Chapter 30
It All Falls Down
"So, you've returned," Regulus spoke. It wasn't an accusation, simply a stated fact. The Alakazam calmly looked over his elevated desk at the Greninja, Monferno, and Riolu that stood before him and the rest of the Tribunal.
"I have," Stride replied stoically. "Myself and Furno followed both Zero and Belladonna to the ruins of the Zarude Division within the Forest of Secrets."
"Where is this Belladonna?" Roman interrupted gruffly. "Did she flee when you pursued her."
Stride forced himself not to react to the Haxorus' crass words. He glanced behind him, noting Furno glaring at the dragon type while Zero remained stock still, his gaze firmly on the floor. Both of them had been like this since leaving the forest. Furno, angry without any apparent source or direction, and Zero, deathly silent and sullen, unwilling to speak even a word the entire trip.
"She did not flee," Stride replied, turning back to the Tribunal. "While there, we were attacked by several soldier. In the ensuing battle, Belladonna was…lost."
A sharp inhale drew their attention towards Katherine. "I am sorry for your loss," the Delphox said sympathetically, looking towards the two younger resistance members. "It's never easy to lose a member of your team. Or a friend… It seems like this war keeps taking those that we love from us."
"It's to be expected. This is war," Roman said callously. He turned his gaze towards Zero, a sneer spreading across his face. "Maybe this will teach you to not drag others into your self-destructive decisions!"
Zero visibly flinched, but said nothing. Furno, on the other hand, exploded. "What the hell did you say?" Furno snarled. His flame flared viciously as he took a threatening step forward only for Stride to block him from moving forward.
"That was uncalled for, Roman!" Katherine hissed reproachfully.
The Haxorus merely scoffed at the Fox Pokémon's scolding. "It's true. Had he not decided to run off without a plan and dragged his teammate with him, the Banette would still be here!"
"They just experienced a devastating loss," Katherine argued. "There's no need to rub salt on the wounds."
"I disagree," the stoic voice of Regulus spoke up.
"Regulus?" Kathrine asked, surprised.
"While what happened was indeed tragic, however, there were preventative steps that could have been taken," the Alakazam replied.
"You are right. I should not have allowed Zero to leave the division," Stride said with a bow of his head. "Had I acted quicker, this would never ha—"
"Be that as it may, the decision to leave the division without permission lies solely with Zero," Regulus interrupted. He turned his impassive gaze towards Zero. "This division has sacrificed quite a few resources in order to keep you safe. You have been classified as a high priority target in the eyes of the Emperor. With every step you take outside the division, there exists a great risk that you will be discovered and subsequently killed or captured by the Emperor's forces. As a result, anyone seen within your vicinity would also be at the same risk."
A frown worked its way across the Psi Pokémon frowned when he received no reaction from the Riolu. "Do you not care?" he asked. "Or do you simply not comprehend the situation that you're in?"
Stride quickly interjected. "He is simply in a state of shock. Prior to leaving for the Forest of Secrets, he learned some…troubling information."
"Troubling information that led him to disobey a direct order from the Tribunal?" Roman questioned with a derisive sneer. "An act, might I add, that occurred just hours after you and your teams returned from yet another unsanctioned mission."
Stride's hand twitched, but did not respond to Roman's jab. "He learned where he came from and, subsequently, what happened to his home," Stride replied, carefully avoiding the fact that Zero was one of the humans present in the Zarude Division during its fall. "Understandably, he was distraught and—"
"And he decided that it would be pertinent to 'visit' his old home," Regulus finished, prompting Stride to fall silent. The Alakazam sighed and rubbed at his temples. "I understand the desire to discover his past may have been strong, but he is also the leader of a team. He should, by this point, realize that focusing on such selfish desires will be detrimental to his team. That is not even mentioning the fact that he is wanted by the Emperor. If he can't control his impulses, then he is more of a detriment than an asset."
"That's what I've been saying all along!" Roman crowed. "His mere presence puts all of us at risk. Especially if he has no control of his ability."
"That's not true!" Stride exclaimed. "I've witnessed the power of the Silver Soul on several occasions, including at the ruins of the Zarude Division. He was able to defeat three high level soldiers by himself. Zero is an incredible asset…"
"Whose actions have led to far more injuries befalling his and your team than any other of his rank!" Roman shot back. He was about to continue but stopped when Regulus raised his hand. The Axe Jaw Pokémon sat back in his chair, disgruntled.
The pure psychic type regarded the Riolu critically. "Do you have anything to say?" he asked.
For a moment, it seemed that Zero would maintain his silence. His eyes were still glued to the floor; his entire demeanor speaking of apathy and dejection. Stride was about speak up on his behalf when the fighting type slowly raised his head, staring at the Alakazam with dull red eyes.
"Just send me away," he said softly.
It took a long moment for the Riolu's whispered words to fully set in. When they did, however…
"What?!" Furno practically exploded. Anger, confusion, and hurt warred across his face as he whirled towards the Emanation Pokémon. "You can't just leave!"
"Why not?" Zero asked, turning towards the Monferno. "Like Roman said, I'm a liability. A risk to everyone around me. Everyone would be better off if I just left."
Furno flinched at the dead tone in his friend's voice. "But you're part of Team Dawn Breaker. Our leader," Furno pleaded. "We can't be a team without you."
"You guys would be fine," Zero replied, his expression never changing. "I've hardly been a leader since we got back from the Temple of Memoria. It's been mainly Weiss and Quill.
"But—"
"Besides," Zero interrupted, "look at the good I've done for them. They were all captured, brutalized, just so Morpheus could get to me. To make matters worse, then you all got hurt even more just so you could rescue me!" as Zero continued to rant, his voice slowly began to edge out of its dead tonelessness and into hysteria.
"Oh, and let's not forget that I led Bella to her death!" Zero added, his voice cracking. He stopped, horrified by his own words. Just quickly as his shift of emotion occurred, his expression closed off. "I'm nothing but a walking jinx. The division would be much better without me."
Furno opened and closed his mouth, unable to form a single word. Desperately, he turned to Stride, silently begging for assistance from the Greninja. Stride, for his part, had been completely caught off guard by the Riolu's outburst. Once more, he found himself questioning everything he had put the Riolu through.
"Zero…" Stride began, choosing his words carefully. You can't just leave the Resistance. What about everything thing you have fought for until now? Everything you've accomplished?"
"What? Completing a few missions? Catching a few outlaws? What actual impact have I actually had on the war effort?" Zero questioned deprecatingly. "You keep saying that I'm so important, but I've done nothing!"
"And Glaucous Town?" Stride asked. "Was that nothing?"
"One small town out of an entire continent," Zero countered. "Face it, I've done nothing except cause problems for the rest of the division."
"Zero, the Silver Soul will be instrumental in our success!" Stride exclaimed.
"When?!" Zero demanded, eyes blazing with anger. "You keep saying that this power will help us, but I can't even control it. What good is this power if all I do is cause more problems?!"
"You've saved both myself and Furno numerous times with that power," Stride argued.
"And I've attacked both of you just as many times!" Zero countered. Both Pokémon glared at one another for several tense seconds. Eventually, Zero looked away with a frustrated huff.
"I attacked you at the Forest of Secrets. I was conscious. I knew what I was doing, but I couldn't stop myself," he admitted weakly. "I was fully intending on killing you, Stride. How can you say that I can end this war when I would willingly attack an ally?"
Stride's voice was caught in his throat; his mouth suddenly dry. "But you did stop," Furno interjected when Stride didn't respond. "You stopped before you could really hurt either of us."
"And what about next time?" Zero demanded. "What happens if, next time, I don't stop? I couldn't…I couldn't bear it if I hurt you. Any of you. I'm too much of a risk to keep around."
Zero turned back to the Tribunal, taking in the varying expressions on their faces. From Katherine's sympathetic, if not pitying, expression to Roman smug and satisfied smirk to Regulus calm and stoic demeanor. "If you think it's for the best, please eject me from the Latios Division," he implored the trio of elders.
"You promised, Zero…" The Riolu turned to look at the heartbroken look on the Monferno's face. "You promised that you'd stand next to me through whatever happens and support me. Did that promise mean nothing to you?!" Furno voice rose to a yell. Anger and hurt brimming in his eyes like unshed tears.
Zero looked away, unable to meet Furno's accusing gaze. "You'd all be better off without me," he mumbled just loud enough to be heard. He tried not to react to the chocked gasp that his teammate gave.
Roman turned to Regulus; his expression almost giddy. "You heard him. Even the Riolu believes himself to be a danger!"
"We can't just exile him, Roman. He is a child!" Katherine rebuked. She too turned to Regulus with an imploring look. "Regulus, you can't seriously be considering this!"
Regulus remained silent for several moments. He studied the young Pokémon before him with his hands folded on the desk. Eventually, after several tense moments, he spoke. "Stride. Furno. Would the two of you please leave the room. I wish to speak to Zero for a moment."
Stride appeared taken aback, but nodded nonetheless. Furno, on the other hand, appeared like he wanted to argue. Seeing this, Regulus spoke. "You are more than welcome to wait outside. I simply wish to talk to him for a moment."
Furno appeared rather mutinous, but eventually relented. He allowed Stride to escort him out of the room, casting a worried glance towards his friend. He deflated slightly when Zero refused to meet his gaze. With a final glimpse towards his friend, Furno left the room, closing the door with an audible click.
-Resistance-
Zero remained stubbornly silent, unwilling to even glance upwards lest he break what little composure he had managed to maintain. However, as the silence persisted, Zero felt himself anxiously shifting from foot to foot. Waiting for the tribunal's inevitable decision made every second stretch to an unbearable degree.
"Zero…" The Riolu flinched as the Alakazam's voice cut through the silence. "Do you truly wish to leave the Resistance?"
Zero opened his mouth to repeat his words, but was swiftly cut off by the Psi Pokémon. "I don't mean if you believe that you should remain. I wish to know if you want to remain here," Regulus clarified. "Do you wish to leave the Resistance? To leave your friend behind and everything you've made for yourself?"
Zero frowned. He opened his mouth to answer like he had before, only to pause. For a moment, he was back in Shrouded Forest. Alone with no memories, no goal, no home. Had it not been for Furno, Zero would still be there with nowhere to go. Without Furno and the Resistance, Zero would have nothing. Yet, if he stayed, both his home and Furno would be put at constant risk.
"I…I don't know…" Zero muttered, surprised by his own answer.
The Alakazam nodded solemnly. "It is not an easy question to answer. On one hand, you are convinced that leaving would be the best thing for everyone, yet, on the other hand, you wish to stay with those that you've formed bonds with."
"But it's selfish…" Zero muttered.
The Alakazam chuckled at the Riolu's statement, and action that caused all those present to like at the typically stoic and reserved Pokémon in shock. "Zero, do you honestly think everyone here acts out of a sense of selflessness?"
"Huh?" Zero asked, staring blankly up at the psychic type.
The Alakazam chuckled again, further shocking everyone present. "Tell me; what is the Resistance's purpose?"
"To liberate the country from the tyrannical rule of the Emperor," Zero responded.
"A selfless goal, yes?" Regulus asked with a knowing smile.
"Yes?" Zero replied hesitantly.
"Incorrect," Regulus responded. "Resistance, by definition, is the refusal to accept or comply with something or to prevent something from coming to pass through argument or action. For there to be resistance, there must be one who disagrees with a law or ruling placed upon them to the point where they wish to rebel. While others may agree with this disagreement and join together to fight against the aforementioned law or ruling, the choice to disagree is their own desire to rebel. Their own selfishness to create a better circumstance for themselves. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Zero frowned. "But…what about helping other Pokémon?"
The Alakazam shook his head. "Many fight for the Resistance because they wish for a better world for themselves and the ones they love. This act is selfish, yet, would you not call it noble?"
"I guess…"
"Selfishness is not inherently evil," Regulus continued. "Yes, it can be detrimental should you completely disregard others, but, at its core, selfishness is a motivator. It is the force that drives a Pokémon. It gives you the confidence to pursue your interests and goals and gives you the strength to see them to the end. You can be kind and considerate to others while still being selfish. In fact, I doubt you'd find a single Pokémon here without a selfish desire for joining the Resistance."
Zero still appeared unconvinced. Seeing this, Regulus sighed.
"You wish to remain with your friends and you believe this to be selfish, yes?" At Zero's hesitant nod, Regulus continued. "Then what of the things you have accomplished to maintain that desire. You have become stronger. You have fought, and won, against soldiers. You've even cleared a mystery dungeon that even seasoned Resistance members would find difficult. You have accomplished all this and more for the sake of staying with your friend."
"But everyone will be in danger if I stay," Zero argued.
"Zero," Regulus spoke as if carefully explaining something to a toddler. "No one here is safe," he said bluntly. "We are all actively working against the Emperor; the major power that rules over this continent. That makes everyone here a target, just the same as you."
"So, what? You want me to stay?" Zero asked, unable to keep the frustration out of his voice.
"I am trying to keep you from needlessly becoming a martyr," Regulus replied, causing Zero's mouth to shut with an audible click. "There is no point in sacrificing yourself when it will do nothing but hurt those close to you. Nothing would be accomplished by you leaving."
"But you agreed that he was a hinderance!" Roman suddenly interjected, anger clear on his face. "You agreed that it would be better for all of us if he left."
"I never agreed to such a thing," Regulus said. "I agreed that his presence has painted a bigger target on our back, however this would also be the case should we gain significant ground within Lyore. Having an ally that increases our standing within this war, no matter how small, will always be welcome within our walls."
Zero felt a small weight lift from his shoulders. Amidst the squirming feeling of guilt in his gut, a small glimmer of hope shined. He could stay. He could stay with his team. He should have felt happy, yet…
A loud bang caused Zero to jump. Roman, hand curled into a tight fist, rose to his feet, a look of fury across his face. "Are you serious, Regulus?! How can you condone this…menace to remain here?!"
"Menace?" Katherine repeated, aghast. "I would hardly call him a menace!"
"What else would you call him?!" Roman snarled. "He's been nothing but a danger to the division since he arrived! We can't continue to offer him sanctuary!"
"We aren't offering him sanctuary. We are offering housing to a Resistance member," Regulus replied.
The Haxorus glared at the Alakazam and Delphox; blood red eyes burning with stubborn anger. Eventually, he broke eye contact and glared down at the table. The dragon's labored breathes were the only sound that could penetrate the tense silence within the room. His body trembled with barely suppressed anger.
Regulus kept his gaze on the Haxorus for a moment longer, before turning back to Zero. "That is all I wished to discuss with you. You may return to your team and—"
"No."
Regulus paused and turned towards Roman. "Pardon?"
"I said no," Roman said, his tone flat. "He will not be returning."
"Enough of this, Roman," Katherine scolded. "The argument is over. Zero will stay within the division so long as he wishes."
Roman audibly growled, his gaze still locked onto the table. "Both of you…you're both so pathetic. Cowardly. You both sit behind this table, directing everyone like chess pieces. You both make decisions without even considering the effects they have on the rest of us!"
The Axe Jaw Pokémon reared to his full height, showing off the various scars that Zero had never noticed on him. "I've lived it," Roman continued. "I've seen what happens on the battlefield. I've felt what goes on! I've seen what the Emperor's soldiers can do and I know what it takes to win is leadership, initiative, and the willingness to do what is necessary." He finally looked up and glared contemptuously at the other members of the Tribunal. "And the two of you don't have what it takes."
Katherine scoffed. "And you do?"
"No," Roman replied, catching the Delphox off guard. "No Pokémon does. No one is capable of leading a war against the Emperor. Especially not with poor decision making as you two are demonstrating. There's no way to win this war. The only thing we can do is survive."
No sooner had he said this, the sound of a distant explosion echoed, sending tremors through the base. Dust rained down from above and all was still.
"What was that?" Zero asked, staring up at the ceiling.
A second explosion caused the Riolu to flinch. This one was nearly twice as intense, and the ensuing tremors lasted for several seconds. Distantly, Zero could swear he could hear shouts ringing out in the distance.
"Is this…an attack?" Katherine asked, an unidentified tremor in her voice.
Zero looked back at the Tribunal just in time for Regulus to turn his own wide eyes towards Roman. The only one of the trio that did not seem surprised. "What have you done, Roman?"
Roman, expression schooled into a flat glare. "What was necessary."
Before anyone could react, Roman struck. A metallic sheen enveloped the Haxorus' tail as he spun around, smashing the appendage into the Alakazam's stomach with a loud crack. The psychic type was flung right out of his seat and crashed into the back wall with a resounding impact. Eyes blown wide and mouth opened in a breathless gasp, Regulus slumped to the ground. His lolled to the side and he went still.
"Regulus!" Katherine screamed. With a growl, the Fox Pokémon whirled towards the Haxorus, withdrawing a long stick from her fur and brandishing it at the dragon type. "What is the meaning of this, Roman?!"
The Haxorus, panting from exertion, took a slow, calming breath. Almost nonchalantly, he turned around and faced the Delphox, his expression eerily blank. "What was necessary," he repeated again. "I have realized, we can't beat the Emperor. We had no chance to begin with. All we've been doing is steadily losing ground. This war is pointless!"
"So, what? You betray us and suddenly you're back in the Emperor's good graces?!" Katherine demanded; disgust rolling off her.
"Exactly," Roman replied. "I have given him the Latios Division and, soon…" He turned to look at Zero, his gaze filled with a deranged sense of hunger, "I will deliver him the Silver Soul."
Zero unconsciously took a step back as Katherine growled. A bright flame sparked to life at the end of the fire-psychic type's stick as she took a threatening step towards the Haxorus. "You sicken me," she snarled. "You talk about knowing what it's like to be in the field, then how could you betray us? How could you betray the ones you fought with?!"
Roman turned back to the Delphox and set his jaw. "The ones I fought with are gone. There's no one left for me to betray."
Katherine's eyes narrowed, obviously seeing the Haxorus' resolve. With an enraged roar, Katherine swung her stick, sending a large gout of flames towards the traitor. Roman, unfazed by the sudden attack, swiftly ducked under the flames and charged forward. Claws outstretched, the Haxorus scored a brutal hit across the Delphox's stomach, causing her to stumble. Before she fully regained her balance, Roman swung around and struck her in the same spot with another Iron Tail. Katherine was flung back, landing painfully on her back.
Gasping and clutching her stomach, Katherine groaned and struggled to get up. The Haxorus spared the Delphox a dismissive snort. "Pathetic. You both have spent far too much time sitting around. Neither of you could ever hope of posing a challenge to me."
Zero felt him taking another step back as the Haxorus turned back around to face him. The fighting type's body tensed in preparation to dash out of the room, but was frozen in place by Roman's growled words. "Don't. Things would be much less painful for you if you don't run."
Zero felt his throat grow incredibly dry at the underline threat. The look in the dragon type's eyes promised pain, pain that Zero was certain the Haxorus would be willing to inflict. He had just watched the Axe Jaw Pokémon decimate his fellow members of the Tribunal with minimal effort. The strength gap between them was obvious and, instinctually, Zero knew that he had no chance of outrunning the dragon type.
"Enough, Roman!" Katherine weakly growled, having managed to rise to her feet. Standing atop shaky legs, the Delphox brandished her stick. "I won't let you get your way!"
The Haxorus growled under his breath; annoyance splashed across his face. Before the Delphox could even begin her attack, Roman whirled around and charged her. The protrusions on either side of Roman's jaw became enveloped in a bright white light as he swung his head like the axe it resembled. Katherine opened her mouth to shout, but it came out as a choked garble as Roman slammed his tusks into her neck. Zero watched in horror as the Fox Pokémon's eyes rolled back and she fell to the ground in a boneless heap.
Breathing heavily, Roman stood over his ex-ally and glared harshly at her unmoving form. Zero wasn't sure, but he thought he saw the smallest flicker of regret in the dragon's red eyes, but, when he turned around to face the Riolu, it had vanished.
"Now that that's over with—" As Roman took a step towards the Riolu only for his entire body to suddenly seize. "What the—GRK!"
Slowly, Roman began to rise into the air, leaving him to struggle helplessly against the unseen grip. Stunned, Zero could only stand there and stare as the Haxorus furiously thrashed in the air.
"Don't just stand there! Run!" Regulus shouted. The Alakazam, who had managed to rise to one knee, had a shaky hand raised towards the Haxorus, his spoon vibrating manically in his grasp.
When Zero didn't move, the psychic type's gaze shifted to the Riolu; his previously calm demeanor replaced by a look of sheer desperation. "RUN!"
The Alakazam's desperate shout, jarred Zero out of his stupor. With one last panicked look, Zero ran out of the room and into the impending destruction of the Latios Division.
-Resistance-
Furno felt increasingly worried as a third explosion rocked the division. His attention, however, was soon grabbed by the Tribunal's door bursting open and Zero practically falling out. Red eyes wide with panic and shock, the Riolu slammed the door shut, cutting off the enraged roar that rang out behind it.
"Zero!" Furno called out, rushing over to his friend.
Eyes wide, Zero whirled around, prepared to defend himself only to relax when he saw his friend rushing towards him. "Furno," he said in relief.
Furno stopped short of the Riolu, immediately noting the fighting type's tense and harried demeanor. Shaking his head, Furno decided to ignore this in favor of more pressing matters. "Zero, something big is happening upstairs," Furno said, allowing some of his anxiety to creep into his voice. "Stride went up to see what was going on, but—"
"It was Roman," Zero interrupted.
"Huh?"
"Roman betrayed us!" Zero exclaimed, sounding desperate. "He sold us out to the Emperor! His soldiers are attacking!"
Furno paled drastically; his throat suddenly dry. "That means…" A near mind-numbing queasiness gripped Furno's stomach as flashes of what happened at the Groudon Division crossed his mind. His vision grew fuzzy asiImages that the Monferno wished he could forget returned with full force, once more searing his mind. However, he didn't succumb.
Oddly enough, everything seemed to come rushing back into focus for the Monferno. Sharper even. His erratic heartbeat calmed into a steady and determined beat. Furno looked up as another quake shoot the division, sending a spray of dust down upon them.
"We can't stay here," Furno decided, swallowing dryly. When Zero didn't respond, Furno looked to his friend.
Zero was staring straight ahead; his eyes unfocused and full of inner conflict. He appeared to be shivering and it didn't take a genius to realize that it wasn't due to the temperature. Furno reached out and grabbed Zero's shoulder, forcing the Riolu to look at him.
"We need to go," Furno repeated firmly. "We need to get to the others and make sure they're okay. Okay?"
Somehow, Zero managed a small nod, though Furno wondered if he fully heard the Monferno. Not dwelling on it, Furno shifted his grip to Zero's wrist and pulled the Riolu behind him and quickly ascended the staircase to the next floor.
The second the duo stepped out of the staircase, they were nearly bowled over by Pokémon rushing to and fro. The frantic air was nearly suffocating as dozens upon dozens of Pokémon flooded the halls. Anxious murmurs and worried shouts mingled, creating a near deafening wall of sound that left the duo reeling.
Grip still tightly wrapped around Zero's wrist, Furno began determinedly leading them through the sea of Pokémon. They had just reached the ascending staircase when someone reached out and grabbed Zero's shoulder.
"Where are you two going?!" Glynda asked, her ribbon-like appendage bound tightly around Furno's arm. "The younger teams and the civilians are all evacuating!"
"Our team is still in the medical wing," Furno argued, tugging at the Sylveon's grip. "We need to get to them!"
"Some of the other teams went up to help evacuate the medical wing," Brooke said as she, Ducky, and Zeke all approached the duo.
"Have you seen any of them come down here?" Furno demanded a little more harshly than he intended.
"No," Glynda admitted with a wince, "but—" She tried to continued, but Furno wasn't having it.
"Then we need to go!" Furno insisted, tugging harshly against the Sylveon's grip, but Glynda was undeterred.
"Think for a second, Furno!" Glynda shouted over the cacophony around them. "The division has fallen! Soldiers are pouring in as we speak! You can't do anything!"
"Then what do you expect us to do?!" Furno roared, anger finally boiling over. "Leave our team to the mercy of the Emperor?! That's the same as leaving them to die!"
"Furno, there's nothing we can do!" Zeke interjected with a glare.
Zero perked up at the Zangoose's words. "We can't leave them!" he said, sounding desperate.
"And what would going up there do?" Ducky asked, uncharacteristically harsh. "There isn't just one or two soldiers, it's a battalion. An entire legion of trained fighters whose sole purpose is to destroy this division and capture or kill anyone they find."
"Other teams went up!" Furno argued.
"More experienced teams!" Ducky shouted, sounding almost exasperated. "Teams that have been fighting longer than you've been alive. I don't care how many outlaws or dungeon Pokémon you've fought, neither of you would make any difference!"
Furno could feel Zero tense in his grip. Turning, the Monferno noticed the sensors on either side of Zero's head lifting up; the Riolu's face growing paler and sicklier with each passing second. "You don't think they'll make it." It wasn't a question.
Ducky looked away, telling them his answer before he even spoke. "Like I said, there are numerous soldiers up there. We aren't organized and, by the sounds of things, they outnumber us by a large margin. The teams that went up there did so knowing that. They knew that they didn't have a chance of winning. They're only goal is to give the rest of us time to escape, no matter the cost."
Another tremor shook the division, but the group hardly paid it any mind; all of them too busy digesting Ducky's words to care. Furno's anger burned out, replaced by a hollow weight in his chest. From where they stood, even with all the rabble and chaos around them, Furno could hear the distant sounds of fighting from the floors above.
"There's nothing we can do," Ducky said, his voice cracking ever so slightly. The Psyduck seemed to sag under an unseen weight; his face settling into a look of utter defeat and hopelessness. "There's nothing we can do…"
Furno wanted to argue. He wanted nothing more than to rebuke the water type's words. To tell him that he was wrong and that they would easily push back the soldiers, but he couldn't. He'd seen this happen before at the Groudon Division and even if they pushed them back, what then? The Emperor knew where the Latios Division was. If they didn't get them today, nothing would stop them from coming back the next day with far greater numbers. It was over. The Latios Division…was finished
"No…" Zero whispered, horror dripping from his voice. Brooke moved towards the Riolu, possibly to offer comfort, but Zero backed away. He tore his arm from Furno's grasp and clutched his bowed head. "No, no, no, no, no…"
Furno, growing alarmed by the Riolu's sudden behavior, stepped towards his friend. "Zero?"
His voice fell upon deaf ears as Zero continued to repeat his crazed mantra, shaking his head as if trying to dislodge something. Becoming increasingly concerned, Furno reached out to touch the Emanation Pokémon's arm. His hand had just brushed the fur on the Riolu's arm when Zero jerked up, showing everyone his now silver eyes.
"What the—?" Brooke started to ask, only to be cut off as Zero screamed.
A wave of silver aura erupted from around the Riolu and shot out in every direction, blasting everyone around him back several feet. Furno, just barely able to react fast enough to twist his body in midair, landed in a deep crouch. His head snapped up just in time to catch the end of Zero's tail disappearing up the stairwell to the next floor.
"Zero!" Furno shouted.
Without hesitation, Furno made a break towards the stairs, narrowly avoiding Glynda's feelers as she tried to stop him again. He blatantly ignored the shouts for him to return and the terrified screams of those who that the soldiers had reached them. He knew all too well what had just happened with Zero and even with the power of the Silver Soul, Furno knew, deep down, that even he couldn't push back an entire battalion. Ducky's words echoed endlessly in his head with each step he took along with the bitter cold dread that threatened to snuff out his flame.
Some primal part of him wanted him to run away. It practically begged him to turn back around and flee with Ducky and the others, but he couldn't. He had promised that he would stand at Zero's side as the Riolu had him. Even if that meant running straight into the pits of hell.
Author's Note:
So…it's been a couple of months. I really don't have an excuse for that to be honest. Just some personal things going on in my life. Regardless of that, I am back and I am updating again. I'm not sure how often it will be, but I am seeing this through to the end. Speaking of which, there should only be one or two more chapters left in Act III. After that, one last Act and Resistance will be completed. I honestly never thought Resistance would get like this and I am nothing but grateful for everyone's continued support. I hope I don't disappoint!