Chapter 79: Life, Death, Order, and Chaos Pt. 2: A Noble Sacrifice

"We have to save them!" Preston yelled, rushing forwards towards where Clara and the rest of the sacrifices were. With a grunt I managed to haul him back by the collar of his shirt as a ball of fire blasted where he had just been a second ago.

"Idiot!" I pulled him further back as Lucario bashed the Chandelure with Bone Rush. "Are you trying to get yourself killed!"

A yell made my head whip around to see Looker struggling in the air above Sebastian, a Dusknoir holding him in place with Psychic. The old Cultist laughed in glee as he picked up his knife.

"Mawile!" I yelled to my nearest Pokemon as I ran forwards. The Fairy type leaped forwards, jumping off of Sebastian's shoulder and used the momentum to drive herself into the Ghost type. Looker dropped to the ground as I jerked Sebastian's wrist and knocked the knife away. I kicked him in the side, sending him rolling across the ground.

Looker pulled himself onto all fours, groaning, but alive. "Thanks, Zeno." All around us, chaos reigned. All of my Pokemon were engaged in battle, Lucario and Greninja doing their utmost to protect Clara and the rest while Preston and the other Pokemon engaged the Cultists themselves.

"I-I don't even know what's going on!" A cry made both Looker and I look towards where Emma was kneeling next to a dying Xerosic. Tears had formed in her eyes, both clouded in sorrow and confusion. "Why!?"

Xerosic reached up with a shaking hand, and before it could fall, Emma grasped it. "Dear Emma," Xerosic coughed. "Your whole purpose was to be a sacrificial pawn. Somewhere along the line I-urk!" He coughed again, blood dribbling down the side of his face. "I... I must thank you. For your pure innocence. You don't deserve to die so young." His gaze wandered over to me. "You stopped Lysandre and his plans. You can stop this. My blood is indeed bringing Chaos back, but it is slow and painful for her. I wasn't the proper sacrifice." He stopped, paler than ever before and his breathing weaker. "I have done so much wrong. Perhaps this is my punishment."

"Xerosic, I-" Emma began, but Xerosic stopped her. "Emma, I created you and nearly damned you. Your love for others is both a strength and weakness. Think before you give a fool like me a chance ever again." He reached up his hand and this time cupped Emma's cheek. "Protec-urk!" He coughed up a glob of blood, struggling to hold on to this life. "Protect all you love. I have given you the power to do so. So use it..." His hand fell and he stared blankly skywards.

I yanked my attention away from them as an energy blast headed straight for us. A blur and Arcanine put himself in the way, taking the attack. He growled and stood over us as several Chandelures began charging attacks.

"We must win this battle," I said, standing next to my partner Pokemon. "Arcanine, Heat Wave!" I stared across the battlefield towards where Greninja was forcing back another Chandelure. I reached out my hand, fingers outstretched. "Greninja!"

"The strongest of bonds must be forged."

"Only the strongest of bonds can overcome the darkness ahead."

"This is it," I breathed, water surging around the Water type. His eyes flashed red from within as his gaze met mine. I let my eyes settle on each Pokemon of mine, each one fighting their absolute hardest. Corviknight soared over the battlefield, attacking one Pokemon then flying off to attack another. Mawile was fighting bravely against the Dusknoir, not letting a single attack from the opposition hit her. Bisharp, not as strong as the others, yet was showing just how powerful he could be as he fought alongside Preston's Raticate. Lucario was fighting beside Greninja against the Cultists to protect everyone they could. And Arcanine sped along the battlefield, using his speed and strength to fight.

Images of Alex, Robert, Clara, Preston, and everyone else I've forged friendship with flashed through my head. "These are my strongest bonds, the ones that matter. I trust my two friends to make it back in time and they trust me to stay alive until then." I clenched my hand into a fist, feeling a multitude of emotions swell within me. "Alright, Greninja! Let's take them!"

The water around Greninja surged outwards, slashing against two Chandelures and slamming them into a wall. He leaped forwards, directing the current and slamming it into a couple Cultists.

"Preston!" I yelled to him. He pushed a Cultist away and glanced towards me. "Focus on freeing everyone! We'll provide you some cover!" He nodded and he and Raticate ran onwards.

I sprinted forwards. Mawile joined me on my side as Corviknight flew just above my head. I threw out my hand and the Galar Pokemon soared straight into a Dusknoir that had been preparing to slam a ghostly fist towards us. I leaped to one side, using a Cultist's own momentum against her and flipping her onto her back by yanking on her outstretched arm. I twisted my head as a knife jabbed forwards and I quickly twisted the arm and the knife clattered to the floor. Mawile leaped past, slamming a Lampent away with her back jaw and blasting a Fairy Wind in several directions.

I risked a glance towards where Preston was slicing through the bonds. He was herding people away while Raticate, Lucario, and Greninja held the Cultists and their Pokemon at bay. A blast of energy sent me reeling. I saw Chaos trying to rip her way through the rift, excess violet energy blasting outwards.

"Arcanine!" I roared. "Flamethrower! Greninja, Water Shuriken!" Both Pokemon launched their attacks at Zanarchggon, making her roar in fury. Suddenly multiple tendrils of energy began snaking their way from the rift, inching closer and closer to where Preston was freeing everyone.

"Preston, hurry-!" I yelled, but had to cut myself off as two Cultists tried to grab me. I stumbled back, but Bisharp put himself between me and them, slashing his blades. He shattered their knives and sent them tumbling back with a blast of dark wind.

"Thanks," I breathed, grinning. I looked towards the pillars where multiple orbs were sending energy into the rift. "We need to destroy those." Bisharp nodded, already running towards the nearest one. I gave an order to Corviknight and he joined in destroying the orbs.

"Zeno!" Looker called my name and I looked to see him pointing towards the sewer tunnels, where more Cultists and Flare grunts were streaming out of. My heart sank. This wasn't good. A scream made me whip my head around again to see a the people closest to the rift and Chaos were being drained by the purple tendrils. Their life force seemed to be sucked out of them and were fueling Chaos. I saw Clara along with the remaining people that were still tied up scooting backwards to avoid the same fate.

I gritted my teeth, feeling the situation slipping beyond what little control we had to begin with. I narrowed my eyes, yelling, "Greninja! Arcanine! With me! Everyone else, hold off Chaos and free everyone!" I ran past Looker and Inteleon as they began herding Emma and Mimi away from the advancing Cultists and Flare grunts. I nodded to them and was immediately joined by Greninja and Arcanine as we ran for the enemy.

With a yell, I thrust out my hand. Arcanine became a blur, zigzagging through their ranks, blasting away Pokemon and bowling over the humans. Greninja and I attacked as one, slashing, blocking, parrying, and knocking people of their feet. I kicked someone in the chest as Greninja leaped over them, crashing a wave of water down on a Chandelure. Greninja slammed two grunts back as I used a water blade to slash a Lampent aside. We were surrounded in no time, Greninja and I being forced to fight back-to-back. I dropped to the ground, kicking out as Greninja spun, sending waves of water blasting in all directions. I jumped back to my feet, grabbing Greninja's webbed hands in mine. With a grunt, I swung him around, his glowing feet hitting against any Cultist and Pokemon that were close to us. I let go and Greninja was launched into the fray. He wrapped his cloak around a struggling Cultist and sent him into a group of others. The cloak exploded, blasting them all back.

I stood, hunched over as I was breathing harder. Greninja sent one last Pokemon flying away before returning to my side, his exhaustion mirroring my own. Arcanine padded forwards, only to start growling. I followed his gaze to see Zanarchggon ripping the rest of the way out of the rift, roaring as poisonous liquid spilled forth. She floated in the air, her Z-shaped body like a snake's. Her skin pulsed with purple light, black marks running along her body. Her head was narrow, piercing yellow eyes above a row of razor-sharp teeth. She wielded huge claws on both arms that dripped poison as she roared, the whole room shaking. She was nearly as big as the giant room, dwarfing all of us easily.

"I HAVE RETURNED!" Another roar shook the area, dust falling from the ceiling as the pipes overhead rattled against one another. She lowered her head to, her eyes making a shiver run down my spine. "Now chaos shall reign across Kalos and the world. You worthless humans have outlived your usefulness." She raised one of her arms and the nearest Cultists dropped to their knees as purple tendrils struck their chests. They let out cried of agony before they went silent and collapsed, their bodies drained and lifeless. "Now for the others." Zanarchggon turned towards where Preston and Clara were helping the last of the people trapped and raised her other claws.

"No!" I shouted, stumbling forwards, but I was too far away to do anything. Lucario unleashed a powerful burst of aura, disintegrating the tendrils. He leaped forwards, slamming a fist into the side of Chaos' face. She roared in fury and blasted the Steel type backwards with draconic energy from her maw.

"C'mon," I grunted, lifting myself onto Arcanine's back. Greninja leaped on as well and Arcanine bounded forwards. We leaped off as we drew closer and Greninja leaped into the air, swinging off his giant shuriken and blasting it against Zanarchggon's chest. Corviknight flew past, sending Air Slashes into her as Bisharp sliced with Guillotine. A wave of poisonous liquid burst from the floor, carrying my Pokemon away. Preston and Clara had finished getting everyone to safety and were rushing back to help.

The whole room began to shake. Chaos swung her claws and smashed several pillars into dust. She blasted Corviknight away with a blast of energy as her roar pushed Lucario and Greninja back. I felt my bond with the both of them begin to crumble and I nearly doubled over in pain.

"You cannot hope to win, Hero Born of Darkness," Chaos rumbled as I heard cracking noises far overhead. "I do hope you survive to see the world thrown into eternal chaos, but I'm afraid you just might be buried along with everyone else here." She reared back her head and blasted the roof with energy, shattering large section. Chunks of concrete and pillars came tumbling down on all sides and Greninja carried me off before a chunk could crush me. He twisted, blasting more concrete with several shurikens to destroy them.

Half of the large area was being covered by the destroyed ceiling. Zanarchggon floated amongst it all, half-obscured by dust. I hobbled forwards, supported by Greninja, who had reverted back to normal. I prayed Alex and Robert would make it in time as I shouted, "You haven't won yet, Chaos! We will defeat you!" Preston, Clara, Looker, Emma, and all our Pokemon stood by me, worn and exhausted, but unwilling to give in.

Our Pokemon surged forwards. Arcanine took the lead, fire surrounding him. Lucario and Greninja ran along either side, readying their attacks. Arcanine slammed into Zanarchggon, making her float several feet back as Greninja and Lucario jumped at the same time, slamming their fists into her head. She slashed her claws, sending both of them crashing into a wall as Arcanine sped away before he could get hit. Raticate latched onto her arm, biting down with extreme force. Corviknight dive-bombed her as Mawile and Bisharp attacked from behind. Inteleon and Mimi provided cover fire with Snipe Shot and chunks of concrete manipulated by psychic force. Clara's Barbaracle and Heliolisk blasted Zanarchggon with rocks and electricity and Chaos roared in fury. Her body began to glow a bright violet before a blinding light knocked us over and blasted our Pokemon away. I gritted my teeth, ignoring the pain as I lifted myself up. All our Pokemon were groaning on the ground aside from Arcanine, who bravely limped forwards, fire licking around his maw.

"Foolish Pokemon," Zanarchggon sneered as she bared her fangs. "Know your place beneath me!" A wave of purple wind ripped forwards, which Arcanine met with Heat Wave, forcing it back. He howled and both winds ceased as they rebounded. He roared and sped forwards, slamming into her front before racing away and blasting a Flamethrower into her side. Chaos turned to slash at him, but he was already gone, gaining speed as he attack from virtually all sides, giving the rest of our Pokemon time to fall back.

"Zeno, we have to retreat," Looker pulled me back. I resisted, but he was stronger. "We can't win. Now c'mon!"

As we all half-ran down the towards the nearest sewer tunnel, I glanced back to see Arcanine still evading Zanarchggon while still attacking. Then a lucky swipe caught him in the side and slammed him across the room. I jerked away from Looker, running for my Pokemon, who was trying to stand, refusing to back down. I unlatched my Pokeball, but dropped it due to the searing heat I felt from it. I clutched my burnt hand, seeing Arcanine staring at me. I blinked, then a shadow fell over us.

"You are an infuriating Pokemon," Chaos growled, leering down at Arcanine. "You need to be taught your place!" Her eyes locked onto me. "Watch as your trainer dies!" She blasted the ceiling above me and I had just enough time to glance upwards as concrete, pipes, and wires fell towards me.

The floor shook as heavy paw steps pounded the ground and a force slammed me aside. I skidded across the floor as a large crash filled my ears and a cloud of dust filled the air. Water pooled around Arcanine's unmoving form amongst the rubble as wires snaked across him and the concrete, sparking with electricity, charging the water. Water and sparks rained from above, preventing me from being able to get to him.

"No," I rasped, struggling to my knees, pushing myself away from the charged water as it crept closer.

"What a foolish sacrifice." Zanarchggon's body began to glow once more, chaotic energy buzzing through the air. "For your end has come regardless, Hero Born of Darkness."

And... Cliffhanger. I'll try to get the next chapter out soon, but due to some potential IRL circumstances, I may not be able to for a while. Sorry for the potential inconvenience if said thing occurs. Anyway, till next time. Toodles!