Chapter 19 A Gym or a Cult Battle?
Ash and his friends head on the stairs and see the Sky Cult everywhere in the tower, Damian says, "Damn it...there are too many of them..."
"We need the plan." Ash says. "But what?"
Nora says, "How about we use Mew's ability to transform into Sky Cults?"
Lillie says, "That will work." Once they use Mew's ability to transform, they sneak up to the tower without being noticed, after they reach the fourth floor, they see a gym logo in front of them.
"So it is like Lumiose City, where the gym is in the tower..." Ash says.
"But we are not here for the gym, right?" Emily says. "We are here to see our father."
"You're right." Damian says as they take off their costume and enter the gym. Emily and Alice decide to stay back and let Ash and the others talk to Jaern first, so that he won't be suspicious."
Once they enter the gym, Damian says, "Alright, are you really? First, we have to fake warn the Augur that the Sky Cult is on their way up!"
Nora says, "And we tell them that they will blackmail him into summon Rayquaza."
Once they nod, they go inside and see Jaern talking to another person in the room.
"Yes, sir. Everything is ready upstairs. We can-" The man says, but Jaern sees the five people entering the room and he says, "Well, well, well. Isn't this a sight for sore eyes? Is that Damian and Ash, as well as Lillie and Gladion from the Telnor Town? And you are..."
"I am Nora, I am Ash's brother." Nora says calmly.
"Oh, it is nice to meet you, but I must ask - why are you here?" Jaern asks. "Was it to challenge our gym? If it was, you're in luck! East here is our very own Sky-themed Gym Leader. He both excells in Flying and Dragon Types."
"N-no sir...we're here because...because..." Damian says.
"This is no time to stutter, Damien." Nora yells at him. "We overheard members of the Sky Cult talking! They want to summon Rayquaza, and they plan to blackmail you into helping them!"
Jaern is surprised that they know about Sky Cult's plan, but then he thinks that there is no point hiding from them and he turns dark. "That is a serious problem. You're positive about this? Are you sure you heard what they said correctly?"
Lillie asks, "What did you mean?"
"If so, then this certainly is a problem. Out of all times to come, of course they'd pick now. I hope this wouldn't have to happen...but what's done is done. Come on out! Guys!"
Then they see a bunch of Sky Cultists rush from the back room and surround five people, much to their surprise.
"H-huh? What's going on?" Damian asks in shock.
"I am sorry about this, Damian, I truly am. You were so youthful and bright...It can't be helped, though. You heard my cultists said, and I can't let you leave with a chance you might connect the dots."
"So it is true after all, you are the leader of the Sky Cult!" Gladion yells at him.
"Surprised? You shouldn't be. When you think about it, it's pretty obvious. I created Sky Cult several years ago, just before the Augur disappeared. We were a small group at first, a rag-tag band who were united by the desire for one thing. Change."
Jearn steps down from the stage and says, "You see, the Augur was the perfect hero of the people. Along with his partner, Hoopa, he defeated cult after cult, trying to bring good values to the people of Torren, such as peace, love...and mercy. At first I agreed with his idea, which is why I let my children teach under him."
"Your children?" Ash raises his eyebrow.
"Yes, I have two daughters, but I have never seen them ever since she left." Jaern says. "But that is out of the question. Being merciful, he forgave anyone who begged him to, letting criminals go unpunished. As a result...the members of the disbanded cults just joined other ones, making it a completely pointless act."
He stares at Ash and says, "The Augur was strong, but he was a coward. He wasn't able to do what was necessary to keep the region safe."
"Which is why you team up with Persephone, and try to get rid of him, as well as my mom and I..." Ash says coldly. Jaern is surprised that he remembered. "Where did you take our parents?"
Jaern just shrugs and says, "Who knows what she did to them, but after I dealt with him, I crowned myself his successor. With a new Augur, we could cure the disease playing Torren for good. We could save the region forever."
"You'll never get away with this, you monster!" Lillie yells.
"Oh? But I already have. With a bit of propaganda, I've already got all of Torren by my side. That's why I can't let you guys blab about my true identity. Realistically, nobody would believe you, but it's a risk I can't take, especially since you two are the first Augur's children."
Jaern says, "I want to capture Rayquaza. With it's incredible strength and control over the sky, I can be omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. I can create an utopia, free of war and crime. I refuse to be the coward that the First Augur was."
"My dad is not a coward." Ash yells back. "He is doing the right way!"
"Oh really? Any criminal, any threat to a perfect world needs to be removed, but he didn't, and that is an act of a coward. I found the Sky Cult to help me reach this goal! And now, we've accumulated all we need to summon Rayquaza! The sacrifice will begin! Rayquaza will be summoned! And he will be mine! This soon-to-be-peaceful region will thrive under my command!"
He turns to East, who looks surprised. "East, get one of the cultists! It's time to start!"
"Sir...I know we planned to sacrifice one of them...But since the kids are here, and are going to live their lives in prison anyways, why not sacrifice one of them? We wouldn't need to waste any cultists."
"You..." Ash is shocked since a Gym Leader will want them to be dead for a sacrifice.
"That's not a terrible idea, East..." Jaern gives an evil smile, "But since I want these two dead anyways, so I will pick one of you three." Ash gasps as he walks towards Lillie. "You look like a perfect sacrifice, Lillie..."
"Leave her alone!" Ash yells. "I'll be the Sacrifice, don't hurt him!"
"Brother..." Nora says.
"Oh, you are acting like a prince that tries to save the princess, huh?" Jaern asks. "After she has become the sacrifice, you will be next, so don't you worry. I am sure you will be together in heavens..."
As the knife comes closer to Lillie, then Jaern suddenly gets tosses aside to the wall. "Who dares attack me?"
Then the Marshadow appears from Lillie's shadow and Lillie gasps, "Marshadow!"
"Nice work, sister, it is your turn!" Emily rushes inside the room.
"Articuno! Ice Beam on all the Cultists!" Alice yells as the Pokemon freezes all the grunts except East and Jaern.
Jaern looks up and sees his two daughters, he yells, "Emily, Alice, what is the meaning of this?"
"Simple, we despise your goal, and we are here to stop you." Alice says.
"And this is for trying to hurt my friends." Emily says.
"Friends you say..." Jaern says. "I have give you a lot of love, and this is how you repay me?"
"Love? If that's the case, our mother won't be leaving our family! This is all your fault!" Alice roars back.
"You..." Jaern says in anger, hating to see that his daughters betray him. "Very well, if that is how you want to play, then I'll give you a fighting chance. You have to battle against East, and the loser gets used for the ritual."
"But sir...why are you risking me? Why not use one of the grunts?" East gasps.
"Because, East, you are a Gym Leader. I am sure you'll win. They won't stand a chance."
"But..." "Are you questioning me?" Jaern raises his eyebrow.
"No sir..." East whimpers.
"Very well..." Jaern says as East turns to them.
"Sorry about this. It's nothing personal, but the Augur's orders are given." Then he sends out Skarmory, Noivern, Altaria, Talonflame, Gliscor and Kingdra.
"Altaria, mega evolve!" East says as he touches the head of the cane, which makes Altaria in his mega evolution. Jaern then decides to leave.
Ash says, "He is escaping!"
"Ash, go chase him! We will handle the gym leader!" Emily yells, then he nods and says, "I am counting on you guys." Then he rushes away.
Lillie, Gladion and Damian press their Key stones and then Mega Charizard, Mega Blastoise and Mega Venusaur appears, Lillie's Charizard roars and the sky turns black. "The Noctem Ability makes the field dark...awesome."
Then Nora also mega evolves her Flygon, which changes into Bug Type. And Emily mega evolves her Bisharp, which becomes a Centaur and Alice mega evolves her Cryogonal, which uses Hail to make more damage with the ability Sleet.
Mega Charizard is battling Talonflame, with the powered up weather, Lillie yells, "The weather is on my side, now use Lunar Cannon!" The move is like a Solar Beam, but it is darker. It then defeats Talonflame with the move.
Gladion says, "Use Aura Sphere!" He tries to attack Skarmory, but the said Pokemon dodges. Gladion grits his teeth at first, but then, he says, "Iron Defense, wait until it comes and then use Focus Blast!"
Blastoise nods and then he sees the Brave Bird approaching, then he shoots out the move after Skarmory hits the Pokemon, causing Skarmory to faint.
Venusaur is dealing Kingdra, who is exchanging attacks. Damian yells, "Let's try out Psycho Boost!"
Venusaur roars and then charges forward, then it defeats the Dragon Pokemon. "Good one, Venusaur." Damian says.
As for Nora, his Flygon is facing Noivern, Nora takes out the earphone and says, "This is going to hurt my ears, Drakon Voice!"
The Flygon lets out a great roar, causing everyone trying to cover their ears and the Noivern, who has big ears, faint immediately after hearing the sound.
Emily and Alice look at the Gliscor and Altaria, Emily says, "It seems like we are going to face these two."
"You take Gliscor and I take this Mega Pokemon." Alice says. The sisters are fighting very hard to block the attacks, in the end, Emily finishes Gliscor with a Gullitone while Alice finsihes it with a Sheer Cold.
"I lost...? I don't believe it!" East is shocked at first, but then his body starts to surge in pain as he falls down. Lillie rushes to him and asks, "Are you alright?"
But East couldn't say anything as Alice notices the machine behinds his back, Alice says, "The machine, it is trying to suck East's soul!"
"We have to stop it!" Emily says as they try to take it off, but in vain as it attaches to East very hard. East looks like he is suffocating and Damian says, "What should we do now?"
"Let me handle this!" They see a girl rushing in and then takes out a claw, it slashes through the machine and East just drops down. Then the girl rushes towards him and says, "He is fine now, he just fainted."
"Who are you?" Nora asks.
"I am Zinnia, I am the chosen of Rayquaza." Zinnia says. "I know something is suspicious of Jaern, which is why Rayquaza and I come here."
"Where is Rayquaza?" Alice asks.
"He will be assisting the Chosen one of Arceus, but I have a plan." Zinnia says.
Just then, they hear an awaking sound, and East wakes up and says, "What...But I lost..."
"Are you alright?" Gladion asks.
"How am I still alive..." East tries to see if the machine is still on him, but he is relieved that the machine is gone.
"East, I want to ask you? Are you being blackmailed to helping the Augur? Which is why you were helping him?" Nora asks.
East frowns and sighs, "Yes, he has been trying to suck my life force in order to summon Rayquaza. He has been using me for this whole time..."
"I am sorry to hear that." Emily says. "My father is this evil..."
"It is fine..." East says.
Gladion says, "Speaking of which, Zinnia, what did you mean the plan?"
"I will let Rayquaza follow him..." This causes them to get shocked. "But why?" Lillie asks. "How can you let him use Rayquaza?"
"In this way, I can spy on him, and when the time comes, he will face his judgement." Zinnia says. "As a member of the Draconoids, I won't let him using our lord to do his ambitions."
East says, "Then you must go to the top, the Augur is trying to use that thing on Rayquaza."
"What thing?" Alice asks.
"I don't know, but we have to get quick." They then rush out of the room to find Ash.
Here is a new chapter, and this time I decide to spare East, since Rayquaza is Zinnia's partner, but he will still go to Jaern for spying. And I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter we will know what happened to Ash after he chases Jaern.
