Yes, it's been a while, but I'm back with the five-chapter-mega-finale of Where I Belong: A Tale of Legendary Birds! I've tried writing it a few times, and these five chapters came out ridiculously cheesy every time! If you're not a fan of the end I understand. (It's fanficiton, so, honestly, I think it's supposed to be cheesy!) However, I worked at it so I desperately hope you all read and enjoy! Thanks much and have a great day!
Chapter 21: Self-Interest
Don't get me wrong, I love a challenge. These days, it's nearly impossible to find a good one. The closest I came over the last year was an… interesting fellow named Apollo Ruanea and his sister Mila among very few others. But there's something that's so gratifying when you conquer those challenges. It's so satisfying to let those smug schmucks know who really deserves to be the smarmy bastard.
This challenge, however, I could do without.
"MOVE IT!" I shouted as the Shadow Lugia prepared the third Shadow Blast (a purple Aeroblast which I had so cleverly labeled) of the day. He was a frisky one. Maybe I underestimated him slightly.
Slightly.
The Shadow Blast flew right by us as Kenya, Callin and Crystal flapped into the air, Dan dashed behind a building for cover, Lily slithered off, and Bi-Bi floated over the assault.
"Keep going Edward, you'll get us eventually." 'Edward' hovered across from Kenya and I, tilting his angry little head gradually. "Sorry Edward. I had to give you a name big guy. I can't just keep calling you Shadow Lugia. That's just poor manners. Do you like it?" Edward growled. "Oh, good! I'm so glad. Anyway, shock him Kenya!"
Kenya's antennae flashed and sparked, releasing a bolt of lightning which thundered towards our good buddy Eddie. Eddie was quick though. He charged and released another Shadow Blast that intercepted our Thunderbolt and exploded.
"Dan, Flamethrower! Lily, Ice Beam! Crystal, Dragonbreath! Callin, Air Slash!"
Dan, being the smart little fire type he is, jumped atop the hut he had hidden behind and, a flurry of flames bursting from his maw as he did so. Lily, from her vantage point in the bushes, prepped an Ice Beam and fired the lightning-like attack with ace precision. Callin displayed his impressive aerobatics by looping around Ed and giving his wings a powerful flap, sending a sharp slice of air towards the lovable Lugia. Crystal unleashed a blast of green draconic energy from her muzzle, all four attacks surrounding Ed. As I suspected, to avoid them, he flew upwards, slipping as gracefully as a raven into the sky. I smirked. This was too precious. He was so cocky that he was keeping his eyes on where he was going and not even on us. Unfortunately for Eddie, Kenya's a silent flyer.
"Now," I whispered to my bro and he soared upwards. He wouldn't hear me at this speed, so I tapped him twice on the shoulder. He knew what that meant. As we increased our altitude, Kenya activated his Dragon Rush, his body becoming submerged in a deep navy blue aura. With both his claws and tail glowing an even brighter blue, Kenya slammed into the ascending Shadow Lugia. Before he knew what was happening, Kenya slashed at Ed's wing joints, literally throwing the behemoth into a spiral. Falling face first, Ed would be met with quite the surprise. The four attacks he had avoided before were fired once more. With pain racking his wings, the big lug was simultaneously burned, cut, shocked, and frozen from all sides. I love combos.
The tub 'o lard landed with a crash, cracking the earth below with his impact. Kenya hovered closer to him, growls still emanating from the dragon's throat.
"So, Ed?" I asked, grinning at him as he unsuccessfully attempted to rise. "Say uncle? Come on. Just once? I promise I won't tell anyone."
In a rather uncouth gesture, I sensed him attempting to activate his psychic abilities in order to decimate us with a psychic wave. Using my own (brilliant) mental techniques, I suppressed it, like letting the air out of a balloon. I winked at him as he glared up at me.
"Naughty, naughty. Didn't anyone tell you that it's not nice to blow people apart with Psychic? Come on now. You're reasonable. I'm reasonable to a degree. Wanna talk?"
With a single stroke of his tail, Ed's answer was clear. When the sharp tail spikes swung upwards, Kenya dodged narrowly. Someone was cranky.
"I like your answer. Kenya, give 'im a Hyper Beam, if you'd be so kind."
If smiles could kill, my dragon brother would've committed genocide then and there. Fortunately instead, he just built up the power of Hyper Beam at his maw and sent it towards Eddie with love.
Now, keep in mind, I don't often get a swelled head. But I admit, in that particular moment, I had gotten a tad (a tad) overconfident. As Kenya shot Hyper Beam in what looked to be with straight and true accuracy, Ed escaped the blast in a surprising feat of vitality, swiftly ascending with a strong flap of the wings. Crafty minx had been playing dead. Before I could even call out for a countermeasure, Ed had already summoned a swirling tornado of darkness. And Kenya, having to recharge, was caught up in it. And let me tell you, it hurt. I shut my eyes as a sensation of knives slashing over my skin came over me. I was thrust off of Kenya as I was tossed about in the vortex. Oh, trust me, this wasn't going to be forgiven. I went deaf for a few seconds, the only sound in existence being the slashing and whirling of the tornado binding me to it. My glasses fell off at some point and I know for sure that my face was bleeding. However, I was able to escape thanks to a pair of appendages that appeared as if by magic under my arms. I was pulled forcefully from my wind prison, my eyes opening to see the thing dispersing, Kenya dropping like a stone in water. He wasn't knocked out, but he looked pretty banged up. Before he would bonk his head, I yanked his pokéball from my pocket and shot the traditional red beam to recall him. I managed to catch him in time and he returned to his pokéball. I exhaled in relief as I hung from a pair of claws, suspended in midair.
"Thanks Crystal." I said as I tilted my head up to look at Crystal, my Flygon sister. She nodded in response and I looked past her at the rat bastard who caused it all. Of course, without my glasses, all I saw was a large purple blob. I removed a spare pair from my front pocket, throwing them onto my face. Ed hovered above me, still glaring like the complete jerk he was. Honestly, not many people manage to embarrass me like he did. "You're rude. And that's no way to start a relationship, just so you know."
He gave me another sneer as he tilted his head, confused at my gentlemanly behaviour. I was just trying to give him a tip for future social interaction and he sneered at me! The nerve of some demonic hell-spawned monstrosities these days.
"So, Ed, not in a mood to talk I take it?"
He grumbled.
"Come on, dish. Is it because your voice is really silly? I won't tell! Pinky swear! Well, if you had pinkies…"
As if he couldn't be any more impolite… he charged another Shadow Blast. Crystal had the sense to flap out of the way, taking me along with her to narrowly avoid the dark energy which struck the earth (or whatever this place was called) and left an unsightly crater.
"Now look, you can try to kill me all you like but vandalism is a big no-no. I think I need to… ahem… protect this place."
Ed tilted his head in confusion for a second and instantly regretted it. Bi-Bi, understanding my cue, descended in a flash, activating her Protect and slamming into the back of Ed's head with the emerald defensive shield. Eddie was sent into a tumble again, landing with an even bigger thud.
"Before he can get up! Trap him with Reflect! Callin and Bi-Bi!" The pair complied, activating multiple psychic barriers around the big guy like a box and pinning him. Crystal put me down as I dusted myself off. The tornado of shadows hadn't left me unscarred. I limped over to Ed, grinning as I shuffled closer. Ed was… taking it well.
"I know, I know, not many people would think to use of a defensive attack offensively, but y'know, I like to be weird. So…" I knelt down next to his snarling face, smirking triumphantly. "… wanna talk now? Or do I shove you into a pokéball and wait for this whole thing to be sorted out?"
Ed remained silent.
"Hey, whatever. Fine by me. I'll talk. After all, I do have to compliment you on something." My grin dropped and I furrowed my brow. "I just love your style."
Ed stopped struggling for a moment, staring up at me with what appeared to be interest.
"I mean… it's got me all over it. Using people, manipulating them, taking control to do the job perfectly. It's gonna crush his dad if he sees this. And I gotta admit… when someone pisses me off, I tend to enjoy their pain. For example, you just hurt Kenya, one of the few creatures in the universe I actually give two Rattata droppings about, and I'm feeling pretty damn ecstatic to see you struggle. I just wanted to say…" I said as I removed a pokéball from my pocket. "… I get the fun you must have had taking control."
With a swift summoning of psychic energy, Ed threw the Reflect walls off himself, manipulating them and sending them flying towards their creators. With a surprising amount of skill, considering whose body the thing was using, the wall morphed and stretched as it approached Bi-Bi, surrounding the Celebi with it. It tried to do the same to Callin, but fortunately, the Noctowl was swift enough to dodge it. However, the Quilava behind him wasn't as fast. The barrier boxed Dan in, the fire Pokémon resisting his new cage with no luck. Before I could even speak up with a word of protest, what appeared to be black smoke flooded into the boxes, engulfing the two. Upon diminishing, the energy left behind a fainted Quilava and a heavily breathing Celebi. After which, Ed manipulated the Reflect walls once more, sending them towards Callin and Crystal. Sensing their location in my mind's eye, I pointed at the two with both hands, sending a psychic wave of my own to shatter them. It worked and Ed glared at me.
"I may not have any flying type moves in my arsenal," I said as I blew on my fingers like a pair of smoking guns (which they were… kind of). I then used Dan's pokéball to recall him. "But I'm a killer psychic."
Indeed.
"Excuse me?" I retorted, cupping my ear and winking at him. After hearing that cold, unfeeling voice, my four remaining partners gathered around me to protect me. Unnecessary as far as I was concerned, but whatever. "Was that a response I heard?"
Yes. It was… Hybrid. Ed stood up, a smile breaching his face for the first time. A sinister one, but still, we were making progress. From your previous words… you seem to understand, strangely enough. The… traditional foe would say something along the lines of, 'I'll never let you possess my friend' or something to that effect.
"When you possess one of my friends…" I began, adjusting my glasses and grinning slyly. "… I promise, I'll say that."
Ha ha! Oddly enough, Ed didn't have a maniacal laugh. In fact, that chuckle sort of reminded me of my dad. Very amusing, Hybrid.
"Thanks. I try."
I know that's what Ventus would say. You wouldn't believe the boring thoughts that run through this boy's head. 'I want to get home. Who is that shadow? Does Amy like me?' Things like that get very annoying.
"I imagine he's struggling pretty hard in there?"
Not quite. Once I have someone, supressing their consciousness isn't very difficult. I suspect his personality to completely vanish as soon as I'm through with him. Shouldn't take more than a few hours. It's not often I take a body for myself. Usually, I just… influence imitations of creatures that I create. In that case… something of the host survives. However, it feels… thrilling to be physical and assimilating a personality again.
I whistled. "Pretty sweet. This what you do for your birthday? Or is this more comparative to… bowling night for you? I guess it doesn't matter."
Meanwhile, as we had a nice conversation, the other four were out at sea, crashing waves beneath them as they glided towards the eternal blue horizon. Lucan occasionally nudged Amy, who was in the lead, left or right to get them on course. One wonders how he knew one part of the vast expanse of water from another, but they couldn't argue with the Pikachu. He was the only one who seemed to know where he was going. I doubt any of them would be capable of finding Ventus' father on their own.
The trip was mostly spent in silence. Jet was trying to keep up with Amy who was soaring faster and faster every second, her eyes focused on the furthest edge of the sea, as if her goal was right before her. Her thoughts were ablaze with a rage that almost thawed her icy feathers. Jet's avian feet were trembling as he flew, clearly not acting as a Ho-Oh should. Trust me. I've met a Ho-Oh and he doesn't get afraid, just angry. Lucan was keeping his mind on guiding everyone to their destination, uncertainty flooding into his tiny heart.
As for Vanessa, she never told me how she was feeling. The further she flew, however, she began to lag behind. She had to shake some unusual thoughts out of her head, falling even more behind as a result. Eventually, she just stopped, hovering in place above the water, her wing flaps sending enough force to make the water ripple despite the distance. She stopped to think for a second and then whirled around, a fierce determination in her eyes.
Lucan heard the sound of Vanessa having stopped given her not-so-silent flight. He turned around himself and poked the back of Amy's neck. The Articuno looked up at him in annoyance, but turned that frustration to Vanessa when she saw what her friend(?) was doing. She let out a bark, making Vanessa stop. Vanessa turned her head to face Amy, glaring just as intensely as Amy was.
This next part was a problem. They weren't able to talk, considering that they wouldn't understand one another. Vanessa tried to explain herself, but after sending out gibberish from her beak, the Moltres grumbled angrily to herself for being stupid to think it would work that time.
"Pika! Pikachu!" Lucan spoke up. Vanessa stared at the rat on Amy's head, the electric type pointing at his ears. Something in Vanessa's head clicked and she realized what the Pikachu was trying to get across. For the reader's convenience, I'll translate what she said according to Lucan's memory.
"That idiot is just playing decoy. He's gonna get himself killed."
Lucan nodded, smiling.
"And I am not letting that jackass die until he compensates me for spitting in my face, going behind my back, lying so much, and threatening me with that dragon who, for the record, needs a breath mint!"
Lucan's smile widened. In an impressive feat of agility, he leapt from Amy's head, all the way to Vanessa's back. He turned around to look at the confused Amy and Jet, pointing in the direction they were originally headed. Now, what he said next came out as a string of him saying his name over and over. But in reality it was actually a very touching speech about the power of friendship and spreading their responsibilities out so everyone would get out of this alive. Brought a tear to my eye. Of course, it fell on deaf ears at the time, but trust me, it was extremely moving.
Anyway, enough about that. The pairs went their separate ways, Vanessa and Lucan heading back to help me and a bewildered Amy and Jet leaving to find Ventus' father.
Now, back to our true hero.
So, Hybrid. Ed said as we both paced around each other slowly, my Pokémon keeping close to me in case he tried something. We stared into each other's eyes, trying to predict the other's next move. I found myself having as much trouble in breaking through his mental locks as he did with mine. I wasn't worried. It was good to have a challenge, as I've said before. If Ventus is not your friend, why are you trying to help him?
"Oh, that's a good one. Help him. Really Ed, you must go into comedy. You'd be a smash hit. I'm not doing this for Ventus. I'm doing this for me."
Do tell.
"Of course. Y'see… I really couldn't care less if Ventus gets out of this alive or not. I don't really care if the father and the son reunite or not. In fact, it might be better for me if both of them get removed from the equation. After all, that'd be two less people who know I'm a hybrid."
Is that it? They know too much?
"Pretty much. I mean, they do exist in a different universe and all, but you can never be too careful. I'm helping them now just so they'll be happy and not think of coming back to my world and starting little rumors. It's… not convenient if people know what I am, y'see. I need to tie up these loose ends before I move on."
Oh? You don't trust them?
"Of course not. In my experience, trusting anyone is a bad idea. Once I'm done here and everyone's back in their original worlds, I won't have to worry about Jet, Amy, or Vanessa anymore. And with any luck, I can convince Mew-Mew to prevent the Lugia family of this world from coming into mine if they ever decide to drop by."
Hmm, you seem… Ed swiftly sent a large boulder towards me with Psychic. Lily, being as elegant as she was, used her glowing fan-like Iron Tail to rally the boulder like a tennis ball. Ed, just as quickly, blocked with his tail, the spikes easily shattering the hurling hunk of earth as if it were a clump of dirt. …confident that you will free Ventus from my control.
"Well, you know." I adjusted my glasses again. They never can stay still. "I do have at least ten minutes of free time. Might as well."
Hybrid. There is a flaw in your logic.
"I supremely doubt that."
There is. Your priorities do not seem to suit your actions. You do not want anyone to know of your hybrid existence. Why not simply… leave me be? Better yet, help me with my goals. That way… you would remove all witnesses and I would be free to… achieve what I want.
"Hahaha… oh… that. Well, you see, that's simple." I let my smile disappear. "You're a witness too. And I'd put my money on you as the one to most likely make my life a living hell given the opportunity. After all, you had no qualms with doing it to Ventus."
My, my. You really don't like making friends.
"Heh. The idea of friendship is a fantasy. And… really? Friends with you? Please. I know your type. Manipulative, sneaky, always up to something… that combination just comes out to bad news every time. And plus… just look in a mirror. You literally look evil."
Heheh, know my type do you? Have you met someone like me before?
"Oh yes. I know him well. Only unlike you…" I ran my fingers through my shimmering hair. "…he's simply divine."
Arrogant to a fault. You really are half human.
"Yeah, I know I'm arrogant. I know I'm manipulative. I know people can't stand to be around me. I like it that way. It gets me places and annoying people tend to stay out of the way. Most of the time, anyway. Truth is… you're dealing with the most selfish lifeform in the universe."
Interesting. Usually, when I possess people, I find that they're blind to their faults. I use the guilt they feel at this realization to aid in my takeover. However, I suspect that won't work with you.
"Can't say I regret anything. What's that feel like?"
Ha ha. I'll let you in on something, Hybrid. Just because you're about to die and all.
"Funny. I was thinking the same thing."
Believe it or not, there was a time when I thought like the average human or Pokémon. I could… help people. I could… enjoy life and be happy. But then… let's just say that tragedy struck. Now I am what you see before you. A being that requires another to physically exist. A literal soul-sucking parasite. He chuckled. Needless to say it's not a beneficial change. Putting it simply, I am a being that requires fear, rage, sorrow, and anguish to live. I feed off those emotions. Without them… I cease to exist. I want to exist.
"Who doesn't?" I said, yawning. "Existing is fun most of the time. Unless Vanessa's on your case about something."
Vanessa? Oh, yes, the one with the power of Moltres.
"Yeah. Speaking of which, earlier, when the idiot trio were here, you were very interested in their medallions. What's the deal with that?"
I think I've already told you plenty, Hybrid.
"I disagree."
That's your opinion. Tell you what… for every question of mine you answer, I'll answer one of yours. I'm… rather intrigued by you, Hybrid.
"Sounds good."
I have seen another flaw in your logic. You've had… Vanessa… and those other insects within a perfect opportunity for elimination before. Why did you never go through with it if you wanted no witnesses?
I shrugged. "Too much effort."
I would appreciate it if you didn't lie to me when I asked a question.
"I'm insulted."
So am I. You literally had Vanessa within your Dragonite's grasp in your world. And you didn't even know that she had Moltres' power. I think you're lying to me Hybrid.
"Which universe are you from where that makes sense?"
As a matter of fact… I'm from yours. But that's not what we're talking about. I don't think you're as selfish as you'd like me to believe. Why go to all the trouble of escorting Ventus and his friends to this world if you didn't care?
"I answered your question. Now I ask one."
You just did, so I get to go again.
"That doesn't count."
Now you're being childish. This next question is of the utmost importance. I'd appreciate it if you didn't lie this time.
"Oh?"
Throughout this entire conversation, I've been attempting to possess the minds of you and your… family, as you call it. Now tell me, why have I been making no progress at all?
"Oh, that." I shrugged. I had felt something resembling psychic influence attempting to brush the corners of my mind, but he hadn't seemed to notice my ace in the hole yet. "Well, y'see… that's the thing about psychic powers. Or… any skill, really. No matter how much you practice… no matter how much you build your strength up… there's always-"
In that split second, I snapped my fingers. And just as expected, Ed was suddenly assaulted with a blast of flame, a torrent of water, and a bolt of lightning all at once from behind. He was propelled towards my family and I by the unexpected assault, Crystal and I dodging him to the left with Bi-Bi, Callin, and Lily sliding to the right, all of us snickering as he toppled over like a skyscraper.
"-someone better." I finished my sentence as Mew-Mew flew towards me and sat on my head, stretching a paw in front of my eyes expectedly. I grinned and reached into my bag, removing a muffin sealed in saran wrap and gave it to her. She munched on it as Ed recovered from his humiliation. "Give it up man. I got Mew-Mew on my side. And she's a Mew in case you haven't noticed."
Yes. I can see that. Ed said slowly as he pushed his bulky self on his feet with his wings. His tail swished out behind him, the spikes casually slicing a nearby house wall open. So… that's how you've been defending yourself. You have the… the scum with you. So Mew… or should I call you Mew-Mew? Resorting to helping half-breeds now, are you? For what? Muffins?
"Ayup!" Mew-Mew shouted with pride just before munching the muffin heartily, dropping crumbs onto face. "I know it's an unbalanced deal, but lending my power is really all I can do to repay such tasty treats."
You… really don't know what you're dealing with… Hybrid… and Mew…
"My turn," I said. My hands waved to my family as I circled behind Ed, backing away to a safe distance. With that tail and those incisors, close range wasn't an ideal fighting position. I directed Callin to roost in the branches of a nearby pine tree, blending in under its shadowy canopy. Bi-Bi took notice of the ever so subtle swaying of my index finger and hid in the wreckage of one of the huts. Lily and Crystal are too large to hide for a sneak attack, but with what I planned to do, they wouldn't need to. "Why do you want the medallions?"
Why do you think? Those medallions are bursting with the life force of the legendary birds. Right now, I've taken the strength, the will, the raw power of a Lugia. With those medallions, I'll have the power of all five. Or… I would have had that rat not taken all of Zapdos' energy.
"Heh, good ol' Lucan."
Oh well, no harm done. Three medallions will be more than enough. And besides… who can possibly stop me? Ever since they gave up their energy to help Ventus, Zapdos, Articuno, Moltres, and Ho-Oh have been in hibernation in their caves, on their little islands far away. And the power of four legendary Pokémon… who can stand up to that?
"I dunno… I mean, I'm doing a good job so far."
That's rich, Hybrid. The only reason you're still alive is because I'm interested in you.
"I think we should just stay friends."
Hilarious. For some reason, I don't think he was being very genuine when he said that. And yes, I was quite insulted. My turn.
"Shoot."
How painful would you like your death?
"I don't care. I just need it to be a good death."
How about pointlessly and very, very far from home?
"Hmm, I'm afraid I'll have to decline! Mew-Mew! Go!" I pointed to Ed, shouting that last word with a bit more anger than I meant to convey. Mew-Mew complied, floating towards him as her eyes began to shimmer with an eerie scarlet glow.
Mew-Mew NO! Ed screeched mentally as he whirled around, his entire body suddenly exploding with dark energy, cloaked in an aura of black fog. In an instant, he was just a mass of blackness, only his blood red eyes popping out. I quirked a brow. This was new.
Surge of Soul!
"What?" I said in disbelief as the aura left him, separating from its host to fly as Ed's duplicate. The cloud of darkness collided with Mew-Mew, coiling around her and strapping her small arms to her sides. A startled squeak escaped her as she plummeted to the earth, letting out a pained yelp as she hit the ground. The shadow covered her completely, the tiny feline inside writhing around, struggling. Moments later, the shadows faded, leaving an unconscious, battered, heavily breathing Mew-Mew lying on the ground.
"Mew-Mew!" I shouted before pumping a fist towards Ed. Crystal responded as I'd hoped, emerald green energy bursting from her draconic maw, the Dragonbreath attack acting as my cover as I ran alongside it to reclaim Mew-Mew. Ed smirked. He flapped his wings, mixing the surrounding gusts of air into a shadowy tornado, the two attacks fizzling each other out. I scooped Mew-Mew up in my arms before he could think about another, returning to Crystal's side.
"Mew-Mew… come on, say something." I urged her, leaning in to whisper in her twitching ears. She opened her eyes a fraction, a tortured expression forming over her face. I growled at Ed. "You're asking for it."
Didn't… want to waste that. Ed said, breathing heavily. It requires some time to recharge… the Surge of Soul. However, to get that Mew out of the picture is worth it. He started chuckling, a freakish rumbling wafting from his throat. With her gone, I can get inside your head, crush your thoughts-
"That's pretty silly of you to think." I heard Mew-Mew speak up. I tilted my head downward just preceding a furry paw slapping me square in the forehead. A sharp pain shot through my skull. I cried bloody murder, nearly dropping Mew-Mew in the process. I fought my reflexes and held on as the jagged worm of torment squirmed in my brain. I got down on my knees, not sure of what Mew-Mew had just implanted in my mind.
Ed had an idea though. I don't think he liked it very much. His crimson orbs widened as he built up his Shadow Blast, firing it hastily. I couldn't react- I was too busy cringing. All I heard was an explosion. All I felt was the rude sensation of getting knocked on my backside by a shock wave, legendary cat Pokémon still curled up in my arms, messing around with my head. I clasped my head with one arm when the pain subsided, holding Mew-Mew with the other.
"Okay… that's new," I murmured as short pants shot through my throat. I opened my eyes, teeth clenching at the sight. "Lily!"
The Milotic had taken the full brunt of the attack, now down for the count. I clasped her ball and called her back, the crimson energy returning her to its confines. My eyes darted to Ed, Mew-Mew's mental meddling making my brain blossom with new knowledge. I smirked.
"Thanks Lily. You might have just saved the day." I winked at Mew-Mew. "And thank you, you beautiful thing." I gave Ed my best smug grin. Keep in mind, I have a damn good smug grin. I get lots of chances to practice it. "Nearly Ed. Nearly. But Mew-Mew's just increased my abilities. I've already raised a stronger mental block so you can't go running around in my head. But that's not all I can do now."
What are you-?
"Hold that thought!" I said as I thrust my palm towards Ed, shutting my eyes as I activated the psychic part of my brain once more. Not to defend this time, but to send a strong blast of psychic energy towards Ed. He staggered. And that was what gave me my opening. My head whirled to Crystal. "Dragonbreath!" Crystal opened her maw, a stream of green lightning bursting from it. The distracted Ed was helpless before it as sparks of the draconic energy washed over him. I smirked. "Feel that? That's paralysis circulating through every inch of you." I reached into my pocket, removing the Master Ball I had recovered from the scuffle with Lati-Cassidy and Lati-Ben. "I've been a bit careless so far. You got a free shot on Kenya, Mew-Mew's intervention gave you your chance at Lily, and Dan's departure was totally my bad. But once we get you in this, we won't need to worry about that." I pulled my arm back for the pitch. "Hope you're patient. Who knows how long it'll take to find Ven's dad." I threw, my arc straight and true. The sphere was right on course for Ed's rigid leg and I was preparing my victory strut.
I really had an off day that day. It was a Tuesday. Tuesdays are never good. Also, the sun was in my eyes. No, I am not in denial, Kenya. Shut up.
To further support my defense, no one could have possibly seen this coming. A strand of the same shady substance Ed's Surge of Soul was made of shot from the earth, coiling around the pokéball and throwing it right back at me. I caught it, my fingers clenching around the sphere as a trio of dark tentacles lashing out from beneath, all in our direction.
"Crystal! Dragonbreath!" I gave the order and Crystal complied, the jet of draconic power surging from her maw. When the energies collided, however, Crystal's attack was rendered useless. The shadows passed through it with ease, one of them wrapping around the Flygon's middle before she could try anything else. Her claws lit up and she scratched at the energy. But alas, it was useless.
"What the-?" I couldn't even react before another of these appendages reached out to snatch Mew-Mew from my arms. It swirled around her tail, hoisting her out of my reach with remarkable speed.
The final shadow came for me. I activated my psychic abilities to guard from the immaterial attack, but it broke my barrier with ease, grabbing my arm and pulling me towards Ed. Crystal and I dug our heels in, snarling up a storm. I guess my Pokémon half activated, because I was releasing a very animalistic growl.
"This is new." I said through clenched teeth as well as a fierce glare.
Like it? Ed replied as he brought himself to his feet, shaking the paralysis off like an old coat. I just made it up. And now-
The darkness wrapped tightly around Crystal and Mew-Mew began to morph and shift, becoming a gel which surrounded the two individually. What looked like dark lightning then struck the two within their new cages, both of them making pained expressions. My eyes widened of their own accord. Unlike his cubes, I couldn't touch Ed's new toys no matter how much psychic force I put into my attempts. With my free arm, I reached for Crystal's ball and tried to recall her. The beam was unable to make it past the coating of darkness.
Seconds later, the shadows faded and the two dropped to the ground, both landing in a heap.
-they're finished. Same'll happen to you in a minute. I took a note from you and decided to take some of the Mew's power.
"Cheater."
Only using what's available. I'm absorbing your energy too. I glanced at the tentacle around my arm and grimaced. I can improvise as well, Hybrid. Now. I'm finished talking with you.
His eyelids twitched and that was a clear sign he was preparing for his attack. Worming free wasn't an option, believe me, I tried. I thought of something my two remaining Pokémon could do, but there wasn't time for my idea. The darkness was beginning to ripple. I could only let out a cold snarl.
Until, that is, a bright, shining, noisy blip showed up on my telepathic radar. My eyes flared open. My rage faded to be replaced by a snickering amusement. I burst out laughing. One might think that this would confuse Ed. Quite on the contrary, he sensed the blip too. It was a pretty big blip. Of course, it also helped that the blip was screaming at the top of her incredibly expansive lungs, because she said the following in just one breath.
"THE ONLY ONE WHO'S ALLOWED TO JUDGE, ATTACK, AND DESTROY HIM IS ME YOU PILE OF VOMIT!" Ed whirled around to receive a hands on experience with Vanessa's Flamethrower. The distraction was enough for me to wriggle out of his grasp while the thief showered him with flames. I peered up at the Moltres hovering above Ed and I and I grinned when I saw Lucan atop her head.
"Lucan!" I called out. The pointy ears of the Pikachu twitched. "Jump and use Volt Tackle!"
From the distance we were at and the rain blurring the lenses on my glasses, I could only see the faintest resemblance of a smile on his face. He must've gotten the message. He was leaping off Vanessa a moment later and leaning into a nosedive. Sparks shot from around his body as Volt Tackle activated, a cloak of electricity surrounding his body. Ed was still hung up on that Flamethrower, so by the time he had summoned a dark vortex to dispel it, Lucan was already on the lower half of his descent. He crashed into Ed's chest, the sparks slathering over his black feathers. Lucan got out of there in a hurry after the Lugia started stomping.
F-FOOLS! Ed shouted mentally as he flinched from the shock. That word would've bombarded Lucan and Vanilla like shrapnel if I hadn't started shielding their minds. Ed's eyes alluded to me of an exploding sun. Lucan leapt into my arms to avoid dark sparks which sprinkled from the beast's feathers.
"You stupid, wonderful, little mouse," I praised Lucan, giving his ears a scratch. He grinned giddily, without a shred of guilt for coming back instead of guiding Ventus' friends to the proper location.
And what about me? Vanessa thought at me. I looked up at her with my smarmy grin.
"What about you?" I winked and gave her a thumbs up. I knew it. She liked me. The feeling isn't shared, but it was still nice of her to come back for lil', ol', handsome me.
Ed doesn't like being ignored. After a rather rude roar, a plethora of shadowy ropes burst from his body, aiming towards us. My brow furrowed automatically. This time, I wasn't letting it happen. I snapped my fingers and threw a thought to the winds.
Bi-Bi, defense please.
With that, Bi-Bi came out of her hiding spot along with a pair of glowing emerald eyes. As if by magic, green vines sprouted from the earth to combat Ed's own. They wrapped around one another, tugging and stretching to gain dominance with neither side winning out. I smirked. Crystal's non-physical attack was useless, but these vines were something that the darkness had no choice but to slam into.
Alright. My turn. My grin dropped when I heard Vanessa think those words. I glared at the Moltres in the sky.
"No! Don't! If you use Flamethrower now, you'll burn up our defense!"
Quite right. Ed spoke just before launching himself into the air, shooting towards Vanessa like an arrow. Vanessa flinched, but without experienced command of her wings, she could do little else. He tackled her head on, making sure to put his head above hers and initiate a Shadow Blast.
"Callin! Light Screen! Quick!" I demanded, hopeful that that would at least cushion the blow. A barely visible, translucent screen appeared between the two heads, a final ray of hope for Vanilla. The Shadow Blast burst through it, shattering the defending move with minimal resistance. Vanilla was struck with the brunt of it, but it was far better than it could've been. The Moltres fell like a meteor. And for saving me, I had no choice but to return the favor. Snatching her up in my telekinetic net, I allowed the avian to hover before gently laying her down. Her eyes fluttered open and she scrambled to her talons before rubbing her head with her wing.
Couldn't have stopped him? She asked, rudely.
"He's increased his psychic barriers. Sorry." I noted. I put Lucan down and he glared at Ed in a fighting stance.
"What should I do, Axel?" Lucan asked as he limberly dodged an incoming dark tentacle.
"As long as Bi-Bi's got the defense, you and I can go for offense. So use Thunderbolt!" I instructed. The mouse nodded, cheeks already fully stocked with electricity. He released the energy, Ed within his sights. The bolt surged towards Ed-
-and was suddenly misdirected by a familiar, translucent screen.
"What the-?" I burst out, brow furrowing. Lucan was taken aback as well. I then introduced my face to my palm. They certainly left an impression on one another. "Tell me I didn't just teach you Light Screen."
Ed's response was a flap of the wings and a vortex of shadowy wind. I clenched my teeth, the adrenaline in the pit of my stomachs giving me the spark I needed to snatch up Lucan and Bi-Bi and cover them with my body. The wind began to cut at my clothes and I held my breath for the assault to come.
And then… a miracle happened.
The sharp winds were quite literally blown away by another force. From behind me, I felt an excessively strong gale build up that threatened to knock me clean off my feet. Holding the vulnerable pair of pint-sized Pokémon in one arm, I reached for the only remaining family member who wasn't hiding strategically or taking shelter next to me. I opened Kenya's pokéball and immediately felt a duo of immensely powerful arms curl around me. We took off, Lucan and Bi-Bi in tow. Kenya took us to the one remaining undamaged hut and landed us behind it, next to an unconscious Zangoose, to shield us from the gusts. It worked, but I heard a cracking. Moments later, the roof of the hut came clean off, tumbling in the whirlwind and off the adjacent cliff.
When the winds petered out, I looked up and smiled, giving Kenya the thumbs up. He grinned back. Recalling the creatures in my arms, my attention was given to them. They were both fine. A tad confused, but fine. Relieved, I released them and took a peek around the corner to find an… odd sight. Moltres was in a predatory stance across from Ed in a mirroring one. She had a fury in her eyes, different from the fury I had seen in the human Vanilla.
YOU! DON'T YOU DARE UNDERESTIMATE ME! Vanessa thought.
"Huh. Who knew?" I mused after a quick scan of her mind. I winked towards Kenya. "Vanessa just learned Hurricane. So she's not a one-trick pony."
I CAN HEAR YOU IGAUL! YOU SHUT UP! Vanessa's entire form began to vibrate. Then, a copper aura began to appear over her, like an aqueous suit of armor. I adjusted my glasses to make sure I was seeing it right. Heheh, she was better than I thought. Two new moves in a row? I was considering catching her now.
"Kenya! Back her up with Dragon Rush!" I ordered. Kenya reluctantly complied, becoming bathed in a sapphire light and charging towards Ed. Vanessa did the same. Ed, apparently without the kiddie gloves on anymore, flapped his wings Vanessa's way for a Shadow Storm while at the same time turning his head back towards Kenya for a Shadow Blast. I snickered.
"Not this time, Eddy!" I thrust a palm towards him and built up the air pressure for an Aeroblast. The look on his face, as well as Vanessa's, was priceless. I fired the burst of air. Its speed surpassed Kenya's to collide with the Shadow Blast head on, cancelling them both out and giving Kenya the opening to tackle Ed head on. As for Vanessa, she glided between the blades of air with ease and managed to sandwich Ed between herself and Kenya with her Sky Attack. I pumped a fist in triumph.
I thought you didn't know any attacks! Vanessa yelled once she and Kenya had gotten out of harm's way.
"I lied." I replied. "Wanted it to be a surprise."
Sure. Whatever.
Aw, isn't that sweet? She was getting used to me.
Grrr… Ed was seething. It was hilarious, yet ominous in hindsight.
"No more talk, Ed! Bi-Bi, Leaf Storm!" Bi-Bi sprung from behind me, starting a little jig that immediately spun the leaves from the surrounding trees into a flurry of organic missiles. Each one had their sights on Ed. He covered himself with a wing. Granted, on its own, the attack wasn't doing much damage, but it gave me what I needed. Cover. "Now, Lucan, get on Kenya!"
The Pikachu immediately complied, climbing up Kenya's leg and standing atop the dragon's head. I gave Kenya a pat. He nodded and took off, getting a good bird's eye view of Ed. Ed attempted retaliation, summoning more of his Shadow Storms.
"Yo, Bi-Bi! Help me out with Psychic! Stick those leaves to him!" Bi-Bi and I linked minds and power, taking command of the army of vegetation at our disposal and sticking nearly all of them between Ed's feathers. Before he could fathom what I was trying, I shouted to Vanessa: "Now! Flamethrower!"
YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME! Vanessa mentally screeched. But she did it anyway. Ed saw the flames coming and tried to get out of the way. Now chance I was letting that happen.
"Bi-Bi! Taste of his own medicine, please!" The grass type took my meaning and summoned a squadron of thick vines from beneath Ed which swirled and coiled around Ed tightly to hold him in place. The flames reached him, coating the vegetation and him in an incendiary prison. Despite the rain, I could feel the heat from my safe vantage point. "Fire Pokémon, legendary or not, are at half power in the rain. Keeping the burn up with flammable matter will maximize the effect. And now, Ed. It's checkmate."
My fingers snapped before they pointed to my soldiers of the sky. Ed snarled. I laughed. The heavy raindrops pounding on my head were pouring one word into my brain. Victory.
"Lucan, grab onto Kenya's antennae." He did so. "Kenya, charge a Thunderbolt through Lucan. Lucan, use that power, Zapdos', your own, and the weather to slam the hammer down! NOW!" I thrust a fist at Ed while breathing hard, the feeling of conquest overwhelming everything else. Kenya's antennae sparked, Lucan's body glowed, and at the sound of thunder-
-Lucan hesitated.
The sensation of confusion and frustration washing over me has never been matched. Now Lucan! NOW! What the hell was he doing just standing there, gaping at… VENTUS?!
The Lugia that stood in a curtain of fire no longer had dusky plumage. It had been replaced with the familiar silver and navy blue. The gears in my head worked quickly, my heart sank, and I gave him a quick scan. He still had the same feeling of dread about him. It was still Ed, but he was putting Ventus' image on like a costume. Every heartbeat reeling my senses further into panic, I opened my mouth to warn Lucan.
Lucan, why're you… doing this…? Ed was beating me to it, using Ventus' voice while he was at it. I had gone from panicked to enraged. This was hardly fair. Whatever I did… I'm sorry…
"Ven, I… I'm sorry- I," Lucan whispered sheepishly as the energy he was charging started to fade.
"Lucan, n-" I was cut off by a sudden Shadow Blast from Ed. Kenya attempted a Hyper Beam, but he didn't have enough time to charge. He was struck head on, falling like a star and landing with a horrifying crash. Lucan was relatively undamaged. However, after peering into Kenya's brain, it was clear he had gotten the worst of it. I growled at Ed. I hate cheating. Well, except when I'm doing it, but that's neither here nor there.
He was hardly finished, either. With one strong motion, he broke free from his bonds. His next move was to turn with startling speed towards Vanessa and pin her between his massive wings. She would have surely barfed flames over him had he not activated some sort of psychic assault I had yet to experience. Her eyes remained locked on his and she appeared to be frozen in place. I prepared an Aeroblast, however pointless it seemed. Before I was even halfway ready, Vanessa released a screech. Eyes widened and body shivering, time appeared to stand still for a moment. The Moltres spasmed in sheer agony, pure torture splayed across her face. The legendary bird literally went transparent and the human body of Vanessa fell out of the ghostly image, unconscious and bruised from the invisible assault. The image of Moltres faded slowly, leaving a levitating medallion in its place. The medallion was consumed by shadows… and entered Ed.
I don't know how to describe what I was feeling. On the one hand, I didn't care about Vanessa. On the other… I had no explanation for the empty feeling in my chest. Regardless, I had to focus on the reality. Ed had just absorbed the medallion. He had now obtained Moltres' life force. That was gulp-worthy if you ask me.
Ed's colours faded back to that of his Shadow Lugia form as he whirled around to face me. His smirk was distinct and the predatory gleam in his eyes was unmistakable. He knew something I didn't. He opened his mouth and released a torrent of dark flames. These flames, unlike the original ones, weren't hindered by the weather. I rolled out of the way, but Bi-Bi wasn't as quick. The Celebi was roasted by the shadowy blaze, fainting while falling to the dirt. Heaving a regretful sigh, I recalled my friend to the GS ball.
Oh… this is very good. Ed taunted. I refused to face him. Moltres' strength has restored my own vitality. Hybird, if you only knew the strength that runs through my veins now. Nothing can stop me. The others will fall just as easily. You have nothing left. You three idiot humans have put up quite a fight, but I'm afraid-
"Back up!" I said, deciding to give Ed a quirked eyebrow. He tilted his head, just as confused as me. "Did you say three?"
Doesn't matter, hybrid.
"I think it does. Hahahaha." I chuckled knowingly and brought myself to my feet, adjusting my glasses confidently. "Hahahah- BWAHAHAHAHA!"
Stop laughing at once, Hybrid!
"No!" I shouted, grin proudly displayed. "Laughing is great. When the world is going down and all hope is lost, all you can do is laugh. Laugh until the bad guy is distracted. Laugh until you've thought of a plan. Or… laugh for fun. Which is appropriate in this case."
What the hell are you-?
"How did you take Ventus' form?" I asked as I pointed at him. "You can't if his personality is gone for good. If you ask me… I think he's still in there."
Ed didn't move.
"He's still fighting in some shape or form. He's distracting you. And that gave us enough time to land a few hits on you. And it gave you the opportunity to copy his form and voice. Want to know why I'm laughing? It's cause I know how this is gonna end." I tapped my forehead. "It's all up here."
Then I better crush that head when I get the chance. In the meantime… Ed moved his foot over Vanessa's knocked out self, smiling menacingly. … I wonder what'll happen to your little plan if I stomp her brains out.
There was no thought in me of what to do next. There was only one answer. My button shirt flew off and my wings took flight. As Ed's foot began the process of stomping, I managed to be fast enough to snatch Vanessa and get her out of the way. However… I wasn't quick enough to get my foot out of the way.
"AHHHHHHH!" I screeched. Vanessa flew out of my arms and rolled for a few feet. The pain that shot through my foot as the audible crunch rang out through the air felt like… well, like the weight of a four hundred seventy-six pound monster had just come down on it. My screams blared into the atmosphere, probably shattering the eardrums of any nearby Zubat. And maybe a few faraway ones. I groaned in grasped for air, my shattered bones sending cries for help directly to my brain. Ed brought his foot up for another stomp.
"Hey!" I heard Kenya's voice ring out from behind. Everything went hazy as my pain-raddled mind phased out for a moment due to a thwack to the back of my head.
End of Chapter Twenty-One