StevenZ12: Good evening people, I hope that you are doing well :) . For my part, I am doing very good. I recently got out of a second coming of Covid. Didn't think that lightning could strike twice, but it happened. Thankfully, I wasn't affected too deeply by the virus and remained in relative good health throughrought my isolation. Be careful guys, I was lucky but some other people ain't. Wash your hands, stay safe and make sure to get tested quickly if you feel any symptoms...

Anyway, you didn't come here to listen to me rambling about a stupid virus. Y'all here to read the story. So, without further ado...

Previously on Nuevo: After staving off two explosion of searing heat, Sven and Malitzin had somewhat cornered the calamity of the grove, Proto-Eronze. However, the beast hadn't said it's last word. If one final order from the Nube Negra, the giant fiery colossus had stoken itself to the paroxysm of what a living organism could generate and released a blast ready to incinerate everything in the Achichiapan until there wasn't even any ashes left. However an unlikely arrival would change everything...

Chapter 31 - Calamity Climax - Tlaloc vs Eronze

All white. That was all that Snow could perceive at the moment. The last time that her vision had been filled with something else than a complete cloak of white light, she was standing in front of a hulking, blazing hunk from her worst nightmares... Now however...

''Wh..what is happening? I only see white, I only feel flames all around me, but they don't hurt...in fact...'' She thought briefly before feeling embraced by something. A powerful desire to dance overtook her. She felt that at that moment...

''nocpac techiuhqui tletzintli, nocpac mahuizopia mochitin!''*

Sven and Malitzin's mouth could not have gaped more than they were at what they were witnessing. Far from the deafening explosion that they were expecting, they saw a view that could only be described as ...otherwordly.

''W...what is happening?'' Dumbly asked Sven, as he had trouble processing what he was watching.

Malitzin however was taking it far worse. She had heard what Snow had said, with her heightened hearing and alla dat. It had paralized her to the core, as she also recognized the dance that Snow was performing. It filled her with a rage that simply could not be explained.

Indeed, Snow was dancing with all of her might and grace, fire swirling around her like it had a soul. It was like all the fire in the area had lost its primary purpose, which was to burn and destroy, and merely became an extension of Snow's expression and performance. Even the hulking beast, unable to comprehend what just had happened and now feeling the fallout of his superstoked thermo explosion attack, did not move an inch as his hide slowly but surely started to cool off. What was suppose to be a ballad of destruction had become a thing of pure beauty filled with mysticism. In one ample, large movement, Snow sent all the flames that were generated by the Proto Soaring the sky in a finish that saw her gaze joining Malitzin's. Her gaze was condescening, triumphant. It was like they had fought a long and winding battle and that Snow had prevailed over the jaguar warrioress.

When she was done, Snow felt a part of the presence leave, making her suddenly feel a bit sickly and weak. However looking how the sorroundings had been spared from the raging searing shot that was prepared to annahilate everything in his path, she only had gratitude in her heart as she looked as the hulking beast's movements stalled more and more significantly.

''I saved the forest, just like you told me too...'' Snow triumphally exclaimed before having a thought for Andre, whom she hadn't seen since the start of this whole debacle. In her heart, as steam started to fill the area, she wished for him to join his side. Aside of that, she also needed a way to combat this abomination that had brought so much pain to the people, nature and Pokemon around these parts. Feeling a bit empowered again, the white haired Teenager simply muttered a single command.

''Come.''

Above all of this, a single black helicopter was flying, seemingly undisturbed by the events playing down there...

Well, that's what it would look like if a brilliant collumn of fire didn't almost transform all of the occupants of said helicopter into deep fried kebabs.

One of the individuals was indeed frowning however. It was Dr. Cocytus. He had expected to see a massive burst of flame litteraly tear apart a huge chuck of the forest below. By some wizardry, the expected explosion did occur, but the flames shot upward, and the forest down there looked safe. It was crazy. None of his calculations had predicted such an outcome...Well not exactly his calculations, but he was savvy enough in science to read and understand the reports he was given by the scientists he employed.

''Ren, sir. It seems that the explosion did occur, but somehow the flames...they shot upwards and almost burned us instead.'' He commented.

Said Ren however was frowning. His Umbreon was relentlessly growling, her bloodlust for misfortune dissapointed by the absence of carnage that the hyperstoked prototype was promising. It was as if something weird had just happened and he couldn't make heads or tails about it.

''I see. This will have to be investigated later. We are returning to base. Cocytus, I will offer you a raise. Your part in the experiment isn't to be ignored and it shall not be said that I treat my subordinates badly.'' He said as he closed his eyes and returned his Umbreon back to her Luxury Ball.

As Cocytus humbly accepted the raise and instructed the Pilot on their next landing point, the Nube Negra agent smiled. ''The Forces of Nature really do protect those natives more than they do us. But Once we bring about the death of the sun...even thoses forces will remain silent.'' He murmured as the Helicopter made a sharp turn west, dissapearing in the clouds above.

Andre had fought roughly against the rangers and the police forces. The more time it took, the more agitated he was. He hadn't missed this bright collumn of fire that had extended all the way to the skies above, illuminating the entire sky in an orange and crimson light.

As he was about to command Iztatl to attack yet another pawter, a HUGE water canine landed right in front of them. Dark blue fur and a lightingbolt shaped collar. Coupled with a yellow tipped tail. The pokemon roared loudly, the bark sending shivers down the spine of the rangers and the police present. The Roar also sent all of their Pokemon to their Pokeball or in the case of the Pokemon rangers, stripped down their will to fight. They jumped in their ranger's arm, shivering in fear at the Pokemon. Satisfied, the giant pokemon looked at Andre and Iztatl, who were a bit off putted by his antic and knelt in front of them, growling softly.

''Huh?'' Said Andre dumbly, not really understanding why the Hurricanine was doing that.

Iztatl, who could actually understand the Pokemon immediately got the message. Turning to Andre, he used signs and expressions to essentially say. ''Boss, I think the dude want us to mount him.''

Hurricanine barked again in agreement. Nudging both with his nose to convey a sense of urgency.

The lentimas native nodded. ''Heh, well, alright then, let's do this!'' He said as he jumped on the Hurricanine and helped his Iguadium up the Pokemon.

Once atop, Andre's brow furrowed. ''Hey Iztatl...isn't this the...?'' He started.

His question was immediately answered however. ''Yeah...It's the guardian we just fought... I wonder why's he's there as if he wanted to pick us up?.'' Replied in his own language the water/fighting type.

Andre shrugged. ''Honestly, right now, i am just glad that he's heading toward the fire...We'll figure that out later. Let's go Tlaloc!'' He shouted as he gripped the water/Electric type's fur tight so he wouldn't be ejected illico once he'd take off...

And what a takeoff it was...

With one majestic and powerful leap, the large stormbringer jumped over the barricade made by the autorities, making it as if they weren't there. Andre barely held on to that prodigious Acceleration. Within a few leaps, they were out of sight from the city and rapidly approaching the forest. On their way there, Andre saw a lot of Pokemon. Their expressions broke his heart. He saw that fear, pain, loss, despair was written all over them. However, most of these Pokemon cheered when the guardian passed with them on top of him. Andre's brow furrowed. Hurricanine was their hope. Whatever lied ahead, he couldn't fail. He had to help them put an end to that calamity that had caused them such anguish.

When they finally arrived at ground zero, Andre was flaggerbasted at the extent of the destruction all around them. It was terrifying. The beast landed in front of Snow in a thumping fashion, attracting the attention of everyone present.

Snow looked up at Hurricanine and smiled, happy that her call was heard. She then realized that Andre and his faithful Iztatl were atop of him. This relieved her, as she didn't like the thought of Andre being endangered. Tlaloc knelt down in front of the white haired teen and Andre and Iztatl jumped down. The beast offered Snow a soft lick on her arm, which made the teen giggle.

Andre smiled at the scene before walking toward the white haired teen. ''Quite the stunt you pulled back there...I almost had a panic attack when you weren't in your room.'' He gently scolded the teen before hugging her.

Snow closed her eyes and reveled in her embrace, temporarily forgetting about everything. It was how much she enjoyed being in his arms. However, as much as she wanted to stay there, she had a mission to accomplish. Gently pushing Andre away and plunging her gaze into his, Snow put her magic at work. ''Please, allow me to finish what I started now that you're safe. You can scold me all you want after okay?'' She said with such a soft voice that it overpowered any complaint that Andre could have had. Heck, the moment her crimson irises had met his, Andre had lost almost all connection with Reality. Snow's voice and gaze conveyed a warmth and a confidence that simply dissalowed any and all protest.

Andre, completely mesmerized by Snow's gaze and voice simply nodded and recalled Iztatl to his side before taking a few steps back, completely out of it.

Sven and Malitzin, having by then snapped out of their shock of seeing Snow first completely nullify a thermonuclear blast that should have sent a good part of this forest back to nothingness and now have a Guardian at her beck and call, joined Andre to his observation spot not too far from Snow and Tlaloc.

''I see that you have forgotten about me...'' Purred Malitzin in Andre's ear, making him jump in fright and snapping him out of his mesmerized state. ''You!'' Spat Andre with venom in his voice.

Sven gulped and took a step back. This wouldn't be pretty.

Malitzin gave him a toothy smile. It felt good to actually have something to distract her mind from the crippling shame she had felt when Snow had looked at her as if she was nothing more than trash. Well, it wasn't Snow's intention, but it certainly felt like that to the proud Amyaket warrioress. Dominating the obvious interest of that pretentious pale face was a welcome activity. ''How harsh...after how putty you were in my thrall last time we met I thought you'd be happy to see me again...''She teased.

Andre was about to open his mouth to respond but Sven intervened immediately. ''Okay, I wasn't going to step in, but is this really the time for that? Look, the beast is about to attack!'' He shouted as The beast roared once again, turning toward Snow and Tlaloc. However, something was amiss...

The previous roars seemed to come from a mechanical desire to destroy and ravage. Those were roars of build-up. Heck, they could even be considered roars of triumph. However, this roar seemed much more different.

Sven's face grew grim. Being able to understand Pokemon, he quickly realized that the beast was now conscious of his actions...and was expressing one thing through this roar...

...

...

...

Hunger.

The hulking beast's fiery eye frowned toward the two man-mon cell. His hide started glowing again, abeit much more dimly. Steam erupted from his joints, but instead of being clear and full of vitality, it was now black and seemed to be coughing by moment. Sven's fear were confirmed when the best suddenly started to speak.

''Critical fuel levels, low. Need to absorb a large amount of thermal energy...'' Said the monotone tone of the beast as he started walking toward Snow and Tlaloc.

Upon being close of striking distance, The beast continued, saying: ''Large source of thermal energy detected. Retrieval for survival critical. Initiating Battle Routine. Execute.'' It said before launching a rapid volley of fireballs toward the two.

Snow frowned. She could tell that she was the target. But she wasn't alone. The strange force was with her, the powerful guardian of the district was there, Andre and Sven were there. She could fight, she would protect. With a graceful leap, she jumped on Tlaloc's back.

''Tlaloc, Tlapiciloa Mitotiani!''** She commanded as the giant Dog took off, dodging the fireballs that went on to crash onto already burning woods. The following moment, the hurricanine roared to the skies, making an heavy downpour crash onto the area within seconds.

Slowly but surely, the rain started putting the fires out in the area, to the relief of everyone but the hulking beast, who roared in pain and heightened hunger as his fuel started to cool of.

''Fuel cooling off... Need to raise the temperature...Stoking...'' Said the man-made beast as he started to raise his arms up and down, rapidly heating his hide who started glowing once more. Then, without warning, shot a brilliant beam at Tlaloc.

Snow was focused however, and so was Tlaloc. ''Acua pocyotl!''*** She commanded, thrusting her hand forward.

The guardian barked enthousiatly as he jumped up high, his tail turning into water and doubling in size.

''Treat detected, intercepting... '' said the beast as his arms glew white and extended to meet the incoming blue furred meteor.

The clash of power was terrible. The impact created a wind pressure that hardpressed everyone not named Snow to stay on their feets. Wind rushed through the area, the noise was deafening. It was a titanic clash indeed.

Maltizin in particular was watching this battle with an envy that simply could not be properly put into words. It filled her with such shame and anger that out of everyone here, a pale face that did not have an ounce of real combative spirit was wielding a guardian like it was her personal pet. With such grace and talent that it made her blood boil. It honestly felt like this foreigner was trampling on something that was more than just sacred. She genuinely hated her weakness for seemingly being disregarded by the Gods she had served all of her life and for the culture she had trained so hard to learn how to defend. She wanted to participate. She wanted to risk her life. That's why she had trained damnit!
Looking at Snow once more, she bit her lip until she bled. ''Just who in Quetzar's name are you, you filthy ixtenextix ixtli?''

Andre was also transfixed by the battle he was withnessing. Having trained with Snow, he knew that she could hold her own in battle, but this wasn't Snow. He couldn't help but feel that this assurance, this assertiveness, this battle knowledge, wasn't all hers. She looked amazing though, she felt amazing, and her assertive nature made him melt. The lentimas native knew that this was a problem. If she ever found out this weakness about him, she would use it to no end. For now though, he was concerned. He wanted to help, but his body was paralyzed. The flames around him had died down, but his body refused to move still. What's more, his Snow had told him...well more like commanded him to remain behind and not to interfere. Andre simply did not have the will to defy that order for a reason he did not fully understand himself. ''Snow...just be safe...that's all I ask...Please...'' Andre muttered, utterly hating being forced into inaction here.

Sven's mind was working overdrive. This was a lot to take in. Somehow, the Nube Negra had managed to create an artificial Pokemon that actually could think for itself...even if it was a bunch of subroutines. This was rather unprecedented here in Nuevo. That beast had the power to wipe entire chunks of region if left unchecked or if someone or something was controlling it. Now Snow, whom he knew he had to keep an eye on, suddenly possesed the ability to deflect flames and command a guardian Pokemon. This made no sense. At all. Snow was a foreigner. A complete stranger to all of the culture and the lore to the region. It only had been months since she had arrived with that funny lentimas guy, yet she had gained all of this...it was as if... Sven shook his head when his train of thoughts went a little further south. This was even less probable than the beast managing to defeat the guardian.

While the people present were watching, the fight keept on going for quite a while. The heavy downpour continuously weakening the beast, as it kept slamming his fist around, desesperately trying to grab the guardian. All its effort ended in failure however. Under the guise of Snow, the Guardian was simply impossible to touch.

Snow felt her heart almost burst with joy. It was a whole different feeling than when she felt connected to nature or when she was dancing with her Pokemon. This was a raw, powerful, primal sense of enjoyment. It was odd, it was exhilarating. She knew that she was in danger. That vile beast in front of him was dangerous. It needed to be stopped, destroyed, annahilated, reduced to nothingness. But even if she knew that, she wanted this battle to continue. She wanted to keep feeling this sense of excitement. Her pupil started shining, going from dark red to glowing purple. With a wild grin forming on her face, she trust her hand forward. Immediately responding to her wishes, the hurricanine covered himself in water and rushed the beast, striking it at close range several times.

Sven's eyes widened. This was bad. ''Syncretito intoxicación...Not Good!'' Shouted the Nuevian jokester.

Andre's ears perked up at that term. ''What'd you say Sven?''

Sven turned to him, startling him with how grim his face was. ''Snow...she's getting too excited by what she's doing. Her primal instincts are being awakened and that feeling is shared by Hurricanine. She will lose it...if not stopped.''

Andre's eyes widened at this. ''Fuck, I knew this was too good to be true. SNOW! Snap out of it!'' He shouted toward the

Silver haired teenager.

Snow, in her state of pure battle bliss, did not even look back at him as with another trust of her hand, the Hurricanine launched himself at the beast again, jumping in the air with his tail turning into water and quite frankly, things turned rather ugly.

''Xopoztequi!''**** She shouted, a deranged grin on her face.

The Hurricanine roared, did a spin in the air in order to gain momentum and came down with frightening speed on the Hulking beast.

''Threat detected...Intercepting...'' Said the monotone beast, his arms glowing and extending to meet the two in the air.

What happened next would haunt everyone present for quite a long time. The hurricanine's tail did indeed meet the beast's arms in another deafening clash. However, this time...

''Xopoztequi!'' She shouted, with a war cry that sounded plural. This shout made Hurricanine go absolutely crazy, with his form glowing orange and his water rushing tail gaining far too much power for the beast to handle. With an absolutely disgusting sound of breaking machinery, Hurricanine's tail cut through the beast's left arm like a water pressure knife, sending an odd mixture of blood, oil and machine parts all over the place. Some of it even splashing on to the immaculate teen.

Said teen, far from being horrified, let out a laugh of glee that iced everyone present.

Andre's next sentence compounded everything that they all felt during this moment. The young nightshade had made him go through a lot of emotions ever since they first met on that plane to Green Oak. Tenderness, fear, pride, sadness, anger, endearment and even another feeling that he wasn't sure totally was there nor he could properly describe. But seeing her like this, her white hair tipped red glowing, tainted by dark brown oil and her glowing, deranged purple irises... only one emotion now rose above all else...

...

Terror.

''Who...is that?'' Andre muttered softly.

Snow laughed again and trusted her hand forward as the beast used his fangs to rip the other arm apart.

''Bodily function compromised. Hands lost, arms lost. Using fuel to recreat. 10%, 20%...'' Said the beast, who did make a roar seemingly of pain. But with a mechanical body like that, who could be sure if it was actually feeling pain.

''Who...are...you..?'' Andre asked a little louder, his fist closing in fear and concern.

The beast tried to recreate his arms using fire, but ultimately failed as another Aqua Tail cut his legs off, making it fall to the ground with the beast putting a paw on his core.

This was too much for Andre. Despite wanting to stop the calamity as well, this was too much. Defeating it was enough. What Snow was doing right now was not protecting the victiny from a calamity...

...

She was now straight up murdering a Pokemon.

Malitzin was Amazed. She did think that Snow was unworthy of wielding the guardian...but the ruthlessness she had shown as well as the glow in her eyes, she knew it well. It was the state of Yaoyolt cuaquepi. For an amyaket warrior, controlling that state was mandatory in order to become part of the elite warrior cast. She smiled evilly at what she was withnessing. It seemed that Snow wasn't the perfect glass girl she appeared to be and while it only felt like a cop out for her wounded ego...it felt good. She couldn't control the amount of power bestowed to her. In time, it would claim her sanity everytime she battled. ''Keep burning...keep going, you ugly pale face...Prove yourself unworthy like the slut you are...'' She muttered, transfixed and aroused by the macabre spectacle.

Andre ran toward Snow with an energy he didn't know he had. Right on time too, as Hurricanine had started charging a jet of pressured water whose aim was very simple. To destroy the proto Eronze completely.

''SNOW! Stop! Don't you realize what you are about to do?'' Andre shouted like a madman.

Hurricanine, reconizing who that human was, took a few step backs. He respected that human, who had defeated him in combat not that long ago.

Snow however, didn't look as pleased...and so was the entity giving her power. As such, they responded. ''You would stand in our way when explicitly told not to?'' They asked. Snow's gaze paralyzed andre with fear. It was like looking into the eyes of a God. A crazed, battle hungry God. Andre felt so small, so helpless, with a creeping sense of dread treatening of activating the fight or flight response at any moment. However, the lentimas native knew that he had to keep his bowels in check and his emotions intact. This was bigger than him. If he allowed Snow to do this...it would break her.

''I don't care Iztaca... I can't let you do this! I would never forgive myself. You have already won, you saved this forest!''

The mention of her nickname seemed to bring her back to her senses slightly... Her pupil lost that purple glint.

The entity realized that indeed, it had done enough. Recovering parts of its power was good enough, and the beast that had dared ruins its forest was now neutralized. Looking at the bond that existed between these two humans, the entity giggled before vanishing. It would wait for the next opportunity, as now, Snow's fate was tied with itself. She was the chosen Mitotiqui after all.

Snow blinked a few times. It was as if she was waking up from an amazingly good dream where she felt so powerful that she had the power to control the world.

''Andre?'' She dizzily said before hearing a voice say : ''tlazcamati, Mitotiqui'' After that, she felt like an immense pressure leave her shoulders and everything went black for a second, making her fall from the Giant's Tlaloc's back.

''Shit! SNOW!'' Shouted Andre as he launched himself to catch the now back to normal teen in his arms, scrapping his arms and elbows upon receptionning.

Sven sighed before walking toward the downed beast. The core had cracked, which had disabled the speaking features of the beast. Without arms and legs... it was effectively unable to move. With the constant downpour and his now exposed features and wires...the beast had no way to actually produce heat, and this was effectively put down.

Sven closed his eyes reverently. It might had been a mechanical creation, but it was still a Pokemon. Even if it had to be destroyed for the greater good, it still filled him with sadness to see the end of a POkemon. However, before he could order his Nidoking to bury the remains, a powerful battle cry resounded, as a poweful impact tore the core of the beast apart. Now staring in Sven's eyes was a pissed off Ocerumi. The impact had crushed the Proto-Eronze's core straight through his skull, creating for a macabre spectacle. Sven however didn't flinch. He was too emotionally tired to be surprised. However, this act still angered him. Turning to Malitzin, he said...'' Really?''

Malitzin snarled. ''Don't you fucking dare 'really' me, you pussy. You think i would let that thing live? It almost destroyed an entire forest and the Amyaket village and temple close to the ravine. That pale face had a whole guardian, but her bitch decided that she couldn't walk the walk and end that beast. All of this power and yet still a soft heart. You disgust me... Anyway, that thing is dead, my job is done. Go fuck yourselves for all I care.'' Said the Amyaket warrior before jumping on her now released Yoalli and dissapearing into the ravine.

Sven smacked his lips in distaste. That Amyaket jaguar warrior was the most unpleasent native he had ever had to deal with. But right now, this wasn't about her. The Nuevian made a few calls, notably to the rangers in order to clean up the sector. For now, this crisis was over...but who knew what the future reserved for them.

Andre was craddling Snow tenderly, away from the body of the fallen beast. The view was overpowering and Andre was really grateful that the smell of burned wood cooled off by the rain was covering the smell of smoldering hunks of metal.

''hmmrrrgh...''

Andre looked down, with Snow's eyes fluttering open at the same time. They stared into each other's eyes for quite some time, Andre's concerned black eyes meeting Snow's tired silver ones. They both smiled and Andre realized with wonder that even covered in oil and water, her hair messy from all the fighting and her eyes looking like she had pulled three consecutive all nighters, Snow looked amazing. He blushed.

Snow didn't miss that blush, sadly for him. ''What's with the dust sleepyhead?'' She asked with an innocent smile on her face.

Andre's gaze shined at this. Those words, that nickname. His Snow was back. Only then he realized how afraid he had been. Only then he truly appreciated the relief he felt.

''Snow...Arceus be blessed!'' He said as he trapped a surprised Nightshade in a very big hug.

Snow was about to protest until she felt Andre's shoulders and body shake. She knew what that shaking meant.

Closing her eyes and brushing her fingers through his hair. She replied.

''Yes sleepyhead. It's me, everything will be okay.'' She muttered softly in his ear.

End of chapter

StevenZ12: And that's a chapter done. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Was really fun indeed to tackle what is essentially the first boss fight of the story. So how did I do? Terrible? Okay?
I'd love to know that you all think of it. don't be afraid of reviewing or Pming me. I only aim to do better.

Also I realized that including a glossary for the foreign and ancient mesoamerican words i am using could be helpful, so I will start doing this starting this chapter. You guys tell me if you like it and I will review my chapters so far to include said glossary. Until then, stay tuned for the next chapter!

* nocpac techiuhqui tletzintli, nocpac mahuizopia mochitin! - Do you want to protect the forest, then I shall grant you power.

** - Tlapiciloa Mitotiani - Rain Dance

*** - Acua pocyotl! - Aqua Tail

**** - Xopoztequi! - Break/ Break him.