Chapter 14 - The Beginning of the End

The next morning, before dismissal, Foli brought Ethan up to the front of the crowd.

"Let's give a warm welcome to our newest recruit, Ethan from team Starstruck," Foli said, and everyone cheered. Soon, introductions had come and gone. Everyone was dismissed, except for team Tempest, whom Foli had called over.

"I would like the four of you to go check on the Tree of Life again." "So soon," Geo asked. "Well, due to recent events, Blaze and I are worried about its safety so we plan on sending someone every week to check on it." "We're on it," Alexander said, and the four of them left to head for Primeval Forest.

The walk this time was as boring as the last, except Rea and Alexander were talking. How long has it been since I've just talked with him, Rea asked herself. So much has happened so fast. Rea was interrupted in her thinking when she saw a large blue deer with rainbow-hued horns lying next to a tree. The group ran over to check on the Pokémon.

"Hello? Are you okay," Alexander asked. Geo was digging in his bag for any Oran or Sitrus berries he could find. The Pokémon looked up at Alexander. "I've been better..." he then shook his head. "I would appreciate it greatly if the four of you could, perchance, spare an Oran berry or two." Alexander nodded and turned to Geo, who had found just the berries the Pokémon was wanting. Quickly, he ate them. Soon he was able to stand again. "Thank you. I couldn't be more grateful." "No problem," Alexander said. "I do have a question though. Who are you?" The deer Pokémon began walking towards the Tree of Life and said, "I am Xerneas, the physical embodiment of the Tree of Life itself. I am it's voice and it's will. Now I must check the Tree." "W-wait," Alexander called out. "Before you go, I'd like to know what happened to you." Xerneas paused for a moment, the said, "Very well, I will tell you. But I must hurry. I don't have a lot of time left." Xerneas turned towards the group and began his story.

"A couple of nights ago, I was visited by an unwanted vistor. A Pokémon by the name of Decidueye." When Geo heard that name, he stiffened up, but remained silent. "He attacked me and caught me off-guard, trapping to a tree. He told me he was following her orders, and walked over to the Tree of Life. And just as quickly as he appeared, he vanished." The group shared worried glances. "Thank you for telling us this," Geo said. "Before you all leave, I have a question for you," Xerneas said as they turned to leave. "How did the four of you get here, let alone know about this location?" "We're with the Expedition Society. We were sent to check on the Tree of Life," Geo responded. "Is that so," Xerneas said. "Then, if its no trouble, could the four of you tell Blaze and Foli what I told all of you what happened that night. They need to know." They nodded and hurried back to Lively Town. When the group arrived, they quickly returned to HQ and immediately reported to Blaze and Foli.

"Xerneas was defeated in battle," Foli asked, shocked by the news. "Who beat him?" "It was the same Pokémon that was kidnapping others on the Air Continent. His name is Decidueye," Geo responded. "Decidueye," Blaze repeated to himself. "Blaze, what do we do," Foli asked. "I'm not sure. Until we know who this her or where they are, we can't do anything." Foli expression clearly showed her worry. "Thank you for this information. The four of you are now dismi-" *BANG* An explosion rocked the building. "Everyone outside. Now," Blaze ordered. Everyone listened.

When they got outside, parts of Lively Town were on fire. "What's happening," Alexander asked. "I'm not entirely sure about this," Blaze began, "but I think the her just found us." As they stood there, the other society members quickly gathered. "Okay everyone. We need to rescue the citizens, while also battling with whoever is attacking." The society responded with a resounding, "Yessir" and got to work.

Team Tempest split into two groups to cover more ground. Alexander went with Rea, and the other two went with each other. As they were searching, they ran into Ethan. "Ethan," Alexander called out. "Oh, hey guys. You need help searching for survivors." Alexander and Rea nodded. "I think it would be easier if we had a little extra help." Ethan nodded and the three of them began searching together, when, suddenly, *BANG, another explosion rang out, and the three of them went over to investigate. They hid when they heard two unfamiliar voices, "Volcarona, I think our priority should be finding the human, not destroying the town." So that's Volcarona, Rea thought. She looks familiar, but, where would I have seen her? The Volcarona turned to her partner, a Gallade. "Oh, Arthur. Don't you see this is fun for me." "I know. Murder does have quite a rush doesn't it. But we were sent on a mission to find the human. And I intent to complete it." M-Murder!? "What? We're doing that. It just so happens that a little... collateral damage was caused by our efforts. After she said that, she set fire to another house, which exploded soon after.

"We need to warn Blaze and Foli," Alexander whispered, making sure they weren't heard. "I agree," Rea agreed. "There's a problem though," Ethan added. "We need to sneak back to HQ. And it looked like they were headed there." "All the more reason to hurry," Alexander whispered. Soon they were sneaking behind the duo, making sure never to be seen or heard. Rea then noticed Arthur lean in closer to Volcarona, then gesture behind him. Odd... What could he be pointing a-, suddenly, Rea was lifted off the ground. "Thought you were sneaky," Arthur asked, holding Rea by her neck. "How precious. Maybe I won't kill you yet." He then tightened his grip on her neck. "Maybe I'll strangle you? Decisions, decisions." P-Please... stop..." Rea choked. Her vision was growing dark. "Begging for your life? Adorable." Arthur then threw Rea to the ground, and kicked her across the street. She slid into a wall, hitting it with a solid thud. "A-Alexander... H-Help..." Rea's vision grew darker. Her senses became foreign to her. No feeling. This is it. I'm dying. I'm sorry I left so soon Alexander.

Suddenly, Rea could feel all her senses returning. She then tasted the Oran berry in her mouth. Rea looked up and saw Alexander kneeling over her, tears in his eyes. "Alexander..." she said quietly. "Rea," Alexander asked in disbelief. "Don't cry. I'm right here. I'm okay." "Oh Rea," Alexander said, hugging her close. She returned the hug. "Please, don't ever leave me,"Alexander said. "I-I..." Rea paused. She couldn't promise that. Alexander continued. "I know it's not your fault. It's mine. When they turned around Ethan and I went ahead to get Blaze and Foli. I thought you were behind us. But when I checked and you weren't there, I came back immediately." Rea looked around. "What about Ethan?" "He went ahead to get Blaze and Foli. I hope he's alright." Rea then stood, revitalized by the Oran berry. "We need to catch up with him." Alexander nodded, and the two of them quietly hurried to catch up with Ethan.

*BANG*. Another explosion. "That Volcarona is scary," Alexander said as they were trying to catch-up with Ethan. Rea nodded. Although, I did almost die to that Gallade. So, I think he's scarier, Rea thought. She decided to keep this thought to herself. As they approached the HQ, they saw the duo. The stopped and snuck around a building to avoid the two killer Pokémon.

Before Rea and Alexander could reach the HQ, Arthur had already spotted them. "Going somewhere," he asked as he caught them. They didn't answer. They couldn't. They had to protect the Pokémon in the HQ. "No answer? Fine. I'll just beat it out of you." Arthur extended the blade on his arm and swung it at Rea. She closed her eyes, expecting to be killed. But she felt nothing. She looked up and saw Armaldo blocking the attack. "Stop harming my patients, you fiend."

"Oh, Doctor. I'm sorry for the loss of business. No matter how hard you want to," Arthur charged," You can't cure death." Arthur swung precise hit against Armaldo, but he was able to block them all. "C'mon," he taunted. "Can't keep up with an old doctor." Armaldo then struck Arthur faster than he was able to block. "I can do this all day." Arthur was breathing heavily. "Grr... H-How?" Volcarona shook her head. "Pitiful." She then floated over to Armaldo. "More battling? Bring it on." Armaldo charged, but he missed. Volcarona spun in the air gathering flames. Once she had gathered enough, she launched it at Armaldo, who was too tired to dodge.

He was hit with the flames. They circled around him. He chuckled dryly. "Guess my time is up." Rea stared in horror. It felt like time had stopped. "Armaldo..."

*BANG*

Boy, that one was a doozy.

Sorry that this took so long. I rewrote it several times.

Writing crazy people is hard. Anyways, thanks for reading. Byes. :(