Chapter 1: Dusk
I'm back! Having finally finished all my exams, I plan to dedicate more time to writing again, meaning I'll end what I started and bring some ideas I had during the last months about. I can't promise a frequent schedule, but I'll do the best I can so you don't have to wait for too long. Well then, that being said, let's bring this fandom back to life! And what better way to do that than some large scale battling?
I don't own the characters, places or Pokemon itself, and I have no intentions to earn money with this story in any way!
„Rakutsu, Faitsu, we'll arrive at the hotel soon, could you wait with the chatting until then?", Cheren asked, starting to be annoyed by all the students losing interest in his guide tour as the sun began to sink.
It was their second class trip this year. Of course, everyone loved the Pokestar Studios. Compared to that, most of Cheren's pupils seemed to get bored by listening to the history of Opelucid City. To be fair, they had heard long parts of it in class already, but seeing it should be a different experience, shouldn't it? He only stuck to the syllabus, anyways, so he had to go through with it.
For Rakutsu, this was perfect. He gave his best on the last trip, and ended up pretty successful, but until now she hadn't fully given in. By now, the two of them were closer, friends as others liked to call it. And the Interpol superintendent had become sure that she was his target, since he had eliminated all the other options. Within these days, he would crack her. He had to, since Neo Team Plasma had apparently made progress as well.
Faitsu had stopped seeing evil in his intentions. Maybe he really wanted to be friends with her. After all, her mother wanted her to make friends. So she stopped rejecting his attempts. And the trip went great so far. Most of the time, she was able to forget that she was different. The former Team Plasma grunt almost ceased thinking of her Lord N and concentrate on the people in her class.
Hugh was annoyed by all of them, as usual. He and Leo actually tried to follow Cheren's lectures, though even they considered them hardly interesting at all. But the younger one of them at least tried to keep up a happy face to satisfy their teacher, while nobody knew whether Hugh even had a happy face.
The rest of the class spent the time talking quietly with each other about the latest episodes of their favorite TV shows, about new Pokemon they caught on Route 9 on their way to the mall or about how awesome it would have been if they could have seen Drayden fight instead of listening to his story about a legendary dragon. It was easy to see why the teacher had such a hard time with them. „Only one more hour", he told himself, then he could get some rest. At least he thought so...
It was very hard to navigate through the ruins of N's castle without being spotted by one of the grunts. When she had taken the task, White had thought she would still remember the way from two years ago. Now that she was here, seeing how much the once magnificent building had fallen into ruin, it was time to admit she had no idea which way to go.
The young president and manager of the BW Agency was only there for one reason: A member of Interpol had anonymously ensured her that N would come to this place in that night. She soon discovered the former king of Team Plasma would come because the henchmen of Ghetsis had made it their base again. But that was of secondary importance to her - N and Zekrom returning to fight this new threat was the perfect chance to free Black from the Light Stone. She had spent every second of her free time from work during the last two years with searching for ways to get her friend back. This was the only option she had left. Her last resort, her best bet.
She ended up in N's nursery on her first attempt to find the throne room, having to fight the grunts of Neo Team Plasma to get out again without anyone starting an alarm. Battling still wasn't her specialty, but her Pokemon – mainly the Serperior Amanda and the Mandibuzz Barbara - were trained well enough to have no trouble with their opponents.
It was then that a loud fighting noise echoed through the great hallways. None of the Pokemon the grunts used could make such a noise, neither could hers. This had to be Zekrom. The legendary black dragon was engulfed in a hard battle with Hydreigon. It had managed to take out four Pokemon of Ghetsis, but now it was damaged and worn out. And its opponent was faster, floating around it and hitting with powerful Dragon Pulse assaults while evading every Dragon Claw successfully.
„Maybe now you regret releasing all your 'friends' into the wild. The number of tools matters just as much as their size, as you should know", Ghetsis taunted the young man he had once used as his face for the public with an evil grin. He would not need that anymore.
N realized Zekrom would not be able to win this fight, but Ghetsis was right - he had no Pokemon to fall back on, so he had no other option than to keep trying. „I can't allow you to make Pokemon suffer. They might be pawns for you, but if you could understand them like I do, you would see how misguided your formula is."
This was the moment the legendary Pokemon fell to its knees after taking a critical hit. The leader of Neo Team Plasma laughed. „To make a stand you have to win the fight. My victory shall prove your worthless words wrong." He started to slowly raise and lower his cane, creating a tipping sound every time it touched the tiles while the red sphere inside the handle began to glow. „Would you not agree with me, Zekrom?", he added with a smirk as he saw how the legendary dragon had to fight inwardly to not give into his control. This was too easy.
„Zekrom, you have to fight this. Do not give in, please!", the young man screamed as he began to understand what Ghetsis was doing. The orb in that cane had to be a part of the Colress Device he had been warned about. For a moment, it looked like Zekrom gained strength through its Trainer's words, Then Hydreigon fired another Dragon Pulse in the beast's back. As the pain overwhelmed the electric type, it could no longer resist the device's influence. N backed away in fear as he saw his friend's eyes glow dark red. „Z-Zekrom!"
Everyone in the room turned to the big entrance as they heard White's fast steps. She had successfully made her way past all the guards and was ready to enter the scene. And then she slipped on the smooth tiles. The Light Stone fell out of her hands and rolled towards N and his counterparts. Before they could react in any way, the stone started to shine in a blinding light. Reshiram's time to return had come.
Faitsu had joined Rakutsu in his hotel room as they watched the sunset together, talking about how to best protect a Pokemon from freezing while Foongy and Dewott played catch with the latter's Scalchops. The girl forgot to wonder how he got a room for himself, just like everyone had stopped wondering why he had his own dorm room at school.
A few months ago the thought of being alone with him in a room would have been similar to her nightmares. 'Childish', she thought when remembering it. Even though he acted a little too obtrusive at times, there was no reason not to be friends with him. After all, he appeared to share many of her interests and was a very good partner for discussions. 'Childish', she thought, 'there is nothing wrong with him'.
'I almost got her now', he thought. Calculating and cunning, he had drawn her in. He only had to wait for the right opportunity to get her pendant now. She wore it right then, she had worn it the entire day. It was almost like she waited for someone to find out her secrets. Rakutsu did not know whether it was naivety or bravery. He somehow liked it... There was this thought again. 'Yes', he told himself, 'you like her for that. It changes nothing about the fact its foolish.'
„Well, Aspear Berries are a reliable way to counteract freezing effects. But it's very hard to find them. I don't know whether I actually ever had one", Faitsu pondered.
Rakutsu grinned. „I'll add that to the list of possible birthday gifts for you then."
„Very funny", his counterpart sighed. „So you'd know where to find some?"
The boy took a quick look in his back. „I even got one here. Dewott found it on Route 11 when we crossed it yesterday. But I don't have many ideas where else we could-"
He was disrupted by Looker's agitated voice accompanied by the sound of him pulling the window open in a hurry: „Superintendent, Team Plasma's ship has taken off from the Victory Road, I think it's- Oh..." He stopped as soon as he realized Faitsu standing in the room. Seeing her shocked face and his superior's angry one, he knew he screwed up.
The former member of Team Plasma needed a moment to understand what was going on. Just as Foongy, she alternately looked at the strange man who just bumped in and the boy she would have called her friend seconds ago. 'Superintendent'? It couldn't be...
Though Rakutsu would never show it, he was infuriated. He knew the masks were off now, earlier than he had planned. Despite that, he stopped glaring at his assistant pretty fast and shot Faitsu an expectant look. She grabbed her Foongus and ran. Of course she would do that. Both he and Looker watched after her as she rushed out of the door and slammed it shut behind her.
„So... This didn't go so well, did it?", Looker asked, the shame in his voice unmistakable. He flinched away from his superior's judgemental gaze returning on him.
„Your report?", was all Rakutsu asked with an impatient undertone.
The older agent needed a few seconds to recollect. „Oh, yeah, well... The frigate we tried to infiltrate recently was seen ascending from the Victory Road. Apparently it is headed for Opelucid City."
„Estimated time of arrival?" The boy stood up and walked past Looker towards the window.
„About an hour, I would say."
As he watched Faitsu storming out of the hotel's main entrance and running off through a side street, he stepped up on the window sill himself, with Dewott jumping on his back. „Report to Drayden that the city has to be evacuated. Then return to the castle and check on Lord N and Miss White. I have to get her before Colress arrives here."
His subordinate nodded, but then raised an eyebrow. „You mean you have to get the pendant?"
With a voice that left no room for objections, he said: „I mean her." With that, he raised his grappling iron and used it to leave the room and follow his target.
It sure was a sight to see how Reshiram materialized out of the Light Stone. White had managed to stand up again and tried to look at the scene despite the blinding light. Black had to come out, too, he just had to.
Ghetsis would not be distracted by the spectacle. „Thank you for bringing the Light Stone, dear woman. Now I have all the power within my grasp. Zekrom, take care of that monster." Before the fire type dragon could fully regain its power, its black opposite jumped on it to execute a Dragon Claw and wrestled it to the ground. At this moment Black reappeared in the light, being flung of his Pokemon's back as it fell.
White saw him and wanted to rush towards him, but N - who apparently had not seen the trainer that opened his eyes two years ago - got into her way and pushed her aside, seconds before the two dragons in their combat rolled over the place she would have walked past. „I am sorry, but if the two dragons are fighting again, it's not safe to stay here."
„No, Black!", White yelled out to get the boy's attention, but to no avail, as N pulled her out of the room to safe her.
Said boy felt really dizzy. He already couldn't remember what happened after Ghetsis had pushed him into the Light Stone. The first thing he realized was Reshiram and Zekrom battling it out once again. The second thing was Team Plasma's leader looking down on him with a malicious smirk.
„The memory of losing to a random trainer from who knows where has continued to haunt me for two long years now. However, the agony it inflicted on me I used as fuel to rebuild what I lost. And today my efforts shall pay off. It will be my pleasure to use the moment of your return to shatter your dreams and make you feel the same sorrow I have!", he declared with a roaring, somehow solemn voice.
Black wanted to grab one of his Pokeballs, but before he could do so, the Sage's Eelektross jumped out of the shadows and attacked the trainer with a Thunderbolt. With a scream of pain, Black fell to his knees. „That's right", Ghetsis sneered, „kneel before your king."
„Look, Bianca, it's fine", Cheren ensured his friend. He was sitting in the lobby of their hotel rolling his eyes at the camera of his Xtransceiver. The young woman still returned a concerned gaze. „So they didn't like the tour. You probably wouldn't have liked it either a few years ago. I still have all my students under control."
Noticing a hint of annoyance in his voice, Bianca chose to trust his words instead of asking again: „If you say so, I'm sure everything's fine." She took a moment to think of a good way to change the topic. „Professor Juniper wondered how your two model pupils are getting along with filling the Pokedex. Any major improvements?"
The teacher pondered for a moment. „The Pokedex certainly helped them to get along with each other better. Almost too good, if you ask me."
„Reminds me of someone", Bianca remarked with a wink.
Behind him, Cheren heard Leo giggle. Maybe he should have sent him and Hugh to their room earlier instead of letting them remain in the lobby if all they were going to do was eavesdrop on his conversation. „Not in front of my students, Bianca", he forced himself to respond, but it only made her giggle as well.
„You're not ashamed of me, are you?", she questioned, leaving his friend in a very uncomfortable position.
Cheren never got a chance to find an answer, though, as he suddenly heard hasty steps. Moments later he watched Faitsu running through the lobby of the hotel and out of the streets. He yelled after her, pointing out that it was almost closing time. She wouldn't listen. The teacher was surprised, since such a behaviour was quite out of character for her. „Sorry, Bianca, I'll have to call you back", he said before quickly switching off his Xtransceiver.
„Was that Faitsu?", Leo asked, raising from the armchair.
Hugh snorted. „She sure was. Rakutsu must have outdone himself to chase her away like that."
After a moment of pondering, Cheren turned towards his students: „Would you help me get her back here? I think you're a little faster than me." He knew the two of them were supposed to stay inside the hotel, too, but he had to admit that he saw little chance of catching Faitsu on his own.
„Already on it", Hugh ascertained, and sped to the exit with an astounding pace.
„Count on us, Mr Cheren", Leo said, running after his friend eagerly and almost tripping before even reaching the door.
When they exited the building, all three of them overlooked Rakutsu jumping from roof to roof right above them with the use of his grappling iron. He was much faster than them this way, and he would catch up with Faitsu in no time. From the rooftops he could easily track her down. Apparently she made her way through the side streets and headed towards the city square.
„Please don't run away, Faitsu, I want to explain", he shouted after her as soon as she was in earshot.
But the girl would not be irritated by his words, running towards the square with determination. „You're just lying, you're always lying", she mumbled. It was rather meant to persuade herself, since she didn't think he was close enough to hear her. A part of her wanted to have his explanation, however she would not give in. She had a mission. For Lord N, she told herself.
The sound of him landing on the ground again was purposefully loud. He was only about twenty meters behind her now, she would reach her before she could cross the square. „There's no point in this, you cannot outrun me", Rakutsu said, this time with a more stern voice.
And indeed, hearing his words, Faitsu stopped in the middle of the plaza. He slowed down a little as soon as he saw this, and she wondered how it was possible that he wasn't even remotely out of breath, panting quite heavily herself. But she knew what would happen now.
Rakutsu entered the square and immediately realized his mistake. About a dozen grunts of Neo Team Plasma emerged from the shadows of adjoining buildings, surrounding him and sending out their Pokemon. Colress entered the scene last and took place next to Faitsu with slow applause.
„Very well done, Miss Faitsu. Thank you for your kind assistance. I'm glad you're joining us tonight, Agent Black-Two", he said with an undertone just as cheerful as it was malicious.
Being met by Rakutsu's reproachful gaze, his classmate slumped. „I'm sorry. He said he knows where Lord N is, I had to help him. I had no idea it was you he searched for", she apologized, suddenly wondering why she tried to justify it in front of him.
„You should have asked me", the boy claimed, seaming unnaturally calm considering the fact he had just been stabbed in the back. „Lord N is at the old castle fighting your friend's client right now. But I am sure they will lead you to his prison cell if he fails."
„What?", Faitsu snapped, „Colress, is that true?"
The scientist considered her with an appraising look. „I'm afraid it is. Nevertheless, you work here is done. You would be wise to take your leave now."
The girl couldn't believe he would betray her like that. Had she betrayed Lord N by helping him? And how was Rakutsu involved in all of this, how could he know where her idol was? „But you promised-"
She was disrupted by the young superintendent of Interpol: „Sorry, Faitsu, I think you're out of the deal."
„I couldn't have put it better myself", Colress agreed. His attention went back to his enemy. „Moving on, agent, I strongly suggest you surrender to us."
For a brief moment, it appeared as if Rakutsu grinned. Faitsu thought she had just imagined it, since his look was immediately back to seriousness the next second as he asked: „You just come here with a handful of grunts and expect me to surrender? Do you know me at all?"
Colress acted upon those words as fast as he could. „Team Plasma, prepare for battle!", he ordered loud and hurried.
Before he could end this command, the agent threw a huge number of smoke bombs on the ground and the entire square got covered in mist. The members of Neo Team Plasma just as well as Faitsu desperately tried to see through it to find out what was going on. They heard the noise of fighting, of Pokemon hitting the ground, and occasionally saw one of Dewott's water blades shine through the fog. And as they regained their sight, they still couldn't trust their eyes. All the grunts' Pokemon lay on the floor, unable to battle, while Dewott stood on its feed proudly and with its weapons raised.
„And now, I strongly suggest you surrender to me", Rakutsu turned around his adversary's words. He didn't actively pay attention to Faitsu, but his subconscious took a little pride in the awe on her face. She completely forgot to feel bad for the hurt Pokemon over her classmate's performance.
The dark scientist, too, needed a moment to fathom what just happened. Then he sighed. „Must I do everything?" With these words, he called out his Magnezone. „Use Thunderbolt."
Dewott was not intimidated by its opponent's type advantage. After waiting for it to aim, it dodged a precise jump to hit the steel type with its Revenge move. But it was stopped in midair by the psychic power of Beheeyem, which just teleported onto the battlefield. And now that the otter was stuck in its flight and unable to evade further attacks, Magnezone fired a second Thunderbolt, dealing huge consistent damage on the water type.
„No!", Rakutsu screamed, caught off guard by the second foe's sudden appearance. The smile of its Trainer told it all: With Beheeyem and Magnezone working together, this fight would be over in no time.
Zekrom was still weakened from its last battle, while Reshiram had not fought for two years. The latter slowly gained the upper hand in their duel. Its Dragon Pulse could hit more often than the opponent's Dragon Claw, and whenever Fusion Bolt and Fusion Flare clashed, it was the fire type that could win some ground.
„Reshiram, watch out!", N called, seeing the danger best from his angle as he tried to bring White to safety. Hydreigon kept floating in the legendary dragon's blind spot waiting for the best moment to strike. The warning of the former king came to late.
Just as Reshiram threw the electric type to the ground and wanted to jump on it with another Fusion Flare, it was hit by a Dragon Pulse in the back, and as it fell, Zekrom pulled itself up and caught the fire Pokemon with a Dragon Claw. Both of these assaults combined were too much.
Ghetsis started using the Colress Device in his cane again to gain control over the second legendary dragon as well. „Any moment now." He smiled and called Black towards him with a gesture. „Come, rat, I want you to witness my triumph", he laughed. Eelektross stopped zapping the young Trainer for a moment. He used as much of his power as he could bring up to stamp off to the leader of Team Plasma. In his mind, he would wrestle that cane from the old man and destroy it. In reality, as soon as he was just close enough to see the dragons down in the yard, Eelektross forced him to his knees with another Thunderbolt.
After a long struggle, Reshiram gave in just as Zekrom did before. The red glow of its eyes symbolized the sage was now in control. Maybe Black would have screamed. He did so anyway, since the electricity made him scream in pain. „Let go of me!" Seeing that, hearing her friend ache, was enough for White to break free of N's hold. „Now you listen: I'm not going to run while he suffers. And if you do that, what did you even come for?"
The former king of Team Plasma stopped running and looked at her with a questioning look, slowly showing some kind of understanding for her reaction. But just as she thought he would get it, they were disrupted.
„There you are", shouted Zinzolin. Two grunts followed close behind him. „You're not going to leave the show already, are you?" White turned towards him and sent out Serperior and Mandibuzz, but before she could order them to attack, the sage's Weavile already threw Ice Shards at them. „Get the girl alive. Don't spare the traitor."
Zekrom and Reshiram hovered upwards to receive commands from their master, who welcomed them with a smirk. „You two, obliterate that boy, and then join me down at the fleet." He turned towards his nemesis one final time. „You will meet your doom at the hands of your own Pokemon, knowing that it was I who outdid you. Finally, the thought of you no longer poisons my mind. A spectacular death shall be my farewell gift for you. Fusion Flare, Fusion Bolt!"
With these words, Ghetsis headed for the hole created by the dragons two years ago. He intended to use the teleporter there that would transport him to his ship. Meanwhile, Reshiram and Zekrom flew in a circle in order to get into the position to use their attacks. Black wanted to do something, but Eelektross still kept treating him with electricity. Moments later, the hallway was filled with an explosion of fire and thunder, devastating everything in its path.
I like cliffhangers. What about you? Thing is, they're so much easier to create than they are to resolve. Stick around to see how the heroes get out of this mess in the next chapter! I'd say this is part one of three, but we all know I have a history of not getting stories finished in three chapters.
If you're still here reading this, why not tell me your thoughts in a review? Be it about my writing, about the content or whatever else comes to your mind, I'm always happy to see what you think!