I apologize this is so long but i promise this is BY FAR my best chapter I've written thus far! I hope you all enjoy and im open to creative criticism! ~Madame
Crumbled ruins surrounded the unconscious trainer and a tall elegant entity towered over her. Its hair followed behind it in a long voluminous clump of hair help together by a small band at the end of the strands. As the being approached closer May could see the excessively large black eyes with small golden pupils glaring down at her, long clawed hands could be seen reaching down to examine May's face by holding it carefully not to scratch her face. The being began to look more like a woman and could see long horn like features out of the side of 'her' head. There was only one assumption to make at this point, this was in fact Rayquaza.
"Think she's ready?" A smaller male like human creature had spoken to the woman. He sported the same features and markings as Rayquaza but were dorned in a shiny onyx color. Around him could be seen priests in ancient garbs chanting around the beings and also May as well. The words became louder and fires began blazing around in small torch stakes as they began to chant in unison.
"Vessel you do remember me correct?" The woman extended her long elegant fingers to May to help her up from the uncomfortable ground. "It is I Rayquaza that you seek. I had wanted to wait till I knew you were strong enough on your own to handle this power but it seems you failed quite greatly."
The words stung deep at the core of May. The only things on her mind were going back to her own world or rather state of mind to confront Team Rocket and the atrocities they committed. She had always thought Rayquaza would be much nicer to her, or even at least treated her as an equal as opposed to a pawn of war after helping her multiple times. Her hands shook with nervousness but she quickly retorted at the entity of balance with a cry.
"Please! I need your help once again my friend! Team Rocket will destroy the world and everything we know and..."
The woman turned away quickly "I have lent you my power more than enough times I could let those pathetic humans die, I'm a god of sky and balance not a martyr. I won't suffer for the lives of many that is not…."
"Rayquaza! I beg you! No….I challenge you!" She snapped back balling her hands into face and a determined look that no fire could match
"Ha! You have no Pokemon child, you have no strength you have nothing! Tell me why you look to save a world that has shown you nothing but pain for a month now. You've seen what the power did to Groudon's vessel."
"If you don't help me much more than kyogre and groudon will fight. Legendries from all over the world will cause ruin from all over! You owe Groudon as well for keeping me safe!"
Her eyes widened and harsh winds began to swirl around the trainer as the woman roared out a ferocious call. The velocity cut through the once torches and spread the fire across ground forming an ancient ritual pattern around the young woman. The priests chanted harder and a large keystone rose from the ground in an eerie translucent glow. "I'm not giving you anything till you can prove your worth to me." Her roars could be heard for miles and the winds picked up even more nearly lifting may from the ground.
"Rayquaza please! I have to save Hoenn! I need to prove humans can't control everything! There must be balance and then wind stopped as large blades of rock and fresh magma began swarming around the woman. May gave a huge thud to the ground as another human like man made his appearance. He almost resembled Maxie but was much more terrifying as pools of magma bubbling and spitting formed around him. Long sharp features accompanied the tall frail body surrounded in shoulder length slicked crimson hair. His eyes were dark and made no attempt to stop his sickly smirk at the sky serpent.
"If you were stupid enough to think that just because Kyogre and I don't have beef to not come down and see what the hell was going on in the human world you have lost every inch of respect from me." He huffed grasping his arm. "My human is strong but their technology is stronger. Rayquaza…they have Kyogre." He snapped his fingers and let the woman go of the rocky blades that once surrounded her body. May had heard the chanting stop for a brief second as Rayquaza's human form had let out a sign of shock to the balance being out of whack now.
"You all…." She shook her head "No…I have been selfish and held back as long as I can seeing if there was anyone else I could choose as a sacrifice for the betterment of man. But I see now that this child has proven her worth more than enough times to me." Her sighs were harsh and she turned to face May with worried eyes "This is much more than just taking power and using it to better man. You can never lead a normal life again. You will experience pain at a new height and your life is even in more danger. As you approached me the first time I had wanted nothing more than to share a gift with you and even when we adventured to space and stopped deoxys my energy fit with yours perfectly. I didn't want my champion to fail me or the people of Hoenn so I waited praying I was wrong and could spare an innocent potential life but now I have no choice." She walked closer to may extending her arm out and revealed a huge gash letting the thin green liquid of blood ooze from her arm.
"We must exchange blood…are you ready?" she had whispered motioning a priest to her side making a different hymn of chanting begin. May nodded facing the other way allowing the man to reveal a small dagger and cut into mays arm as well. A small whimper escaped her lips as hot red blood trickled down her pale arm. The man then took the woman's arm and hovered it over mays arm allowing the bright green blood to enter her blood stream. A sudden jolt of energy raced her body and her weight became light enough to where she began to levitate to a steady rhythm. The man nodded and brought May to the key stone newly risen from the ground. She could feel Groudon watching her smiling in almost sympathetic way. He nodded in approval and began to evaporate with the magma to the ground as the trainer was nearly blown away but the strong winds coming through the cracks of the large stone.
Prove me wrong, and be strong
A week had passed since the incident and May was finally awake in a large glass container filled with liquid and a small device in her mouth generating small amounts of oxygen in her mouth
"She's awake now." The younger man with short spikey turquoise hair and white outfit similar to the admins of Team Rocket. He had whispered to the shadowy man accompanied by a large Persian mewing at his side and purring to his boss' deep voice. The man smiled up at the trainer who now glared at him with dilated pupils. Her senses were heightened and could hear even the small weeps from rooms away and one she could recognize as her roommate with the light icey colored hair. She could hear her cries for Steven as machines clanked and rang hurting her and she could tell the legendary bird Articuno was in a similar contraption as its cries echoed sadly in the huge steel room. Anger ran through her mind as Maxie came to her mind as well. She prayed he was still alive and she had owed him her life protecting her as he trying to make a commotion so he wouldn't have to kill the trainer. A surge of pure rage filled her blood as a massive amount of anger welled in her being, she began to yell and curse kicking harshly at the glass tube only with the water like substance to slow her down. The angrier she got thinking of more people hurt and tortured for the thirst of power and total world domination. Her canines grew pointed and large waves of wind picked up around her as she kicked harder at the glass allowing the wind to whirl the water in her direction to help impact the kick
"Ah now she really isn't a dud after all!" Giovanni rejoiced slamming a button down on a small steel pedestal next to him. "I want the power controlled!" a rush of adrenaline hit may as she kicked harder once last time to crack the glass hard enough breaking the cords that bound her to the strange device. Multiple scientists ran in will small poisonous Pokémon like koffings and zubats. They commanded the Pokémon to use any status moves they had to slow the woman down. May commanded the wind around her to send the powders and sound waves to bounce back at the Pokémon. She gave a swift bolt to the room next to her to see the kind woman struggling in a steel strap chair and crying in pain as the giant bird of ice cried out as well. The woman however looked sickly and no longer a regular woman of beauty and grace, but large ice crystals shot around her as May drew close. She could start to hear the scientists approaching her as she slammed and locked the door behind her keeping the wind at a high enough mph to keep the scientists from getting close enough to unlock it.
"Winter!" She yelled out ripping at the cords from the weakened woman. Her eyes were a bright red that mirror Aritcuno's. Her body was pure white with small sparkles shimmering in the light. The woman smiled at woman barley mustering a thank you as she grabbed the key to unlock the steel cylinders containing her hands and feet. "Oh my god…Winter.." She ran over to Articuno as well and freed the bird and grabbed a nearby masterball she could only assume that was the beast's container. The bird returned without resistance and she handed the ball to her new found friend who nodded back with tears and gave a swift hug to May.
"I wish we could savor this but we need to escape." May whispered glaring the door commanding the door to swing open fast knocking enough scientists back from the blunt force.
"Please May we must find Steven Stone! He knows how to destroy Giovanni for good, he knows who can help us." For once hearing that name didn't drive sadness into May. She grabbed Winter's hand as they flew by a small set of cells only to stop swiftly at a singular room with a very much beaten up Steven Stone.
"STEVEN OH MY GOD!" Winter screamed letting go of May and running to her new found love looking for a way to free the man. He looked up at her and winced in pain trying to smile at her and then looked over to May. The wasn't the Steven she had dated, this Steven was much more gentleman like and looked at Winter in a way that only love could covey. The woman rested her hands on the steel chains containing him and he gave a long embrace to the woman. It was a bit bittersweet to the trainer to know he was truly safe but also she knew that he had found a love after these years and it was really Petrel to play on her heart strings. The thought of them kissing and advancing to third base made it a difficult concept to grasp as her heart cried out for a way to take it back.
"Take her and get out of here." Steven commanded to May and she only shook her head in dismay.
"I was going to tell you that Steven. I can handle myself here. You both have to escape for now. I had heard one of the member say there's a ware house in Mahogany where they keep the captured Pokémon of all their prisoners. She has Articuno with her! Run and get help! Get Lance grab Wallace anyone!"
"Why can't you come with us May?!" He yelled only to back up against the chair seeing more grunts appear with hands full of pokeballs.
"DAMNIT STEVEN JUST TAKE HER AND LEAVE!" she was crying now and threw wind at their direction making the giant window shatter behind them leaving a swift retreat for the two. She couldn't leave Maxie alone here but was heartbroken to see the man she had thought she loved swiftly escape with his beloved. She had only prayed that he really would find help and rescue them as soon as possible. She could hear Winter in the distant throw out the tired bird and fly them away to safety and she could feel the distant cold begin to disappear as their getaway was a swift success.
"You'll pay for that brat!" a larger grunt boomed sending out a large drooling Raticate hissing and spitting at May. The other grunts proceeded by sending out the larger rats gnawing at their trainers for a command to be as vicious as their attitude displayed. "Super fang Raticate!"
The rat's nose twitched in disgust and leapt at May but was swiftly blown back by the wind. Beginning to be backed into a corner by more approaching grunts, she couldn't conjure enough to wind to blow everyone back enough to make an escape. There was always the window but she couldn't bear to leave Maxie here at fear they'd make him a lifeless puppet for destruction. There was no time to think rationally and made herself float high enough to leap high enough over the group swiftly and made a run for it picking up pace as she felt the grunts pursue after her fast enough she reached a corridor with enough pathways to finally lose the group leaving her chest heavy and long strands of sweat coating her matted hair. She felt so disgusting and dirty but it's not she had the access to grand hot springs of Lavaridge at the moment. She decided to keep moving and tried to looking a signs and symbols for the rooms with the elemental legendaries.
He's close trainer keep focused. Leave once you have him
Rayquaza's voice chanted softly in her head and she remained focus on heat from the room. One was the burn of fire but it felt so different the heat of a volcano suggesting that there was another fire legendary that remained in the facility perhaps it was entei or moltres that remained inside. She focused harder now smelling the ash of , a very familiar and earthy scent and proceeded to climb up a long passage of stair stopping every so often to listen for more grunts looking around to pursue her. At the top of the long climb were two singular doors with a large warning symbol for each to wear hazard suits at all times for extreme weather changes. She picked the lock with her newly found claws on her hands on the door to the right she could feel intense heat radiating even more. A high shriek of terror escaped her lips as the intensity of Maxie's appearance and the severe heat drug her down. The room was caked in harden magma and liquid seeped from the ground and ceiling making what appeared to be Maxie in the middle of floor keep himself at the form of Groudon's possession to survive the sweltering heat atmosphere around him. He much like May donned matted scarlet hair sticking to his pale skinny frame of a face. He no longer wore his glasses nor much clothing besides a tore up cable sweater and torn shorts which surprisingly didn't catch fire from the magma. His sad roars of pain could be heard as long red chains contained his hands and feet from escaping. May quickly floated over to his small rocky island almost swallowed in raging magma. Her claws tugged and pulled at the chains but to no avail was he released.
"ALL PERSONAL REPORT TO THE LOBBY IMMEDIATELY WE WILL BEGIN PHASE 2 SHORTLY" A loud speaker screeched "IF EXPERIMENT 144 OR 384 IS FOUND BRING TO GIOVANNI IMMEDIATELY ANY NON COMPLIANCE WILL END IN DEATH"
The angry roars could be heard from Maxie as red lava dripped from his mouth in place of saliva.
"Maxie it's me! We have to escape!" She cried pulling at the chains even harder. These could only be similar to the legends of Sinnoh displaying control of the ancient Pokémon to obey any command given. There was nothing here to help her except the magma surrounding them. She managed to pick up a small amount of it caught in the wind she possessed and launched at the chains to the floor. A long clawed hand reached to swipe at her in which she narrowly dodged.
"What the hell is the matter with you!" she screamed now letting a foot loose. "Maxie it's May! You have control! You can control yourself!" his roars died down a little and another foot was loose as he tried to stand up straight by struggled from being chained so long. She could only hope he would follow her and not try to kill her as she let the last chain loose and reached over to hug him swiftly tears rolling down as she slowly returned to her normal basic human state
"Maxie…I…."
"She has to be in here move!" She could hear pounding feet vibrating off the large steel stairs. Their embrace would have to wait till later. She grabbed Maxie struggling to pull him forward towards the small fire escape door at the left corner of the room. They leapt over sturdy rock platforms and made a swift getaway down the stairs and into the wild jungle of Johto.
Their feet didn't stop for a moment. Maxie couldn't speak anything human to her but his form slowly started to return his collar no longer remained on from earlier to send the cold shots of ice to cool himself down in a fit of rage. Soon enough a clearing appeared with what appeared to be an abandoned traditional house of Johtos early days. Maybe an early nobles house used as a tourist site. The building was old but still stable which brought the two inside gasping for air as she could no longer hear the pursuit of grunts and their Pokémon sniffing out their tracks. She was lucky enough to find Ursaring remains to cover a good portion of their scent to the average Growlithe. The building was quite dusty but littered with beds and another couple peeking around the corner to much of May's relief happened to be Winter and Steven. The giant bird Pokémon Articuno could be heard cooing sadly from its wounds as crushed herbs and plants were on wings to help relieve the pain.
"May is it you? Are you okay? And is that…"
"Yes it's Maxie." She snapped at Steven laying the weak man down in a small heap on blankets on the floor. She wanted nothing more than to him to say at least one word, anything to her. "Maxie…I…thank you for protecting me…we're safe for now." She sobbed into his chest clutching his tattered clothes tightly. The muffled sobs made the atmosphere uncomfortable as they progressively turned into screams of curses and swears of death upon each member of team rocket. They had to be stopped at all costs. She could hardly live with herself knowing she left so many experimented people and pokemon behind to suffer even more pain and heartache. Wishing they would be graced with death to escape the harsh grasp of cruelty.
"MAXIE SAY SOMETHING TO ME!" she yelled harder grasping onto his clothes harder about ready to rip them into pieces. His soft onyx eyes was fixated at the floor never once swaying to look at her or even the building itself.
"May…we need to discuss some things." Steven whispered trying to pry May from him.
"NO! Steven he saved me! And I…I ….love him!" she sobbed trying to shake him. And then Winter ran over and pulled her off with Steven's help.
"May let him rest! Just let him sleep! Or something!" Winter drug her along the tatami flooring away from the Leader of Team Magma.
"May I know you are hurt but we need to think of a course of action right now! I need to call in someone who can help us! I know Wallace knows more about ancient Pokémon than all of us put together! And I need his help with Winter as well! Her body temperature keeps dropping severely and soon she'll end up freezing herself if I don't find him! I managed to still have my back up pokenav on my ring to call at least through voice to Wallace! I have enough battery for about a 5 minute call and I need him here tonight! Otherwise….Maxie AND Winter might very well die tonight! So I need you to be strong May! No more sobbing or weeping! THEY BOTH WILL BE OKAY!" He could hear his voice crack and become shaken to the thought of multiple deaths in one night. He promptly left to call Wallace for his emergency to which she could hear Wallace gasp again and assuring Steven he'd alert Lance of the catastrophe be there by dawn along with a Nurse for the Articuno in captivity.
The next hours went by slowly with each sudden noise making the trio look in fear of Team Rocket or possibly Wallace. When a sudden knocking rapped at the hollow wooden door Wallace along with a younger Joy walked in accompanied by a gentle Blissey to which they ran directly to the Articuno in the large living room giving it potions, berries, and healing moves to help the recovery become swifter. Wallace studied Winter and sighed at the situation
"Steven…She needs to fight it on her own." He sighed once more looking into her eyes more harshly than ever spotting no traces of the once large gentle sapphire eyes but the determined beast like scarlet irises. "You can't revert a form like this and the only way is to train her body to raise its temperature. The best thing I can suggest is strong human emotions to restore it." Steven could be heard cursing at the heavens in fear his partner wouldn't handle such a task. "Take her in another room for now and….well show her that there is still love yet left in this world. May could you come with me to Maxie for a moment?" He rose up from the dusty table and approached the man lying on the floor who seemed to be in a silent state of sleep.
"He'll be okay May, but it's going to be hard for him to revert back. I'm not so sure why he won't speak to you or even at all. But try letting him just rest for a few days if possible…I misjudged his character and I am sorry. I can't stay for long but give him this." He handed the girl a blue orb "You need to make sure this is near him at all times as it'll give him a better control to Groudon." He promptly left back into the main living room and calling out for Steven on a quick information session to seeing to the Elite 4 and Lance himself for their help in the mess. He delivered 4 new pokenavs for everyone along with fresh clothes and few days' worth of dry foods and bottled water.
"I am leaving now…Please call me in the morning, our next mission is to get your Pokémon back." He waved in almost worried way giving the room another few minutes of silence before the Nurse Joy decided to leave as well.
"May….I..I'm going to comfort Winter….Maybe you should do the same for…Maxie." He choked. She had never seen the one lax and cool trainer in such a state of dismay. She nodded in silence allowing him to go into room catty corner to room Maxie was sleeping in. May's feet slowly crept into the long hallway only silently opening the door to Maxie's room once more to lay at his side. She cuddled up next to his side absorbing the warmth he harbored. She hoped he would wake up and blush in embarrassment to the young trainer snuggled up to him like a small snorunt shivering in the brisk cold. More than anything she wanted him to flip around and say her name in a calm manner assuring her everything would be alright. It seemed the night gave long hours before she finally had enough calamity to fall asleep.
Ah I hope you enjoyed that chapter! sorry It was kinda long but I had a lot I wanted to include!