Episode 25: The Finale Battle
Gem wished 7 would do something a bit more helpful, but then again, he was giving Gem and Cal a chance. Gem could vaguely understand 7; his loyalty to family against what he believed was right. He'd obviously been conflicted about this for a long time. To the point where he was probably sick of his own conflicted emotions and left it all to one battle. One battle that could save the day, save the world All Gem and Cal had to do was beat 4 and 8.
4 and 8 did not look happy.
"You will pay for this later," 4 snarled.
"I have all the Pokeballs," 7 said, gesturing to his Xatu. "I could just turn completely and attack you."
4 glared at him for a moment longer, and then tossed her single Pokeball. Like Gem expected, Latias came out. She held onto Swampert's Pokeball tightly for a moment. Could they do this? She took a deep breath.
"Go, Swampert!"
"Go, Sceptile!"
Swampert and Sceptile landed beside each other and the four Pokemon faced off.
"Mega Evolve!"
All the Pokemon were encased with light. A moment later, they were all Mega Evolved. Mega Latios and Mega Latias looked practically the same.
"Sceptile, X Scissor!" Mega Sceptile jumped forward and slashed at Mega Latias and Mega Latios. The two flew apart from each other to avoid him.
"Swampert, Mud Slap!" As Latias avoided X Scissor, Mega Swampert swatted her across the side. Gem didn't want to hurt the two legendries, but she had no choice. The best thing she could do was get it over with as quick as possible.
"Latios, Mist Ball!"
Mega Latios breathed out an odd, blurry ball that hit Mega Swampert. Mega Swampert flinched.
"Latias, Zen Head-butt!"
Before Swampet could recover from Mist Ball, Latias slammed him down to the concrete with a glowing headbutt.
"Sceptile, Leaf Storm!" Mega Sceptile released the razor-sharp leaves, pushing Latias and Latios away from Swampert. Swampert got up and shook his head.
"Swampert, Surf!"
Swampert's Surf combined with Leaf Storm, in a way Gem hadn't meant it to. It did massive damage; Latias and Latios caught by Surf and were being hit with Leaf Storm.
"Latios, Dragon Pulse!"
Latios opened its mouth a released the purple energy, destroying the Surf-Leaf Storm combination.
Latias and Latios burst away, out of range, circling and waiting for orders. They patrolled the skyscraper's edge, the fight between legendries still raging below them.
But that fight below was getting higher as the crowded legendries moved for more room to battle. Zaptdos flew past the top of the Tower, the wind from its wings grabbing at Gem's hair. Two Genesect chased after it, but a white-eyed Mesprit, glowing red with psychic power, was chasing them.
Gem was momentarily distracted from the fight in front of her as this happened. As she watched, Zekrom then descended from the dark clouds and lit up with Bolt Strike, surrounding itself with electricity. It charged past Zaptdos. The Genesect immediately sped away to avoid the attack but one was hit by Zekrom and blown away. It crashed down, knocked out. The surviving Genesect was then hit by Mesprit's Swift.
Mega Mewtwo X came to the still-awake Genesect's aid and flew up to help it. As Zekrom's Bolt Strike headed for Mewtwo, he flew to a halt in the air before grabbing the much bigger Pokemon with his psychic powers. As the Deep Black Pokemon still seethed with electricity, Mewtwo redirected the legendary into Zaptdos. They clashed into each other and fell downwards. Mewtwo then charged down after the lower legendary Pokemon, using a powerful Focus Blast on Yveltal.
"Latios, Dragon Breath!"
"Use Dragon Breath, too!"
"Swampert, Protect!" Gem shouted the words without even thinking, drawn back into the battle again.
Mega Swampert leapt in front of Mega Sceptile, blocking the two Dragon Breaths as Latias and Latios dived overhead.
"Sceptile, Leaf Blade!"
Before they could get away again, Sceptile jumped up and swung Leaf Blade at Mega Latias. Mega Latios headed to help it.
"Swampert, Mud Bomb!" Mega Swampert summoned mud to his hands and hurled it at Mega Latios, right on the wing. Mega Latios swung out of control for a moment.
"Hammer Arm!"
Just as Mega Latios managed to get control and recover from Mud Bomb, Mega Swampert jumped into the air and slapped it to the ground. Gem knew the fighting-type move wasn't very effective against a psychic-type, but nonetheless Latios slammed down into the concrete building.
Mega Sceptile and Mega Latias had been fighting, Sceptile trying to get Latias with Leaf Blade. But Latias ducked under and used Zen Head-butt before darting back to the high safety of the sky.
"Sceptile, Night Slash!" Mega Sceptile kicked off of the building up into the air and Slashed at Mega Latias. The move was super-effective, and Latias didn't look too good.
"Latios, Dragon Claw!"
"Protect!" Gem shouted, but Latios didn't go for Swampert. Mega Latios darted forward and began to attack Sceptile, who dodged.
"Night Slash!" Cal ordered. It was a brutal fight for a moment, claws against claws, but Latios hit and sent Mega Sceptile flying.
"Swampert, Mud Slap!" Mega Latios had been distracted by Sceptile and didn't see Swampert as he snuck behind it and smacked it.
"Latias, Dragon Claw!"
"Protect!"
Mega Latias slashed at Swampert's shield as Mega Sceptile and Mega Latios began fighting intensely.
"Swampert, Rock Slide!"
Mega Swampert drew a concrete rock as slammed it right over Latias's head. Latias shook itself, flapping away.
Gem remembered the legendary fight below and glanced down; all but two of the Genesect were knocked out. The Mewtwos were standing back to back, protecting each other as the controlled legendries surrounded them. Though Darkrai, Cresselia, Suicune, Zaptdos, Regice, and Cobalion had been knocked out, Dialga, Kyogre, Groudon, Reshiram, Regiteel, Regirock, Uxie, Azelf, Victini, Meloetta, and Landorus had all arrived. As she watched, a Pokemon Gem had only heard of once, Tapu Fini, flew into battle.
The two Mewtwos used Aura Sphere, Shadow Ball, Icy Wind, and whatever they could to beat back the legendries as they drew in. Only a few of the Champion's Pokemon were still up and fighting. Cynthia's Mega Garchomp was facing off with Dialga, taking the Time Pokemon on single-handedly. Steven's Armaldo, Iris's Lapras, Archeops, and Haxorus, and Thorn's Weavile teamed up against Meloetta, Reshiram, Regirock, and Victini. Gem absorbed all this in an instant.
"Swampert, Hydro Pump!" Gem shouted.
"Latias, Dragon Breath!"
Mega Swampert blasted Mega Latias with Hydro Pump and Latias met the plume of water with its own gust of purple energy. The two powerful blasts pushed against each other for a moment before Hydro Pump overcame Dragon Breath and made it through to Latias. Latias flew back, wailing, and when Swampert stopped the stream of water, Eon Pokemon was finally knocked out.
"You'll pay for that," 4 muttered. Gem ignored her. Latias was out. Now they just had to beat Latios.
"Swampert, Hammer Arm!"
Mega Latios and Mega Sceptile had been fighting a short distance away. Latios was taking advantage of the move Protect, dragging out the fight. But Swampert jumped in, taking Latios by surprise with Hammer Arm. Mega Latios dodged it, but Mega Sceptile hit it with Night Slash.
The super-effective move sent Mega Latios flying and landing hard. It was knocked out.
There was a pause, in which all the Pokemon reverted to their normal forms.
"We beat them!" Cal shouted to 7. He had to shout; the noise of the battle below was deafening. "How do we stop the legendary Pokemon?"
"You don't," 7 said. "She does." He pointed at Gem.
Gem calmed her heart and went to the stone. Aggron stepped aside for her; 4 and 8 glared maliciously.
Gem touched the stone. It felt warm, like the nice heat of a fire on a cold day. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
Stop, Gem thought to it. Stop fighting. Legendries, you are free. Go home.
The loud noises of the fight below stopped. Gem opened her eyes and turned to look down; the legendary Pokemon weren't moving, but looking up at her.
(Except for Mega Mewtwo Y, who didn't realize the fight had stopped and used Ice Beam on Reshiram. The Vast White Pokemon shook itself, recovered, and gave her a reproachful look as it said I am free, I am no longer attacking you. She immediately looked guilty and psychically whispered sorry while Mewtwo gave a snort that echoed through the now-quiet square). Reshiram turned its attention up to Gem.
Sweet Mew, if Gem got stressed when Champions looked at her it was nothing compared to how she felt with all the legendary Pokemon staring at her.
Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina nodded in gratitude, and then flew off, each disappearing into their own dimension.
Lugia, its lithe and slender white form that looked like it swam through the air, glided up the tower to get a better look at Gem. Ho-Oh, Kyogre, Reshiram, Landorus, Moltres, and Articuno, all joined it, circling around the building, eyes on Gem. Pokemon that couldn't fly looked up at her, all eyes glowing different colors. Even both Mewtwos and the Genesect looked up. Mewtwo had a small smile on his lips.
Thank you, a voice spoke in her mind. Gem jumped; it came from Lugia, which smiled as it glided around. Lugia's voice was deep and powerful, yet oddly calm and gentle. You have done well.
Gem didn't know what to say, so she only nodded. Then Lugia flapped its wings, getting higher into the sky, before disappearing behind the clouds. Many of the other flying legendries followed it.
The rest then began to head home, whether by air or land or Teleportation. Many nodded in thanks to Gem before leaving. A few of them helped their fellow injured legendries.
The Mewtwos glanced side to side at the leaving Pokemon. After a moment, they flew up Tree Tower to Gem. The two Genesect who were still awake flew down to see their knocked-out comrades. Gem hoped a Nurse Joy was nearby.
Mewtwo and Mewthree went back to their regular forms as they landed. Mewtwo narrowed his eyes at the remaining O8 leaders.
These don't belong to you, Mewtwo said. His eyes glowed blue, and then the Pokeballs flew out of 7's hands easily. Gem caught her Pokeballs as they flew to her. Ten other Pokeballs, of which Gem assumed belonged to 4 and 8, floated around Mewtwo.
And these should be destroyed, Mewthree said. Her eyes glowed, too, and the two Pokeballs 4 and 8 were holding lifted themselves out of their hands. Mewthree crushed them, freeing Latias and Latios. They were still knocked out, however, and would need to see medical attention.
Metagross caught up and landed on Tree Tower. On it were Steven and Cynthia, still looking serious and grim yet relieved. Gem guessed Cynthia's Braviary had been knocked out. Steven's Metagross looked worse for wear.
"4, 7, 8," Steven said. He hoped off his Pokemon and walked up to them. "You are under arrest." He drew out handcuffs.
"Wait," Gem said, "7 helped us. He's good." 7 tilted his head, a sad smile on his face.
"No, I didn't," he said. "I gave you a chance, that was all. I will pay the price." He lifted his wrists. Steven glanced at Gem, confused, and handcuffed 7 last.
"We need to decide what to do with the stone," Cynthia said a moment later. "It's too much power. And now that Gem's woken it up, anyone can use it."
"We need to hide it somewhere," Steven agreed. "Somewhere no one will ever find it."
4 and 8 looked more alert, listening intently. Steven saw this and smiled.
"But we can decide where later," he said.
All of a sudden, something light pink appeared right in the middle of the roof.
"Mew!"
Gem had never seen anything like it. It looked like a cross between a bunny, a mouse, a kitten, and baby. It was cute galore.
Mew, Mewtwo said, his voice slightly dry. Couldn't have come a bit earlier, couldn't you?
Mew chuckled, flicking its long tail back and forth. It floated up to both Mewtwos and tilted its head questionably.
"Mew, Mew, Mew!" it said.
Yes, Mewtwo said, still looking slightly annoyed at its original. Humans have cloned another.
Mewthree looked rather speechless, and Gem was with her. There were old tapestries of Mew, but none of them had made it look like this. Mew was not only the most powerful Pokemon, but also the most adorable.
Mew smiled and gave a little nod to Mewthree, and then it turned and floated over to Gem. Gem stared at it, shocked. It frowned a little, as if confused, looking her up and down. Then it smiled, seemingly pleased.
"Mew," it said gleefully, and then, to Gem's surprise, it began flying around her in circles crying out "Mew! Mew! MEW!"
"What is it!?" Gem asked Mewtwo, alarmed. Mewtwo looked slightly puzzled.
It knows you activated the stone, Mewtwo said slowly, seeming to translate the words as Mew said them. The stone can only be activated by a trainer who forms the strongest bond with their Pokemon.
"What?" Gem asked. "The strongest bond?"
She thought back to all her Pokemon, thinking of her bond with them.
Even though she had been pressured to be strong to win the Flower Tournament, she had chosen Mudkip as her starter Pokemon simply because he had reminded her of herself. She had even risked her journey, forgetting her plans to train at Marigold Town, so that the Ralts she had caught could be with Cal's.
She had trained the dreamy, aimless Magnemite to be the determined Magnezone it was now. The little shy Budew was now the elegant (if perhaps show-offish) Roserade. The lone Houndoom now loved attention and people. The slow, tiny Trapinch was now the confident, powerful Flygon. She was proud of her Pokemon. She loved them.
And her Pokemon loved her back. She remembered fighting every battle with them, being so worried when she had lost them in the middle of the night in the woods. She remembered fighting with them in the Flower Tournament, finally coming home with them, activating the stone to save them…
She could be confident in that. She may doubt her own strength and capabilities, but she knew she loved her Pokemon and she knew they loved her back.
She may doubt she was the best at it but Mew had said "a trainer," so she wasn't the only one.
8 had been wrong. Knowing a Pokemon's personality wasn't a trainer's greatest weakness; it was their greatest strength.
Mew grinned at her one last time before turning to the stone.
Everyone watched as Mew observed the stone, circling around it. It paused on top, looking at the Mewtwos.
"Mew, Mew, Mew," it said questionably.
Humans found it, Mewtwo said.
"What's it saying?" asked Steven.
It knows this stone, Mewthree translated.
"Mew, Mew," Mew said.
It lived with the ancient tribe that made it, Mewthree continued.
"Of course it did!" 4 snapped. "The stone has bits of Mew's DNA in it, the ancestor of all Pokemon. Through that, the stone controls legendries."
"Fascinating," Cynthia whispered.
"Mew, Mew, Mew, Mew," Mew said.
Take it, then, Mewtwo said, And hide it better than you did last time.
"What did it say?" asked Cynthia.
It's going to take the stone, Mewthree said.
"Mew," Mew said, and then it sat down on top of the stone. It then used Teleport, and was gone. So was the stone.
ooo
The Genesect, Latias, and Latios were tended to, and then they all flew home. Mewthree went with the Genesect to make sure they got there (she said they weren't familiar with this world and would need her guidance). After the O8 was locked up, the Champions went back to their regions. Mewtwo just sort of vanished; Gem guessed he wasn't too good at goodbyes.
Gem and Cal returned home, and this time they stayed there. They saw each other every day, and it…just sort of happened.
They became a couple.
Gem just found herself calling Cal her boyfriend, and he called her his girlfriend. A year after the chaos, they continued their journey and challenged the Elite Four and Champion. They both won.
Gem replaced Thorn as Champion, and Cal settled for being the strongest member of the Elite Four. It was a surprisingly enjoyable job, always seeing new trainers with their determination that had brought them this far. The incredible bonds they shared with their Pokemon always filled Gem with joy.
Life as Champion was tough; she had to sort out the last of the O8 and keep the Flower Region safe. But with her Pokemon and Cal beside her, she enjoyed every second of it.
Gem and Cal still saw a lot of their old friends. Every year they invited the other Champions to visit, just to catch up, and it became an official day. Mewtwo and Mewthree also started to come on this day, and it was always good to see them.
Mewtwo apparently spent a lot more time with people than he'd used to, occasionally getting into deep conversations with Cynthia or Diantha. He still hadn't quite found the meaning of his life, his purpose, but Gem got the feeling his purpose was simply to be there when the world needed him. She mentioned this to him, and he just seemed thoughtful.
Things were perfect. Gem had lived up to her parents expectations and found a future she truly enjoyed. Her journey had given her countless friends, including her Pokemon, and adventures and memories she would keep forever. It had been amazing.
Although, a few years later when she finally had children of her own, she never once stressed them to win the Flower Tournament.
(They did it anyway)
ooo
ooo
Author's Notes: WHEW! There you go, all put up! I really hope you enjoyed my story! It was a long process; not just writing, but I had the idea of it hanging around my head for some time before I started it. It really developed; it, at first, was going to be a story centered on Mewtwo, where he actually joined Gem and Cal on their journey after the coffee shop introduction. But by then I was attached to Gem and wanted to focus a little more on her, so I had him leave. Sorry.
I might make a Mewtwo-centered story one day. I started one that took place after this story. It was really good for a few chapters, but didn't do so well a little later (after Mewtwo became Shadow Mewtwo. I just didn't know how to make him cooler/more powerful).
Speaking of what else I might put up, there are a few parts of the Pokemon Fanfiction that I still might explore. I skipped over certain story ideas and battles, such as how Cal met Seel and how Gem met Houndoom. I didn't do them because I was worried about the pacing, going off-plot, and repeating the same thing. Who knows, maybe someday.
Thank you all so much for reading! It means a lot to me!