Pokèmon: Vengeance

Alpha temple, The Ruins of Renascentia

A sense of both dread and tranquility pooled in Larkspur's stomach as they were forced to trudge through the snow. Whatever Arceus willed to happen would indeed happen, whether the mortals at play in this cosmic game of chess liked it or not. Even he didn't truly know what would happen, but he was 100% sure that someone wasn't going to walk out of this temple alive.

He looked over to his right at Andrew, and wanted to desperately to comfort the poor child who's Arceus-given gift got him dragged into this. The boy was cold, and his bare feet were probably frozen from the snow, not that the grunts pulling him along were helping that much. If only he were free, from both his duties and his captors, then he'd grab Andrew and take him to safety as quick as he could, somewhere far away from any sort of danger and peril. He'd take him back to his family in the blink of an eye.

They stopped walking once they made it to the central chamber of the temple, at the center of which rested the Alpha Gate. Schwall Smirked at the sight of the supposedly final obstacle that stood in his way from goddom. As the head scientist handed him the translations to the sacred texts carved upon the wall, he ordered that Andrew be brought before him.

"Schwall, that boy has nothing tat can help you!" Larkspur growled, pulling at the the grips of the Machamps that held him.

"And you do?" The team boss laughed darkly, guffawed even, at his former administrator's words as Andrew was dragged to hi kicking and screaming. "This boy is my ticket to the Alpha Realm!"

"He never will be! He can see the future and nothing more!" He glared at his tormentor. "Those gates will never open for him!"

"Shut up, tranny bitch!" He turned to the terrified boy at his feet, shoving the copy of the translations into his hands. "Read it, boy!"

"N-Never!" Andrew was practically trembling in fear before this terrible man- he had never been in the presence of one so evil- but he did his best to stand tall in defiance.

Schwall glared down at the boy. "Oh? Let me make myself clearer." He suddenly lashed out and grabbed him by his neck, squeezing until he gasped for breath. "Do it, or I squeeze the very life out of you, that traitorous bitch, and everyone you hold dear. Do you understand me?"

Andrew glanced at Larkspur, looking for a sign as to what to do. The warrior nodded his head, his message clear: Do as he said.

"O-Okay!" he cried, gasping as Schwall dropped him onto the floor. He quickly picked up the translations in trembling hands, and began to read them.

"O-Oh Mighty One, please hear our prayers.

We seek guidance in your infinite knowledge.

We seek refuge in your compassion.

We seek safety in your realm.

Please, oh merciful creator, hear and answer our prayers in this time of need!

Open your doors to us!"

Everyone stared at the Alpha Gate in anticipation, waiting for it to open. Only... nothing happened.

Poppy snarled at Andrew, kicking him to the floor in her anger. "Stupid boy! You messed up the prayer!"

Suddenly, laughter bubbled began to echo from the back of the chamber. Everyone looked and saw that the source was Larkspur, whose laughter progressed to almost be borderline maniacal.

Schwall stared at him with wide, angry eyes. "You knew this would happen... You did something. I have no idea what, but you did something to screw this up."

Larkspur sneered. "Wow, you really are as smart as you keep saying you are." He closed his eyes and hung his head, expression never changing. "But you still don't have any idea what you're getting into, and I'm sure as hell not gonna stop you."

"WHAT DO YOU KNOW, YOU STUPID WHORE!" Schwall marched over and grabbed a fistful of Larkspur's hair, pulling his head up. "Tell me now!"

"What are you willing to give me for it?"


Just outside the Alpha Temple

"Are we too late?" Prosper yelled over the wind to their Arcanine guide, pulling his parka tighter. They had just arrived in the ruins just a few moments ago, and the sight of Team Vitium vehicles was never a good sign.

Rosie shook her head, her gaze focussed on the temple. "No, but we have to hurry. There isn't much time until Schwall figures out how to open the gate, and I don't want him to get anywhere near Arceus."

"But won't he have men in the halls?" Alyx asked, pulling out a Pokèball from her bag. "He must be expecting us."

"Most likely. The man is paranoid and psychotic, but nowhere near stupid."

Amicus nodded from Prosper's jacket. "Then we need to get in there now. Who know how many could be in there."

"Just what I was thinking, buddy," Prosper said before leading the group inside, ready to take on whatever was in their way.