Hi everyone!!  SK here.

First off I want to apologize for the late update.  You'll probably be seeing this message a lot for the next couple months because with Christmas and exams coming up it's going to be a busy time for me.  Thank you all so much for understanding!!

Anyway this chapter is going to be intense- that's why I went for the triple alliteration in the title, lol.

As always, enjoy!! :)

Serena

We begin to leave the colony, and as soon as we do, Layra instantly becomes ten times more talkative.  It's like she's a different person.  She quickly fills me in one the situation, and how Ash is starting to believe in his guilt.  That makes me more determined than ever to get him out of this situation- there is absolutely no way that the Ash I know would kill someone!

"It's so sad, seeing Ash discouraged this way," Layra murmurs to herself.  I instantly feel myself get a little bit annoyed about how much she cares about him.  However, the Minister seems to notice and winks at me.  "Don't worry," she says in a knowing tone.  "I'm not here to steal your man.  I've got one of my own, thanks."

I feel my cheek flush and become the shade of the most radiant ruby rose.

Trying to shake the blush away, I hone in on her last statement.  "A man of your own?  I think I know who it is-"

Layra tosses me a piercing look and I am quick to defend myself.  "Don't worry, I won't tell a single soul.  I promise.  I hope you liked his drawing though, he did put a lot of effort into it."

She smiles slightly.  "I have an enormous collection of his drawings," she admits to me.  "I should show you, someday.  You can really see how he changes throughout the centuries through his art.  It's like having a little piece of him with me." Her eyes light up, and I realize that she loves him the same way I love Ash.  Unconditionally, immortally, beautifully.  

"Now's not the time for that, though," she adds instantly, throwing me a look as she regains her composure.  "As soon as you go through this portal, you're not just seen as an enemy because you're the Light Fairy Leader, but because you're on Ash's defense.  Don't let their thoughts affect you, and keep the light in your heart.  You're going to need it to fight R-"

"I know," I say simply.  "Ash explained it to me."

She looks surprised, then the look goes away after a second.  I guess she's used to Ash's nature by now.  "I see.  Well, you're going to need that light to fight Drago's power.  I think you already know that Kalos has been destroyed, and this is only the beginning of his plan.  But really, for him to succeed he needs to eliminate you, and every Light Leader that comes after you.  Serena, stand tall.  You've got this."  She opens the portal, the light almost blinding us as she holds her hand out to me.  The light bends around the darkness of her wings, it's quite fascinating.  

"Are you ready?" she asks.

I take her hand, smiling a little.  "You're really good at pep talks, you know."

She laughs.  "Well, I've had billions of years to practice."

We step through together, and end up at the entrance of the Dark Fairy Colony.  The last time I came here was... a long time ago.  Leaders are required to meet the other at least once, so when I first became a fairy Heliux brought me here.  We didn't stay for long though, we could tell that we weren't welcome.  My determination grows stronger.  Today, it doesn't matter how hostile the environment is.  I will stay here until Ash is free.

I walk through the gates of bramble, and instantly I feel many pairs of eyes on me from the shadows like Noctowls in the dark.  It looks like almost every Dark Fairy is spectating this event like it's a Pokemon Battle.  Drago stands in the middle, while Alain stands beside him.  Drago's eyes light up with interest when he sees me, and he instantly turns to his Advisor.  "Eve, fetch Ash," he says.

A fairy walks up and nods.  She has long light brown hair, and her wings are a dark gold with swirl patterns.  When she turns towards us she blinks beautiful emerald green eyes at Layra; they stand out against her pale skin.  She leaves our field of vision and Layra leans in close.  "That's Eve," she whispers.  "Drago's Advisor.  She's basically like a normal fairy, though- Drago says he doesn't 'need' an Advisor.  It's just a load of crap, really," she comments.

I nod.  What kind of Leader doesn't need an Advisor?  I'd be lost without Brock.

Ash comes out, and his eyes flash when he sees me.  She leads Ash to the opposite side from where Alain is standing, and I quickly rush towards him.  "Ash," I whisper, "Are you alright?"

He blinks wearily at me.  "I think I'm innocent," he says slowly instead of answering my question, "But there's some part of me that won't believe it.  Help me, Serena."

I swear under my breath.  Drago's magic.  It's probably a spell of his that is making Ash feel this way.  "Don't worry, I will," I say when Drago calls the trial to start.

"I must say," he muses, "I certainly did not expect to see Her Lightness sitting with Ash for his defense."

My eyes flash.  "Ash requested me, and as a Leader of Fairies it is my duty to help those in need."

"Yeah, for the Light Fairies," someone calls out, and Drago turns to me, eager for my response.

"I do admit that it is a strange request.  I shouldn't have to answer why I accepted it," I say simply.  "This has no relation to the matter at hand."

Layra takes her place beside Drago as he speaks again.  "Very well then.  Alain, please present the case for us."

"Certainly, Your Darkness," Alain responds.  He must be my opponent in this.  We lock eyes for a second, and I am instantly filled with the guilt of throwing him out.  Through his stone-cold expression I think I can see a glimpse of reassurance, but it could just be trickery created by Drago.  Focus, Serena, focus!

"Gladion was murdered today, in the late afternoon," he starts.  "Ash is said to be the only one with the victim at the time of the crime.  He endured multiple stab wounds with this knife," he says, showing the now levitating knife to Drago, Layra, and the audience.  "Ash's fingerprints were found on this knife.  It is clear that Ash was the one who killed Gladion."

The audience murmurs as Drago brings them to silence.  His argument does sound really convincing, but I know that it is just a big bunch of lies that the Dark Leader fed him.  

"OBJECTION!"

I scream out the word before any other thought comes to mind.  At least it seems to get all eyes on me.  I'm not exactly some ace attorney here but I think I'm doing alright.

"Any other fairy could have been there," I press.  "They could've had an invisibility spell, and a charm that magically frames Ash as the murder."

"You know as well as any other that multiple spells and charms used together like that takes a toll on their caster," Alain points out.

"Advanced casters would be able to pull it off," I say.  "Even a hundred years would provide enough time for a fairy to master their craft."  Or thousands, I think in the case of Drago.  Unfortunately I can't say that now; too many of my fairies would pay the price.

The crowd is pushed to silence when Drago gives me a steely glare.  The place is so silent that I can hear the faint cry of a Noctowl while it flies across the trees.

Wait.

No one has a Noctowl here.  Wild Pokemon aren't supposed to exist-

Suddenly a familiar scene comes to my mind.

"At the first cry, that means everyone will be in position.  At it's second cry, have Ash's liege shout the invisibility spell.  Make sure he has the charm so he can be seen by you, however.  Once you hear the Noctowl cry for the third time the fairies will create a distraction while you and Ash escape."

"Yes, Heliux, sounds like a plan.  I'll be sure to remember it!"

I gulp.  I was so shocked by Ash's sudden arrest that I completely forgot to set up the escape!  Layra has no idea what to do, and the charm that I was supposed to give Ash still sits in my pocket.  I think, and I think hard.  How am I going to pull this off?

"So you say there was a potential fairy that could've framed Ash," Alain says, high and mighty.  "Tell us, who do you think they are?"

I am not focused on answering his question.  Sylveon is in my Necklace right now.  I'll need her to complete my plan.  

Sylveon?  I need your help.

"Yes, Serena!  Do you need me to come out?"

Yes, but I need your Mist to be translucent, almost transparent. Can you do it?

"Alright.  One of your schemes, I suppose?" 

You know it!  The charm in my pocket- I need you to attach it to Ash in a way that it won't be seen.  After you do it return to the Necklace.  Got it?

"Yep!  When should I do it?"

You'll know when.

"Serena?" Alain asks impatiently.  "We would really like to hear your answer."

I hold up my chin.  "Ash will tell you himself.  As a witness," I state.  Ash walks to the center of the space, flashing me a look of confusion.  I just nod.  

As soon as he takes his place I pretend to have my leg give out from beneath me, allowing me to duck under the desk as Sylveon comes out of the Necklace.  A few seconds later I see the blue Mist return, and I straighten myself again.  I can vaguely see the charm poking out of Ash's pocket and I smile.  Luckily, no one else the ordeal.

Thank you, Sylveon.

"Happy to help!"

Now there's just the matter of Layra, but it's her power we'll be using, not mine.  My eyes search for hers, trying to get her to look at me.  However, she's too focused on Ash and his testimony.

"...then suddenly Gladion appears dead in front of me.  The knife appeared right in my hand- I didn't wield it to hurt him, it just appeared- that's how my finger prints are there.  And then, less than a second later... Dr-Rin shows up and takes me away.  There was no way for him to get there that fast."

My face is worried, because how is Drago going to take this?  A mere apprentice, accusing him of ending the life of one of his own?  This can't go well-

"Serena.  Don't be worried.  I'm here to help."

That voice.  I turn to Layra, and she nods at me.  Her eyes are glowing brighter than before, which tells me that she's using her powers.  

"I can't do this for too long though.  It's kinda noticeable."

No, this is fine.  Actually, there's something important.  Remember that plan for Ash to escape?  Well that's coming into play now.  Listen for a Noctowl's cry.  When you hear it shout an invisibility spell directed at Ash.  Can I count on you?

"Of course.  I will be prepa-"

A Noctowl's cry sounds overhead.  

Instantly, Layra snaps out of our communication, and begins to whisper to herself.  In less than a second, everyone gasps, even Drago himself.  I gasp as well to maintain my act, even though I can see Ash clear as day.  Thank goodness Layra's spell worked.  He turns to me and tries to speak, but I quickly give him a little shake of my head.  Luckily he seems to get the memo and does what I say.

The third cry falls on deaf ears as I can see many of my Light fairies come out of the shadows all at once, swarming around this barren Colony and around the watching Dark fairies.  They fire spells at the Dark Fairies, brave and loyal.  My heart swells.  Thank you all.

I rush to Ash and he finally talks.  "Serena, what the hell is going on!?"

"You're invisible to everyone else but me," I explain in a rushed whisper.  "And we need to go now."

"This is the escape," he realizes, then smiles.  "Well.  What are we waiting for?"

"Not so fast," calls a voice, and I see that it is Alain.  He approaches us, and gathers a ball of dark energy in his hands.  I remember now that he is the Master of Darkness, considering that's his Element, and he is particularly strong.  He hurls it at us, but before I can fire a counter spell we are instantly surrounded by a dome of pure starlight.

Lillie steps out from behind us, her eyes hardened and her voice raw.

"Rin killed my brother.  Not Ash.  He would never... he would never kill.  My big brother is gone from this world and I couldn't even tell him goodbye.  I can't get to Rin... so I'll get to you."

"I'm with you," Mairin says, stepping out beside her friend.  She eyes Alain, but doesn't say a word.  

"Go!" Lillie says, and me and Ash make a run for it.  We go to the entrance, only to be stopped by Drago.

"STOP!" he commands in a monotone voice.  "Light Fairies, gather beside your Leader."

Slowly my Light Fairies stand in front of Rin.  I feel Heliux beside me, his hand on my shoulder warm and comforting.

"You will go home unharmed," he says.  "I lacked enough emotion to make my plan work.  I don't need Ash.  Take him.  But now..." he grins.

"Welcome to the end of the world."

Wow that was a long chapter.  I hope you enjoyed it!!  

I also want to mention that November, December, and January are going to be very busy months for me.  So if you see a lot of late updates, don't be surprised.  Sorry in advance.

Also- anyone get the reference in this chapter?  If you don't know what I'm talking about it's the one word that Serena screams out.  It starts with an O.

But yeah that's it.  Stay tuned ;)