After successfully recruiting Taro to his cause, Light left the Human's camp and returned to the outskirts of Rustboro to begin preparations for the attack. With Taro and AKiza set to join him in a week, creating a plan of attack became Light's highest priority. As tensions steadily rose, the time flew by and before anyone could realize it, the appointed day was upon them.
Volc and Akiza arrived first and quickly greeted Light, now back in his usual garb.
"Hey Light. How has planning been going?" Volc asked curtly, trying to steel his nerves before the upcoming battle.
"I have a basic strategy but nothing concrete." The Meowth replied. "Are you prepared for today?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
"I don't see you're associate Negata." Akiza cut in. "Are he and your other Sect member not joining in on our attack?"
"They have been aiding me in gathering information and are working on a contingency plan should our attack fall."
"And what would that contingency plan be?" Taro asked as he and Ashley stepped into view.
"We'll discuss the contingency plan only after our original plan fails." Light replied. No need to worry them with the fact I haven't actually come up with a back up plan yet.
Finding Light's answer to be satisfactory, Taro turned to address Akiza, "Hello there Miss Sadist Psychic. It's been a while hasn't it?"
"It has. I believe the last time we fought was back when our forces took Slateport wasn't it? I distinctly remember the screams..." She trailed off with a pleased expression.
"Yeah... I punctured a lung and broke 4 ribs that day. It was very painful..." Taro replied before trailing off with a similar pleased expression on his face.
Weirdos. Ashley and Volc thought as they glanced at their newest teammates.
"All right. Let's get down to business everyone." Light said, gathering everyone around and pulling out a small map. "We are going to be starting our assault from here, the eastern part of the city. Unfortunately, the main Devon Corporation building is located at the westernmost part of town near the sea. We're going to have to fight through the cities defenses before we even get a chance at the Corporation."
"The city has been on high alert ever since our failed attempt a couple weeks ago." Ashley said, "How are going to get past all those Magnetons, Magnezones and Klingklangs?"
"With so many of them, we'll have to use covert maneuvers." Light replied, "It'll get us into the city and allow us to make headway toward our target but could leave us without an escape route if things go south. Is everyone Ok with that?"
Everyone nodded in affirmation.
"Good. We'll split up and move quietly toward Devon on our own. If you see a group of city defenders you think you can defeat quickly and quietly, do it, if not keep moving. We'll keep in contact with these communicators. If for whatever reason you come under attack, call for backup. Barring any complications we'll meet outside the Devon Corporation HQ in 3 hours time. Any questions?" After a short silence Light continued, "Then let's go save the world!"
The small team staggered their entrance to the city to divert suspicion. Volc left first, followed 15 minutes later by Taro, followed by Ashley, then Akiza and finally Light.
So far so good. Light thought as he ran in through the shadows of the city. None of the city defenders have noticed our presence here yet. Let's keep it that way.
Around the next corner was a small patrol of 2 Magnetons and a Magnezone. Light leapt out and fired a Shadow Ball at the Magnezone, knocking it out.
"Bzzt!" The other two Electric types buzzed as their comrade fell. In an effort to avenge their friend, they began firing Flash Cannons and Thunderbolts at the now charging Meowth. Each attack was blocked with a Shadow Ball Shield until Light was able to close the distance between them and finish off the attackers with two swift Night Slashes.
Hopefully the others are doing their part and we'll have Devon taken down in no time. Light thought before rushing back into the shadows to find another small patrol to attack. With the city on high alert, it wasn't long until a similar patrol appeared. Ok just like before. I'll take the strongest one out first and rush the other three. Just as he leapt out to begin his attack, a large explosion resonated from the center of town, catching the attention of all three Steel types. Although this made them very easy prey, each was defeated with a Thunderbolt at close range. It also put a screeching halt to Light's battle plan.
"What happened?!" He nearly yelled through his communicator.
"We might have a problem." Taro responded. "I tried to take out a patrol but they called in reinforcements before I could defeat them."
"We'll have to change the plan." Volc cut in. "I'll go to your position and provide backup."
Going off of Volc's initiative, Light said, "Not just you. Everyone is to report to Taro's position and provide backup. With our combined forces, we might be able to break through their defenses."
When the entirety of the team reached Taro's position, he was in full Masochist Mode, charging every enemy in site while taking as much damage as possible. Volc soon joined the fray as well, firing off as many Flamethrowers as his body would allow. Ashley began working with Light to break up some of the denser portions of the enemy line while Akiza fired off Psychics from a distance and provided support to whoever needed it.
While the five of them put up a strong front, there were simply too many city defenders, and everyone soon began to tire.
"So.. who's next?" Taro asked. He was out of breath but flushed in the face with pleasure and eager for more.
"We can't keep this up." Ashley said, "Volc and Taro especially are running out of energy and these Magnetons and Magnezones just keep coming."
"Some of the ones we defeated earlier are even rejoining the battle." Akiza pointed out gesturing toward weakened city defenders floating toward the battlefield.
"The only way we're going to defeat all of these city guardsmen is to take out Devon Corporation." Light reasoned. "But the only way we'll get to Devon is through all of these city guardsmen. It's a classic catch 22."
"Not really." Akiza responded. "The entirety of our little team doesn't need to make it all the way to Devon. Light, you and Ashley head to Devon and take them out. Taro, Volc and I will stay here and create as big a distraction as possible to keep them off your backs."
"That's flattering but I have no idea what lies in wait at Devon and besides, we're barely holding out here with the five of us. How do you intend to hold this position without both of us?" Light asked.
"Let's just say I'm willing to use a trump card for you." The Gardevoir replied, pulling out a Mega Stone. "You two go. The three of us will handle things here."
"Are you sure about this?" Ashley asked, still unsure of Akiza's plan.
"I'm sure. Now Go!" She cried as the Mega Stone activated and she transformed into Mega Gardevoir. Light and Ashley left the scene just as Akiza launched a Hyper Voice with her mega evolved power.
"You've been holding out on me!" The Masochistic Man cried after witnessing Gardevoir's new strength.
"Yeah, I have." She replied curtly. "Ok you two, here's the deal. Ashley and Light have gone off ahead to Devon so its up to us to draw as many people away from there as possible. Are you ready to kick it up a notch!?"
"Of course! I can't let you leave me in the dust!" Taro cried before charging toward the enemy once again.
"All you had to do was ask." Volc replied before using his most powerful move, "Blast Burn!"
"Psyshock!" Akiza yelled to mark the beginning of their counterattack. This morale boost will only last for a short while. Hopefully Light can pull this off.
Devon Corporation HQ
"I didn't think it would be this easy to get here." Ashley remarked. "It's practically deserted here."
With Taro, Volc and Akiza running interference, Ashley and Light didn't run into any Devon troops on their way to the headquarters.
"Let's hope that's because of the commotion the others are making and it's not a trap." Light replied.
Rather than finding the building filled with hard working employees, the Headquarters was dimly lit and deserted. Before either could ponder the reason why, a voice came over the building's intercom.
"I truly must commend you Light. I never thought you would reach it here."
"Who are you?" Light replied to the empty room. "Come out and face us!"
Ignoring the former NAA Commander's comments the voice continued. "I had considered bringing you here earlier when you first created your New Age Alliance. I had the board's approval and everything. But before I could extend the invitation, your small resistance had grown exponentially."
"The people of this region wanted to follow a savior that would bring them peace and Light provided them with that opportunity." Ashley said.
"A savior for some but not all." The voice replied, finally acknowledging their presence. "If you truly want to complete your mission and save the entire world, then go to the basement level of this complex. I will be waiting for you there."
Following the voice's suggestion, both Light and Ashley descended a flight of stairs to the building's sublevel which was even less well lit than the previous floor. As the two heroes walked through the door the basement level, Ashley suddenly collapsed on the floor.
"AHH!"
"What's wrong?" Light asked. While he hadn't seen an attack, he was deeply concerned for his comrade.
"There's too much... fear and... pain..." The Aura User replied between pained breaths. "I can feel it... through their Auras."
After a moment for his eyes to adjust, Light noticed steel cages lining the entire room, each of which was filled with a different type of Pokemon.
"They've been testing on Pokemon..." Light said, shocked at the sight.
"Of course we have been." Replied the voice from the intercom. "How else could we have developed all of this new technology for the war?"
The room suddenly turned bright as their final enemy revealed himself. He was a middle aged man with black hair that was just beginning to gray. He wore a gray suit that displayed the Devon Corporations logo on the lapel pocket. Despite having his headquarter's broken into, the man remained oddly calm.
"No amount of technological progress warrants this!" Ashley cried. "Why would you do such a thing?"
"For the money!" He replied, "Peace isn't profitable and great technological gains like these always come at such a price. The use of fossil fuels came at the expense of the environment. The findings of nuclear energy came at the expense of millions. Is this really that different?"
"You've plunged the entire world into war for the sake of your gains! Of course it different!" Light cried.
"The world is always waged in war. Especially this region. From the fighting between Kyogre and Groudon in ancient times to the gang war between Teams Aqua and Magma in ancestor, Steven Stone's, time this region has always been at the center of one war or another. In a way, it's sort of fitting that the majority of this conflict occurred here as well."
"That all ends today." Light declared, striking a fighting stance. "Once you're out of the picture, the world can finally be at peace."
"That may be what you think, but I see a different outcome. You will fail in your quest here and then I, Slate Stone, will bring the Devon Corporation to even greater heights!" He announced before pulling out a Pokeball. "Allow me to show you what our research has produced. Go Subject Alpha!"
The Ball was thrown and a Mewtwo appeared out of the sparkling light.
"A Legendary Pokemon..." Ashley said in awe.
"Our most fruitful projects have nearly all come from researching Subject Alpha." Slate replied, "Including our research into Mega Evolution..."
On cue Subject Alpha Mega-Evolved into a Mega Mewtwo X and dropped into a fighting stance.
"This is the beginning of the end for you Light. Alpha attack!"
AN: Hello again everyone! The final villain has finally appeared! Will Light and his friends be able to thwart Slate Stone's nefarious plan or will the world be plunged even further into darkness? Find out next time in the 39th and final chapter of Pokemon New Age.
Also stay tuned for a special announcement at the end of next chapter. It will be sure to surprise a few people. Until next time!