Chapter 7
Contrary to popular belief, there are many reasons to go to war, which include vengeance, freedom, obsession, greed, pride, desperation, wealth, power, and love. Surprisingly enough, the reason to go to war in the Pokémon world includes more than a few elements, which throughout the story have (and will) been (and be) revealed, as have other Pokémon war stories.
~Sorry for making you all wait so long for this chapter, got bogged down in various things.
Reminder disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon or any of its affiliated parts.
Suddenly, without warning, just as I spotted a Suicune, and readied a net ball, time resumed. The suicune suddenly whipped around, noticed me, and dashed off. "Son of a..." I cried in frustration before I was muffled by Keniblaze's wing. The electrikes were also coming back to life, and they looked at each other in confusion. "ENEMY reinforcements!" someone shouted, and as I looked up to the source of the disturbance, I saw a rather large fearow, cawing in alarm, "enemy reinforcements!" The electrikes quickly noticed my presence almost immediately thereafter, and as I readied to throw out the rest of my party, Keniblaze shouted, "Wait, we are not here to fight!" Oddly enough, the advancing electrikes stopped, and stared at Keniblaze. "Much rather, we are here to investigate," Keniblaze nervously shouted, "you see, what you have done here has yet to reach all of Orre (which I think was a lie) and we have come here as scouts." "Then run back and tell them that death awaits them all!" the electrike shouted fiercely, "tell them that the Liberation Army is ready to march!" Keniblaze nodded, and with little resistance from me backed away, back to our mode of transportation (Wes' bike) and escape vehicle. We mounted, revved the engine, and drove off, but not before I looked back to see the electrikes once again chatting with each other, probably over what just happened.
Ironically enough, Keniblaze next suggested that we go to Realgam Tower, and for some odd reason, I actually drove us there too. The entire tower, much to my surprise, was not in a state of alert, and much rather seemed calm. The normal buzz of music filled the air as we came to a stop at the front entrance. Immediately men in suits came rushing at us, pointing what seemed to be pokéballs at us. "If you are not here to battle or do battle sims, we request that you leave," one of them announced, "right now a tournament is going on." "But we need to send a message out to everyone in Orre!" I protested, "and although ONBS does a good job, if they are not watching the right channel, they will miss it." "What is the message?" the other asked, "besides the fact that you face looks rather familiar..." I gave them no chance to recognize me, and as fast as possible revved the engine once more, then put it into high gear as we shot back off into the desert.
This time, I made the suggestions. Pyrite Town was our next destination, and as I arrived, I quickly realized that we should have come here in the first place. Apparently soldiers in jumpsuits ran around carrying shotguns and modern day rifles, all color camouflaged to match the desert environment. It was the National Guard. Upon spotting us, they immediately demanded both my trainer ID and registration number for Keniblaze. I delivered the latter easily, but the former would immediately identify me as an outlaw. Keniblaze, as usual lately, intervened, and after some rifling through my bags produced my trainer card. The troops didn't seem bothered; in fact, they were rather relieved, and ordered me to ONBS for debriefing.
The town of earth, wind, and money hadn't changed much; it still smelled of criminals, the ground was pretty much shingles, and the buildings had a rundown look about them. This was where I had first met Wes, and as a result, Team Snagem near the coliseum.
Wes had managed to successfully snag a large amount of pokémon, and with his crew of the day, he approached me next. I was just a kid at the time; he was at least five years my senior and I only had one pokémon named Agron. Wes personally promised not to snag my pokémon if it was pathetic, and with my choices being battle or a bloody nose, I chose battle. I performed surprisingly well against his two eevee, but once he brought out his recently snagged pupitar, things went down under. Literally, for the pupitar used dig just twice before Agron was finally downed. The crew laughed me down, and Wes chuckled, jeering, "You'd best get some better pokémon before you even head in this direction again!" As hurtful as it was, it did encourage me to join team snagem, if only to snag other people's pokémon. I wouldn't get in till years later, but hey, inspiration had to start somewhere right?
Snapping out of my flashback, I decisively stepped through the air condition opening. Gathered all around were thugs, villains, foreigners, and even pro trainers all gathered in the same place, chatting. "I hear Agate Village when down a few hours ago..." "Man, I can't believe this is happening..." "You think Snagem has something to do with it?" "Probably not, heard Wes is already on his way here." That last comment kept me moving through the crowd, who didn't seem to care much about my rude presence through their masses. Eventually I reached the top floor, and there I found some guy named Ness. "Jack, I assume?" Ness said, turning around in his clearly labeled chair mounted to the floor of the set, "I haven't seen you around these parts in ages." "You seem to be doing fine," I said, but before I could continue Keniblaze interrupted. "Listen, we don't have time for idle chat; an army is preparing to take over Orre!" Keniblaze shouted, "not only that, I think they have kidnapped Celebi!"
Gasps went around, microphones dropped, and apparently someone wet themselves judging by the dripping sound. "Celebi?" Ness said, suddenly alarmed, "this is a problem." "Return, Keniblaze," I growled irritably, and Keniblaze promptly returned to his pokéballs. "Now listen, why is the military getting involved?" I asked, "it seems you have known about an army long enough..." "The industrial center was completely destroyed," Ness explained, "the military has been mobilizing in Phenac and Pyrite so that we can concentrate our man and poké power to counter this sudden uprising." "It isn't an uprising," I argued, "I heard some banter in Gateon Port; this could lead to war." "War with a bunch of pokémon?" a cameraman joked, "yeah right, pokémon couldn't organize themselves into an army capable of taking down tanks and guns." "You would be quite surprised..." I murmured. The discussion continued, however, as conflicting information and views made an attempt to make sense of what was going on...
"So you have wished it..." a voice whispered, "and so it shall be." Arceus stared from his Hall down upon the massing army in Orre via a cliché' crystal ball. "Arceus!" someone shouted, "Lugia and Celebi have arrived! They are injured!" Arceus immediately bounded over to the duo, who had injuries running rampant about them. "What happened?" Arceus demanded, his attention previously being primarily on the Libra army, "when and how?" "I and Suicune went to Orre to backup Celebi when Shade turned the tables on us," Lugia explained, "essentially, Celebi is too weak and..." "Where is Suicune?" Regigas inquired, "you didn't leave her there did you?" "I had to get Celebi out, or risk having it eaten by Shade!" Lugia said in her defense, "I think that you not all out assaulting them with all of us together may have been a mistake." Regigas huffed in a 'told you so' manner, but Arceus would not be deterred from the matter at hand.
A single whiff of Celebi told a story Arceus had hoped he would never be told smelling one of his legendries. "Did... Did you get half eaten?" Arceus inquired, "it sure does smell like it." "Yes I freaking did!" Celebi exclaimed, making all but Arceus jump slightly, "what do you think happens when you get swallowed by a black lugia?" "Now hold on a second, let's not get irate," Arceus warned, "I know you are upset, but remember where you are and who you are speaking to." Lugia's eyes widened, as if a revelation suddenly came to her, but returned to normal when Arceus shot her a look. "So tell me Lugia, where is Suicune now?" "Shouldn't you know that?" "I beg your pardon?" "God almighty, the creator has no idea where Suicune is... What a shame." "Watch it Lugia..." "Or else? Or else WHAT?"
Celebi had been earlier enraged, but now was intrigued in childish confusion once again, as Lugia and Arceus fiercely stared each other down. "What happened during the fight?" Arceus demanded, "and don't lie to me." "I ended up fighting an ancient power who seems to know more about what he is doing than you," Lugia hissed, "and is at least a bit more honest." "But you don't even KNOW him!" Arceus shouted, "How would you even know?" Lugia turned her head, anger written over her face. By this point, Arceus began connecting the dots. "Celebi, did you ever go unconscious?" "Yes... But I don't know what that has to do with..." Celebi started until Arceus growled. "So tell me... Anything else you want to reminisce on?" Before Lugia could respond, Arceus suddenly focuses his aura into his eyes, and through eye contact, deploys it into Lugia's eyes. Suddenly, as if looking confused, Lugia hesitantly responds, "No... None." Arceus nods, then says, "Alright then Lugia, you are dismissed; head straight back to Kanto this time alright?" Lugia nodded, and then took off for flight, leaving a still confused Celebi alone with Arceus.
"CHAAAAAAAAARGE!" shouted Rita as the infamous Phenac City came into view. Already taking notice of the various vehicles and weapons that were saved from the industrial sectors or already within Orrian hands, Rita prepared to launch out an attack towards the city. Her charging army, hesitantly at first, but slowly growing in both confidence and momentum, advanced upon the city, already having it surrounded, destroying any stray vehicles that had not been rushed into the city at first sighting. The second they were in range, the weapons began open firing, covering the air in sound as shots rang out, striking leading rushers and downing flying bombers as they advanced. The army, at this point enraged that their fellows were falling prey at such a distance, suddenly began exuding dark auras, and fewer and fewer of them dropped, and more and more dark aura became visible, almost to the extent where it seemed as if a giant wave of darkness was descending upon the city.
Alarms were ringing loudly by this point, but they rang in vain as Rita finally released, at full strength, a powerful dragon pulse that, upon contact with the fountain near the heart of the city, completely spread out in a powerful wave that, as far as living things were concerned, bluntly whacked at them. However, the walls to the city, not built to withstand attacks from the inside, suddenly rocked, then began crumbling to the ground, the fortifications and gunner turrets collapsing with them. Amidst the yowls, bright lights suddenly shined throughout the city, as trainers readied themselves for battle as they summoned their entire parties. "Kill them all!" Rita shouted in glee as the army finally reached the outer walls, the water spilled in the process soaking into the ground. The water stopped flowing, however, once the walls fell, probably from an emergency shutoff or something, and the fountain ceased producing water as the army streamed in, confronted by bullets, flamethrowers, hydro cannons, and the works. Rita herself ascended into the ensuing air battle, as currently the enemy possessed notably more air power than they.
Meanwhile, Mount Battle found itself also under attack. However, unlike Rita's diverse army, primarily fire and flying types were a part of this assault, as a shadow lugia led the way throughout. However, while the main troops were fighting throughout the volcano and of course the "challenge" area, Shade was occupied facing off with Ho-Oh, Entei, and Raikou. It was no easy task, as he was not fully recovered from his fight with Lugia, but nonetheless he put up a match as his specialty, water techniques, came in quite the handy against the fiery Ho-oh and one of her sidekicks, the volcano dog. Dodging a Sacred Fire, Shade unleashed a one final hydro cannon against a startled Ho-Oh, whom had not expected Shade to actually dodge the attack once more. The attack struck true, and before the bird could fall into the lava, Entei, with its teeth, grabbed a part of Ho-Oh's wing. Shade descended, helped Entei put Ho-Oh on stable ground, then nearly stomped Entei into the ground. Fighting a creature not even half his size was harder than he imagined, and as a result did not notice Raikou positioning himself on a cliff not far from the chase. "NOW!" Entei shouted as it dodged yet another stomp from Shade, who unwittingly was weakening the rock formation they stood on.
Raikou channeled electricity through its body, became enshrouded in it, and the second Entei said "now", Raikou leaped from the cliff, the electricity surrounding it becoming ever more fierce as it approached Shade, who now had Entei cornered.
Entei now could easily be stomped, as there was nowhere left to run; unfortunately, the sound of chirping birds alerted Shade to the rather large, and still growing, ball of lightning that came charging down at him. Using psychic, Shade picked up an unsuspecting Entei, and prior to coming within contact, Shade hurled the struggling Entei towards Raikou's volt tackle. "Wait, stop!" Entei screamed, but it was far too late as the legendary dogs made a smacking contact with each other. Upon the two landing on the ground, smoke rose from Entei, who had been shocked into a state of battle inability, and Raikou struggled to its feet, somewhat dazed by the actual impact itself rather than the electrical power transferred through it.
Leaving no time for recuperation, Shade stretched out his wings and rushed the fallen, taking both Raikou and Entei into his wings. Ho-Oh began to stir, cawing slightly, and raised its head up just enough to see Shade teleport Entei and Raikou away. Ho-Oh fiercely screeched, forcing Shade off of his balance, and tackled the legendary. Right off of the platform and down towards the sea of lava that bubbled and boiled below, the rock formation they had been standing on collapsing around them...
Meanwhile, news of Phenac's attack reached Pyrite; but those news became unimportant as, from the large, seemingly bottomless ravine that split the main part of town from the Coliseum and the city's former mining affiliations, emerged ground type pokémon, followed by steel and rock types. The surprise attack effectively made the coliseum a lost cause, and before long it became a gathering area for the invaders. However, unlike Phenac, Pyrite was not surrounded, and as we the trainers managed to force the attackers to the other side of the bridge, Wes and practically everyone else from Gateon Port arrived in a convoy of five hover trucks. Their arrival raised spirits, but with the constant threat of attacks from below, the lighter mood dissipated rapidly. That, and of course, Wes demanded to know what the heck I was thinking making off with his bike.
"What in the hell man?" Wes growled, "you can't just be making off with peoples bikes!" "I didn't!" I argued, " I 'borrowed' it to go to Agate." My reasoning wasn't enough, because the next thing I knew, we were in a brawling fist fight that eventually was broken up by soldiers. The two of us were then ordered to keep our distances from each other; one more incident between the two of us and we were BOTH going to be used as bait to lure the pokémon from the coliseum.
Since there had been trainers in the coliseum itself, and of course pokémon there too, it was easy to deduce that said creatures surrendered promptly to the invaders. However, apparently the order wasn't to kill everyone here, because I actually saw quite a few defectors among the eager standoff forces. As long as they did not find a way around our defensive line, we could eventually force them to attack us, which would mean that we would have the advantage. Standing so close to the ravine made me dizzy, as heights had never been something I was completely accustomed to. "Well, aren't you going to release your pokémon?" some 'pro' trainer asked, "I mean, they could attack any minute." "Until then, no need to let them know exactly what they are facing off with," I countered, "in case you didn't notice, this standoff might be going on for a while." The trainer didn't say anything else, and focused his attention back on the other side of the ravine. The group on the other side had actually started camping, knowing that a single flame thrower thrown by either side would start a brutal conflict that, as ground types, would put them in a favorable situation. Of course, if we launched water gun or hydro pump, the effect would likely be the same, but at least they would have to worry quite a bit about dodging the attack rather than tanking it.
Wes was the only one here that I can honestly say I recognized. I didn't have a large circle of I know you's, but I was surprised that many trainers from other regions had were not here for whatever tournament was going on. The second the thought crossed my mind, I realized that most trainers WOULD be at the Realgm Tower, taking part in the tournament. Had I not driven off so fast, I would have realized that, and put my status in greater risk by insisting on getting the news spread. But now, that opportunity was gone; there were too many people and pokémon surrounding me to allow me to get back to the entrance of town. However, my thoughts changed direction at the sound of screeching, a sound I was slowly beginning to get accustomed to. Every head, and all eyes turned in the direction of the glowing fire bird that emerged from the Coliseum. "Moltres!" I exclaimed in alarm, as did many others, as the bird perched itself comfortably on top of the coliseum's dome, in full view of practically everyone in town.
Molten felt somewhat uneasy commanding such a large force; indeed, he was surprised that Shade had managed to recruit so many so fast, but there was no arguing that his judgment in appointing him the general of these forces may have been misplaced. Molten worked better taking orders rather than giving them, despite his willingness to challenge the orders if they seemed out of order. Nonetheless, it was his job to destroy ONBS, the major communications network that spread the news of their attack so quickly. The army at Agate was digging into the city, rebuilding it and fortifying it, as at all costs the way to the Relic Stone needed to be blocked. Why wasn't it destroyed? Apparently Shade wanted his forces to be capable of 'defusing' and remembering the former respect they used to have towards humanity after the war, since he didn't personally want to exterminate them.
However, based on what he had heard about Phenac, Rita was on a different agenda, literally targeting trainers and non-trainers alike. There would be no prisoners of war save for pokémon deemed worthy; and any who remain to fight by their living and dead trainers were not deemed worthy. The stubborn population apparently couldn't figure out that Rita was not going to just let them bury their trainers; in fact, if they were lucky, there would still be pieces left to bury. Molten shuddered at Rita's method; she was really taking things to the extreme. He hoped that Shade could convince her to cool it just a bit, since excessive bloodshed might actually make their cause seem less noble than it really was. And of course, there was Eclo Canyon, which had yet to be secured, and if they continued pushing the way they were, it would emerge as a blind spot in their offensive.
But how to attack the gathered group of trainers? It was clear that rushing across the bridge was suicide for either side, for obvious reasons, and starting a projectile fight across the gorge seemed to be out of the question, although it would be an easier way to fight. In his short mindedness, Shade failed to equip Molten with any type of strategy for taking Pyrite. Molten sighed. Despite all of this, he still had a responsibility; he needed to lead these troopers into taking the roughest human city in all of Orre. Eventually, Molten began scanning the crowd, searching for either a source of weakness or at least someone familiar. Finding none, Molten sighed again, flew down into the coliseum.
Moltres disappeared from view, and the built up tension was released in audible sighs. Apparently I was the only one who actually wanted Moltres to take a shot at attacking us. By this point I began feeling like a dot among squares, and seeking some sort of conversation buddy, I unveiled a single snag ball. I unleashed its contents, and out came my delcatty, Katty.
Katty immediately realized why she had been called out to the scene. "So, what do you want to discuss this time?" Katty inquired dully, "or would you rather here party gossip?" Party gossip may sound boring since my party remained in their pokéballs all the time, but surprisingly enough, information spread fast among them, especially if it in the least regarded our next destination. I dared to venture into the tangled web and picked the gossip.
"Well, recently, I've heard that ever since getting back to Orre, Keniblaze has been rather chatty," Katty began, perking up, obviously pleased with my answer, "not to mention Agron is deeply considering his relationship with Rhyperior." Booooring... I already had figured out most of this stuff. "Then of course Meta is getting riled up again since you haven't battled with it in a while," Katty continued, "and of course is rather shocked that it was the last one to find out about the new human pokémon talking thing."
Meta usually was the odd one out, most probably because it did not really fit in anywhere. The noble Keniblaze and Agron usually mixed stories, the troublesome Cambrai and Emperion had more than a few interesting ideas to bounce off of each other, and Katty usually preferred to exchange her information with me. But Meta was neither extraordinarily wise (or at least didn't act like it) or mischievous, and Meta would rather destroy an entire house and get put down than have an engaging conversation with the chatty Katty. Not only that, it was the only member amongst my party who didn't have a gender at all, further isolating it from the group.
To be honest, I constantly scolded myself for not doing more to integrated Meta. But ever since I snagged it at Realgm coliseum, it had proved troublesome with following orders or really trying to win a battle. It frustrated the crap out of me, and according to Katty, Meta was taking silent pleasure at my frustrations. I've never confronted Meta about it, but eventually I would need that psychic and steel type to be on the top of its game for a win.
Katty continued to chatter, ranting on and on about the lack of a suitable significant other or something of that nature, and I realized I was beginning to slowly tune her out. It may have been rude, but I couldn't help but wonder what Moltres was doing here. Based on its appearance choice, it apparently was in charge here... But why would a wild Moltres be leading an army? And even if it were domesticated, where is the trainer? Certainly they can't be remotely controlling the legendary flame bird could they? As I gazed towards the blue sky, I noticed something odd. The sky before had been nearly cloudless, allowing the relentless sun to beam down on us. However, now clouds were beginning to form rapidly, and I noted that few others seemed overly concerned with the potentially dangerous and sudden relief.
Shade opened his eyes, expecting to feel searing pain all over his being. However, instead of that, he felt... Strangely relieved. "Heehee," giggled some nearby creature, "you're awake!" Shade glanced over to the source of the noise to see what looked like a mew. Shade blinked once, then twice, and then a third time, to ensure that he was not hallucinating completely and utterly. "Well don't just stay there like you're frozen in space!" the mew invited, "come on, i won't bite!" The mew biting was the last of Shade's worries, and as he realized that indeed he could move freely about, he hesitantly followed the mew, a dome of red and black hindering him from standing tall.
Although completely out of his zone, the heat of the red and black walls around him was comforting, to an extent, and before long Shade finally realized where he was. He was quite literally inside the volcano of Mt. Battle! How this was even possible baffled even his normally knowledgeable self, and apparently sensing his confusion, Mew explained. "You see, everything around you is being held together by the blue and red orbs of Hoenn." "But weren't they once used to control Groudon and Kyogre?" "By you, Shade." "That is beside the point, weren't they?" "Yes, but ever since that little incident in Hoenn, Arceus ordered me to personally see to it that it wouldn't fall into the wrong hands... or wings, again." "But I'm assuming you're leading me straight towards them am I correct?" "Yes, actually, because that is the only way you are getting out of here."
Shade couldn't exactly comprehend the method to Mew's madness. He had not seen the little creature since it played switch around with his mate to be, Gislea. Mew had been used by Arceus for Shade to lower his guard among his enemies, whom he did not realize were his enemies until it was far too late. Giratina arrived just in enough time to negotiate with Arceus, but in the end, Mew was still the primary agent that practically brought both he and Giratina down. As to why Mew was helping now, saved his life, or even had full memory of what happened dumbfounded the ancient legendary. Mew had no reason to actually help Arceus' enemy, and certainly nothing to gain from showing him the most powerful weapons he had once deployed in his coup de tat.
History apparently had not taught Shade a lesson, for the moment he walked into a chamber, he found himself held down and forcibly restrained. Although he resisted, he could feel his energy being drained, and a soothing voice cooing, "Your words continue to ring true; Long Live the Revolution!" As darkness crept into his vision, Shade noticed Mew suddenly transforming, becoming larger. Faintly, he could see an unconscious Ho-Oh lying on the ground, mumbling in her slumber, and what looked like an oddly colored latias glowing over it. Well, if he put two and two together, there was probably an oddly colored latios above him, and that explained where all of his energy was going all of a sudden. When the mew finished flashing, a long purple tail with an orbed end became the final thing that Shade could see, and the sound of a familiar cackle rang in Shade's ears. He mumbled with a weak smile, "Vive la Révolution..."
For those of you who also had World History for Sophomore Year, yes, I used the French phrase for Long Live the Revolutionas Shade's fading words on purpose. It was to point out that this plot just got a little bit bigger, involving a few more figures than originally planned when the story was mapped out. I hope you enjoy and excuse my long chapter update time.