For those of you who wanted it, here's the sequel to Battle for Life and Love. The story of Neo, Sasha and their friends continue in this action-filled fic. And now, an announcement...
I do not own Pokémon or any of the characters from the series. All I own are my original characters and the story itself.
And now, let their saga continue!
Chapter 1: Quiet Days… For Now
The Pokémon world found itself at peace. From Kanto to Johto, Hoenn and beyond all was quiet. This was especially true in the northeastern section of the Hoenn region near Lilycove City. Daylight was soon to come as all of the nocturnal Pokémon were returning to their homes. However, three Pokémon had just recently left their home. Standing on the bank of the fog-covered lake near their home at Mt. Pyre were two Pikachu and a Pichu. The Pikachu were Neo and Sasha. The Pichu was Gem, their daughter. The three were taking part in their daily routine of watching the sunrise as a family, something they had done everyday since first coming to live at Mt. Pyre. While Neo and Sasha waited patiently for the sun to begin its rise Gem, being full of energy, was a bit restless.
Gem: Is it going to be soon, Daddy?
Neo: Yes. Just give it some time.
Gem: Time? It's had all night to get here.
Sasha couldn't help but laugh at the conversation between her mate and daughter.
Sasha: It shouldn't be too much longer, honey. Just be patient.
Gem: Alright, though I don't see why.
Neo: Look! There it is!
The three of them looked as the sun started to appear over the horizon.
Neo: No matter how many times I see the sun rise it never loses its beauty.
He then turned to Sasha and Gem and smiled.
Neo: And I can't think of anyone else I'd rather see it with than my family.
Sasha: I can't think of anyone else either.
Gem: Me either.
The three of them went back to watching the sunrise, admiring its beauty while enjoying each others company.
After taking part in their daily family routine Neo, Sasha and Gem headed back to their den. All three were looking forward to getting back and feasting on berries for breakfast.
Sasha: So, what's on the menu this morning?
Neo: I was thinking of having some of those Sitrus Berries we picked yesterday. You?
Sasha: That sounds good to me.
Gem: Oran Berries for me!
Neo: Well, we have plenty of those so help yourself.
Gem: Okay!
The family was almost back home when they ran into Hope, the shiny of the Vulpix sisters.
Hope: Hey guys. Up early I see.
Neo: Yup.
Sasha: Good morning.
Gem: Morning Aunt Hope.
Neo: What brings you out this early?
Hope: Just some early morning exercise. Care to join me? I could use a partner.
Neo: Well, we were about to head back and have breakfast…
Sasha: Oh go on.
Neo: you sure, Sasha?
Sasha: I know you well enough to know you wouldn't turn down a work-out session for anything.
Neo: Well, if you're okay with it then I guess I accept.
Hope and Neo left through some trees, leaving Sasha and Gem to continue back home.
Gem: Are you okay with Daddy going off with Aunt Hope like that?
Sasha: I am. Your father's dedication to his training is one of the reasons I fell in love with him in the first place.
Gem: What are the other reasons?
Sasha: I'll tell you during breakfast.
With that mother and daughter made their way back home.
Neo and Hope traveled through the forest until they came upon the training grounds. When they emerged they saw the rest of the gang was already there. Blaze the Arcanine and his mate, Reikou the Ninetails, were off to the side watching everyone else train. Skye the Pidgeotto was training with Buzz the Beedrill while Buzz's mate, Angel the shiny Butterfree, looked on. Ziggy the Zigzagoon and Bandit the Linoone were racing each other around. Star, Hope's sister was training with Mech the Magneton while Crystal the Milotic was meditating with Missy the Misdreavus. Blaze saw Hope and Neo enter the training grounds.
Blaze: Hope, Neo. Good of you to join us.
Hope: Hello, Father.
Neo: Hi, Blaze. I see everyone who's training already has a partner.
Blaze: Yes. Even though there is no need for it everyone takes their training seriously. You never know when we'll have to defend this place.
Reikou: Hopefully not too soon.
Neo: You can say that again. So Hope, want to train with me?
Hope: I just hope I don't wear you out.
Neo: I could say the same thing to you.
The two of them went to an unoccupied area of the training grounds and squared off.
Hope: Don't expect me to go easy on you just because we're friends!
Neo: That's fine with me!
Everyone else had stopped their training to watch the sparring match between Neo and Hope. With a crowd of onlookers the two of them charged towards each other.
Sasha and Gem, having had breakfast, were heading towards the training grounds to watch Neo train. Watching her father train was one of Gem's favorite pastimes.
Gem: Do you think Daddy will still be training by the time we get there?
Sasha: Knowing your father he'll still be going.
As the two continued deeper into the forest they could hear the sound of a battle up ahead.
Sasha: Sounds like you father is still training.
Gem: What are we waiting for then?! Come on, Mommy!
The little Pichu sprinted ahead. Sasha laughed as she sped up to keep on pace with her over-energized daughter. They soon emerged out of the forest into the training grounds, where Neo and Hope were still sparring with each other.
Sasha: See? I told you he'd still be training.
Gem: Yeah! Go, Daddy!
Sasha: Let's go watch with the others.
Gem: Okay.
The two of them went to where the others were watching the match.
Missy: Sasha, Gem. I was starting to wonder if you two would show up.
Sasha: You think Gem would miss out on watching one of her father's training sessions?
Missy: No, I guess not.
Gem: Look at them go.
Sasha: Just how long have they been going?
Missy: I'd say for at least 15 minutes straight.
Sasha: Well, Neo always did have amazing stamina.
The trio looked back to the sparring match. Despite the fact that, as Missy stated, they had been going non-stop for 15 minutes neither Neo or Hope looked that winded. They continued to attack each other, bouncing off with repeated Quick Attacks. After a while the two of them stood across from each other.
Hope: You're still as strong as ever, Neo!
Neo: So are you, but I don't plan on losing!
Hope: Me neither!
Neo: In that case it's time to bring out the big attacks!
Hope: Bring it on!
Neo charged towards Hope. On the sidelines Sasha could feel the electric build-up in Neo body begin to increase. She knew what was coming.
Sasha: Oh boy. Here comes Volt Tackle.
Missy: Volt Tackle? Are you sure?
Sasha: I'd know that attack anywhere. Can you feel it, Gem?
Gem: Yeah. Is that really Daddy's Volt Tackle?
Sasha: Sure is.
Gem looked on with renewed interest. She had heard her mother and father talk about that attack, but she hadn't ever seen Neo use it. On the field Neo picked up speed with his charge. As he grew closer his body began giving off sparks, indicating that the attack was almost fully charged. Seconds later he gave off a bright yellow glow as the electricity surged from his body.
Neo: Let's see you stop this!
Hope knew how powerful the attack was, but she also had an attack of her own to counter it. Taking a deep breath she fired a massive five-point fire attack, Fire Blast.
Crystal: I don't think Neo has time to avoid contact.
Skye: He'll have to take it head-on. This is going to be a big test of his mastery of Volt Tackle.
Just as they said Neo couldn't dodge the incoming Fire Blast. His only option was to go head-to-head with the attack using Volt Tackle. He leapt into the air and hit the Fire Blast head-on. The collision of the two attacks caused an explosion that knocked Neo back.
Gem: Daddy!
Sasha: Don't worry. He's fine.
Gem: Are you sure, Mommy?
Missy: Your father's been hit harder than that.
Although she knew her father was as tough as her mother and Missy had said that didn't keep her from worrying about him. She looked on, hoping to see him get up. Sure enough Neo was on his feet after a few seconds. However, the recoil from Volt Tackle had taken its toll on him. His energy reserves were running low.
Neo: I… still… can't… get that right…
Neo had little time to dwell on his last attack. Hope was already on the move, charging in with a Quick Attack. However, Neo saw her coming and prepared a counter-attack.
Hope: Here I come, Neo!
She jumped into the air and dove down at Neo. Using what strength he had left Neo dodged to the side and knocked Hope down with a well-placed Iron Tail. As Hope hit the ground Neo fell back, exhausted.
Neo: Okay… I think… that's enough training for now…
Hope: Yeah… This had to have been our longest session yet…
Their conversation was cut short by the sound of applause and cheers from everyone else. The two stood up and faced their audience.
Bandit: Man! That was awesome!
Mech: You said it! I had no idea who was going to come out on top!
Buzz: A most spectacular performance, you two.
Blaze: It's clear that you two have grown in strength.
Reikou: I'm so proud of you, Hope. You too, Neo.
Sasha: You were great, Neo.
Gem: You were cool, Daddy!
Neo: Thanks everyone.
Hope: Yeah, thanks.
Blaze: I think it's safe to say that there won't be anymore training for a while. Let's head back.
Everyone agreed with him. With the two tired battlers leading the way all the Pokémon headed back to the base of Mt. Pyre.
Ever since the word of Team Rocket's collapse began to spread various minor criminal groups began trying to take root. While the majority failed, one group in particular had found moderate success. They called themselves Cipher, a group based in the Orre region. Relatively new the group was already causing problems for the citizens of the Orre region with their new type of Pokémon, codenamed "Shadow Pokémon". Unfortunately the number of wild Pokémon in the Orre region was extremely low, meaning they had to find other means of obtaining Pokémon. And so the occupation of snagger was created, a type of trainer that would steal Pokémon from other trainers through the use of a device called a snag machine. This machine was worn on the arm and, when used, would turn ordinary Poké balls into Snag balls, letting the user effectively steal Pokémon from other trainers. It worked in the beginning, but lately it become more and more difficult. Trainers have started recognizing the snag machine and the snaggers that use them. This was posing a great problem for Cipher, forcing them to find other means to obtain their Pokémon. The head of Cipher, a short bald man named Greevil, sat at his desk aboard his luxury cruise ship.
Greevil: This is unacceptable! How am I supposed to assume my position of Grand Master if I don't have an army of Shadow Pokémon to command?!
????: I believe I have a way for you to get your Shadow Pokémon.
Greevil turned his attention to a second man in the room with him. He was dressed in a white lab coat, although his face was concealed in the shadow.
Greevil: Really? And what do you have in mind?
????: Perhaps it's time to extend Cipher's reach to other regions.
Greevil: Move outside of Orre? Do you really believe we are a strong enough force for such action?
????: Do you doubt your own power?
Greevil thought of this for a moment. During his ascension to power within Orre never once had he ever doubted himself or his abilities, so why should this time be any different.
Greevil: You… you're right! I don't have time for doubt now!
????: Good. Now, you should prepare Gonzap and a team of snaggers for departure immediately.
Greevil: And just where am I deploying them?
????: Lilycove City in the Hoenn region.
Greevil: Hoenn, eh. Any reason why?
????: Let's just say I have a feeling about the Pokémon we'll find there.
Greevil: If you're sure then I'll inform Gonzap of their next move.
Greevil got up and walked out, his purple robe flowing behind him. As he left the mysterious scientist began to think.
????: They may have gotten away once before but they won't this time.
His thoughts then shifted to an incident from his past.
????: How I wish you had survived back then. If you had I'd show how to properly run a criminal organization.
With everything in motion he left to go supervise the creation of more Shadow Pokémon.
Just when it seemed like everything would remain peaceful for the Pokémon living at Mt. Pyre a new criminal organization has risen and is poised to strike them. Will Neo and the others be prepared for them when they arrive? Find out in the next chapter of Fighting The Shadows!
And with that this fic is officially underway. Please review
