StevenZ12 : Good day to y'all. StevenZ12 here. I hope that y'all are doing well in these trying times. I am happy to see that more and more people are giving this story a chance. I can only say thank you and that I hope that y'all will have some fun reading this. Seems that the source material for this fic, Pokemon Sage, is ongoing despite being a little quiet lately. I am very happy about that because that game is what inspired me to write this fic, as I loved the setting. Once again this fic is definitely not a retelling of Pokemon Sage, although i am fairly sure that if you reach this chapter you have already figured this out. Anyhow, irl things are good too, University is going well, got my first class down and got three to go in that session. Online School is definitely a challenge but we trying to do it well :)
If not, playing Pokemon Sword and Shield Completed is a great experience...maybe i'll do a Galar Fanfic since we were given a rather short and lackluster one in the main series games and the anime is more like Total Pokemon World tour more than anything. Anyway, i'd love to know your thoughts on that and of course thoughts on this story, especially since I fully started the rewrite. Feel free to PM and review and more importantly, have fun and stay safe. Godspeed to y'all
Previously on Nuevo: On the last chapter of the Legend of Quetzar, Andre experienced a rather humiliating moment and that event shattered his pride. Ever the kind and helpful one, Snow helped him slowly recover as they shared a sweet moment inside the temple. It also appears that something is looming on the region. Stay tuned for yet another chapter of the legend of Quetzar.
Chapter 21: The Prankish Assault
It was a sunny afternoon on route 4. Andre, Snow and Sven had left the village of Chalchiutlicue a few days prior. Andre was fairing much better, back at his overeager teenagers antics once again to the viewing pleasure...and sometimes displeasure of both Snow and Sven. The priestesses back at the temple sent the trio off after Snow participated to one more ritual, enjoying it greatly as she experienced necnelilmatiliztli, gratitude again. Looking back, Andre and Sven understood that something was slightly off with Snow. The white haired teenager was special and both of them knew that they wanted to figure out why. Since Andre's clothes were more or less destroyed during the enforcer's offensive, the head priestess kindly gave him, and by extension all of them, some clothes as a sign of goodwill and friendship, as well as to thank them for volunteering to help them about the thievery issue plaguing the temples. Andre received a dark Green poncho that was somehow had both the property to be well aerated, keeping him nice and dry during the day and warm during the cooler nights in the Green District's plains and forests. His dark pants were stitched by him and the priestess. He still had his black ranger jacket under the poncho, feeling a bit bare without it otherwise. He promised himself to buy some more clothing when he would reach the next big city. Snow for her part received several ''gifts'' from the priestesses back at the village. She had more or less been introduced into their order or whatnot, dancing with them with surprising ease. It was clear that dancing was Snow's gift and the white haired teenager knew it. She also learned a few more things about the culture of the native people of Nuevo, the Amyakets, as they called themselves. It had been very instrumental to her. The unova native received a much lighter green and white poncho as well as a blue quetzal feather that she placed in her hair, as well as other small hand made ornaments that could probably be sold for quite a lot of money if she was the kind of person that would want to make a killing selling rare jewelery. She had tried to deny some of those gifts but the head priestess had been insistant, so much that Snow ended up yielding at the end. Sven received a dark green poncho as well. Since it was clear that he was also the ''adult'' in the group, he was given some recommandation about the terrains and some supplies. Sven already had much supplies with him but didn't object to receive more for free. With a warm heart yet heavy thoughts, they had departed from the village of rivers to continue their adventures in Nuevo.
On their way in route 4, they were indeed busy training and drinking in the sights. It seemed that only the giant statue Pokemon was not fully warming up to the others, for now merely acting like a giant guardian shadow that hated being in her Pokeball and that only followed Andre around. She was also very strong, as the few trainers going against a giant barely mythical Pokemon quickly understood. She was strong and ruthless and it showed, even scaring her own teammates in the process...a Scare that she actually enjoyed. Would keep them on their toes, she said...or so Sven translated to the two teenagers. Snow also used those days to practice with her Pokemon. She did not know when was the next contest, but she knew that she needed to be better if she wanted to win. She also decided to incorporate dancing in most of her performance. She loved how free she felt everytime she started moving her body and let loose. The sense of elation and liberation she felt was second to none...well maybe second to some tender feelings about a certain lentimas native, but that would be another discussion for another time. Her Pokemon improved slightly with repetition and light spars. Suffice to say that the group didn't stay idle as they walked down the luxuriant path.
Route 4 was a lovely panoramic route, the soil filled route gradually replaced with a more western-like, traditional concrete route as they neared the next forest. Many Pokemon skipped around and about, sometimes fearful of the little trio, sometimes curious. On more than one occasion the group got stalled in their path by playing with wild Pokemon or running from overprotective one that didn't want no human on their territory, despite often being dumbfounded by Sven's apparent ability to understand all of them perfectly. This ''power'' made both teen even more curious about Sven's story, as this was hardly a normal skill to have. Both trainers knew to a point that spending enough time with a Pokemon helped humans understand Pokemon with more or less accuracy depending on the depth of the bond. Some factors helped, like micicry and facials expression, not unlike Dogs and Cats in the real world. Both teens decided that this was a bridge they wouldn't cross for now as they trekked with the bad jokester down the nature filled route.
Still on route 4, the trio approached the last forest before the next city, Pueblo Leaf Grove. Sven lifted a hand for them to stop. Andre and Snow , followed by the Pokemon that had decided to travel outside of their balls, those being a shiny golden furred Vulpix, a small but tough as nails blue lizard/Alligator that seemed to be animated by some boundless energy and a large orange and red bat like Pokemon that hovered over the group, particularily over Andre like some sort of guardian from the abysses. While this was exactly why Eclipse had been gifted to him by the priestess, it still was a bit off putting considering how open and playful the rest of the pokemon were. No matter, they still stopped at the outskirts of the forest and unloaded, all eyes to Sven as he started talking.
''Alright my little adventurers, i asked for this little break because i'm deadbeat tired...'' Sven dramatically whined as he flopped on the ground unceremonially. His starter, the poison type Gilla, was so surprised that he forgot to actuallly tighten his grip on the older teen. This oversight had for a consequence to make him fall rather ungracefully on his back, groaning.
'' I swear...one of these days...i'll claw his beard out one hair at a time....'' He growled angrily as both Aguade and Vulpix chuckled at his pitiful expense.
The poison type didn't really find that funny. ''What's so funny, furball and wet tail?'' He growled menacingly, his poisonous spines spiked up, poised to strike.
This display did not frighten anyone, with the Vulpix rising her snout in the air disdainfully while hiding her mouth with her tail and Aguade laughing even harder.
''You two grrr...''' Grumbled Gilla as the trainers joined in the hilarity. Only the Shibalbat didn't crack up much, snorting once before desactivating, becoming a mass of stone, always watching, next to the supplies of the little group.
Snow wiped her eyes before looking at Sven with a smile that looked a little bit too sweet. ''Now that we all have laughed...why exactly did you want us to stop Sven?'' She asked with a tone that made both of them melt and sweat.
Andre instinctively took two step back at that tone. Sven was sweating bullets already. He knew that tone...and Snow was quickly climbing the ranks as one that used that tone the best. His will to keep his jokes in battled strongly against his basic survival instincs, instincs that were screaming at him to just say the truth as fast and concise as possible lest he would be...err...disciplined.
'' Hum... It's just that from my map here, we are about to enter the forest of illusion soon... I thought i'd let you guys know about it before we get lost or something...'' He quickly answered as he looked away.
Snow smiled, seemingly satisfied by his answer. ''Good then, well, do tell Sven...'' She sweetly encouraged the teen before sitting down, Andre soon following.
Sven sweatdropped...''This girl is way too much for me to handle...How will you even...?'' He pondered silently, looking at Andre through a corner of his eye.
That done, the older teen quickly started on his explanation: ''The forest of illusion is famous here in the Green District since it is the home of two very special Pokemon. It also has the distinct habit of making the few travellers that decide to go through the forest lose their sense of direction for quite a long time...normally it is either they are bored of the travellers...or when the travellers loses the will to carry one...'' He finished darkly.
''Oh Shit!'' Andre said, jumping to his feet in fright. He then realized that his outburst had kind of surprised his teammates and he blushed hard...
Snow smirked at his reaction. ''Whaaaaatt...is Andre afraid to get lost?'' She teased him with that tone that quickly made it unbearable for Andre to stand.
''Wha...What?' No, i am not at all afraid!'' Andre replied, desesperately trying to save what remained of his masculine pride.
Sven couldn't help but join on the tease...it was offered to him..right in front of his nose. He had no choice but to join in: ''Don't worry, we all are Scared of something, but to be afraid of Illusionic forests? That's quite the nightmare...'' He quipped, making the Raven haired teen want to vanish under his poncho.
From afar, Shibalbat looked at her new trainer in slight dissapointement. ''What exactly did my old mistress even see in this scaredy cat?'' She thought as she activated again, sensing that the group would move out soon.
Sven achieved his explanations with a hearty ''Well guys, you have the rundown, stay close from one another and let us depart. On the other side of the forest is route 5, some nice plains and meadows to refresh ourselves to and then Pueblo Leaf Grove, the next big city handled by the non native people of the land.'' He announced as the crew packed up camp and departed toward the forest, blissfully unaware that a few pair of eyes had locked in on them as they entered the forest.
''shishishi''
🎵 - Pokemon XY - Reflection Cave - 🎵
The forest of illusion was just like what you'd expect from a forest that was renowned to make travellers lose their north rather quickly. It had tall, crooked trees that formed some sort of canopy high above the group's head, creating a dusk, darkened atmosphere. The trees themselves were massive and full of vigor, as demonstrated with the many leaves and branches that further blocked sunrays from piercing through, having both the effect of further limiting the light on ground level and cooling down the area. There also was the incessant chatter of the denizens of the forest, a low hum composed of bug pokemon like scatterbug and ledybas chirping and some grassland pokemon walking or running around, sometimes fleeing on sight of the three humans walking in the forest. It was indeed a darkened forest, but to the three travellers, there was something refreshing about it all. Andre was definitely enjoying the atmosphere, despite having a giant bat basically breathing down his neck. Speaking of Shibalbat...he hadn't truly interacted with her ever since she was given to him by the priestess. Andre did not want her to feel unincluded, despite her relatively cold demeanor towards him. It was something he would remedy to really soon however.
''Hey Eclipse... I never truly had the time to introduce myself properly since you were given to me. I'm sorry for that...so welcome to the family.'' Andre warmly greeted the gargovyle Pokemon as he turned around to face her, extending his hand toward her snout.
The Shibalbat looked at his extended hand with slight disdain. She eyed him carefully...''Heh...you lack heart sometimes...but I still allowed myself to stay and will honor her wish of me protecting you...but you haven't won my respect yet...So.. Retract that hand!'' She chattered in her own clickety language before nipping at his hand lightly, turning away with her snout in the air.
Andre snapped his hand toward him in fright, not wanting his fingers to become bat food. He looked up at the fire/Rock type panickedly. ''What was that for?'' He asked increduly to his newest member. The bat Pokemon merely started hovering again, snickering lightly.
Aguade, who had stopped waddling when Andre had tried to introduce himself , did not quite appreciate the behavior of the newcomer. ''Hey bat breath!'' He apostrophed the bat guardian.
Eclipse merely looked down at him. If eyes could talk on their own, Aguade would probably see just how little she cared about his imput. ''What is it? Runt.'' she replied, her tone deadpan.
The blue pokemon almost turned purple. ''Watch out with those Fangs. This human is the best in the world and I won't have you damaging him for no reason!'' He hissed, bombing his chest to look bigger, meaner and more threatening.
If only he didn't look so hopelessly small compared to the giant bat...
Eclipse had to hold back a gag. ''Spoken like a true tamed puppy. Did he teach you to dance and beg for food too?'' She mocked him openly.
Itzatl jaw almost dropped. The nerve of the gal. ''You little... Do you want to taste my salted claw? I'll shove it so much up your A** that the whole underworld will come outta you screaming!''
Eclipse narrowed her eyes at the starter Pokemon. ''You know what? I might actually want to drag you down there, just to see how long you can handle what's down there before your weak little mind break..'' The bat pokemon menacingly hissed before hovering closer to the ground, towering over the small water type.
Aguade would never admit it, but now that he was looking at the giant bat pokemon in this murky atmosphere, she actually was way more threatening than he would want to admit, instictively taking a few steps back.
Andre narrowed his eyes. This was not going well at all. Now his Pokemon were bickering among themselves. ''Now listen...'' He started as he started to move to interpose himself in between the two Pokemon.
''Will you two stop it? We are in a forest where we can't even see more than a foot in front of us. We have better things to deal with than you two acting like children!'' A sharp, commanding voice shouted in Pokespeech.
To Andre's stupefaction, Vixen had stepped in between the two fearlessly, getting up ackwardly on her hind legs and extending her front paws in a stop fashion. Her fierce glare made Aguade shrink down a peg as he nervously sweated before running back to Andre and jumping on his shoulder after he shot the giant bat a long look of distaste.
Seeing that, Shibalbat gagged audibly again, looking down at the fox pup that dared interfere. ''He is so whipped, it's disgusting...'' She commented while making yet another retching sound. ''What? Are you one of his bitches, foreigner?'' She rudely asked Vixen.
The fox Pokemon simmered on the inside at the insult, but relented. She would be the bigger Pokemon in this situation. ''I don't know what's your problem, but dial it down. Also don't insult Aguade, you know as well as I do that he could flatten you in less time than he takes to devour watmel berries...'' She said to the bat Pokemon, staring right at her in the eye.
The gargovyle bit back a laugh. ''Me? Being flattened by this scaredy cairup?'' She pondered out loud in her pokespeech.
Vixen let out a growl at her arrogance. ''Did I stutter?'' She replied immediately, looking fiercely into the gaze of the bat.
Eclipse held her gaze for several seconds before breaking eye contact, smiling. ''At the very least, you at least have some heart to butt heads with a mon like me. I can respect that.'' She admitted before hovering a little higher, back behind Andre.
Vixen sighed with her snout in the air and trotted back to Snow, demanding to be picked up. The giggling white haired girl picked up the furred fire type and petted her head tuff tenderly.
Said white haired girl had a bit on her mind actually. She had been reviewing the recent events in her mind for a while now. It was so unreal in a sense. She had so many questions concerning this region's lore and customs. She couldn't comprehend fully how free she felt when she danced or partaked in the ritual with the other priestesses back in the village of rivers when she had never set foot in this region prior to the start of her journey. Why would the native want to take her...and why did she seem to have the power to hypnotise the opposite gender with such ease... So many questions were swirling in her head. She also couldn't exactly forget the sweet moments she had shared with Andre and how hurt she had felt when the enforcer had kissed Andre right in front of her... Her mind quickly drifted to the contest and she shook her head clear. Now wasn't the time to think about all of that...but she couldn't help but want a moment with Andre again... She...truly enjoyed spending time with him and his embrace was like no other to her...A part of her felt a bit selfish since well 1. There was another good friend of her travelling with them and 2. It would be rude to assume that Andre was head over heels for her. Chances were high, but something was holding her back from straight up ask him out, and she didn't fully know what it was.
''Oh...Life can be so complicated sometimes...'' She murmured out loud as she walked with her head down...
... right into a tree.
The hit wasn't brutal, but it still hurt. There was a brief flash of black, and next thing she knew, She was on her rear, nursing a bump on her forehead.
''Oww..oww..oww'' Snow whined as her Vulpix softly whined, inquiring her about her health.
Snow smiled sweetly to her starter. '
"I'm fine vix..." said the white haired teen as she slowly got to her feet.
The vulpine fire type looked up at her trainer in worry. Ever since the incident back at the temple, she had felt that Snow wasn't completely herself. It was clear that she was still upset in some way. Vixen never did like it when her beloved trainer was not feeling well and hated it even more when Snow tried to hide it. The fire fox Pokemon showed her dissaproval by a rather loud "VUL!" as she jumped down from Snow's arms and stared right into her eyes. Snow knew those eyes: caring, maternal, stern. She was essentially conveying to the white haired teenager that she was seeing right through her facade. Snow sighed deeply as she picked her starter back up, walking slightly faster without really looking where she was going as she distractingly petted the small and warm tuff of fur that crowned the top of the golden furred Pokemon. Vixen leaned her head into Snow's palm, purring in delight. Then, she gently nibbled Snow's hand whole staring at her with an inquisitive stare that quickly made Snow yield.
"You'll yank it out of me no matter what huh?" She asked her starter.
"What do you think?" Vixen replied with her own language of onomatopeas and whines, her six tails wiggling 5 in Snow's grasp.
Snow chuckled and kissed Vixen's foreheas in appreciation before chaining: "Truthfully, i am still a little upset." She finally admitted.
Vixen nodded, lifting her snout in the air victoriously before nuzzling Snow's cheek, growling in an encouraging fashion. She wanted Snow to keep on talking and the white haired teen knew it. Continue, she did.
"I'm upset because that b..bitch! took something that was supposed to be mine! I was in no hurry, but i felt like something strong was building up with Andre. I was content with what i had so far, but, when I saw her kiss him so roughly, possessively, passionnately, I kind of realized that I was jealous. I had wanted that so badly. I know it sounds very selfish and wrong, but I can hardly help it.'' Snow explained as her hair partially hid her face from view, unpleasant memories playing out in front of her.
Vixen sighed in turn. She had an idea of what could be troubling her trainer. ''In my opinion, you being upset is justified, but I don't think that you should be afraid of ''losing him. He still looks at you with tender eyes does he not?'' Inquired the starter fire type in her own language. Snow pondered slightly, analyzing what message her Vulpix could had conveyed before shrugging helplessly. '' Yeah, maybe... But I am still afraid you know? It wasn't like she was bad looking either, and you know boys that age... What if this boldness is what he likes? What if he ends up not even give me the time of the day down the line? What if...'' Snow trailed slightly panickly as Vulpix felt like a few dozen tick marks adorned the side of her head. The fire type vixen raised her six tails and wacked Snow's forehead lightly with all of them. The gesture made Snow stop talking, stunned. Vulpix growled before jumping down from Snow's arms and sat in front of her. ''Seriously Snow! Listen to yourself! You already know that he still looks at you the same way has he did before. You aren't going to do you any good or ''win'' him over by constantly worrying about something that already happened! He cares about you, you care about him. Be confident, your ''chances'' haven't magically vanished overnight. Andre's not going anywhere any time soon, I am positive about it!'' sermonned the small fire type. This might have come off as a lot of vulpix onomatopeas, Snow still got the message as she looked away in embarassement. It's not like her starter Pokemon was wrong about all of this. She remembered Andre's warm embrace back at the temple and blushed. She was really becoming a worrywart over nothing.
The white haired teen slapped her knees. She had to get over that incident and move foward. That was essentially what her started had told her and she was right!
''Enough of that, anyway, he's still mine in a sense...let's go indeed!'' Snow said as she extended her arms toward her partner. Vulpix let out an happy yip, happy to have helped Snow snap out of it, and jumped right in Snow's arms. Snow buried her face in Vulpix's fur, letting the warm fur relax her and clear her mind. Vulpix gently nuzzled her trainer's cheek and gratified it with a warm lick. Snow smiled. ''Thanks vixen, I needed that...'' She whispered to vixen.
''Anythime'' yipped back a content Vulpix.
Bringing down the Vulpix to hold her close to her chest, she looked around in search of both boy companions. This is where she realized that they had problems.
For one, nether Andre nor Sven were around.
The second problem would quickly arize. They heard a growl behind them. A low, feral, guttural sound that froze their insides solid. However, they knew that they would have to turn around and face whatever was growling behind the pair. Around they slowly turned...and met with a mouth...or rather three mouths full of fangs.
Red glowing eyes, three heads staring down at them, looking huge. Black and blue furred behemoth levitating right in front of them. The nightmarish apparition complete with three set of black furred tendril like wings. It was a creature right from the depths of hell...
Said creature revealed another fang full smile and let out a hungry growl. This action made both Snow and Vixen nod on their next course of action.
...
They screamed!
Meanwhile, both Sven and Andre had been worried sick for several minutes now. Snow and Vixen had more or less vanished between two trees as they both walking to avoid this exact situation. The lentimas native had clearly seen that Snow was still looking a little upset but did not have the courage to adress the matter. His mind had been temporarily been distracted because of the small fight between his team members but he had never fully allowed the thought to leave his mind. After their little heart to heart back in the temple, it seemed that every thing would go back to normal in time, but it seemed that it would in fact take a little more time than he would like. One thing was sure however. He was still wondering why he cared about Snow so much. She was indeed breathtaking at times, kind, sweet and many more things that he could list, but he did not know for a fact if she actually wouldn't mind to you know, be with someone like him. One could ponder how odd would that steam of thought could be even understandable considering the many sweet moments the two had already experienced, but heh. Andre sighed, as he somehow felt that he did not have a chance with her after all, especially after what Malitzin had done to him. Malitzin was another case altogether. She had beaten him up and claimed her prize like he wasn't even there...and while his mind had been certainly repulsed by her actions, his body had loved that. Andre was still somehow reeling from that fact and pondered exactly what this meant...but after the temple...he knew at least one thing. He cared about Snow, and that other amazon, beautiful native warrior could go choke. He did not want to lose Snow for anything , more than ever now. Even as he and Sven were looking around for the white haired teenager, his thoughts kept on swirling. This is where they heard a loud scream pierce the otherwise white noise produced by the forest. Both Sven's and Andre's blood ran cold. It wasn't hard to put two and two together.
''She's in trouble!'' Shouted Sven as he approached the teen, a grave expression on his face. Andre nodded, releasing both Aguade and Shibalbat from their balls.
''Itzatl, with me! Eclipse, can you please hover above us and search for Snow, the white haire girl i mean, and her Vulpix. Small, gold, fire type like you.'' Andre quickly commanded as they ran in the projected direction of the scream. Eclipse clicked with approval, liking a direct, confident Andre a lot more as she took flight with a screech.
''I'm coming Snow!'' Andre said, his teeth grit and his heart pounding.
Trees were falling off. The ground was upturned. Snow and vixen were running like their life was depending on it.
Their lives WAS depending on it, actually, since there was a huge creature chasing them down, and they could very well be eaten alive if they did not get out of there and regroup with their two travelling companions soon.
''What is that thing even doing in a forest like this one?'' Panickly asked the white haired teen. Vixen barely yipped a coherent reply as she jumped left to avoid the snap of a head: ''Less asking, more running!'' She retorted before zigzaging in another dodge...
... right into a tree?
For some reason, a tree had appeared right in front of Vixen. Only a salutary reflex of the fox pokemon saved her from crashing into it, Snow following a few inches behind her. She had been running so much in every direction that she was more or less running blindly right now. Everything to avoid finishing her career in the stomach of a monster. The Pokemon seemed at least a bit content in chasing her prey because it chose that moment to kick things up a notch. The beast opened his maw...well three maws, accumulating a dark energy in the center of all of them. Snow looked behind her back and her eyes widened. The creature was charging up an attack. There was now way that she nor Vixen could safely avoid the attack without seeing it arrive. Not to mention highly, fatally dangerous. Her own heart pounding away, she took a difficult decision.
''Vixen! We can't run from that, we'll have to face it head on!'' She shouted as she stopped running. Vixen was less than enchanted at the idea of fighting something so monstrous, but she would never in her wildest dreams abandon Snow. The fire type vixen steeled her resolve and jumped in front of Snow, teeth bared and tails lifted in an offensive stance. ''With you till the end, Snow!'' She said as the wind picked up with more intensity around the three headed monster in front of them, indicating that the attack's release was imminent.
Soon enough, the charging period was done and the beast released the stream of dark energy toward the two. Snow was not one to stay idle in face of danger.
''Vixen, let's try that new move in. Flamethrower!'' She commanded.
The shiny vulpine felt her internal flame build up, twist and magnify in her belly. She opened her maw , ready to release the explosion of flame outward. Only problem, she had been far too slow and as the ball of flame took form in her mouth, the dark beam struck, creating a shockwave that knocked both Vixen and Snow off their feet back several meters. The beast let out a roar of triumph and glee as Vixen shakily rose to her feets, stunned. Snow followed soon after, taking hold of a nearby branch to steady her footing. Once she had gained her bearing, she looked for her starter Pokemon. Left, right, not there. She looked panickly in front of her, and saw her starter's battered form, barely remaining upright. ''VIXEN!'' Snow shouted in fright.
''I'm fine somehow... I won't quit.'' growled said Vixen as she was still fighting her damage somewhat, her legs wobbling.
The dark beast roared again and opened her maw for a repeat of last attack, a clear dark pulse stream. Energy started accumulating around at the center of all three mounds, wind picking up once more in a twisting fashion. A big one was coming.
Snow however was not going to be caught twice, and neither was her Vulpix. ''I won't let you. Vixen, another flamethrower!'' She commanded yet again.
''R..Right!'' shakily replied the fire fox Pokemon as she build up her internal flame far faster this time and launched it right when the behemoth released its Dark Pulse attack.
The two moves met in a collision of searing heat, the back draft nearly making Snow take a second trip to the air. She remained grounded throught the salutary presence of the huge branch she had taken support on. It was a spectacle to behold. The two moves pushing against each other, creating waves after waves of searing wind that illuminated the area.
''Keep it up Vixen, you're doing great!'' Encouraged the white haired teen.
''I'm trying...i'm trying my best dear...'' Painfully replied the fire type, growing under steadily increasing strain. She had just learned the move, so trying to keep a power output capable of even temporarily hold back such a powerful dark pulse attack was probably the hardest thing Vixen had ever done so far. As such, the dark pulse attack slowly started to push back the flamethrower. Inches by inches, Vixen's paws started to get pushed to the ground, upturning the earth, then slowly but surely, be dragged backwards as the beam gained more and more ground, much to the horror of Snow.
''Arceus almighty... I..can't...keep this up or much longer...'' thought Vixen as she was being pushed backwards even more by the Dark Pulse attack.
Snow was getting very desesperate. She didn't want a repeat of what had happened with Ricardo's Somberado. She would not allow this to happen. Snow was about to grab another Pokeball to send another Pokemon, something she should have done much much earlier actually, when time seemed to slow down. Snow's perception grew strangely dimmed, and before she even had the time to panic, heard a soft, feminine voice whispering to her.
''tinequi itlachihual, teocuitlatl Xochitl?''
Snow looked around, panicked. Where was this coming from? Who was talking to her? What was happening? Those question swirled quickly and endlessly in her mind. One thing was clear tho. She needed to act quickly or her Pokemon would be wiped out.
A small, etheral creature gently landed on Snow's shoulder, posing a paw on her cheek.
''tinequi itlachihual, teocuitlatl Xochitl? amo cualli cahuitl!' Reiterated the voice. Snow instinctively felt the same gut feeling as back in the temple...and nodded. Anything would help...if whatever that was asking was if she needed help.
''Please...'' She simply replied, her fear of seeing her starter hurt again overcoming every inhibitions.
The figure smiled and whispered something in an odd language before vanishing. With it, the odd time slowed down sensation dissapeared.
🎵 - Pokemon movie 5 - Sortie! - 🎵
Snow felt energy take hold of her. It was magical, like pure fire was encompassing her entire form. Her eyes turned an almost metallic shade of silver, her white hair shined and took on some orange tins at the end. Her skin was pratically glowing a faint silver light. Snow closed her eyes, reveling in the feeling a little. It felt so right, so warm, so powerful...pleasurable even. She could have basked in that feeling forever if she so desired, but she had a very real task to do here. The black beam was almost all that Vixen was seeing, her flames barely capable to hold the attack anymore.
Snow wordlessly extanded her hand toward vulpix and whispered a single command: ''Vixen, tletl!''
Vixen never quite understood what happened here. She had heard Snow whisper a command, and immediately after felt like someone had released all tension and strain from her aching lungs and troat. She felt so light and so powerful that she simply put more of her back into it and released a stream of flame that turned orange with tinges of blue, rapidly pushing back the beam toward a stunned beast that could not for the life of it understand what the heck it was looking at, never mind on how the small fox suddenly had the power to push it's attack back. With a roar of incomprehension and understandable fury, the beast put all of its strenght into the dark pulse attack, his instincs telling him that being burned by those bluish orange flames were bad, bad news for it.
It never stood a chance.
With a roar of delight, Vixen and Snow, in perfect sync, aligned their thoughts and desire, allowing the fire fox to exert even more power, the orange stream of flame pushing back the dark pulse attack back until both attacks cancelled themselves out right before the beast could be burned black by the steam of flames.
As quickly as the power had come, it started fading away. Vixen collapsed on her belly, panting heavily. Snow leaned even more on the tree now, feeling the empowering energy leave her.
''SNOW!'' She then heard a voice shout.
She turned toward it and saw with delight that Andre and Sven had finally joined back with her.
Both teen quickly arrived...and stopped, mouth open.
Snow barely had the time to tell them how silly they looked that she felt the energy vanish completely, leaving her a bit drained. She outwardly returned to normal...but what the two had seen a few seconds earlier couldn't be unseen...
well...
The etheral figure from earlier quickly pondered about messing with the two, but quickly decided against it. rather, a small, almost imperceptible dust fell on the area, but purposely did not fall on Andre. With a girlish snicker, the figure vanished, leaving the group to themselves.
Sven quickly snapped out of it. He had found Snow and Vixen interlocked in battle with a...Hydreigon? In the middle of a forest? Blacked out for a single instant and got all his senses back. Shaking his head he arrived toward Snow just as she was falling backwards, catching her.
''Whoa, hold up little girl. You don't wanna fall on your head with all those roots running along.'' he said kindly as he offered the teen a bottle of water.
''Thanks Sven...'' Snow slowly thanked her friend, looking behind his shoulder at Andre, who was still locked into place, his Aguade as well, staring at her.
Andre's mind was a hive right about now. As much as he felt relief to see Snow still in one piece, he had the vague impression that just now...right before she fell, she had looked...like something more than just a regular cute girl. Visions flashed of a majestic Snow, with an almost glowing skin, intense, mesmerizing silver eyes and fiery tipped white hair that flowed in the wind. A violently attractive image that destroyed any part of his mind still thinking about Malitzin...
Just has fast as this image had been burned into his retinas, just as fast that image had vanished. Was it all just an illusion? This was the illusion forest after all.
It took a light tap from a giant bat to snap Andre out of his stupor. Snow was on the ground, Sven next to her while she was recovering. Vixen had risen slightly to her feets looking at the stunned three headed behemoth with her fangs bared. His Aguade had also snapped out of it and joined Vixen in battle.
The shibalbat looked at Andre in dissapointement once again before desactivating. ''Such undecisiveness will get this pale face killed one day....'' She thought as she turned back into stone.
Andre shook his head. ''What the fuck am I thinking?'' He thought as he ran toward the pair. ''Sorry for the delay Snow, we finally found you. Now mind telling me why you are chased by an hydreigon in the middle of the forest?'' He said in a crude attempt at lifting the atmosphere.
Snow smiled sweetly at him, appreciative of his attempt. ''Don't know sleepyhead, maybe he didn't like my hair or something?'' She said, taking another gulp of water.
Andre chuckled. She could be so adorable sometimes. ''Anyway, seems like you got a case on your hand. I'll handle it from here.'' He proposed as he ruffled her hair playfully and stood up, turning toward the hydreigon. Andre never knew it, but the small, loving smile that Snow gratified him with said it all about her feelings toward him, if they weren't obvious already. Sven noted this and chuckled, thinking that this boy was lucky indeed.
''You're dealing with me now, Hydreigon!'' The teenager shouted defiantly at the three headed Pokemon. Itzatl came in front of Vixen , his position poised to attack.
At the tone, Eclipse reactivated, intrigued by yet another switch in her new trainer's demeanor. ''How can he switch from undecisive to commanding so often?'' She asked herself before looking at Snow's smiling face and linking it up to Andre. ''Oh...so that's the trigger...'' She pondered as she hovered and landed in front of Andre, screeching and pointing toward the hydreigon as she took flight.
Andre smiled. ''So you wanna help me now? I thank you for that, Eclipse. Let's do this guys! We'll show that hydreigon what happens when someone mess with my close ones.'' He shouted, smashing a fist on his opem palm.
The hydreigon sweatdropped. One , weak human was enough, but facing another one, with a giant Shibalbat in tow was not something he could handle...the gig was up it seemed.
The large behemoth turned around to leave...but one thing was odd. In the middle of the large dragon type's back was a rather unusual feature.
Andre was the first to remark it. ''Hey, am I crazy or do I see a tuff of black fur looking like a small tail on the hydreigon's back?''
Sven clapped his forehead hard. ''Of course, Arceus damnit I should Have known!'' He shouted as he shook his head, seemingly dissapointed at himself.
Andre and Snow looked up at him, wondering why he was acting like that.
Sven did not reply to them. Instead he simply said this: ''Just point your Pokedex at the ''hydreigon'' '' He said.
Andre did as requested and his Pokedex scanned the hydreigon and quickly gave the information that they were looking for.
''This Pokemon is using the illusion ability. It is not a Hydreigon. Scanning...Ping! Zorua, the Tricky fox Pokemon. Dark Type. Zorua sometimes transforms into a person and goes into cities to search for food. When Zorua does this, it usually takes on the form of a child.." informed the monotonous voice of the Pokedex.
Andre gaped. Zoruas were said to be extremely rare and timid Pokemons. Finding one in another region was another thing altogether. Especially one that didn't seem to shy away from attacking travellers. "Whoa, that's kind of amazing actually. A zorua?" He shouted in disbelief as the big , burly dragon shimmered in the air, glowing purple as it snickered, reverting back to its small , four legged black fox self.
"Shishishi...I got y'all good did ?" She snickered as both Andre and Snow made the jump, hearing the Zorua actually speak.
Snow was the first to snap out of her stupor. "Did..did you just talk?" She asked shakily, her eyes wide with disbelief.
The black furred fox snickered ever louder. "I think the pulses might have hit you too hard...of course i can talk silly, I learned words as i kept sneaking into the town next of the forest. I'm a she by the way!" The now identified female Zorua said, walking to Snow with a huge smile on her face.
Andre and Aguade collapsed on their rear, drained. All of this for a small, prankish Zorua.
"Why did I even come here again?" He moaned as Sven let out a hearty laugh at the pair.
The Zorua looked at Snow and snickered again. Her mind was set. "You! Human!" She interpelated the white haired teen.
"M..Me?" Snow more or less answered, startled.
The Zorua rolled her eyes playfully. "Who else silly?"
Snow nodded as she waited for Zorua to finish her sentence.
The small black fox looked away in embarassement for a bit and seemingly gathered her courage to finish her sentence. "Humm, sorry about earlier. You are interesting. I want to go with you.." She requested as she gave Snow her best puppy dog eyes.
Sven looked away, knowing full well what the black fox Pokemon was doing. "Damn...that's one hell of a captivate attack...it's effective even on me." He whispered to himself.
Gilla and Aguade were staring at the fox, the captivate attack doing some violent things to their hormones. Aguade especially felt violently attracted to the fox. A black furred foreigner should not look that hot. That wasn't legal. Panicked at his own reactions, the blue lizard hatchling turned away and walked to Andre, jumping on his lap. The raven haired teen looked funnily at his starter and shrugged. Aguade shot one last look at the black furred trickster and caught her staring sideways at him with a rather sultry look, like she was eyeing him down as prey. He shuddered.
Snow had to hold back a squeal of adoration. The little pup looked so cute... There was no way she could deny her request. She merely extended her arms towards the black furred and accepted her. "i'd love to have you"
The tricky fox yipped in delight as she jumped in her arms her, much to the horror of Vixen, who wasnt really looking at this new team member with a good eye.
Andre shook his head. "We already had one troublemaker... No we have two on the same team?" The lentimas teen moaned, shaking his head.
"Seems like we do indeed, Lombre..." Sven replied, chuckling
sweetly at the two. "Hey Andre..." She called.
Andre turned to face her "What uuunn..." He trailed off, having locked gaze wifh Snow. He could see how silvery her eyes were. Tender, caring, inviting. Slowly but surely, Andre was absorbed by thoses eyes, blocking all other thoughts.
The Zorua picked up on the situation and quickly casted an illusion where all that Andre was see was Snow's eyes.
Flashes of Snow''s glowing skin and mettalic silvet eyes flashed in Andre's mind. The mesmerizing beauty and power she had exuded back then. Andre's eyes glazed over rather quickly, much to the amusement of the tricky fox Pokemon..
After a few moments, a paw snapped out the poor lentimas native from his state. Mortified, tje raven haired teen turned away, mortified.
"Really Iztaca?" The lentimas whined, embarassed to have been put in that state so quickly.
Snow's form quivered at the sound of her nickname. Just like Vixen had said, he wasn't going anywhere. "I am innocent!" She replied, giving him a smile that would trip a Groudon.
Andre reddened and looked away as Sven simply laughed again. It felt good to have the group back.
"Now that's what I call adventures." He said, his purple poison type friend nodding in agreement.
*Meanwhile - Lab bureau near the city*
The burly figure was watching with a critical eye. Things were going according to plan so far but he knew that the very nature of their experiment was uncharted territory. Anything could happen at any time. The scientist reveived a call.
*Riing*
*Riing*
-Hello Doctor.
- Yes it's doctor Cocytus. I suppose that you are Ren?
- Yes, it's Ren. How's the project?
- The project is advencing properly, all on schedule. Didn't my assistant sent you a report?
- Yes Doctor Cocytus. I have received the files a minute ago. But you know how I am. J like personalized reports.
- Ren, sir.
- How much more time before the Prototype is completed?
- If we go like on schedule, around 4 days at worst. 2 days at best.
- Hmmm. That's sound good actually. Do your job well and you will be rather well payed.
- Heh! Money is hardly a man like me. But the opportunity to work with such cutting edge technololy is a dream come true. You'll have your prototype or i'll die trying.
- I on you, Doctor Cocytus. I'll leave to attend to other matters now. Bye now.
- Have a Good day, Ren sir.
The scientist hanged up the phone and looked back at the tank. He smiled malovelently.
"The second coming of the Bronze age is coming...And i'll be the trigger to it!" Cocytus chuckled as his machines started beeping.
To be continued...
StevenZ12:
Alright folks :D that's another chapter done! Lemme know what you guys thought about it.
Snow has a new Pokemon in Zorua. Who? That etheral figure? What's brewing in those labs? If y'all wanna know, stick around and stay tuned for the next chapters. Things are gonna pick up.
Stay safe y'all :D