"Hey, Fi…"
"If you're still there…"
"…Please, say or do something."
"I'll keep working… And one day, we'll see each other again."
Shadows in War, Segment Two, Chapter Twenty One – Battleground of Shadows
Disclaimer: Shade has absolutely nothing to do with Pokemon. I'm just a consumer here writing a story around a little kid's idea for Mega Absol when it came out. And if the protagonist's name in this story wasn't a dead giveaway, then here it is.
It's been a LONG time since I updated, hasn't it? Well, no more worries, because school is officially over(it has been since mid-March, actually but I've STILL been busy) and now I'll have the time to be writing again! So, as part of my grand entrance, this chapter will come with the updated versions for Chapters nine and ten! Wootwoot.
Now that I finally have time to write, expect some new content. I mentioned in the Chapter 10 update that I'm finally free of school for the time being, so yaaaaaay. The stuff I said I was going to bring out- I'll see to it that it does come out, and hopefully in a way that you readers will enjoy.
I also added a neat new character towards the end- who'll be showing up within a few chapters or so. For those of you who have played FRLG or even the very first versions, you're probably going to love her once you find out what she is. But I won't say anymore, because that's spoilers, I suppose.
And a sorry for being so late. Or not updating. Business combined with a pinch of writer's block and accidentally finding good loot in BL2 & FFXV: Comrades (plus the Fire superboss defeat playing as Yoshino) have kept me. But now, I'll be back to updating as fast as I can, with my focus being on quality- as much as possible, anyway.
-Update: I fixed the lines and edited the bit at the end. Like I said in Chapter 22, it's our little secret for those who saw those embarrassing mistakes. ^_^;
Without further ado...
"Good Arceus…"
At Nathan's words, the rest of the team: an Absol mercenary, a Braixen mage, a Jolteon hacker, a Floatzel lancer, and a Meloetta rogue, approached the cliifside to see the view.
There wasn't a pleasant land blooming with joy and life. No, it depicted the suffering of thousands. The forces of the Resistance stood on one side to the left, fighting desperately against the superpower Periculum on the right. A few moves were thrown that the team did not recognize, all coming from a select few individuals on Periculum's side, undoubtedly Shadow Pokémon.
"Let's get a move on."
"Let's see… Decidueye, Braixen, Jolteon, Floatzel, Absol… and a Meloetta. That's the last of reinforcements for now."
A Linoone gijinka sporting a military uniform stood before the team, examining them carefully.
"So, you're the team who got us all that info in the raid in the city up north and in Virtue City, huh?"
"Yes." Samantha responded. "What can we do to help?"
"First thing's first. I'll be briefing all of you teams on the situation here."
The Linoone gijinka led the team through the encampment, issuing orders to and taking information from other Resistance units passing by. Once a few other teams gathered about, the Linoone looked to the field and took a deep breath.
"We're fighting a losing battle." The Normal-type commander begun. "I don't know if you've heard, but it seems that Periculum is aware of our knowledge on their Projects. Their response came in the form of the many ambushes on towns, outposts, and even cities all across Driasia. To top it all off, every battlefield now has Shadow Pokémon using us as guinea pigs."
Shadow Pokémon. By unknown means, they became soulless killing machines incapable of emotions such as remorse. Since the revelation of Project Shadow to the Resistance, Angel and her team have tasted their capabilities twice- once during their raid on the desert outpost by the northern borders of the country, and second during their raid on the third primary base. Efforts to capture a living sample have been in vain, as Periculum always took care to keep any defeated Shadows away from capture, or to kill them.
"Hang on, you mentioned 'ambushes.' I don't think you can pull off so many ambushes this big." A Roselia stated.
"We don't know how they did it either." The commander replied. "Everyone is baffled that Periculum's forces were all completely invisible- to radar, Flying-, and Psychic-type Pokémon. They all appeared out of nowhere, and that's how we got stuck in this predicament." With a loud scream audible even where they were, everyone looked to see a flare of purple unlike Posion- and Ghost-type moves tearing apart on spot on the battlefield.
"Damn…"
"At the rate this is going, we're going to lose this place to Periculum. And that'll spell trouble for all the Pokémon living in the area."
"What can we do?" A Zebstrika queried.
"Now, most of you are specialized teams. Since each of you can play different roles, I'm assigning all of you to the sidelines of the field." At his request, a Weepinbell came and displayed a map helpd by vines. "You'll split into two divisions- half of you go to their flank through the north, the others go through the south. Flank them, burn their supplies, and see what intel you can obtain."
Everyone brainstormed immediately after. Within thirty minutes, not a single Resistance team should be present within the encampment. As for our favorite six gijinkas, they were headed around the northern end of the field, around the place they came from where a forest and a cliff were stationed.
"I'll go infiltrate their camp and start messing up their supplies."
"The rest of us will flank them and reduce the pressure on the frontline for our buddies fighting out there."
That was the plan. Taryn, accompanied by Diana and a few others, would handle Periculum's supplies and storages, while Angel and the rest were planning on catching the enemy in a pincer attack. Although their numbers were fewer compared to the larger units of the Resistance, the small teams were usually more coordinated to be able to handle plenty of situations without making too much of a scene.
Angel observed the war raging just a short distance away. Piercing red eyes observed the moves made by each individual, and judged- based on intuition, experience, and aftereffects, which of them were wiser than the other, or who had more power.
That's right- Angel paid close attention to small details within the battle. The Shadow-type moves were powerful, indeed, but in the end, they were nothing more than super-effective moves. With strategy, even Shadow Pokémon could be dealt with.
Yes, this thinking- this is what would be needed for the battle later.
"I'm ready." Angel took a deep breath, steeling her resolve. "I'll see this through to the end."
The near silent sounds of the Resistance's footsteps on the grass were drowned out by the sounds of fighting just a few units away from them.
Hidden in the forestry area were a number of Pokémon donning the Resistance emblem. The main cast's companions included Nidorino, Panpour, Staravia, Luxio, Roselia, Sneasel, and Sandshrew. The group headed for the supplies and intel were Taryn, Diana, the Sneasel, and Sandshrew, while the rest would take the flank.
"It's just a little further." The Luxio gijinka mused. He was armed with a lance carrying a blade fashioned into a lightning bolt.
"Hey, you know what would be the worst case scenario right now?" The Sneasel asked. In either of his hands were well taken care of daggers, looking sharp enough to puncture at a touch.
"Ivan, please don't jinx us." The Roselia stated, earning a few chuckles from the others. She was carrying a staff of sorts with her.
"If they have those Shadow Pokémon stacked up in the sidelines."
"Heh, yeah, that'd be terrible." The Nidorino responded. His weapon was a mace lined with small slots, likely seeping with poison.
"I know, right?" Taryn added.
"It's a lot worse getting hit by those things than you might think." Nathan commented, seeming to remember the feeling of being hit with a dual disadvantage- something new for him due to Grass- and Ghost-types not having any like disadvantages.
"Not to mention that they hit HARD." Oscar added,
"Well, let's just hope things keep going like this." The Panpour gijinka said. As for this Water-type, he was armed with a shortsword slung to his back.
The procession traveled quietly without any event. Just light chatter and looks of sympathy for the soldiers out on the front lines, taking all the fire.
"Wait." At Samantha's words, everyone stopped. Angel looked around and listened closely for further movement.
"I don't detect anyone here." The Absol mercenary mumbled.
"Neither do I." The Sandshrew added. In her right hand was a medium-length, thick-bladed axe.
"What is it, Samantha?"
"I just realized something." The Braixen mage replied to the Meloetta. "This battle has been going on for a few days now, right?"
"Uh-huh…"
"…If going to the sidelines is an advantage, then…"
Nathan, the Panpour warrior, the Sandshrew axewoman, and Angel all seemed to realize what their fire mage was going at.
"Why, what does that mean?" The Staravia questioned. A revolver could be found in his pistol holster.
"We're not alone here." The Panpour stated.
The group progressed further, being much more wary than earlier for any attackers nearby. It didn't help that a literal war was being waged just a short distance away. It wouldn't be as easy to notice an ambush waiting for them up ahead.
"It's just up ahead." The Luxio stated.
"I guess this is where we split?" Oscar asked. The group of infiltrators all exchanged looks and bounded off for the base.
"Alright, our turn."
"Let's make this messy."
"You mean painful…"
"Whatever."
"AH!"
The group of Pokémon turned back to the direction of the Periculum encampment. The infiltrating group, Taryn, Diana, Ivan the Sneasel, and the Sandshrew girl, were running back to them.
"Don't tell me… They got spotted instantly?"
"No… That isn't it!"
Samantha drew out a white gem from her bag, glowing a faint cobalt color.
"Shield us from wrath- Protect!"
The gem exploded into a shield that formed around the Resistance Pokémon, including the four who just returned. In the next moment, a barrage of dark purple waves slammed into the barrier, causing it to crack.
"They… They were waiting for us." The Sandshrew stated.
"W-Wha…"
A Weepinbell gijinka appeared, looking rather agitated. A purple glint was in its eyes, and accompanying it were a Swadloon and three Mightyena.
"Well, we've got the tactics and numbers at least." Diana remarked as she took a fighting stance.
"Let's show these guys what we're made of."
The Swadloon from the opposing side charged for the Resistance, exuding a dreadful aura. Oscar blocked the shadow move with his spear, giving the Staravia and Nathan the opportunity to begin attacking.
The Nidorino moved to bring his club down against the Weepinbell. In retaliation, the Grass- and Poison-type let loose a barrage of Shadow Waves, forcing the mace-wielding Nidorino back.
"Damn… Those things really do hit hard!"
"Told you so. Let me handle that one." Samantha lit her wand ablaze and prepared to shoot a Flamethrower. However, a Mightyena exuding an aura of darkness thought otherwise.
"Oh no, you don't!"
The Panpour gijinka, assisted by the Sneasel were holding back the fierce foe from attacking Samantha. In response, the firefox shot her attack towards the Weepinbell, only for it to hit another Mightyena.
"I'll be stealing your vitality now." The Roselia stated before launching a red zig-zag beam at the Mightyena being blocked by the Panpour and Sneasel. But despite this, the attacker kept strong and managed to break through, damaging the two defenders and Samantha.
"They really do ignore damage done to them…"
"GAH!"
Meanwhile, Oscar and the Luxio were pushed back by another Shadow Rush from the Swadloon. Said opponent rolled out of the way of a slashing attack from the Sandshrew's axe then land a Bug Bite against the Luxio.
"Alex!" The Roselia called before firing off a Leech Seed at the Swadloon.
"Ha!"
A Brick Break and a strike from a broadsword sent one Mightyena flying back with nasty injuries.
"I think we got this guy." Diana stated confidently.
"No." Angel responded. "It'll be long before he goes down from just that."
"Huh?"
True to the Absol's words, the Mightyena stood on his feet and roared at the duo.
"You've got to be joking me…"
"Consider yourself lucky you're powerful. The others don't seem to be faring so well."
Diana turned her attention to the others as Angel sped forward.
Even though they had the numbers and the tactics, the ferocity of the Shadow Pokémon was beginning to overpower the Resistance. With every move landing being a super-effective move, the teams' energy was draining away very quickly.
"Ah, so they're attacking from the north now?"
"With the Shadow Pokémon stationed there, it shouldn't be a problem."
"Their numbers are low anyway. They won't win."
A Duosion, Pidgeotto, and an Electrode were watching the state of affairs via a radar that displayed all of Periculum's movements.
"Maybe we should go check out the idiots trying to sneak into this place."
"Yeah, just don't throw any stray attacks at the Shadows or they'll charge at us instead."
"Naaah, we can totally just relax here. We've done enough fighting out there anyway."
"Definitely. Those Resistance bastards sure are persistent, I'll give them that."
"But that's not going to get them anywhere against these shadow test subjects. It won't be very long until we win this battle."
As the fight dragged on, the three teams split up to be able to handle the Shadow Pokémon more efficiently. The team of the Nidorino, Panpour, and Staravia confronted the Swadloon and Weepinbell; the team of the Luxio, Roselia, Sneasel, and Sandshrew focused on the Mightyena trio; and as for the main cast…
"Incoming!"
"HA!"
An Aipom narrowly missed Nathan with a Shadow Rush in his hand-like tail.
"Stay… STILL!"
Meanwhile, Samantha was running about, using trees for cover from the Rock Blast of a Shadow Boldore, while Taryn and Diana struggled to keep up with a Shadow Dustox launching poisonous needles at the team from a distance.
"I sure hope this is the last of them." Oscar rushed the Boldore with his spear, but the target moved out of the way and cast a shadowy aura not unlike the one Mirsinus used before.
"Now…!"
Angel's sword collided with the Aipom's fists. The Normal-type wavered under the force, but continued to hold the attack and prepare to give the mercenary a Focus Punch.
"Nathan, go deal with this guy! I'll help Angel!" Diana ordered, stepping back to avoid another Poison Sting from the bug in the air.
"Understood." Nathan took aim with his bow, while the Pirouette Pokémon moved in to get a Brick Break onto the Aipom.
A cloud of poison was launched from the end of Samantha's wand, aimed at the Boldore. The move hit the Rock-type, but that didn't do anything to stop him from rushing towards the Fire-type.
"If this guy would just leave me alone…!" The fire mage ducked and weaved around to avoid the numerous rocks being shot her way. The barrage only stopped when Oscar landed a Liquidation spear from behind, allowing the mage the time she needed to draw a greenish gem from her bag. "Entangle my foes: Grass Knot!"
Vines sprouted from the earth and pulled down on the Boldore fighting Oscar. Before a Shadow Rush connected with the Floatzel, the move tripped the Rock-type, dealing plenty of damage.
"Hmph!"
Angel swerved left and right to dodge a barrage of Focus Punches thrown by the Aipom. Having been struck enough, the monkey gijinka went into a fury, letting loose attacks at everything that came near it, rendering it basically impossible for Diana to get a single attack in.
At the sound of a nearby scream, the main cast knew they had to finish this battle off quickly- because screaming that close definitely meant that the other teams were on the verge of losing.
The Dustox gijinka repelled Nathan's arrows with a shadowy silk and kept its altitude up high to evade Taryn's moves with ease. From there, toxic needles rained down on the archer and rogue. Following this, the Boldore gijinka sent out a shadowy aura around the area, enveloping the six Resistance Pokémon while the Aipom began to exude a visible reddish aura alongside the shadow purple unique to Shadow Pokémon.
"That's… Reverse mode, right?" Diana asked. "Looks like this is going to get harder."
As if on cue, the Aipom went into a Shadow Rush against Diana. The Mythical girl attempted a Brick Break to counter the attack, but was instead sent back by the force of the doubly-super-effective move.
"AUGH!"
"Diana!"
"Shit, that's right, anyone with two types has a double weakness to those moves!" Oscar exclaimed.
"Not to mention that Defense-reducing attack this guy just used!" Samantha added.
"I'll back her up. Focus on your fights." Angel stated as she leapt in with her sword.
"Wha- what's he doing?" Taryn queried. Nathan looked back up to see the Dustox spreading a few odd-looking purple waves headed for them.
Angel spared the duo a glance and widened her eyes in shock.
"Don't let those hit you!" The Absol mercenary exclaimed before slashing at the Aipom with a blade emitting dark energy.
"Well, if she says so…!"
Taryn sped out of the way with Agility, while Nathan backed off and shot an arrow at the Dustox releasing the strange waves. Fortunately, the waves were fairly inaccurate so they were easy to lose.
Meanwhile, Water Pulse and Shock Wave sent the Rock-type gijinka down to the ground. Much to the attackers' dismay, the target was getting back up- but it didn't look like he could do much with the Badly Poisoned status causing him to drip a strange substance from his mouth and body.
"Okay, now to-"
Samantha stopped cold once the purple waves from the Dustox reached her.
"Samantha? Hey, what's wrong-"
"AAAH!"
The mage shot a Flamethrower at Oscar, forcing the spear-wielding Water-type back with a grunt.
"Hey! What gives!?" Oscar's gaze locked on to Samantha's. The Braixen's head was swaying erratically and her eyes were empty and unfocused.
"She's… confused?"
"Damn it." Angel mused inwardly, sending an Ice Beam at the enraged Aipom. Diana followed up with Acrobatics, but the Aipom refused to give up.
"Sammie, snap out of it!" Taryn ran over to her Fire-type friend, only to be struck with a Psybeam to the gut. The Jolteon shook her head and got back on her feet with a groan to find that Samantha was randomly launching moves.
"So those waves confuse us? Just perfect." Nathan mused.
"Urgh… At least that guy doesn't have any Shadow attacking moves… Damn, that still stings." Diana stepped away for a moment, given Angel was fighting as fiercely as her opponent was. "So this is the power of Shadow Pokémon… Kuh."
"DIE, DIE, DIE!" The Aipom screamed bloody murder despite failing to land Shadow Rushes through Angel's swipes and slashes. Even though he was cut up badly and bleeding, he continued to throw more attacks at Angel until the red aura began to dissipate.
As for the Dustox, it launched another series of low-accuracy waves at the Resistance followed by another barrage of Poison Sting.
"Uh-oh."
Taryn was struck by a few of the needles, but she thankfully avoided the move- dubbed Shadow Panic from Samantha's example.
"Okay, think…" Nathan hid behind a tree while Taryn kept the poisonous moth in the air busy and Oscar distracted Samantha. "We need to take out that Dustox, but how? Unless…"
The owl archer glanced to his fire mage friend sending attacks everywhere with Oscar focusing on dodging Samantha's attacks and keeping out of range of the Dustox's attacks. He analyzed the details of the situation and then turned to see Angel skillfully keeping the Aipom at bay while Diana sat against a tree with her injury catching up to her.
"That's it!" Nathan thought before heading back into the battleground. "Oscar, Taryn, group up! Angel, keep that Aipom busy!"
"Heh, looks like Nathan's back into the game." Oscar mused as he sidestepped to dodge a cloud of poison.
"I hope whatever you're planning is good!"
Angel didn't even spare a glance and sliced once more at the Aipom gijinka.
"We'll be damned if this doesn't work, so…" The archer took aim…
…For the fire mage launching a Flamethrower into nothing.
"Wait, what are you thinking!?"
"Trust me on this one…" Nathan responded to the Jolteon and Floatzel as he let the arrow loose. The projectile missed Samantha, but it seemed to have drawn her attention- she shot at the arrow with a Shock Wave.
Meanwhile, the Dustox had descended slightly after being ignored. With a shout of fury, she hurled more poison needles towards the group.
"Stay!" Nathan ordered as he shot Razor Leaves from his cloak to deflect the incoming assault. Behind the trio, Samantha was closing in much like a Spinda. On her stick, a glowing energy began to form at the tip.
"This is crazy. I like it." Oscar grinned despite himself, and turned to face Nathan. "What now, hotshot?"
"Your turns. Shoot a Shadow Ball and a Water Pulse at that Dustox, and make sure to aim in two different directions."
"Urgh, alright then…"
Just as requested, a pair of orbs of ghostly energy and water flew into the air towards the Bug-type. This caused the opponent to make moves to dodge them, but was left angry once it noticed the moves weren't directly aimed at it.
Then, an arrow flew past her face. In the next instant, a Psybeam struck the Poison-type- a clean headshot to boot. The attack caused the Shadow Pokémon to fall to the ground, looking rather dizzy.
"And now, we strike!"
At those words, Taryn was happy to speed up to the opponent and start hacking away with her claws, while Oscar came in with water energy charged into his spear.
"Uuu… Huh?" Samantha groaned and shook her head. "Wha… What just happened?" The Braixen took a moment to process the situation around her: Nathan watched Taryn and Oscar beat up the Dustox gijinka while it was vulnerable, Diana was trying to patch up her wound, and Angel was winning the fight with the Aipom gijinka.
"I'll explain later- for now, could you give Diana a Potion?"
"Let me hit you!" The Aipom yelled as he launched a Focus Punch lacking power. Angel sidestepped and quickly struck down the Normal-type with her blade, sending him to the ground in a heap. "Urgh…I'll… I'll definitely kill you…!"
"Ahh! That felt GREAT, beating up somebody taunting you repeatedly!" Taryn exclaimed as she walked back to her allies. The Dustox lay on grass damaged by attacks, knocked out.
"Heh, definitely one hell of a workout."
"Quickly- we've no time to waste. Diana, can you stand?"
"I think so…" The Meloetta gijinka groaned as she stood on her feet with Samantha's aid. "We need to go check on the others."
"What!? They defeated our Shadow Pokémon defenses?"
"Ugh. Whatever, they should be weakened enough for us to finish off."
The Electrode cracked his knuckles, while the Pidgeotto stretched his wings.
"Sorry, but we can't let that slide."
"Huh?"
When the Periculum trio turned, they nearly jumped in shock. A number of gijinkas donning a certain opposing emblem stood, armed to the teeth.
"Sir, the number of Periculum forces have gone down by about a hundred."
"Whatever they're doing, it's working. We aren't taking as much damage this time around." A certain Linoone commander stood, observing the battle. "Nancy Tango 3-1, requesting status report on our stars?" The Normal-type said into a radio.
"Negative, Commander. I still can't find them." A reply came. The Linoone nodded and continued to survey the battle.
"Roger. Carry on." The Linoone replied. "Whatever they're doing, I hope it's something at least a little less dangerous than this damn battle."
And down below, the Resistance and Periculum continued their tug of war.
"Holy… Shit."
The teams who went around the north observed the battle triggered at the encampment. Taking down the Shadow Pokémon was no easy feat, forcing them to rest while those yet capable of fighting stood guard over their large group.
Out of the cover of the foliage, six Resistance teams were up against a large amount of Periculum soldiers. At first glance, it looked much like the actual battle nearby, but the difference here was not in the numbers- it was that the Resistance's skill was enough to put them on par with the hundred soldiers trying to kill them.
"On the bright side, I think we've taken care of their Shadow Pokémon." Taryn stated.
"Yeah… Those guys pack a punch." The Sandshrew gijinka groaned at the touch of the bandage on her knee. The Sneasel gijinka was fast asleep with a large bandage wrapped around his torso. The others were conscious with some injuries- no doubt dealt by the shadow moves.
"No." The group turned their gaze to the Dark-type clad in white watching the brawl. "The ones we fought are just the defenses. Their fighters are still out there, and I suspect that there's more of them hidden in the encampment."
"Uggh, why?"
"What makes you think that?" The Nidorino asked with curiosity in his voice.
The Poison-type's questions were answered by a number of Shadow Waves flying from the encampment towards the brawl, eliciting screams of pain from both Periculum and Resistance.
"…"
"I think I'm going to start hating it when she's right."
"Heh."
"I'm going in." Angel stated as she put her right hand to the grip of her blade in its scabbard.
"You have one crazy mercenary working for you." The Staravia commented.
"She DID take on a Shadow Pokémon mostly by herself…"
"She really is as strong as the rumors say."
Diana, being strong enough to continue fighting once more, joined the rest of her new team in aiding the Resistance there against the Shadow Pokémon. This time, she was extra careful not to allow herself to be hit- lest she pay the price.
One after the other, the forces of Periculum went down. With Angel's lead, the Shadow Pokémon were distracted away from the main force from the southern end of the field.
So far, in the span of an hour, the team managed to fight off a Tangela, Lampent, Vanillish, Mothim, Stunky, Palpitoad, Makuhita, and Petilil- all of course, Shadow Pokémon.
"Take this!"
A Flamethrower shot by Samantha took down the last of them- a Charjabug gijinka. Angel flicked her sword to get off most of the blood coating it from all the fighting. Her allies were mostly fine since intuition adjusted to the fact that all but one of their opponents in that battle were ranged attackers.
"Something wasn't right here." Nathan remarked.
"Yeah… They seemed a lot weaker." Taryn mused.
Angel sheathed her sword and turned to glance at the rest of the Resistance- it seemed they too have finished their work, but some of them had a few scrapes and bruises.
"Dang, you guys are strong." A Rapidash remarked as he approached them, sheathing his broadsword.
"Thanks- but it might have been because these guys were weakened." Oscar responded.
"We'd better hurry and burn their supplies. It won't be long before more of them show up." An Aggron suggested.
"Gotcha."
Later that day, the Resistance teams were all back at their side's encampment, getting much needed rest, along with a large amount of soldiers from the battle.
Burning the supplies revealed that the Shadow Pokémon that were in the encampment earlier were not even in proper condition to do any proper fighting- they were being used as snipers and batteries to add more power to weapons like mortars and cannons.
"I see… Impressive work today, all of you. This wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for you." The commander Linoone stated.
Besides the teams, more than half of the battalion left the field and held the fort at the encampment to give themselves rest as well. This was possible since without supplies and shadow support, the forces of Periculum retreated, leaving almost nothing but ruins of their encampment behind.
"Ahh, I'm beat…"
"You said it."
"I just wanna flop onto a hotel bed…"
"Camp's gonna have to cut it for now."
"Hey, where'd my booze go?"
"Right here, mate."
"Oof." Taryn seated down onto a bed within a tent. "After all that, I need some quality sleep."
"Given that we fought through a horde of Shadow Pokémon? Definitely."
"You weren't kidding…" Diana mused, earning the attention of her teammates. "Those Shadow Pokémon are something else. It was like… Nothing I've ever seen before."
"Yep. They're just as bad as they come. They're going to fight until the bitter end to make sure their enemies are dead."
"It isn't just that." The Meloetta followed. "I don't think they're as bad as they are."
"Huh?"
"What do you mean?" A moment of thought passed as Diana looked amongst her teammates.
"Those Pokémon… It was like they were suffering. Suffering just being awake." Diana begun. "I could see it in their eyes. Past that purple glint and all the hate… It was faint, but I could feel it."
"No way… Wait, how'd you know that?" Oscar queried.
"I dunno…"
"It might have to do with her species." Nathan responded. "Mythical and Legendary Pokémon might be able to see or sense things most other Pokémon can't."
"Hunh… If I didn't already hate Periculum, I'd sure as hell hate them now." Taryn stated.
"Mm. They need to be brought down."
"Can't let torture and conquest slide, after all."
"Speaking of which… Did we manage to capture any of the Shadow Pokémon we defeated?" The Normal-type questioned.
"I think we did… We just left them there at the encampment- I'm sure the others at least got one of them."
Diana deadpanned at Samantha's response.
"I think I figured out why the Resistance is having trouble acquiring at least one…" The Mythical gijinka let out an exasperated sigh, earning confused looks from the owl archer, the fire mage, the lightning hacker, and the water lancer. The orange-eyed "That aside, that was good thinking, Nathan. Using the confusion status against it like that."
"Yeah. I couldn't think of that if I tried." Taryn adds.
"Heh, Nathan isn't our team tactician for nothing." Oscar remarked.
"I'm still a bit upset that you used me when I was confused." Samantha mumbled with pouted lips.
"If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have won." Nathan responded. "So, thanks."
"For getting hit by that Shadow attack." Taryn snidely added.
"Screw you too, Taryn."
The team shared a laugh, continuing into the night with chatter about the day and about the war. In the end, they never experienced being out on the battlefield, but that would be for another day.
Angel couldn't stop thinking about the day. She kept totally silent, which went noticed by her team, but they decided not to query any further. Not now, anyway. Quiet as she was, Angel would occasionally speak as well.
But now, her thoughts were focused on one thing.
"Shadow Pokémon…" The mercenary reminisced the time she spent fighting against the near soulless creatures. "This is their power… No, it couldn't be. Periculum's too smart." Angel narrowed her eyes. "They wouldn't use high-tier Shadow Pokémon in a meager battle like this. This position is important as a supply point, but it definitely isn't enough to convince them to bring in the stronger ones like Mirsinus, Cythereia, and that Electivire…"
The girl clad in white stood up and left the tent, not bothering to reply to the five asking her where she was off to.
"That leads to the next problem: Why conduct a large number of battles, knowing it would tax them as much as their enemy?" The Absol strolled through the encampment, reaching the spot she stood earlier to observe the battle. "…Just what are they thinking?"
Meanwhile, further South of Driasia…
"…It seems they've plenty of motives."
An intimidating gaze observed the many battles about Driasia through a series of monitors. The walls, ceiling, and floor were all stone- a natural hideout formed in the mountain towering on a small island. Through the opening of the room, large enough for a full-sized Onix, the sky outside was dark and cloudy, crackling with lightning.
A lone figure standing at 5'5 turned its gaze out to the raging skies. It walked to the mouth of the cavern and then glared down to the island.
Within seconds, bolts of lightning rained down on the area around there.
"That should halt their advance for now… But to be safe." The figure threw one arm up, causing more thunderbolts to drop down. This time, they began dropping at a regular rate, forming an instant thunderstorm.
Turning back to the screens, the figured punched in a few commands on a keyboard. The monitors began displaying footage of a number of Periculum Pokémon- scientists, troops, and the like being attacked by the thunderstorm raging outside.
"Fools. Nothing lies underneath this mountain. It's what's inside you should be afraid of."
One of the monitors displayed a vibrating phone. A cursor controlled by the figure clicked on it, opening a window depicting a certain important figure in the war.
"Greetings, Raguel. How are things going for you lately?" Tobias queried. "Oh, and could you turn on a light or something? I can't quite see you."
With an exasperated sigh, the figure pointed her finger upwards and shot a small jolt of electricity at a light bulb hanging on the ceiling. The bulb began emitting light, revealing a rather cozy looking space. What was more interesting however, was the girl who stood there.
She donned a short, yellow regal-themed dress that ended in a spiky thunderbolt pattern, not unlike Taryn's jacket. Yellow and black colored the bolts of lightning, while a pair of pointed wings protruded from the girl's back- one layer yellow, and one layer black. Knee-high orange boots adorned with electric designs finished the girl's outfit. As for her hair, it was shoulder-length colored in a perfect gold streaked with black.
The quality of her appearance was rather rich and formal for any ordinary Pokémon.
"Only because we haven't seen each other in a while." The girl mused. "I'm as aware as you are of the situation- these cameras you gave me are quite useful. I've whipped up a storm around here since some Periculum dolts think there might be a Lost Cavern within this big hunk of rock, and I hate intruders."
The Flygon gijinka chuckled. Despite her unparalleled looks, her attitude did not at all match what she was supposed to be.
"So, what makes you call? I understand the gravity of the current situation, but I don't think it requires my attention as of yet."
"It isn't that. I'm sure you've noticed by now, haven't you?"
The girl paused and put a hand covered in an ethereal cloth to her mouth.
"…Yeah. I have."
"I'll need a few thunderstorms around the coordinates I'm sending to you through the Linker. Think you can pull that off?"
The girl switched the cursor to a different monitor and opened a program labeled LINKER. Doing so revealed three spots in Driasia's Center: one a ways northwest of Virtue City, on nearby the Eastern border, and one by the southwest corner.
"And why is that?"
"I figured we'd play around with the big bad boogeyman for a bit. If you'll agree, then I have everything ready for the plan…"
"And how exactly do you plan on having me travel around that area without getting noticed?"
Tobias' lips formed a confident grin.
"Ever tried blending in the crowd?"
"...Let the games begin." A young girl pretty as a doll pocketed a pink gem into her black, gothic dress. A cheshire grin formed on her face as she walked away from a large outpost depicting Periculum's emblem.