Chapter 63 - Battle in Silph. Co! - Part 2
The battle between Seshiru and the Golem Hunter continued. They were around the same level in terms of power, which Arakan was surprised by. Very few people had ever matched him so easily like Seshiru did.
"Flare Blitz!" he commanded.
"Stand your ground!"
Infernape exploded with fire and then let out a battle howl. He dashed forward, leaving a trail of flames behind him.
"Dynamic Punch!" Seshiru ordered at the last second.
Poliwrath, exhausted from the battle, plunged his fist forward, hit Infernape directly in the chest. The Fire-type paused as his body almost came to a complete shut down. The flames faded away, and he collapsed, leaving Arakan in shock.
The Golem Hunter withdrew Infernape and then thought over his next move. He heard explosions coming from the top floor.
"There's no point in continuing our battle," he muttered. "Mizuki is going to torture your friends. He'll rip them apart limb from limb with the Pokémon that he captured."
Seshiru glared and then did something that she never thought she would ever do. "Waterfall!"
Poliwrath shot forward while aquatic energy surrounded his fists. He prepared to strike the boy, but moments before he could, Arakan let out a terrified screech.
"Stop!" he yelled.
And Poliwrath did just that, coming to a stop mere inches in front of him. Seshiru stood behind her Pokémon with a glare on her face.
"If anything of the sort happens to my friends, it's on your head. You did your job and you stalled me. I'm giving you a headstart. Run," she said in violent whispers.
Arakan collected himself and waved his arms around. He withdrew his Infernape and then dashed for the staircase, choosing to retreat.
Seshiru paused and then sighed. "That was close. Let's go, Poliwrath."
Mizuki, Aira, and Okane all eyed Logan and Cyan. Mizuki appeared stressed by his prior exchange with Giovanni, and now the appearance of the two trainers only made him even angrier.
"So, you managed to escape our little prison?" Mizuki asked. "I'm starting to think that I shouldn't have taken the advice of my colleague. But hey, two for one. I'll really enjoy this."
"Vulpix!" Cyan called. His Pokémon ran forward and howled. Cyan then released his Butterfree into the air, opting to try to battle with two Pokémon yet again.
"We'll take care of Neo Rocket first and then Giovanni," Logan said. He pushed the buttons on his Dusk and Dive Balls, letting Electivire and Poliwhirl emerge. He had noticed that Giovanni appeared unprepared for a battle, and he was starting to suspect that Giovanni was being true to his word.
Cyan was angry by the presence of Giovanni, but he knew that Logan was correct. He had to focus on taking out the initial threat first. However, he wasn't going to take his eye off of Giovanni for a second.
Mizuki and Aira released their Pokémon. Arbok took to the battlefield and Beedrill appeared in the air. The two looked back at Okane, wondering if she was going to join the battle this time. She glanced wearily at her father and then nodded. She lifted her Poké Ball, and the massive Gyarados burst forth, knocking over some of the machines and walls.
"We won't hold back," Aira said while revealing her mega stone. Okane followed.
The air shifted, and Beedrill and Gyarados were engulfed in the same rainbow power. Their bodies morphed and developed into their next form. When the energy exploded off of them, Logan marveled at the sight of mega Gyarados.
"You good at double battling?" Cyan asked.
Logan shook his head.
"Then, follow my lead. Vulpix, Ice Beam! Butterfree, use Air Slash!"
"Electivire, use Iron Tail! Poliwhirl, Bubble Beam!"
"Arbok, Gunk Shot!"
"Beedrill, use Poison Jab!"
"Gyarados, use your anger! Outrage!"
Arbok's poison gunk connected with Vulpix's jagged beam of ice, causing an explosion of purple mist. Beedrill came through it, but she was immediately blasted with Butterfree and Poliwhirl's attacks. Gyarados and Electivire charged. Arcane flames came from the enraged Water-type's mouth, while Electivire spun in circles, his tails hard as iron. The two collided in the middle of the air, but Electivire was instantly overpowered and tossed to the ground.
"Keep going!" Okane shouted. She glanced over towards her father, hoping that her sheer power would impress him.
Gyarados roared and then slid across the ground, blasting more of the walls from where they were and creating more space for them to battle.
"Protect!" Logan commanded.
Electivire stood up and held his arms out, creating a wall of blue energy. Now matter how strong Gyarados was, there was zero chance that he'd manage to break through right away.
"Now!" Cyan yelled. "Sheer Cold!"
Vulpix rounded the blue wall and then bounded forward. She locked eyes with Mizuki's Arbok, and in an instant, he froze. The serpentine Pokémon fell to the ground, all of his energy drained.
"No!" Mizuki screeched. He ran his fingers through his hair and all around his face. "No! No!"
"Butterfree, String Shot!"
"Poliwhirl, use Body Slam!"
The Orange Islands' Butterfree flew over the wall and released a thick string from her mouth, wrapping it around Gyarados' thick neck. Poliwhirl followed by jumping off of Electivire. He extended his limbs and then crashed into Gyarados, but he bounced off like a basketball.
"Finish them!" Mizuki barked.
"You're not the boss," Okane snapped. "I was planning on it, as it were. Outrage!"
"And Fell Stinger!" Aira added.
Gyarados roared and swung his body around, smashing through the blue wall. Butterfree, Poliwhirl, and Electivire were blasted away, landing limp in front of their trainers. Beedrill then emerged from the smoke, jabbing at Vulpix with forest green energy. Vulpix couldn't take the strong blast, and she fainted after Beedrill retreated into the air.
"No," Cyan muttered. He lifted his Poké Balls and retrieved his two Pokémon. Logan did the same, and they exchanged glances.
Logan grinned. "We took down Arbok. Let's consider that a win! Don't give up!"
Cyan nodded, pulling out two more Poké Balls. "Never even crossed my mind."
Yurie and Skylar had continued their battle with the shiny hunters. Although it seemed like Yurie and Skylar had a good start to the battle, the hunters were able to make a comeback.
"Nidoking, use Surf!" Cimarron shouted.
Nidoking spun his body around and generated aquatic energy, turning it into a wave. Blaziken knew that there was no way to avoid it. He grabbed a hold of Torchic and held him close before it washed over the two of them. Blaziken let out a loud cry before he finally fainted after a strenuous fight.
"I-I can't believe it," Skylar muttered. "They actually managed to defeat Blaziken."
Cimarron and Rose grinned and then folded their arms. "Weak trainers like you are perfect for weak creatures like a Blaziken."
Skylar glared. "Take that back."
"I don't think we will," Rose stated.
Skylar looked around the room. She felt terrible for fighting inside of an office space, but they had already done so much damage. She considered her options.
Yurie put her hand on Skylar's shoulder. "I have a weapon that'll help us win." She showed off her bracelet with the Aggronite.
Skylar grinned and then revealed her necklace with the marble Steelixite. If Yurie didn't mind messing up the floor, then why should she? "Let's do this!"
"Go, Aggron!"
"C'mon out, Steelix!"
"Mega evolve!"
The two Pokémon emerged and then immediately were surrounded by the rainbow energy. It exploded off of them, and they roared, shaking the entirety of Silph Co.
"Wh-what?!" Cimarron questioned.
"Sandstorm! Go!" Skylar ordered as soon as Steelix was ready.
Just as soon as the two Steel-types appeared, they disappeared, now covered by sand. The shiny hunters, being from Orre, weren't afraid of a sandstorm, but they were afraid of what waited for them on the other end.
"Iron Tail!" Skylar shouted.
"Rock Slide!" Yurie added.
Steelix raced forward and tore up the ground below him. He swung his tail into both Nidoking and Zangoose, knocking them into the air. Aggron followed by roaring, creating blue stones of energy out of thin air. He launched them upward and then dropped them onto both of the shiny Pokémon. They were dragged against the ground relentlessly, and when the rocks stopped moving, both of the Pokémon fainted.
"N-no!" Rose shouted. "My beautiful baby!"
"My king! How could you?!" Cimarron squealed.
"Let's send you back to Orre!" Yurie yelled. She glanced at Skylar and they nodded before both shouting, "Iron Tail!"
The Steel-type Pokémon twisted and smashed their tails into the fainted Pokémon. They crashed into their trainers, and the force of the strikes sent Cimarron and Rose out the window. They flew far into the distance, disappearing into the sky.
Skylar pumped her fist into the air. "Yeah! We did it!"
Yurie hadn't considered what she had actually meant when telling the two that she'd send them back to Orre. It was a spur of the moment phrase, and she was ninety-nine percent sure that they wouldn't survive the fall. She wasn't sure what to do with herself, but it didn't matter. Skylar grabbed her hand and raced for the stairs.
The mega energy swirled around Mizuki as his Houndoom went to the next level. He looked out sinisterly at both Logan and Cyan. "You know, they say that the flames from a Houndoom can leave you in permanent pain. Why don't we test that out?"
"I don't think so!" Cyan shouted. "Primarina, use Surf! Venusaur, Earth Power!"
"Snorlax, High Horsepower! Charizard use Flamethrower!"
All four of Logan's and Cyan's Pokémon emerged and they immediately started their attacks. The top floor of the building rumbled as all four struck. But no matter how powerful their strikes were, Team Rocket had a counter.
"Hurricane!" Okane yelled.
Gyarados roared and then whipped up a storm around her body, making the other's attacks stop.
"Poison Jab!" Aira added.
"And Flamethrower!" Mizuki shouted.
From the heavy winds, Beedrill and Houndoom used their attacks. Beedrill jabbed at Primarina, but Snorlax got in the way, taking the strong blow. And then, Charizard did the same for Venusaur, absorbing Houndoom's flames.
"Charizard, use another Flamethrower!"
"Venusaur, Sludge Bomb!"
The two Pokémon launched their attacks into the small storm, which caught everyone's attention. Cyan and Logan exchanged looks before they raised their wrists, revealing their specialized Z-Crystals.
"Primarina-"
"Snorlax-"
"Oceanic Operetta!"
"Pulverizing Pancake!"
The energy surged through the building, seemingly putting time to a stop. The winds stopped spinning, and everyone in the room except for Logan and Cyan froze as they struck their poses. It was all finished in a matter of seconds, but it felt like an eternity.
Snorlax raced forward, holding out her arms. She crashed into Gyarados and then took him into the air.
Primarina howled while creating a large bubble from her mouth. It slowly floated upwards, and her voice became higher pitched. When she finally hit her limit, she stopped howling, and then the bubble exploded, raining down aquatic energy onto the tiled flooring.
And Snorlax crashed, making the entirety of the building shake. Glass exploded from the windows, turning into a million pieces before falling hundreds of feet.
When the smoke cleared, both of the Pokémon stood, but their energy had been sapped. They used the attacks with all of the force that they could muster, hoping to take down all three of Team Rocket's Pokémon.
And to their surprise, Beedrill and Gyarados finally collapsed.
"Foul Play!" Mizuki shouted once the silence became too much for him.
Houndoom, surrounded by black flames, bounded forward. He sent the flames exploding from his body, connecting directly with Snorlax. They swirled into the air, absorbing Snorlax's power, and then, they came crashing down, causing an explosion that forced both Primarina and Snorlax to the ground.
Logan and Cyan were quick to withdraw their Pokémon. They looked at each other. They were exhausted from the Z-Energy that they had used.
"Venusaur, use Giga Impact!"
"Charizard, help him! Thunder Punch!"
Mizuki grinned, evil thoughts on his mind. "Houndoom, use Flamethrower on the trainers!"
Venusaur and Charizard attempted their attacks, but Houndoom raced past them. He leaped into the air and unhinged his maw, ready to bellow hot flames onto both Logan and Cyan.
But then, Charizard roared. He flapped his massive wings, allowing him to take into the air momentarily. He soared backward and got in front of Houndoom at the last second. With a quick jab, he put his fist into the side of Houndoom's jaw, throwing the Dark-type backward. Venusaur then followed by using his strike, tossing generated earth energy across the room. Houndoom was battered repeatedly until his body finally gave in, and he collapsed.
The three Rocket leaders looked at their defeated Pokémon, their heads held down in shame. Mizuki was in shock though, and after a few moments of deliberation, he finally withdrew Houndoom.
"Giovanni," Mizuki said. "This is your final chance to join us. Take the reigns and rule Team Rocket! Control Mewtwo and form the army of Pokémon that you dreamed of! Show us your true power!"
Giovanni remained still. "It was once my goal to rule the world with the strongest Pokémon. I had Mewtwo created in a lab for that purpose."
Mizuki grinned. "And we found it for you after so long."
"However, I've since realized that power isn't everything. There was nothing for me to gain from creating Mewtwo. In fact, I lost everything because of it. I refuse to join you, and I command that you end this at once."
"Father," Okane muttered.
Mizuki's upper lip trembled, and he ran his fingers through his black hair. "You've grown weak. Mewtwo, kill them! Kill them all!"
"Mizuki, no!" Okane gasped.
The upper floor started to shake as Mewtwo focused its powers. It floated forward, destroying the device that it had been floating it in. Slowly, it lifted its arms, causing the rumbling to grow more intense.
Logan, Cyan, and their Pokémon all fell to their knees from the attack. They screeched and grasped at their heads as pain shot through their bodies.
Mewtwo put its hands together and began to form a ball of psychic energy. It put its hands at its side and then flung the ball outwards, shooting it directly for Logan and Cyan.
"No!" Giovanni yelled. He stood in the way of the two and held out his arms. He took the blast directly to the chest. It exploded on contact, stunning Giovanni, and leaving everyone else in shock. Smoke came off of his body, and after a few seconds of standing still, he finally collapsed.
"Father!" Okane yelled. She ran to Giovanni and knelt down to his body. "Father! No!"
"Giovanni?" Cyan wondered. He was trembling, and his face was now covered in sweat. "Is he-"
"Mewtwo, I commanded you to kill them, so kill them!" Mizuki ordered.
Logan grabbed Cyan by the arm and pulled him to his feet. "Focus! Charizard, use Dragon Pulse!"
It was hard for him to take his eyes off of Giovanni's body, but he knew that he had to for now. Cyan smacked his hands against his cheeks and then looked out at the battlefield. "Venusaur, Earth Power!"
Charizard and Venusaur shot off their attacks, but Mewtwo blocked them with ease. It then raised its arm and shot out another black ball, now connecting with Charizard directly. The Fire-type snorted and then quickly got back up, sending flames from his tail to intimidate the Legendary Pokémon.
"Logan, I don't know how I know this, but I don't think it's going to be possible to beat this thing. It's power is incomparable to any other Pokémon I've ever met, and I battled Necrozma."
"Well, I stood face to face with a Zekrom and Necrozma and lived to tell the tales!" Logan snapped. "We can't give up, Cyan!"
"Beat them, Mewtwo! Don't hold back! Use Psychic and shred them to pieces!" Mizuki screamed. His hair had started to fray out, and his eyes became bloodshot.
"Solar Beam!"
"Fire Blast!"
The three Pokémon used their attacks. Solar Beam and Fire Blast mixed into a bright white light that blinded everyone in the room momentarily. But Mewtwo wasn't phased. It used its energy and unleashed it from its body, taking the two attacks directly. The light from Venusaur and Charizard engulfed Mewtwo, creating a deafening explosion that blew back everyone in the room.
With everyone's senses dulled, it was impossible for anyone to get a grasp on what had happened. Logan slowly pulled himself from the ground and stood up. He limped forward and clutched at his left arm. Debris had connected with him, knocking his shoulder out of place. He could feel wind blow against his face, and he looked up, realizing that the force of the attacks had literally blown the roof off of Silph Co.
"You okay?" Cyan asked. His nose had been bloodied and his grey pants were stained. He walked with a wobble.
Cyan nodded slowly. His head raddled with each movement and made it harder for him to see. "I'm alive. Could really go for pizza."
"Pizza? Really? Now?"
"I know a great place in Celadon."
The dust settled away from the Pokémon. All three remained standing, but it took only a few seconds for both Charizard and Venusaur to collapse. Mewtwo looked up and glared at both of the trainers.
"Got any more tricks up your sleeve?" Logan asked.
Cyan shook his head. "Venusaur is my strongest Pokémon. Anything else would only be putting my Pokémon in danger."
"I get ya," Logan said. He could still use either Grotle or Nidoking, but he couldn't even muster up the energy to throw a Poké Ball, let alone think clearly enough to make commands.
Mizuki came through the smoke. He was in the same condition as Logan and Cyan. He was bloodied and dirtied by the debris, but his sickening smile never wavered.
"I recognize that smile," Cyan said. "That's the smile of the devil."
"You fools. You absolute fools. I told you that Mewtwo is the ultimate Pokémon. It can defeat anything you throw at it! Go ahead! Bring out more! I want to see them crack right in front of your eyes!" he exclaimed. Mewtwo buzzed before floating into the air and radiating more psychic energy.
Logan sighed. "Well, buddy. It was fun. I'm sorry, Yurie. I'm bad at keeping promises."
"Mewtwo, use Psystrike!"
But before Mewtwo could generate its strike, a quick black blur jumped from the stairway, tackling into the legendary Pokémon, managing to bring it down momentarily.
Logan's eyes widened as he took in the Pokémon. It was a canine with black fur. And tied around its neck was a Wailmer print towel.
"Mightyena!" Logan shouted.
Then, voices that Logan recognized called out commands.
"Charizard, Hyper Beam!"
"Ninetales, use Fire Blast!"
"Raichu, hit it with Thunder!"
From the hole that had been blown into the ceiling, gym leaders, Midori and Himiko appeared, riding on the back of Charizard and a Fire-type avian Pokémon that Logan didn't recognize. Lt. Surge came up from the staircase, sweat dripping from his brow.
Their Pokémon rained down their attacks onto Mewtwo, and the legendary Pokémon was engulfed in an explosion. Midori got off of Charizard and then walked towards Logan and Cyan.
"You've done enough," he said. "We'll take care of the rest."
"It looks like you were right, Midori," Himiko said. "Good idea to come here. Guess this gives you some bragging rights. I hate that."
Lt. Surge glanced over where the explosion of attacks had taken place, wary that Mewtwo would soon get back up. He looked at Logan and couldn't help but grin at the fellow Unovan. "Long time, no see. Other cities and parts of Celadon and Saffron were targeted. The gym leaders are taking care of it. But us three are here now. You two should fix up your Pokémon and get to a safe place."
Logan stood up straight. He pet Mightyena behind the ears. "We'll fight with you. Mightyena can take Psychic-type attacks, so he's perfect for this battle."
Cyan looked over at Giovanni and Okane. "We'll evacuate. I'll get everyone else out of the building."
Midori put his hand on Cyan's shoulder. "Rest assured, there are police waiting downstairs. No one is going to escape this time."
Cyan nodded and then ran over to Giovanni and Okane. He knelt and looked at his old friend in the eyes. "Is he alive?"
"Barely," Okane answered. "But his pulse is weak."
Cyan took in a deep breath through his nose and blew the air out of his mouth. "I'll help you take him downstairs, but I refuse to allow you to get away. Let's get him up, and let's get out of here."
The two helped the half-dead man get to his feet. They put his arms over their shoulders and then limped their way to the staircase. Cyan looked back at Logan one last time. "You made a promise to your friend. Don't die."
Logan tried to raise his arm to give Cyan a thumbs up, but his shoulder pained him too much. He instead opted for a smile and a nod. Cyan, Okane, and Giovanni then disappeared into the staircase.
"Mewtwo!" Mizuki yelled at the top of his lungs. Aira watched on in horror. She knew that Mizuki had darkness in his heart, but she never expected it to be of this level. "Bring this building down! Crush these fools! Crush everyone else too! Everyone! Do it now! Rip Saffron City to pieces!"
Mewtwo rose from the debris and lifted its arms, beginning to shake the building.
"I don't think so!" Midori exclaimed. "Hyper Beam!"
"Ninetales, use Fire Blast!"
"Raichu, Thunder!"
Logan looked at Mightyena and grinned. "Crunch! Go!"
Cyan and Okane struggled to keep Giovanni standing as the staircase shook violently. They remained silent with one another. Cyan had no idea what to say to his old friend, and Okane was lost in thought about what was really right and wrong. Their silence was broken whenever Yurie and Skylar finally met with them between floors.
"Cyan, that's-" Skylar started. She stopped, realizing what was happening. "If he's alive, that's all that matters. Let's get going."
"Where's Logan?" Yurie asked.
"Up top," Cyan answered. "Don't worry. He's not alone. He's got plenty of help. I promise you, he's okay."
Yurie was worried, but she trusted Cyan's word. She simply nodded and let Cyan and Okane pass with Giovanni. She looked towards the staircase and then at Skylar. She shook her head and then ran, heading for the upper floor.
"No!" Skylar yelled.
"Skylar!" Cyan said. "Let her. She'll be okay. They'll be okay. But we have to be quick. Let's get out of here."
Cyan, Skylar, Okane, and Giovanni continued forward, descending the staircase a couple of more flights until they ran into Seshiru. Cyan did his best to quickly explain everything, and Seshiru decided to join them. She knew deep down that Yurie and Logan would be okay. And even if she ran up to help them, she might not make it in time.
The top of Silph Co. shook, and parts of the building fell to the streets. With every strike from the Pokémon, more of the building fell apart.
"Logan!" Midori shouted. "I think it's the machine! Destroy the machine, and he'll have no more control over Mewtwo!"
Logan looked at the machine that Mewtwo had been held in before. Although it was damaged, it still appeared to be glowing. Surely, it had some kind of control over the legendary Pokémon.
"Got it," Logan said. "Let's go!"
Mightyena barked and then followed as Logan limped forward. The two tried to conspicuously run around Mewtwo, but Mizuki was quick and noticed. Before he could give a command to Mewtwo, Midori, Himiko, and Lt. Surge all struck. Even if he could have told Mewtwo to strike, the legendary Pokémon was distracted as it were.
"I don't think so!" Mizuki shouted before standing in front of the machine.
Mizuki was a couple of years older than Logan, but the Unovan was slightly taller. He rushed forward, driving his shoulder into Mizuki's chest, managing to knock him over. Mizuki's head smacked against the ground, and he became unconscious.
"Mizuki!" Aira shouted. She ran to check on her comrade and knelt over his body.
"Mightyena, use Dark Pulse!" Logan ordered
Mightyena formed a ball of black energy at his mouth before he launched it forward. It exploded against the machine that had kept Mewtwo, but the attack wasn't powerful enough.
"Logan!" Yurie yelled once she finally reached the top. She breathed heavily, holding Torchic in her arms. Her eyes widened when she saw the destruction that had been caused. She was also terrified to see Logan in his current condition. She ran over to him and glared. "You promised!"
"I did! And I'm okay!" he snapped back. "Help me destroy this, and then you can scream at me later!"
Yurie huffed. "Torchic, use Flamethrower!"
"Mightyena, Dark Pulse!"
The two Pokémon used their attacks on the machine, and this time, it started to buzz. After a few seconds of waiting, it imploded in on itself, cracking and then coming to a complete stop. Smoke billowed from the top, indicating that it had indeed been broken.
Logan smiled and let his shoulders go limp. "That's a relief."
But then, he felt a dark energy behind him. Logan and Yurie turned to find Mewtwo towering over them. Midori's Charizard, Himiko's Ninetales, and Lt. Surge's Raichu had all fainted. Mightyena and Torchic could still fight, but their victory wasn't guaranteed.
However, the dark aura around Mewtwo faded. It continued to glare at Logan and Yurie. Then it looked at Mizuki and Aira. It blinked, looked into the sky, and without a word, teleported away.
"I-I-" Logan stuttered.
"Safe," Yurie said quietly. "We're safe."
The three gym leaders quickly ran to the four. Lt. Surge stood over the Rocket members, making sure that they couldn't escape. And Midori and Himiko made sure that Logan and Yurie were okay.
The shaking had stopped, but the building was still torn to shreds in small areas. It made the descent a challenging one, but when the whole group made it to the bottom, the police, Omori, and Michika were waiting for them.
"These are their leaders," Lt. Surge said as he carried both Mizuki and Aira on his shoulders. He handed them over to a couple of Officer Jennys who promptly put them into the back of a squad car.
Cyan watched as they did the same to Okane. Giovanni was in no condition to ride in a cop car, so he was stretchered and was set to be put into the back of an ambulance.
Cyan put his hand on Giovanni's chest before they could.
"When I heard that Team Rocket returned, I was filled with rage. You've caused my family so much pain, whether or not you intended to. You gained my family's trust by training with me and my sister, but then you betrayed us. Because of Team Rocket, my sister felt the need to go into hiding, which in turn ruined my hopes of becoming a trainer. My dad was stricken with grief, and it killed him. My mom has since suffered from terrible depression, and she's never fully recovered," Cyan said. "Because of you and Team Rocket, my life has been anything but normal. I had every intention of killing you today. You hurt a lot of people. I hate you, Giovanni."
Giovanni couldn't speak, but his eyes were open and reacting to everything that Cyan was saying.
Cyan put his hand over his heart and took in a deep breath. "I hate you so much. But more than that, I hate that I hate you. I hate the word hate. I don't want to live with hate in my heart." He started to shake as tears streamed down his cheeks. "I'll never forget what you did. It's too soon to say, but I'd like to eventually forgive you, Giovanni."
"Thank you," Giovanni said with a whisper. Cyan couldn't see it clearly, but it appeared like Giovanni also had a single tear fall down his right cheek before he was placed into the ambulance.
"That's all of them?" one of the Officer Jennys asked.
Lt. Surge looked at Logan, who nodded to confirm. Lt. Surge then grinned. "Yep! Took care of 'em!"
The Officer Jenny looked over the group. She counted them one by one. "It was a lot easier when it was just four kids from Pallet Town. I have no idea what kind of name they'll end up giving this little group in the press. Don't worry about Team Rocket anymore. Now that we have them, they won't be getting away. As far as I'm concerned, this is the end for them."
There was a lot more investigating that needed to be done, but after the group gave their individual interviews, they were allowed to go to the Pokémon Center. By the time that they made it, the sun was starting to rise.
"Can't believe I didn't get my beauty sleep," Omori groaned. He waved to the group. "I'll see you all in a couple of hours then."
"I'm with Omori on this," Seshiru said. "I'm going to bed."
"Me too!" Skylar exclaimed. "So much traveling over the past couple of months, and all I want is a hot bath and some good sleep."
"Good night-er-morning!" Michika said while she waved back at the group.
This left only Logan, Yurie, and Cyan in the lobby.
"Thank you," Cyan said. "I think, had you not been there, I wouldn't have been able to keep myself in check. Thank you for that, Logan."
Logan rubbed the back of his head. His shoulder still pained him, but he couldn't help but smile. "It's no problem, dude."
"I'm gonna get some rest too. I'll talk with you when I wake up. Maybe we can special order some of that pizza!" Cyan exclaimed. He laughed to himself, turned around, and then walked away, leaving the two alone.
Logan smiled and then looked out the window and at the sunlight that was beginning to fill the city. "I think that settles it."
"Settles what?" Yurie asked.
"If something would have happened to me, then I wouldn't have been able to say goodbye to my family, my Pokémon, or my friends. Everywhere I go, I always drag myself into some kind of trouble. So, it settles it. When the Indigo Conference is finished, I'm going home."
Yurie slightly lowered her head. "If that's what you think will really make you happy."
Logan looked at Yurie. He reached out and grabbed her hand. "Yurie-"
Yurie looked up into Logan's blue eyes.
"I love you."
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
This was the first chapter that I've completed since my recent break-up (I write the chapters well in advance). Originally, I wasn't going to have Logan say anything straight out until the very last chapter of Kickin' It In Kanto. However, I feel that the world could use a bit more love right now. So, here we are. How will this change the story/universe moving forward? You'll have to see.
REVIEWS:
SceptileBlade - "I liked the appearances from the movie baddies, it wasn't too punishing on the people who haven't read the side stories while rewarding the people who have. Cyan can talk about killing all he wants but I'm sure he's too nice to actually do anything. Logan is there to hold him back as well. Giovanni seems to be an interesting character, and I'm looking forward to what he does in the following chapters." - Well, he kind of redeemed himself (in a sense, but he's going to jail!)
pokemonking0924 - "The final battle is just ahead and I wonder what Okane will decide and what will Cyan do now that he's face to face with his former mentor." - Ultimately, Okane was just trying to please her father. In the end, it looks like she had taken the wrong path.
CrescentApple - "I was hoping Logan would tell Cyan Giovanni is trying to stop Team Rocket, but even Logan wasn't sue what to believe i guess. Gosh there's so much that's happening at once. I'm excited to see what happens next! Funny how Yurie and Logan share a moment before parting, while Skylar just tells Cyan to be careful stupid hehe." - Yeah, Logan wasn't quite sure yet. I also like the difference between the two relationships.
wisdom-jewel - "I wonder if Cyan would go through it. He does have a point about how Giovanni. And vice versa. I'm sure Giovanni wants to repair what he did. But would Cyan accept it? And how would Okami react? Like how does she feel about him going 180 on her? I want more." - I think that even if Cyan had a 100% chance to kill Giovanni, he wouldn't be able to bring himself to.
