flew above me, ready to defeat me.

"How about one more time?" Skyla called to her Pokémon. They used Bubble Brave and Aero Brave, but I didn't care.

"Come on, man!" Nate yelled.

"Dodge it!" Rosa cried out.
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But I didn't even flinch. The present and the flashback both played in my mind as my enemies charged.
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"No." Everyone was shocked. "I'm not running away. I am the Scythe of Justice! I will show you that I'm not the same Absol I was before training with the Swords of Justice!" My horn glowed once again as I withstood the attacks. "I've gained power like Terrakion's, ..." I sped out of the way in what was a warping blur to everyone else. I circled around and barraged the enemy Pokémon with Aerial Ace. "...speed like Virizion's, ..." My horn glowed even brighter. "And the will of Cobalion! Through these traits, I found the strength to stand tall and strong..." A violet blade formed on my horn. "...and unlock my blade!" I charged, slashing my enemies. The present came back completely as they fainted. I heard my friends cheering as I fell on the ground and took a nap. I deserved that.

Nate's POV

"I saw how strong you are and want to give you this as a symbol of your victory: the Jet Badge!" Skyla handed each of us a Gym Badge shaped like a feather.

"So, where to next?"

"Brycen's at Pokéstar Studios, so how about Opelucid City?" Touya suggested. We all agreed.
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Hey guys! Guillermo456 here. Sorry this chapter is so long. This is my first post-chapter comment. I hope you like the story so far. I know some of you have been complaining about my fast pace. I promise I'll dial it down a notch and leave room for romance or something. I'm also considering a Question of the Week thing. If I start, just leave your answers in the comments. So till next week, Guillermo out!