//------------------------------//
// Short: Foreboding sense of despair 
// Story: My Little Pokémon 
// by Amarvax 
//------------------------------//

Canterlot. Day.

"Another invitation." Just now, Princess Celestia was graced with that same letter that had sentience. Once more, it had revealed an invitation to Pegalysium. Second time in a row. "And this soon as well."

"Hmph. This time, I bet it's a trap." Adagio said while laying on Arcanine's soft and warm body. She was still holding on to the concept of it being a trap. She was wrong the first time but the second time could be right.

"This time it says it's from Queen Luminary. She says that our first discussion got off on the wrong hoof. A second chance would be nice. Her husband may not agree to it, but she ordered it."

"Oh. Well I mean...she seems nice enough at least." Adagio pouted her lips.

"Arcanine." And Arcanine could agree. He did sense a good spirit and heart from Luminary when they first met in the Sky Monarch.

"Still don't trust her. Want me to bring the Magic Siphoning Jar?"

"W-Well...there may not be any need for that." Celestia laughed nervously. "If we can have our second discussion, we might be able to understand each other and save the universe together."

"Maybe." Adagio sighed, lying on Arcanine's back. "Still have that king. I mean who does he think he is?"

"He's just trying to protect his subjects and everyone. Even if it means reverting everything." Celestia's smile transformed into a frown. She then regained the optimistic smile before focusing on other important matters. "Anyway. We'll head there another time. Right now, I need to attend with the other universes. Adagio. Could you continue studying in the library for me?"

"Sure. I'll get to it." Adagio yawned while on Arcanine's back. Celestia giggled, knowing that Adagio would ace her lessons once she got to the library.

But with how hard she's been working, taking a break wasn't a bad idea. She's earned it. As Celestia walked forwards to her throne room where Luna and Cadence were waiting for the meeting, the Sun Princess felt an oddity fill the air. Just at that moment, she stopped as she felt a tremor and pulse that she could not see.

Nothing dangerous was ongoing here. But she could feel as if something was wrong. Somewhere out there. Probably not in this universe. But another.



Unova Region. Day.

Out there in the Unova Region, there existed some ruins. But these ruins weren't actually as old as they seemed. Most ruins are centuries old, existing in the far past. These ruins were at least 17 years old. Fairly young.

That was because there were the ruins where Ghetsis first lost to Ash and his friends years ago. The same place where he once had control of Reshiram but failed to keep that control.

Speaking of Ghetsis, this is where he currently was. He sat on a tipped over pillar by his lonesome. No Pokemon. No other Team Plasma Grunts. Nothing. It was just him. He was recovering from his draw with Ash. 

But in Ghetsis' eyes, he lost that battle.

Ghetsis vowed to get so strong that he would never lose again. To no one. Not to any Pokemon Trainer. Whether they're new, experienced, Gym Leaders, Elite 4 members, Champions, Princesses and other rulers. And especially not a kid from Kanto.

Ghetsis was undergoing something similar to the Cerebral Training that Celestia and Luna underwent as taught by Olympia. It involved mental concentration and picturing how a battle against certain opponents would go.

In Ghetsis' case, he was imagining how his rematch with Ash would end up the next time. They both stood in an endless field of darkness with black flames flowing.

Ash was there with his Pikachu while Ghetsis obviously had his Hydreigon. Ghetsis had his stoic yet vengeful stare while Ash had that same confident smile on his face. They had already begun their battle 5 minutes ago and were in the heart of it.

"Hydreigon! Dragon Rush!"

"Hydrei!"

"Pikachu, Iron Tail!"

"Pika!"

And within this mindscape, their Pokemon Battle played out. Ghetsis was hoping to win this so he could see how to properly defeat Ash the next time they meet. Both Pikachu and Hydreigon approached each other with Pikachu's tail clashing with Hydreigon's draconic aura.

They separated for a bit with Pikachu sliding on the pitch-black surface. Hydreigon shook all three of his heads while moving back.

"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" Ash grinned, tightening his fist while commanding Pikachu.

"Dark Pulse! Flash Cannon and Flamethrower! Now!" Ghetsis roared. His Hydreigon went first with all three heads firing three separate beams with different elements.

"Get a better strike in with Quick Attack and then blast 'em!"

"Pika!" Pikachu used two moves in one. He used the speed of Quick Attack to bolt forward. But not only that, he slid underneath the three attacks, evading them. He also slid underneath Hydreigon, sending Thunderbolt upwards. "Chu!"

"H-Hy!"

"Iron Tail!"

"Pikachu!" Pikachu then hardened his tail, striking Hydreigon's stomach with it after giving him a bolt of 100,00 volts.

"Grr! Smash him to bits! Outrage!"

"Hydrei!" Hydreigon bellowed as he coated himself in destructive red energy. In a fury, Hydreigon started swinging his headmouths frantically at Pikachu, trying to hit him.

"Alright, buddy. Use Quick Attack to zip around!"

"Pika! Pika!" In a flash, Pikachu's used the speed of Quick Attack, evading one of the first swings by dashing backwards. Hydreigon hit the ground as he flew after the Mouse pokemon.

Pikachu avoided Hydreigon's attacks with his superior speed, making the Brutal Pokemon miss each time. He even jumped on one of Hydreigon's heads before leaping off it, making the Dark-Dragon-Type hit himself. "D-Drei!"

"Pikachu!" Pikachu then slid on the void-filled surface, lunging forward and hitting Hydreigon's back with Quick Attack.

"Just hit him already! Hyper Beam!"

"Hydrei...!" Hydreigon then surrounded all three of his mouth with Hyper Beam, ready to blast him into oblivion. Meanwhile, Ghetsis went for Ash by using his Dark Magic. He sent a black bolt from his palm, only to be met by Ash immediately dodging it with his quick reaction time.

"Electroweb and Iron Tail, go!"

"Pikachu...!" Pikachu then slammed his tail down, forming a net of electricity instead of tossing it forward to Hydreigon. 

"Dreigon!" Hydreigon then unleashed three massive beams of Infinity Energy that raced forward. And at the same time, Pikachu had jumped onto Electroweb, using it as a spring or trampoline. By using the web, he launched himself in the air. And with perfect timing.

With the height he gained, Hyper Beam hit the web instead, causing the explosion to go off. Afterwards, Pikachu's tail lit up with steel as he flipped in the air. With a mighty swing, he smashed Hydreigon's head with it.

"H-Hydrei!"

"Just hit him already!" Ghetsis bellowed as he was struggling to hit Ash himself. Ash kept avoiding Ghetsis' crystals and black bolts while keeping a smile on his face. Ghetsis' anger was rising as Hydreigon continued to attack Pikachu with violent swings.

Pikachu also maintained a smile as he was easily evading the incoming hits while also landing Iron Tail every single time. Hydreigon as well was becoming frustrated.

"Chu...Pika!" And with a mighty swing to the face, HYdreigon had taken the biggest hit yet. And with that hit, he fell over, fainting. Ghetsis looked to the side, seeing his ace Pokemon fall. As if it couldn't get worse, Ash had pulled the staff of Sir Aaron out of thin air.

"What?!"

"Here goes! With one use of the staff, Ash created a giant dome-shaped blast of Aura that eclipsed the area, lighting it all up. The azure light from the Aura was so bright that it eradicated the darkness, covering it with Aura. Ghetsis closed his eyes as he had been consumed by the bright Aura along with Hydreigon.

After that, Ghetsis was sent out of his mind and back to reality.

"Ah!" Ghetsis gasped after being brought out of his mind. He held his head afterwards. "Darn it. Even after these past days, I can't seem to beat him." In truth, Ghetsis has been doing this as his main method of training for days now ever since he left to be by himself. "Why? Why can't I beat him?"

Ghetsis tried again. He figured if he kept making mock battles with Ash in his mind, he would eventually find a way to defeat him for good when they meet in reality.

However, as he re-entered his mindscape, he lost again. Even when attacking Ash, he couldn't land a hit on him. And even when Hydreigon struck Pikachu or any of Ash's Pokemon, they came back, succeeding in the end. Ghetsis attempted it again but lost once more.

Each time he went back in Ash's mind, the losses kept piling up, non-stop. No matter what, he couldn't beat Ash. And each time he failed, his frustration grew. He smashed his fist onto one of the walls, shattering it after yet another loss. "Curse it all! What am I doing wrong?!"

He breathed in and out as his dark aura started emanating out of his body. His rage correlated with his anger. And he could see that. The angrier he became, the more his aura started showing. It's definitely more visible with emotions. That's when Ghetsis decided to try and find out what was wrong with his losses.

He then thought back to his battles with Ash, looking at a key detail. He noticed how the entire time, Ash kept his calm demeanour, not showing any signs of losing his cool. He remained calm. Meanwhile, Ghetsis was feeling frustrated each time. And it all came from him and Hydreigon losing each time. Even with his other Pokemon, he lost.

Soon, Ghetsis found that it was his frustration and Ash's calm composure that made a barrier between them. Ash would win because he has such a handle on everything. After all, Ash barely shows signs of frustration.

Ash has perfect control of his emotions while Ghetsis doesn't. The hatred inside of him constantly allows him to erupt with frustration and aggravation. And it showed. Each time Ash interfered with Ghetsis, starting from Saddle Arabia to Pyrestar's world, Ghetsis is always annoyed and enraged in the end.

Ghetsis knew that if he wanted to overcome Ash, he would need to put aside his anger and let himself be calm. But that was fairly difficult considering how much Ghetsis struggles to hold his enraged temper at certain moments. But it is mainly because of Ash.

Celestia, Twilight, any of the Mane 6, none of them have managed to push him to frustration like Ash. Mostly because Ash and Ghetsis have danced around before. Ghetsis took a deep breath as he now had a new goal. Overcome his anger and stay calm in front of Ash.

To work on that, he returned to his mindscape, focusing once more to better himself.



Universe 30. Empress Twilight's spare palace.

Right now, Empress Twilight was working on a way to make her own variation of the Magic Siphoning Jar. If she wanted this to become a reality, she would have to add some of Tirek's magic, which she already absorbed.

The object in question that she was crafting was unknown for now. But from how she was building it, it seemed to have an octagonal shape. Although, this could change later on.

One thing's for sure, it would work like the Magic Siphoning Jar, with a bit of the Empress' touch. But as she worked hard on the jar, entering the room was one of her best soldiers and her Royal Guard. This guard was absent from the invasion, much to the Empress' chagrin. She believed if she was here during the invasion, victory would've been theirs. But that wasn't the case.

That guard was Tempest.

"Empress?" She entered the room.

"Tempest! Finally." She immediately turned to face her Royal Guard with a smile gracing her face.

"I was told everything that had happened," said Tempest. "Apologies for not being here sooner. The rebelling forces over at the eighth universe were truly stubborn and persistent.

"Nevermind that. It was my fault for not bringing you along anyways. Because everything is going to change now that you are here. And with my new creation on the verge of building. Celestia and her universe will pay, without a doubt."

"And what should I do Empress? I can repay for my absence during the invasion."

"You do that. Make sure not to start another invasion there. That world has too much potential and is brimming with strength and capabilities that could end my rule for good. Attack with a safer method, understood?"

"Understood. But, I've also gotten word that same universes have been infiltrating our other conquered universes?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Seems as they're aiming to free each universe. From what our sources say, they've formed some sort of Universal Alliance with the other universes." Tempest explained.

"Curse that Celestia...!" Empress Twilight's own frustration was building up. "But it's fine. We haven't fully lost yet. Skyblue Shine is already out there searching for the Magic Siphoning Jar. If you find her, assist her. Plus, I need Luster Dawn back. Travel to the Pokemon World and find her in whatever prison they're holding her in."

"I will get on it." Tempest saluted before leaving the room. Empress Twilight felt as if she could be at ease now with Tempest on the scene. She had that much faith in her.

In the meanwhile, she would continue to build her item to perfection.



Universe One. Equestria. Afternoon.

Speaking of Skyblue Shine, she remained in the library. She failed to go to Pegalysium but she did give the information to the Empress and was waiting for a response.

Aside from that, she had given up on the library entirely at this moment. Now she was aiming to find another source for the Magic Siphoning Jar's origin. She was still holding onto it being Pegalysium as the main source.

Other than that, she now had to move somewhere else. First, she had to find her way out of Canterlot without being caught. She was definitely wanted by Equestria. She waited for the library to have fewer visitors inside. And her waiting paid off. Very few ponies were now in the library, exiting it. Few were remaining with the most notable being Moondancer.

With very few being here, Skyblue Shine then walked out of the storage room, revealing herself to everypony here. Moondancer and the few ponies plus the main librarian had turned their attention to the android.

"Huh? Hey! You're-" Before Moondancer could do anything or finish her sentence, SKyblue Shine had used her magic to hold everyone here. Her upgrades would help greatly in this.

Everyone was now restrained by Skyblue Shine's magic. And not only that, she used a spell to put all of them to sleep. Before they knew it, Moondancer and everyone here had been put under a sleeping spell. Their eyes lowered, unable to do anything against this.

Thus, they had all fallen asleep. Skyblue Shine then dropped them all with her magic, causing them all to fall on either the tables or floors they were nearby.

After that, she could make her leave and head somewhere else in Equestria. Anywhere but Canterlot. But leaving the library would be tricky since that would lead her to the streets of Canterlot. She needed to find a way out of here without being seen.

And there was an easy solution. Blast a hole through the storage room. With a smirk on her face, Skyblue Shine went for that plan. As she teleported herself back into the storage room, the android already had a blast of magic ready for use.

She aimed it at the very back, firing one single blast. A perfect sized hole. Plus, it revealed the outside which led to the Canterlot Gardens. Right near one of the hedges. With that, Skbylue Shine galloped along, jumping through the hole she had made.

But she had to cover her tracks. For that solution, she would use her magic once more. There wasn't a reparation spell in her arsenal. But she could place something to mask off the entrance. The boxes of books would be a good substitute.

The Umbrage Thief had used the furthest box in the back as that mask. She stacked the other boxes together, allowing them to hide the hole. Either way, she won't return here so her destruction wouldn't matter in the long run. After doing so, she was now ready to leave Canterlot.

But as she started galloping, looking for the next place to locate herself, she spotted something that she couldn't ignore at all. Or rather someone.

Her daughter, Premium Polish.

Right now, Premium was enjoying a nice day out with her friends. She's certainly made new friends in Canterlot. Whether as her reputation as a Pokemon Coordinator or just being great to be around. Or possibly her being known for hanging around two princesses. One from this world and the other from another.

She was having a brilliant experience as she hid inside Flareon's large fur with her head popping out. Seeing her daughter be happy even without her mother here was 50/50 for Skyblue Shine. On one hand, Premium Polish being happy was a nice sight for Skyblue Shine's eyes. It's also pleasing to parents in general. If the children are happy and enjoying their life towards the future, the parents could have relieved smiles on their faces and steady hearts.

However, this also meant that Skyblue Shine may never interact with her own daughter ever again with the reputation she's made. Not only that, but Skyblue Shine certainly feels guilty for missing out on all of Premium Polish's contests and other activities. That was the only wrench in their relationship. Skyblue Shine was so loyal to the Empress and her role as an Umbrage Thief that she had never gotten the chance to truly see her own daughter's achievements play out.

Only the contest ribbons in her room and no more.

Skyblue Shine wished that she could speak to her daughter without having to worry about anything. But her loyalty for the Empress was far too great. Skyblue Shine herself wondered why this was the case. All she knew was that she couldn't interact with her daughter anymore. Then again, she barely did in the first place that much.

Knowing that hard truth, the android went along her way, sneaking out of Canterlot. And as she left, Premium Polish herself could feel something. As if someone familiar was nearby.

But, she didn't think too much about it. She just continued to play with her friends as the journey continues.


Chapter 497 End.