"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Volc asked, as he and Light landed on Dewford Island, the final stronghold of the Pokemon forces in Hoenn.
"It might not be a great idea but it's our only way to hit Devon without the element of surprise." Light replied.
"Ok but could you explain the plan again? I'm still a little unclear on how we're going to get those allies."
"Of course. We are going to approach both the Pokemon and Human Commanders under the guise of being from a fourth and secret power in this power struggle. You will be arranging making the first contact with the Pokemon forces here with me while Ashley makes preparations for us to meet with the Human forces. After explaining the full truth of what Devon has done to the world, hopefully both commanders should be receptive to joining our raid."
"And if they aren't?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Light replied. "I'll prepare a disguise for myself while you bring my proposal to the main base camp."
"Right. I'll contact you once I arrange the sit down."
Once Volc left, Light changed his Dark Pulse Armor from its usual guise into something bulkier resembling a swordsman's armor, giving the impression of greater strength.
Once the disguise was complete, Light had just enough time to review his coverstory before Pokemon forces came and surrounded him.
"Don't move an inch!" A Toxicroak cried, his hand already preparing a Poison Jab attack. "We've already taken your buddy into custody so there's no use in trying to resist."
"Heh. I guess he wasn't convincing enough for them." Light chuckled before raising his voice. "Fine! I mean you all no harm. I will submit to your custody without a fight."
"Thanks..." The Poison Type responded, obviously taken aback by the easy surrender.
Light's hand were quickly bound before he was lead back to the camp. Once there, he was thrown into a cell with his comrade.
"Sorry man, I they captured me almost as soon as I set foot into the camp." Volc explained, "I didn't really get a chance to make your pitch to the commander."
"Don't worry, the plan can still work. We just won't be negotiating from a position of power anymore." Light replied.
A few hours passed before a Gardevoir entered the makeshift jail.
"My, my. What do we have here?" She asked inspecting both Light and Volc.
Their guard, a Zangoose, responded promptly, "These two are the ones we captured this morning approaching the camp."
"Interesting..." The Psychic type mumbled before turning to the two in the cell. "Why were you two approaching our camp? You're not members of our military."
"We came to speak to Commander." Volc said "There are things we need to discuss with her."
"And these things are...?" Gardevoir prodded,
"If you would be so kind as to bring the Commander, I'll gladly tell him." Light cut in.
"First off the Commander is a she and you're already speaking to her." The Psychic Pokemon proclaimed, "I am Akiza, the Commander of the entire Pokemon military. Now will you tell me why you came to this base?"
Light glanced quickly over at Volc for confirmation that this was indeed the Commander before replying, "My name is Negata and my comrade here is Volc. We come bearing a proposal for you."
"What kind of proposal are we talking about?" Akiza asked.
"The kind that will end the war." Light replied.
The Gardevoir's eyes went wide for a moment before she regained composure and said, "No such proposal exists. Now who sent you and what's you're real purpose here?"
"I can assure you it does exist." Light said, "As to who sent us, I'm sure you're aware of the three major players in this war. Well we represent a fourth."
"OK, I'll bite. Who's this fourth player in the war?"
"We're from the Sect of the Slash." The former NAA commander replied, lying through his teeth. "A religion devoted to passing down the teachings of this ancient hero to future generations."
"Tut Tut." Akiza replied, clicking her tongue in disapproval. "You've only raised more questions my dear Negata. First off I've never heard of this Sect. Second, what interest would a religion have in the war? And third, why has your organization waited so long to intervene?"
"You ask and I shall answer." Light replied, "You haven't heard of us because of the persecution against our Saint, The Slash. Those that do worship, worship in secret. As for our interest in the war, the Sect wishes to spread its teaches in the open, but can't due to the war. And why we waited to intervene... well we've been trying since the beginning. Most of our operatives simply bite off more than they can handle and perish on the battlefield but you're probably familiar with our most recent attempt."
"Light." Akiza replied putting the pieces together. "The NAA was your doing?"
"Yes and No. While it's true Light created the New Age Alliance, it was his directive to take the path he saw best fit to end the fighting. He was never ordered directly to create the organization. On behalf of the Sect of the Slash, I apologize for the lives and land you lost due to his unsuccessful attempt to bring peace."
"I've lost quite a few good soldiers to him. Thank you for apologizing. Let's just, for argument's sake, say I believe you. What would your proposal be to end the war?"
"We strike at the root." Light said, before explaining Devon's role in molding the world and how an attack on their facilities in Rustboro might be enough to stop the fighting.
"That's... quite a story you have there." Akiza said, trying to remain aloof after hearing the Earth-shattering news.
"I know right?" Volc said, breaking his long silence. "Let's cut to the chase. Do we have a deal or not?"
"I'll have to check with my advisers, but we'll definitely take it under consideration." The Gardevoir said before exiting the makeshift jail.
Once she had left, Volc turned to Light and asked, "Do you think they'll take the bait?"
"We've done all we can to entice them." Light replied. "Let's just hope the prospect of ending the war is enough to bring them on board."
A Few Hours Later
The sun had set by the time Akiza returned to check on her prisoners. "I've pitched your proposal to my advisers."
"And?" Light asked
"The only thing we could all agree on is that its quite a story you've given us." She replied, "Your story does explain the random appearances of Slash followers throughout the years, and Light certainly seems like someone who would support your ideals, but we need something more concrete before any commitment is made to your plan."
"What sort of concrete proof do you need?" Light asked, "Whatever it is, I'm sure we can provide it for you."
"After a long debate about what should be done, I convince the council to pass your proposal if you can prove your combat abilities to me." Akiza said.
"What kind of crap is that!?" Volc cried, "What do Li- I mean Negata's combat skills have to do with if his story is truthful?"
The Pokemon Commander merely smirked before replying, "Despite his ideals being taboo, The Slash was quite renowned for being an expert fighter. I've received reports detailing Light's prowess in battle and if you truly are part of some secret Sect of the Slash with someone like that, you must be just good. That's my offer, what's it going to be?"
"I understand your need for proof of my story," Light replied, "And I am ready to fight if that is my only option but are you sure there is nothing else we can provide that could convince you of our pure intentions?"
"This is the only way." Gardevoir replied, and turned to exit the room, "Our battle will commence at noon tomorrow. I'll let the guard know to let you out shortly beforehand."
"It's too bad that our story wasn't enough to convince them but what was that last little bit about providing evidence?" Volc asked, "It almost sounded like you were nervous. I've seen you in action, and you easily go toe to toe with her."
"That may be the case for Light, but I've assumed the identity of Negata to try and bring credibility to the Sect of Slash part of the story." Light explained, "Since I am not 'Light' right now, I can't have exactly the same fighting style as him, or they'll get suspicious."
"That doesn't mean you have to create an entirely different style though right? It's not unheard of to have overlap between a couple."
"I know but that is what we must spend the night decided: What parts of my style can I use tomorrow and what can I do to differentiate Negata's style from Light's."
"It's gonna be a long night isn't it?" Volc asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yup, so let's get to work."
The Next Day
"Are you ready for this Negata?" Akiza asked, "I'm sure you know what's at stake here."
"Of course I know what's at stake." Light replied, "And I am more than prepared."
It was well past midnight by the time Light and Volc finished their work. After a few hours of sleep, a guard had roused the two Pokemon and brought them to a small arena where Akiza was waiting to battle.
"Kick her ass Li-Negata!" Volc cheered, still struggling to remember his friend's alias.
"That won't be a problem." He responded before creating two Shadow Balls and morphing there shapes into a sword and shield, one for each hand. "Whenever you would like to begin Akiza."
"Well well, you're quite eager." The Gardevoir replied. "Very well then, let's begin. Confusion!"
The Pokemon Commander launched two balls of Psychic energy at Light. He blocked the attacks on the newly formed shield and began to charge toward his opponent with sword raised. However just before Light's weapon made contact, Akiza smirked and teleported behind him and launched another couple of light Confusions, which made contact with their target. While not very powerful alone, the blasts caught the former NAA Commander off guard and caused him to stumble, leaving an opening for Akiza to launch yet another attack.
"Magical Leaf!" She cried.
The crowd began to cheer as the attack sent Light sprawled on the ground.
"I was expecting more from you Negata." Akiza said, allowing her opponent to stand back up and regain his footing. "If this is all you have to offer, I can see why you've hidden yourself from the rest of the world."
"I still have plenty left in the tank." Light replied, rolling his shoulders. "I'm just getting warmed up."
"That's what I like to hear." The Gardevoir replied, "Shall we continue?"
"Of course." Light raised his sword once again and charged, "Night Sword Slash!"
Akiza once again let Light get close enough to strike but used Psychic to move his blade at the last moment, causing each of his swings to miss.
"Come on Negata!" Volc yelled from the sidelines. "Don't let her get in your head!"
"You really think your friend has a chance?" A nearby Raichu commented offhandedly. "Akiza hasn't even gotten serious yet."
"We'll see about that." Volc replied, before hearing a yell of "Shadow Shield Swing!" come from the battlefield.
Rather than striking with the sword, Light swung his shield at the Pokemon Commander, catching her off guard and landing a solid hit. Seizing the opportunity, Light attacked with his sword once again and was able to land a couple of hits before Akiza countered with a Dazzling Gleam, sending him sliding to the opposite end of the battlefield.
"Looks like you do have a little bit of Light in you." Akiza said as she and Light circled the battlefield. "I might actually have to get serious."
"I'm ready for ya!" Light goaded, tapping his sword on his shield before entering a solid stance.
"Ok. Just remember, you asked for this. Energy Ball Rapid Fire!"
A barrage of Energy Balls came flying toward Light, which he promptly blocked on the shield before turning around and using his sword to slice an oncoming Focus Blast in two. The battle continued with Akiza teleporting all about the battlefield launching progressively stronger attacks at the Armor clad Meowth trying to catch him at an odd angle. But each attack was either met with the shield of cut in two by the sword.
Back at the edge of the battlefield, the Raichu commented "It won't be long now."
"What do you mean it won't be long now?" Volc asked, "Negata's holding his own against all of Akiza's strongest moves."
"That may be true, but take a closer look."
Volc leaned in to try and get a better perspective of the battle and noticed something strange. "Is she laughing?"
"That's right. Akiza's laughing." Raichu replied. "She enjoys launching attack after attack with force like that. To the rest of the world, she's known as the Sadist Psychic. The only person know to be able to withstand one of her assaults is the Human's Commander. She'll just keep launching attack after attack until Negata tires and one breaks through."
"That won't happen!" Volc exclaimed, "Negata's stronger than that. He'll win."
"We'll just see about that." Raichu replied before turning back to the battle.
Little did Volc know that Raichu's prediction was coming true. Light was barely keeping up with Akiza's attacks. Each movement was becoming slightly slower as each blast came in. Finally it happened, one of Akiza's blasts broke through Light's guard and knocked him to the ground. Seeing this, The Pokemon Commander stopped Teleporting and began focusing her attacks on the fallen Meowth. Light was able to slowly return to his feet, but his shield broke soon afterwords, leaving him with only his sword to stop Akiza's continually stronger blasts.
"I must say you have put up quite a fight." The Gardevoir remarked as she launched a pair of Moonblasts toward her fallen adversary, her face flushed from excitement. "But all good things must come to an end."
The Moonblasts were cleanly cut in two before Light replied, "We'll... just see... about that." between breaths.
"I see you still have some fight left in you. That will be dealt with soon enough." Akiza said, before yelling, "Psyshock!"
Smaller bits of Psychic energy appeared in the air, surrounding Light completely.
There are too many. I can't dodge them all. Light thought as the attack closed in. Out of instinct, sparks began to dance across the Dark Pulse Armor before coalescing at Light's blade. The former NAA Commander raised the weapon to the sky and yelled, "Blitz!"
At that signal, electricity leapt from the blade and intercepted each bit of Psychic energy before it could reach the intended target.
The crowd roared at the incredible display of power while Light muttered to himself, "How did I do that?" Turning back to his opponent, he yelled, "Is that all you've got?"
"No." Akiza said calmly as she floated to the ground. "I still have plenty of energy to spare but I'll spare you the embarassment of losing and say 'You've convinced me'"
"I've convinced you?"
"You're prowess on the battlefield has convinced me that your story is true." The Gardevoir said before extending a hand. "I will gladly aid you in your attack of Devon Headquarters."
Light shook the outstretched hand firmly. "I can promise you won't regret it." He said before adding in his head One down and one to go
AN: Hello everyone, long time no see! I got about halfway through writing this chapter and completely lost my drive to write. But I'm back now! Big thanks to PsychicEevee0103 for the submission of Akiza! Hopefully you enjoyed seeing her in action. With one Commander joining the fight, how will Light convince the other? You'll just have to find out next time on Pokemon New Age.