We sprinted back towards the elevator shaft. Dim took the lead, ensuring that we wouldn't get lost. Because of my leg, I had to be on Plantora's back.
I looked ahead. The halls were still pitch black with the elevator shaft being the only source of illumination. I could see two guards. I was unnerved at the cracking of ice behind us.
Dim rushed ahead and took down one of the guards. The other guard quickly dodged out of the way, making a beautiful opening.
Plantora and I rushed past Dim as he fought the other guard. Together, we reached the elevator shaft in the middle of the room. All that was left were two metal beams that reached up.
"I can climb by myself. Go help Dim." And if I couldn't climb by myself, I was going to explode. I won't be a useless member even if I'm injured.
I froze my ice appendages and paws to the blaring hot steel. Using this method, I easily walked up the steel.
I was half way up the shaft when I saw a blur of black and tan fly past me.
I saw a face pop over the edge above me, "You coming Slowpoke?"
I smiled and picked up the pace. I climbed over the edge into the room below the main control hub. I should really find a way to name these rooms.
Dim pointed to the opposite side of the room from where Plantora and I had entered before.
We walked over to the pathway, "Are you sure about this?" Plantora asked.
A deep thud resonated through the elevator shaft.
"Doesn't matter," I said in a panic, "we've got to move!"
Plantora lifted me onto her back and we followed Dim to the path.
The deep cave stretched on for ages. I could hear the clattering of footsteps far behind us. They must've come out of the elevator, but which path will they pick? From what I saw, there were three different paths in that room. If one, or all of them, goes down the wrong path…wait. They know that Dim is with us. So, they know that we know the layout of this place. They wouldn't take any dead-end routes. That would mean they have more forces to spare… My mind ran wild trying to piece together the enemy's movements.
Eventually, we came upon a room. The path continued straight, but Dim directed us to the side. A small ladder rested in the wall leading down. We moved down the ladder as Dim threw a smoke bomb down the path we didn't traverse.
The ladder guided us to a room even smaller than the one above. All this room had in it were a few rotting wood planks.
"It smells disgusting down here," Plantora commented, "so what do we do now?"
"We free everyone else. If we head back up to the first floor, we can break everyone out like I broke you out."
"I'm not sure our friends would like your warm welcome." Plantora quipped.
"Is there a way we can get back up to the first floor?" I asked Dim
Dim walked down a passage on our left while we trailed behind.
We quickly arrived at the end of the tunnel and stepped up to the edge of the underground ravine. The colossal chasm seemed to stretch on forever. I looked over the edge and could see the bottom way below me.
I gulped, Not going to be falling down there.
I heard the creak of wood over my head. Slowly, I looked up to see a second wooden platform above us. The creaking continued across the wooden path.
Dim started to climb the walls. Then, seemingly effortlessly, he climbed onto the bottom of the wooden planks and hung upside down above me.
No fair.
I watched as he followed the creaking without making any noise.
In less than the blink of an eye, he darted to the edge of the planks and disappeared above.
For a moment scuffling filled the air, then silence.
Dim returned carrying a Pokémon and a warrior. He dropped them before us then went back up for another pair.
"They unconscious?" I asked.
Dim nodded.
"Good, so we have taken out our pursuers. What now?"
Dim pointed up.
"How do we go up?" I asked, "Plantora and I don't have your freaky ceiling running trick."
He rolled his eyes and pointed to the opposite side of the ravine. There, another wooden path jutted out from the rocks and lead to a wooden staircase to the level above.
"Alright, Plantora?" Plantora turned to face me on her back, "you think you can make that jump?"
"Not in a million years and especially not with you on my back."
I sighed, "Alright, I will make an ice bridge. Dim you destroy the bridge after we cross so Kotaro won't know we've come through here."
Dim nodded.
"Hold up," Plantora said, "I'm no good with ice and your telling me to run on it?"
All I said was, "Yep," and gave her a huge smile.
"And here I thought you weren't capable…"
"What was that?"
"Nothing! Nothing," she quickly tried to redirect.
I used Ice Beam to make a path across the chasm.
Plantora gingerly stepped across the ice, shivering every time her paw struck the bridge.
Once we made it across, Dim used a Shadow Ball to shatter the bridge.
We climbed up the stairs and repeated the process until we made it to the top. We walked down the passage we found there.
Soon we found ourselves back at a three-way junction.
I remember this place. This is where I came out from the training room with that two headed Pokémon. His room is right to the left over there. The door was closed.
Dim pointed straight ahead.
I stared at the door for a moment, hoping that the Zweilous would pop out.
He didn't.
I followed Dim down the path I once traversed.
We came across the next junction, but this one had guards.
Dim rushed ahead, as silent as the night, and incapacitated each guard before they knew what hit them.
Dim pressed on.
"Wait," I whispered. I looked to the left, down the path to the storage room. "This way," I directed Plantora towards the storage room with Dim in tow.
When we opened the door, I saw several strong Pokémon and warriors waiting for us.
On instinct, I blew an Icy Wind at them.
It had little effect, but the wind bounced off the wall and came back for another strike. Then it bounced off again, and again.
I quickly closed the door. That's a new one.
After a long moment, Plantora peeked inside, "Well, it worked, whatever you did."
Plantora opened the door the rest of the way. A blissfully warm breeze greeted me. Plantora shook uncontrollably. Inside the room, everything was frozen solid.
I pointed to a corner where an open box sat, "That is where I got the dynamite."
Plantora hesitated, "You know…why don't you get the dynamite Dim?"
Dim shook his head.
"Awe come on Dim, your better at dealing with the cold than I am. Take one for the team."
I wanta go. I wanta go play in the cold.
Dim shook his head once again.
"I'll go," Please let me go.
"No," Plantora said with Dim's head shake, "knowing you, you will just play in the ice and we would have to go in after you. Dim, why don't you go before she does."
Dim finally nodded and entered the freezer.
No fair. I would enjoy it. Why couldn't I go. I started sulking to myself on Plantora's back.
Dim returned with several sticks of dynamite, but they were all frozen solid.
"Darn," I tried to think of a way to melt the ice.
"Couldn't you just melt the ice?" Plantora asked.
"Well, I could if it was all one single substance. Since its comprised of the casing and the explosive, I would be adding heat at two different rates and if the explosive heats up faster…"
"Then boom. So, what else can we do?"
"You can warm them up with your body heat," I offered to Plantora.
"Wait what?! You know I'm no good with ice!"
"Well, Dim can't be weighed down and all I'll do is make the ice worse."
"But…" Plantora was at a loss, "but ice!"
"Well, it's either that or use this lantern I found." I pulled a lantern from my saddle bags. I thought out loud as I stared intently at the possible heat source, "I don't know about you, but I don't like the idea of having an open flame so close to explosives."
I looked back to see a scowl on Plantora's face, "Are you doing this on purpose?" She asked with an edge.
What is she talking about? "Doing what on purpose?"
Plantora turned away, "Nothing. I've just been around too many immature Pokémon. This is what needs to be done."
"Great," I got off Plantora and took off my saddle bags, mindful of my leg, "you'll need these." I dropped the two bags on her back.
"Although I could be wrong," I heard through gritted teeth.
While Dim gathered the explosives and Plantora put on the saddle bags, I moved to the corner. I gazed beyond it to see the junction that we had come from. I saw seven figures stopping at the junction.
I raised my right paw to signal to the others to be quiet. The rustling behind me instantly stopped.
The figures spoke, "Where do you think they've gone?"
"I don't know, this place is like a maze."
"Either way we have to keep searching," this voice had a familiar resonance that almost made me reveal my position, "do you remember how to get around?"
One figure nodded and pointed to the path straight ahead from my line of sight.
"What about that way?" One asked as they pointed straight at me.
"That's just a storage shed. Why would any Pokémon want to go there?"
"Let's go, we can't dabble," that familiar tone hit me again as the seven figures disappeared into the path ahead.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
I turned around to see Dim practically pinning Plantora, "What is going on here?" I whispered.
Plantora smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, I didn't see your signal."
Dim slowly got off Plantora and went back to gathering the explosives.
Soon, Plantora's bags were bursting with dynamite.
Plantora signaled for me to climb onto her back.
I shook my head side to side, "We're not running anymore. I can manage a trot through the halls on my own. Besides, your overloaded as it is.
"Oh please," Plantora playfully retorted, "never underestimate the strength of plants."
I smiled.
We moved our way back to the junction.
I'd rather not follow that large dangerous group. So, left it is then.
We turned left and entered the large central operations room for the mine. Didn't I call it something else? Whatever.
I heard shuffling and looked down the elevator shaft.
I don't see anything out of the ordinary but wow, have we come a long way. Definitely feels like I've come full circle. I looked over to the left side of the room. I wonder…
I found the left path and traveled right up to heavy equipment storage. I tried the door, it was locked. I decided to head back and search for Dim in the main room. I turned my head to see both Plantora and Dim behind me.
I jumped, "I didn't know you were behind me this whole time."
"Why would we leave?" Plantora asked.
"I just…I don't know. Can you open this door?"
Dim took one look at the metal door and before I could see anything, the door popped open, handle falling off.
"That was cool. I didn't know you could do that," Plantora said.
I smiled and asked, "Night Shade right?"
Dim smiled and made a little bow.
I turned back to the door and went through.
The equipment room felt more like a scrap pile. Broken down machinery lay in a heap. Rusted carts and tracks were scattered along with rotten wood. I could taste the thick scent of copper in the air.
I gaged on the taste and covered my nose.
"This place is disgusting," Plantora gave a similar reaction, "we should head back."
"We…should…stay," I hesitated.
"What?! Why?"
"Because, that shaft back there is a prime intersection. If we go back, we'll surely be found."
"That's why we keep moving," Plantora said.
"No, we need to hide until the explosives melt. This will be perfect since no one will ever come to this disgusting place." Despite how much I don't want to be here. Seriously, this stench is going to make me puke. I have to stay strong, if we are going to get out.
"Fine," Plantora sighed, "then at least allow me to make the air less fowl."
"Fowl?" I asked
Plantora closed the door and released a blinding ball of light into the room. It took a few minutes for my eyes to adjust to the sudden change in light. Plantora gestured for us to come close. I moved closer and the once rank copper tang turned into the lush smell of fresh leaves. The air was so clean and pure that I lost myself for a moment.
"Uh, Shine?"
I snapped to attention. Both Plantora and Dim were staring at me. I could feel my cheeks cool in embarrassment, "I…I think that will do."
Plantora smiled and pulled out the explosives, "This will also help these thaw."
"That's Sunny Day right?"
"Yep. The only way I can perform Photosynthesis down here."
I looked over at the door. "Hey Dim," Dim turned to face me, "can you bar the door and cover the sides so no light leaks through to the other side?"
Dim nodded and started moving the rusted equipment.
I sat down next to Plantora and let out a long deep sigh.
"Long day?" Plantora asked, amused.
"Day's not over and it already feels like it lasted way to long. What about you?" I asked
"I'm still going strong. I would say that I have two more days of this left in me."
I was appalled, "T…Two days?!"
"You haven't fought in too many battles. Often, front line troops fight for days with little to no sleep. I think the max I've been on the front lines fighting would be about five days. Most of the time without sleep, would have been on that same battle. Only getting about 11 hours for the entirety of the five-day fight."
I was in awe, "How did you manage to stay awake through it all?"
"I didn't. Towards the end, I was half asleep."
"What battle was that?" I asked.
"The first and only battle for Illusio. Nobunaga was gearing up for his largest assault ever and he planned to push into Illusio."
"But, isn't Illusio an impenetrable fortress?"
"This was still pretty early in the war so it was before Illusio became known as a fortress. In fact, it was this battle where it gained it's reputation."
A worried tone entered my voice, "Do you think that we'll ever be in such a fight?"
"Probably not. Being a strike force, we'll usually be in and out in a flash. Anything can happen though."
We fell silent. Dim finished blocking the door and sat next to us.
Plantora faced Dim and asked, "So…you can talk?"
He nodded.
"Then why don't you."
"Umbre trained me not to."
We were both taken back for a moment, "But, why would Umbre train you not to talk?"
"She told me in order to remain undetected, I have to make no sound and that sometimes the best words are the ones never said."
"Umbre's a girl?" I asked.
He nodded.
Didn't know that or didn't remember. Augh, stuff like this is so confusing.
"She sounds wise," Plantora commented.
Dim nodded.
I looked down at the icy explosives and watched as it slowly melted. Millimeter by millimeter. "How long is this going to take."
"You're the one who blasted the room with that Icy Wind. It's your fault we're waiting here."
"I know." I sighed. After an agonizing amount of time watching ice melt, the explosives were finally ready to use.
"Alright," I said, "let's head out…" my voice trailed off as I faced the door.
The entire heap of rusted scrap metal now barred the door. Dim smiled sheepishly.
I face-pawed.
After taking far too long to remove the metal and having copper assault my nose and mouth again, we made our way out of the equipment storage.
I have never been happier to get out of a room in my life. Plantora and I waited for our eyes to adjust.
"So," Plantora asked in a whisper, "Do you like the darkness or the light?"
I smiled, "Darkness. It reminds me of the blizzards back in Nixitrom. The limited visibility, how objects fade away into nothingness. The only thing that's missing is the searing cold and the harsh winds."
"Wow. Glad I haven't been through that."
"You've been through a lot though; wouldn't you be able handle it?"
"I can handle fighting for days, but there are somethings I just can't deal with. Like the cold." Plantora's body shivered at the thought.
When our eyes fully adjusted, we made our way back to the central shaft and down to the hall where I had used explosives on Plantora's cell. Rocks still lay crumbled on the floor, but guards were stationed all over the hall.
I whispered orders, "Plantora, you deal with the enemy in front of us. Dim you cover the rear. I'll plant the explosives."
"Why you? Dim's the one who can walk on ceilings," Plantora protested.
"Dim needs to cover the rear, and besides, I got you out on my own didn't I?"
Plantora rolled her eyes as I took the saddle bag of explosives off her.
"Get me close to that wall," I pointed to the spot that I thought Current's cell was.
We rushed ahead. Plantora used her Leaf Blade to slice up the nearest guard and get into position.
I moved to the side of the room. I jabbed my ice appendages into the wall and used them to climb up to the ceiling. I could hear the shuffling of battle below me as I dug out holes and planted the explosives. This time I had enough to line the entire corridor. It took quite a bit of time to plant every single stick and then shuffle to the next spot down the corridor.
I thought about lighting the fuses, I can't get to them all in time. If I light one it will take too long to get to the end. But Dim can do it fast.
"Dim!" I shouted.
He materialized on the ceiling in front of me.
I lit a match and handed it to him.
He nodded and ran down the ceiling lighting every fuse that stuck out from the rock.
I held my fear back and climbed down. Plantora was busy with the guards. I ran over to one of the holes in the ground and took cover.
*BOOM*
The floor and ceiling shook as the hall collapsed. As the cave settled, I tried to get out. Two massive boulders covered the hole but there was a slit in between them too small for me to fit through.
"Shine?!" Plantora frantically shouted.
"I'm here!" I responded.
I saw Plantora's face come into view between the rocks. "Oh, my goodness, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I'm in one of the vertical shafts that lead to the lower level. I want you to guide everyone down to the elevator shaft and have them climb their way down to meet up with me." I pulled off my saddlebags, "You might need these. There is some rope in there you can use."
A pink aura enveloped the sack and lifted it between the two rocks. I smiled as I say Eon step into view.
"Be safe." I turned and started climbing down the shaft. I hope they get through alright. I know they're a powerful group but they might get hurt, run into Kotaro, not make it in time…
I was so lost in thought that I didn't even think about climbing. I just flowed down the pipe on instinct. When I came out the hole, however, I wasn't thinking about the fact that I was on the ceiling and I ended up landing flat on my face.
Fortunately, I landed on a soft pillow. "Ow," I rubbed the side of my head as I gazed at the new tunnel.
Then stopped, This is a mine why would there be… I looked down to see I was laying on top of Zoroark. He stared at me in disbelief. Beyond him, the ESF1 stared in disbelief. I stared in disbelief, mouth working silently.
Then I heard Kotaro bust up laughing, "I never thought I'd ever have someone get the drop on me or Zoroark. Literally. For that you have my respect, but we are still enemies. Zoroark, don't let them regroup."
Zoroark tried to grab me, but I launched myself off his back.
An attack hit him in the back and he had to turn his attention back to the ESF1. Wait what?!
When did they get here?
"This is getting annoying," Kotaro muttered, "work your magic Zoroark." A weird aura protruded outward from Zoroark.
I tried to dodge it but failed. When I opened my eyes, Eev, along with her group, stood in between the Zoroark and I.
"Go, we'll handle Kotaro," Eev said not looking back at me.
"But,"
Eev cut in, "Go. Go save your friends."
I nodded and started running. A slimy tongue jetted out from the darkness and wrapped itself around my neck. It pulled me back.
"No," Eev said, "fight it. You must get away. You're in no condition to fight."
I pushed against the slimy sticky tongue. Then I was hit upside the head and blacked out.
"That was a bit excessive."
My eyes fluttered open. I saw myself surrounded by Eev and ESF1.
"Well it broke the illusion, didn't it?" Flare stated flatly.
"And potently caused brain damage," Espy responded wryly, "I thought we agreed to never smack some Pokémon upside the head with a rock as a method to break illusions."
"Sorry Flare, but we did have an agreement."
Flare huffed.
"W…what are you doing here?" I asked in a daze.
"We're here to get you guys out of here." Leaf jokingly responded.
"And would you look at the progress we've made," Vapor said, "if our luck keeps up, we can just sit here and the rest will drop in our laps."
I got to my paws, still wary of my broken leg.
"Your leg is broken. Again," Eev's monotone snapped my head up.
"Only a little. Nothing an Audino can't fix."
Jolt, Flare and Vapor exploded in laughter, "That's exactly what you said when you had your ribs broken, Eev." Jolt heaved.
"It's like a mirror." Vapor quipped.
Eev and I blushed in unison.
"Alright, alright, there's a time and a place for that. Now's not it." Eev tried to calm them down. "Shine, can you run?"
"I can sorta run."
"Sorta is not enough. Espy," Espy moved to the front, "can you carry her?"
"She'll be a piece of cake."
I was lifted in a telekinetic aura. I spotted the form of Zoroark laying on the ground behind the group. Must have taken him out while I was in the illusion.
"Do you know where everyone else is?" Eev asked.
"They're right above us. They're coming down here through the elevator shaft."
Eev nodded to Jolt and Jolt whizzed over to the elevator faster than I could see.
"Let's move," Eev ordered.
We barreled down the hall, catching up with Jolt at the elevator.
I could see light flickering from the shaft. I could only assume that it was from a struggle.
When we arrived, Eev asked, "Is everyone present?"
I looked up the shaft to see all my friends climbing down along with the scouts. Enemy soldiers were in hot pursuit. Some of them were even sticking to the walls like Dim.
Plantora was the first to respond, "I did a head count. Don't know how many scouts there were supposed to be."
Espy responded, "18 total."
"Then we're all here."
"Then let's turn the tide of this battle. Clear a path." Eev ordered the group.
I was set aside gently as the group lunged into the fray.
I frowned. I'm not some fragile thing to be tossed aside. I can still fight.
I climbed into the elevator shaft using my appendages as added braces against the wall. The ESF1 were darting across the walls with such grace it astounded me. Soon a path opened.
I was far below my squad but I was still within earshot, "That's our opening!" I shouted to them, "Let's hurry!"
The ground rumbled. I could barely make out the fire from explosions high above me. Then the roof collapsed. Boulders the size of Rhyperior's fell towards us faster than I could think.
"DROP!" was all I could muster as I leapt off the wall.
Everyone followed my lead.
Jolt, Bolt, Dim, Umbre, Eon and Espy were able to catch everyone and safely carry them to the second floor of the central control room. Everyone except me. I was too far down for them to reach me in time. I tried to cover myself in ice in some vain hope that it would help the landing.
I fell to the bottom of the elevator shaft with a thud, ice shattering instantly. With my quick thinking, I managed to blow an Icy Wind that propelled me to the wall of the room.
Boulders crushed the remains of the elevator and sealed me in total darkness.
Everything became still. I lay on the ground, not moving since I smacked the wall. After a few moments of utter silence, I took the longest, deepest, most exaggerated breath that I have ever taken in my entire life.
"I just want this day to end."
"If that is your wish…" a deep voice filled the darkness. I felt a presence unlike any other. My earlier encounter with Dim paled in comparison. It felt like the very black was squeezing every fiber of my being.
I spoke into the empty void, "W…who are you?" fear etched in every word. I can barely stand and now I have this new threat? I don't know what to do, I…how do I fight something like this?
The darkness spoke slowly, "I am not your enemy."
What? Now confusion took hold.
"I can see that you have been marked by my master. I will help you just this once."
Marked by the master? What is he talking about?
"But," the sharpness in his tone pushed all other thoughts aside, "don't think of me as a friend. I hate the master and I reluctantly follow his orders. I'm an ally for now."
I could feel myself slowly rise.
"What do you want?"
Everything about this terrified me. I can't lock up now. I have to stay strong for everyone.
I pushed past everything and said, "I want you to take me and all of the Aurorean troops from this place and put us where Eev thinks we'll be safe." I was very careful with my word choice.
The boulders in the elevator shaft were blasted into oblivion. Light shined into the small room. I had to shield my eyes. After they adjusted, I scanned the room looking for the source of the voice. I couldn't see anything. Then I remembered, I'm not touching the ground.
I slowly looked below me. I was lying in a flowing bed of pure white mist. Beneath the bed, was the blackened form of a human with no legs. Streaks of pure darkness flowed and coalesced around the form.
It moved forward into the elevator shaft. The dark form didn't hesitate as it moved up the tube, picking up all of my friends in an odd telekinesis. I smiled and waved at their astonished expressions.
We reached the ceiling with all my friends in tow. Kotaro sat at the edge of the elevator shaft peering up at us, smiling.
A Dark Pulse lanced out at us. The creature immediately reacted with a Dark Pulse of his own. The difference in power was immense. It was like the original Dark Pulse didn't even exist as the creature's attack drove itself back to the attacker.
The ceiling above us exploded, again. This time it exploded up, rather than down at us, thanks to another one of the creatures Dark Pulse.
The light pouring in was so bright I was blinded. I could feel the rush of wind through my fur and smell salt in the air. I could also feel the excruciating pain that filled my body. I was too worn out to really care and none of this pain was new to me.
When I could finally see again, I looked out at the ocean. We were moving fast. I was able to glance behind me and see the kingdom of Yaksha fading into the distance.
We stopped suddenly. I had to hold on for dear life or risk being thrown off. The creature lowered all of us down onto a Gyarados.
The beast floated in front of me, "Don't expect me to give any more favors," it said before flying out of sight.
Eev's slow voice questioned, "Uh…Shine? What was that?"
I turned to look at Eev, not bothering to hide my fatigue, "I don't care anymore."
For the first time in what felt like forever, I was wrapped up in bliss. I lay on my side with my legs stretched out and an audino using her heavenly healing powers.
"I can't heal you completely. Sorry, but you will need a real doctor. I'm just a medic."
I didn't care. I just enjoyed the wonderful sensation before the audino pulled her power away.
"I need to make sure that the others are alright," the audino said before walking off.
I sat up and surveyed where I was for the first time since I got here. I was riding atop a Gyarados and this wasn't the only one. A full armada of Pokémon and Warriors traveled across the sea. I could see Empoleon, Simipour, Quagsire, Dewott and Vaporeons all across the formation. I could even see Staraptors riding on the back of some of the other Gyarados. It was a stunning display.
"Beautiful view, isn't it?" I looked behind me and immediately goggled at the sight.
"M-Master?"
He smiled gently at me, "Welcome to my Armada."
"Your-Your Armada?" I remembered something about this in class. How the Master is a naval commander, "what are you doing here?"
"We're here to pick you guys up."
I drooped There here because of my mistake.
"Everyone makes mistakes," he said, "but how we learn from them, is what really matters."
I looked up at him.
"And our friends can help us get back on our feet."
He moved away, revealing my group and Eev's group huddled around. The audino treating some injuries and Plantora recounting our experiences in the tunnels.
I smiled as I got up and limped over to them.
"I had just finished healing her," Plantora came into ear shot, "and she insists that she's fine like nothing's wrong."
"I didn't say that," I interjected, "I said I could walk."
"And you couldn't even do that. I had to carry you."
"You only carried me because you wouldn't let me walk!"
"You would have been able to walk if you didn't break your leg!"
"I'll try not to break my leg next time!"
"Good!"
We all laughed together.
"Glad to hear that you two got along," Leaf said, "and I'm glad that you taught Shine well." She looked at Eev with a sly smile.
"What can I say," Eev spoke flustered, "I only teach my best attributes."
Eev's group chuckled.
"Enemy spotted!" an Espeon yelled from behind us.
We all jumped to alert.
"We stayed here for too long," I heard the Master say before turning to the Espeon communicator, "where?!"
"23 degrees south from east. There heading straight for us."
I looked towards the specified direction. At first, I couldn't see anything but the tip of Yaksha. A moment later, I could barely see several small things sticking out from the water.
"Gyarados'." Current said
"And several, from the look of it," Vapor added.
"We can't get clear fast enough before they bring their Gyarados' to bear," the master mumbled to himself. "All units!" He shouted, "to formation! We'll hit the vanguard head on! Turn!"
The unified mass of Pokémon and Warriors came alive as everything shifted towards the south east.
"Gyarados' prepare to fire! I need three staraptors on the command Gyarados." The master walked up to us. "Sorry Shine, but your group is going back to the mainland."
I didn't have much to complain. I was absolutely exhausted.
"What!" I heard Burner yell.
"You especially shouldn't be in this fight," the Master countered, "You're a fire type and everyone here is some kind of water type."
Burner grumbled sourly.
Three staraptors, with Warriors on their backs, landed on our Gyarados along with a Dragonite. The Master got onto the back of the Dragonite, "Take the ESF2 to Illusio." One of the Warriors saluted, "FC, get on. We're about to engage."
The frontline communications Espeon, got onto the back of the Dragonite and they flew to the front of the armada.
"Come on," one of the warriors spoke to me, "we need to get going before enemy air power becomes a problem."
I nodded, "alright everyone, let's get on."
We paired up on the backs of the staraptors. The ESF1 waved us goodbye as we rose high into the sky and flew towards the mainland.
I turned to watch the navy. One second, it was calm. Then, beams of red power blasted from our lines and flew across the sea. They struck home around the enemy lines. I saw return fire from Nobunaga's forces, equal in magnitude.
The battle was raging on but it slowly grew fainter as we made our way towards the mainland.
