Welcome back!
I really hope you enjoy. Beware there is a heavy T rated moment coming.
Part 13
"Then we know where to go," Phoenix says, a look of determination darkening his face.
"Phoenix," Ferra addresses him worriedly, "you're in the hospital! You just survived a bombing yesterday!"
"I'm fine," Phoenix insists, "the prophecy talks about a powerful Raichu right? We have to get Raichu there!"
"But Raichu is just a normal Raichu now. How do you know he has anything to do with the prophecy?" Quinn asks.
"My dad's Raichu may not be mega evolved anymore, but he sure is not normal." Phoenix assures her.
"That's not what I meant," she argues.
"Either way," Phoenix interrupts, "it's my destiny to be there. I just know it."
"Don't just make up your destiny because they killed your parents!" Ferra yells at him, worry fueling her frustration.
Phoenix glares at her, feeling hurt by her outburst. Does she have a point though?
"No, Ferra," he shakes his head, "this is bigger than them."
Ferra watches him rummage through his bag for appropriate clothes.
"You don't have to come with me," Phoenix says, speaking to the room.
"There's no way, I would let you go alone, son," Gary assures him.
"And we always have your back," Austin says proudly, "right?"
"Let's do this," Quinn nods.
"Ferra?" Phoenix asks, hopefully.
Ferra eyes him carefully and sighs, "I will always stay by your side, Phoenix."
Phoenix smiles warmly at her and pulls her into a hug.
"Let's go," the professor says, "we must go as quickly as possible."
Everyone agrees and gathers their gear.
They check Phoenix out of the hospital despite the objections of the staff. Then they leave out the front door.
"We'll need to fly," Phoenix asserts, releasing Charvo from his ball.
Charvo roars and stretches his wings.
"What other flying Pokemon do we have?" Quinn asks. "I don't have one."
"I have Kuro," Austin says, pulling out his ball and releasing his Charizard.
Charvo and Kuro lock eyes and then start their usual playful competition.
"Charvo," Phoenix calls, "we have serious matters."
"Char?" he asks, now ignoring Kuro who also looks over to question his master.
"Can you carry me and Ferra?" Phoenix asks Charvo.
The large lizard calculates their combined weight and then gives Phoenix a thumbs up.
"Great," the professor says, "Quinn and I will take Aerodactyl."
"A what?" Austin's jaw drops slightly. "I didn't know you had one!"
"I kind of share it with my friend, but that's a story for another time," the professor waves it off. He then releases the large prehistoric Pokemon.
"Dactyl," he says sharply.
"Char," Charvo shares a look of competition with it.
"Not now!" Phoenix begs his Pokemon who looks at him apologetically.
"I'm going to contact the Gmen and let them know what we're seeing from the ground and hopefully get some backup on the way." The Professor pulls out his cell phone to call them.
"Raichu," Phoenix says, clicking the release button on the gold ball hung around his neck.
"Rai," he responds when he materializes completely.
"We're about to face Team Rocket and it will be dangerous," Phoenix informs him, "I know what happened that night, Raichu. I remember now. We need to make sure this doesn't happen again. I know I can count on you."
"Raichu!" he nods in confirmation.
"I'll let you know when we need your help," Phoenix says and returns Raichu to the ball.
"Alright," the professor returns, "backup is on the way, but we must go now, before the obsidian stone is activated."
The team members mount their ride Pokemon and take off. They fly over the fields of Fuscia City towards the sea. When they see the bike path clearly, they all know their mission has truly begun.
"The entrance is over this way," the professor leads the way to a secluded area where there is a secret entrance to the base.
Because he had joined the raid on this base after Ash died, he knew where this entrance is located.
They see a man up ahead at the entrance, trying to enter the base.
"Stop!" Phoenix screams. The man startles and steps back.
"Mr. Roque?" Ferra asks, confused to find the politician here.
"Phoenix!" he exclaims, surprised to see them, "you're alright!"
"Yes," Phoenix nods, also finding the situation odd, "what are you doing here?"
"I thought I could come reason with them," Mr. Roque explains, "maybe they would make a deal with me."
"Don't bother," Austin spits, "these people are despicable humans."
"Well," Mr. Roque nods, "you're probably right. I am sure glad you are here though. I was nervous about going alone."
"Of course we have your back," Phoenix assures him, "let's get in there."
"It's unlocked," Mr. Roque shares, turning the handle and opening it widely.
"Hey! Who's there?" a man's voice is heard.
Inside, there is a hallway full of Rocket grunts guarding the entry.
"Ready?" Phoenix asks, pulling a Pokeball from his belt.
Everyone chooses a Pokemon to battle their way through; Charvo, Marowak, Graveller, Wartortle, and Umbreon.
"Stop them!" a Rocket leader yells.
But Rocket grunts are not known for their amazing battling skills. Raticates, Ekans, and Mightyenas are thrown into the walls and tossed about.
Soon, there are no more grunts or Pokemon standing in their way. Many were knocked out while others went running.
"Come on," the professor signals them to follow him down the hallway.
They race through the base's hallways, knocking out a few more grunts on their way.
"Fools!" a deep voice yells from the room ahead.
The team runs into a large warehouse type room where they find a grand mahogany desk on the far end. Behind it sits an aging man with silver hair and tight frown lines. He wears a black suit with the red R emblem embroidered above his heart. Four other Rocket members stand next to his desk; two on each side. The man stands slowly when they enter. He smirks at the sight of the people before him.
"Mr. Ketchum, it is a pleasure to have you and your little friends here today," the man smirks pervertedly, "Although, I must admit, it would have been more of a pleasure had you perished at the festival as intended."
"Who are you?" Phoenix asks angrily, but he thinks he already has an idea.
"My apologies," the man's lips turn sickenly upward into a cat-like grin, "I know who you are, so allow me to introduce myself. I am Giovanni, the leader and founder of Team Rocket."
"You," Phoenix growls in anger, "you killed my family."
"Yes," Giovanni nods shamelessly.
"Why?" Phoenix demands an answer.
"Your father killed my daughter," Giovanni shrugs carelessly, "an eye for an eye."
"He wouldn't have!" Phoenix snarls protectively. If he knows one thing about his father it is that he would never hurt anyone.
"Maybe not intentionally," Giovanni says pointedly, "but his interference with Team Rocket led to the death of my only child, Geneva."
"Whatever happened was probably her own fault!" Phoenix spits in disgust.
"Silence, boy," Giovanni barks, revealing his anger, "no matter! Ash Ketchum took what was dear to me, so I took his life."
"You're a monster!" Phoenix screams, readying himself to charge the old man.
"You better calm down, boy," Giovanni warns, "those grunts you beat down are nothing compared to my body guards."
"Is that why you restarted Team Rocket again?" Phoenix asks, not caring about the consequences, "Just to kill my family?"
"Your family was a byproduct to our resurrection and I should have made sure you were dead too. Your father tried to interfere again," Giovanni explained nastily, "I returned because I had to show my grandson how to raise an empire, so Team Rocket would live on after I've gone."
"Your grandson?" the professor asks curiously.
Giovanni's lips slowly twitch into a devastating smirk, "you've met my grandson, Grant, right?"
"You mean…" Ferra starts, suddenly feeling sick to her stomach.
Collectively, the team turns around to face the tall man behind them.
"Mr. Roque?" Phoenix asks, pleading silently for Giovanni to be lying.
"Sorry, children, it's actually Mr. Rocket," Grant's demeanor shifts now that his secret is out, "but as much as I have enjoyed our friendship, family comes first."
"You traitor!" Ferra sneers at him.
"Now, with you out of my way, I can take what is rightfully mine; the world." Grant walks between them, making them part for him to pass.
"Grant," Giovanni hisses, "remember what I taught you about world domination. It will fail unless you keep underground and undermine the governments."
"No," Grant grins, shaking his head, "Not with this."
One of the guards brings out a sealed box and opens it.
"The Obsidian Stone!" Phoenix gasps at the sight of the small black orb in the box. "Where did you get that?"
"I have connections in the government, boy," Grant shakes his head, "you should know by now."
"There is no need for that, Grant" Giovanni tries to assure him, "with these kids out of the way, no one will stop us."
"Sorry, grandfather." Grant shrugs his shoulder, "I have my own vision for how to take over the world."
"You don't have a clue what is inside of that thing. Put it away." Giovanni orders him.
"I do, actually," Grant picks it up from the box and observes it, "the souleater. I have done my research. It is the spirit of an evil legendary Pokemon who was corrupted by its ability to harvest souls. It perished a millenia ago when its legendary peers realized it was destroying entire groups of Pokemon and people. It's spirit was locked away in this orb, waiting to scour the earth again. When I release it, we will take over this world together."
"It is too much of a risk, give it back to the guards." Giovanni urgently tries to take charge of the situation again. "They will bring it to the vaults where it will remain untouched."
"No," Grant shakes his head, smiling evilly.
"Learn your place, boy," Giovanni's anger grows at his grandson's disobedience.
"I think you should learn yours, grandfather," Grant counters, smirking defiantly.
"Guards, arrest him," Giovanni orders.
When not one of the four guards do as ordered, Giovanni feels fear in his heart for the first time in many years.
"What is the meaning of this?" He rages at them.
"While it has been a pleasure, grandfather, I must dismiss you from your position." Grant sighs, "I admit you have been a grand puppet head for the last five years."
"What are you talking about?" Giovanni asks. "Guards, I order you to seize him. NOW."
"They don't take orders from you anymore, grandfather," Grant shakes his head, pitying the old man.
"Guards?" Giovanni asks desperately, "What have you done?"
"I couldn't play the versatile, young politician as well as lead Team Rocket, could I?" Grant asks. "So I have slowly been building my own following here, and I was sure you'd be impressed. The rest of the leaders agree that you move too slowly, and you have been too preoccupied with the Ketchum kid. Unfortunately, you won't be around to see me rise to power."
In one swift motion, Grant pulls a pistol out of his jacket pocket and places the barrel against Giovanni's forehead. In response, Giovanni sits down in his leather chair submissively. He grits his teeth. One might think that a flash of regret could be seen in his eyes as he looks up at his beloved grandson.
"Goodbye, grandfather," Grant says emotionlessly, and he pulls the trigger.
Giovanni's body drops back into the chair. Blood dribbles from the bullet hole in his forehead.
Ferra screams and Phoenix pulls her into a tight embrace. Austin looks more serious than anyone believed he could be while Quinn covers her eye and stands next to her father.
"Did I say family comes first?" Grant chuckles deviously, "I meant power, power comes first.
Grant reaches out to Giovanni's corpse and covers his hand in he smears it across the orb. It emits a dark aura.
"No!" the professor screams at Grant.
"Only the sacrifice of an evil soul could awaken the beast," Grant explains heartlessly, "and my grandfather fit the bill."
A ghostly dark figure emerges from the sphere and forms menacingly above them. Its shape is not solid as it is made of a ghostly matter, but it appears to be spiky and sharp, much like a large black dragon made completely of shadows.
"YES! It lives!" Grant exclaims, "Soul Eater, I present you with your first meal."
The creature hisses and lunges toward the group. The team jumps in different directions to escape it. It screeches in response. Phoenix grabs Ferra's hand and pulls her away. The rest of the team follows.
"Go!" Phoenix orders them, and he turns back to face the creature.
"Char!" Charvo roars and stands in front of his trainer.
"Go!" Phoenix screams, "I'll distract it!"
Charvo doesn't listen and stands his ground to protect his master. He heats up a strong flamethrower, and then releases it directly at the ghostly creature.
The creature hisses as it is hit with the special attack, but pushes through.
Phoenix watches as the creature soars at Charvo head on and collides with him, seemingly vanishing in thin air.
Charvo roars in agony and falls to the ground.
"CHARVO!" Phoenix screams vehemently as he leaps to his Pokemon's side.
For a moment, Charvo shows no signs of life as Phoenix tries to wake him.
"Charvo," Phoenix prods worriedly, "Charvo, wake up!"
Then his eyes snap open and reveal blood red pupils. Phoenix immediately senses something is wrong. Charvo's head snaps in his direction causing Phoenix to scurry away. Phoenix watches in horror as Charvo rises slowly to his feet.
"This body will do," a deep voice resonates in their minds.
"NO!" Phoenix screams, feeling like he is suffocating, "CHARVO!"
The deep voice laughs evilly, "This body belongs to me now. I am Silhougon, the shadow dragon."
As the creature laughs maniacally, Charvo's body transforms before their eyes. It stretches taller and grows twice its size. His smooth scales grow into dense plates of armor and some extend to become large spikes down its back. The two horns on his head harden and lengthen to sharp points. The creature's shadowy aura exudes from underneath its scales. Its appearance strikes fear into the hearts of Phoenix and his friends.
"Charvo!" Phoenix screams in horror of what his Pokemon has become.
"Stop wasting time, and kill them." Grant orders the beast with a wicked grin.
Silhougon turns toward Grant and stands threateningly above him.
"Foolish human," it speaks, "to think I would be freed from my eternal prison only to have to take orders from you, puny human."
"What?" Grant asks, suddenly feeling powerless and fearful, "no, together we will take over the world!"
Silhougon releases a guttural laugh and continues, "I don't care to rule your world. I only care to feast on the souls of its inhabitants."
"But I can offer you an army!" Grant insists desperately, backing away from the dragon.
"I have no use for an army, nor any use for you." Silhougon bears its razor sharp teeth.
Then it releases its ghastly aura which enters Grant's body and feeds on his lifeforce. Grant's body falls lifelessly to the ground. The Team Rocket guards try to run at the sight of their leader's body splayed out on the ground, but are not quick enough to escape the same fate.
"My power grows," Silhougon roars, flexing its entire body.
"Give me back my Charizard!" Phoenix screams up at the mythical being.
"Get in my way, child, and your fate will be sealed," the creature warns, turning away from Phoenix and the group.
Silhougon slams its tail into the group to send a message. Then it barrels through the wall into the open where it flaps its wings and takes flight.
"CHARVO!" Phoenix screeches uncontrollably following it out through the destroyed wall, "CHARVO! NO! COME BACK!
He drops to his knees and holds his head in his heads, crying, "No..."
"Phoenix," the professor yells from inside, "Ferra is hurt."
When he can no longer see Silhougon, he bolts back into the building to check on his team. He sees that the professor, Austin, Quinn, and their Pokemon are battered, but awake and alert. Quinn is tending to Marowak while the professor knees next to Ferra.
"Ferra!" he cries when he sees her on the ground surrounded by debris from the broken wall. The professor checks her vitals as well as he can with no equipment.
"She's knocked out," he informs Phoenix, "she needs a doctor urgently in case she has internal bleeding."
Phoenix falls to the ground, crushed beneath the weight of his life. He buries his face in Ferra's hair and kisses her cheek softly.
"WHY?" he screams out to the heavens, looking for some divine answer.
"Why?" he cries, weeping for fear of losing his girlfriend, for the horror that Charvo has become, and for his family lost in this sad pursuit for power.
"Look," Giovanni demands, grabbing the arm of the young boy next to him, "look at this pile of crap, Grant."
Before them is an island filled with debris. It looks as though a hurricane had bowled it over.
"This is what happens when you move too fast," he explains, "the elite Pokemon Trainers of the world will find you, destroy what you build, and kill you."
The boy frowns silently, looking out of the debris of the fallen building. There is wood, sheet rock, metal beams, electronic machines, and paper still littered about. His grandfather made a point to bring him to this island, but he doesn't understand why yet.
"Your mother died here," Giovanni informs him, stoically, "last week."
"What?" the boy asks, wildly surprised by the information.
"She was a terrible leader," Giovanni shakes his head and spits, "and a terrible mother. It would be best to get over it quickly, boy."
The boy does not dare cry for his mother. Though his grandfather is correct in his accusation, the boy could not help but love his mother.
"What happened?" is the only question he dares to ask.
"Ash Ketchum destroyed everything that she worked for," he explains, "and she responded in the only acceptable way. She blew herself up trying to take him out. Too bad she failed."
"The Pokemon Master?" the boy asks.
"Yes," Giovanni confirms, "but don't worry. He'll get what's coming to him. I swear on my life."
The boy looks out over the debris wondering how his mother could have chosen this life over him. Maybe he wasn't worthy, or maybe power is greater than love for a Rocket.
Phoenix: Charizard, Fletchinder, Luxio, Primeape, Pikachu, Sandshrew, Kabuto, Psyduck, Oddish, Rattata, Nidorino, Rhyhorn,
Ferra: Alolan Vulpix, Marowak, Clefairy, Charmeleon, Poliwhirl
Austin: Charizard, Pidgeotto, Weepinbell, Graveller
Quinn: Arcanine, Flaaffy, Wartortle, Spheal, Skitty, Deerling
I hope you liked it!
Anyone see that coming? I have been sitting on this climax for so damn long. But wait there's more! The next chapter is finished, but needs some tweaking and editing.
I want to hear your theories about what might happen or what you think should happen!
If you like it, please let me know! That is all I really ask!
Love, Alert, Review!