A/N: credit goes out to Serenity in Virginia for helping work out the kinks in this chapter
What up peoplezez
Sorry for taking way too long to get this chapter in. it has just been rut after rut after rut when making this, so don't ask what I've been going through
Enjoy
"That sounded like it came from the Museum," Jack said. "Come on".
Jack immediately ran in the direction of the explosion, oblivious to the fact that Zoroark had double back to keep Brighton on his feet. With a snort about how thick Jack was, the two immediately began slowly making their way toward the museum. However, they had barely started moving when another odd noise was heard above them.
Looking up, they saw a helicopter fly right past them. They could tell it was part of Neo Team Plasma because of the insignia on the side. However, what was strange was that it was not heading toward the Museum as one might expect, but toward Pinwheel forest.
"Why are those clowns heading toward Pinwheel forest?" Zoroark asked. "That's not even close to where the action is."
"Unless attacking the Museum's not their plan," Brighton said.
"What do you mean?" Zoroark asked.
"Think about it," Brighton said. "If the bad guys are going somewhere that has nothing to do with where the action is, than the action that happened is probably just a diversion for what's really going on".
"And action movies told you this?" Zoroark asked.
"Actually, I got that from a videogame," Brighton laughed.
The duo took a left and made their way toward Pinwheel forest. It was relatively easy to get through because most of the buildings they passed were warehouses where people usually made their art. Within moments they had made their way to the entrance to the forest.
"There's something I don't get though," Brighton said. "Why would Neo Team Plasma, with all the places they could attack, head toward an out of the way forest?"
"If I had a guess, I'd say the only real explanation as to why they're here would be that they're going after Virizion," Zoroark said.
"Who?" Brighton asked.
"Virizion? One of the three sworsmen? The legendary Pokémon that is said to live in the deepest part of Pinwheel forest?"
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that."
Groaning slightly to his friend's lapse in memory, Zoroark led Brighton into the forest. Fortunately, the Team Plasma goons were a good enough distance away from them that they could tail them without being noticed. However, what they forget was that the forest also served as a natural maze due to its size that it made it virtually impossible to tell if they were going the right way or not. Eventually they somehow managed to lose sight of the grunts and get completely lost.
"Great," Zoroark groaned. "Now where are we supposed to go?"
"Oh, relax dude," Brighton said. "It's not as bad as you're trying to make it out to be".
"Not as bad?" Zoroark repeated. "Brighton, I know you've been out of the loop and all, but it's easy to wind up lost in Pinwheel forest if you don't know where you're going. Since we don't know where we're going, how are we going to stop them from attacking Virizion?"
As if on cue, another large explosion took place, this time further ahead of them on the trail they were on. The two just stood there for a moment trying to take in what just happened.
"Well, when in doubt, follow the giant explosion," Brighton smirked.
With a sigh, Zoroark led Brighton along the trail. It branched off several times but they always knew which way to go because they now kept hearing loud cries further down the trail. When they finally managed to reach the area where the explosion was, they weren't surprised to see the Neo Team Plasma grunts using Woobat to gang up on a single Pokémon. However, what was different was that a woman in a pinstripe work dress was at the front of them with a floating Pokémon with poison purple skin and lavender frills all over its body. It was airborne from six black, strip like wings and its hands were really two heads. When the duo crunched through the dry foliage toward them, she turned around and they could see a scowl form on her face.
"I thought I told you ingrates to make sure nobody came into the forest?" she snapped at one of the grunts.
"We were sure the others did, Mistress Solana," the grunt said. "We told them to attack the Museum because it's the best place to lure attention away from what we're doing".
"Well clearly they failed," she snapped. "If you're letting that brat follow you here, then it's obvious they don't know what they're doing!"
"But Mistress Solana…?"
"Oh forget it," Solana groaned. "It's not my place to complain about their incompetence. Only our dear leader has the power to expose of those fools who fail to fit his grand scheme".
"Hello, we're right here," Brighton said. "We can hear every word you're saying".
Solana let out an extremely audible groan of rage. Apparently whoever this Solana person was it was obvious that she had quite a few anger control issues.
"Who told you to talk, you little whelp?" Solana snapped. "Everything was going just fine until you showed up!"
"Well sorry to disappoint you but explosions tend to draw too much attention than what you want," Brighton said. "Besides, you happen to have one of my Pokémon wearing one of your little hypno-collars and I'd appreciate it if I got it back".
"Well sorry to disappoint you, but there's no way I'm ever going to give your Pokémon back," Solana laughed. "Now, Hydreigon, why don't you do us a favor and get rid of these… pests".
Hydreigon turned around and began to close in on the two of them. Brighton immediately backed up, allowing Zoroark to step in front of him and face off against the dragon.
Let's see, if I remember correctly, Hydreigon knows Dragon Pulse, Double Team, Dark Pulse, and Ice Fang. However, taking into account it's speed and special attack… this might take a while, Brighton thought, audibly gulping.
"Focus Brighton," Zoroark turned his head to Brighton. Brighton brought his attention back to the fight.
"Right, Zoroark start off with Focus Blast!" Zoroark brought his claws together then pulled them apart slowly, revealing a large, growing pinkish sphere forming in his hands. With a roar he released the blast in a direct line toward Hydreigon. Solana simply smirked.
"Double Team," she said coolly. Hydreigon instantly split into four copies. The focus blast struck one the one of the Hydreigons, which vanished in a flash of light.
"Ice Fang!" she continued. The Hydriegons flew at Zoroark blindingly fast, cool blue air escaping all nine of their maws.
"Zoroark, dodge!" Brighton yelled but it was too late. The three Hydreigon latched onto his arms and neck, ice beginning to form at the bites.
"Shake them off with a Night Daze!" Brighton countered. With a lot of force, Zoroark attempted to bring his arms down in hopes of setting off the attack, the frozen limbs making the task even harder. Bringing his arms up for extra force, he slammed his arms into the ground, setting off a dark explosion. Solana and Brighton covered their eyes from the dust. When the smoke settled, two Hydreigons were left floating there and Zoroark was nowhere to be found.
"Zoroark?" Brighton asked no one in particular. Solana growled at the turn of events.
"Search for him!" the two Hydreigons began searching near the battle area for Zoroark.
"This better not be a joke, you brat," Solana turned to Brighton, only to see an expression just as confused as her own.
Minutes passed as the quiet tension grew. The two Hydreigons still didn't find Zoroark. Brighton grew concerned at first but then he grew angry.
I can't believe Zoroark just left me like this, Brighton thought, angered at Zoroark's absence. He was about to reach for Golurk's Pokéball when he looked back at the two Hydreigon's and noticed something blatantly obvious.
Only one Hydreigon is wearing a hypno-collar, Brighton smirked to himself. That clever fox.
"Use Focus Blast!" Brighton called out. Solana and Hydreigon began looking around furiously for Zoroark. The two failed to notice the other Hydreigon charging up an attack and launch it when the other Hydreigon wasn't looking, striking the real Hydreigon in the back. The real Hydreigon fell to the ground with a thud. Solana turned to the other Hydreigon and saw it transform back into Zoroark.
"One more time!" Brighton smiled. Zoroark launched another Focus Blast at Hydreigon. An audible roar of pain came from Hydreigon.
"Get up and use Dragon Pulse!" Solana yelled. Hydreigon managed to get back in the air and launched a swirling column of energy at Zoroark. It hit Zoroark dead on, sending spiraling into a tree. Zoroark got up groaning.
"You okay?" Brighton asked. He only got a nod.
"Good, 'cause it's high time we finished this. Zoroark use Dig!" Zoroark launched himself into the ground, leaving a hole in his presence. After a moment, Brighton called out once again.
"Now use Flamethrower!" Hydreigon was suddenly enveloped in a swirling torrent of fire bursting up from the ground. Encasing Hydreigon and silencing his roaring. Zoroark then jumped from the hole and grabbed Hydreigon, bringing him back down to the ground. When Hydreigon wasn't responding to any of Solana's commands, they knew the battle was over.
"Men, retreat!" Solana called out, the other grunts leaving along with her.
"Hey!" Brighton tried to run after them but was stopped by Zoroark.
"There'll be time for that," Zoroark said. "For now, we have to focus on Hydreigon".
Brighton finally agreed and went to check on Hydreigon. However, before, either of them could even begin to figure out how to get the collar of, Zoroark was suddenly swooped up into the air by what appeared to be an Archeops.
"What the..?" Brighton turned around and saw Solana in the shadows. Brighton figured it was her Archeops, because she was the only other person there. However, he didn't have time to go after her
"Zoroark, quick use Night Daze!" Zoroark brought his arms to the side of the Archeops and created another dark explosion. With a squawk, the Archeops began falling from the sky with Zoroark in tow. While Archeops suddenly vanished with Solana, Zoroark changed into Archeops and landed safely, instantly changing back into its original form.
"Good thing Archeops is the ultimate glass cannon," Brighton said coming back to Hydreigon. "So how do we get this thing off of him? I don't feel like getting electrocuted again"
That was when he heard someone emerge from behind a tree. The Pokémon that had been attacked when they got there strolled up to them. It seemed to be a pink doe in essence with flat blade like extensions on top of its head. There were several leaf like edges near its hooves and a head guard that ended right near its muzzle.
"Lady Virizion," Zoroark said bowing to the green creature.
"Ah, Zoroark, so glad to see you're back with us. And I see you kept your manners," she joked as she slammed her horns on the collar. Breaking it and waking up Hydreigon.
"You two must be careful; chances are these goons will seek out Terakion and Cobalion and try something on them. Ancient's speed," Virizion said as she turned to look behind Brighton and Zoroark, then running away. Zoroark turned to Brighton.
"I bet you have a lot questions about…Brighton?" Zoroark said as he caught Brighton in his arms. He had fallen unconscious and was now fast asleep.
Well, it's about time this whole Neo Team Plasma picture started getting clearer
Again, sorry for the delay in getting this chapter in. I'll try to get more in as fast as I can but with no less than five mega classes I'm taking next semester in college, I'm not making any promises
R&R plz
NITRO PSYCHO OUT!