Hurt Not the Earth…
By Henry
Mt. Pyre, the Hoenn RegionEveryone recognized him, but no one had spoken his name when he walked into town. Even though he'd never visited the region before, his reputation in both the Kanto and Johto regions preceded him. Every step he took inspired awe in all trainers, younger and older. None had the audacity to challenge him, though he was certain they'd considered it.
His name was Lance. More often than not, people attached 'the Dragon Master' after his name. On rare occasions they also called him 'Lance of the Elite Four' and, from time to time, anyone who'd followed his career long enough called him 'Champ.'
After the formation of a new Elite Four in Johto and a brief stint as their Champion, Lance had put his considerable talents towards hunting down criminal organizations seeking to capture and sell Pokemon. After Team Rocket's last stand in Mahogany Town and Goldenrod city (where Lance had allied with two local trainers to put an end to the organization), he had come to Hoenn in pursuit of a new organization: Team Magma.
He did this almost entirely because of their recent escapades, but held a single, deeper concern: Team Magma sought to somehow increase the planet's land mass with the aid of a powerful legendary Pokemon. Though Lance's curiosity could occasionally get the better of him, he fully intended to stop them before they got that far.
That was why he'd climbed Mt. Pyre, to locate the remnants of a fort Team Magma had left before retreating to a new, more permanent location. In their careless retreat, they'd left behind their emblem, the crest bearing their red and black logo and –more importantly- the necessary key to entering their own base.
His goal obtained, Lance charged off the mountain side and opened his nearest Pokeball, landing on the back of his Aerodactyl only a moment later and blasting out across the region, to another mountain, significantly further away…
Mt. Chimney, Just Outside of Lavaridge Town…"Rollout," he instructed, casually extending his arm in lazy acknowledgement. His newest capture –Lairon- gave a grunt and tightened its armored carapace, barreling forth and nearly flattening the Numel, leaving it unconscious. "Bonemerang," he added, and his Marowak gave a short nod before tossing forth its club, defeating Macargo in one swing.
Hank and Tabitha, two of Team Magma's elite squadron of 'Fireheads' rescinded in stunned silence as both of their Pokemon fell before him, and each with one attack. This man had stated that he was from Kanto, and though unused to battling two-on-two had little difficulty adjusting to it.
The last of the Fireheads –Courtney- stepped forth, and tossed out her Pokemon –Ninetales and Slugma- to confront his two. His expression never changed, eyes unreadable behind his black sunglasses and the darkness of the mountain's cavern.
"Fire Blast!" Courtney declared, hoping to overwhelm him (and take advantage of Lairon's weakness to fire), as the two unleashed the powerful attacks, but he didn't give an instruction to retreat. He again extended his arm with lazy ease, and his Marowak began to spin the bone in its hand, spinning the flames around it and casting them aside, absorbing nearly all of the attack without effort.
Courtney was stunned. She tried to order another attack, only for her Ninetales to be bashed aside by his Lairon's second Rollout and his Slugma struck by the Marowak's hard skull, and both fell before him.
The Magma grunts drew their Pokeballs, hoping to overwhelm him. He seemed as cool and unconcerned as ever, his two Pokemon waiting for the attack.
"Enough."
And then the leader stepped forth, an amused grin on his face. "Impressive display, young man."
He only nodded, black hair, jacket, jeans, boots, and fingerless gloves rendering him very hard to read and discern.
"You are obviously a powerful trainer," the leader continued. "My name is Maxie, and I'm the commander of these individuals and this organization. Have you sought us out?"
"Actually, I was just passing through," he answered, voice so deep it was hard to discern. He tossed up his two Pokeballs and tapped the appropriate mechanism, calling Marowak and Lairon back to them, reattaching the two spheres to his belt alongside four others. "Are you being pursued?"
"Yes," Maxie answered honestly. "Irritating trainers and all that. May I ask your name?"
"Henry," he answered simply.
One of the Magma grunts gave a muffled yelp. Maxie raised an eyebrow, turning to the red-hooded minion. "Yes?"
"The Henry?" he asked. "Team Rocket Operative 6544?!"
Henry's otherwise expressionless visage turned angry as he drew his nearest Pokeball. "I am not known by that title anymore. Do not associate me with a failed organization."
Maxie turned from the grunt back to Henry. "I've heard of you too, actually… you're the fallen Pokemon Master. You stole the Master Ball prototype from Silph Co, and left before your leader could take it from you."
"He took a lot from me anyway," Henry spat. "If you keep bringing that up, I'll have to beat down every last one of you."
"No need to be hasty," Maxie told him. "I do not care for past deeds; only present ones. I'd like to recruit you to my ranks, if you're interes-"
"Save it," Henry instructed. "I'm out of here." He turned, stalking away.
"Will you not hear me out?" Maxie asked. "Please, this is a simple proposal. I just want to borrow your power, and then reward you with an even greater one."
Henry paused, standing with his back to Maxie for several seconds, before quietly muttering: "Speak."
"Our goal is to increase the size of this world's land," Maxie said, speaking quickly, trying to gain some sense of interest from the back of Henry's head. "We need to create a new territory all for ourselves; an independent country to rule as we see fit. For that, we need Groudon."
"Groudon?" Henry repeated, back still to Maxie.
"The very Pokemon that created this world's land masses centuries ago," Maxie explained. "A Pokemon resting in the Earth itself, beneath the magma of this very volcano."
Henry at last turned. "And am I to assume these trainers who've been causing you problems aren't trying to stop you because…say, you're criminals?"
Maxie smiled. "So are you, my friend. I don't see reason not to give you a chance."
Henry paused. "Let's play it by ear. I'll hang around, and see if it's worth my time to work with you."
Maxie shrugged. "Fair enough. In the meantime, would you mind not battling my agents?"
Henry didn't share his good humor. "Just get your plan underway."
Maxie nodded, bowing ever so slightly. "As you wish, my friend. I keep base just past here, if you have need to speak with me."
Henry sat down on a nearby rock. The grunts continued to eye him warily before going back to their tasks, which largely seemed to consist of standing around aimlessly. He closed his eyes and slumped backwards, resting on the stone.
Maxie strode away and Hank moved to his side. "You're not actually…trusting this man, are you?"
The red-hooded grunt from before rushed to his leader's left. "I agree, sir. This man is an admitted traitor!"
Maxie turned to his underling. "I take it you know more about him?"
He nodded. "Before the Team Rocket leader threw him out, he took one of his Pokemon –his first Pokemon- and then Operative 6544 went completely nuts. He destroyed their bases in Kanto and nearly annihilated a research facility on Cinnabar Island."
"Blaine didn't stop him?" Maxie asked.
"He tried to. But 6544 had beaten him before; he won his badge when he was a trainer, and after spending time raising his Pokemon-"
"Yeah, I understand," Maxie nodded. "And what happened after that?"
"He was still in Team Rocket's records until the whole Radio Tower debacle," the grunt added. "That's when I hit the road and signed on with you."
Maxie stroked his chin. "I see… anything else?"
"Well…apparently he joined Giovanni and the rest because he wanted to get stronger," the grunt continued. "He had to defeat someone."
"Who?" Maxie asked.
The grunt shrugged. "No idea. Only Giovanni knew, and he left just after 6544 did."
"Very well, then," Maxie nodded. "Just keep an eye on him. So long as he stays quiet, there's no reason to worry."
"Sir."
Maxie turned towards the magma pool, slowly bubbling before him. He reached into his red and gray coat pocket and felt the warm blue sphere, running his fingers along it.
"Soon…"
Below, in Lavaridge Town Gym…Lance stepped in, his cape billowing behind him amidst the steam rising from the gym floor. He drew his Pokeball at once as a red-headed woman stepped towards him, hand in her jean pocket.
"Name's Flannery," she greeted. "Come to battle?"
"That's not why I'm here, but I will if you insist," Lance answered. "I came to find Team Magma, and I'm told they set up a base here."
"Team Magma?" she repeated. "Yeah, I've heard of them. This town is beside an active volcano; seems the place they'd be, don't you agree?"
"Thank you," Lance said simply. He turned, but didn't manage to quite escape her clutches…
"Hey! What about that battle?" Flannery asked.
"I have to take a rain check," he replied. "Please excuse me."
"Grr…fine. But don't think you'll avoid battling me eventually!"
Lance left without a word, and the instant he stepped outside he leapt atop his Aerodactyl and flew towards the mountain, passing over the city, the hotsprings, and the hikers climbing up the mountain trail…
He recalled Aerodactyl and landed upon the mountaintop, before an entrance to a warm cavern, steam and smoke rising from the ground. He stepped into the cavern, readying a Pokeball, finding an appropriately powerful creature to summon in response to battle.
He spotted a single Team Magma grunt standing guard just within the darkness. At once the man in the red-hood drew a Pokeball… just before he was struck by Lance's summoned Dragonair, and slowly knocked unconscious by a Wrap attack. Lance took the man's hood and outfit and did his best to hide within it, despite it being a less than perfect fit…
He wandered in, and found many other Team Magma grunts wandering just the same, all standing around a large magma pool, slowly bubbling, a few fire and rock Pokemon congregating around it.
Team Magma leader Maxie stepped forth from a control panel off to one side of the magma pool, raising his arm. The Team Magma grunts stepped forth, all moving to his side. Lance filed into the back of the line, walking slowly, hoping maybe he could break off somewhere in the immense cavern… he began to fall back from the grunts, even as Maxie cleared his throat to speak.
"My friends," Maxie began, "the time has finally arrived. The process will take a few minutes, but once exposed to the illumination, the great beast will wake!"
The Magma grunts sped up to join their leader's side. Lance fell back, going over options in his head…
"You interrupted my nap."
Lance whirled around. He didn't see anything in the darkness, and he thought perhaps another grunt had been sleeping or-
-or maybe Lance happened to recognize the voice. Improbable as it was to hear again.
"I recognized you immediately…well, as soon as I woke up, anyway," he said. "Do you remember me?"
He stepped forth at last, dressed in black as always. He'd grown some stubble on his chin and he looked a little bit more exhausted than usual, but there's was no mistaking that unfeeling gaze.
"Lance the Dragon Master?" he asked.
"Henry," Lance breathed.
"From one Master to another, I offer my respect," Henry stated.
"You're not a Master," Lance told him. "How many times will you keep insisting that you are?"
"Until you acknowledge it," Henry replied. "That's one of the many reasons I keep hunting for you."
Maxie was still giving his speech. No one seemed to notice them… or even if they did, all they saw was Henry talking to a Team Magma grunt.
"What are you doing here anyway?" Lance asked. "Don't tell me you're working for these guys?"
"An alliance is not servitude," Henry replied. "These gentlemen intend to show me a very rare Pokemon. Once they've done that, I'll be happy to bring them to justice."
"Your brand of justice," Lance snarled. "Nothing but destruction. That's all you ever knew how to do."
"You lie to yourself as well as me, Lance," Henry noted. "When we first met, it was the other way around. You destroyed all the time, and I stopped you, until that fateful battle at Victory Road."
"I changed," Lance snapped. "You didn't. Even after all Giovanni did to you you're still just as insane as he was."
Henry's eyes widened beneath his sunglasses. "Don't…ever…compare me to him."
"No, I don't need to," Lance agreed. "You do that all right by yourself."
Henry drew his first Pokeball. "That's it, Dragon Master. There was never any point in talking…it always came to this."
Lance drew his Pokeball, thoughts of confronting Maxie and his men replaced by the familiar thrill of battle…against the rival whose challenge he never refused.
"Pidgeot!" Henry declared, and the flying type appeared at his side. "Wing Attack!" His faithful mode of transportation shot forth, just in time to clash its Wing against the tail of Lance's Dragonair, the two Pokemon locking their appendages.
"Your battle style hasn't changed much," Lance noted. "You still attack before you know what you're hitting."
Henry smirked. "I disagree." He raised his arm. "Whirlwind!" Pidgeot blasted away from Dragonair and flapped, blasting Dragonair and Lance with a powerful vortex, blasting away the Team Magma uniform and exposing Lance's cloak and cape.
Team Magma eventually realized that something other than Maxie's plan to revive Groudon was going on, and spotted the two engaged in battle, Pidgeot still flapping and blasting Lance and Dragonair slowly towards the magma pool.
"Who is that?" Tabitha asked.
Hank shrugged. "Intruder. And Henry's dealing with him."
Far off, the red-haired man in the cape gave a cry and his Dragonair created a Twister attack, counteracting the Whirlwind and creating a vortex between the two Pokemon, creating a balance.
"He uses a Dragonair," Maxie observed. "And very skillfully. I've only heard of a few Dragon trainers, but he's not Drake…much younger."
"Boss," one of the grunts noted. "You don't think-?"
"I do," Maxie confirmed. "Lance the Dragon Master."
He allowed a few moments for this to sink in before giving his order. "Surround them. Make sure neither can escape. And then prepare for Groudon's awakening." His minions followed the instruction, frightened though they were.
Lance waited for the opportunity. When Dragonair had the opportunity, he would drop the Twister and allow a single moment's vulnerability. Henry was watching him carefully; he already knew what Lance intended to do.
"Now!" Lance instructed. Dragonair ceased the attack and collected energy in its mouth. "Hyper Beam!" A blast of golden light shot forth, just as Pidgeot vanished, replaced by the intimidating bulk of Lairon, taking the attack with little effort. "What? A Rock type?"
"And a Steel type," Henry added with the faintest hint of a smirk. "Metal Claw!" Lairon gave a short growl and slashed Dragonair with both of its front feet, and Dragonair, exhausted after using up so much energy, fell to the attack. Lance recalled it, replacing the serpent with another, and much larger serpent…specifically a Gyarados coiled around him.
Henry smirked. "Impressive as always. Lairon, Rollout." Lairon gave another growl and crunched itself together, bounding forth like a sphere towards Gyarados.
"Hydro Pump," Lance commanded. Gyarados roared and unleashed a concentrated blast of water, and Lairon shot forth right into it, colliding with Gyarados's head. Both Pokemon fell to the cavern floor, but only Gyarados managed to recover, albeit somewhat less ferocious than usual.
Henry recalled it, and then reached for the last Pokeball on his belt.
"That was a new one," Lance observed. "When did you catch it?"
"Last week," Henry replied. "It's evolved since then."
Lance said nothing more and awaited Henry's Pokeball. Lance already knew what was coming, and knew his Gyarados would have only one attack on it before its defeat.
Henry tossed forth the Pokeball. From it popped a small, cat-like creature, bouncing about… everyone but Lance and Henry were astonished by the phantom Pokemon, the legendary 151st… Mew.
"Dragon Rage!" Lance instructed. Gyarados opened its mouth again, this time unleashing a burst of bluish flame.
"Psychic," Henry replied calmly. Mew clenched its left paw and the attack shot back upon Gyarados, blasting away what strength the water type had left. Lance recalled it and drew the Pokeball from the back of his own belt.
"Dragonite, go!" Lance declared. His first Pokemon and the powerhouse of his team appeared before Mew, as the two Pokemon locked gazes just like their trainers. It was a familiar sight for all parties involved.
Henry and Lance prepared their attacks, until-
"My thanks to you, Henry, for deterring an annoying trainer," Maxie observed. "But do not worry, my friend… this creature will handle the rest."
He clenched the blue orb, holding it at arm's length over the magma. The sphere glowed brightly, and the bubbling grew ever more intense and the cavern began to shake.
Only Lance had turned his attention away from the battle. He spotted the Team Magma members in his way, already bringing out their own Fire and Rock types.
"What are you doing?" Henry demanded.
"I can't do this now, Henry," Lance told him. "I have to-"
"Nothing is more important than this battle to me, Dragon Master," Henry snarled. "And I let you go a few too many times before."
Lance glared at him. Henry was as expressionless as ever, but Lance could see both the rage and the eagerness to continue behind those black shades.
"Not now, Henry," Lance told him. "Not now."
Henry snarled. "And what will you do instead?"
Maxie's sphere glowed ever more brightly. Lance extended his hand. "Dragonite, Extremespeed!" The dragon moved away from the battle with Mew and struck Maxie's hand, freeing the blue orb…dropping it down into the magma.
"NO!" Maxie cried, rumbling louder than the cavern's own shaking.
The Team Magma grunts stared dumbfounded. Henry and his Mew stepped past them, as Lance rushed to his Dragonite's side.
"You…you fool!" Maxie cried in rage and frustration. "Do you have the slightest conception of what you've done?!"
Lance did not answer, only glaring at the enraged Maxie. The Team Magma leader declared: "That orb was what allowed me to control Groudon! Without it, there's no way to-"
The rumbling was pierced by a powerful roar. Magma shot up as a burning red carapace lifted itself from the volcanic pool, a faint blue glow about its armor.
Henry was entranced. "Magnificent…"
Lance's Dragonite moved protectively before its trainer, just as the monstrous Groudon opened its bright yellow eyes and unleashed all the magma around it up to the cavern roof, and the ceiling fell down upon them, and Mt. Chimney began to collapse, eruption not far behind it.
The Sky Pillar, Northeast of Pacifidlog Town…The ancient structure had stood for centuries overlooking the sea, surrounded by harsh waves and whirlpools. Anyone trying to reach it would have to defeat any number of powerful Pokemon living in and around the structure.
Specifically, they were drawn by the slumbering beast within it, still generating immense power even in hibernation. So, too, was the man, looking at the great beast, slowly stirring… one eye opened but still unfocused and milky white.
He smiled. "Even after your betrayal, you remain my best asset…thank you, Henry."
"Now then…one more to go."