Chapter 53 - Before the Decisive Battle
Once the transportation slab reached the end of its ascending journey, things took on a much gloomier atmosphere. There was a faint and chilling wind blowing from outside. Moonlight was shining through a set of archways that circled all the way around the spacious and empty room, casting their shapes upon the cold floor, with the light blocked by only the sections between each archway and six colossal pillars that stood inside the area. The night sky was perfectly visible from the interior. Susanshi, Leo, Tokot, Alex and Jon all stepped off the slab and looked at the surroundings.
"So this is the top sanctum..." spoke Susanshi. "It sure is eerie up here."
"Having Vascious just above us would only makes this place even more unsettling," said Jon.
"This place is giving me a serious chill down my spine. I so hope we won't be here for long," declared Tokot.
"I'm...a little scared being here. But...I'm just going to have to carry on," stated Alex.
"Hmm... There's not much here, but there's another staircase towards the front of the tower," Susanshi analyzed.
At this point, she turned around to notice Leo standing straight. He was shivering, and showed an expression of resolution.
"Everything OK, Leo?" Susanshi asked.
"Yeah... I-I'm just psyching myself up for whatever awaits us," Leo replied. "We've come so far, and now the end of the mission is in sight. I'm just...trying not to be too nervous."
"I'm a little nervous as well, to tell you the truth. After everything that has happened, how can you blame me?" said Susanshi. "But I'm still willing to go. I'm willing to meet Vascious at the top. Is everyone ready to move on?"
"Y-yes," shuddered Leo.
"I'm always ready," replied Tokot.
"Yes. Time for me to do Lisa proud," spoke Alex.
"I'll be right with you, Susanshi. I won't leave your side," assured Jon.
"Good. I'll lead the way," announced Susanshi.
She guided everyone to the front of the room and up the stairway that spiraled around the outside. At the end was a second room identical in design to the last one, but with chunks of rock scattered about all around a small podium with a pedestal in its center that was surrounded by five short pillars.
"Sheesh, what a mess," remarked Tokot.
"There was once a giant Sacreca statue here. Looks like this is the remains of it," spoke Jon. "There is little doubt that Vascious is responsible for this destruction."
He led the group past the scattered wreckage and closer to the podium.
"This pedestal housed the Scepter of Wyste for the past one thousand years. Now it is missing, held within the hand of Vascious. He used the Seal Star to release the lock that kept it secured in the pedestal. By placing the Seal Star Fragments onto those pillars, they were able to bestow the tower with power. Enough power to lift it into the air and move it. All that was needed was the order."
"So that's how he was able to move it..." uttered Susanshi. "Will it be possible to move the tower back to where it once was?"
"Yes, that can be done. All you'll have to do is place the Seal Star Fragments on these pillars again. Then, just use the Scepter, and it should move again," explained Jon.
"Uh, excuse me..." a voice from close by was heard.
Harstarr, the owner of the voice, stepped out from behind one of the pillars.
"Oh, it's you, Harstarr. Why are you down here?" asked Susanshi.
"I sneaked down here to meet you. I waited for only a short while," Harstarr explained. "Listen, I have a few things to tell you before you confront Vascious. He does indeed have the Scepter, but it's doing something horrifying to his body. The Black Stain has been growing at a slow but steady rate."
"Just as I feared," responded Jon. "If Vascious continues to hold the Scepter, that Black Stain's power will only strengthen over time. It'll eventually take control over his body, and he will suffer a most agonizing death."
"And there's the problem: we can't let Vascious die while his half of Hadreca's soul is still inside him. If he does, he'll be revived at the cost of my own body and soul," said Susanshi.
"Then what do you plan to do?" quizzed Harstarr.
"Somehow, we're going to have to get back the Scepter from him and use it to wish both him and Hadreca away for good. Only then can I survive."
"Vascious won't part with the Scepter so easily, I know that as fact."
"I know, but there's still hope. Harstarr, where's the Seal Star?"
"It's with Vascious at the tower's top."
"We're going to be needing that if we're to stand even a faint chance."
"He'll likely try to prevent you from getting to that as well."
"Then how will we ever get it back?" questioned Leo.
"I have no idea, but it's the key to our success," replied Susanshi. "Our priority should be to get the Seal Star. There's a power inside that I can use to battle against Vascious."
"I hope you'll be able to put that idea in effect. I still have all this regret in me. It won't go away for as long as Vascious lives. I'm counting on you to help me here. If Vascious goes, I'll be free at last. I'll make sure to repay you in some way," spoke Harstarr.
Susanshi nodded.
"We'll do our best, Harstarr."
"Thank you very much, Susanshi."
"Save the thanks for when we're done."
"Apologies. Well, I'm going to run ahead. And Susanshi... I'm sorry...for everything you've been through. I hope you'll finally be able to put things right and live peacefully. Vascious has told us all about you and your time growing up. Nobody should ever have to go through what you did. I'll be rooting for you in the sidelines."
Harstarr then departed, walking back and heading up a stairway that spiraled along the outside edge. There was a brief amount of quietness when she left.
"Everyone... The time is now," uttered Susanshi. "Let's climb to the top and end this once and for all. Up there, the final task of my mission, the mission that brought me here, will await. Let's stop Vascious and return home to where everyone is waiting for us."
"Right with you, Susanshi," responded Leo. "I swore to stand by you, and now those words are still true. When we get back home, everyone in Sacreca will know our names! Everyone will recognize us for our achievement!"
"I'm here for a better future for myself and my family. I'll do whatever it takes to win," stated Tokot. "I know we've had some rough times along the way, but I'm so glad we still made it here."
"I've always traveled with Lisa, but not this time..." commented Alex. "I know she'll be waiting patiently for me to come back. I'm going to stay alive...for her."
"One thousand years ago, this land was almost laid to waste. Today, that risk returns for a second attempt. I cannot allow that to happen," spoke Jon. "We will set a bright future! We will realize our destinies!"
"Come on, everybody. Let's walk towards our final battle," announced Susanshi.
They proceeded through to the back and up the stairway. After a full rotation, they reached a small balcony outside the tower on the north side. The scenery was of nothing but ocean. To the right was a staircase that worked its way up and around the exterior of the tower. Continuing up, they arrived at a second balcony facing from the tower's south point. From here, a silhouette of the world of Sacreca was visible in the moonlight.
"Look at that! It's so spectacular!" exclaimed Leo, taking time to admire the scene.
"Yeah, it really does show just how far we've come since the beginning of our adventures," agreed Susanshi.
"Every single resident on that mainland is counting on us. We won't stop here to sight-see for much longer, not when we're so heavily depended on," stated Jon.
"Right. Let's carry on," replied Susanshi. "Get ready, everyone."
The stairway continued on to the right. This climb was rather long, as the stairs rotated around the tower three time before the very peak was finally in reach. The group stepped forward onto the roof. Two giant structures were positioned at the far back, forming the top section of a huge Sacreca emblem. In the middle of the roof was a caped figure with his back turned, looking at a completed Seal Star that laid directly in front of him. To one side, Grandill stood, with Harstarr on the other side. Without displaying any fear, Susanshi, Leo, Tokot, Alex and Jon all approached Vascious. He was holding the Scepter vertically, still giving off a pitch-black light, resting its tip on the ground and keeping his claws placed on it. The incoming crew said nothing, yet Vascious could still sense the presence. He slowly turned himself around to face them as they stood several feet back. He took the Scepter back into his right arm, his cape blowing east lightly in the wind.
"Welcome, Susanshi. I predicted that you would come here, so I prepared myself and awaited to greet you," Vascious said calmly. "It has finally become clear to me just how strong your will is. You braved many trials, all of which have built up to this very moment. I have taken note of the inscriptions inside the tower below us. So Sacreca truly did predict your birth, and left the remaining Wystians to plan out everything, believing that they could plan against me without me even realizing. But no matter. Even if I could not predict certain conditions, I was still able to claim the Seal Star and Scepter. I never gave up hope, and now here I am with the strongest kind of power in my very hand. Hadreca's revival is literally one command away."
"I guess that's one thing we share," commented Susanshi. "The fact we refuse to give up with what we want to do."
"Yes, even though we are related, we are quite a contrast. Knowing that, I would have convinced you to join me. We could have come here together, and worked as one," stated Vascious. "We would be a highly feared father-daughter duo."
"You must be insane to think Susanshi would ever join you! She-she would never!" snapped Leo.
"Did you come here to argue? You are wasting your time if so," replied Vascious. "You are just as senseless and reckless as your father, Leo. ...Ah, so you are here for revenge. Revenge is such a powerful thing to wish to act out."
"That's right, I'm here to avenge my dad! I am angry for what you did, Vascious! I lost him for eight whole years...and now you took him away from me forever! I-I want nothing more than your own death now!"
"Leo, take it easy. Don't lose your cool," spoke Jon.
"I can feel your sorrow and anger. You have become overcome by much grief," commented Vascious. "Maybe I can...satisfy you, as an apology. I have the Scepter right here. I could bring your father back to life. Give me the word, and I shall do it. What do you say, Leo?"
Susanshi gasped in surprise at this unbelievable proposal.
"Leo...!"
Just looking at Leo's face showed that he was actually considering it in his mind. Everything felt tense for a short while before Leo grunted loudly, before shouting:
"...No! I can't possibly have that! I know he's dead, but...but... No! It's just too good to be true! I won't do it! My dad wouldn't want me to be baited like that! Ugh, and I almost fell for it!"
"And I was hoping you wouldn't do something so incredibly stupid like that!" stated Tokot.
"So temptation did not ultimately get the better of you. Commendable, yet disappointing," said Vascious. "I should not have wasted such meaningless time. Well, back to business then. No matter what, I can tell that none of you will surrender to me. That is why I must utilize my last resort: I must end all of your lives. Nothing matters now. Yes, even you, the one who looks identical to Vellohou. He caused me much trouble in the past. Both him and Rovaela were thorns in my side. But now Rovaela is long gone. Nobody can oppose me and win now!"
"You're wrong, Vascious!" shouted Jon. "You were always this arrogant. Even after hundreds of years, that fact will never change!"
"You sound exactly like Vellohou, too... So you must be his distant relative," Vascious analyzed. "...No matter. Killing you will be my honor. But before that, I must be true and honest. Susanshi and her Explorer partners have proven to be highly formidable and persistent opponents. I feel that it is unfair to end them without doing the honorary thing. I will explain my motifs to you in further detail."
Vascious turned back to face the Seal Star. He paused for a moment before speaking out.
"Life... It began here with one thing... The Divine Order. The Divine Order governs us, sets the basic rules and principles. Yet, it does not control us. It is our own free will that makes us all unique. We breathe the same air, we share the same earth and sky, the same sun and moon. We have some similarities, yet we are all unique in our own way. And that way is the way we choose. And as the beings that populate the world, we embrace this freedom. Yet..."
He turned back around to face those who confronted him.
"It is belief that defines everything about us. Sometimes, we rely on a single belief. Sometimes, we change our beliefs, maybe more than one time. But no matter what, belief is what motivates us, carries us, gives us the will and determination to live and meet our goals! One millennium ago, my grandfather opened up to the possibility of Hadreca's designs. But no, Sacreca not did agree to this. He believed light and darkness can live together, like the sides of a coin, for as long as they never conflict with each other. He believed...one cannot exist with the other. For that...is life at its deepest. But..."
He pointed the Scepter towards the others.
"...He was incorrect! It is just like the natural cycle of day and night. Light dispels the darkness, but then darkness shreds the light, and the night lingers. The cycle of day and night may also be a part of life, and yet, it appears...that darkness is being overthrown by the light. It is wrong. Very wrong. When denizens come to realize that darkness is the minority force in the world, they will start to become misguided, believing that darkness has no right, no option, to thrive! They will reject it, like a faulty electrical appliance fresh off the production line! Everyone has been blinded by Sacreca's vile light! It is no blessing, it is neglect! That was the biggest concern of Hadreca and my fellow Hadrecans! That is why we declared war against the light! If Sacreca went to the mainland and we had done nothing, we would be cast aside and treated like heartless scum for all eternity! It is the light followers who are the true scum of the world! And Sacreca...is nothing more than a meddling god given inappropriate reign!"
"That is a whole load of nonsense, Vascious!" argued Jon. "Sacreca wanted the chance for the two to live in harmony. It was all because of Hadreca's twisted mind that your kind were frowned upon! Hadreca had an evil heart, Vascious, and with it, you, your family, and many others were seduced! Such is the life of all Hadrecans! The two sides could have had peace, but it couldn't be that way because of the one you follow! Sacreca had no choice but to keep him at bay for the sake of everyone! If Hadreca succeeded, our world would be thrown out of balance!"
"Silence, you pitiful fool! You act far too much like your ancestor!"
"That's why I stand here today! I live with the inherited ideal that the Sacrecans wouldn't want their land to fall into dismay!"
"And why bother with that? Your pitiful home shall soon be obliterated and recreated. Every soul, no matter their thoughts or ideals, will be exterminated. If they bask in Sacreca's light, then let them join him in his despicable realm where they belong and will remain forever! Think of it as submitting them to harmony at the very least!"
"Why destroy everyone just for your own sick ways?" questioned Susanshi. "Everyone in this world has a life worth living until their own natural end! They don't deserve to die! Not for you, not for anyone!"
"Regardless of how things stand, everyone of this land has Sacreca's blessing. That miserable excuse for a god has poisoned this place with his light! That is why it must end. You may be agitated by the idea of ending the lives of many, but here is how it works: destruction is simply another form of creation. You demolish a building, but you may build another one in its place, a more superior one than what existed previously. It is the concept in this situation."
"And at what cost? Sacrificing the lives of so many? It shouldn't be that way! The lives of others can't be rebuilt if they are robbed completely!" argued Susanshi.
"Those who do not swear allegiance to Hadreca do not deserve life in this land. They are the very cancer cells that infest this land and make it unsightly. They must be all eradicated. Do you know the best solution to fight cancer? Remove that which it infects entirely."
"Grrr, of course you'd think so strongly about us all!" growled Jon. "You haven't changed a bit. You've always had a disregard for anything that doesn't fall into Hadreca's desire. You've never had acceptance of others! You discriminate towards everyone else, only looking out for yourself and your brethren, who themselves were also led down the wrong path!"
"I do not need your objecting words, fool. I live and fight for my people and Hadreca."
"But you are the only one left! Your fellow Hadrecans all died for nothing! Would that not convince you of the hopelessness of your plan?" asked Jon.
"My brethren sacrificed themselves for the greater good, and with me being the only reminder, I will continue to battle for Hadreca for as long as I live."
"Yes, but does Hadreca fight for you?"
"Of course he does! He would not have organized that attack if he did not!" Vascious grew more agitated.
"You are wrong, Vascious... Hadreca only wishes for a world where he will rule alone. Answer me this, Vascious: what exactly would become of you if Hadreca gets his way? Hadreca couldn't truly care less about you. Just think about. Hadreca forced you into living consecutive cycles, and for what? Himself. For that is who he truly is. You threw away the remainder of your life, doomed yourself to centuries of falsehood."
"S-silence! Hadreca has great faith in me! He entrusted me with the future of this land!"
"Yes, he did, but only for himself. He wouldn't have given you the soul piece you currently have if it wasn't for your dedication towards him. He used you because of your gullibility."
"No, I do not wish to listen to any more of your dishonesty. I have worked hard to be here, and I am not about to give up now because of some measly words. Everything Sacreca lived for is wrong and should not be the way!"
"Wrong? Sacreca allowed this world to flourish! Have you not seen all the happy civilians? They appreciate life!"
"You give Sacreca more credit than he deserves. Sacreca was such a colossal fool. He created the Wystians by his own will. He gave them powers of the mind. Why would he create such a deadly concept? It proved to be his downfall, for the very powers he granted us would be what destroys the light he brought to the world! I have my powers restored by the Seal Star, and now, the hour of recreation is upon us! I commend your efforts, but your own successful reunion of the Seal Star has only helped to make my mission easier. You practically handed it to me. In a sense...you have...betrayed Sacreca. What irony. You swore to serve Sacreca, yet mine and Hadreca's desire will finally be met. All thanks...to you."
Leo was heard grunting loudly in discouragement.
"No Leo, do not believe him," demanded Jon.
Without expectation, Susanshi stepped forward alone.
"Susanshi!" called Alex.
"Don't do it, Susanshi!" exclaimed Leo.
"No, wait. I want to see what happens," said Jon.
Susanshi stood close to Vascious and looked up at his face.
"Dad, please stop all of this!" Susanshi began to speak.
"Susanshi, do not try to negotiate with me. Stand back," warned Vascious back.
"No, I will not stand back. Dad... Just look at you. Just look at what you've become. You're nothing more than a pawn for a diabolical deity. I...feel sorry for you. You could've had a great life long ago, but that never happened. Why did you agree to live for so long? It must've been a terrible time you've lived. But then I came along. The love we shared for one another seemed legitimate. And you know what? I still believe it to be legitimate. And how do I know this? You wanted me alive. Tell me, Dad... Why did you originally want to keep me alive? Why did you stop yourself from hurting me further back at the ruins that time?"
Vascious failed to reply. He just kept looking down at Susanshi.
"Dad, won't you answer me?"
"...I wanted you alive so you could join me. I was confused when I met a Piplup who shares your name, but soon after I sensed that you were indeed the same Susanshi I knew in the human world. I thought you would agree to live with me in the new world, maybe even join my cause."
"Well Dad, I would never agree to this, but I still don't want things to be this way. I am certain, Dad. I am certain of it. There must still be some good in you. All your life, you've experienced little emotion. When you and Mom raised me, you showed much emotion for me. You were my number one father. I loved you... I know you've done some pretty terrible things, but you can stop it all now. I can forgive you. If you'll just surrender, you'll get justice, but it's at least the right thing. I just want my father back...even if he were be to treated as a criminal."
A small tear appeared in her eye. Vascious, as well as everyone else present, remained quiet for quite some time. Vascious himself appeared to be deep in thought. Finally, he spoke out:
"Susanshi... Your sermon is truly sincere, yet... Your words do not mean anything to me. I am sorry."
"Oh, Dad..."
"I have waited too long to simply abort my mission. It must end in one of two ways: either I resurrect Hadreca and recreate this world, or I will fall to you. There is no other way. Diplomacy has no use now."
"You tried, Susanshi. But your honesty won't help you now," announced Jon.
Feeling miserable and disappointed, Susanshi returned to the team.
"I'm sorry it didn't work out, Susanshi," said Leo. "But how can you forgive him?"
"Susanshi, please don't be sad..." Alex uttered, feeling sympathetic.
"At least you tried, eh?" stated Tokot.
"Stupid kid. You can't convince Lord Vascious so easily!" exclaimed Grandill.
"Silence, Grandill. I told you only I can talk here," responded Vascious. "I commend you for at least attempting, but know that I will not cease whatsoever. Now, I must..."
He was interrupted yet again by a sudden jolt of pain in his body. He began to scream out, on a level to being physically tortured. Everyone was forced to look on in shock, with Alex looking away entirely, as Vascious coughed up a small amount of blood from his mouth. Afterwards, he fell over on his back and started to convulse in huge discomfort. The gauntlet on his right arm suddenly flew off completely in one piece. The fur upon the same arm shed off completely, leaving it totally bald. Veins swelled under his now visible skin to abnormal proportions.
The Black Stain was beginning to spread to his torso now. It stretched halfway across his chest and all along his shoulder. It continued onto his face, taking over his right cheek. Next, his right shoulder guard flew off, clanging to the ground. The right side of his red collar changed shape and blackened, now no longer flat, but instead split into thin triangular shapes all across where the Black Stain took over. Finally, there was a loud and unpleasant squelching noise as four short tentacle-like appendages, as black as the cursing stain, erupted from around his right shoulder blade and began to sway about on their own accord. After this grotesque display, Vascious's body relaxed, though he was hyperventilating.
"The Black Stain has grown further. It is indeed a disturbing sight to behold," announced Jon.
"Dad..." sighed Susanshi.
Vascious was soon able to gain enough strength to stand again. As expected, he was clutching at his infected arm.
"Don't you see what mess you've put yourself into, Vascious?" questioned Jon.
"Grrr...! This pain is agonizing," grunted Vascious.
"So will you stop now?" asked Jon.
"No. I cannot stop," replied Vascious. "I must continue, no matter what."
"Can I truly still not convince you?" quizzed Susanshi.
"Susanshi, you are my child in this current cycle of mine. Your existence was merely cautionary. If I were to die before I finished my mission, I would be reborn from you. Yet now, I feel as if I regret your existence. I find it only fitting that I would end your life. For the sake of His Lordship, I will destroy you. You have denied yourself the chance to live, so I must do what must be done."
"Oh no... Why did I even try to reason with you...?" sobbed Susanshi.
She gave herself a few seconds to tense up.
"...Fine, I see how it is now. I was chosen to stop you at all costs. Now, you being my father means nothing to me. I...I had no father! Vascious! The Pokémon of Sacreca have every right to a life of their choosing! They all want to live peacefully, in a world where you don't exist! It is in everyone's name that I will destroy you!"
"So you are still choosing to defend the free will of others. Commendable. I never imagined just how...special my daughter would be. Very well then, let us see that will of yours to succeed. Let our battle commence! Grandill! Harstarr! Step aside!"
"Knock her dead, Lord Vascious!" cheered Grandill, all while he and Harstarr stepped far back, with Harstarr being noticeably worried.
After that, Vascious held his left arm out, dragging Susanshi towards him. Then, he held the Scepter in the air. Leo, Tokot, Alex and Jon were all thrown backwards by an invisible force. A tall, purple, transparent barrier appeared all around Susanshi and Vascious, roughly ten feet in diameter. It kept all others out.
"O so-called one of destiny's choosing..." Vascious spoke out. "If you truly wish to fulfill your destiny, then fight me solo."
"What? No, we agreed to fight together!" shouted Leo.
His cape then changed into a pitch black color and grabbed the Seal Star from behind him. He floated up into the air, separating each Fragment so that they all circled vertically around behind him. They emitted a bright glow, which transferred onto Vascious, filling him with their power.
"With the Seal Star and Scepter, you have no chance of victory, Susanshi. But if you still wish to beat me, then show me that determination!" exclaimed Vascious.
Susanshi became fearful, due to the hopeless situation before her. Leo ran over to the barrier and began to pound at it with his fist. It was holding tough and standing strong.
"Susanshiiii!" yelled Leo, his voice coming through clearly to Susanshi.
"Leo!" she shouted back.
"It is no use, Susanshi. This is a barrier of pure darkness. It is impenetrable to all attacks," stated Vascious. "Your friends cannot help you now. I find it fitting that only you would take me down, if at all."
Desperate, Leo created a Focus Blast in his hands and threw it at the barrier, while still stood only inches away from it. The attack exploded and knocked him to the ground, leaving the barrier undamaged. Scrambling back up, he began punching at the barrier repeatedly.
"Come on! Come on!" he bellowed.
"This isn't working, Leo! You can't bring this thing down alone!" stated Tokot, approaching.
"It is time, Susanshi. Face me!" announced Vascious, looking down at her from the air.
He held the Scepter to his left shoulder, and swung it strongly, releasing a weak energy ripple that spread all around the area of the tower's roof.
