Chapter 54 - Clash of Ideals
With a cloudless night sky, accompanied by a bright full moon and only a small amount of stars as the backdrop, Vascious and Susanshi prepared to duel. The dark barrier encircling them kept Leo, Tokot, Alex and Jon out, while Grandill and Harstarr stood far back, spectating from near the top section of the Sacreca symbol that was fitted to the tower's apex.
Vascious made the first move by holding his left arm up above. The air around the tip of his claws began to condensate, forming a ball of water that grew in size at a swift rate.
"He's using the power gained from the Aqua Fragment to form water at will," spoke Jon.
"Yo, don't just stand around and watch! Help us take this thing down!" bellowed Tokot.
Himself, Leo and Alex were all attacking the barrier together, trying desperately to break through it, using both melee blows and indirect attacks on it. Nothing seemed to weaken it at all. Meanwhile, the sphere of water Vascious was creating reached twice the size of his head. Ceasing its growth, he controlled it to move in front of his face, before sending the contents out towards Susanshi in a whirlpool. In a flash, Susanshi produced her own Whirlpool from her beak and held it forward, catching the opposing spiral. The two remained locked together as Susanshi's Whirlpool became fueled by Vascious's, thus increasing in size. By the time Vascious's water was used up completely, Susanshi's Whirlpool was so big that she was struggling to hold it up. She had no option but to drop it, wetting the ground around her, as well she herself somewhat.
"Hm, not too shabby," said Vascious.
He floated himself back down to solid ground at the opposite side of the arena.
"Come here!" he exclaimed.
His cape turned black and stretched out in front of him, taking on the shape of a circle that spun clockwise. Susanshi was beginning to feel herself get dragged towards Vascious, so she resorted to running in the opposite way. The suction became stronger, pulling in Susanshi slowly. She was eventually captured in the cape, and was engulfed in its darkness. Vascious then directed the cape to change its shape into a hand, grasping Susanshi and throwing her up high into the air. When she came back down, Vascious pointed the Scepter up at her, and it released energy shots from its tip in quick succession. They all missed, except for the last one, which scored a direct hit. Susanshi was knocked into the side of the barrier, before falling back down and hitting the ground.
"Oh no! S-SUSANSHI!" yelled Leo in horror.
He began to alternate his fists as he punched away at the barrier. He quickly tired himself out without any luck. Jon was standing back, and was observing the situation. He witnessed Vascious lift Susanshi off the ground with his mind, while she was still hissing in pain from the previous impact. Jon shook his head lightly. He proceeded to step up to the barrier and place his left hand onto it. From his palm, a small glow appeared. It worked its way all along the barrier. This caught the attention of Leo, Tokot and Alex.
"What? Jon...?" Leo muttered in confusion.
Vascious also took notice of the barrier color change, looking up at it and then down to Jon, all while still holding Susanshi.
"What? What is that power?" he asked to himself.
Not long after, the barrier shattered like glass, its pieces disappearing upon contact with the floor. With the barrier finally dispelled, Jon quickly took hold of Susanshi indirectly and carried her safely out of Vascious's grip, returning her to him.
"No, it cannot possibly...!" Vascious exclaimed in shock.
Jon?! H-how?!" Leo questioned.
"Susanshi, are you all right?" Jon asked, having stood her back up.
"Yes, I'm fine, I think..." replied Susanshi. "Jon, what did you do?"
"There is no time to explain. We must continue the fight," said Jon.
At that point, Vascious recollected his cool and stepped forward, still taking the Seal Star Fragments with him as they continued to spin behind his back. He and Jon locked stares together briefly, before Vascious whipped his cape towards him, grabbing hold of him by wrapping around his waist. In retaliation, Jon grabbed the cape and began to slowly pull Vascious towards him. Vascious snared the cape off Jon, making him lose his footing and fall to the ground. He wasn't downed for long, and quickly stood up again.
"There truly is no denying it. You really are who I think you are," Vascious stated. "That explains this sudden urge to end you more than Susanshi."
"What is this? I don't understand..." mumbled Alex.
"Shh, there's no time to talk now," responded Jon calmly.
"It's all the only response you have?" objected Tokot.
"Save it until later, Tokot," Susanshi advised. "Either way, we swore to stay together, and now that the barrier's gone, we can!"
"It is no use to form another barrier... So be it, all of you... Face me together, if you must!" stated Vascious.
He back-flipped swiftly, almost elegantly, landing back in the center of the roof. He gave off a quick swing of the Scepter by his side.
"Everyone, listen carefully," Jon spoke to his party. "The Seal Star Fragments are bound to Vascious by his power. We need to knock them all out of his control."
"And how do you think we'll do that?" asked Leo.
"If we attack the Fragments, that should be enough to disable them and retrieve them."
"Attack the Fragments? Are you crazy?" snapped Tokot.
"No, the Fragments won't sustain any damage," Jon assured.
"So basically, we'll just battle him as normal. Seems easy enough," responded Leo.
"We'll attack separately for the best possible chance," explained Jon. "Are you all ready?"
"Yes," replied Susanshi, Alex, Leo and Tokot and unison.
"Good, now let's go."
Together, they charged forward, separating out and standing away from Vascious at different points. Realizing that he would be tackling five opponents at once, Vascious decided to begin using more widespread attacks. He lifted himself up into the air again, and came slamming down with his own feet, resulting in a quake that shook the entire roof. It gained cracks that ran from the center, where Vascious dropped. The right-hand top structure of the giant Sacreca emblem also cracked a small amount at its base. Everyone struggled to maintain balance, but ultimately fell to the ground. Vascious held the Scepter out, pointing it over to Jon, firing an energy blast from its tip towards him. Having fallen onto the back of his shell, he could not stand up in time and was struck. He was sent spinning like a high speed top while being sent backwards. By the time he stopped, Susanshi ran over to him.
"Hold on, Jon!" she called out to him.
As she ran to his side, Vascious fired a series of quick shots from the Scepter at her, all which she was able to avoid due to high alertness. She managed to lift Jon back up onto his feet.
"Jon, are you OK?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm still good to go," assured Jon.
Over Susanshi's shoulder, he noticed Vascious quickly swooping in from behind her.
"Watch out, Susanshi!"
He grabbed her and swiveled around, so that the back of his shell was facing Vascious, who had reared his left arm back and quickly slashed, cutting through Jon's coat and leaving a scratch mark in his shell. Letting go of Susanshi, he turned around to face Vascious head on. He held the Scepter out horizontally in front of him and barged it towards Jon. He held his arms out and took hold of the Scepter. The two became locked on the spot as each side attempted to push away the other.
"You... Why are you still among the living?" questioned Vascious.
"It's very simple, Vascious... I waited for you," replied Jon bluntly.
"So you criticize me for living longer than normal when you yourself are no better? Shameful."
"At least I'm more justified, Vascious."
The pair grunted loudly, while Susanshi stood in confusion by the conversation. Suddenly, a Focus Blast struck Vascious's back. He broke his struggle with Jon, and the Lignum Fragment became dislodged, moving a short distance away while spinning one one side. When it stopped, its glow faded completely.
"Haha, yes!" cheered Leo, having snook up to Vascious and produced the attack.
With Vascious's guard dropped, Jon was able to strike him in the abdomen with a punch. It didn't take long for Vascious to retreat to the air again.
"You may have taken a Fragment away from my possession, but it does not matter," he spoke. "I already have their powers dwelling within me. I have no use for them. If you wish to risk your lives for the remaining Fragments, then let that be a challenge."
After that, he raised both arms up and focused. The ground around Susanshi, Jon and Leo was beginning to break apart. Thick thorny vines erupted out and thrashed about. One such vine came up from under Leo's feet, knocking him to the side and having a thorn cut his leg. He was left to briefly clutch at his leg on the spot.
"Leo!" called Susanshi, steering clear of the other vines.
Tokot rushed in and breathed fire on the vines. They were quickly burnt up, falling to the ground as ash. With this threat over, Susanshi was able to run safely to Leo's side.
"Can you stand up, Leo?" she asked him.
"I'll...try," Leo replied.
The pain was no longer bothering him, and he stood up.
"It doesn't look too bad, Leo. Can you carry on?" Susanshi inquired, having inspected the scratch on his leg.
"Of course!" exclaimed Leo enthusiastically. "Uh oh! Run!"
He spotted Vascious floating above him and Susanshi. He was holding the Scepter down at them. Not taking time to think, Susanshi and Leo fled. Milliseconds later, Vascious came crashing down in the spot they just occupied. The Scepter got stuck in the ground, so he was forced to stand still to pull it back out. With him wide open, Tokot grabbed hold of his cape and attempted to pull him back. Vascious's only response was to turn his head towards him and casually command his cape into pulling itself out the grasp with ease. Tokot was left in surprise. When Vascious looked back at the Scepter, he noticed that Susanshi was now holding onto it and pulling on it, trying to take it away from him.
"Pathetic," he muttered.
He merely pushed Susanshi away with the bottom of his feet and resumed the attempt to pull the Scepter out the ground. It had been forced so far in that it wouldn't budge so easily. With no other known option, Vascious decided to use his psychokinetic power on the ground surrounding it. When he did so, his cape formed a sort of barrier around him. Leo tried to barge this shield, but it just threw him back. After a little more time, rubble came flying from around where Vascious stood. The cape no longer circled him and he held the Scepter up in the air. A small crater was left in the floor where it was stuck. There was enough time for Alex, stood back and having being waiting patiently, to form a pebble for a Smack Down attack, which he launched at Vascious's back. It made contact with the Aqua Fragment, which dropped to the ground.
"Gah! So you truly are wanting the Fragments..." noted Vascious. "Why? Do you intend to gain Wystian powers to attempt to stand against me better? It will not be enough!"
He held the Scepter out vertically and grunted. It soon released an energy wave that traveled in all directions. It knocked everyone backwards quite a fair distance. It even affected the two loose Fragments, with their light weight causing them to travel much further than the Pokémon. They landed, yet remained undamaged. Everyone had to stand again after landing. Vascious was holding his left arm up and collecting water into a ball again. He floated in the air and swayed about, constantly moving to make himself a harder target to hit. Susanshi decided to get closer and fire off a series of Hydro Pumps at him, each of them missing until one scored a hit on the ball of water Vascious was forming. It grew at an alarming rate, with the Hydro Pump water only adding extra fuel to it. This didn't surprise Vascious at all, as if he was hoping for it.
The orb of liquid soon grew to the size of Vascious's own body, so now he was keeping it held in midair above his head, still moving around as it collected more from the air.
"This isn't good. That thing's getting bigger!" snapped Tokot.
"...I know what he's going to do with it," Jon uttered, watching carefully.
"Huh?" wondered Leo.
"I need to protect Alex and Tokot," Jon abruptly announced, before rushing ahead. "Susanshi! Leo! Brace yourselves!"
"But what for?!" questioned Susanshi, only to receive no response.
Jon rushed ahead and suddenly grabbed Tokot.
"Wh-whoa, what're you doing?!"
"Saving your life," responded Jon as he ran towards Alex while carrying Tokot.
The water sphere had grown to an inconceivable size. Vascious dropped it to the ground, and from it came an encircling tidal wave about five feet tall that moved out from where it started and towards the tower edge. Alex was stood in fear was he saw no way of getting away. Jon came at him from the side, stopping in front of him and holding Tokot next to Alex. With his back to the incoming wave, he braced himself.
"What the hell are you to up?" quizzed Tokot. "I don't think your shell will protect us both!"
Meanwhile, Susanshi and Leo were stood together, thinking anxiously for a plan.
"Wh-what do we do, Susanshi?!" panicked Leo.
"...I've got it! Leo, get behind me!" instructed Susanshi.
"O-OK..." shuddered Leo.
He stood to her back and shielded his eyes.
As the wave grew closer, Susanshi shielded herself with a Whirlpool, holding it diagonally. The wave passed over her and Leo, keeping them in place and only mildly wet. Susanshi dropped the Whirlpool once the danger passed. At the same time, Jon closed his eyes and remained still.
"Hey, Jon! Don't just stand in its path!" yelled Tokot, his patience run dry.
Suddenly, a sphere of dim light manifested itself around Jon, Tokot and Alex. The wave cut right through them harmlessly. The entire wave soon fell off the sides of the tower.
"Whoa, what in the...?!" Tokot was both startled and puzzled.
"Try to focus on the task only," spoke Jon.
Giving little resting time, Vascious stomped the ground again, releasing another quake. The cracks grew in number and the previously damaged structure gave way, falling to the floor like a large tree being cut down. It was falling above Vascious, yet he remained unaware until its shadow loomed over him. He whisked out the way quickly. The structure came crashing down loudly, but did not land on anybody or the stray Fragments. After it had settled, Vascious flew in close to the tip of the structure and began to focus his power. He was trying to lift the entire thing up, but failed. So instead, he concentrated on breaking off the tip. He successfully did just that, and using the Scepter to aid him, lifted it over his head. Now, five feet of heavy and pointed stone were being aimed at Susanshi. He tossed it her way at an incredible speed, which was surely not enough for her to get away. Leo suddenly charged at her from the side with Quick Attack, ramming into her and forcing her out the way of the structure piece. It landed with a loud crash, and went spinning through the air after contact. It landed still a short distance away from impact point. Leo was left lying on Susanshi. He swiftly stood back up.
"Whew, that was a bit rough, but thank you, Leo," Susanshi said, herself standing up again.
Next, Vascious produced a vortex of scorching flames that spun around his whole body. He channeled them across his arm, pointing towards Leo, shooting them forward at him. Susanshi stood in the way and fired a Hydro Pump in the flames' path, extinguishing them and striking Vascious in the front. The force caused him to descend to the ground. After that, she charged in head on, initiating a Drill Peck. Vascious attempted to strike her down with a swing of the Scepter, but missed her small frame. Her beak struck his right leg, and he fell down, clutching at it. Susanshi saw the chance to swipe the Scepter, yet was quickly shoved away by Vascious.
After that, he floated back into the air, unaware that Tokot had snook behind him in the time he was down, and was hanging onto the Terra Fragment for dear life as it rotated.
"Well, that's certainly...extreme," Jon said, watching on.
Vascious looked over his shoulder to see Tokot trying to force the Fragment out of its movement.
"Grr, come on, you stupid thing!" Tokot grunted.
Causally, Vascious commanded his cape to reach out for him. He saw it coming towards him, in the shape of a hand reaching to grab him.
"Nope!" Tokot snapped.
He unleashed Flamethrower at the hand cape, holding it back. It quickly adapted and changed its shape again, this time into a vortex that swallowed up the fire. Tokot stopped the attack in confusion. Suddenly, the fire came spurting out the vortex again. Tokot retreated his body out the way, slipping across the Terra Fragment to remain on the opposite side. The fire struck the Fragment, knocking it out of place, sending it and Tokot sailing down. It appeared to hit the ground hard, but didn't suffer any damage whatsoever. Tokot landed on his side and was frozen on the ground, groaning.
"Hmph, I am done going easy on all of you," stated Vascious.
After this, his cape held itself upwards and split down the middle, forming a pair of devilish wings that began to flap, releasing dark shock waves down upon everyone below. After that, they positioned to his sides and he swooped down close to the ground. The wings began to fire off a series of alternating dark spheres at all who stood on the floor, all while Vascious swayed left-to-right and kept his distance. As everyone concentrated on evasive action, Vascious spotted Alex far to the side, creating a Smack Down attack that quickly came his way. He swung the Scepter, shattering it before it hit him.
Susanshi and Leo desperately tried to knock Vascious out of the sky, using Hydro and Focus Blast towards him, which he dodged with minimal effort. When one Focus Blast was close to striking him, he quickly enveloped himself in his cape and vanished.
"Oh no, not this..." uttered Susanshi. "Everyone, stay on guard! He's going to reappear somewhere at any minute!"
All they could do was stand and wait cautiously. The silence was completely unnerving, lasting much longer than expected. With Susanshi and Leo stood together, Vascious slowly appeared quietly behind them. He reared back the Scepter and was ready to deliver a forceful horizontal swipe to both Leo and Susanshi. Tokot caught this in time and yelled:
"Hey, behind you!"
Leo was able to swivel around. Wasting no time after seeing the incoming swing, he took on his Counter stance. The Scepter came to him first, and with the Counter still in effect, he was able to nullify the blow and send it back to Vascious. The Scepter flew out of his grasp backwards, landing far back.
"Yes, yes, yes, yes!" Leo chanted with excitement as he began a Quick Attack.
He raced for the Scepter in the hope of claiming it, yet Vascious held his right arm out in its direction. The Scepter twitched, and just before Leo could reach it, it flew towards Vascious, spinning wildly around and hitting his leg along the way, tripping him over. It landed straight back into his hand, and he teleported away again, reappearing in the middle of the arena. Keeping his feet on the ground, he commanded his cape to now travel across the floor in front of him like a sentient shadow. It divided into two, each end chasing after Susanshi and Leo.
"That doesn't look good..." uttered Leo.
"It isn't! Don't let it touch you!" warned Jon from afar.
Susanshi believed she could halt the incoming shadow, so fired a Hydro Pump at it as it came her way. It did absolutely nothing and continued on. She ran away and it began chasing her. It split off and divided, each new end going after Jon, Alex and Tokot. Yet, with the frantic dash, the trails couldn't reach unlimited distances, as everyone retreated to near the tower edge. Vascious retracted the trails and his cape returned to its standard shape. With things safe again, everyone rushed back towards Vascious. He was already preparing his next assault by clasping both hands together and forming a thin, gray, transparent sphere around his body that expanded. Everyone was blocked from going any further by it.
"Grr, what's this thing?" questioned Tokot.
"It's a magnetic force field. Vascious is using it to protect himself," replied Jon.
"How are we supposed to get through?" wondered Susanshi.
At that point, she could hear Alex grunting. She looked to him to see the front of his bandanna stuck to the force field. His hidden harmonica had become stuck to it through the cloth. He was trying to pull himself free, yet the magnetic force was too powerful.
"Guys, Alex is stuck!" Susanshi exclaimed.
"Just as I thought... This whole force field is magnetized," uttered Jon.
It was then that Susanshi looked up at Vascious. He had the Scepter held up, and it began to charge up an unknown energy.
"Alex! Take your bandanna off!" demanded Susanshi.
"But my harmonica..." replied Alex, now reaching into the bandanna's pocket to try to pull out the instrument, though unsuccessfully.
"Alex, Vascious is about to unleash something upon us all! If you fall here, you'll never get to return home!"
"Ohhhhh...!"
Alex finally realized that he had no other choice. He undid the knot in the back of the bandanna. Meanwhile, Jon kept a close eye on Vascious. The energy charge was finished, stored within the Scepter.
"Everyone, run!" he yelled.
Susanshi and company all retreated from the field. Moments later, a deadly laser was fired upon them from the Scepter, cutting straight through the barrier while leaving it intact. He directed it towards them all as they ran.
"Jon, how do we dispel that force field?!" asked Susanshi.
"Something like that doesn't last forever! It'll vanish on its own after a set period of time!" responded Jon.
"So we have to keep running until that happens?!" Susanshi snapped, before leaping sideways out of the laser's way.
Alex, as he scampered about whenever the laser came his way, constantly looked back at the bandanna that was stuck to the force field. He kept contemplating to himself about running back over to it to try to pry it free. Once all the stored power was released and the laser stopped, he made a run for it. Vascious noticed this and suddenly changed his actions.
"Alex, no!" shouted Susanshi.
The barrier surrounding Vascious shrunk back and disappeared, leaving the bandanna to fall to the floor. He then vanished into his cape. Alex was left to easily reach his bandanna. He had just picked it up when Vascious reappeared directly in front of him. He grabbed hold tightly on his horn, paralyzing him in fear.
"Oh no!" barked Susanshi.
As everyone else ran to Alex's aid, Vascious raised his left arm up, intending to stab it through him.
"Pathetic and pitiful," he stated. "It was unwise of you to come here."
Alex shut his eyes tight. He whimpered to himself and awaited the inevitable. While Susanshi, Leo, Tokot and Jon ran as fast as they could manage, Jon held an arm out, releasing a mysterious energy from it that struck Vascious's arm as he thrust it forward, deflecting it. Annoyed, Vascious diverted his attention over Alex's shoulder.
"Let him go, Vascious!" Jon bellowed. "He's not the one you want, it's me!"
Intrigued, Vascious released Alex and stood up straight. Now freed, Alex ran straight for Susanshi, appearing to be filled with regret.
"So you have decided to reveal your identity after all..." spoke Vascious. "My suspicions were indeed true. You stand against me even in this very day, Vellohou."
"V...Vellohou?!" Susanshi could not comprehend what she was hearing. "But...how?"
Jon stepped forward, as if guarding the others.
"So, you intend to protect these young ones with your life? Very befitting for you," Vascious stated. "Do you wish to fight me? Do you not realize how much more powerful I have become? It is useless to halt me now."
"On the contrary, Vascious, I still have my own powers intact," argued Jon.
"The nerve of you... Even after all these years, you present to me a problematic hurdle."
Vascious then began to levitate himself upwards.
"I will be happy to finally dispose of you."
He suspended himself several feet and the air and took on a battle stance. Jon launched himself at him like a missile. Vascious blocked him off at close range with the Scepter by holding it sideways. Streaks of energy emitted from the point of impact, leaving Susanshi, Leo, Tokot and Alex to do nothing but look up and watch.
"So can someone explain this to me?" wondered Tokot.
"I...I can't grasp this..." mumbled Susanshi.
"I knew Jon was mysterious, but I never expected this!" announced Leo.
Vascious swung the Scepter towards Jon, knocking in out of the struggle. Jon floated a few feet away and the two exchanged stares. Vascious's cape transformed into a shape similar to a boomerang with circles on each end, poking out by each side. They fired a quick series of rapid fire shots towards Jon, who fought back by holding his sleeved arms out at them, producing shields of light at the palms that rendered the shots that got caught useless. After the barrage ended, the cape became a hand that reached out for Jon. He held it back from touching him by repelling him with the power of his mind. He began to move his body towards Vascious, bringing the hand closer to him while Vascious tried to fight back. Once he reached close enough to him, Jon blasted Vascious with a PSI-powered surge, stunning him. With this window of opportunity opened, Jon swerved around him and grabbed the Metallum Fragment, jerking it out of its hold and dropping it to the floor. He was ready to take the final remaining Fragment — the Ignis Fragment — yet was unable to when Vascious regained his senses and shot up higher in the sky.
Susanshi, Leo, Tokot and Alex were stood back and spectating, unable to do much to help from the ground.
"This is quite a sight..." commented Leo. "I just have no idea how these two know each other, but this looks like quite a fierce rivalry."
"Um..." Alex muttered, still holding his bandanna in his hand.
"What is it, Alex?" asked Susanshi.
"I'm...sorry for what I did before. My harmonica's too precious to me, you know..."
"It was a pretty risky thing what you did, but you're at least safe now. Just don't do anything like that again," replied Susanshi. "Here, I'll tie it back on for you."
"Thank you."
Alex handed the bandanna to Susanshi, and she stood behind him, wrapping it around him, with the hidden pocket facing forward, and tying it at the back of his neck.
"I'm not exactly a fan of standing here and not contributing to this battle anymore, you know," Tokot stated.
"Jon's handling Vascious pretty well on his own..." noted Susanshi.
"So? Even if I can do just one thing, I'd be happy!" snapped Tokot.
"Tokot, don't you even understand that we can't fly?"
Meanwhile, Grandill and Harstarr were still stood in their spot. Grandill was getting excited over what he witnessed.
"Knock him dead, Lord Vascious! Go, go, go!"
"Grandill..." mumbled Harstarr.
"What?!" Grandill was apparently unhappy with Harstarr's sudden speaking.
"Don't you think you're getting a little too into this?"
"How can you question me, Harstarr? I'm like a cheerleader! No harm!"
"If you...insist..."
Back to the main battle, and Vascious was now holding the Scepter out in front of him, pointing its end at Jon. He let out a loud yell and charged at a fast speed towards him. Jon reacted by holding his head down. He launched himself headfirst towards Vascious. Light emitted from Jon's skull, and both that and the Scepter tip collided. There was an exchange of light and dark energy, creating a spectacular display. After some time, the powers exploded, knocking both Vascious and Jon to the ground. This didn't hamper them much, so they rose up again in no time. Vascious began to charge up power in the Scepter again, and Jon prepared himself.
Soon, another powerful laser was shot towards him. He held both arms out and formed a barrier around him, protecting against the laser. Vascious hoped for the blast to eventually cut through the protection, so continued with it. Jon went charging towards Vascious with his shield still up, headfirst again. Vascious was becoming more anxious as the laser still failed to cut through. Jon struck Vascious with full force. The laser ceased and Vascious and knocked backwards a fair distance. Annoyed, Vascious decided that enough was enough.
"So... Even in this day and age, you possess great power. If only...I had figured out sooner," Vascious sighed.
After that, he held one arm out towards Jon, producing electricity-like energy from his claws, which snared Jon, sapping his stamina.
"Ahhhh! Grrrrr...!" Jon groaned.
"Jon's in trouble!" shouted Susanshi.
"No, don't do it, Vascious!" demanded Leo.
"How does it feel, Vellohou? It is overwhelming, correct? The darkness is weakening you," Vascious announced. "Now, you are helpless."
As Jon continued to struggle against the power, Leo decided that something needed to be done. Not wanting Jon to suffer for much longer, he quietly began to charge a Focus Blast to full power. He launched it at Vascious as he was busy with Jon. It landed at him and exploded, breaking his grip of Jon and sending the Ignis Fragment, the last Seal Star Fragment in his possession, down to the floor. Now free, Jon swooped towards Vascious as he remained vulnerable, sticking his foot out to kick him in the torso. What resulted was a direct hit. He was sent backwards by the blow, though was able to stop his forced movement easily. Notably weakened somewhat, for he was lying his hand on his stomach, Vascious slowly swooped down to the ground, resting his left arm on the ground. He was breathing deeply. Jon landed lightly away from him, keeping his eyes firmly fixed on him.
"How dare you interrupt me?" Vascious quizzed, irritated. I am becoming weaker. Knowing that, I should not be wasting my time like this... I am done fooling around!"
Jon looked back and signaled to the others to join up with him as he stood several feet in front of Vascious.
"That was pretty cool, Jon!" exclaimed Leo. "How do you do that?"
Jon, as expected, did not reply.
"Vascious, you've clearly become weakened," announced Susanshi. "How's about you quit now before it all becomes worse for you?"
"Don't be stupid. Of course he won't stop!" argued Tokot.
"If I continue any longer, I am sure to fail. I have been delaying Hadreca's revival for long enough."
Vascious stood up straight and pointed the Scepter at the crew.
"I allowed my grudge against Vellohou and the light to get the better of me, but that is not what I must do! So this is it, the moment I have awaited for centuries! Behold, Hadreca's return to the world!"
He held the Scepter high into the air and positioned his left hand next to his right eye. The jewel in the Scepter's handle let off a blood-red glow, and his right eye did the same. The two glows exited their hosts and spun over Vascious's head. They merged together, and an intense red glow was formed. The sound of whooshing appeared alongside the light, with a dark tornado appeared above Vascious. The shape of the spiraling cone changed drastically, producing a pair of huge wings and a long neck, but only half a body. The black figure loomed over Vascious, sporting a pair of glowing red eyes. It stretched its wings out and gave off a deafening roar.
"He's back..." uttered Jon. "Hadreca is back."
"So this is Hadreca... He-he's just as scary as I imagined," Leo gulped.
Hadreca, his body entirely dark and missing legs and tail, looked all around.
"Your Lordship!" spoke Vascious from below.
"Vascious, is it truly you?" Hadreca asked.
"Yes, Your Lordship. I returned to revive you, just as I was ordered to. I lived among the humans for the past millennium, waiting for the day when your power would be fully recharged. I witnessed centuries of human evolution. I witnessed their species develop, their technology advance, their civilization grow, and I was there to grow as a part of them. I blended in flawlessly, you will be pleased to know."
"You never lost sight of your mission. You have served me well, Vascious. Tell me, who are these beings that stand before me?"
"The definition of nuisances, Your Lordship. They possess the very audacity to attempt to prevent the destruction and recreation of this world. They are willing to put a thousand years of planning to waste."
"Ah, is that so? So they are light followers. Even in my absence, they remain."
"That is not all, Your Lordship. This land...was named after Sacreca! It was led down a road of false prosperity. It is unbearable, and all possible because of your absence."
"It is as I feared... Your timing has been long awaited, but now my powers are restored. Vascious, I order you to allow me to regain my full body. I will exterminate these pitiful and defiant mortals and act out my ultimate design."
"Wait!" shouted Susanshi suddenly.
This random rise in voice caught the attention of both Hadreca and Vascious.
"Hadreca, Vascious is lying! This land has prospered greatly! The Pokémon here are all happy. They don't want destruction!"
"And who are you, who dares to defy me?" questioned Hadreca.
"My name is Susanshi, and I am the one of destiny's choosing! Sacreca knew what you were up to, so he ordered the remaining Wystians to devise a plan during your hibernation! Their plan has brought me here today, and it is in my interest that I'll destroy you and Vascious! I can't allow you to have your way!"
"You? You cannot possibly hope to destroy me. I have only returned to life. I have no intention of dying permanently."
"If there's one thing I know, it's that Susanshi won't let that discourage her!" announced Leo. "She's been through so much to be here now! And none of us are about to surrender! We've come too far to lose!"
"I know life can have its bad moments, but...I like the good moments!" stated Tokot. "If I die, my whole family will be gone too! And I don't want that, not at all!"
Alex had to take a moment to gather up what ever courage he could before speaking next.
"Once, I lost faith in life... But I've changed so much now. Now I appreciate life for all its worth... I want to help protect this place so I can stay with the one I value the most... I-I-I'm motivated by love... It makes me want to overcome all challenges."
"Everyone has something worth fighting for. When all hope seems lost, we all make a stand. We represent the hope of everyone in this world. Both of you have allowed your own beliefs to cause unnecessary misery to all. You claim it is for the benefit of your kind, but what kind? There is nobody left but you! Hadreca's all in it for himself, and you're gullible enough to buy it all, Vascious! You're threatening the stability and balance of the Divine Order. Nothing needs to be altered, and we will continue to fight for as long as we live and know right from wrong!" declared Jon.
"Such strong and justifiable words. ...Typical of the light. How disgusting," responded Hadreca. "Vascious, I am done with this ridiculousness. These pointless and meaningless speeches end here. Restore me to full power! I will annihilate each and every one of these mortals by myself."
Vascious remained silent, first looking over to the opposing team, up to Hadreca, and then down to his cursed right arm.
"Vascious, why do you delay? I must gain my remaining power!" demanded Hadreca impatiently. "I cannot do anything in my current state!"
Vascious raised the Scepter up once more. Its surrounding glow grew stronger, and he was reeling in pain. The Black Stain was growing again, stretching across his entire face. Yet despite all this, he stood strong. His cape spiraled and enveloped Hadreca.
"Wh-what's he doing?" quizzed Leo.
"I have a bad feeling about this..." mumbled Jon with dread.
"What is this?! Vascious, what are you doing?!" snapped Hadreca.
"It is very simple, Your Lordship," Vascious spoke, groaning due to pain. "You have been resting for a thousand years while I do all the work for you. I demand a reward of considerable proportions for my tiresome efforts. And besides, the vision I personally have for the future is highly...specific. I will require your power to make it happen. Plus, I require your body if I am to overcome my curse, the same curse I was forced to inflict upon myself to resurrect you. I prefer to survive long enough to dwell in the new world...after all."
"Oh, no way! He's gone insane!" stated Tokot.
"Ahaha, you see that, Harstarr? Vascious double-crossed his god! I love it!" exclaimed Grandill with delight. "More power! More destruction! Yeah, yeah, yeah!"
Harstarr remained quiet, but was still highly worried.
Vascious's cape was taking over Hadreca's partially formed body, while Vascious himself and the Scepter became enveloped in darkness, transferring into the cape.
"Vascious, how dare you disobey me like this?! Stop this right now!" yelled Hadreca, unable to fight back. "I am your god! You cannot defy your god!"
And yet, the dreaded phenomenon failed to cease.
"Vascious...!" Hadreca grunted. "T...TREASON! You, mortals! Save...me..."
Energy, with the force of a gale, was blowing from all around the ongoing transformation. Everyone had to hold their arms out and try to remain rooted to their spots. The force grew so strong that it actually ripped Jon's coat clean off him. The buttons flew off and the coat was blown away like a mere leaf. A large black blob was forming in front of them. It spawned wings, followed by a long tail. The darkness eased away, and now everyone could look forward again. Before them, a giant Pokémon was present, flapping its large silver wings lightly. Hadreca had regained his full physical form of a Lugia, with a light pink belly and burning crimson eyes. His entire right side was covered in a Black Stain that enveloped his entire right wing, stretched halfway across his body, up his neck, all along his right talon, and near the end of his tail. The four tentacle-like features of the Black Stain were also transferred from Vascious, now longer and still swaying about around the base of the right wing. The Scepter had changed too: it had grown greatly in length and was completely black, being held in Hadreca's right wing. Finally, Vascious's head and trunk were the only thing that remained of his Weavile form. It was protruding from Hadreca's chest, with four thin connections coming out the back of the head, fusing with Hadreca. It was all as black as the stain, complete with hollow and empty eye sockets.
"Wh...whoa..." uttered Leo.
"Vascious... Did he...possess Hadreca?!" questioned Susanshi. "Jon...!"
She looked over to Jon and was left shocked and surprised. With his coat no longer covering much of him, what he had been hiding was finally revealed. His right arm was covered in a Black Stain that reached over his shoulder, which was concealed inside his shell, and stopping just short of his cheek. The upturned collar of the coat had previously censored his cheeks.
"Jon, y-you have a Black Stain!" exclaimed Leo.
"How is that even possible?!" bellowed Susanshi.
Jon remained calm and replied simply with:
"Yes, I do. But listen, don't let this bother you now. The final enemy is before us all."
