"I need your opinion."
"Hm?" Robert had hauled himself atop a large rock, gazing across the badlands, the harsh sun beating down on the pair.
Alex sat with her back to the rock, pushing her hair out of her face, the wind thankfully blocked thanks to the stone. "What do you think Zeno thinks of me?"
Robert didn't answer for a full ten seconds, then responded with, "I'm almost certain he likes you, but..."
"But?" Alex looked up, but had to shield her eyes from the rays of the sun.
Robert sighed. "Look, I'm not the one you should be asking advice of. I'm really bad at this... But if you insist," Alex heard him get into a sitting position. "I'll try my hardest."
"You both admitted your feelings for each other back in Alola," Robert said. "However, I personally feel like things might've been rushed a little. Plus, with Zeno putting up a facade for most of the time, trying to be someone different, I don't think that made for an ideal relationship."
Alex pursed her lips, but didn't say anything, so Robert continued. "Then you both had no contact for six months. I'm sure you noticed the tension between you two, because I sure have. You both are friends, sure, but there's more of a grudging respect than actual feelings between the two of you, more so on Zeno's part."
Silence. Then, "Alex, do you like him?"
"I... I don't know," Alex admitted. "I thought I did, back in Alola. He was the only person I ever really felt a kinship with."
She got up and started walking in a direction, feeling the wind push her hair up, having her to tug her highlights out of her mouth. Robert landed on the ground and followed her.
"I did some thinking over those six months though," Alex said. "I was so sure I loved him, and I was actually kind of angry for him leaving for something so stupid. But at the same time, I think I knew it was for the best. He had changed when he came back from... you know."
Sighing, she stopped walking. "Maybe we did rush things back then. Maybe..."
Robert put a hand on her shoulder. "Maybe take things slow this time, eh? We still have a ways to go before this journey comes to an end. Let your friendship grow, and maybe one day, it'll blossom into something beautiful. Talk with each other. Learn more about one another. And most important of all, understand one another. Make your feelings clear, make sure he makes his clear, and expect the path to be a bumpy one."
Alex just stared ahead for a minute, then finally said, "I don't know what you're talking about, you're really good at this kind of stuff."
"Heh," Robert held up both hands. "What can I say, I got talent. I just try to be humble about it."
Alex snorted. "Sure you do."
As they began walking once more, Alex said, "Thanks, Robert."
"Anytime."
...
"Hurry up and get this door open!" the female scientist snapped, her red visor flickering angrily. "Lysandre wants us to get this done quickly before anyone can interfere."
"This is so annoying," the bald man in the white suit crossed his arms as he watched the grunts trying to hack their way past the door in their way. It was singed from them already trying to bust it down with force. "How did the Champion even find out about us?"
"Bryony mentioned that several kids messed up their plans near Ambrette Town," the scientist growled, irritated. "They must've blabbed to the Champion and now we have to make sure our operations will succeed no matter what."
"Do you really think she's sending those kids after us," the bald admin narrowed his eyes behind his red shades.
"Hmph," the scientist tapped her visor. "If the rumors are to be true. It seems the Champion is busy with other matters. One that appears to be more dangerous than us."
"Ah," the admin chuckled. "Them. So they've finally been discovered. Things seem to be mostly going according to what Lysandre has said."
"Sir," a female grunt came running up. "Two trainers have entered the main doors to the Power Plant!"
"What!?" his face twisted into a snarl. "Already!?"
"So the worst has come to pass," the scientist said. "So be it."
She looked at the grunt. "Get all available grunts to back up the ones at the entrance. "If possible, take them out. Merely delaying them will mean success."
She stalked over to the grunt trying to hack the door panel and snatched the device away from him. "Give me this. I'll do it myself."
"I'll go assist them," the admin said, making his way to follow the grunt who had already left.
"No," the scientist said without looking back, her fingers flying over the digital keys. "We'll need you here. Even if they do make it past the grunts, they won't be far behind. After all, they're after the same thing we are. We'll need your strength when they do arrive."
"Fair point," he nodded, hearing the distant sounds of battle.
...
Alex and Robert both hid behind a rock, looking over it. Down below was the Power Plant and they could see Team Flare. There were over two dozen regular grunts, all being leaded by a bald man in a white suit and a woman in a red skirt and uniform.
"That's a lot of people," Robert grimaced. "You sure we can take them all on?"
"We're going to have to," Alex responded. "Zeno is probably still busy battling Clara. Plus, he's confident we can handle this on our own."
"I guess we can't let his training go to waste," Robert sighed. "Even though it's left me sore in the morning more than once."
"Good," Alex grinned. "Zeno can't be the star of the show all the time. Let's go take them down."
...
"Flamethrower!"
Both Ninetales and Braixen shot jets of flames, holding back a Swalot and a Scrafty. Robert's Snorlax had barreled into several Houndooms, sending them flying across the room, knocking down their trainers.
"Quilladin," Robert shouted. "Pin Missile!"
Quilladin rolled to his feet, firing several green missiles, blasting several grunts backwards. Meanwhile, Alex slipped to one side, dodging a grunt coming after her. In the process, she swung her arm, slamming it into the grunt's jaw and brought him hard onto the ground.
She stood straight, swinging her hair out of her face and brought both hands up, left in front of the right. "This is easier than expected."
"You can't expect much from people in tacky red suits," Robert said, waving his hand dismissively. "I mean, they're at a huge disadvantage right now. It's kinda sad."
All the grunts looked at Robert, each one cracking their knuckles.
"Good job, Robert," Alex sighed. "Now they want to kill you."
"What can I say," Robert held up his hands in a "it can't be helped" position. "It's a gift."
"Ninetales!" Alex shouted. "Heat Wave!"
Ninetales blew up a wall of heat and flames between Robert and the advancing grunts, causing them to switch targets to Alex. Two Houndooms bounded towards her, but were intercepted by Floette and Braixen. Vespiquen was busy handling several Scraggys and Mightyenas while Ninetales and Quilladin took care of any outliers, including the grunts themselves. Snorlax had plopped himself in front of a side door, blocking any attempts for more grunts to make their way into the room.
Several grunts however were making their way towards Alex, who simply grinned. She ran forwards, jabbing one in the stomach, causing him to gasp in pain as she spun around and slammed her leg into another's side, bringing her down. She leaped back as the third grunt rushed at her, punches flying. Alex ran forwards, jumping and slamming her foot into his chest, sending him rolling across the floor.
"Dang, Alex," Robert whistled. "Where'd you learn to fight like that."
She shrugged. "I took lessons back in Hoenn. They're not flashy like Zeno's moves are, nor improvisational."
Ninetales sent a blast of Extrasensory at the last standing grunt, sending him crashing into a wall, cracking a TV screen. The lobby of the Power Plant was in disarray, the floor and walls cracked and grunts and their Pokemon laying about.
"Let's get going," Alex said, returning an exhausted Floette and Braixen. "We need to go further into the building so-!"
A loud crash and Snorlax was pushed away from the doorway, a Rhyperior standing there, several grunts behind him.
"Quilladin," Robert said, but never got the chance to say a command as something slammed into the Rock type. It crashed into the wall, cracking it. Flying backwards and landing next to his trainer, Scizor and Clara looked smug.
"Looks like I have to save you both," she shrugged. "Pity. Scizor, Bullet Punch!"
Scizor zoomed towards Rhyperior, taking down three grunts as he passed them, and began pummeling the Rock type. Clara kicked the other grunt's knees inwards from behind and held a switchblade to her throat.
"Now then," Clara leaned in close. "Tell me where your boss is."
"Hey," Alex was pissed. "What do you think you're doing!?"
"Getting information," Clara didn't even look up, only pressing the blade further. "Tell me or you're dead."
"Fine fine!" the female grunt cried desperately. "I'll tell you! They're down that door and to the left. Look for the door with the Do Not Enter sign on it!"
"Thanks," Clara pushed the grunt away from her, where Scizor slammed her on the head, knocking her out.
Clara put the blade away as she walked towards the door the grunt pointed out. "Don't worry you two, I wasn't going to kill her. I only needed her to be afraid."
"Get back here!" Alex yelled at her, but she and Scizor had already left.
"Come on," Alex ran with her Ninetales and Vespiquen. "I don't trust her."
"Ugh," Robert ran after her after returning Snorlax. "This just got more complicated."
...
"Finally," the scientist spoke softly as she entered the large humid room, staring at the huge creature hooked up to the room with huge cables. "We've found you. An endless resource of energy."
The admin produced an Ultra Ball. "Let's hurry up and catch it so we can get out of here. If we can avoid Team Radiance all together the better."
Alarms began wailing and a grunt cried in pain as he was launched forwards. Both the scientist and admin turned to see a goth girl alongside a Scizor, a grin on her face.
"Finally," she stood straight. "The bosses of Team Flare. Now, prepare to fall!"
...
"That takes care of that," Kamake said, her Weavile having taken down the last Mightyena.
I narrowed my eyes at her as she strode across the room towards a doorway. I didn't trust her at all, and whatever she was planning to do here, I would have to stop it, as well as stop Team Flare. I ran after her, Enzo and the rest of Radiance behind me. Arcanine kept pace with me, so I felt better knowing being stabbed in the back would be hard for the opposite party.
Kamake kicked open a door and proceeded down the stairs. We came into a hallway, the one I recognized from the video feed. Down it, I could see a doorway, and beyond that, a large room. The sounds of battle could be heard and I could see several Pokemon going at it.
I pushed past Kamake with Arcanine and together we rushed towards the door. However, someone stumbled through before we could reach it. A bald man in a white suit, the Flare symbol on his belt. He wore red shades and had gold earrings on his left ear.
"Not more of you," he growled. "And Team Radiance. You're not welcomed here."
"Arcanine," I held out my hand. "We'll barrel right past him if we have too."
"Just try it," he threw out a Charizard. "I was sent here so none of you could get past! Now, Mega Evolve!"
A bright blinding light and his Charizard had changed forms. She now looked more feminine and dragon-like, still retaining her orange color. Her wings were more ragged looking and spikes lined her tail. The hallway became hotter as a fierce hot wind blew from the Mega Charizard.
...
Earlier
"Scizor, Night Slash!"
Scizor flung a dark wind, blowing back a Scrafty. Clara's boots make clunking sounds on the metal grated floor. The room itself was triangular in shape, with walkways leading around the room, cables beneath the walkways. In the center of the room, hooked up to the cables was a huge red Pokemon. Its body was shaped somewhat like a mountain, a pointy head, and four large feet. Two appendages were linked together over its body, hooked up to the cables, some steam being released. It seemed to be in great pain as it groaned.
"Get away from it!" Alex yelled, her Ninetales blasting a jet of fire at the Team Flare Scientist, whose Houndoom blocked the attack. The scientist was busy tapping away at a screen, trying to release the huge behemoth.
"Mightyena," the bald dude shouted. "Dark Pulse!"
"Take it!" Clara roared.
Scizor held up his arms, defending against the attack. Then he launched forwards, fist raised.
Robert meanwhile was trying to hack into the machinery on a different computer, Alex both defending him and trying to stop the scientist at the same time. Five grunts and their Pokemon were currently trying to stop Robert, so Alex was having a hard time trying to stop them.
Clara scowled, sending out her Barbaracle. "Go help them. Scizor, Fury Attack!"
Barbaracle lumbered forwards, swinging a Razor Shell, slamming a Scrafty aside. He surged forwards with water enveloped around him, colliding with a Swalot. Several more grunts sent our their Pokemon while more ran towards where Clara and the admin were battling.
A bright light and a Mega Houndoom blasted Alex's Ninetales into the wall.
"Secure the hallway!" the scientist yelled at the admin.
"Take her down," he ordered his grunts and managed to make his way to the hallways, Clara and her Scizor occupied by the grunts.
...
Arcanine and Charizard went rolling into the large room as I kicked the bald guy after them. My sides hurt and arms ached. I've fought so much today, longer than I normally would have, that I was actually beginning to tire.
In the center of the huge room was that huge Pokemon, steam resting over its body. Several computer stations were situated around it, two of which were being hacked, one by a Team Flare Scientist and one by Robert. Alex, her Absol, and Clara's Barbaracle were busy protecting him from half a dozen grunts, unable to stop the scientist from her hacking. What I assumed was a Mega Houndoom was the main reason why Alex couldn't get to stopping her.
"We can handle this," Kamake strode past me, her Weavile darting forwards to help Clara and Scizor. Enzo grinned coldly, which should've been my first clue, and let out his Cofagrigus. I felt a painful punch in my side, bringing me to one knee. An arm locked around my neck as several Radiance grunts made sure I was held tightly and unable to move.
I watched as Cofagrigus sent Arcanine tumbling away from Charizard, the Bald admin now confused.
"What is going on!?" he demanded.
"Simple," Kamake said, standing in front of him as Charizard and Cofagrigus stood between me and Arcanine. "We're both after the same thing here. But, what if we could offer you something in return for the Volcanion."
She leaned in close and whispered into his ear. He appeared to be shocked, then recovered himself. "Where's the proof?"
Kamake held up her tablet and whatever was on it convinced him. "Alright. You got yourself a deal."
Weavile was sent flying backwards, Scizor looking near exhausted at this point. Clara meanwhile looked extremely pissed.
"That's enough," she growled. "I've had enough of all of you!"
She let out her Chandelure and Heliolisk. "Overheat and Parabolic Charge!"
"Charizard!" the Flare admin barked and he and Cofagrigus intercepted the attacks. The Ghost type appeared next to Chandelure, blasting her with a Shadow Ball while Charizard slammed a fist into the ground, a wave of dirt colliding with Heliolisk.
"I'm glad we've come to an agreement," Kamake said, turning her gaze over to where Alex and Robert were. "Now to deal with them."
I tried to shake off the grunts, but they held me in a very tight hold. Enzo leaned down to look at me. "Pathetic. I expected better of you, so-called Hero Born of Darkness. To think you were the one who brought the downfall of Cassandra."
He sneered at me and stood. Arcanine was standing about 20 feet away, unable to do anything for fear of me receiving the consequences.
"Let's deal with him now," Enzo said, releasing a Pokemon I had never seen before. It looked similar to Cofagrigus, but had a earthen body.
"Runerigus," Enzo said. "Use Earthquake."
As the unfamiliar Pokemon went to attack, I felt a vague heat behind me, warming my neck. Something flew over our heads, smashing its foot into the back of Runerigus, slamming it to the walkway, making a loud clanging sound.
I felt the grunts' hold loosen slightly. I managed to wiggle Mawile's pokeball and released her. Assessing the situation, she leaped, smacking her jaw into the grunt holding my neck. He released his grip as he yelped in pain and two other groans followed. I heaved one grunt over my shoulder, Enzo turning to see I had escaped. Then he took a step backwards as he looked behind me. I stood to see three people entering the room. The two on either side wearing white coats rushed past us over to Alex and Robert. The girl with dark purple hair wore a red mask and scarf while the guy with blonde hair wore a blue mask and scarf.
"Now then, Team Flare," the last person stepped forwards. "And Team Radiance. You're evil ends here."
He wore a black, red, and gray bodysuit, a red cape clipped to his chest. On his head he wore a Blaziken mask, the features made to look intimidating.
"A Kalosian superhero," Enzo sneered. "How terribly pathetic. You can do nothing to stop us, Blaziken Mask."
Runerigus was slammed into a wall by a Blaziken, flames coming off his wrists. His features were sharper than a regular Blaziken, his body a color scheme of white, black, and red.
"That may be true," Blaziken Mask nodded. "But that's why it's not just me here."
"Hey, Enzo, Flare admin," I said, Arcanine by my side now. "Let me show you both why Team Radiance feared me back in Alola and why Team Flare should fear me as well. Extreme Speed!"
Arcanine slammed into Charizard, sending the two rolling again.
"Blaze Kick!" Blaziken Mask yelled.
Blaziken leaped and spun, slamming his blazing foot against Cofagrigus and then slamming his other foot into Runerigus.
"Come out and help," I let out Lucario. "Bone Rush!"
The Fighting type launched himself at Cofagrigus, slamming two bones against then Ghost type.
A loud hissing noise came from the center of the room and steam filled the whole area. I heard the sound of a pokeball capturing a Pokemon and I turned to see that the Volcanion had disappeared, a figure outlined in the mist.
"Kamake," my eyes narrowed as I let out Frogadier. "Let's go!"
I ran across the main walkway, Frogadier running ahead of me. "Water Pulse!"
Weavile appeared in front of her master, slicing the water apart.
"We all got we came for," Kamake said as I came to a halt with Frogadier by my side. "This time, you lose."
An explosion rang from above, parts of the ceiling collapsing. Sunlight streamed in from far above, ropes dangling down through the large hole.
The Team Flare scientist came to stand next to Kamake. "We have what we need from you. In return, we'll provide you help escaping."
"Much appreciated," Kamake turned towards me as she grabbed a rope near her. "I would remind you Zeno, our plan will not endanger Kalos nor the world. There is no need to come after us again."
"Fat chance," I growled. "Frogadier, cut the ropes!"
He leaped, but Weavile knocked him back into me, causing us to fall to the ground. I groaned and was getting ready to get to my feet, but Team Flare and Team Radiance were already escaping, all being pulled up to the surface. The last thing I saw was a cold glare from Enzo, then they were gone.
I cursed, slamming my fist against the metal walkway. Sighing, I stood and looked to see Alex and Robert making their way toward me.
"You guys okay?" I asked, looking at Alex.
They both nodded and the three new arrivals followed from behind.
"Who're you three?" I asked.
Blaziken Mask held out his hand. "Blaziken Mask, a protector of Kalos."
"Didn't realize there were superheroes outside of Unova," Robert shook his hand.
"Superheroes?" Alex just shook her head. "Now I've seen everything."
"And we're the Masked Heroes," the boy and girl said, shaking our hands, the girl saying, "We were given intel by the Champion to come and assist you all. She had a feeling things might not go according to your plan."
"Plan?" I gave a chuckle. "I don't think we ever have a plan. But thanks for the assist. Probably could've been a lot worse if you three hadn't showed up."
"Now that I think about it," Alex said. "Wasn't Ash and the rest supposed to be here as well? We never did see them."
"Ah, yes," Blaziken Mask nodded. "Diantha contacted them and had them head straight to Lumiose with haste. That's also why she had us sent here. They're all busy over there, so she's unable to contact you three."
"What's happening?" I asked.
"The Cult," he said, turning and swiftly walking towards the exit, all of us following. "Every nearby trainer was called into action. She left you three out of the loop so this matter could be taken care of."
"Wait," Alex said. "I didn't think Diantha would let anymore trainers just straight up fight the Cultists."
"She's not," the Blue Masked Hero responded. "They're all there to stop the Chaos they're spreading. As we speak, confused Pokemon are rampaging in the middle of the city. The trainers are there to protect the citizens and take down the Pokemon. Diantha is dealing with the Cultists herself."
"This just keeps getting better and better," Robert groaned as we all ran up the stairs. "How are we getting to Lumiose to help?"
"We have a Helicopter," Blaziken Mask said. "We have to hurry. They're going to need all the help they can get."
I heard Clara behind us, staying quiet, but the sound of her boots told me she was there. Whether she liked it or not, she was coming to help.
...
High above the skies of Lumiose, circling the grand city were three huge Pokemon. Their eyes reflected that of madness. Absolute chaos. They all screeched in unison as they dived towards the city.
Man, this action just cannot stop. No rest for our heroes eh? Well, this appears to be a victory for both Team Flare and Team Radiance. Now the the Cult of Chaos is wrecking havoc in Lumiose. The next chapter likely won't come out until next week or the week after. I still have TMR 2 to write after all. I hope you all enjoyed this longer chapter. Toodles
