Chapter 22: Devastation and Rekindle
After some rest, the group was ready to depart to the planet's core. However, Celesteela had something to tell them.
"This might be the toughest battle that you have faced so far. I do not know the terrain of the planet's core, so prepare for the unexpected."
Solestral laughed, "Haha! We always encounter the unexpected. So, what are we waiting? Let's kick that alien's butt!"
"Yeah. I am still nervous about this, but we have to do our part to stop it from destroying our home," said Paul.
"The future of…the planet rests on us," replied Normad.
"I can say, it is a first in the history that only a few Pokémon are facing this beast. It is not exactly reassuring, but we have to do our best," mentioned General Cresselia.
Cobalt said, "I will do whatever I can to support you all. How the battle plays out will determine our success."
A familiar voice sounded, "And count me in too."
The group saw Sergeant Dishita levitating towards them. It did not look pleased.
"I am sorry," it spoke, "to have been mind-controlled by Mega Alakazam. I had contributed to the sealing of the Dusk Guardian's control over the night time. I shall whatever it takes to make sure we win the battle against the villain in question. Besides, there is nothing for me to investigate as the answer has already been found."
General Cresselia replied, "It is not your fault, Sergeant Dishita. You were not yourself at that time, so there is no need for you to apologise to us. Nonetheless, we feel more at ease with you around."
The black kitten responded, "Yeah! No need to worry about that, Dishita. I thank you for coming with us! Hmm, Cobalt and Dishita looked the same. How can I tell between both of you?"
"I can put this on." Sergeant Dishita pulled out a red Scarf from its Psy Space and tied it under its eyes with its Psychic. It looked like a vigilante, which made Solestral burst in laughter.
Cobalt said, "Great to have you back, sergeant."
The sergeant replied, "Yes. You have done well to lead our allies to stop the Dawn Guardian. I sincerely thank you for that."
The sun rock explained his concerns, "I was supposed to follow the task General Groudon had given to me, but I ended up disobeyed and helped our allies instead. Yet, General Groudon did not seem to mind at all."
Sergeant Dishita nodded, "He knew that your decision was a wise one. Besides, he is not as stern as you think. Anyway, we should focus on our new mission now."
Cobalt acknowledged, "Yes, sergeant!"
Celesteela smiled at the group and spoke, "I see that all you are eager to go. Are we ready?"
"Yes!" cheered everyone.
"Very well. Hop onto my tummy then."
Once everyone climbed onto its tummy, the pillar being opened a dimensional portal and an exit portal in it. So, when it went inside, it exited out of the portal at the same time. The group were not expecting that the place was dark and barren.
"Alright. We are in the planet's core... Or what it is supposed to be." said the pillar being.
Solestral spoke, "Do you mean that this space is supposed to have something? It is empty here!"
Paul replied, "Not quite, Solestral. I saw a dim orange light at a distance."
Celesteela nodded. "And that is where we are heading."
Celesteela continued its journey towards the light. It took it about thirty minutes to reach it. However, during the flight, the group were flabbergasted to see a tall, two-legged being standing behind a small ball of light. The being had four floating wings, a long scarf-like tail, and a face on his chest, and green flickering hexagon scales on almost all of his body. His white eyes stared piercingly at the group. He bellowed.
"Hohoho, so this is the group that has been meddling with my plans. My name is Zygarde. You see the orange ball in front of you? That is what it is left of the planet's core. I guess that you are not letting me eat the rest of it in peace?"
"You fiend! You shall regurgitate the rest of the planet's core at once!" said Solestral.
"Oh? So, it is you that my loyal slave had mentioned. You are certainly brave. How about this? If you managed to beat me, I will restore the planet's core and leave this planet."
"Solestral, we must not believe what he says, and we certainly cannot let him escape to devour other living planets," Paul whispered to her.
"We should fight…together against him. He is a…powerful being capable of…destroying living planets, after all," said Normad.
The black agreed, "Yes, I know! That is why we are fighting together against you. I don't trust a villain's word."
Zygarde responded, "Indeed. Then, won't it be fair if I summon my other slave to join in the battle?"
The planet destroyer opened a portal. A bluish-black dragon Pokémon flew out of it and roared. It was Blazar!
Mega Charizard X spoke, "I WILL BE DELIGHTED TO PULVERISE THEM, MY LORD."
The planet destroyer grinned. "Yes… Have your fill of excitement, while I will have mine."
Zygarde used Dragon Tail and swung at the group, dispersing them. Then it grabbed Solestral and used Dragon Pulse at the rest of the group, which Celesteela did not anticipate. The impact of the powerful blast sent them towards Blazar. The Mega Charizard X smiled menacing at them and said.
"I WILL NOT LET YOU INTERFERE WITH MY LORD'S BATTLE. THOUGH, THE BATTLE WILL BE BRIEF. HAHAHAHA!"
/
"Now we can have one versus one battle," said Zygarde as he put Solestral down. "But before that, why don't we chat?"
"What is there to chat about?" angered the black kitten.
"Well, I am not a violent-driven being. I do have my reasons for eating living planet's core. It is the only food that I can eat and sustain my life. Isn't it is the same as you eating a fish to stay alive? So why do you have to stop me?"
"Because your action will destroy all the lives that come with it, duh!"
"Hmm. I guess that is when everyone is facing a common threat, they will stand up to it. I see, I see! Well then, I am rightfully classified as a villain that takes the environment that provides and satisfy your needs. Then, I have nothing to discuss. Let's fight, then!"
Zygarde used Dragon Pulse at Solestral. As there was no ground for her to dodge the attack, she activated her Syncross and used Ember to escape the huge dragon shockwave. The planet destroyer then switched to Draco Meteor, which caused the area around it to shower with magical meteor rain. The black kitten was baffled by the sudden appearance of the meteors. She conjured Substitute and Ember to try to avoid the attacks, but when a sizable meteor landed on her imitation, it just took one hit to shatter her protection. The black kitten eyed at the planet destroyer with worry.
"There is no way I can even attack it!" she thought, "What should I do? Oh yes! I do have the strongest item I can use!"
She took out Petrify Wand and used it at Zygarde. The red sparkled flew towards it. It could not dodge the sparkles, so it became paralysed and could not even speak. Solestral used this chance and spewed powerful Flamethrower at it. Once the fire landed on the planet destroyer, it could move again. It chuckled at her.
"Oh, Litten. Fire attacks don't do well against Dragon-Type. So, even if you have buffed your attack, it won't do much to me. Well then, I guess this is the end." and it charged for a move.
/
Blazar spewed blue Flamethrower at the group. Celesteela just repelled it with its arms. The pillar being countered with Shattered Psyche. The psychic spears flew towards the dragon Pokémon so quickly that he could not avoid the attack. Once the attack ended, the battered Blazar panted and snorted.
"THAT…WAS A GOOD ATTACK, I GIVE YOU THAT. BUT…I HAVE DONE MY ROLE."
"What do you mean about that?" asked Celesteela.
"JUST LOOK AT…WHAT MY LORD IS DOING," then he collapsed and reverted to his normal Charizard form.
The group saw Zygarde created a big black hole, and Solestral was about to get sucked in it.
"No!" cried the group and Celesteela flew towards Solestral at its fastest speed possible. The pillar being outstretched its right arm to try to grab hold of the black kitten, but it missed.
Solestral just looked at the group with tears and muttered, "I am sorry…"
Soon after that, the black hole devoured her. Zygarde chuckled.
"Your heroine is no more. Now, I wonder how despair is treating you?"
/
Solestral could only see darkness around her and heard her heart beating and her sobbing. She had given up hope, less alone salvation, to get her out of that vast empty space. Thoughts of her friends and allies flooded her mind as she closed her eyes and breathed a little. She knew what her actions meant.
"Well, if these…symptoms are what going to die means, this place is a depressing area for me to perish," she muttered, "I guess I can fall asleep then."
She became silent. Suddenly, she heard a voice gaining louder and louder in volume. She turned her head and saw two white two-legged beings walking towards her. She realised that they had appeared in her dreams close to a week ago. However, this time, their white silhouettes contrasted against the darkness.
"My dear, you don't seem so chirpy as usual." said a female being.
"I lost the battle big time. Now I can't go back…to save the planet anymore," the black kitten replied in tears.
The male being spoke, "Oh Solestral, you have tried your best in saving the world. It is just that the alien dude is out of your league. But, it can still be defeated."
"What is the solution?" she enquired.
"In multiplayer battles, you need to have the right ability to defeat a powerful boss."
The female being replied, "Oh, geez! You can't just use video game mechanics for this situation! But, oh well. He has a point. The ability you are looking for is already in you. Just remember that it can be shared among your friends!"
Solestral was confused, "One that can be shared… Oh! I know what you mean for that, but I still can't get out of here."
"You have one item in your backpack that shows you the way."
"Show me the way? Ah!"
She took out a Guiding Wand and waved it up high. The blue sparkles lit the path to an area where a white portal suddenly appeared.
The male being said excitedly, "A space trivia! For every black hole has a white hole! It is still a hypothesis, but it works in this world! Now go, Solestral, and give that nasty creature a beating!"
The black kitten replied in joy, "I did it! Thanks, dad! Wait… You are my dad?"
The male being nodded. "Bingo! Yes, I am!"
"And she is…my mum?"
"Yes, dear," answered the female being, "I am glad to see you are faring well in this world. I was worried you might get lonely and sad from not seeing us, but I can see your adventure has given you the courage and a sense of independence. I am so proud of you, my daughter."
Solestral was bewildered. "I…I don't understand. Does that mean that both of you knew about my arrival in this world?"
Her mum just smiled at her. Her dad laughed a little, though.
"When you come back to us," he mentioned, "remember to hug us. We will remember to do something for you in return."
He then nudged Solestral to face the white portal. The black kitten looked at her parents in white silhouette for the last time and said.
"Thank you for encouraging me, mum, dad. And I will do that as promised. I will be back before you know it!" The black kitten kitty-hugged her dad and her mum. Her parents hugged her in return.
Her dad petted her and cheered, "That's my girl! See you in a flash!"
Her parents waved her goodbye. Solestral waved back as well before she leapt into the portal. As the portal closed, a third two-legged being who was in grey silhouette appeared beside the two white beings. She spoke.
"I have done your request again. You do know that both of you will forget what had happened here, right? Both of you did appear in front of her instead of her dream, which kind of annoyed The One Who Dwells Above, or whatever He likes to be called. So, I made a pact with Him to allow me to bring both of you here in return for your memories."
Solestral's mum responded, "Yes. But we know as her parents, we need to support her, no matter where she is. However, we had…been rather neglecting her needs to have a good family bonding. We will make it up to her, even if we forget."
The grey silhouette replied, "I see. My parents were good to me too. But too bad that I did not live long. Still, I did not believe that I am the reincarnation of the child that was from the two gods of the opposite spectrums."
"You have it hard, huh?" said Solestral's dad.
The grey being scratched her head and answered, "Yeah. But I have lived well, and better than I had asked for. After all, I will be with them and my Pokémon friends soon. I will assist your daughter whatever I can, so don't you worry. Now, it is time to go back to your world."
"Yes, it is time. We really appreciated that you had contacted us, Eterna. It is a big sigh of relief that she is alright."
Eterna grinned and nodded in reply. She then led Solestral parents to the other portal she had erected.