Super Smash Bros. Duel
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Chapter Four: Sky Pillar's the Limit
He had done it. After all the training. After all the dangers, all the moments where his emotions put him to the test, and how much he wanted his prize, despite how everything he had could collapse in mere moments. He had done it. The sun shone on his bleached-white hair, as he adjusted his green and black bandana, whilst walking to his goal; the peak of the fabled Sky Pillar.
He could barely contain his excitement. He would face his greatest challenge yet, but he couldn't help but feel energetic. He had conquered the Elite Four, assisted in quelling two mighty entities, and gained many a friendship. But he had one more challenge, one more difficultly before he would be esteemed the greatest in his homeland. He called.
It came. It was everything he remembered: Gigantic, magnificent and graceful. This was the true hero, the one that had saved everyone. He had simply been the messenger, the one who had awoken it from its slumber. This was the last test, the final trial. He walked towards it. The two regarded each other, in pure silence.
Finally, he spoke up.
"So… Here we meet. The only thing I am yet to conquer. I hope we can truly take each other to our absolute limits. Shall we begin?"
The creature roared in agreement. The youth pulled out a spherical object, and threw it into the air. It released a small chicken. The two creatures eyed each other warily. Then, just before the battle could begin, loud cannons sounded. The three turned, to see a marching platoon of Primids.
All three of them dashed away, but it was the great entity to be hit with a massive blow. It fell to the ground, wounded.
The youth's eyes widened, as did his creature. He only had one thing to do.
Brendan gathered his courage, and ordered Torchic into battle.
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The battle was short. The Primids had all but been destroyed within a matter of moments. A combination of Focus Energy and Ember from Torchic, as well as a strong Mud Shot and Dive combo from Brendan's Marshtomp, had quickly dispatched them. They had fallen to the ground, and became little more than Shadow Bugs.
Turning around, Brendan noticed a trophy nearby, on the pillar. He touched it ever so slightly.
A few moments later, and Brendan was once more in shock, as the Pokemon Trainer Red had appeared from where the trophy had been a moment before.
"Uhh… Who are you?" asked Brendan.
"Feeling sick… Never gonna try that again… Whatever that was…"
"Umm… Ok. But really, what is your name?"
"I remember being called Red."
"Really? That's…" Brendan did a double take. "RED?!? Are you THE RED? The champion of Kanto and the guy who helped beat that bad guy called Tabuu?"
"Yeah, that's me. Except for the Tabuu part. Who's he?"
"WHAT!? You don't remember? You helped beat Tabuu along with a group of fighters from different worlds! How can you not remember that?"
"Errm… I don't. Last thing I remember was when I was walking down these stairs and the doorbell rang. I went to open the door, and the rest is blank. I can't remember anything after that. Sorry."
"But you have to! You set the highest goal worthy of a trainer when you were selected to fight in the Brawl Tournament! There are all these rumors about how you managed to defeat that bad guy called Tabuu and everything!"
"…Sorry, I still don't remember anything."
"Very well…"
The two trainers watched each other in silence, until Red finally realised who Brendan was.
"Wait a minute… Are you… Brendan Birch by any chance? The rising star of Hoenn who managed to stop Groudon and Kyogre?"
"Yep. That's me. But I didn't stop them on my own, I had Rayquaza to stop them. Without him I would never had stood a chance."
"Still, having a Legendary help you out is quite something. At the rate you're going, you'll be the champion of Hoenn before the year is out."
"Bit too late for that. I already became the champion several days ago. I beat Wallace, the previous champion of Hoenn, in the final round, my Sceptile against his Ludicolo."
(Just to note, Brendan's adventure styled off Pokemon Emerald, so he wears his Emerald attire, Wallace was the champion, Juan was the leader of Sootopolis, etc.)
Red adjusted his cap. It was one thing to become the champion of Kanto. To actually meet to another champion of another region, one he had never been to before, was something else.
Neither of the champion trainers noticed the Shadow Bugs from the fallen Primids slowly creeping over the unconscious Rayquaza…
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"RRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWHHHHH!!!"
Brendan and Red turned around, came face to face with Shadow Rayquaza. Brendan's face turned to one of horror as he saw the monster that his ally had become. He stood, as still as a stone, not willing to fight his friend.
Red, however, was prepared for battle. Releasing Ivysaur, he commanded it to fire a Bullet Seed at the Shadow Rayquaza.
Rayquaza was no pushover normally, and with the Shadow Bugs, his power had greatly intensified. It roared, and dived for Ivysaur, grabbing it in it's claw, before hurling it onto the ground.
However, Ivysaur wasn't finished yet. It got back up, and released it's Razor Leaf attack. The attack soared towards it's target. Most of the leaves were shrugged off, or missed, but a single leaf flew direct to it's target: Rayquaza's eye.
The leaf badly scathed Rayquaza. The ancient beast roared in pain, and looked towards Ivysaur with it's only healthy eye. The other was too badly injured to use, until the legend sacrificed some of it's Shadow Bugs to heal itself. Clearly, it favoured a completely functioning body rather than a complete collection of Shadow Bugs.
Glaring towards Ivysaur, it roared. It blasted a fully-fledged Hyper Beam at the Grass type, causing it to topple over. Victory was assured.
Until Brendan decided it was time to act. He gripped a Pokeball, and sent out his greatest Pokemon. Sceptile stood, proudly in front of his trainer. He had served Brendan since he had first become a trainer, and he would defend him to the best of his ability.
Red replaced Ivysaur with Charizard, who came out just in time to see Sceptile badly scar Rayquaza several times. Shadow Bugs poured out of Rayquaza's wounds, causing them to heal. He was greatly weakening, but he wasn't finished yet. He unleashed another Hyper Beam, but this time, they were ready. Using Aerial Ace and Fly, Sceptile and Charizard avoided the attack, before finishing of the dragon of legend with Leaf Blade and Fire Blast respectively.
(A/N: I've changed some of the character's movesets somewhat. For instance: Charizard originally had Flamethrower, but now he has Fire Blast.)
Rayquaza moaned in pain, and the last of the Shadow Bugs disappeared. He was freed. The few Shadow Bugs which had survived the encounter moved elsewhere.
The battle might have been won, but Brendan might still have lost. Rayquaza was still injured from the attacks that had damaged him. The champion of Hoenn walked towards the Lord of the Skies.
Rayquaza's mind projected into Brendan's. Brendan, Rayquaza thought, there is nothing you can do about me. I was weak, and I allowed myself to be caught off guard. Please. Leave now. It is about to explode!
Brendan's face turned to one of horror. "I can't just leave you! You'll die undefended! Besides, what is about to explode?"
Red tapped Brendan on the shoulder. "Err… Brendan? I think I can answer your question."
A large Subspace Bomb stood nearby the five there. It was active, and there was only about a minute before it would explode.
Brendan turned to Rayquaza. "You mean… No! I won't leave you! I must not! You quelled Groudon and Kyogre, and now it's my turn to help you!"
No. My power comes not only from myself, but from others. All legendaries are impossible of their true potential without a hand to guide them. You were the one who stopped Kyogre and Groudon. I merely used the power that you gave me. However, since you seem to be unable to change your mind, I will instead give you my power. Brendan! Accept my gift, and my power!
There was a blinding flash, and Rayquaza disappeared. Brendan's left hand glowed for a single moment with the runes that were embedded on Rayquaza, before they faded away. Brendan stared at it for a moment.
"Rayquaza…"
Red decided to speak up. "I'm sorry about Rayquaza, but we haven't any time to lose. Any moment now, that bomb is gonna blow up, and I don't want to be around when it does."
Brendan turned around. "Yes. Let's go. Come on, Sceptile! Let's get out of here! Aerial Ace!" He leaped upon Sceptile, and the two soared away from Sky Pillar.
Red nodded towards Charizard. "You too! Come on!" They flew away. Somehow, Sceptile was able to remain airborne as long as Charizard, despite the fact that Sceptiles cannot truly fly, but glide. However, he was able to soar above the skies, as though he was being guided by Rayquaza himself.
TO BE CONTINUED…
That was a kinda emotional chapter. I think I managed to pull it off. Anyway, sorry about the wait! Next time I'll try and get the next chapter posted before too long. Until then!
Ultra Blader