(A/N And we're starting this chapter with a section written by my friend, so let's go)
-Inferno Ops Alpha Team Hotel Room Around 2:27 AM
Phoenix: Okay. Do I smell fine now? (Phoenix walked out of the bathroom wearing a red robe after he took a shower.)
Wicked Shadow: Nope. (Wicked Shadow proceeded to spray Phoenix with two different sprays of deodorants.) I'm wearing a gas mask and I can still smell your stink. Use all of the soap if you have to, but don't come out until you don't smell like a Trubbish.
Phoenix: How do you think I got this smell in the first place? There must have been like 20 Trubbishes down there and at least a dozen Muks. (WIcked sprays Phoenix Again.) Stop it. You know, I'm starting to think that you're enjoying this.(Phoenix Walks back into the bathroom.) Seriously. Those sewers are disgusting and half of the things down there move. It's not fun. (Phoenix turns the shower back on.)
Wicked Shadow: (Wicked Shadow takes off the gas mask.) Sorry that you had to take the sewers to escape. But I smell like sweat, dirt and gunpowder and the only bathroom here is being used to get rid of your stink. Last night was one of the worst nights of my life.
Torrent: At Least you came out relatively unharmed. Meanwhile I have a cast on my leg from that ninja guy that stabbed me with my own trident. (Torrent referred to the cast on his right leg.) Seriously, who the hell was that guy?! I mean the guys with guns I can understand, but a ninja with a katana and everything.
Gaia Knight: At Least he didn't use that katana on you. (Gaia was still being patched up from one of the medics dealing with the multiple cuts he received from the fight.) That armor was supposed to be the heavy stuff and yet he slashed right through it in a matter of seconds. That dude was something else.
Thunderstorm: Are we sure that that guy didn't have super powers like the rest of us. I mean he punched me through a brick wall and when I zapped him he barely flinched … Aughh! (Thunderstorm flinched when the second medic finished up the bandages on his feet.)
Medic: There, that should be it for your feet. I advise that you stay off your feet and be careful of your right arm until it gets better. (She said referring to the cast on Thunderstorm's right arm.) The good news is that thanks to your powers you may heal faster than a normal person.
Thunderstorm: Thanks doc. But seriously if it wasn't for that guy I would have totally kicked the bad guys butt like the rest of you.
Phoenix: Well you didn't accidentally set off a booby trap that exploded in your face so it could have been worse.
Thunderstorm: Phrasing.
Overlord: Enough. (Overlord was on video call.) Tell me exactly what happened last night with Team Rocket that went so wrong.
Eagle Warrior: Well that's the thing. I don't think that was Team Rocket. They were prepared for us and their tactics didn't seem like anything that Team Rocket has been reported committing. Look, I barely got injured last night so I'll write down all of the things that happened last night and see if there's any gang or organization that performs similar actions to the group that we fought last night. It may take some time, but …
Phoenix: They're called Team Iron. (Phoenix said walking out of the bathroom once again.) I heard the two goons who took me in their van say that they were now working for Team Iron in their discussion.
Wicked Shadow: What were they talking about?
Phoenix: Ah. Well. The exact details elude me since I had just regained consciousness at the time.
Eagle Warrior: But you remembered them talking about Team Iron. Maybe there are other clues that could be found in their discussion. Do you remember anything?
Phoenix: Nope. Absolutely nothing. (Eagle Warrior was going to ask another question.) I said nothing. (Everyone stayed quiet for a second.)
Overlord: So, the guys you fought last night worked for Team Iron. I haven't heard of them before, but if what you said is true then they may prove to be difficult in the future. Also, if this "ninja" was able to take all six of you out then he's an extreme threat.
Gaia Knight: Definitely. (Gaia Knight just got fully pathed up.) Going back to the whole superpower thing I think he may be like us. I mean this guy was strong, not as fast as Thunderstorm, but definitely fast and he was able to take a blow from me and was able to get right back up so he's durable. I'd say that we're definitely dealing with another super human like us if I'm being honest.
Eagle Warrior: But he used guns, electrocuted me and had bombs set up in advance. If he was advanced like us then why would he need those things?
Torrent: Don't we use weapons like swords and hammers. I think that this guy just got lucky and is able to use more advanced tools than us. I mean if a person had super strength doesn't mean that their fists would have the same range as a gun.
Eagle: Okay. I admit that's a good point. Augh. I just don't know what this guy is capable of.
Phoenix: Well what did this guy look like? I never got a look at him since I was out before he officially attacked and I didn't see him when he was snipping at me.
Wicked Shadow: Actually, he was the guy standing in front of me before you teleported in to save me. So you did technically see him for a brief moment. He seemed to be in black body armor and wore a black helmet as well.
Torrent: But did you see his arsenal? He had a sniper, a katana, some pistols and shurikens. I mean this guy was packing some serious heat. I mean you should know your arm almost got shot off.
Phoenix: Don't remind me. Thank god for armor and healing factors. Now my only problem is this damn smell. (Wicked Shadow sprayed Phoenix with the deodorant again.) I get it, I'm going back. (Phoenix walks back to the bathroom.)
Overlord: Powers or no powers this guy has proven to be a threat so for now I advise to stay low while I evaluate the situation. We're lucky that all of your masks stayed on throughout this encounter.
Thunderstorm: But we're going to go on more missions in the future. Right?
Overlord: That'll be determined in the future. Overlord out. (Overlord ended the transmission and the two medics left the room.)
Thunderstorm: (Flops down on his bed.) This mission was an absolute disaster.
Phoenix: (Pops his head out of the bathroom.) Sorry guys. My first time as team leader and I nearly led you guys to your deaths.
Gaia Knight: Hey, we all agreed on the plan and the rest of us fought as hard as we could to get out of there and we still got caught. Besides, you were there to save us in the end anyway. We would have all gotten captured if it wasn't for you Phoenix so cut yourself some slack. In case you haven't noticed we're not helpless without you.
Phoenix: Thanks Gaia.
Gaia Knight: No prob. I just wish I got more than one hit on that guy. Wait! I believe I punched his helmet off. Did anyone see that guy's face?
Phoenix: Nope. I was in and out. I probably couldn't tell him apart from those goons. What about you Wicked?
Wicked Shadow: Sorry. He rushed me and by the time I even got a glimpse on the guy he was already beating me up.
Phoenix: That's alright. Look, it's late, let's all just go to bed and hope that the next time will be better.
-Team Iron Forward Operating Base at 10 AM
Shadow Knight: (A Team Iron Lieutenant walked into Shadow Knight's lab.) So, those guys have agreed to talk to me about what happened last night.
Team Iron Lieutenant: Yes, they seemed interested in the footage that was taken and may I say you sure showed those guys who's boss.
Shadow Knight: You saw the video?
Team Iron Lieutenant: At this point it's harder to find someone who hasn't seen the footage than someone who has.
Shadow Knight: Good, now let's head to the meeting. (Shadow Knight walked out of his lab and once when the other Team Iron grunts saw him they started cheering.)
Team Iron Grunt: Way to show those super powered guys their place. I really loved your fight with the green guy. I thought that you were down one second and the next you nearly killed the other guy. Epic.
Shadow Knight: They do know that video was supposed to show them what our enemies are capable of and not to celebrate right?
Team Iron Lieutenant: Just enjoy it while you can.
Team Iron Grunt #2: Hey I don't know if you remember me but I was on your last mission. Names Jim by the way and I wanted to say that if there's any other missions that you need me for in the future I'll be there.
Shadow Knight: Weren't you the guy that was supposed to secure their team's pyro. How'd he escape?
Jim: Well you see that guy was dead when I grabbed him, but out of nowhere he got back up and knocked me out of the van while I was talking about my previous job. I mean look, I took pictures. (Jim showed Shadow Knight pictures of Phoenix when he was wounded.) I mean that guy is dead. Am I wrong?
Shadow Knight: (Shadow Knight grabbed the pictures.) Thanks for these pictures. I'll keep you in mind for future assignments, but I have business to attend to now.
Jim: I understand. See ya.
Shadow Knight entered a conference room where Zero and Delta were sitting at a table watching the footage taken from the fight last knight.
Zero: Shadow Knight. First off congratulations on your fight last night. (Zero watched Shadow Knight beat up and stab Torrent in the video.) Look what they need to mimic a fraction of our power. I mean it only took one of our elite agents to take down all six of their super powered agents. Pathetic.
Shadow Knight: That's true. If you are missing the main point that the video shows us about our enemy.
Zero: What's that supposed to mean? (Delta helped prevent Zero from starting a fright.)
Shadow Knight: What I'm saying is that in this encounter we held the advantage. While it's true that we didn't know what our enemies were capable of, we held the element of surprise and outnumbered them. Yet in the end they were all able to get away.
Zero: That's because you let them live. If you were going for blood then they would have all died that night the same as the rest of your enemies.
Shadow Knight: Yes, however we have orders to find those subjects and bring them back alive. Especially since besides the people in this room they're the only individuals who were capable of developing superhuman abilities and are more beneficial to us alive than they are dead.
Zero: Still. You beat them all up regardless while going non lethal. What's your point?
Shadow Knight: My point is that in this encounter while I was able to deal with the subject the Team Iron hit squad weren't capable of dealing with a single one of them without my assistance. Also, it was because of them that I was able to fight them one on one. Without the gunmen drawing attention they would have all focused on me and would have beaten me with their numbers advantage.
Zero: So that sounds more like a you problem and not a me problem. Delta and I could have easily taken all six of them on by ourselves.
Delta: Maybe not. Did you not see the fire guy? (Delta showed the footage of Phoenix fighting the Team Iron Grunts.) If this guy saw that I have plant powers he would have teleported to me first while the other five would have focused on you and once I was taken out you would have to take on all six by yourself.
Shadow Knight: That also brings up another problem. They have shown to have more abilities than their elements. You saw the pyro perform teleportation and I have reason to believe he also possesses a healing factor of some kind if these photos are to be believed. (Shadow Knight shows the two pictures of Phoenix looking dead.) I have notes on the other ones already and have already begun figuring out ways to counter their abilities.
Zero: Look, this is all cool and stuff, but what's the point in calling us here today besides saying how great they are.
Shadow Knight: My point is that if we come across those six again we wouldn't have the time to assemble a hit team to assist us. And while we may be stronger than them they still possess a number advantage against us. Which is why I'm proposing that in the future the three of us should work together to handle any future incidents with these individuals.
Delta: I'd have to agree with Shadow. I think we should team up.
Zero: What! Why?
Delta: Look, I already said it but I'll say it again. They have a fire guy. If I come across him the only hope that I have at surviving is by running away and that's if I'm lucky. Now I'll cream any of the other guys like the rock guy, the thunder guy …
Shadow Knight: Or the water guy.
Delta: There's a water guy?
Shadow Knight: I went over the footage and found that the guy in light blue armor was able to form those knives that he threw at me by focusing the water molecules in the air. Which probably explains why he was able to phase through solid matter too. I don't know why he didn't use any other water moves though.
Delta: Oh. Well in that case it'll be my personal mission to kill the guy in the, in the, wait what is that color called again? Is it like aqua or turquoise?
Shadow Knight: I think that it may be cyan or something.
Zero: Fine. I'll agree to your proposal that the three of us will team up. During which I'll show you what a true warrior looks like. Also, that's teal if I ever saw it.
Shadow Knight: You know the only reason that I'm asking you is because the higher ups won't let me go out on missions with a Lucario right.
Zero: I'm leagues greater than a Lucario.
Shadow Knight: Yeah. You are by far greater at pissing me off whenever you speak.
Zero: Why you!
Delta: Remember. Same Team. The other guys already have a numbers advantage, remember.
(A/N And that is the end of the first section of this chapter my friend wrote)
11 AM
Fairgrounds
Mega Stone Exhibit
Ash: "So these are the new Mega Stones!"
Pikachu: "Pika pi"
Ash and his friends were looking over the Mega stones, not knowing they are fakes. The Mega Stones being Hydreigonite, Machamite, Rapidite, Laprite, Roseradite, Mamoswinite, Zoroite, and finally, with multiple names written on the name card is Dragoniteite/Dragite/Dragonite with a parenthesis around a disclaimer that the name is still being decided upon.
Brock: "Hey Ash, didn't you have a Lapras at one point?"
Ash: "Yeah it was how I got around the Orange Islands"
Bonnie: "That's so cool, where is it now?"
Ash: "It's back with its family"
Bonnie: "So you don't have it any more?"
Ash: "No I don't"
Bonnie: "Aw man"
Dawn: "I have a Mamoswine, so if they let us use the Mega Stones at some point I'll be glad to show you"
Bonnie: "Really?! That would be awesome!"
May: "If Drew were here we might have been able to see a Mega Roserade"
Bonnie: "What's a Roserade?"
May: "Think of like a small green person with roses for hands"
Bonnie: "Coool"
Delta: "Oh so you're here"
Ash: "Oh it's you, where's your friend?"
Delta: "Oh he decided not to come, said he needed to prepare"
Ash: "But he's not battling in the tournament today"
May: "Ash did you forget that he's also in the contest?"
Ash: "Wait when did he appear in the contest?"
Dawn: "The guy in the suit and tophat with the Absol"
Ash: "Wait, that was him?!"
Pikachu: "(Disappointed) Pika"
Delta: "Yeah it's like he's a completely different person when he gets on stage. (Mumbled to self) and you don't know just how true that is"
Serena: "What was that?"
Delta: "Nothing nothing, have a pleasant day"
Delta walks off
Brock: "Well that was kinda strange"
Later that day
On the way to the Battle Arena
Ash and his friends are walking towards the Battle Arena.
Wicked Shadow: "Hey!"
Ash and his friends turn as Wicked walks up to them.
Ash: "Who are you?"
Wicked Shadow: "I'm a friend of Connor and Patrick, the two guys you battled a while ago"
Ash: "Yeah I remember them, how are they?"
Wicked Shadow: "They're fine, though I was wondering if I could talk with you three (pointing at Serena, May and Dawn) for a second"
Serena: "Sure I don't see why not, we'll meet up with you later Ash"
Ash: "Alright, see you at the arena later"
Ash, Brock, Clemont, Bonnie and Cilan continue on towards the arena.
Serena: "So what did you want to talk about?"
Wicked Shadow: "So I was wondering how all of you have dealt with losing, cause me and my friends recently all had a pretty big loss against one guy"
May: "How? I saw you battle yesterday and you seemed pretty strong"
Wicked Shadow: "Well turns out this guy was stronger"
Dawn: "Well when I had a losing streak I kept thinking over advice my friends had given me as well as kept trying"
Serena: "I had a pretty bad loss and I cut my hair and changed my outfit before trying again the next chance I got"
May: "When I lost in the Kanto Grand Festival I decided that I needed to stop traveling with the person who was like a mentor to me so I could make my own style. It's mostly about trying to find some way to move on and not let it bother you"
Wicked Shadow: "Alright, thanks for the advice, I think it'll help a lot"
Serena: "No problem, happy to help"
Wicked walks off as Serena, Dawn and May go to reunite with Ash and friends.
Battle Arena
(A/N Alright so the second round is going to be a little boring since there will only be one written battle)
Ash's battle against Harin ends quickly with Ash winning. After that Shadow Knight walks onto the field.
Wicked Shadow: "(Quietly) Victor"
Eagle Warrior: "What was that?"
Wicked Shadow: "Nothing! I need to go do something"
Wicked Shadow walks away.
Shadow Knight quicklys wins his battle as well. The battle between Lurin Tavoka and Midral Wanrth going to Lurin. Phoenix winning his battle.
(A/N So here's another section written by my friend)
Thunderstorm: (Approaching Phoenix.) Great job in the battle Jake. Not a single one of your pokemon fainted during the battle. (Phoenix walked past Thunderstorm.) Hey, where are you going? Aren't you sticking around for the rest of the fights?
Phoenix: I'm going out to see if I can find the people who wrecked us last night.
Thunderstorm: Well, if you wait two matches I can join you or you can take Annie, Thomas and Ben with you to look for these guys.
Phoenix: I don't need anyone else because I'll be going by myself.
Thunderstorm: (Looking shocked.) What? Dude we're a team and being a team means that you do things together such as beating up bad guys and saving the day together. (Thunderstorm puts his arm around Phoenix.) What do you say?
Phoenix: What I say is that we all almost died last night and I don't want to repeat the experience. (Phoenix knocks Thunderstorm away from him.) Besides, you didn't even beat up any bad guys last night if I remember correctly and you bragged about beating up all of the bad guys by yourself.
Thunderstorm: The only reason that I didn't beat up any bad guys was because I was the first one to go against the big guy and he was able to open a can of whup ass on everyone by himself. So if you really think about it I did just as good as everyone else. Well maybe not as good as Gaia because he got a good hit in, but you get my point that I can hold my own.
Phoenix: My point is that he could have easily killed all of you guys. Heck, he intentionally made sure that you guys lived so that he could capture us. At Least in my case my powers make it so that my injuries heal so fast that I basically can't die, but the rest of you guys don't have the same healing factor. Therefore, if this guy intends to kill you guys in the future he can and will.
Thunderstorm: I have a healing factor too Phoenix, look. (Thunderstorm gestures to his arm.) It's fully healed and ready to punch bad guys in the face. (Thunderstorm make punching poses.)
Phoenix: Yeah, you can heal fast, but you wouldn't be able to regrow it back if that guy cut your arm off.
Thunderstorm: Wait, I thought that we could regrow limbs.
Phoenix: I don't think that the tests showed that you guys can regrow limbs. Plus we haven't had to cross that bridge yet so there's no evidence supporting it.
Thunderstorm: Wait, then how do we know that you can regrow limbs then?
Phoenix: The examiners found a bunch of stem cells in my body and concluded that I'm likely capable of regrowing a body part if necessary.
Thunderstorm: Well, regardless of whether the rest of us can regrow a limb or not we are still a team. Heck the two of us always had each other's backs and no shadowy figure will get in the way of that. Now just get back to your seat and enjoy the battles and clear your head. I know that it looks bleak now, but it'll get better later. (Phoenix and Thunderstorm walk away from one another.) Finally, there's no way that guy didn't have super powers.
-In Shadow Knight's Lab
Shadow Knight: Alright, everything's in perfect working order. (Shadow Knight finished working on his cybernetic arm.) Good thing that nothing got too damaged throughout the fight. Although, I'll need to get a new helmet for the next mission.
Jim: Whoah. (Shadow Knight turned and pointed a gun towards Jim who just entered his lab.) There have been rumors that you're a cyborg, but I always thought that you were like Zero or Delta. Still, that's amazing though.
Shadow Knight: Do you not see me pointing a gun at you? What are you doing here anyway?
Jim: Oh, right. We recently got information from the two Team Rocket grunts we got and here's the information on their main distribution center. The lieutenant wanted me to give you this information.
Shadow Knight: That's great. (Shadow Knight lowered his gun.) But why are you giving me this information and not the lieutenant?
Jim: Even more good news, I've been assigned to go on this mission with you, Zero and Delta. Isn't that great?
Shadow Knight: Yeah, now instead of having a small army of grunts swarm my enemies I now have a single grunt to help out.
Jim: Hey, I'll still be helpful. Isn't that good news.
Shadow Knight: To be fair, I do my best work on my own and I'll continue to do so after I finish up my current projects.
Jim: Ooh, are you going to upgrade your cybernetics so that you'll be stronger.
Shadow Knight: I've already upgraded my cybernetics in the time that I've been here to be as strong as I am. (Shadow Knight demonstrated by lifting Jim up with a single hand.) However, it is important to be strong in a fight, but why fight harder when I can also fight smarter? (Shadow Knight set Jim down and got back to work on his gadgets.)
(A/N And that's the end of that section)
V easily wins his battle. And then it came time for Thunderstorm and Clemonts battle.
Thunderstorm: "Well looks like we get to finish part of our battle from two days ago"
Clemont: "Yes we are, and I'm going to win"
Thunderstorm: "Don't get cocky kid, this battle will be over in a flash"
Clemont: "Go Heliolisk"
Thunderstorm: "Satellite, bring on the thunder"
Thunderstorm sends out a Heliolisk. The two Heliolisks stared each other down from across the field.
Clemont: "Thunderbolt"
Heliolisk fires a Thunderbolt towards Satellite.
Thunderstorm: "Dodge and Discharge"
Satellite sends out a wave of Electricity which hits Heliolisk.
Clemont: "Focus Blast"
Heliolisk makes and throws a Focus Blast towards Satellite.
Thunderstorm: "Electro Ball"
Satellite charges up an Electro ball and fires it into the Focus Blast. Both attacks exploding.
Clemont: "Dragon Tail"
Heliolisk charges forward with its tail glowing.
Thunderstorm: "Breaking Swipe"
Satellite's hands glow as it charges forward.
The two Heliolisks slamming their glowing body parts together with Satellite eventually getting hit and sent back into its Pokeball, bringing out Manectric.
Thunderstorm: "Hyper Voice"
Manectric barks loudly sending sonic waves towards Heliolisk.
Clemont: "Dodge and Flash"
Heliolisk dodges and creates a large flash of light blinding Manectric.
Clemont: "Focus Blast"
Heliolisk fires a Focus Blast towards Manectric.
Thunderstorm: "Flamethrower and spin"
Manectric spins while using Flamethrower, incinerating the Focus Blast.
Thunderstorm: "Keep it up"
Manectric aims itself at Heliolisk and fires out a blast of flame which knocks out Heliolisk.
Clemont: "Go Luxray"
Thunderstorm: "Flamethrower"
Manectric fires another Flamethrower.
Clemont: "Dodge and Swift"
Luxray dodges and fires a Swift which hits Manectric.
Thunderstorm: "Hyper Voice"
Manectric lets out another sonic wave.
Clemont: "Electric Terrain and Wild Charge"
Luxray electrifies the ground then dashes forward while electrified and slams into Manectric.
Thunderstorm: "Flamethrower"
Manectric coats Luxray in flames.
Clemont: "Thunder Fang"
Luxray bites down on Manectric and electrifies it, taking out Manectric.
Thunderstorm: "Satellite bring on the thunder"
Thunderstorm sends Satellite back out.
Thunderstorm: "Low Sweep"
Satellite charges forward and sweeps Luxray's legs.
Thunderstorm: "Breaking Swipe"
Satellite slams Luxray into the ground.
Clemont: "Thunder Fang"
Luxray bites into Satellite and electrifies it.
Thunderstorm: "Electro Ball"
Satellite charges up an Electro Ball and fires it at Luxray.
Clemont: "Swift"
Luxray shoots out a Swift and destroys the Electro Ball.
Thunderstorm: "Discharge"
Satellite lets out a Discharge which hits and knocks out Luxray.
Clemont: "Go Chespin"
Clemont sends out Chespin.
Clemont: "Pin Missile"
Chespins quills on its head glows and fires them which slam into Satellite.
Thunderstorm: "Discharge"
Satellite sends out a wave of electricity.
Clemont: "Dodge and Tackle"
Chespin weaves through the waves of electricity and then slams into Satellite, taking it out.
Thunderstorm: "Nice job, Raichu bring on the thunder"
Thunderstorm holds his right arm out and his Raichu runs along it then jumps onto the ground.
Clemont: "Vine Whip"
Vines come out of Chespin and swings towards Raichu.
Thunderstorm: "Iron Tail"
Raichu's tail glows and it begins batting away the vines.
Clemont: "Pin Missile"
Chespin fires another volley of quills.
Thunderstorm: "Thunder"
Raichu fires off a Thunder which vaporizes the quills and hits Chespin.
Clemont: "Tackle"
Chespin begins charging forward.
Thunderstorm: "Quick Attack"
Raichu begins dashing forward leaving a trail behind it before the two collide and go sliding back.
Clemont: "Pin Missile"
Chespin fires more quills.
Thunderstorm: "Volt Tackle"
Raichu dodges the quills as it electrifies itself and charges towards Chespin and slams into it.
Clemont: "Tackle"
Chespin charges forward and slams into Raichu.
Thunderstorm: "Thunder"
Raichu lets out another Thunder which hits and knocks out Chespin.
Thunderstorm: "You did pretty well, I really had to pull out the stops there"
Clemont: "Thanks, I haven't had a battle that close in a while"
(A/N And here is a short section written by my friend)
Inferno Ops Alpha Team Hotel Room
Wicked Shadow: (Wicked Shadow looks at herself in the mirror.) Okay Annie. There are people you know who need your help and you need to be there for them. You've gotten up from worse in the past and you'll continue to stand in the future. I just have to follow the advice that I received and reinvent myself in a way. (Wicked Shadow looks at her hair.) Alright, time to bring out the new Wicked Shadow.
(A/N And that's it for that)
Contest Hall
Official: "Welcome to the second day of the contest, today will be contest battles with two Pokemon each. Our judges for today are Nurse Joy, Mr. Contesta, Mr. Sukizo, and one of our Battle Chatelaines of the Battle Maison, Evelyn"
Evelyn: "H-h-h-hello everyone"
Official: "So let's start things off with our first battle between Serena and Yakim Lastu"
Contest Preparation Room
Serena: "Ok, I can do this, I'm gonna do great"
May: "That's the spirit"
Dawn: "Yeah, now get out there"
Serena: "Alright"
Serena walks out.
Contest Hall
Serena and Yakim walk to the field.
Yakim: "Chesnaught (Pin Missile, Spiky Shield, Hammer Arm, Rollout), Talonflame (Flame Charge, Aerial Ace, Flamethrower, Air Slash), time to perform"
Serena: "Braxien (Hidden Power, Fire Blast, Flamethrower, Scratch), Sylveon (Protect, Swift, Double Team, Fairy Wind), go"
Yakim: "Flame Missile"
Chesnaught fires a Pin Missile and Talonflame dashes forward with a Flame Charge, the Pin Missiles surrounding the Flame Charge.
Serena: "Flamethrower, Swift and Fairy Wind"
Braxien fires out a Flamethrower as Sylveon sends out the many stars of Swift followed by a Fairy Wind to make them move faster. The Swift flying into the Flamethrower and setting the stars alight. The stars knock out the pin missiles and sends Talonflame off course causing it to fly over Serena's Pokemon harmlessly. Yakim losing a sliver of his points.
Yakim: "Flame Shield Charge"
Chesnaught creates a Spiky Shield which Talonflame shoots a Flamethrower onto before Chesnaught charges forward and slams into Sylveon. Serena then losing a sliver of her points.
Serena: "Double Team, Swift, Fire Blast"
Three more Sylveon's appear and all fire Swifts at Chesnaught along with Braxien firing a Fire Blast at Chesnaught causing it to be lit on fire and step back. Serena losing a tiny amount of points due to the repeat move and Yakim losing a little more points.
Yakim: "Flameout"
Chesnaught curls into a ball before being set on fire by Talonflame and rolling towards Braxien and Sylveon.
Serena: "Protect, Hidden Power"
Sylveon jumps in front of Braxien and uses Protect which causes Chesnaught to bounce off before having the Hidden Power slam into it. Yakim losing an eighth of his points.
Yakim: "Hammer Slash"
Chesnaught charges towards Braxien as Talonflame sends an Air Slash towards Chesnaught. The Air Slash wrapping around the Hammer Arm and reducing the air resistance allowing Chesnaught to move faster.
Serena: "Fire Blast, Fairy Wind"
Braxien fires a Fire Blast as Sylveon sends a Fairy Wind which boosts the power of the Fire Blast as well as speeding it up, slamming the Fire Blast into Chesnaught before the Fairy Wind then caught up and slammed into Chesnaught, knocking it out.
Evelyn: "A-a-a-and that's a B-b-b-battle Out w-w-w-win for S-s-s-serena"
Serena waves as she walks back into the preparation room.
Contest Preparation Room
May: "You did great out there"
Serena: "You really think so? I don't feel like it was that good"
Dawn: "Well for starters you weren't needlessly hurting your Pokemon like the other guy was"
Serena: "Ok yeah, I guess that's fair"
Many of the other performance battles going well with brilliant displays. May and Dawn easily winning theirs.
Official: "And lastly Edward Satori vs Harula Tsukon"
Contest Preparation Room
Edward Satori walks out of the changing room.
Serena: "Hey"
Edward Satori turns to look for a second.
Serena: "Good luck"
Edward Satori turns back and walks out.
Contest Hall
Harula: "Go Jolteon, Vaporeon"
Edward Satori: "Ladies and gentlemen, it's showtime"
Edward Satori sends out a Braviary and Hydreigon.
Harlua: "Electro Pulse"
Vaporeon fires a Water Pulse which combines with an Electro Ball fired by Jolteon. It flys towards Braviary and Hydreigon.
Edward Satori: "Dragon Ace"
Braviary flies forward while using Aerial Ace and spinning as Hydreigon fires a Dragon Pulse from each of its heads. The Dragon Pulses wrapping around Braviary before it collides with the Electro Pulse, but instead of destroying it, the Electro Pulse was absorbed into the Dragon Ace causing it to sparkle before it slammed into Jolteon and Vaporeon. Harula losing a quarter of her points.
Harula: "Thunder Pump"
Vaporeon fires a Hydro Pump as Jolteon fires a Thunder, the two attacks combining once again.
Edward Satori: "Hyper Pulse"
Braviary fires a Hyper Beam as Hydreigon fires another three Dragon Pulses, the two attacks combining creating a swirling multi-colored beam and then colliding with the Thunder Pump in the middle of the Pokemon, Harula and Edward both losing a small chunk of points.
Harula: "Volt Jet"
Jolteon charges forward using Volt Tackle as Vaporeon uses Aqua Jet behind Jolteon, the Volt Tackle electrifying the Aqua Jet.
Edward Satori: "Giga Rush"
Hydreigon uses Dragon Rush as Braviary uses Giga Impact, the two spinning around each other as they fly forward before they stop but the energy shell around them continuing to fly forward and slamming into Jolteon sending it rolling off to the side as Vaporeon leaps up to slam into Braviary. Harula losing a big chunk of points as Edward loses a slightly smaller chunk of points.
Edward Satori: "Crush Meteor"
Braviary flies up and charges up a Crush Claw as Hydreigon fires several Draco Meteors which Braviary slashes to pieces, the pieces falling down and exploding like brilliant fireworks while still damaging Vaporeon and Jolteon. Jolteon being knocked out.
Evelyn: "I-i-i-it looks like we h-h-have a Battle Off ending. Edward Satori is t-t-t-the winner"
Edward Satori gives a small bow before returning his Pokemon and returning to the Preparation room.
Contest Preparation Room
Dawn: "Hey you did pretty well out there"
Edward Satori: "Thanks"
May: "How did you do some of that?"
Serena: "Yeah it looked amazing"
Edward Satori: "I can't give away all my secrets now can I? Anyway I need to get going, sorry I couldn't talk more. (Turns to Serena) Oh and a quick tip for you, come up with some short names that indicate a combo move, makes it harder for your opponent to truly know what's coming"
Edward Satori walks into the changing room then Zero comes out and walks out of the Contest Hall.
Team Iron Hotel Room
Zero walks in and closes the door behind him.
Delta: "I'm curious, just what do you think you're doing with this contest?"
Zero: "(Begins sorting through his Pokemon at a computer) Helping solidify the cover, Edward Satori is a coordinator, therefor him participating in a contest makes sense"
Delta: "Right, now before today I would have accept that, but I recognized the performance you did today"
Zero stops
Delta: "That performance was her favorite. Why do you keep dredging yourself back to Operation: Magma?! Just forget it, it's in the past, nothing about it was real!"
Zero: "Maybe that's how it was for you and Aqua, but that's not how it was for me and Magma"
Delta: "That is exactly how it was, we were given the same assignment, the same instructions, the same starting point. You just won't accept that none of the relationships we were told to make in those teams were real. You just won't forget that damn Team Magma admin. She's dead. Move on"
Zero: "(Stands up and turns around) You just won't accept that not all of us can dissociate ourselves from things we did in the past like you can! Or at least that's what you act like you can. I know that deep down you still remember and feel something about what you did, I know that it is eating you up inside, but you just keep it separate, you just try and make it so it doesn't come into your mind, you lie to yourself and say that you're different from when you killed Archie and the admins of Team Aqua. But you're exactly the same. Nothing's changed about you"
Zero turns back around and continues sorting through his Pokemon.
Delta: "Lie to yourself all you want, you just refuse to NOT let it eat you up inside"
Delta walks out and when he opens the door V is standing outside. V then closes the door after Delta gets into the hall.
V: "Why do you have to push him like that?"
Delta: "Because he needs to move on, plus it's fun to make him angry"
V: "That's going to come back to bite you eventually you know that right?"
Delta: "Come on, it's not like I have something that I haven't noticed that would make it very easy to make jokes about me. I know everything about myself. There's nothing to make fun of"
Delta walks away as V watches before V sighs and walks in.
V: "(Gently) Alright, why did you join the contest Zero? I know that Delta's not right when he says you're looking for an excuse to remember the past, and I know that you're lying when you say it's just to solidify your cover, so why?"
Zero: "Because it makes me feel alive again, it reminds me of the person I used to be, before the Team Iron Science Division turned me into this, before Team Iron kidnapped me"
V places his hand on Zero's shoulder.
V: "Then that's all that matters, not what Delta thinks, not what anyone above me says, if it makes you happy then keep doing it. I was never a supporter of kidnapping people for the experiments. So I'm gonna keep what you told me underwraps and in my report I'm going to say that you are solidifying your cover. Because as much as it is my duty to report everything, I also know that letting you have this will make you better"
Zero: "Thanks"
V walks away
V: "We got a briefing in three hours on the information we got from the Team Rocket agents. Make sure you're there"
Zero: "I will"
(A/N And here is the last section for this chapter written by my friend)
At a Park
Phoenix: (Phoenix sat down at the park bench.) I can't believe that I couldn't find anyone today. (Phoenix referred to the members of Team Iron and Team Rocket he was trying to find.) Maybe I should let Thunderstorm help out for at least locating these guys. (Phoenix shakes his head.) Nah. He'll intentionally get himself into the center of a dangerous situation.
Wicked Shadow: Yeah, you already have that job covered by yourself. (Phoenix looks over his shoulder to see Wicked Shadow in her casual clothes, but now with her hair dyed purple.) Hey Jake. You know it's been hard for everyone to reach you recently. Everyone was worried that you got kidnapped or you abandoned us.
Phoenix: Yeah Annie, I've just been busy trying to find those guys who (Phoenix coughed) wrecked our ride the other night. I've been looking everywhere, but I've found no trace of any of them. I didn't even find the people who we thought originally wrecked our ride.
Wicked Shadow: (Wicked Shadow sits down next to Phoenix.) That makes sense, but what doesn't make sense is why you've been ghosting all of your friends who want to help you find these guys. And before you make any excuses Connor already told me about the chat that you two had so start from there.
Phoenix: Look it's simple, I can take hits better than you guys so if anyone's going to risk their lives looking for these guys it's going to be me. I just don't want the rest of you guys getting hurt looking for these guys like last time.
Wicked Shadow: There's got to be a bigger reason for this madness that you've been presenting recently because I know that look and that's not just normal concern for your friends. (Wicked Shadow nudges Phoenix's shoulder.) Come on, fess up.
Phoenix: Okay fine, I'm worried that it'll be like when I lost my mom. (Wicked Shadow concentrates on Phoenix.) You see, my mom worked with my dad in Inferno Ops and everything was fine. Until apparently on some mission she didn't make it and things just got worse from there. First, I was a kid and losing one of your parents back then or at any time is just terrible, but things only got worse from there. My dad got distant and started spending more time on his work and barely spent time with me and my sister.
Wicked Shadow: You have a sister?
Phoenix: Yeah, her name is Elizabeth, but I just call her Liz. She's my twin, but we don't look a thing alike in the slightest. I'll show you later, but I had to step up and look after her since our dad was so distant.
Wicked Shadow: Kind of like you're acting right now. (Phoenix scratched the back of his head.) I know that in your mind that you're protecting us, but you're just pushing us away just like your dad did to you as a kid. And thus thinking that what you're doing is keeping us safe, but in reality you're hurting us by abandoning us when we should be sticking together. You know, like a family. Trust me, I've learned from experience.
Phoenix: Well, I can see your point. Wait, what did you mean by what you learned from experience?
Wicked Shadow: Well, I guess it's my turn to share. For your information my dad died when I was 2 from lung cancer. I have to admit that I didn't fully understand at the time, but I knew that it was bad. However, unlike how your father acted my mother acted the opposite where she constantly spent her time with me and I didn't really feel lonely even though I only had one parent. Except when my brother refused to spend any time with me as a kid.
Phoenix: You have a brother? Do you have a sense of deja vu?
Wicked Shadow: Haha. His name was Victor and he was my elder by two years. All I can say about him was that he was a prodigy. He was super smart and spent most of his time either studying or tinkering in the lab he called a room. However, two years ago he went missing and has long since been presumed dead. And to top it all off my mother died a few months ago during a lab accident at the university that she taught at.
Phoenix: Wait, are you telling me that your entire family is dead except for you?
Wicked Shadow: Yeah, basically.
Phoenix: How are you so okay with that? I mean I'm having a mini crisis over losing my mom as a kid and yet you've lost your entire family, but you look perfectly fine. What's up with that?
Wicked Shadow: (Wicked Shadow grabs Phoenix's hands.) Look, just take a second to calm down. (The two take a breath together.) Like I mentioned before, my mother was there for me when I needed her. And she taught me that even though in life we lose people we love it's okay because there are so many other aspects and people in life that still provide joy. So enjoy them while you can because eventually everyone's time will come, but time not spent doing what you love with the people that you love is meaningless since you're not living life to the fullest. I know that my family is dead, but I still have you and the other guys to be there for me in life and I wouldn't have it any other way. (Phoenix smiles.) Well, maybe if it's at all possible to have more female members on the team because it's awkward being the only girl on the team, but it's still great. Don't you agree?
Phoenix: Yeah, the team is pretty great to be with.
Wicked Shadow: Exactly, now do you want to spend your time being by yourself facing Rockets and Irons by yourself or would you much rather do it with the people who want to be there by your side and working to protect one another from whatever dangers come our way?
Phoenix: You're right. I guess I should trust you guys some more. I'm sorry for the way that I've been acting.
Wicked Shadow: Hey, that's what a team does for one another. They look after each other when they're in need of help rather it's helping to protect them or if it's simply just being there.
Phoenix: Thanks Annie. You know, I think that you're better at this team thing than I am. Am I going to have to worry about you taking my spot as leader?
Wicked Shadow: Not anytime soon because I think that your dad is still mad about the whole wrecked car situation. (Phoenix's smile turned to a frown.) But I'll still be there for you. Now come here. (Wicked Shadow and Phoenix hug one another.)
Kid: (A ball approaches the duo's feet.) Hey mr. Can you toss my ball back to me please.
Mother: Jimmy, don't intrude on that couple's privacy please.
Kid: Sorry. (The kid runs up and grabs his ball from the feet of the now red faced duo who let go of one another.)
Wicked Shadow: (Wicked Shadow got up.) Just so you know we're not a couple. We're just friends talking to one another. (Wicked looks back toward Phoenix.) Do you just want to go back to the hotel room? (Phoenix gave Wicked Shadow a look.) That we share with other friends by the way it's not just us in the room. Let's just get out of here now okay. (Wicked Shadow dragged Phoenix off of the bench.)
Phoenix: What, this isn't one of the moments of enjoyable things with the people you described earlier. (Wicked Shadow gave Phoenix an angry look.) Joking, I'm joking. How about we pick up something to eat on the way back. I'm feeling a little hungry. How about you?
Wicked Shadow: I haven't had dinner yet so barbecue?
Phoenix: Sounds good to me. By the way, I really like what you've done to your hair. (Phoenix said referring to Wicked Shadow's now purple hair)
Wicked Shadow: Thanks, I just thought that I needed a little change after everything that has happened. Glad to know that people are liking it. (The two walk off to get barbecue food for everyone.)
(A/N And that's the end of my friend's segments for this chapter)
Team Iron Forward Operating Base
Delta's Quarters
Delta sits down at a computer as his walls and floor are completely covered in thick bark.
Delta: "Computer connect to channel D871Z, access code "The Knight's Shadow falls""
Computer: "Access code confirmed. Commencing call"
The computer rings for a bit before a distorted voice comes through the other end
Voice: "Are you alone?"
Delta: "Yes I am in my quarters of the Forward Operating Base, I have soundproofed the walls and locked the doors"
Voice: "Good. (The distortion fades away and the image of a woman with long black hair and brown eyes wearing a lab coat appears) So why have you called?"
Delta: "Shadow Knight has found your missing experiments and fought them. While I have no doubt that you have either received the report of his fight or will soon receive it, I felt it important to inform you"
Woman: "Thank you, I have not received the report yet but I look forward to going over it"
Delta: "Very well, I'm currently sending you a copy of the recording of the fight. (Delta sends the video of the fight) Also I have a question ma'am"
Woman: "Alright what is it?"
Delta: "Do you have a daughter?"
Woman: "Getting very personal are we, I'm not going to answer that question. Now do you have anything else to report on Shadow Knight or Zero, my grapevine?"
Delta: "Shadow Knight has enlisted the help of me and Zero to go after your experiments, other than that nothing to report on Shadow Knight ma'am. May I ask another question before going on ma'am?"
Woman: "Do it quick, I don't have all day. There are experiments to run, there is research to be done on what subjects are still alive"
Delta: "Of course ma'am, why are you having me spy on Shadow Knight, he has been apart of Team Iron longer than me and Zero"
Woman: "You can never be too careful, and he resents me for his cybernetics, so whenever he writes reports to me I always feel as though there is something left out, or some lie there"
A beep happens behind the woman as a machine prints out several pieces of paper.
Woman: "Ah and there is the report now. I'll have to review it later. So anything on Zero?"
Delta: "(A barely noticeable pause) No ma'am, nothing to report"
Woman: "A shame, I would have thought something would have happened by now"
Delta: "Sorry ma'am, I'll keep you informed of any changes in his mental state or anything unexpected"
Woman: "See that you do, Elemental Striker out"
Delta quickly gives a salute before Elemental Striker cuts off the camera feed. Delta then collapses back in his chair and breathes a sigh of relief.
Delta: "You owe me big for this Zero. Although you don't know it… yet"
Delta places his hands on the ground and all the bark he used to soundproof the room slowly retract and merge with his hand.
Delta: "(Sigh) I need a good night, wonder if I could get any of the grunts to spend the night with me, for tonight… probably either Ian or Delilah, their plants have seen that they are sweet in bed, and I could use that right now. Man does it pay off being able to see what a plant has 'seen' and that everyone is required to have plants in their rooms… maybe that's why no one ever wants to spend casual time with me"
Team Iron Main Base
Elemental Striker's Lab
Elemental Striker: "Alright, time to review this report and footage"
Elemental Striker starts and watches the video.
Elemental Striker: "Well it seems as though my quiet shadow's cybernetics are working well, although perhaps a bit too well, there's almost nothing I can get from this on how the powers of the experiments are doing (She sees the 'end' of the recording), now now now, what did you not want me to see my quiet shadow, it was just getting to the good part"
Team Iron Forward Operating Base
Briefing Room
Zero, Delta and Shadow Knight sit down at a table as V walks in.
V: "Alright, let's get this started. We have learned of a Team Rocket outpost currently being set up here (he points to a nearby city). By the looks of it they are setting up some sort of distribution center to gear up their forces that are coming into this region. This is not their main base but it is something that we have to deal with. I think we can all agree that the less our main forces have to deal with when they arrive the better. I want you three to head there tonight and deal with it. You should have it dealt with within an hour. Try and capture the person in charge and see if you can find the main Team Rocket base. I'll let all of you come up with your strategy for this"
V walks out. Zero and Shadow Knight begin talking to each other as Delta begins making a bunch of wooden figurines to represent him, Zero and Shadow Knight along with all the Team Rocket members before making a bunch of wooden dice and treating it like a tabletop war game against himself.
Zero: "I'm thinking just walk in and start causing mayhem"
Shadow Knight: "We do that and we lose whoever is in charge of that outpost"
Zero: "This is Team Rocket we're talking about, do you really think that the person in charge of that place is going to know where the main base is"
Shadow Knight: "No, but they could lead us to other outposts for us to destroy"
Zero: "But do you really want to be spending all of our time destroying Team Rocket bases, or would you rather spend some of that time dealing with the super powered nuisances you discovered, and rectify the current loss of the Mega Stones?"
Shadow Knight: "Are you really willing to let there be more Team Rocket forces when the main base arrives?"
Zero: "It's Team Rocket, do you really think we're going to have problems dealing with them?"
Shadow Knight: "... Fair enough. Alright we'll do it your way"
Zero: "Alright. Delta"
Delta: "(Moving around two giant armies of figures on the map) Then the battle droids will come in from the south but then they'll run into the stormtroopers in the east, which will allow the Skitarii Rangers to move in from the west and take the command point, but then the enemy will likely reinforce with Spartan-IIs so then the horde of Bidoofs must be unleashed and-"
Zero: "DELTA!"
Delta: "(Spins around) What?!"
Zero: "We've got our plan figured out"
Delta: "Aw man, and I did all this work"
He waves his arms at the absolute mess that is the table with dice and figures everywhere.
Zero: "Look I'll play one of your war games with you after we do this mission alright"
Delta: "Deal"
Zero: "Alright, suit up"
Zero begins to walk off.
Shadow Knight: "Who put you in charge?!"
Delta: "(Under breath) So much for having a good night with Delilah"
Shadow Knight and Delta walk off as well.
(A/N And that's that chapter)