Pokémon X Nuzlocke

Prologue

Each step a haunting reminder of the consequences of life itself abandoning Earth, the Lucario strode through the desolation. Luca's eyes were fixed on the mountainside before him, searching for the opening that harboured the secret they sought- the true fate of Xerneas, the God of Life.

After countless hours of searching, he finally found it; the cave's mouth yawned wide and Luca swallowed as he strode up, lighting a torch and holding it up to keep the darkness at bay. Boldly, he strode in and surveyed his dimly lit surroundings.

"It's safe, everyone. Come on,"  he called. One by one, five mighty Pokémon entered: Team Iris. The first was an Abomasnow, said to have been recruited from the icy ends of the Earth itself and known only as World's Edge. The second was Haros, a Marowak that could raze an entire village to the ground in just one swing of its bone. After Haros came Murph, a Probopass whose earthquakes could topple the mightiest mountain, who brought down rockfalls heavier than the whole ocean.

Dwarfed by the giants that entered before it, a Sableye cautiously strode along, its eyes glittering orange. The story of Ashes was a well-told one. All of Kalos knew of how Team Iris had been attacked by an assassin duo at Reflection Cave and how three had met their deaths there. From their charred bodies rose Ashes, sent to embody Iris the Braixen's fiery spirit and determination, Sandra the Diggersby's brute strength and righteousness and Sleep the Beedrill's vile venom. And Ashes had led the team until a new worthy leader was found- Luca.

The final member of Team Iris was James- the veteran Snorlax. A deep sadness clouded his eyes, the visions of team members he had seen perish. He was the only remaining member to have fought alongside Iris. Countless times had he seen the life snuffed out of friends, and he had sworn to finish this quest in their honour.

These, then, were the six Pokémon that entered Terminus Cave. And of them, none would return.

"Lysandre!" cried Ashes, spotting a Pyroar on the other side of the room.

Unsurprised, the Pokémon turned around. "Yeah, I'm here," it grinned. "But this time... I'm not alone."

A huge blue serpent soared into the cave,  twisting through the air before them. A malevolent smile flashed across its face.

"Meet my old friend Midgard," said Lysandre.

"And now prepare to die," the snake spoke for the first time in a sneer.

Luca nodded slowly, taking his position as head of the team. "Very well. I accept your challenge." Without another word, Luca lunged at the Gyarados, striking a it with a mighty blow. Grimacing, Midgard slapped the earth with its tail, kicking up dust. Cracks raced towards Luca, the convulsions of the ground beneath him knocking him off his feet. But they didn't stop there- he was battered around until his skin was scarred and bruised.

"Luca, heal up. I'll take it from here," said a deep voice. As Luca scampered to leave the battle, World's Edge took his position opposite the Gyarados, a raging snowstorm buffeting it as he approached. Midgard, however, simply smiled. In a split second, he had struck the Abomasnow with a head as strong as a battering ram.

"Edge? Do something! Why are you just standing there?!"

But World's Edge remained motionless. Then the reason why became apparent as huge cracks appeared across the Abomasnow's body. Chunks of ice began to fall and he keeled over, never to get up again.

"No! I'll kill you!" screamed James, the sadness in him finally transforming to a crimson rage as he charged at Midgard. The snake's tail swished round, catching James and stunning him. With another cackle, the Gyarados flew at him faster than anything James had ever seen, and indeed anything he would ever see- in an instant, he lay dead on the floor.

"You're too easy! And to think Lysandre told me you'd be a challenge!" taunted Midgard. He surveyed the four remaining members of Team Iris before his gaze stopped on Ashes. "You'll make a good appetiser. Come on, fight me!" he laughed.

Every fibre of Ashes burned at the insult. The spirits of Iris, Sandra and Sleep were simultaneously telling her to fight- after all, none of them had ever been the type to turn down a challenge.

She stepped forward. "Bring it on then, you big..." But she was cut off as the blue form of Luca, now back in full health, struck Midgard with all his might. The serpent screamed in pain, swinging his tail around and just managing to catch the Lucario, sending him careering into a wall.

"Luca!" screamed Haros, running to his fallen comrade. "Luca, please! We need you!" Tears were falling from the Marowak's eyes onto the limp Lucario. "Luca..." He began to cry even harder, kneeling on the floor with his hand on the shoulder of his best friend.

Suddenly, the cave walls shook. Haros turned back to the battle in panic, but it was too late- the lifeless form of Ashes lay motionless, struck down by Midgard in the few moments he had spent distracted.

Murph moved forward. He slammed the floor with all his might and rocks began to fall from the cave's ceiling. But Midgard was too fast. The serpent deftly flew between each stone, getting closer and closer to Murph before swinging his tail round. Water burst forth from it, dissolving the Probopass' body into dust in a single hit.

With a feeling of hollowness, Haros finally approached the beast. The bone club clutched in his hand- useless. He tossed it to the ground and stared up at the towering snake. "Do it," he said, bowing his head, defeated.

The last thing he ever felt was Midgard's might crush him into the ground, his every bone shattering. And finally- six fresh corpses decorating the cave- all was silent. 

Midgard looked disappointed. "You told me this would be tough!" he complained to Lysandre.

"It was tough", replied the Pyroar. "For everyone else, at least. You're just that powerful."

The serpent grinned at the compliment. Suddenly, an iridescent light lit up the darkened walls of the cave. Both Pokémon searched for the source in confusion, but they were not prepared for what they saw.

"I'm not done yet," said Luca coldly, the light taking form around his hands and feet to grant him its aid in combat. In a blur, the Mega-Lucario launched itself at Midgard. A cloud of dust engulfed the two of them. When it cleared, Luca stood alone above the lifeless snake. 

Lysandre seemed unfazed. "Impressive. But not enough." He stated simply.

With a final battle cry, Luca lunged towards the Pyroar, which simply opened its mouth and spat a huge ball of fire at its enemy. The burning flame hit Luca dead-on, searing his flesh from his bone. He was dead before he hit the ground.

And all was silent.