Warriors Pokémon
by Jonathan "KnightMysterio" Spires
Chapter 1 – Nobunaga's Wrath
All characters copyright to their original owners. If you like what you see, please support me on or with a one-time donation. Every little bit helps me pay the bills and keeps me writing! Note that this story will include characters from other than who's already in the series, including DW9 and SW4 Sanada characters and others I add because I wanted to add them.
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Honnoji…
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It was a fine morning in the strange, mishmashed world that Orochi had brought the warriors to. Cities from all over time and the world, mainly China and Japan, but also Greece, Norway, Heaven, the United States, and others, all representing different eras and skills. Because of the magic inherent in this world, archers would never run out of ammo, cannons would never run out of shells, and guns would always have bullets.
Which was fine for Oda Nobunaga, one of the three great Unifiers of Japan from the Warring States period. It would save him funds on having to buy new materials, and prevent him from having to mine or harvest more trees than needed.
The fact that the magic infusing this place also eliminated language barriers was handy was well.
The dark man sipped tea as he looked out over the rising sun, sitting on the balcony of the castle. He wore a dark purple kimono instead of his usual armor, and was attended to by his bride, the lovely, sadistic Lady No. She wore a more revealing kimono, showing off her ample bosom and shapely legs, and was playing a kugo harp. Beautiful music filled the air. Nobunaga sighed, reaching up to scratch his head near his topknot. Normally, he enjoyed the chaos of the battlefield more than anything. But sometimes even the Demon King liked to rest. And rest he did, savoring the beauty of the dawn, the music, and his beloved.
So naturally, that was when the earthquake hit.
The ground shook with tremors as the air began to spark. Before the shocked eyes of the warlord and his bride, the mountains and trees in the distance seemed to move away. Strange creatures resembling birds and instincts appeared in flashes of lightning. And they all seem frightened, flitting about in a panic. They weren't the only ones panicking, as the servants and soldiers were running around, frightened. Nobunaga roared at them to be calm, he and No moving to get their armor and weapons, stumbling as the ground shook. A dark aura swirled around Nobunaga as his fury grew. This was clearly no natural disaster, and whomever was doing this would pay dearly.
They arrived at their room just as the shaking stopped. Several vases and other bric-a-brac had fallen and shattered, some statues and busts having collapsed as well. As he and No armored up, No trading her kimono for a lightly armored one more suited for combat, Nobunaga putting on his demonic black plate mail, Mitsuhide, one of Nobunaga's vassals, ran into the room.
"My lord-" Mitsuhide said, looking visibly frightened.
"I am aware of what's going on," Nobunaga said.
"Sir, no, I mean," Mitsuhide stammered, taking a breath, and adding, "A building has appeared in the center of the castle, where the zen garden is!"
"...What?" Nobunaga said, confused.
It was rare that Nobunaga was dumbfounded. But Mitsuhide was too frightened to appreciate the sight. "A fortress appeared! It's in the center of the castle! It appeared with all the strange creatures!"
No frowned. "...Could it be the reason for the earthquake?" she asked.
"We'll see," Nobunaga said, scowling. If it was the source of the earthquake, then the people inside it would be made to suffer. "Gather everyone available. We take that building for ourselves."
Mitsuhide nodded, running off to rally the troops. Nobunaga scowled angrily, drawing his sword, a dark aura surrounding it as he headed for the center of his castle. No, after mounting her extending claws on her wrists, shivered in lust as she followed her husband. She absolutely adored it when he got ferocious.
Eventually, Nobunaga and his troops surrounded the building. Nobunaga's four most loyal generals, Niwa Nagahide, Akechi Mitsuhide, Shibata Katsuie, and Takigawa Kazumasu stood behind him, weapons drawn. Mitsuhide stood slightly ahead of them, hand on his katana, purple armor shining in the light. Gracia, Mitsuhide's daughter, was there, as was Nobunaga's bodyguard, Mori Ranmaru. The beautiful Gracia bit her lip nervously, playing with the magic bracelets that enhanced her fighting ability, while the effeminate young man Ranmaru kept one hand on the hilt of his massive nodachi. Nobunaga's son, Nobutada, waited on the other side of the fortress, ready to lead his troops in the moment his father moved. They all stared at the massive tower before them, which extended up into the sky like-
"Anyone else think this looks like a big penis?" Ranmaru said randomly. When everyone stared at him, he frowned. "What?" he said defensively. "It does. It looks like a gigantic penis."
"And just like that, all the tension is gone," Kazumasu said, shaking his head. Gracia giggled, hugging Ranmaru, who just grumped.
Nobunaga rolled his eyes, brandishing his sword. "These invaders have come into our world unexpectedly. I want to know why. Take prisoners. Kill only if you have to. I claim this imbecilicly phallic building as my own. ATTACK!"
With a war cry, the warriors charged, Nobunaga leading the way, Mitsuhide and Ranmaru running by his side. They stormed the fortress, finding more strange creatures and men and women in purple uniforms that vaguely resembled samurai armor, each carrying a sword and a strap with six red and white balls on their belt. Each gave up without a fight, which made Nobunaga uncomfortable.
Finally, they arrived in the command center. Inside, held in a massive glass tube, was a visibly enraged, kirin-like creature with white fur and a gray, vertically-striated underside. The pattern repeated on the underside of the kirin's mane, tail, and face. Its eyes were green with red pupils, and a green circular pattern under its eyes. There was a streak of gold coloration on hits head, its mane flowing behind it's head, and attached to its body was a golden, cross-like wheel, four jewels attached to the wheel. The creature screamed in rage and sorrow, slamming its head against the glass over and over again.
Around the room, six creatures stood, horrified looks on their face as they stood around a human with a sword on his hip, his muscular body bare from the waist up, save for a device holding a glowing stone on his wrist. His hair was white and a smile on his face. He was the only one smiling.
The creatures consisted of a blue and black bipedal coyote, a massive, dark red reptile with a white mane and orange crest on its head, a bipedal, feminine-looking lizard with black scales and a purple underbelly, a bipedal boar with a fiery mane that resembled a sumo wrestler, a massive living mass of blue-green with eyes peering out of a hole in the center, vines forming into make shift hands and feet, and a yellow and brown creature that resembled a hound. Next to the smiling man was a horrified man with purple hair in a purple suit. All around the room, people at consoles and computers watched their screens in horror. Several uniforms lay on the ground, empty of bodies while sobbing creatures prodded at them despairingly.
One of the purple-clad soldiers was staring at the empty uniforms. "They just… They just..." he stammered, his eyes haunted. "They just… burst into flames… and then… then poof… they were gone..."
"What… what did you do, Zarag!?" the man in a suit said. "WHAT DID YOU DO!?"
"I've brought us to our destiny..." the white-haired man said. "To the world I saw in my dreams… A world of WARRIORS!"
"The reports are coming in from the satellites… It's a miracle that they made it over..." said one of the female technicians. "Pokémon population transferred over… 100%. Every Pokémon on the planet made the transfer successfully to this world successfully."
"Excellent!" Zarag said.
"How much of the human population?!" the purple-haired shouted.
Zarag scoffed. "Who cares?" he said.
"I DO!" the purple-haired man roared. "Answer her!"
The tech checked her numbers, her eyes going wide with horror. "T… T… Ten percent..." she said, looking like she wanted to throw up. The gathered Oda troops looked horrified, while the other gathered creatures save for the giant kirin trapped in a the center of the room looking horrified as well. The purple-clad techs and soldiers, as well as the purple-haired man, looked to their leader with expressions of horror and betrayal. The kirin-like creature roared in fury and sorrow again, slamming his head against its prison to try and escape over and over again.
"The elite. The superior," Zarag said, smirking. "The WARRIORS." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "I'm surprised so many, though. I had expected only one percent to make the transfer..."
"MANIAC!" screamed one of the purple-suited soldiers.
"Oh my God…" moaned one of the techs. "We helped him kill the world..."
"Dear Gods..." Gracia moaned, getting everyone's attention. Everyone turned, noticing Nobunaga and his warriors surrounding them for the first time. All save Nobunaga had mixed expressions of horror on their faces. Only Nobunaga's face remained impassive.
The warlord took a breath. "Ten percent… of how many?" he asked slowly.
"Billions," Zarag said casually, the other members of his team moaning in despair at what he had done, at what they were complicit in.
"You sickening-" Mitsuhide said, starting to draw his sword. Nobunaga glared at him, his expression saying he would handle this. Reluctantly, Mitshuhide backed down, he and the other warriors standing at the ready as Nobunaga descended fully into the chamber.
"So," Nobunaga said. "You have… brought your world over from this one… Using this creature, I assume?"
Zarag nodded. "Yes, my lord. Forgive me, I am Zarag, the leader of Team Warrior," he said, casting a glance at the empty uniforms. "Although some of my team weren't actual Warriors, it seems..."
"They were your people, Zarag! They trusted you!" the purple-haired man said. "WE ALL DID, DAMN IT!"
Ignoring him, Zarag continued his introductions. "The rather grumpy fellow beside me is my second-in-command, Alexander Marx," he said, gesturing to the purple-haired man. He gestured to the creatures nearest him, smiling lovingly at them all. "This is my personal Pokemon team. A Lucario, a Salazzle, a Tyrantrum, an Emboar, a Boltund, and a Tangrowth. We've been together for years, and are a mighty team of warriors."
All of the aforementioned creatures were staring at their master with a mix of horror and betrayal. They too realized the depth of their trainer's madness. Zarag didn't notice, gesturing to the trapped massive kirin. Nobunaga stared at it, sensing the divinity and power coming from the trapped beast, which glared at Zarag in utter hatred. "And this mighty beast," Zarag said, "is Arceus. God of creation and ruler of all Pokémon." He tapped on the glass, smirking. "Fortunately for us, he's just as catchable as any other Pokémon."
Nobunaga quirked an eyebrow. "Interesting… What are Pokémon?" he asked, staring into Arceus's eyes. He could almost feel the mighty creature begging him for freedom.
"Creatures of tremendous power that humans can catch and train. They are naturally combative, and fight for fun, although they rarely fight to kill or injure in the wild unless searching for food," Zarag said. He reached over to scratch Boltund's ears, although he didn't seem to notice when Boltund shied away, whimpering fearfully.
Gracia's heart went out to the dog's fear, and she desperately wanted to go comfort it. But she knew better than to interrupt Nobunaga.
"Boltund, for example, can generate electricity. Lighting. Perfect to create dramatic effect as well as do damage, eh my lord?" Zarag said. He then realized something, and bowed. "Ah! Forgive me. I didn't catch your name."
"I am Oda Nobunaga. Daimyo of this region," Nobunaga said, introducing Nobutada, Kazumasu, Nagahide, Katsuie, Ranmaru, Mitsuhide, and Lady No. "Tell me… what is your purpose in coming to this world, in merging your world with ours?"
Zarag smiled. "Eastern-style names, then… Okay. It is an honor to meet you, Lord Oda," he said, bowing. "And I will explain momentarily." He went over to one of the techs, who was staring at him angrily. Zarag didn't notice his anger. "Is the uplink system we used to connect to every broadcast frequency still working? If one satellite made it through..."
The tech didn't say anything. He just stared at him, hatred growing in his eyes. Zarag frowned. "Oh for the love of..." he muttered, pushing the man aside and taking over his console. He tested it, and smiled. He looked up to Arceus, and smiled apologetically. "Forgive me, mighty one, for I must tap your power once more."
Zarag pressed a few buttons, and Arceus screamed in agony as a surge of power was ripped from him, collapsing when the flow was fully ripped away.
"He's torturing a God..." Katsuie said, clutching his axes angrily. "This is blasphemy..."
"Trust in your Lord," No said simply.
Nobunaga's face was impassive, showing no sign of emotion as Zarag stepped in front of a group of cameras that came to life. To Nobunaga, he said, "I am now broadcasting across every television, computer, and Pokedex in the world. Power stations and internet servers will run by themselves for a while, Pokémon who worked there maintaining them as best they can, but they will fade eventually. Now is the perfect time to do this."
"So you say," Nobunaga said, nodding.
Zarag grinned, turning back to the cameras. "People of the world!" he said, gesturing grandly. "I am Zarag, leader of Team Warrior! To those of you who have survived the transfer over, be not afraid! For you are blessed! You are warriors, and you are welcome in this world!"
"Presumptuous, isn't he?" Ranmaru muttered.
"Hush," No said, watching Nobunaga carefully. The warlord simply stared at Zarag, saying nothing.
Zarag continued. "For years, I have dreamed of a world where the sword ruled all! Where your skill in battle mattered, and the strength of one's soul could be put on display! I formed Team Warrior to help achieve that dream! And now, thanks to Arceus," he said, the camera panning over to the enraged God Pokémon, who was headbutting the tube containing him endlessly, "we have achieved that dream! THIS WORLD HAS MERGED COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY WITH THE WARRIORS WORLD! And all of those who survived the transfer are worthy to be called WARRIORS!"
Around the world, the surviving humans watched the madman rant. Trainers watched with growing fury, while the warlords who were already from this world watched with cold rage, wondering what Nobunaga would do.
"Do not mourn the fallen! For they were unworthy! Pokémon who lost your trainers, I sympathize with your loss! But you will find someone worthy of you on this world! A warrior that shall make you into a warrior as well!" Zarag continued. "As I have made my Pokémon into warriors!"
Salazzle got a look of pure disgust on her face as her trainer gestured to them. All trust in her master was gone, and only hatred remained for him. She hissed at him angrily, the other Pokémon glancing between her and their master with confusion and fear. Soon Emboar snorted, deciding he agreed with Salazzle, his eyes narrowing in growing anger. Zarag, of course, didn't notice.
"And you..." Zarag said, turning to Nobunaga with reverence in his tone. "Mighty warrior. Leader of men and women. Lord Nobunaga Oda, if I may be forgiven for saying your name in the Western style. To you, and every other warrior on this world, I give you this gift. I give you ALL of Pokémon-kind! All 800 plus breeds, and any to be discovered after!" He smiled, going on one knee before Nobunaga.
Everyone watched the dark armored warlord, wondering what he'd do next. Nobunaga stared at him a long moment, and motioned for Zarag to rise. And then he began to speak, the smile fading from Zarag's face like mist.
"You forced a god into slavery to achieve a dream you barely understood. You drape yourself in a warrior's garb without understanding what the word truly means. You have fused your world with ours, distorting the landscape beyond recognition, warping established trade routes, separating towns and families, and introducing powerful creatures with supernatural abilities that the natives of this world have no idea how to deal with. You have murdered billions, a number I can barely comprehend, all so you come to this world and play swordsman," Nobunaga said, the acidic hatred in his voice at the last two words strong enough to melt steel.
All around him, Nobunaga's troops began to relax. Of course their ruler wouldn't side with this lunatic. Zarag's troops, human and Pokémon alike, felt hope that their master would receive comeuppance for his insane actions. Zarag just frowned, confused. "My lord, I assure you-"
"SILENCE!" Nobunaga shouted, drawing his sword and pointing it at Zarag. An aura of darkness formed around him as he glared at the mad leader of Team Warrior. "I won't deny that I have committed atrocities. My sword has drunk the blood of thousands. But every last one I personally struck down faced me with naked steel. While you? You murdered not just combatants, but countless innocents simply to fulfill a fantasy. You warped this world beyond recognition to fulfill an insane DREAM. Even Dong Zhuo is not that much of a hedonist! You are the lowest of scum. You lied to your men, and even cost some of them their lives so you could live out your twisted delusions of what you think a warrior is! You are going to suffer for your crimes, Zarag. And suffer them in the worst possible way."
Arceus, who had been staring at the scene intently since Nobunaga was given the floor, began to grin, a smile of cruel satisfaction. Nobunaga himself sneered at Zarag, who was slowly backing away, fear in his face. "No… No, you don't understand!"
"I understand all I need to," Nobunaga snarled. "Seize him."
To Nobunaga's amusement, not just his own soldiers, but members of Team Warrior itself started to move to capture him. Zarag, in a panic, whipped out his sword and lashed out with it, catching one of his Team Warrior troops in the chest. The man staggered back, caught by his comrades, a pink creature with an egg in a pouch on its belly rushing over to help treat him.
"No… No, it can't end like this! Not after everything we've done!" Zarag said.
"Everything you've done," Alexander said, scowling. "We're complicit in your crimes, no question. But you lied to us. You told us that you planned to make a world where the strength of our souls would be recognized."
"WHAT DO YOU CALL THIS?!" Zarag said, gesturing around.
"Nightmares that will haunt me for the rest of my life," Alexander said, shivering. "Years of trying to talk myself out of suicide." He turned to the techs. "Free Arceus. He's suffered enough because of his madness and our stupidity. Bring him food from the stores, so he may recover his strength," he ordered. Immediately, the techs went to work, some running off to get food, while others began to free Arceus.
Zarag watched them fearfully. He then turned to his Pokémon. "Looks like we'll have to fight our way out. You with me?"
"Sala!" Salazzle said, shaking her head emphatically. She and Emboar glared at Zarag, going over to join Nobunaga's party. Katsuie looked Emboar over and nodded with approval, handing the creature one of his axes.
"Boar?" Emboar said curiously.
"You chose the right side," Katsuie said simply. "Consider that a gift. I can always get another later."
"Em! Emboar!" Emboar said happily, deciding immediately that Katsuie was his new master.
Salazzle, meanwhile, found herself under No's scrutiny. No smirked as she looked over the creature, tracing a hand along Salazzle's jawline. "Mmm, I like you," No said, grinning. "You and I will get along well, I think."
Salazzle smiled, sensing a kindred spirit. "Salazz," she said happily, nuzzling into No's hand.
Zarag just stared, shocked by the betrayal, his jaw working up and down like a fish. The four remaining Pokémon watched, visibly conflicted. Zarag, desperate, turned to his remaining Pokemon. "Tyrantrum! Kill Nobunaga!"
Confused and frightened, Tyrantrum decided to default to just following orders. He roared and stomped towards Nobunaga. But the moment he looked in Nobunaga's eyes, a great fear filled him. Nobunaga did nothing, he simply stared at the beast. Tyrantrum roared, but Nobunaga didn't flinch. Tyrantrum knew he could kill Nobunaga easily. But for some reason, he was too afraid of him to attack!
Nobunaga, not changing his expression at all, raised a hand and pointed to the floor. Tyrantrum, the great dinosaur's will breaking, knew what he wanted. And before Zarag's shocked eyes, he knelt humbly before Nobunaga.
Nobunaga chuckled, putting his hand on Tyrantrum. "Rise," he said to the beast, "and serve your new master. A master who will not make you a party to genocide in the name of an adventurous fantasy," Tyrantrum felt the truth in those words, nodded, and stood up, standing beside Nobunaga and growling. "Three left," he taunted.
Zarag began to sweat, his grip on his sword tightening. "Boltund! Tangrowth!" he barked, the aforementioned Pokémon flinching. "Get him!"
Tangrowth shivered, Boltund's tail between his legs. They wanted to obey their master. He'd been very good to them, treating them well. But billions and 10% survivors kept flashing through their minds. Their master, whom they thought was good and loving, was a madman. Boltund whimpered, shaking his head, and took their place by Nobunaga's people.
Gracia immediately scooped Boltund into a hug. "I'm sorry," the pigtailed girl said, not caring that she was getting yellow fur on her black dress. "You aren't to blame. I'm so sorry. You did nothing wrong."
"She's right," Ranmaru said, going over to Tangrowth and petting the mass of vines. "You couldn't have known how much of a monster he was. Stand with us, and live free of guilt."
Both Pokémon wept, hugging their new companions tightly.
Zarag's jaw dropped. He'd trained his team for so long. Tyrantrum looked away guiltily as Zarag stared at him, as did Boltund and Tangrowth. Salazzle and Emboar snarled at their former master, Emboar brandishing his new axe.
"Damn it…" Zarag said, tears streaming down his face. "Lucario. It's up to us!"
Lucario jolted, the coyote having been in a state of shock. She looked around nervously at the others, who gave her imploring looks to join them. Lucario whimpered, clutching her head. Billions. 10% survivors. Billions. 10% survivors. The numbers kept running back and forth through her head, an ever growing mantra that was driving her mad with guilt.
"Please…" Zarag said desperately, tears in his eyes. He held up his wristband, which had a glowing crystal with a red and blue swirl inside it. "Please… We've been together since we were both children…"
Lucario swallowed, and with clear reluctance, turned towards Nobunaga, who stared them down impassively, a dark aura forming around him again.
"This time, we'll stop you!" Zarag declared, happy that his first Pokémon hadn't betrayed him, unable to understand why the others had. "With the power of Mega Evolution, we will show the true strength of the warrior!" He grinned, the crystal on his wristband starting to glow.
"Tyrraaan!" Tyrantrum pleaded, giving Lucario a desperate look. Please! You know what he's done is wrong!
"Lucaaaa..." Lucario whimpered, tears streaming down her face. I can't… I can't… She tried to focus on the memories of the long friendship she and Zarag had. Of the times they shared, the hardships they overcame together. Of the sharing of dreams and am… ambitions… Billions. 10%. Billions. 10%. Billions. 10%. She clutched her paws to the side of her head again, sobbing.
"I don't understand," Zarag said, the crystal in his armband losing its glow. "Why… Why isn't..."
Alexander stepped forward, sneering. "Because Mega Evolution can only occur if there is a bond of absolute trust between trainer and Pokémon. A trust you have just destroyed with your actions, you selfish, megalomaniacal bastard."
Lucario began to sob, falling to her knees, weeping and screaming. She couldn't trust her master anymore. Her friend since she was a Riolu and he a mere child. She had helped him kill so many… She couldn't bare it. She couldn't…
Lucario looked up when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Salazzle, Boltund, Tangrowth, Emboar, and Tyrantrum had all gathered around her, all with tears in their eyes as well. Salazzle hugged tightly, Lucario breaking down in her arms. The group of Pokémon all hugged each other, weeping, mourning their loss of innocence.
Zarag's sword dropped limply from his hands as his last, truest friend betrayed him. He barely resisted as an Oda soldier and a Team Warrior member grabbed him and held him fast, forcing him to his knees.
LOOK. AT WHAT. YOU'VE DONE.
The thundering voice was heard not with ears, but within the souls of everyone gathered there, of everyone in the world. Even Nobunaga felt fear as everyone turned, seeing Arceus step out of his containment tube. His steps were like thunder as his eyes never left the shaking form of Zarag.
MONSTER. BARBARIAN. NO, EVEN THAT IS AN INSULT TO BARBARIANS. FOR AT LEAST THEY HAVE SOMETHING RESEMBLING HONOR.
"Please…" Zarag begged, weeping openly, any pretense of being a warrior gone. "Lord Arceus… Forgive me..."
NEVER. MY HATRED FOR YOU WILL BE ETERNAL. IT SHALL LAST AS LONG AS YOU DO. AS MY HATRED IS UNDYING, SO YOU TOO WILL BE UNDYING. Arceus turned to Nobunaga. I DO NOT WANT TO STAY IN THIS PLACE ANY LONGER. I HAVE SEEN IN YOUR SOUL WHAT YOU WISH TO DO TO HIM, AND I APPROVE. HE SHALL NEVER DIE… BUT HE SHALL ALSO NEVER HEAL. DO WITH HIM AS YOU WELL. YOUR WRATH SHALL BE AN EXTENSION OF MY OWN.
In a swirl of holy light, Arceus was gone. And Nobunaga began to laugh. A laugh that thrilled No, and chilled everyone else to the bone.
"Huh boy..." Gracia said, shivering in fear. "Here we go..."
A dark aura swirled around Nobunaga as he turned on Zarag, a demonic grin on his face, those watching through the cameras, which were still going despite everything, feeling a chill go through them.
"It seems that the Heavens favor me today!" Nobunaga said delightedly. He pointed his sword at Zarag. "Take his hands, so that he may never hold a sword again," he said. Zarag screamed in fear, struggling, but the two holding him covered his mouth, letting Nobunaga talk, more coming over to hold the trashing former leader of Team Warrior. Nobunaga continued. "Take his feet, so that he may never walk on a battlefield. Take his tongue, so that he may never take victory. Take his nose, so that he may never smell the blood of his foes. Take his ears, so that they may never be blessed with hearing the clash of steel. And take his eyes, so that he may never see the sun again." With demonic relish, he finished, "Once that is done, take him to the deepest, darkest cave you can find and dump him there. Dispose of him as the trash he is."
Oda soldiers, grinning wickedly, dragged Zarag off. One of them immediately started by taking his eyes, jamming his thumbs into them and making them burst into clouds of blood. Zarag wept in agony, calling for his Pokémon to rescue him, but they ignored him, focusing on comforting the weeping, guilt-ridden Lucario.
"Wait!" Mitsuhide called out. Everyone looked up in surprise as Mitsuhide went up to Zarag. They all relaxed, though, when all he did was claim Zarag's wristband and Mega Stone. "To hurt such a magnificent creature in such a way… you do not deserve this artifact." Mitsuhide turned his back on Zarag forever, the soldiers dragging him off to finish his torture.
Nobunaga nodded at Mitsuhide in approval, and turned his attention to the remaining warriors. "As for the rest of you..." He sneered. "Team Warrior… You all wish penance for your part in Zarag's madness?"
"More than anything," Alexander said, the Warriors still in the room nodding vigorously.
"Then as of right now, you belong to me," Nobunaga said. "Bow or die."
Without question, without hesitation, every captured Team Warrior member, human or otherwise, bowed before Nobunaga, who smirked. "You serve me now," he said. "You are vassals of the Oda clan. Your lives belong to me, to preserve or dispose of as I see fit." He gestured to the equipment. "Your first task is to take every bit of electric equipment in here and remove it, integrating it with my castle. Your second task will be to destroy your eyesore of a headquarters and remove it from my courtyard." He scowled. "Ranmaru was right. It does look like a penis."
"SEE?!" Ranmaru said, Nagahide chuckling and ruffling the boy's hair. Almost immediately, the Team Warrior soldiers went to work.
"You," Nobunaga said, pointing to Alexander. "I name you leader of Team Warrior. For now, you will accompany me, and explain to me and my warriors what Pokémon are in full. As well as anything else we need to know."
Alexander bowed. "I live to serve, Lord Oda," he said.
Nobunaga nodded. He walked up to Zarag's former team, all of them still curled up around each other. A rare sympathetic expression crossed Nobunaga's face. "...You have suffered much because of the foolishness of your master," he said softly. "I will not pressure you to do anything, one way or another. I offer you my home, to rest in and recover."
The Pokémon all looked at each other, chatting quietly, before giving a grateful look to Nobunaga. "Lucaa..." Lucario said, tears still in her eyes. Thank you.
Nobunaga nodded, turning to Lady No and hugging her to him. "It is a strange thing, to know that such chaos is in the world now… and to not enjoy the idea of it..."
"This is very different from the chaos we usually enjoy," No admitted. "I fear for our future… Especially if Orochi learns to control these amazing beasts..."
TO BE CONTINUED...