The Lost Chronicles of Giovanni – Chapter 36: Through the Fire and the Flames

(I don't really consider the Babydiamondshipping to be the last chapter's filler but rather necessary for the sake of future chapters. This chapter however was originally supposed to add on to that but I needed a bit more of internal struggle between Giovanni and dealing with his enemies. You'll see what I'm talking about)

Inside the Cinnabar Volcano, Gio, Delia, and Meowth were gradually traveling through the scorching heat and molting ash flinging from one lava pond to another. Delia shrieked and rushed towards Gio as a chunk of volcanic rock exploded from the ceiling above.

"Will ya stop tugging on me?", Gio complained. "Its a volcano. What were you expecting?"

"Maybe you aren't aware genius but volcanoes are considered dangerous!", she scolded angrily. "Besides, I'm not the only one who thinks so."

Gio looked down to see Meowth, cowardly clutching onto his leg. "Meow . . . "

Gio sighed. "Well it'll all be worth it when I capture that Moltres!"

"You say that now!", Delia exclaimed. "But don't be complaining when we're deeper inside."

Gio laughed. "Don't you trust me?"

Delia grinned. "Unfortunately, I do."

…...

Deeper within the Volcano's structure, Torino Commander Crissela and her 12 agents secured another stone bridge to cross. With them was a prisoner; a man with frizzy brown hair and dark sunglasses in a tropical button teeshirt. He was about in his early 30's.

"I demand that you release me!", the prisoner yelled. "You have no just reason to hold me captive."

"We have no just reason for releasing you either.", Crissela's German voice mocked. "Aside from the fact that you'll report to the police and inform them of our presence."

"What is it you thugs are here for anyway?", The prisoner questioned.

"I suppose there's no harm in telling you. We're here to collect a valuable prize.", Crissela confirmed. "The Legendary Bird of Fire!"

"Moltres?"

Crissela roller her eyes. "Yes, so pipe down before we make you a permanent resident of this dreadful place."

The group of criminals halted at an enormous pit that was centered in the middle of the volcano. It extended numerous miles upwards but below was where the target had truly resided, far deep within the molten lava, splashing and erupting sporadically at every other minute.

The heat was becoming unbearable. Not to mention the area was very impending. Crissela just wanted to complete her mission as quickly as possible. "Any deeper and we'll be fried into shreds. This spot will have to do."

Her troops understood the gesture, and immediately began to surround the large pit before placing strange-looking devices on the ground before them.

"Wha . . . what are those?", The prisoner asked cautiously.

"Time bombs.", Crissela answered. "If Moltres will not submit to us willingly then we'll just have to give it a little 'Motivation'."

"You people are insane.", The prisoner insulted. "The day you're criminal organization is defeated is the day I die of laughter."

"Oh how cute.", The pigtailed commander mocked. "Looks like someone needs a time out." She turned to her guard. "Tie him to the wall. When the Volcano explodes, his insults will cease."

"Yes Mame!", The guard saluted as he began to straddle the prisoner to a jagged pointed boulder.

Crissela returned her focus back to her troops surrounding the molten pit. "Is everything placed and ready?"

"Mame, Yes Mame!"

She grinned deviously. "Then set the timers boys and lets ditch drethole so we can get some front row seats for this show!"

"Mame, Yes Mame!" The troops set the timer bombs for 1 hour and rushed to follow Crissela out of the structure area, leaving the male prisoner bounded to a jagged boulder.

…...

About a half hour later, Delia was now attaching herself to Gio, refusing to let go as the steamy heat shrouded everywhere.

"Gio, why don't we just leave?", Delia suggested. "I cant take the heat anymore!"

Gio felt bad and was about to give in. "Yeah . . . alright let me just-" But his gaze was suddenly focused at the sight of strange silhouettes, looming from the steam. "Oh no."

Crissela appeared into view. She stopped at the sight of her former nemesis from the Fuchsia Safari Zone. "Well look what we have here boys! A Pokebrat, a shebrat, and their little kittykat!"

"What is with you Torino idiots showing up at every corner?", Gio taunted, still resenting the fact that he somehow recognized this woman from elsewhere.

She chuckled. "I could ask you the same thing, little boy."

"What are you doing here?", Delia asked. "Something disastrous I'm sure."

Crissela sighed. "Make you're assumptions but I'm afraid we're on a tight schedule so if you'd kindly step aside then-"

"No way!", Gio ignited a Pokeball completely ignoring Meowth, whom remained cowering behind his leg. "If you wanna get past, then you gotta get through me!"

Crissela shrugged. "Adorable but I accept none the less." She tilted her head. "Go on without me boys. I have a new job to finish."

Delia looked at her suspiciously. "New job?"

The troops quickly dispersed at their commander's orders, leaving Gio, Delia, and Crissela at the brig of a battle.

"So you were here for a reason.", Delia realized, still catching on. "Where's the Gym Leader?"

"He's . . . . no longer MY problem.", Crissela joked. "A victim at his own fault."

"Enough!", Gio shouted. "Delia, I know the heat bad but I need you to go up ahead and rescue the Gym Leader."

Delia nodded. "You're . . . . you're right, I can handle it." She began to sprint forward. "Please . . . be safe."

"You to." After Delia vanished from vision, Gio returned to Crissela. "Where were we?"

"You're girlfriend's got spunk, little boy.", Crissela feigned as she ignited a Pokeball. "But the fun stuff happens here! Go, Jynx!"

Jynx appeared. "Jynx, Jynx!"

"Poor choice of Pokemon. We're in a Volcano!" Gio decided against his Pokeball and instead he began nudge Meowth forward. "Go Meowth!"

Hesitantly, Meowth entered the battle. "Mreow!"

"Jynx, Ice Punch!"

Jynx launched forward, smashing an icy fist into Meowth's furry face.

The scratch cat flung backward in agony, slamming into the stone wall. "Mrow!"

"No! Meowth!"

"Now Jynx, Body Slam!"

The Humanoid ice dance lunged forward again, ready to take out Meowth in an instant. "Jynxy, Jynx!"

"Meowth! Get up now!"

For its master, Meowth quickly recovered and leaped out of the way with a simple dodge. "Meowthy!"

"Now Meowth, use-"

"Jynx, Psychic!"

Jynx swerved around and speedily seized control of Meowth's body and will with a simple telekinetic gesture.

Meowth was floating in midair, beyond its own control.

Crissela smirked malevolently. "Finish it!"

By the mind, Jynx tossed Meowth into a molten rocky patch aside from them.

Gio panicked, sweating and aching. "Meowth, No!"

"Can you feel the defeat, little boy?" Crissela folded her arms. "Can you feel the adrenaline rush, eating away at you're soul?"

…...

Delia arrive on the scene just in time. She was appalled at the sight of several bombs surrounding a colossal molten pit. Her eyes then turned to a squirming, helpless man chained to a boulder. She quickly rushed over and freed him.

"Why thank you young lady.", he said kindly.

"Would you happen to be the Cinnabar Gym Leader?"

"Yes.", he answered. "The names Blaine."

"Blaine." She took a final look around the humongous structure's area. "What's going on? What are those devices?"

"Bombs.", Blaine confirmed. "Set by Torino. And by the looks of it, they only have 25 minutes left until detonation."

"We need to get back to the entrance and meet up with my friend so we can get out of here!"

"I cant.", he refused. "Their using the bombs to lure Moltres out of the Volcano. I cant let Moltres risk suffering at the hands of our unwillingness to help!"

"I suppose.", Delia stuttered. "But setting off those bombs wont be easy. I'm oblivious when it comes to stuff like that."

Blaine dashed over to the first bomb. "hmm . . . I'll see what I can do."

…...

Gio's battled continued to ensue, but the fight was now favoring Crissela and her cunning Jynx. Meowth was being tossed around repeatedly by Jynx's Psychic attack, disallowing any comeback.

"Jynx, Psybeam attack!"

Jynx spawled a beam of Psywaves at Meowth.

"Meowth, deflect with thunderbolt!"

Weakly, Meowth attempted to revolt but was immediately knocked backwards by the telekinetic attack.

"Its useless.", Crissela calmly taunted. "You're weak . . . and you just wont accept it as a fact."

Gio kneeled beside his wounded pet. "Meowth . . . please get up."

Meowth was trembling with pain. "Mer . . . ow."

"I don't know how Difo could have possibly failed to eliminate you.", Crissela continued. "What does Torino see in you . . . delusions of success from a failure?"

Gio felt like falling apart right then and there. " . . . No."

Crissela chuckled. "You are truly pathetic."

Gio shot up. "No!"

Feeling Gio's sorrow, Meowth sprang into action and without commands, darted forward into Jynx with a powerful, critical slash attack.

Jynx fell backwards, bewildered and completely taken by surprise. "Jynx, Jynxy, Jynx!"

Crissela grinned again. "Jynx, Ice beam!"

"Jynx!" The Ice Pokemon stood up and unleashed a blow of Icy Virtue in Meowth's direction.

"Meowth, Dodge it with dig!"

"Mrow!" The scratch cat rapidly burrowed beneath the ground seconds before the Ice beam's impact.

"Stand you're ground Jynx!"

But before Jynx could even react, Meowth was already back into play, surging from beneath the ground and into the air, ready to perform a final blow.

"Shadow Ball, now!"

The Feline twisted around and hurled its dark orb of spite directly at Jynx.

Successful hit! Jynx collapsed to the ground and instantly fainted.

Gio jumped for joy. "Yeah, now thats how its done."

Crissela called back Jynx as she applauded Gio. "Well done, little boy. If only you're girlfriend were here to appreciate you're victory, oh but wait! You sent her deep into the Volcano, where about a dozen time bombs reside."

Gio was silent with fright. ". . . What . . . no!"

"Nice going." Crissela rushed past Gio as she headed for the Volcano's exit, sparring only a few words. "If you choose life then act quickly but if you choose to die alongside you're lover then that would greatly be of assistance to Torino. Nice doing business with you!"

She then vanished into the steam. Gio felt faint. He scooped his exhausted Meowth into his arms and began to run deeper into the Volcano. "I'm sorry Meowth but theres no way I'm leaving Delia!"

…...

"These bombs need a deactivation code, Voice activated", Blaine confirmed. "But what could it be?"

Delia nervously shrugged. "This is bad. Oh, I hope Gio is OK."

Blaine bowed his head shamefully. "5 minutes left."

Delia felt like crying. Another threat to her life that seemed beyond even real.

"Miss me?", came a voice from behind.

Delia leaped for joy and rushed to hug Gio. "Thanks for coming."

Gio embraced her back. "I heard about the bombs . . . I couldn't leave without you."

"I don't think leaving with me is an option anymore." She pointed to Blaine. "Thats Blaine, the Gym Leader."

Gio stepped forward. "I'm Giovanni Ketchum."

The Bombs began to blink rapidly. A small voice echoed from the devices. DEATIVATION CODE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED. The timers on the bomb then shut off.

Gio was speechless. " . . . ok?"

"Gio!", Delia said. "You're name was the Deactivation code."

"But . . .why?", Gio wondered.

"Don't question it! We're safe is all that counts!", Blaine rejoiced.

"Meowthy!", Meowth chanted with delight.

Suddenly the ground began to rumble and shake violently.

Delia held onto Gio tightly. "Oh gosh! What happening now?"

"The Volcano!", Blaine alerted, trying to catch his balance. "Its erupting!"

"Great timing!", Gio shouted sarcastically.

The Molten pit was now brightening as lava began to plume out from it.

The group quickly paced backwards. "Watch out!"

The walls were rumbling so much that half of the structure was now collapsing.

"We're not gonna make it out of this!", Delia screamed.

Blaine gazed up to find something converging from the lava. "Oh yes we are!"

Moltres ascended into clear view, eyes alert. "Graaaashrour!"

Without hesitating, Blaine leaped upon Moltres, managing to avoid it fiery wings. "Hop on you two!"

Gio protectively grabbed Delia and guided her toward Moltres while Meowth rested upon his shoulders. "Stay with me guys!"

…...

From the Cinnabar shore, Lawrence joined a mob of trainers as they watched the massive volcano erupt savagely.

The Camera Man was astonished. "Holy Miltank!"

The crowd was now going crazy over a new sight. From the volcano appeared a Moltres with three passengers.

"Look at that!", a trainer shouted.

"Its a Moltres!"

"Where's my camera!"

To everyone's shock, the Bird of Fire was drawing near the beach itself. Everyone backed away minutes later to make way for the legendary bird, with their eyes widened and mouths dropped.

The second Moltres touched the ground; Blaine, Gio, Delia, and Meowth hopped off proudly, allowing Moltres to arise into the air once more and take flight.

Everyone held their breath at the sight of the blazing titan, towering into the clouds.

Gio swerved around to glimpse the volcano. The eruption had stopped. "That was quick and convenient."

"I realize now, that was no eruption.", Blaine said. "It was Moltres, simply leaving its home. I can see why. It sensed the threats around; Torino, the annoying tourists, and everything else that disturbs such a beautiful creatures habitat. As an endangered species, Moltres deserves to live in peace. That peace cannot be found here, so it will travel elsewhere to spend its life happy."

Delia nodded. "Well good for Moltres then."

The crowd was now in panic again. "Look up there!", shouted someone.

Gio lifted his head to see dozens of Torino Helicopters, surrounding Moltres.

"Those cheaters!", Gio bellowed.

Everyone gasped at the sight of the petrified Moltres, being spawned into a Masterball.

"Why do they make those wretched things!", Blaine questioned out of fury.

Holding the Masterball was Crissela. In her other hand was a Speakerphone. "Thank you all for the cooperation! Our mission is complete so we'll be on our way!"

"You're horrid people!", Blaine shouted.

"You silly fools get to keep you're precious Volcano.", Crissela continued through the Speakerphone. "But Moltres is now property of Torino so goodbye to you all!"

The helicopters then disappeared behind the clouds, leaving the crowd below in sorrow.

"The next time I see those jerks . . . they're dead!", Gio mumbled in a serious tone.

…...

That night, Metsuma Rocket sat pondering in his dark private quarters located within Torino's undisclosed base of operations. Things seemed to be unfolding on schedule. Thanks to his retiring as Briskomy's head, he had more time to focus on Torino's affairs and it seemed to be paying off. Regaining control of Briskomy would hopefully be done with ease as well. Time was truly of the essence. His new Criminal Organization . . . no, his new society would surely be born from the remains of-

He was distracted in mid thought. From behind appeared commander Crissela. "Commander, have you brought me what I wanted?"

Crissela silently nodded and handed Metsuma Moltre's Masterball. "It was a piece of cake though I could have done without the troublesome civilians."

Metsuma examined it closely. "I'm glad to here it. I may be considering you for far more worthy missions. You have done well Commander. I suppose Rita just couldn't recognize you're potential."

"Undercover spying was just no longer my calling.", she said seductively. "Serving under you is far more thrilling."

Metsuma chuckled. "If thrilling is what you like then perhaps you'd like to join me in witnessing the destruction of Marcus Difo and his hideaway."

"Intriguing, so consider me there." She then eyed the concealed Masterball once more. "So do you plan on keeping it, selling it, or perhaps-"

"Don't you worry.", Metsuma assured. "I have plans for it . . . big plans."

TO BE CONTINUED . . . . . . . .