Chapter 21: Neo and Sasha's Fatal End
No one moved. No one spoke. Everyone was staring at Celebi, trying to process the news she just shared with them. According to her the decision that Neo and Sasha made set things in motion that would ultimately lead to their deaths.
Ziggy: A... Are you... I mean, could you have... is it possible... could you be wrong?
Celebi: I'm afraid not, Ziggy. Because of the choice they made they're heading to their deaths.
Missy: No... that can't be right...
Bix: You're damn right it's not right! Just how in the hell do you expect us to believe that Neo and Sasha are on a one-way trip to the other side?!
Celebi: It's been predetermined by fate.
Bix: Forget that fate shit! The way I see it you determine your own fate! Besides they're strong enough to take on whatever comes their way!
Celebi: Not this time. No amount of strength can save them from what's in store for them.
Bix: That is complete and utter Tauros-shit! You fought them yourself! You know how strong they are and how strong their wills are!
Bandit: I have to agree. With all due respect I can't see how they can be defeated either.
One by one the others agreed with Bix. Even Retro, who did everything but agree with the Meowth had to admit she had a valid point in the argument. With all this going on Celebi knew she didn't have any other option.
Celebi: If you do not believe me... then I'll show you.
Skitters: You'll show us? How?
Celebi: If you want I can show you the future that awaits Neo and Sasha. I must warn you though, what you will see is what will befall them. I cannot force you to go...
Bix: No! I want to see it with my own eyes!
Ziggy: Bix?
Bix: If she's going to convince me that they're going to die then she's going to have to show me their corpses.
Ziggy: Well if Bix is going then so am I.
Celebi: And the rest of you?
There was a pause for a few moments. Then, Shadow spoke up.
Shadow: I think I speak for all of us when I say we're in.
Nods from everyone else in the room confirmed what he said. Celebi acknowledged their decision.
Celebi: Alright. Everyone gather around.
The group gathered around her. She closed her eyes and began to concentrate. Shortly after she gave off a white light that engulfed everyone in the room. Then, the light vanished, leaving behind an empty room.
Once the light faded everyone had to re-adjust their eyes. Once they did they saw that they were no longer inside the Agate Village Pokémon Center. In fact they weren't even inside anymore.
Dante: Where are we?
Celebi: Outside of a Shadow Pokémon processing plant.
Skitters: A what?!
Celebi motioned with her head in front of them. Everyone looked and saw a strange building in the distance. It was shaped like a cube, but it was standing on one of its points. Just as they were about to ask Celebi about the building the sounds of a fierce battle filled the air.
Bix: Sounds like one hell of a fight's going on.
Then, without warning, Celebi started to head towards the battle.
Celebi: Come. We have to hurry or we'll fall too far behind.
Ziggy: Too far behind what?
But Celebi had gone too far ahead to hear him. Left with no other choice the group hurried to follow Celebi, all of them curious to see where they were being led.
Minutes later the group arrived at the base of the facility where Celebi was waiting. Except for Missy and Retro everyone was out of breath for having to run to catch up with Celebi.
Orion: Oh man, I think I lost five pounds on that run.
Bandit: What's the rush, Celebi?
A gasp from Skitters brought their attention to the area around them. The ground was littered with the dead bodies of Pokémon and their trainers. It was indeed a gruesome sight, one they were not prepared to see.
Missy: Oh my... what happened here?
Retro: Something tells me that battle we heard earlier produced this.
Ziggy: But who are they? And what were they doing here?
Dante: Hey! I think you should all come see this!
Everyone went over to where Dante was. He was standing over the body of one of the trainers.
Orion: What is it, brother?
Dante: Take a look at this guy's face. He should look familiar.
Everyone looked at his face. They all recognized him instantly.
Missy: Gonzap! You mean... all these trainers...
Shadow: They must have been all the snaggers that followed him. But that doesn't explain what happened to them all, or what they were doing here in the first place.
Retro: Perhaps the answer lies within the facility itself.
Everyone looked towards the facility. There was a long ramp leading up to the entrance. But what caught everyone's attention was what, or more specifically who was running up the ramp.
Ziggy: Neo! Sasha!
Bandit: You sure?!
Ziggy: Positive! That's them!
Bix: He's right! I'd recognize them a mile away!
It was indeed Neo and Sasha running up the ramp towards the facility, but something didn't seem right. For starters they appeared to be moving much slower than they usually would. On top of that no one knew why they were running in the facility to begin with when there were so many dead bodies littering the ground outside.
Missy: I don't like this. Whatever killed Gonzap and his snaggers must be inside. So why are they charging in like that?
Celebi: If you wish to know then follow me.
Celebi then started heading towards the facility herself. After a bit of hesitation the others followed, more out of concern for Neo and Sasha than out of curiosity.
The interior of the facility was a maze of rooms and hallways. If not for Celebi leading them the group would have gotten lost many times. However, they didn't care as long as they were able to find Neo and Sasha and protect them from whatever harm came their way.
Bix: Man! Are you sure you know where you're going?
Celebi: It won't be much longer.
The group continued to follow Celebi. Then, after a few minutes, she suddenly stopped next to a corner and faced them all.
Celebi: Beyond here is the future I warned you about. I am giving you one last chance to turn back.
Bix: Hell no! We came this far!
The others agreed, determined to see this through to the end no matter what. Celebi nodded.
Celebi: Then come, and face the truth... face the future...
She continued on around the corner. The others followed. What they saw made them wish they hadn't. As soon as they turned the corner they saw Neo's body fly through the air and slam into a wall. He fell to the ground in a bloody, crumpled heap. But what worried them the most was the condition he was in. His left arm hung to his side, obviously broken. His body was covered in deep gashes, dry and fresh blood staining his fur. His tail was badly mangled and his right eye was swollen shut. He slowly got up and glared ahead of him.
Neo: S-S... a... sha...
The others followed Neo's glare to where he was looking. On the other side of the room was a massive Pokémon none of them had ever seen before. And standing behind that Pokémon was Kirkland, with Gem on his shoulder.
Bix: That no-good son-of-a...
Bandit: No, Sasha!
Everyone followed Bandit's stare. On the ground was Sasha, just as badly beaten as Neo. The unknown Pokémon had his foot on her, slowly crushing her body.
Sasha: Neo! Get up, Ne... ah!
With every bit of extra pressure the Pokémon applied Sasha's cries grew louder. She tried to free herself, but she was using all the strength she had to keep the large Pokémon from crushing her.
Kirkland: Tell me, Neo. Just how much do you care for your family? Will you be willing to lay down your life for them?
As Kirkland taunted the down Neo his Pokémon continued to crush Sasha's body. Neo tried to move forward, but his body refused to move. Then, the most sickening sound filled the air. Sasha screamed as the Pokémon foot came down on her body. The sounds of her bones breaking filled everyone's ears.
Skitters: No! Make it stop!
Bandit did his best to comfort Skitters, but even he was stunned to the point of disbelief at what he was witnessing. Then, Sasha's screams became nothing more than gargled cries as she began to spit up blood. Her eyes grew wide and her internal organs were crushed. Satisfied with what had been done Kirkland ordered his Pokémon to stop. The large Pokémon lifted his foot off, revealing the broken body of Sasha. Then, with one swift motion, he kicked her limp body to the side.
Neo: S-Sasha!
Though every movement caused him pain beyond anything he thought imaginable Neo managed to drag his body to Sasha's side. He looked down at his mate as she struggled with every breath she took. Sasha then looked up at him with apologetic eyes.
Sasha: N-Neo... I... I'm s-sor...ry... I... w-was...n't... st...rong... e...n-nough...
As she spoke she cough up more blood, some of it splattering on Neo's face.
Neo: Don't speak... save your strength...
Sasha reached up and took Neo's good paw in her own. Tears were now streaming down her face, as was Neo's.
Sasha: It's... too... l-late... for m-me...
Neo: No, Sasha... don't leave me... I... I need you...
Sasha: I'll b-be wait-ting... for you... I... l-lo...ve... y...ou... N...e...o...
With that Sasha's paws dropped to her side as her final breath left her body. Neo could do nothing except cry over her body.
Neo: I... l-love you t-too...
The others were shocked. Just as Celebi had said Sasha had just been killed right in front of them. They didn't want to believe it but everything pointed to Neo being next. Well, Bix wasn't going to let that happen. She started to charge towards the battle but Celebi cut her off.
Celebi: What are you doing?! You can't interfere.
Bix: Get out of my way, Celebi! I have to help him!
She tried to force her way past but Celebi grabbed her paw and held her back.
Celebi: There's nothing you can do! It's just a premonition!
Bix: I don't care! Even if it is just a premonition I refuse to let them die! They don't deserve to die! If not for them and everyone else I'd still be alone, stubbornly stupid and sad! They showed me kindness no one else would!
Everyone was shocked by her sudden outburst. As she continued her voice grew soft and her struggling ceased.
Bix: If they die then Gem will be without parents... an orphan. My parents abandoned me, left me alone for so much of my life. I... I won't let them be torn from her by death.
By this time tears began to form in her eyes with a few streaking down her cheeks and falling to the floor.
Bix: I can't stand for another's child to be alone. If I can do something about it I won't let it happen. Even... even if I have to die in the process I... I have to do something!
Now it was Ziggy who ran up and tried to hold Bix back.
Ziggy: No, Bix! Don't do it! Please! I can't lose you too!
Bix looked at Ziggy with tear-filled eyes. His eyes were also filled with tears, both out of witnessing Sasha's death and at the thought of losing Bix as well.
Bix: Frizz ball, I will fight them eventually... but with you by my side I won't have to worry about getting killed... After all, you are my hero...
Bix couldn't take anymore. Despite her tough and independent attitude on the outside she had a sensitive side on the inside. And right now it was her sensitive side that had taken over. She buried her face in Ziggy's fur and cried. Ziggy held her and let her cry. At that moment everyone felt like crying. But then they all felt something in the air change. Everyone looked around before noticing Neo. He was staring at Kirkland, eyes full of tears. But now, his eyes held a different emotion... hate. The expression on his face told everyone that he only had one thing on his mind right now.
Neo: You... you bastard... you took my daughter... you toyed with the loves of my friends... you killed Sasha... now... I WILL KILL YOU!
Despite only having one good paw Neo was able to break out and run towards him.
Skitters: What is he doing?! He's going to get himself killed!
Missy: I don't... wait! What's this? Is he going to?!
Her question was answered when Neo's body began shooting off sparks. Shortly after Volt Tackle took full effect, covering his body in the familiar glow.
Bandit: He can't do that! There's no way he has enough power to defeat them, even with Volt Tackle!
Retro: I don't think that's the point.
Bix: What re you talking about?! What's he trying to do then?!
Missy: Retro... are you saying... he's...
With one final battle cry Neo launched himself at Kirkland. Kirkland simply smirked and gave on last command.
Kirkland: Horn Drill.
His massive Pokémon stepped forwards, the horn on his head spinning rapidly. Everyone knew what was coming next.
Ziggy: No!
Bix: Neo!
Bandit: Move it!
Skitters: Get out of the way! Hurry!
Retro: It's too late!
The scene in front of them appeared to go in slow motion. The large Pokémon appeared to be immune to Neo's Volt Tackle as he plunged his horn into Neo's body. A brief cry left Neo's body as the horn ripped through his body and tore out through his back. Everyone gasped as the witnessed Neo being impaled on the horn. Missy and Skitters turned away, not able to face the horrible truth before them. Then, with one flick of his head, the Pokémon tossed Neo's body off his horn and to the ground next to Sasha. Neo managed to turn his head and look at her. A weak smile made its way to his face as her reached out and took her paw in his.
Neo: I-It l-looks like... you won't have to wait... t-that... long... I... only r-re...gret... n-not... being... a-able... to s-save... Gem... b-before... I... d-died...
Kirkland had seen enough of this. He looked at Gem, who was still on his shoulder and grinned. Then, without looking, he gave his final command.
Kirkland: Hyper Beam.
As he started to walk out of the room the large Pokémon charged up the deadly beam in his mouth. The others watched in horror at the display in front of them. With tears still pouring from her eyes Bix made one last plea.
Bix: No... no! Stop this! You've already killed them! What more do you want?!
Despite her efforts the Pokémon still fired the Hyper Beam. The deadly beam struck its targets, setting them ablaze. The others watched, their emotions a hurricane of mixed feelings of despair, sadness and horror. Bix fell to her knees as she looked at the aftermath of the blast. Through the fire she could clearly see the charred remains of Neo and Sasha, slowly burning to nothing. Right then fresh tears made their way to her eyes.
Bix: ...no more... I can't take any more of this...
Shadow: I don't believe any of us can... Please Celebi... take us back... Take us away from all of this...
Celebi nodded and once again engulfed everyone in a white light. When the light faded they were all gone. However, the images of what they had just seen was forever burned into their memories.
Moments later the group found themselves back inside the Pokémon Center. Though what they witnessed seemed to be in the distant past now (or future) everything they saw was still clear in their minds. All the dead snaggers and their Pokémon outside. Neo and Sasha fighting so hard to save Gem... only to be killed. It was something they would have nightmares about for a long time.
Missy: I... I...
Missy wasn't the only one who found it difficult to speak. In fact everyone had difficulty finding their voices at the moment. Celebi was the first to speak.
Celebi: Do you believe me now?
A few of them nodded, not being able to speak yet.
Bix: ... can we change it?
Celebi: What?
Bix: Can we change the future? Is there a way to prevent their deaths?
Celebi: Yes, but only if you get to them in time.
The fact that there was a chance to save them filled the group with a sense of hope. Bix was the first to get up and start heading for the door.
Celebi: Where are you going?
Bix: You said there was a chance to save them, right? I'm not going to wait! I'm going to stop them!
Ziggy: Bix, wait!
Bix: Don't try to stop me, Frizz ball!
Ziggy: Stop you? I'm going with you!
Bandit: Same here!
Skitters: Me too!
Missy: You can count us in as well!
Retro: Of course.
Shadow: We'll all go. Neo and Sasha are our friends as well.
Dante: We all want to help in any way we can.
Orion: You got that right.
Celebi was touched by the showing of unity among the group. Seeing all of Neo and Sasha's friends unite like that made her feel good about their chances.
Celebi: They are very lucky to have friends like you. Very well. While you go after them I shall stay here and guard the village.
Shadow: Thank you, Celebi.
Bix: Hey! What are we standing around for?! Let's get moving!
With one loud cheer the group ran out of the Pokémon Center. Their mission was clear. To find Neo and Sasha and prevent their untimely deaths. And to tear through anyone and anything that got in their way.
With the horrible truth still fresh in their minds Bix leads the others on a mission to find Neo and Sasha before they are killed. Will they find the two Pikachu in time? Or will the events of the future play out despite their efforts? Find out in the next chapter of Fighting The Shadows!
Author's Note: I'd like to take this time to send out an early Happy Birthday to scarlet pikachu. It may come a few days early but I'm sure you don't mind. Happy Birthday!
Please review