Chapter 47 – Skull-crashing! The wedding and Guzma
Hau'oli City, Melemele Island, Alola Region…
The Officer, Michelle Johnson, took Ash, Jimmy, Hirosaki and their Pokémon back to the police station in Hau'oli City. She showed them to a cramped windowless room at the back of the building filled with a computer desk buried in papers and three overflowing filing cabinets.
The officer gestured for them to sit at two chairs as she sat in the chair behind her desk. "Alright," she said pulling a manilla folder out from a pile at the side of the desk and slipping out two sheets of paper. "You're absolutely certain these are the two creatures you saw."
She placed the sheets on the desk before them. The first was of the cockroach like creature. The second the bamboo shaped rocket monster.
"No doubt about it," Hirosaki said. Ashachu, Nova, Sniveon and Axew all nodded.
Ash tilted his head to the side. "What are they."
"They're called Ultra Beasts," said Michelle. "They're a type of Extra-dimensional Pokémon that originate from the Ultra Space. They're extremely powerful and pose a threat to humans and Pokémon around the world. That's why my unit was assigned to investigate them. They started appearing all over the island about eight months ago through portals called ultra wormholes. There's seven know Ultra Beasts in total; Nihilego, Buzzwole, Pheromosa, Xurkitree, Celesteela, Kartana and Guzzlord."
As she said the name she took their photos out of the folder and laid them on the desk. The beasts were unlike anything Ash, Pikachu or any of the others had ever seen before. Oddly shaped with no visible or else horribly distorted facial features and terrifying tentacles, claws, blades and teeth.
"Wow," Jimmy muttered beside him. "They're creepy."
"What do you mean Ultra space," asked Ash. "Do you mean they're like…From space or something."
"Not exactly," Michelle replied. "The Ultra Space is another dimension. Well. More technically it's a pocket dimension. I don't know enough to explain it properly, but if you imagined a large soap bubble with a tiny bubble attached to the outside. The large bubble would be our universe and the smaller the Ultra Space. Now imagine a tunnel between the smaller bubble and the larger one. That's the Ultra wormhole. They allow the beasts a pathway between Ultra Space and our world. Nobody knows what's causes them but they started appearing about eight months ago. Eye witnesses said that strange portals would appear in the sky and the beasts would just fall out of them and started attacking everything in sight. The appearances don't last that long and the beasts disappear shortly afterwards. We've been tracking down the witnesses and creating a database of the appearances. What we've found was that there's a pattern to their appearances. Or at least I thought there was until a few days ago when we had several random appearances. I believe that the appearances might be engineered."
"Engineered," said Jimmy raising his eyebrows. "You mean… Someone's deliberately causing the beasts to appear. Why would anyone do that?"
Ash suddenly felt apprehensive. Someone was making dangerous Pokémon from another dimension appear randomly to attack? Pikachu evidently felt the same way. Ash felt him shudder in his lap. Ashachu swallowed, so Pikachu rubbed his head with his tail.
"Yes," officer Johnson replied. "That's what I believe, but I don't have enough evidence yet to prove it. Which is why we need still need to collects information about appearances. Which is why I'm going to ask your Pokémon to recount what happened…"
[Pokémon]
Entralink…
The heavy clunk of the cell door woke Nascour from his sleep. Nascour was being held in the black cells, the formidable dungeons below the palace of Entralink. Pokémon Nation, despite being a democracy with a commitment to the rights of sentient beings, still chose to keep it's political enemies in dungeons beneath a castle even when still technically innocent. Nascour was still awaiting his trial for treason.
The Team Draconian executive sat up in the small bed to see a young boy enter the room. With long black hair and dressed in a guard's uniform, he looked no more than 20 years old. Even in the semi-darkness Nascour knew him at once.
"Ippei?" The Ninja. Premier of Hoenn region and chief senator for the region. Nascour had met the boy many years ago when he was five in his own country. A journey he had made with his grandfather when the old man had been the foreign minister. Nascour had followed the young mans career. He admired him. He stood for values. They stood against Poképhilia.
"Nascour," Ippei said as he sat down on the end of the narrow bed. There wasn't much furniture in the room. Just the bed and the chemical toilet in the corner that made the room smell of chemicals and worse. "How are you doing. I hope my government is not mistreating you?"
"What are you doing here," Nascour said gruffly. "Did Tabuu send you?"
Ippei chuckled. "Tabuu send a member of the opposition to talk to a traitor and a terrorist? Ha. No sir I am here strictly of my own accord with an agenda."
Nascour surveyed him a smiled forming on his thin lips. "Well then. What would a politician be doing disguised as a guard visiting a terrorist so late in the night. Am I to take it this agenda is subversive."
"Not subversive. But I do not want anyone else knowing. I have something that I need from you…" Ippei paused for a second, biting his lip before continuing. "There is an election approaching. For the first time in a while the Ninja's have a chance at winning enough seats to form a government. But there is a problem. Tabuu does not wish to give up power. She and, more importantly her supporters have too much to loose. If she looses she may try to take the Prime Ministership by force. If the clone troops and the Unovan military faction remain loyal to her she will have enough power to overwhelm us… I need fighters."
"Interesting," said Nascour. "You suffer a clash of convictions. You do not like what this Tabuu is doing to you're country. Yet what must be done to stop her isn't honourable. It means consorting with a terrorist and. Though you protest otherwise. Subverting your so called democratic institutions. What is in this for me?"
"Well," Ippei replied. The words caught in his throat. Nascour was right. What he was asking did violate his convictions. "Ultimately we want the same things. An end to legalised Poképhilia. An end to the hostilities in Dragnor."
Nascour smiled his twisted smile. "Achieving common desired ends. That is all you offer. I'm afraid any assistance from me will cost much more than that."
Ippei had expected this. "What is it that you want?"
"As you know I am a dead man…"
Ippei shook his head. "No. I cannot promise you a pardon. Even though I agree with some of you're beliefs, you are a terrorist who threatened to kill thousands of our citizens."
"Well then. I'm not sure we have much more to discuss." Nascour stood as if to get him to leave.
Ippei remained where he was. "What if I offered you something else. There is the girl Misty."
"What about her?"
"I can save her," said Ippei. "I can make sure she is not executed. But first you must agree to help me."
[Pokémon]
Hano Grand Resort, Akala Island – Two days later…
"Cameron. I love you. You are my permanent mate. I don't regret choosing you… What I'm trying is. Cameron. Will you marry me."
"Lu-Lucario… Of c-couurse I'll m marry you. Of course I will. I love you too."
"Thank-you so much. You've made me so happy."
The memory kept replaying in Lucario's mind as Mienfoo and Typhlosion brushed him. The prickly bristles scratching the skin raw beneath his short blue and cream fur. He growled irritably fidgeting with his paws.
"Oh stop squirming," Mienfoo sighed exasperatedly. "This would be so much quicker if you just kept still. You want to look your best for your wedding don't you?"
Lucario growled back, "I'm trying to keep still. You're scratching me. Can't you be gentler."
Typhlosion chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Oh stop being a drama Vespiqueen. I love having my fur brushed."
Lucario scowled. "You're fur's longer than mine. It doesn't scratch you."
Typhlosion laughed. "Aww. Are you telling me big tough Lucario can fight all those Pokémon in the Kalos league, but being brushed is too much for you."
"A new battle tactic," Meinfoo giggled. "Typhlosion and Mienfoo brushed Lucario. It's super effective."
She and Typhlosion laughed and Lucario sighed and shook his head. Cameron wouldn't care how smooth was. It was going to get messy again in a few hours anyway…Sticky too most likely. Lucario smirked at the thought. All Cameron cared about was that they were together today, making a commitment to each other in front of their closest friends and family.
Today of course, was Lucario and Cameron's wedding day. Finally, with the Kalos league and the horrors of Team Flare and Team Draconian behind them they were getting married. He felt excited, anxious, happy, just as he had the night he had first confessed their love to each other. The prospect of marrying his trainer and mate was new and exciting and at the same time familiar, right and natural.
He winced as Typhlosion begun brushing his ears. At the same time Mienfoo picked up a bottle and started rubbing some ointment into his fur.
"It's conditioner. It'll make your fur shiny," she explained when Lucario shot her a quizzical look. "That and it'll cover up the scent nicely," she added with a cheeky grin.
Lucario was about to snap 'what scent' at her when he felt Typhlosion scratch his aura sensor.
"Ouch." He leapt to his feet, knocking the brush from Typhlosion's paw and nearly pushing Mienfoo over…
[Pokémon]
With his fur all brushed and clean Lucario made his way down the great staircase to the Hotel Lobby. Lucario would have been happy to have the ceremony on the beach in front of their house, but he had to admit he liked the venue Cameron had chosen. The Hano Grand Resort, the largest and most luxurious hotel in the Alola region.
friends were waiting for him... where his mate and friends were waiting for him.
foreign minister HeHheHe bit his lip, his heart suddenly racing from excitement and nerves. He made his way across the lobby and out the double front doors to the patio at the front of the hotel. The ceremony was to take place in a gazebo erected on the hill above the hotel.
Lucario's mate and friends were all waiting for him; Ash, Jimmy, Pikachu, Ashachu, Oshawott, Hikari, Snivy, Sylveon, Sniveon, Axew, Zoroark, Buizel, Mienfoo, Emolga, Jimmy, Typhlosion, Nova, Hunter, Serperior, Hirosaki, Akane and of course Cameron. They all greeted him with a round of applause.
"Lucario." Cameron embraced him and kissed his nose. "You look great."
"So do you," Lucario replied. Cameron was dressed in a white suit the hotel had provided for him, without a tie.
Ash, Jimmy and Akane were dressed in suits too but in black rather than white, Pikachu, Hirosaki, Ashachu, Buizel, Nova and Oshawott had little bow ties around their neck and Sniveon had a pink ribbon in the fuzzy ball of yellow fur on the top of her head.
"Ready?" Cameron whispered into his ear.
Lucario nodded. "Of course."
"Then come on." His trainer took him by the paw and led him into the gazebo. Everyone else formed a circle around them.
"Beloved family and friends. We are here today to celebrate the marriage of Cameron Kotetsu to his Lucario." The officiate was a magistrate from Heahea City, Janelle Grey. "Pokémon marriages, according to the laws of the Seven Nations, solidify the eternal bond between trainer and Pokémon. It is a promise made under the law that they will stand by each other, to support each other and to love each other. It is promise to their family that they will love, support and cherish them together. And so. I ask the pair of you. Are you, in the sight of these witnesses ready to make this commitment to one another?"
Cameron and Lucario both nodded their heads and said in response, "I am."
"Do you promise to love each other," Magistrate Grey continued. Do you promise protect. Do you promise care for your young and to love them together. To battle together side by side…"
The boy and his aura Pokémon looked at each other again smiled and replied again, "I do…"
Pikachu watched curiously with a smile on his face. He had never been to wedding before. It made him excited for his own.
Typhlosion whispered what was happening in his ear. "First the magistrate tells the couple what marriage means under the human laws. Then she asks them to promise to uphold the requirements of being married to each other. Now she'll get them to sign the certificate."
Sure enough, Magistrate Grey turned the stand she was standing in front of around to reveal a glossy sheet of paper along with a pen and a pot of ink. "You may now sign and put your paw pint on the register."
Cameron picked up the pen and scrawled his name in a large untidy scrawl at the bottom of the page. Lucario dipped his paw in the ink bottle and pressed it to the sheet next to it, leaving behind a black paw print. Cameron took a handkerchief out of his pocket and gave it to him to wipe it.
"And now there is one final requirement before I can pronounce you married. Mt. Kotetsu."
"This is my favourite part," Typhlosion whispered with a sniff. "The trainer has to whisper something to the Pokémon that no one else is allowed to hear. A memory, a story, a promise. Something to tell them how much they love them. And if they can make the Pokémon cry with happiness, they're able to marry."
Cameron put an arm around Lucario and pressed his mouth close to his ear. Pikachu saw his lips move but although he strained his ears couldn't hear what he was saying. Sure enough it was having the desired effect. Lucario's eyes grew wet and a single tear filled down his muzzle. A few minutes later Cameron stood back putting his hands on his mate's shoulders. Lucario looked up at him, his eyes shining and a big smile on his face.
"Congratulations," said Grey. "I now pronounce you married."
Everyone applauded again and Typhlosion wiped his eye. Cameron and Lucario put their arms around each other and kissed.
[Pokémon]
After the ceremony there was a reception in Hano Grand Resort's ballroom. A buffet table and a silver dance floor had been set up for the three trainers, Akane and the Pokémon to enjoy. There was even a band – though it consisted of Serperior singing with Buizel playing a saxophone, Sylveon a Piano, Zoroark a pair of drums, Oshawott shaking a Tamborine and Hikari pulling on the sting of a cello. His body shook with it's vibrations making the mouse giggle.
"Piii-kkaaa…"
"Umm. Guys," said Ash. "You're timing's a little off?"
"Pikachu." Pikachu nodded, a horrified look on his face.
"You're terrible," Jimmy laughed. Luckily they couldn't hear him over Serperior's singing.
"Maria's singing at our wedding was much better than this," Typhlosion added through a mouthful of the turkey leg he was eating.
Jimmy chuckled and slapped him on the back. "Ha. Never thought I'd here you say that. Except when her Jigglypuff put everyone to sleep."
Ash raised his eyebrows. "What happened?"
"Pika."
Cameron and Lucario didn't seem to mind the bad music. Cameron spinning his mate around like he had the day he'd evolved at the Unova league. Akane and Hirosaki were dancing too, though much more gracefully.
The kids, Ashachu, Nova, Sniveon and Hunter were standing over by the buffet table. Hunter was trying to work up the courage to ask Ashachu to dance, but his nerves kept getting the better of him.
'Come on just ask him' he said to himself. 'Or better yet just take his paw and drag him onto the dance floor. He already knows how you feel…
'But he hasn't told us how he feels so…'
'Yeah. Well if you don't ask him. Twinkle paws or fire butt will!' That thought made Hunter's stomach lurch and he resolved to ask him,
"Aww. This is so romantic," cooed Sniveon as she gazed stary-eyed at Cameron and Lucario. "I hope I can get married someday."
Ashachu notice her glance at him and at the same time Hunter scowl.
Nova shrugged. "Meh. Weddings are a human thing. They only exist to celebrate human love and relationships… Food's good though." He tore a strip from his own turkey leg, which looked comically big in his paw compared to him.
Ashachu shot him a quizzical look. "What do you mean?"
"How can it only celebrate human love if my dads a Pokémon," said Hunter a little sarcastically and even a little hurt. All thought of asking Ashachu to dance suddenly driven out of his head. Did Nova really think Lucario didn't matter.
"Originally the humans created marriage so human men could control women," Nova replied. "Then they made it more equal. Then they had to change it again for gay humans. Then for Poképhiles. And each time bigots would preach that the world would end if it changed. Marriage just seems to be a way of more powerful humans controlling less powerful humans and Pokémon."
Sniveon frowned. "But isn't that why they changed it. So everyone could be included."
"Meh. If you ask me," Nova begun but then stopped. He eyed Hunter and then Ashachu carefully and then decided not to voice his opinion. "Well. It doesn't matter what I think. Come on thunder mouse. Let's dance."
"Wha…" Ashachu gasped with surprise as Nova grabbed his paw and dragged him onto the dance floor. The Cyndaquil stripped the last of the meat off his bone and tossed it aside before putting his paw on Ashachu's waste and twirling him around.
Hunter's heart sank. 'See told you. I told you to ask him when you had the chance.'
Sniveon sighed disappointed.
[Pokémon]
Meanwhile…
The white haired young man wiped his mouth. He surveyed the hotel from the entrance to the bridge for a moment before turning to face the bling wearing bandana wearing youths behind him.
"Alright boys. We're lookin' for the kid and the Lucario. Any other Pokémon down there don't matter. It's the Lucario I want. Understood!"
[Pokémon]
"…I-I lo-ve you!... Please say you lo-ve. Me too…" Serperior bellowed into her microphone. Although she was good singer and had a powerful voice, the music Oshawott and the others were playing didn't match. If you could call it music or even a tune.
Lucario sighed and shook his head. "I'm not sure how much more of this I can stand," He said to his mate with a grin. "What do you say we… find somewhere quite."
Cameron blushed and nearly coughed back up the punch he was drinking. "Y-Yeah…" He sat his glass down and allowed Lucario to lead him by the paw out of the ballroom.
On the dance floor Ashachu allowed Nova to lead him in time to Serperior's singing. The Cyndaquil was quite a good dancer, easily guiding the other mouse. All Ashachu had to do was to stop himself from treading on his feet and keep his tail raised out the way.
"So…umm…What is you were gonna say about Marriage," Ashachu asked him. "When you said it was about human love and not Pokémon."
"Hmm." Nova frowned before remembering. "Oh that. It's not important."
"I'm curious," Ashachu pressed. "…You can tell me."
Nova sighed. "Oh. Alright! Part of me wonders whether humans only allowed humans to marry Pokémon so they could make Pokémon feel better about battling for them. I mean that human today even said something about promising to battle each other. I told you before Ashachu. Humans and Pokémon aren't truly equal in a human society. Not when humans are the ones building the stadiums, earning the badges and trophies from our battles and profiting from battles. They're entire society revolves around the battles we have and yet they're the ones writing the laws."
Ashachu frowned at him, his tail and paws dropping. "What. How can you say that?" He glanced at Typhlosion and Jimmy who were standing by the punch bowl chatting to Ash and Akane. "What about you're parents. Didn't they get married. Are you saying Jimmy only married Typhlosion to control him. Do you think Ash does that to Pikachu."
"Of course not," exclaimed Nova. "You know that's not what I meant. I love my parents and I know they each other. They're partners who battle each other because they care for each other. And yes marriage meant a lot to both of them. You have to think about this on two levels. Trainers and Pokémon on an individual level absolutely do love each other. They absolutely are partners and when they get married it's in recognition of that. But on the society level humans and Pokémon aren't equal while humanity continues to dominate and disproportionally benefit from the partnership it has with Pokémon. And it wouldn't surprise me if the humans in their government decided to allow humans and Pokémon to marry out of their own self interest."
Ashachu stared a Nova blank trying to make sense of what he's just said. He accidentally stood on his own tail tripping over. "Ahhh."
"You okay," asked Nova.
Ashachu sat up rubbing his head. "Yeah… Ugh. You make my head hurt!"
Nova chuckled and offered his paw to help him back to his feet.
"You know Nova. You kinda sound like that Team Plasma," said Axew who was dancing with Pikachu nearby. "Didn't they say something like that."
"We have to liberate the Pokémon. And only then will they be equals," Pikachu added remembering the first time he'd heard Plasma boss Ghetsis speaker in Lumiose City.
Nova snorted and folded his arms. "Team Plasma are a group of phonies. If they really cared about Pokémon they'd centre our voices instead of their own. And they wouldn't steal Pokémon or use them to do evil deeds. I'm nothing like them."
[Pokémon]
Lucario led Cameron out of the hotel and up the hill past the Gazebo in which they'd had the ceremony. After about 10 minutes they came to the top of the cliff at the south eastern end of Akala Island. It overlooked beach of golden sand and the blue waters of the ocean.
It was sunset. The orange orb of the sun descending below the horizon, casting a golden glow across the surface of the water and turning the sky a deep pinkish blue. A large smile crept onto Lucario's face as he came to a stop. "We're here!"
"It's beautiful," Cameron breathed looking around. He was now immensely glad he had chosen this place to get married. It was comfortable and scenic.
He felt Lucario press his body against him, his paws sliding around his back and his muzzle burying into his neck. Cameron automatically put his arms around his mate and pulled him closer.
"So! We're finally alone together on our wedding day," breathed Lucario.
Cameron felt his paw move down his back and across his leg to his groin. His heart started to beat quite fast. "Yeah. Finally alone," he repeated stupidly.
Before he could say another word Lucario raised his head and pressed his furry lips against his kissing him. Cameron felt Lucario's tongue brush his bottom lip and he opened his mouth slightly to allow it access. He felt a rush of pleasure as the dog like tongue pressed against his own. His pants had begun to feel tight.
Lucario's paw ran up the inside of Cameron's jacket slipping it over his shoulder and off his body. Cameron briefly let go of him to throw it aside before putting his arms back around him. He next felt the Aura Pokémon's paw untuck his white shirt from his pants and slid underneath them pushing the garment up his torso. The soft pads across his skin sent electric shocks through him.
In one swift motion, Lucario breaking the kiss, gripped the shirt with both paws and pulled it off Cameron's body then slung it onto a pile with the jacket. Cameron shivered as the evening air caressed his now bare chest. Lucario took a step back to eye his shirtless mate, something between a blush and a grin appearing on his face.
Cameron was slender but not scrawny. Rather his body has a lithe appearance. The months of travelling and Pokémon training had given him a muscular chest and the first traces of six-pack on this stomach. His tanned skin seemed to the glow in the yellow sunlight making this moment that much more erotic.
Cameron closed the distance between them and pulled his mate into another kiss, hugging him close. His soft, cream fur brushed his naked torso sending thrills of pleasure through him. Lucario resumed the caressing of his skin, running his paws down Cameron's back and sides. Cameron returned the favour stroking the soft fur on his back all the way down to the base of his tail, which wagged happily.
Cameron's pants were discarded next. Lucario forced them down and Cameron kicked them aside to the join his shirt and jacket all without breaking their embrace. The aura Pokémon then slipped his paw inside his mate's boxers, feeling his erect manhood. Cameron gasped his lips parting with Lucario's.
Their intimacy however was brought to an end by a voice behind them shouting, "You're Cameron."
They jumped as if receiving an electric shock and whipped around to see a boy standing there with a slightly amused expression on his face. Cameron's cheeks grew hot and he noticed Lucario blushed. A complete stranger had just caught him bare-chested and dressed only in boxers making out with his Pokémon.
He was young, around Cameron's age, maybe a year or so younger. He had a somewhat effeminate appearance, slender with long blond hair which he wore in bangs that covered his right eye and metal rings in his left ear. He was dressed in a grey hooded sweatshirt with pointy edges that gave his shoulder a spiky look, and a black pants with several rips in them.
"Umm…Yeah that's me," Cameron replied uncertainly raising an eyebrow.
"Who are you," Lucario growled. "What are you doing here?"
"Hmph. Not very cautious. Even some Pokémon have better sense of self-preservation than you," said the youth taking in Cameron's shirtless state and the tent in his boxers. "I'm Gladion. I fight for my partner, Null, to make it strong. I'm supposed to be doing a small job for Team Skull. But when I heard you you are… Battle me!"
It wasn't a request. And as Cameron opened his mouth letting out an uncertain "Errr," sound Gladion added, "I won't take no for a answer. Go Null"
Gladion grabbed a Pokémon and threw it and in flash of white light, the strange Type: Null matvarlised in front of him. Cameron did a double take and Lucario's jaw dropped. It was the same creature Akane had fought with at Realgam Tower.
"Use Tackle."
Null charged at Lucario. He and Cameron reacted fast with Cameron shouting, "Lucario. Stop it with bone Rush."
Lucario jumped out from beside his mate producing a bone club in his paws. He roared and slammed it into the oncoming Null…
[Pokémon]
The 'band' had become almost unbearable. Sylveon had given up the piano to Typhlosion who was just pressing keys at random and trying to sing over the top of Serperior…to a different song. Buizel and given up the saxophone to make out with Mienfoo in the corner, Oshawott taking up his instrument and blowing into it making a single continuous note.
Unable to dance to it anymore, Pikachu left the dance floor and went over to Ash, who was still standing by the food, a brownie in his hands. He climbed up his back and onto his shoulder and nuzzled his cheek.
"Hey buddy. Having fun," Ash asked grinning at the ticklish sensation of the fur against his skin.
"Mmm hmm," Pikachu murmured. "Makes me excited for our wedding."
That should have made Ash smile. Instead he experienced a pang of guilt as he has still not confessed to cheating on him with Oshawott. Too scared the truth would hurt their relationship. But could he really promise to love Pikachu when he' been so unfaithful, and was too cowardly to tell him so.
And then there was his feelings for Oshawott… He watched as the otter, red in the face from blowing into the saxophone. Finally the effort proved too much for him and he fell over, dropping the instrument.
"Pikapi?"
"Yeah." Pikachu's voice pulled Ash out of his trance. He rubbed Pikachu behind the ears. "Just hope we have better music…"
Pikachu giggled.
Suddenly the double doors to the room blew open, some powerful force from the other side blasting them off their hinges. Everyone gasped as six people and a Pokémon entered the room; A sneering white haired youth dressed in a black leather jacket, white shirt and dark pants with a pair of golden glasses on his head and a golden S shape skull necklace dropped around his neck, accompanied by five bandana clad youths, three boys and two girls. They each wore similar S shaped skulls necklaces to his except silver not gold. Finally the Pokémon, a scaly arthropod creature with a hunched humanoid posture.
A jolt of horror shot through Ash. "It's those guys," he gasped.
"Team Skull," Pikachu growled recalling the name they had given themselves. He leapt off Ash's shoulder and positioned himself ready to defend Ash. Snivy, Buizel and Sylveon rushed to his side.
"Vyy."
"Bui."
"Sylveon…"
Jimmy skidded over to Ashachu and Nova glaring at them hatefully. "You again."
"It can't be," Hirosaki gasped.
"Who are you people," Akane demanded.
"The hated boss who beats you down, and beats you down, and never lets up," the white haired youth laughed preening. "Yeah. Big bad Guzma is here! Greetings, cowering public!" He stood a step forward, the five grunts forming a line behind him at the door. "We have an exciting bout for you tonight! In the opposing corner the Pokémon trainers Ash Ketchum, Jimmy Kenta and Cameron Kotetsu. And in this corner, the boss of Team Skull and the hardest guy around, Guzma!"
Ash felt a jolt of fear. "H-How do you know who we are," he demanded. If Guzma knew their names then that meant him and his Team Skull grunts were here for one of their Pokémon.
Guzma didn't respond. His eyes darted around the room. "Hmm. Cameron and that Lucario aren't here…Though his Riolu is." He turned to the five grunts behind him. "You four. Go and find him!"
Ash's heart sped up and he felt a lurch in his stomach. They were here for Cameron. "You leave him alone," he said through gritted teeth.
"Grr." Hunter growled and bared his teeth threateningly, but his tail twitched from fear.
Four of the grunts turned and left the room.
"Pikachu stop them. Thunderbolt."
"Piikachuu!" Pikachu charged and fired a bolt of lighting at the grunts.
Guzma however yelled "Golisopod. Razor shell," and the Antropod creature leapt forward to block the attack. The claws on one of it's hands elongated glowing with a blue aura and it slashed the electricity out of the air.
Both Pikachu and Ash gasped with surprise at the creatures strength.
"Pika!."
"Whoa. What is that thing." He grabbed his Pokédex out of his pocket to scan the creature.
Golisopod. The Hard Scale Pokémon. It battles skillfully with its six arms, but spends most of its time peacefully meditating in caves deep beneath the sea.
Guzma laughed. "Ahaha. Well it looks like ya got guts kiddo. But you don't have the strength to take us on." He then said to his companion. "Get the Riolu…"
"Right on Mr. Guzma." The grunt two out two handfuls of six Pokéballs and tossed them into the air. At the same time Guzma threw three.
Ash and the others soon found themselves facing an army of Pokémon. Guzma's Golisopod, Ariados, Pinsir and Masquerain and the Grunt's five Golbat and single Crobat.
"Pika." Pikachu crouched on all four, his tail raised ready for battle. The rest of Ash's Pokémon except Hikari along with Typhlosion, Hirosaki and Serperior ran to his side, forming a wall between Team Skull, Ash, Jimmy and Akane. Hikari ran to the safety of Ash's shoulder.
[Pokémon]
"LUU-LUCARRR…." Lucario drove his paw hard into the wooden mark covering Null's head. The beast was sent flying with an incredible roar and fell in a heap at Galdion's feet. It lay perfectly still.
"Grgh." Lucario gave a sigh of exhaustion, falling to his knees. His fur was decorated in scratches and bruises.
"Lucario. You okay." Cameron dropped down beside putting his arm around the weakened aura Pokémon.
Gladion surveyed the scene with an angry look on his face. "How annoying." He pulled out a Pokéball and returned Null. "Hmp. It's not like me tot slip up like that," he said to Cameron when the red light had been sucked back into the ball. Gladion replaced the ball on his belt and slapped his hand to his forehead.
Cameron and Lucario looked up at him a million questions swirling in their minds. The battle had been tough. Null wasn't just a powerful Pokémon but it had evidently been trained well. Where had this kid got it. Was it the same one he'd seen with Akane confiscated by the military, or was a it a different one. More importantly who exactly was Gladion, how did he know Cameron and why had he singled them out for battle.
"Aww, look at you, little Gladion! Aren't you just a real cool guy?"
Cameron and Lucario whirled around at the sound of the sinister chanting voice behind him and their eyes met those of two Team Skull Grunts. A boy and a pink haired girl dressed in tight fitting vests and short shorts and bandanas.
"Who-Who are you guys," Cameron asked. He stood up, his arm still around Lucario helping him to his feet.
They ignored him their attention focused entirely on Gladion.
"You was supposed to capture this punk's Lucario," continued the boy – he could be Grunt A. "But we find that you fail-ario. What gives."
Gladion didn't reply but instead glared at them with a look of contempt in his eye.
"No worries! We've got enough backbone to cover for you," said the girl – Grunt B.
The two grunts preened like a Hawlutcha as they spoke, folding their arms across their chest and then holding them out in synch with each other, like contestants in a street dance battle.
Gladion sighed rolling his eyes. "Just leave the kid alone." He moved to stand between Cameron, Lucario and the two Grunts. "I told you. I'm not helping you steal Pokémon."
The grunts eyes narrowed. "Huh. We came all this way, and for what? For a big fat waste of our time, thanks to you," Grunt B snapped angrily. "If you'd done your job and defeated the kid, we could've stolen the Lucario by now."
A child pierced Cameron's heart. They were here for Lucario. The aura Pokémon growled bearing his teeth.
Grunt A stepped forward so that he was offensively close to Gladion. "Listen up good Gladion." His voice had a threatening tone. "The boss does like you. That's true. But you're just some hired help we keep around for when we need you. You aren't part of Team Skull, not really. And you never will be. Got it? Especially if you can't even do your job right. Now get out of the way so I can bag me some Lucario."
Gladion, despite being considerably smaller and scrawnier than the Grunt, wasn't intimidated. He sniggered and replied, "Just give it up already. You know you can't beat me. You'll just get your Pokémon hurt for no reason. Like I told you. I don't steal Pokémon. Now piss off. There's no need to hurt this kid's Pokémon. They're good Pokémon."
Grunt A seized Gladion by the front of his sweatshirt and threw him bodily out of the way. He landed hard in the grass with a dull thud.
"Alright kid," the grunt said threateningly to Cameron. "Hand over that Lucario."
"There's no way I'm doing that," shouted Cameron trying not to be intimidated. He curled his hands into fists his heart racing. The Grunt was taller and boarder shouldered than with rippling muscles in his chest and arms.
"Fuck off," Lucario snarled moving defensively in front of his mate.
The two Grunts tossed a Pokéball each into the air. "If that's way you say, and resistin' is way you want to play, I'll get ma Pokémon here to take you out with confuse ray," said Grunt A striking a pose as the balls burst open.
A bipedal tapir like Pokémon and a ghost made of purple gas materialised. Their eyes glowed bright and they each shot an orange ball at Cameron and Lucario.
"Agh. Lucario dodge it," Cameron shouted.
But Lucario, weakened from his battle with Type: Null he wasn't fast enough. The orbs hit him in the side of the head.
"Ahh." Lucario dropped to his knees as the world seemed to spin around him. The ground beneath his paws no longer felt sorry.
"Lucario. Fight it," Cameron shouted though his voice sounded distant.
"Lu-carr." Lucario made one attempt to get back to his feet before collapsing unconscious in the grass.
Grunt A smiled with satisfaction. He made a gesture with his hand and shouted, "Damn."
He stepped forward towards Lucario, but Cameron ran in front, holding out his arms defensively. "No. I won't let you take Lucari..."
The Grunt punched him hard in the stomach. Pain exploded through his abdomen and the air was knocked out of his lungs. He fell to the ground huddled with his arms around his stomach as the Grunt grabbed Lucario roughly by the neck and flung the aura Pokémon over his shoulder.
[Pokémon]
The ballroom was carnage. Attacks flew in every direction as Ash and Jimmy's Pokémon battled Guzma and his grunt's. Tables were upended, explosion threw clouds of thick smoke into the air and roars and cries of pain echoed around the chamber.
Ash was backed against the wall, Hikari trembling on his shoulder. He couldn't see what was going on. He could make out through the smoke, Mienfoo in combat with Pinsir and Pikachu and Snivy fighting Gilosopod. The rest were obscured in dust. He couldn't see Ashachu!
There was too much happening at once to shout out audible instructions to any of his Pokémon. He felt completely useless, all he could do was stand there and watch…
The fight didn't last that long. Five minutes and the attacks disappeared and the smoke cleared to reveal the room littered with the bodies of fainted Pokémon. Ash spotted Pikachu lying on his stomach in front of an unconscious Gilosopod, black swirls over his eyes. Ash and Jimmy's Pokémon seemed to have prevailed as all of the Team Skull's had fainted.
However only Ashachu, Nova, Mienfoo and Oshawott were still on their paws. Ashachu was panting heavily doubled over on his all fours beside two fallen Golbat, his lip bleeding. Oshawott was standing Triumphantly on top of an unconscious Pinsir Schalchop raised and Mienfoo and Nova were both upright breathing as hard as Ashachu.
"Pikachu!" Ash automatically ran to Pikachu, scooping the unconscious mouse up and cradling him against his chest.
"Typhlosion." At the same time Jimmy knelt down beside Typhlosion stroking his fur. "You did great bud."
Guzma's jaw dropped. "GUZMA!" he cried clenching his fists in frustration. "What is wrong with you?! Now's the time for your vaunted team to let loose and destroy everything!"
Jimmy stood up. "Looks like we win!" Nova, Mienfoo and Oshawott growled in unison.
Suddenly there was the sound of an engine and a bright light filled the room from each of the windows. Ash wielded his head around. Squinting he could make out the outline of a chopper outside with a large spotlight pointed at the ballroom.
"This is the Kalos Police Department," shouted a voice from outside. "We have the building completely surrounded. All members of Team Skull must drop to the ground and prepare for immediate arrest. I repeat. Team Skull on the ground…"
