Double D shivered at the sight of the sauropod-like creature looming over him. It's red eyes seemingly pierced into his soul. Watt was no better, still lightly wounded from his scrap with Spiritomb, and equally frightened.
The snarling grimace it's face made was also offputting.
"S-s-s-so...you're...Xerneas'...'Papa'..." Double D began.
The entity shrieked loudly, making the two of them leap back against one of the luminous bluish white crystals.
'I am great Dialga.' The creature telepathed. 'The heart whose beat is the tick of time. The pinnacle of Temporal Tower, and the creation of the original one."
The words ran themselves over in Edd's mind as he tried to ponder what they meant. He glanced around, seeing himself to be in somewhat of a courtyard outside of a spiralling grey and aquamarine-colored tower of unknown composition.
"Holy...What in the heck is that!" Eddy asked, rising up to get a good look at the "Dialga."
"It's a big diamond horse!" Ed suggested.
"Horse? Try some sort of dinosaur or dragon or somethin'..."
"Zrrrt! Zrrrt-Zrrrt!" A panicked buzzing echoed from nearby. Double D shot a glance to see Roto-Z with more of the odd hex-bolt headed creatures. They were all huddled against it with their heads pressed down against the possessed Pokedex, making a light crunching sound.
"Hey! Hey!" Double D shouted. "You leave him be!"
The strange beasties turned to him before fleeing with hissing sounds. The Rotom Pokedex hovered halfhazardly up to Double D. Several abrasions resembling bite marks adorned it's body.
"Hey...Roto-D, you think...Zrrrt..You could hit me with a Potion?"
Double D reached into his bag and sprayed him with a medicine bottle. Within moments, the Pokedex-bodied Rotom was instantly regenerated. "Gee, thankzzz, pal!"
"Where are we?" Rain asked, looking around for a familiar keystone bound head.
'My home...and Papa's.' Xerneas spoke. 'Temporal Tower. The one in the sky I showed you that we were trying to reach.'
"Ohhhh...But...how did we get here?" The girl wondered.
'I brought you lot of children here. After seeing you battle the evil one, I recognized the righteous hearts that most of you seem to have.' Dialga telepathed.
"Most of us?" Eddy began.
"Those amongst you without greed." A nearby voice spoke with a voice bearing a tone similar to the rush of a calm stream. "And arrogance." A figure came into view. The children and Watt's eyes popped open.
"It is the metal man escaped from the labs of Dr. Zazarouz!" Ed said, referencing an old B-movie he saw. Though this could be believable.
The stranger's skin and hair were reflective and silvery as if he truly were made of metal. He seemed to be in his mid teens, with long hair reaching past his shoulders. His eyes were a cool, collected blue. He wore a red and black jumpsuit with silver studs on the shoulders, elbows and knees.
"What are you?" Rain asked, surprised, until she gasped into her hand. "Sorry, I mean, who are you?" The boy chuckled and raised his hand, forgiving her.
"I can understand your surprise. My name is Claud. I am Lord Dialga's envoy. I had been searching for young Master Xerneas for him, until he himself came to the rescue."
"What does metal-born Claud mean by arrogance-" Rolf began, before Claud turned to him. He gestured to him, Eddy, and Kevin. "One of you is dominated by arrogance AND greed. The other two are influenced by arrogance."
'CLAUD…" Dialga began, leaning toward him. 'I saved them regardless. That beast would have slain them.'
"Forgive me, master." Claud bowed his head. "I am merely the custodian of Temporal Tower. I just felt that these three may not have been worthy to be here."
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean!?" Eddy growled. "It's just a tow-" Claud turned back to him, eyes glinting an eerie orange color.
"This place represents the continual flow of the timeline. If it were destroyed, or vandalized severely enough, time may stop. That's why only the lords Dialga and Palkia can bring people here, and only those near a select few important Pokemon can even detect it's presence. The altar stone which young Master Xerneas used to sneak out is the proper exit to ground level.
"Lord Dialga created me from steel, and imbued me with the power to read aura, and tell the content of one's character immediately. Save for these three, you all have noble hearts. But you." Claud pointed to Eddy. "You are the worst."
"Me!? The worst!?" Eddy raised his brow. "Get real. I am so not arrogant."
Double D, Kevin and Rolf squinted at him behind his back.
Claud smirked. "Now that I'm finally alone…" Eddy and the others blinked at the voice that escaped his lips.
It was Eddy's own voice.
"-I'm finally free to catch whatever I want without worrying about the others."
"Hey, what kind of-!?" Eddy began until an image appeared inside one of the larger crystals. It was an image of Eddy catching his Growlithe(even though it was a peaceful capture). Then it changed to his Primeape dropping a rock(albeit of it's own accord.) on his Sandile's tail and allowing him to catch it and clear Hapu's trial. Finally, there was the pink-fluffed Buneary.
"You allowed two of your Pokemon to be painfully assaulted all in an effort to use your Capture Orb and claim this one, despite already having finished your trial." Claud said in his own voice. "One of which you bribed with a snack to join you."
"And your point?"
"You are ruled by your greed. You should really be ashamed to call yourself a Pokemon Trainer."
"Okay, look! I'm not pulling scams anymore, am I?"
"True." Claud continued. "But have you truly moved on from that point in your life?"
"Where are you going with this?" Eddy asked, sneering at him.
Claud reached to his waist and pulled something loose. It was a small, all white metal sphere that grew to the size of a baseball.
"Is that a monster ball?" Ed asked.
"Battle my acquaintances and I. And I will see just how your heart responds to my test."
"Feh!" Eddy spat. "Why do I have to battle a dumb robot like you? Play with Ed!" He suggested passively as he turned to leave.
Claud sighed, looking up to Dialga, who gave a stern glance at Eddy.
A fiery ball of energy cut off Eddy's path. He hopped back in fright, turning back to Dialga, whose jaw was smoking. "What is wrong with you!?"
'SILENCE, BOY. AND LISTEN TO MY VOICE.' Dialga growled mentally.
Eddy went back to the others and sat down. The others followed suit.
The Temporal Pokemon raised his head. 'Long ago...we saw the ways of the humans of your world that held arrogance and greed in their hearts.'
Double D perked up. "How can that be? Pokemon don't naturally exist here."
"In the beginning…" Dialga continued. "They did."
"But if that's so...what happened to them?" Now the formerly sockheaded boy was being skeptical. "There is no evidence of them in our Earth's fossil record-" Dialga shrieked loudly again, making the young trainers nearly jump out of their skin.
"Socknot, when the magic dragon horse thing that can spit fireballs is talking...I think it's smart not to interrupt it every five seconds!" Kevin shouted.
Edd was smart enough to keep his mouth shut as Dialga continued.
"Ages ago, when the Original One gave rise to creation, it created the Magical Creatures onto your world along with the others you know of. And the union was good. Until the dark times came."
The crystals around them lit up with an eerie red glow as the sound of a cracking whip cut the air.
"Work, you low beasts!" A voice called as the pained cries of a Pokemon was heard.
"The Original One saw the suffering of the Magical Creatures under the human's bondage. They had no Capture Orbs, so they resorted to forming hunting parties and capturing them in ropes, traps and irons.
"Unlike the humans of the other worlds who were predominantly good, forming life long bonds and living together with their own creatures, the humans of your world were predominantly evil. They sought dominion over man and creature, seeing the Magical ones as nothing but mindless beasts of burden. Great wars flared from score to score as they murdered each other and themselves."
Dialga raised his head, loosing a mist from his mouth. The outline of an almost equine figure with a ring around it's body took shape. "The Original One stretched out it's arms…" Double D made mental note of how the figure didn't seem to have a single arm. "-And gathered the Magical Creatures away from the abusive, monstrous humans, sweeping away all they had built with their labor, and took them to another world where they would be lead better lives.
"In spite of all it had witnessed, the Creator had a degree of mercy on your world's humans, cleansing their memories and replacing the Pokemon with different species of creatures that bore no powers. This would be the trial run to heal them of their past evils. Until it would deem them worthy of Pokemon again."
"That's such a...deep story…" Rain said. "I don't think I'd have liked to live back then."
"It would not be preferable." Rolf added.
"But then...the evil ones of the other worlds came…" The image of a red R appeared in each of the crystals before being dyed with the colors of the rainbow.
"Those Rocket dweebs…" Kevin whispered.
"Their men of science acquired the knowledge to travel between worlds. This rupture brought Pokemon from throught existence to this one. No good can come of what they plan…"
"Why...are you telling us all this?" Eddy asked.
"Because." Dialga began. "You safeguarded my charge, Xerneas. And for that, i thank you." It bowed it's head before continuing. "But first, I warn you." He turned to Double D and Watt with a snarl. "Beware the evil that lurks amongst you."
Kevin, Rolf, and Eddy turned to face the two of them. Kevin and Rolf had uneasy looks, but Eddy raised an eyebrow.
"What? What are you looking at us for?" Double D asked, trying to defuse the situation.
"We all know what he's talking about, Double Dweeb." Kevin said. "That mouse of yours might wind up being a problem."
"He's an innocent creature!"
"Double D…" Rolf began. "You must accept the fact. Thunder-Mouse Watt has a truly great darkness inside him."
"There...must be some logical explanation." Edd countered, hiding Watt behind him and taking a shielding stance. "Some procedure must've been done to make him this way. And such there must exist a way to reverse it." He turned to Dialga as Rain frowned uneasily. "Xerneas said that you could help him!"
Dialga seemed to scowl.
"Xerneas was wrong." Edd's jaw gaped at this statement.
"No…" He gasped.
"I am but the master and embodiment of time. Healing THAT is not within my power, and darkness is tied to it's very blood." Dialga said. "This thing you harbor..." It motioned toward Watt with it's head, making Watt back away nervously. "-Is NOT a natural life form."
"What do you mean-!?" Double D asked. "Please, tell me!"
"It is a freak. Concocted in a laboratory by men with wicked intent." The Temporal Pokemon began, making Edd even more shocked. "It was made to kill the living."
Double D shook at Dialga's words. "No...No...Watt is my dear friend! He can't be...a monster like that Spiritomb!"
Kevin, Rolf, Eddy, Rain and Ed gasped, although while the others were gasps of shock, Ed's was one of awe.
"It was not born a Pokemon, but created." Dialga added. "A weapon of evil."
"Stop it!" Double D demanded, falling on his knees and fighting back the tears. "Stop it!"
"It should be snuffed out while it's still in the larval stage. Before it becomes too powerful to be stopped. And if it were to actually reproduce-"
"I said STOP IT!" Double D drew a Poke Ball from his belt. Dialga's eyes widened, taking this gesture as a threat. It widened it's stance, leaning forward and baring it's teeth.
'Insolent child! You dare threaten me? When I am essentially a GOD!?' Dialga snarled.
Double D motioned with the Ball. "I believe in science. Besides, even if you are so powerful, you're still a Pokemon. And by that reasoning, I can catch you just the same as any other."
'Just go ahead and try it! You'll be bawling like a newborn babe!" The saurpod-like creature snorted. "In fact, that can be arranged!'
Rain grabbed Double D's arms from behind. "W-were sorry, Mister…"
'Dialga.'
"Right...We're sorry to have bothered you. Double D, please, calm down."
The smartest Edd took a deep breath, returning the Ball to his belt.
"You're wrong about Watt." He said, walking away. "He's no monster...or 'demon'," Edd added in a mocking tone, waving his hands. "He is my friend. And I love this Pichu with the entirety of my heart." He picked the Tiny Mouse Pokemon up and held him closely. Watt nudged against Double D's chest, eyes locked onto Dialga's nervously. "When he hurts, I hurt. And if you think just because he was modified by so-called scientists, that means he has to be destroyed, then you couldn't be more wrong.
"He IS good." Double D added. "He's only sick."
Dialga glanced upward into space, as if mulling a thought over in his head. Then he gave a quick jolt forward, and exhaled.
Double D and Watt both screamed in terror, expecting a fire attack, or something similar, but instead, a white mist shot out of Dialga's maw, covering Watt's form.
"Pi! Pi-chu! Chu!" Watt coughed as he wriggled uncomfortably in his trainer's arm.
Double D saw a soft glow emanating from the Pichu's body. In the center of his belly, a small, blue, gear-shaped sigil appeared before disappearing.
"What did you do?" He asked Dialga.
'That seal will contain his evil. For the time being.' Dialga said, before motioning toward a large open gateway in the wall. 'Get out. You are no longer welcome. To leave, stand on top the stone in the center of the terrace and imagine gusting wind blowing around your body.'
As the Legendary Pokemon turned to retreat into the tower proper, Double D stood back up.
"Th...Thank you." Double D said as Rain stood by him.
'Do NOT thank me. Leave as I said.' Dialga telepathed as he tromped away, stopping beside Claud.
"My lord...why did you do that?" The steely-skinned being inquired.
Dialga glanced at his servant. "To show him the error of his ways." He gestured back toward Eddy. "Issue whatever test you have for that one and let them be gone."
Dialga stepped into another open gate behind Claud.
The stranger turned to the others as Double D, Watt, and Rain left. He held up the all white metal Poke Ball he had again.
"Now then... little one…" Claud began. "Shall we begin?"
Double D stepped out onto a terrace outside. Roto-Z hovered up to him. Watt let tears run down his cheeks as they sparked.
"Pi...Pi...Pi!" The Pichu sniffled. Double D patted his back.
"It's okay, Watt." He said softly. "There there. He's wrong. You aren't evil. You're a good Pokemon...and my friend."
Watt smiled as Double D embraced him. Rain stepped up beside him. "So...Gusting wind, huh?"
"I don't see how this would be a way to get us back on the ground." said Double D. "But nothing makes any genuine sense anymore."
The two of them closed their eyes, and concentrated. The stone on which they stood took on an azure glow that emanated from the center. A spiralling light engulfed them.
0
-Battle! Azelf/Mesprit/Uxie-
Eddy took his belt off and thought about which Pokemon he should use against Claud. "Hmmm…" He took Jill's Ball.
"All right. Let's hope for some beginner's luck. Go, Jill!" He hucked the Ball and with a pop, it opened, loosing the brown and pink bunny.
"Bun?" Jill looked around frowning. "Bun-bun-ear-ryry?(Oh-no, already?)"
Eddy stooped down(he didn't have to stoop far) and put his hands on her shoulders. The Buneary had to do everything in her power not to slug him with her ears.
"Okay, girl. Now I know this guy looks creepy, so he's probably gonna try and syke us out. But we're tougher than that. You practically demolished Torchy and Volty, so I know you can take down whatever's comin' at ya."
"Bun…" Jill rolled her eyes and hopped up in front of him.
"Dorky's gonna get creamed." Kevin noted.
Rolf remembered his battle with Preston and Hopz back when Bastion was a Torchic in Peach Creek.
"Do not mock the hare, Kevin. Beneath it's menial appearance is hidden a great wellspring of force."
"Well then." Claud began. "Allow me to introduce one of MY loyal companions." He threw the Ball and it dissolved into squares in the air, loosing a flash of blue light that morphed into one of the fluid metal bodied-creatures that was huddled around Watt and attacked Edd's Rotom Dex.
"Ksshing!" It cried out, flailing stubby arms.
"It's some kinda nut-head." Eddy noted, pulling out his own Pokedex.
"No data available." The device began.
"What!?"
"It's called Meltan. A Steel-Type Pokemon. They dwell up here with us, as well as a few others." Claud described. "Let's see how you fare against this one. Come at us whenever you're ready."
Eddy looked down at Jill, who seemed to have her misgivings, looking Meltan over investigatively.
"Jill...Use...Pound?" Eddy suggested, unsure of what they could really try.
Jill shot her coiled ear out, jabbing Meltan with it. The molten-bodied creature seemed to recoil, but only slightly.
"Headbutt." Claud said passively.
Meltan reared it's hexbolt-shaped head back and slammed it into Jill's head.
"Buuuun!" Jill exclaimed painfully, rubbing her head while Meltan slithered back.
"Hey! I know what to do." Eddy began. "Growl!"
Jill shook her head and let out a loud cry of "-Eary!". Meltan seemed to shiver as it gained a lightly blue tint for a moment.
"Thunder Wave." Claud added.
"Shing!" Meltan hissed, loosing a faint electric phenomenon from it's plug-shaped tail in the form of rings. Jill felt her body seize up as the rings passed through her. The ball of pink fur covering her abdomen and legs fluffed out lightly.
"Jill!?"
"It's paralyzed." Kevin noted. "This thing seems a little sneaky."
"Yeah? Well get this! Use Frustration!" Eddy growled.
Jill hopped up, getting angry and aiming to flog Meltan with her ears and paws, but she stopped in her tracks, completely frozen with paralysis.
Eddy groaned as Claud snapped his fingers. "Give it another good Headbutt."
Meltan bashed his head into Jill, sending her skidding on her back next to Eddy.
"Bunnneee…" She groaned.
"Can you get up?" Eddy asked.
"Bunnn.." Jill rose up, but winced as she did so.
"All right then. Give it your best Attract!"
The Buneary looked at him as if he asked her to fly to the moon before glancing at Meltan. "(Can I even use that on this thing?)" She decided to do so, giving a wink. A heart outline drew itself out in front of her eye and flew at Meltan. It hit, shattering into multiple smaller hearts that circled around it and vanished.
Meltan however was less than amused, seeming to shut it's eye and look away.
Eddy and Jill's jaws hung open.
"I...Is it a girl?"
"Meltan is genderless, boy." Claud chuckled. "Attraction has no effect on it."
"Seriously?!"
"Now Meltan, use Flash Cannon!" It's trainer commanded.
"Ka-shiii!" Meltan shrieked, gathering a silver glow into it's eye and firing a large beam of energy. The Buneary tried to shield herself but was blasted back behind Eddy.
"Jill!" Eddy gasped, running up to her. Her eyes swirled as she groaned, fainting. He clutched his fist and pulled her back inside her Ball.
"All right then." He produced another Ball. "Boss, you're on!"
The Alolan Meowth manifested on a fours in a flash. The feline looked around, unsure of the situation. '(Uh oh...battle time.)' He had been hoping he could find a comfortable roosting spot to groom himself, but it seems he would have to wait. He turned to see Meltan. "(HA! What's dat t'ing, some kinda blob?)"
"Use Shadow Claw!"
"Reeeow!" Boss stood up and hissed, detracting his claws, which became coated in a purple energy in the form of larger claws. He lunged at Meltan and swiped, but the Mythical Pokemon seemed unharmed by the attack.
"Headbutt!" Claud commanded. Meltan slammed it's metal head into Boss, knocking him facefirst into the ground.
The cat Pokemon rose back up, shaking his head. "(Okay, so you're tough. But I'm so much betta!)"
"Give it a Thunderbolt!" Eddy directed. Boss pointed his sharp claws at Meltan, electricity crackling from his whiskers and ears.
"Mrrow-MRREOW!(Annnnd ZAP!)" Lightning crackled from his claws, striking Meltan and knocking it away.
Claud looked a bit concerned. "Hmmm...Interesting." He waved his arm. "Then we'll use Thunderbolt as well."
"What!?" Eddy blanched as Meltan rose, electricity coarsing from it's liquid body and up to it's head, channeling into it's eye.
"Shing-ka-shing!" Meltan hissed, loosing a blue bolt at Boss. Boss hissed as he was electrocuted and rendered unconscious falling next to Eddy.
"Boss lost to an attack he knew!?"
"I would tend to that ones' wounds before proceeding." Claud advised.
Eddy sat down his patched up backpack and pulled two potions out of it. "Sorry, Boss." He gave the bluish-grey Scratch Cat a few quick spritzes.
Boss shook his head and woke up. "Mrr-meeowth-Nya-meroww-reeow-Nyar-meowwth.(Never...make me fight a Steel-Type again.)" He vocalized. Eddy returned him to his Poke Ball before pulling out a Quick Ball. "All right then. If I recall, fire melts metal! So lemme introduce my new buddy Torchy!"
He threw the ball, making it pop open and loose the red, striped fire pup.
Torchy wagged his tail. "(Oh boy, oh boy! Play time!)" He raised his hind end, giving the play stance.
"Give 'em your best Ember!"
The Growlithe inhaled, before spitting a burst of embers at Meltan. The metal Pokemon hissed and wriggled, obviously not liking the attack.
Torchy gave a pleased grunt, until Meltan reared back up.
"Flash Cannon!" Claud commanded. Meltan let loose with the attack, but Torchy leapt out of the way.
"Flame Wheel!" Torchy was cloaked in flames and gave the Hexnut Pokemon a rolling tackle. Meltan was slammed into a crystal and fainted.
"Well...that was unfortunate." Claud said. "Sorry. Rest for now." He whipped his arm and pixels coated Meltan's form. The pixels coalesced into a sphere that shrank into the strange metal Poke Ball he'd thrown earlier. It flew back into his hand as he produced another one.
"Let's see how you fare against this one." He tossed the sphere and it burst apart the same as before. The beam of light impacted against the ground, and coalesced into a much larger figure.
Eddy, Rolf and Kevin gasped in unison. This creature was much larger than Meltan, or the Growlithe, but had the same hex-bolt head with a single black eye. It's metal body seemed much more solid, with black hexnuts serving for shoulders and arm endings, as well as a hole in the center of it's chest in the shape of one.
"Kaa-chiiiiinnnn!" The creature seemed to roar.
"So what is it, Daddy Ratchet!?" Kevin asked, pulling out his own Pokedex.
"No data avaliable." The device chirped in a feminine computer voice.
"This one's name is Melmetal." Claud continued. "The evolved form of Meltan. Meltan evolves when it consumes enough metal particles. I'll think you'll find this one is in a league of it's own."
Eddy balled his fist and shook it. "Whatever. We can take it down all the same." Eddy remembered how powerful Torchy's Flame Wheel was, but decided that it might be better to stay at a distance.
"Ember!"
Torchy whipped his head around and breathed another cloud of light flames at Melmetal. The metal golem simply marched into it. As the embers danced across it's surface, it seemed annoyed by the attack, but continued it's approach.
"Mega Punch." Claud said.
"Dodge it!" Eddy shrieked, aware of what well could happen if it hit. Melmetal swung it's fist, but Torchy managed to hop back. The dog managed to jump on top of it's arm and actually run across it toward the titan's face. "Flame Wheel, let's go!"
Torchy's form lit ablaze as he hit Melmetal's face with the full force of his body. Melmetal shrank back, but remained largely unhurt.
"Woo-hoo!" Ed cheered. "Flame on, fire-puppy!"
"That's quite the quick-acting Pokemon." Claud scratched his chin.
"Don't patronize us." Eddy spat. "Now give a Howl!"
Growlithe shook his fur as he landed and gave a wolf-like howl as he momentarily gained a red aura.
"Excellent thinking, but it won't last long enough to use the attack power boost. Melmetal, finish it off with Double-Iron Bash!"
The titan swung it's metal arms around and twirled lightly before slamming it's first bolt/fist into Torchy. The fire dog was knocked aside.
The boys gasped at the force they could feel from the impact. Torchy could barely manage to stand back on all fours as he growled at Melmetal, who approached for a second strike.
Eddy could feel the heat from his fist as Melmetal brought it down and quickly grabbed Torchy's Ball from his belt. "Torchy, come back!"
The Puppy Pokemon turned back to Eddy before a beam of blue and yellow light hit him and drew him inside the Quick Ball.
Claud raised his head.
"You recalled your Pokemon as it was about to take the finishing blow for you...Why?"
"I wouldn't want that THING to kill it."
The metal-skinned young man closed his eyes. "I see...so you do have the capacity for mercy. The potential to become a caring Pokemon Trainer. We'll call that the Growlithe's withdrawal from this match."
Eddy scowled, checking his Pokedex.
"So...Steel-Type is weak to Fighting and Ground-Types as well...Hmm…" He took one of the Poke Balls on his belt and swapped it with one of the Pokemon in his Box Port, reattached the Ball to his Belt and pulled out another. "Go, Capone!"
With a pop, the small crocodile emerged, facing him.
"S-san-sandile-dile-san-sand-(All right, who's my next victim-woah…)" The Desert Croc turned to face Melmetal. "Sand...Sandile-ile-Sandiih.(Big. But I can take 'im.)"
"Capone, be careful. That thing nearly turned Torchy into puppy pulp." Eddy advised the Sandile. "Go for an underground attack!"
"San-Sandileile!(You got it, boss!)" Capone snapped, using Dig to burrow into the ground.
Melmetal stood still, waiting to take the attack. The Sandile tunneled up underneath it, and burst up from the ground, giving it a tackle and knocking it back.
"That's the way!"
"Double Iron Bash!" Claud said, opening his eyes, which flashed with a blue tint.
Melmetal lurched forward, slamming it's hex-bolt fists into Capone at the same time. The desert croc coughed as he hit the ground, taking a good deal of damage.
Eddy grimaced, until he recalled his new Z-Crystal.
"Ohhh hey! I almost forgot!"
Claud refocused his gaze on him. "Oh?"
The shortstack replaced his Waterium Z with the Groundium Z in his pocket. Capone suddenly felt a slight surge in power. "San-san-san!(Woah-woah-woah!)" He vocalized. "Di-dile-di-Sandile?(Where's all dat comin' from?)"
"Let's do it!" Eddy said, twisting the crystal in his ring. Then, he took on the poses necessary to use it's power. An orange aura coated his form, which shot into Sandile. An arrow symbol appeared for a brief moment as the words "Tectonic Rage" drew themselves out magically.
"Saaaann-dile!" Capone flung himself at incredible speed slamming into Melmetal. The steely titan was pushed back off of it's feet and into the ground.
"Wo-woah!" Kevin exclaimed. "Wait a minute, do they know we're on a chunk of land floating in the sky!?"
Capone drove Melmetal into the land beneath the tower, at high speed, despite the size and weight difference, and shoved him up, still in the courtyard. Melmetal landed beside a cluster of the many Meltan who were still keeping a wary eye of the strangers. The crocodile dug himself out, shaking dirt from it's form.
Melmetal rose up, evidently almost unphased, in spite of the many scrapes on it's body. "Shaa-shaa-shaaa-shiing!" It shrieked.
"That was a strong attack." Claud said. "But I'm afraid even Z-Moves will have difficulty defeating my Melmetal."
"You must be pulling Rolf's pinky toe…" Rolf added. "This mighty attack of the earth still was not enough to defeat the steel giant!?"
"Ice Punch!"
Melmetal's fist was coated in a thin layer of ice energy before it struck Capone. The force behind it nearly flattened him.
The Sandile groaned, it's health depleted.
Eddy sighed. "Well...A for effort I guess." He recalled the crocodile Pokemon. "But here's where I get really serious! You'll find my next 'mon'll be a step above the rest!"
"Show me." Claud commanded.
Eddy produced King's Poke Ball, which he had retrieved from his Box Port. "King, I choose you!" He chucked the orb and it popped open in midair.
With a flash, the Primeape hit the ground, smacking his gloved fists together. "Prrrriii-brrriiyaa!" He roared.
"Looking sharp, buddy!" Eddy called. King turned back and gave him a nod, turning to face his larger opponent. Melmetal lumbered forward. King put his fists up in a boxing stance. Melmetal did the same with his bolt-fists.
Then, the two smacked their fists together and took a few steps back.
"Use Karate Chop!" Eddy shouted.
King lunged, his hand glowing as he delivered a chop to Melmetal's arm. The Hexnut Pokemon hissed metallically, shrinking back.
"Melmetal, don't be scared! Use Thunder Punch!" The Steel-Type reared it's arms back and struck King with an electrified jab. He gave a pained grunt, but remained battle ready.
"Stand strong and use Rage!" Eddy said.
King growled as his body turned red. He slugged Melmetal in the torso, but the metal-bodied Pokemon was undeterred.
"Double Iron Bash!" Claud yelled.
"Shing!" Melmetal shrieked, striking King with both his huge hexnut fists. The Pig Monkey Pokemon grunted, but his eyes reddened. His attack power rose from the Rage.
"King, use Outrage!" Eddy added.
"PRRRREEEEEEE!" King shrieked, turning an even deeper shade of red as steam blew from his form. He slammed his fists and feet into Melmetal in a frenzy attack. Melmetal groaned as lost ground. For the first time, Claud geniunely showed concern.
"Melmetal, break away!" The Mythical creature ducked away from one of his foe's strikes and leapt to the side. The two turned to face each other again.
"Mega Punch!" Eddy and Claud both exclaimed.
The Primeape and Melmetal both drew their right fists back and threw them forward at each other. The two crossed countered each other, with Melmetal striking King's face and the latter striking the former under the arm. The Rage amplification as well as Melmetal's Iron Fist ability increased their attacking power. The two of them collapsed.
Eddy felt sweat drip from his neck. "Get up, King!"
"Melmetal, please, stand up!" Claud said.
Both Pokemon struggled, but in the end, could not rise. They fell out, losing consciousness.
"S...so it's a tie?" Eddy groaned.
"Tecnically not. You have another Pokemon with you and I don't." Claud said, whipping his arm out as the golem reverted to light and was encompassed inside it's Ball. "So you won the battle.
"You are a curious human, young one. Your team as well." Claud said. "700 years have I existed, and not once has any Pokemon defeated, or even come to a draw with my Melmetal. You display greed at times, and yet you also show compassion. Spirit…confidence...passion." He walked off as several other Pokemon came up to him.
Amongst these were a variety of different ones. A small humanoid with a huge mouth-like protrusion behind it's head, a tall red insect-like creature with twin pincers, and a few Shieldon. The metallic homonculus smiled as they approached. "Ohh. Did our little scrap have you worried? Don't worry." He said in a calm fatherly tone. "Mister Claud is fine. So are Meltan and Melmetal."
The boys all watched his sudden change in demeanor with curious expressions.
"You may go." The envoy said to the humans. "Master Dialga doesn't like it when guests stay for too long. Even if he's in a grateful mood. And I still need to find dinner for my friends here."
"Well...uh...whatever." Eddy said with a shrug as he turned to follow the exit Double D and Rain left through earlier. He was honestly expecting him to say wether he passed his "test."
'Wait.' A telepathic voice called. The three of them looked back to see Xerneas approaching from his corner.
"Master Xerneas." Claud said. "What is it?"
'I want to thank them, Claud. For watching out for me and letting me get to know them.' The deer-like Life Pokemon replied. 'Please. I'm sure you'll like my gifts.'
"Gifts?" Eddy perked up. "Like what?"
Xerneas closed his eyes and concentrated it's powers. A soft blue glow radiated from it's chest and encircled it's body. Though it was still a fawn, impressive horns made of light appeared atop it's head, resembling a cross between a deer and an elk's.
The boys watched in wonder as Xerneas bowed it's head before them and a beam of light shot from bewteen his horns onto the floor.
One by one, marble-sized spheres appeared. The fawn raised it's head. Rolf picked one up, examining it. A small marble with a helix of sorts in the center. "What is this?" There were five of them in total.
'You'll find out. Sorry I couldn't make enough.' Xerneas said, antlers vanishing. 'Thank you all for watching out for me.'
"Eh, you're welcome, little dude!" Kevin said, giving it a pat on the neck. "So, we go out on this terrace outside the courtyard, yeah?"
'And imagine wind blowing around you.'
"Thanks."
'And Eddy?' The deer-like creature turned to him.
"Yeah?" Eddy raised a brow.
'Please tell Double D that I'm sorry Papa wouldn't help Watt.'
Eddy nodded. "Sure."
The three of them walked outside the courtyard and saw a large stone slab with sigils all over it within a terrace. Each of them stepped onto it and closed their eyes.
0
Double D and Rain sat with Watt in the ravaged clearing where he and Ed battled Spiritomb. There was no sign of the ghastly Pokemon, nor Gengar. However, Double D did look over his shoulder to see the Misdreavous from earlier hiding behind a tree. She slipped back behind it out of sight.
Within moments, a spiralling light descended from the sky. It touched the ground and died down, revealing Eddy, Kevin, Ed, and Rolf.
"So, did you pass whatever test that metal man had for you?" Double D asked.
"Ehhh...hard to tell. We battled out until he was out of Pokemon, and I still had Wotter in reserve. So he said I won. I guess that means a pass." Eddy said. "By the way, little X says he's sorry that big guy couldn't do anything for Watt."
"Hmm…" Edd scratched his chin.
"So what happens now?"
"We keep training ourselves for the day we face off against those Rocket dweebs again." Kevin said.
Double D turned away silently. 'I intend to do what I can...to figure out the truth of Watt's condition. I refuse to believe Dialga. He could never be the monster it suggests he is.'
"I wonder how baby sister is doing." Ed intoned glumly. "I hope nothing bad happened to her or her persnickity friend."
"Forget 'em!" Eddy spat rudely. "What's more important. What happened to you back at that pyramid thing, lumpy? You went all crazy eyed on us and there was a tentacle or something in your chest and you passed out!"
"Eddy!" Rain exclaimed, yanking on the short boy's ear.
"Yoww!"
"Ed is worried about his little sister! Don't you think he has the right for that?"
"Trust me, if you knew Sarah, you wouldn't be too thrilled to defend her." Eddy countered.
Ed lowered his head. "The evil ghost told me...that you guys were just using me. That you didn't respect me."
Kevin, Double D and Eddy's eyes widened. Eddy knew it was more or less true, but he did care for his well being.
Double D put his hand on Ed's shoulder. "Spiritomb was wrong. We do care about you."
"Yeah! You think we coulda done all those scams way back then without you?" Eddy asked. "Sockhead's the brains, and I'm just the guy standing back and barking orders. But when it comes to muscle, you're the strongest I know, plus you got a lot of heart! In this world, that's worth respecting!"
Rain smiled at Eddy's sudden turn around.
"Even if I wanna hit you over the head sometimes." He continued.
The girl sighed and facepalmed.
Ed took in their statements and sniffled. "Thanks guys…" He held his arms wide and wrapped Eddy, Double D and Rain in a tight hug.
Rain immediately hacked at the sheer tightness of his embrace, having never experienced such a hug before. "Oww! Owww!"
"Mis-dreee!" A spectral voice called from afar. Ed and the others turned to see Misdreavous approach, flitting happily and desparate to join Ed in his hugging, despite a lack of arms.
"Ohhh, hello again!" The big lug greeted the phantasm. "Do you want a hug too?"
"Dre-drea!" Misdreavous chirped. Ed let the others go and wrapped his arms around her but they passed right through the Ghost-Type.
"It's a ghost, remember, Ed?" Kevin began. "What do you want anyway?"
"Drea-dreavou-mis! Mis-Mis!" Misdreavous vocalized.
"What's it saying, Roto-Z?" Rain asked to the Rotom Dex.
"She's saying that she doesn't have anything to return to after her father, Spiritomb was released. I think she wantzzz to go with Ed! Zzrt!"
"Do you really wanna come with us?" Ed asked.
"Mis-drea-vous!" She replied, nodding her head.
"Okay then!" Ed pulled a Poke Ball out. "In you go!" The Screech Pokemon tapped her noggin against the sphere, causing it to open and draw her inside.
The Ball shook in Ed's hand, until it clicked.
"Yaaahoo!" He cried out, holding the Ball aloft until it vanished, relocating itself within his own Box Port. "I got a new Ghost friend!"
"Ha-ha." Rain giggled. "I wouldn't wanna stick around either. Probably a lot of bad memories. I'd be upset too if my daddy was a monster."
She blinked, having a self-realization.
"Oh man! I know I left with you guys to keep my head low after we fought that Rocket guy, but my parents have no idea! They must be worried sick!" Double D and Eddy glanced at each other worriedly.
0
Nazz had been having misgivings about a few things. She'd been wanting to call the Eds and Kevin, to check on how they were.
Preston had gifted her with her own Rotom Dex(one without a Rotom inside), and programmed the number that some Professor lady said had the number to call Double D's Rotom Dex inside, but was unsure of the proper time to call.
Additionally, there was the ever present thought of Team Rainbow Rocket mounting another attack. One of larger scale. Preston might not be able to protect them forever, strong as the Gym Leader and his Pokemon may be.
She felt the tree elevator to Jonny's secret base reach the bottom with a ding. It opened up, and to her surprise, an odd owl-like Pokemon was waiting for her.
"Roww-rooowwlet-rowlett-rowlet.(Ahhh, Miss Bartenschmear. The master has been waiting for you.)" The bird turned around and flapped his wings, flying down. "Lett-rowrow!(Come along now.)"
The blond followed the owl's trail down the watermelon-shaped steps of the stairwell, each one lighting up with a red glow. 'I really need to ask Jonny when he even had the time to set all this up.'
When she finally reached the bottom, she could see Jonny's Nuzleaf, Butterfree, and Steenee munching on food from some bowls set on the floor.
"Hey guys! Is Jonny home?"
"Steee! Steenee!(Yeah! He is!)" Leanna said, walking up to her. She looked around, expecting someone else. "(Where's your friend?)"
"Oh, are you looking for Kenzie?" Nazz asked the Fruit Pokemon, who gave a nod yes. She pulled out her Kirlia's Poke Ball and she appeared with a flash of white light.
"(Hi there!)" Kenzie said. "(How's everything going?)"
"(I'm doing okay. How are you?)" The Steenee asked.
"(Good. So, you live down here with Jonny?)"
"(Uh-huh! He helped me when I was lost and offered me a place to stay, since he let me know my old trainer abandoned me. He doesn't even make me stay in a Ball!)"
"(That's the way Nazz is with me usually, but she started keeping me in one lately. She says it's for my own protection.)"
"(I don't blame her, with all those nasty bad guys running around and what not.)" said Leanna. "(Are you thirsty?)"
"(A little bit.)"
The Steenee walked off toward a refrigerator and produced a glass of some sweet smelling pink substance.
"(Here you go!)"
The Kirlia accepted the glass and took a few sips. "(Oh boy, that's good! What is it? Juice?)" She asked, taking another sip.
"(My sweat!)" Leanna said enthusiastically.
Kenzie's eyes widened, taking the most silent spit-take she could behind her back when the Grass-Type wasn't looking and setting the glass out of sight. "(It's...umm...great!)" She added as she saw Muffler flutter over and investigate the glass.
"So, any changes?" Nazz asked Jonny as she approached him and Plank in their computer chair.
"Well, we lost track of them earlier. Their blips on the screen completely vanished, but they're back now." Jonny replied.
"What could've made that happen?"
"I don't know. Oh by the way, a scientist named Sycamore gave me Jeeves there-" He motioned toward the Rowlett that was currently preening his feathers on his perch by the stairs. "-And this other one to give to you."
He offered her a Poke Ball with a red fire symbol on the top half.
She accepted it and let it pop open. In a flash of white light, a small, adorable creature appeared with a yip.
"Awww!" Nazz cooed at the sight of it. It was a small yellow vulpine, resembling a fennec fox. She had red tufts of fur in her ears, as well as a red spot on her tail. "Too cute!"
"(Ohh thanks!)" The Fennekin mused happily, giving a sly wink. "(You're not too bad yourself. I think I can get along nicely with you.)"
Nazz gave her a pat and picked her up. "I think I'll call you...Hmm...Cinnamon?"
The fox's ears drooped. "(Aww...I don't want a dumb name like that.)"
"Oh, you don't like that?" Nazz asked. "Okay then. How about Faye?"
"Fen-fen!" The fox barked happily with a flick of her tail.
"Well then, Faye it is!"
"Hmmm...what is this?" Jonny said.
"What?" Nazz raised her head to gaze up at the computer monitor. On the screen was displayed an all white room, resembling a solitary confinement block at a prison. Inside, there was a single individual lying on a bed that was built into the floor.
It seemed to be a guy of about 18, wearing a red vest, blue shorts, and a hat with a Poke Ball symbol on the side of the face. Short, light brown hair feathered out from beneath the cap.
"It seems to be an image from inside one of Team Rainbow Rocket's bases. Whoever this guy is, they seemed to have him under tight guard. Lasers in front of the door, nothing that can be used to reach the vents. They don't want this guy getting loose."
"Maybe he's someone in the resistance against them?"
"Could be. Let me try and use the camera's zoom." Jonny suggested, tapping a few keys. Unfortunately, he hit a wrong one, and the monitor flicked to a different room.
"Wh...What's that?" Nazz took a step back at the sight of the creature that was restrained by some apparatus.
"That...would be the 'Beta' as they call it in their files."
It was a tall humanoid with a stocky lower build, and light feline, yet alien features. It's skin was grey, save for a purple blotch on the lower abdomen that ran to it's tail. It's body was covered by light armor covering it's entire head, torso and arms.
"It...looks creepy." Nazz said. "Is it really a Pokemon?"
As she said this, the entity's eyes glowed purple within it's mask. The two of them recoiled as the monitor went blank.
"You don't think it could see us, do you?"
"No, there's no way…" Jonny scoffed before turning to Plank. "Whaddya mean 'You're having Ghost Dimension flashbacks?'"
Nazz suddenly felt the urge to leave. "Kenzie? Faye? We're leaving."
The Kirlia said her goodbyes to Leanna, who did the same to her. She and the Fennekin would follow Nazz to the stairs.
The girl turned back to Jonny. "I have a feeling you shouldn't hack into their systems anymore. It's only a matter of time before they pick up on it."
"Right." Jonny agreed, shutting the computer down for now. "We need some exercise anyway. I have a feeling they might pull something like they did the other day soon."
"See you later." Nazz said, ascending the stairs with her two Pokemon by her side.
0
As this transpired, a familiar pirate-like individual stomped through Rainbow Rocket HQ.
"Did any of you find it?" Archie grumbled to the two agents behind their own computers.
"Yes sir. A Kyogre is swimming throughout the sea to the east." The first said. "Evidently they call it the Atlantic."
"Maxie is on route to it's location now." The second added.
"M-Maxie? What's that magma-headed moron up to!?" Archie hissed. "He already has Groudon, so what would he need Kyogre for!?"
"Do you think he intends to keep it out of your hands, bro?" A tall, hulking man with dark skin wearing blue pants and gloves asked from a nearby chair. "He may be plotting to take over this dull planet for himself."
"Grr...Not if we take it first!" The former Team Aqua leader retorted, turning to the two Rocket agents. "Have Shelly go and stall Maxie for time while Matt and I head over to this 'Atlantic Ocean.'"
The two of them exchanged blank gazes at each other until he lost his patience.
"NOW!" He screamed.
The two of them immediately went to work with contacting the one time Aqua Admin as Archie and Matt prepared to leave.
'Maxie…' The former thought. 'I don't know just what you're up to, but if you think I'm going to let you keep both Groudon AND Kyogre, you're sorely mistaken. Besides, I doubt Giovanni would appreciate you keeping them either.'
0
As the Xerneas Fawn arc comes to a close, stunning revelations are made about Watt's origins. Xerneas gifts the children with mysterious stones, saying only that they'll find out their purpose.
Archie has picked up on the Legendary Kyogre's location and aims to swipe it before the former leader of Team Magma, Maxie can reach it. But what would his old adversary, who swore to shrink the seas with Groudon's power have to gain from claiming Kyogre's?
Can Double D find where Watt came from? And if so, can he be cured of his darkness?
Next chapter; Old Wounds, coming soon. I was also intending for Claud to magically switch genders and then back again when explaining Meltan being genderless, as if his own gender was an instant choice, but I felt it might've been out of place for this fic. But that is one of his abilities.
Until then, don't be shy to leave rate, review, and share this story with a friend.
New Capture(s)
Prim the Misdreavous
Ability: Levitate
Moves: Psywave, Astonish, Spite, and Ominous Wind
Trainer: Ed
Faye the Fennekin
Ability: Blaze
Moves: Scratch, Tail Whip, Ember and Howl.
Trainer: Nazz.
