The sound of metal fills the training ground back at the Kantoian castle. Snow liters the ground as the Blue and Yellow spar in the moonlight.

Yellow blocks another swipe from Blue's sword. In one swift motion, she spins on the balls on her feet backwards, swinging her sword out to force Blue back.

She faces Blue again, and points her sword at him with one hand. She stares straight into his eyes, panting and shaking as she struggled to keep the sword up.

Blue grins.

"Good," he says as he sheaths his sword.

"That is all for today."

Yellow drops in exhaustion.

Blue walks over to her and drops his coat on her shoulders.

"You're going to get cold once your adrenaline dies down," Blue explains.

"Thank you," Yellow says as Blue helps her up.

"After you clean yourself up, meet me at the outer wall," Blue says as he walks beside Yellow towards the castle.

....

"I understand it is a lot. All I ask is for you to think about it," Lance says to the Council. All the members stare at him in disbelief in an empty room in the Kantoian castle.

"Do you understand what you just said? You are asking us to commit treason!" Misty yells.

Lance shakes his head.

"All I am asking you is to be realistic. Red is a promising trainer and fighter, but we all agree is he lacking when it comes to leadership. Kanto will not survive this war. But if we leave now, we will survive. There will be no region left to charge us for treason."

The room goes silent.

"Think about it. I leave at sunrise, and you are all welcomed to join me," Lance says as he steps out of the room.

...

Ever since Blue announced to the Council the plan he and Red came up with, most of their resources have been going towards defense. Brock and his Rock type Pokèmon have made a stone wall to protect the entire city, while the other gym leaders worked on projects to help keep Saffron City sustainable as they planned to house the entire region in one city.

Blue stands on the stone wall, watching as the guards helped people come into the city.

Yellow walks up to him, now dressed in their typical attire.

"It is the middle of the night, yet there are still refugees entering the city?" Yellow comments.

"Yes."

Blue sighs.

"Our people have become refugees in our own country."

They stand in silence as they observe people and Pokèmon enter.

"I am going to be honest. When Green asked me to train you I thought she was out of her mind. But after spending time training and getting to know you, I now see I was wrong."

Yellow gasps.

Blue never admits he is wrong. Ever.

"You have learned so much in such short amount of time. Hell, you fight with a sword with such ease no one would ever guess you could not lift one a month ago."

Yellow begins to blush.

"You are ready to go to war with Red. Wear your disguise for now, but at one point we need to tell him who you are."

"Why? If the soldiers find out I'm a girl, they will want my head."

"Then show all those soldiers that women can be capable warriors, just like you have shown me," Blue says as he smiles proudly.

"War brings change, both good and bad. Let us ensure some good comes out of this mess," Blue says.

Yellow nods.

"Do you think the bad will reach here?" She asks.

Blue sighs once more.

"It's only a matter of time until it does."

...

***The Night before the Attack***

"Oh my Arceus," Serena says as walks up to Ash at their usual meeting spot at the tree.

Ash as a table cloth set on the ground, littered with a plethora of dishes.

Serena's mouth waters as she eyes each dish, and delicious screams her every sense.

"One of my favorite things to do as a child was go on picnics! So I figured we should have one too. Although it is a bit dark," Ash says.

"How did you manage to pull this off?" Serena asks.

"Heh, I had a bit it help from a King I know," Ash admits as he scratches the back of his head.

Serena's face goes pale.

"Don't worry. He doesn't know you're from Kalos. Now come on, let's eat!" Ash says as he sits on the blanket and hands her a plate.

Serena takes the plate and sits next to Ash. Ash immediately fills her plate with food, and a few minutes later both people and Pokèmon alike are eating.

"Hey Serena?" Ash says in between bites.

"Yes?"

"I know I said where you're from doesn't matter, but how is life in Kalos?"

Serena pulls her plate and utensils down.

"If Hell had a place on Earth, Kalos would be it."

Both Ash and Pikachu stop chewing and stare at Serena.

"All our nature has been destroyed. Every green pasture in the country side have been turned into farmland or lumber mill. Our water is tainted red. Our cities have been reduced to rubble."

"Men are forced to work the mills and the farms. Women tend to the children, and feed the soldiers. Children usually assist in both, if they're lucky. The unfortuate ones are taken and used as sparring partners and target practice," Serena says, gritting her teeth.

"Serena, I-"

"There's no excuse for what they did to us! And no apology will ever repair the damage done or the lives that were cut short!"

Serena sighs.

"Everything your people have done has made it easy to hate everything that is Kanto. Everything and everyone."

Ash puts his plate of food down. Pikachu coos sadly as his ears flop down along his head.

"But I realize that I can't do that. Because I don't hate you Ash."

Ash looks up to Serena, who has tears coming down her cheeks.

"This past week, you have shown me nothing but generosity, kindness, and fun. You've taught me how to live without hate, and I cannot thank you enough."

Serena hugs Ash's arm and rests her head on his shoulder. Pikachu smiles and hops in between them, giggling. Braixen stares at them for a moment, then joins in on the group hug.

"Serena."

"Yes?"

"I, uh," Ash starts, then pauses.

"What's wrong?"

Ash sighs.

"N-nothing. I just want us to enjoy this moment," Ash says.

"Of course! I always enjoy my time with you," Serena says.

"I do too," Ash whispers, fearing what the future holds.

...

The next morning, Red sits in the gym with a Alakazam next to him. The Alakazam has his eyes glowing blue, in search of a Connection.

"Any luck?" Red asks.

Alakazam's eyes slowly fade back to their normal shade and shakes his head.

"Thank you for trying," Red says as he pats the Alakazam and walks out of the gym.

"Any luck your majesty?" Ash asks as he walks up to Red.

Red shakes his head.

"I pray to Mew she made it home safe."

"I am sure she did. Gary will make sure of it."

Red nods.

"You are right. We will trust them, and focus on the task on hand. Be ready to leave by the evening."

"Yes sir," Ash says as he looks down to Pikachu on his side. He waits until Red is out of hearing range, then knees down to Pikachu's level.

"Pikachu. I need you to do me a favor. But if you don't want to, it's ok. It is considered treason," Ash explains.

Pikachu tilts his head to the side, confused.

Ash pulls out a folded piece of paper.

"This is a note, saying we are going to attack the Kalosian base in Viridian Forest. I want you to give it to Serena, so she knows to stay hidden when we travel through the forest, and to not return while we are attacking. Can you do this for me Pikachu?"

Pikachu takes the note, then looks at Ash, lifting his eyebrow.

"I know. It sounds bad. It pretty is. But I need to make sure she stays safe. I care about her Pikachu," Ash says, rubbing the back of his head.

Pikachu stares at him for a few moment seconds. He sighs, then nods.

"Oh, thank you so much Pikachu! I'll wait for you along the river!" Ash says, giving Pikachu a gently hug.

"Pika, pika," Pikachu grumbles, but smiles at the affection. Once Ash places him on the ground, Pikachu gives Ash a nod, then rushes into the forest in search of Serena.

...

Serena sits in the middle of the forest, with her Braixen in her lap. Braixen let's out a soft sigh as Serena gently brushes her fur.

Serena giggles.

"I forgot how much you love getting your hair brushed," Serena comments.

Braixen smiles and nods.

Suddenly, Braixen's ears twitch.

Serena notices and quickly jumps to her feet. She pulls out a dagger, ready to strike.

They hear rustling in a bush a few feet away.

"Braixen get ready to use-"

"Pika Pi!"

Both Braixen and Serena relax Ash's Pikachu stumbles out.

"Hey there Pikachu. Is Ash nearby?" Serena asks.

Pikachu doesn't respond as he lays on the ground, panting.

"Oh you poor thing. You're exhausted," Serena says as she gently pets him. She then notices a piece of paper caught in a makeshift collar. She gently pulls it out and unfolds it.

"Wow. It's in Kalosian," Serena says as she begins to read it.

Serena's heart drops when she finishes reading the letter.

She cannot believe it. How in the world did they find out about their camp? She need to warn her countrymen now!

She scoops up Pikachu into her arms and takes off through the forest, with Braixen on her heels. Serena doesn't get very fair, as the sound of rumblings becomes longer and longer.

"Pika Pi!" Pikachu exclaims as he points at a log a few feet away. Serena instinctively dives into the log, and hides in there with Braixen and Pikachu. Serena holds both Pokèmon tightly as the rumbling from the Rapidash is now overwhelming, making Serena anxious. Pikachu squeezes out of her grasp. As Serena looks at him his disbelief, Pikachu gives her a sad smile and waves, before rushing off to find his trainer. Serena and Braixen hold each other tight, tears slipping down her cheek as it is now too late to warn her friends.

Many people are going to die tonight.

~~~~

Red carefully steps as he travels through the forest. He traded his metal plate armor for a lighter, more quiet chain link set, as he and his men slowly inch closer to the Kalosian camp. One of his lead scouts raises his fist, halting their advance.

"My King, the camp is only a few hundred feet ahead. How shall we advance?"

Red sighs. He carefully reveals a Pokèball that was hidden in his armor.

"With full strength. Kill them all."