oOo
Giovanni and Missy looked at each other. They both smirked as they turned their attention to Lysandre and Malva. Missy glared at them. It was rude not to introduce yourself, after all, how else would he have known who she was at the Brass Tower congregation.
" I am the Mistress." Missy gestured to Giovanni.
He was quick to interject. " The Mistress has borrowed me from the Pokeworld War," Giovanni explained.
He smugly looked over to Missy. He was a bold one. All she had to do was give him a few words of advice. Now look at him, he's gotten the hang of it. She slyly smiled back then whispered something to him.
Lysandre looked over and glared at them. " You have the audacity to borrow people from other times."
Missy glanced at Giovanni then shrugged. " What? He's an expert on the field."
Lysandre and Malva looked at each other. Malva took a pokeball from her pocket. She smirked as she stared them down.
" Let's see if he's an expert on this, chandelure!" Malva tossed her pokeball.
The ball in Lysandre's hand opened. " Pyroar!"
Giovanni released his pokemon. " Golem. "
Missy tossed the ball onto the field." Absol. "
Absol materialized ready to battle. The pokemon stepped forward growling at its opponents. She refrained from using the mega stone. If Lysandre found out she had that ability it could mean trouble for her past self.
Missy pointed at chandelure. " Absol use shadow ball."
Absol snarled as a black orb formed in its mouth. The pokemon growled as it leaped at the ghost. The orb billowed through the air directly hitting its target. Chandelure was knocked back by the blow. The pokemon skidded across the earth. The purple flames on its arms grew as it regained its poise. The look it gave absol became fierce.
" Pyroar noble roar," Lysandre commanded.
The lion took a step forward as it unleashed a mighty roar. A benign wave of red energy followed. The attack lowered absol's and golem's attack and special attack. Both pokemon grunted as their stats lowered.
" Chandelure use confide on that absol," Malva ordered.
Chandelure gazed into absol's eyes. The ghost shared a dark secret with its opponent. Missy briefly listened to the soft ominous whispers. They could have been mistaken for the sounds of madness.
There was an eerie silence as absol's special attack fell by one stage. The canine stood tall as it stared down its opponent.
" Rock polish," Giovanni calmly commanded.
Golem bulked up as its body began to gleam. Missy sneered as she watched the move. He had raised his speed in preparation for an attack.
She had seen him battle many times. He never held back unless he was preparing for a stronger attack. Most of his pokemon had an attack that could affect the area.
His speed made him last in the battle. With his pokemon's stats raised his next turn should be after Lysandre. His next move was sure to take out the chandelure.
Then she could potentially win the fight with her next move. Giovanni was a good strategist. With this in mind, she decided on her next move.
" Protect!" she countered.
A clear barrier appeared before absol. The move would protect the pokemon from any damage during that turn.
Lysander leered at the golem. " Flamethrower."
Pyroar roared as it took a step forward. Golem dug its foot into the ground bracing itself. A stream of flames shot from the lion's mouth.
When the attack encased the rock pokemon. When the flames ceased golem stood firm. The pokemon had been burned. Golem winced in pain but was still able to battle.
Giovanni smirked. " Magnitude."
Golem's eyes began to glow yellow. The pokemon slammed its fist into the ground. The earth shook violently around the battlefield. From what Missy could tell the attack was a magnitude of eight.
Absol protected itself as the ground quaked. The attack dealt heavy damage to pyroar and chandelure. Chandelure groaned as it fell onto the dirt.
Malva gawked at the pokemon. She hesitantly recalled it. Missy prepared for the final attack. A shadow ball should be enough to take out pyroar. As she readied herself for the final blow the king stepped forward.
He sneered at them all. " You should all deem yourselves monsters. I can bear witness to these atrocities no more!"
Lysandre glanced over at him." AZ, These atrocities will end with our work."
Pyroar growled as he faced his opponents alone. Golem and absol exchanged the look as the pause continued.
" No!" AZ turned to the door. " They end now."
AZ cursed as he entered the weapon. Lysandre looked over the battlefield. His eyes glanced over Missy and Giovanni. He raised his arm and looked at his wrist. He glanced at it before his eyes darted over to Malva.
Lysandre grabbed Malva's arm. " We need to get out of here."
She gestured at them. " What about-"
Lysandre shook his head. " We'll figure it out later."
A red beam of energy burst from the ball as he recalled pyroar. Malva seemed confused but she ran with him. Giovanni gawked as he watched them dash off. They ran into the fields of violets.
Lysandre reached for something on his wrist as he ran. Missy spied it, a vortex manipulator. He made quick work of it. In a matter of seconds, they vanished in a flash of white light. Giovanni recalled his golem.
" Cowards," he muttered.
A sharp pitch bestirred the area. The panicked cries of people and pokemon soon followed. They frantically fled the area. From inside the weapon came an ominous hum. The pitch grew as a blue orb of energy formed at the top of the weapon.
Missy and Giovanni stared at the weapon. Particles of blue and yellow rise from the earth. The energy slowly formed an orb at the peak.
Mistress, we should get out here, Ninetails said.
The fox stared on in terror. Persian meowed desperately as he attempted to get Giovanni's attention. Missy recalled her pokemon. She peered into the open door. Bright multi-colored beams of light burst from inside. AZ appeared to be no more than a shadow.
Missy drew her screwdriver and scanned the area. According to the device when the weapon fired it would use up the majority of the planets artron energy. Her screwdriver calculated that it would take ten thousand years for the energy to replenish.
Giovanni placed his hand on her shoulder. " We should get out of here."
Missy brought up the vortex manipulator and punched in the coordinates. She set so they would arrive thirty-six hours into the future.
She looked back at the camp. Alexandre and his men along with many others were running into the field. They all seemed desperate in their attempts to escape.
A wave of energy pulsed through the area. Missy looked at the ground. She noticed something she had overlooked before. There the terrain was barren at the base of the weapon.
When Lysandre fled he got a good distance away. There was the possibility that the blast could affect time travel. That could mean a distortion in time could occur when they traveled. That could be fatal.
Missy turned to Giovanni. " We need to get further away."
She recalled ninetails and bolted. Giovanni took her lead. The hum of the weapon grew louder. It gradually became a screech. The pair ran into a nearby the field.
Missy readied her vortex manipulator. " Grab onto me!"
Giovanni grabbed her arm. She slammed her finger on the travel button. After a burst of light, they had fled.
They landed on their backs in a field of blue violets. Missy gazed at the swaying flowers. Her stomach growled and turned she wanted to roll over and grab her stomach.
She should never show weakness it could leave her venerable to a possible attack. She winced slightly before resting in the grass. She gazed up at they and she watched the cotton-like clouds as they slowly floated above.
Her eyes drifted over to Giovanni. He lay in the grass unmoved eyes half open. She got the impression he also felt ill. Traveling with the vortex manipulator was literally a pain. She rolled onto her side.
The tardis shifted in her pocket as she moved. It was just a reminder of what she would someday have again. Someday she would travel like she used to.
Until they stopped Lysandre none of this would matter. She was going to make him regret his failures. Her stomach gurgled again. Until then she was resigned to this.
" I think I'm going to be sick," Missy said.
Giovanni glanced over at her, he said nothing. He closes his eyes and breathed in. After a couple of seconds, he glanced at Missy. " I don't think we're in any rush."
Missy allowed herself to relax in the grass. She really didn't feel like moving. The pair rested comfortably and gazed into the sky. The cotton ball clouds slowly passed over them. A few vivillon and butterfree flew overhead.
She closed her eyes. Then sniffed the sweet aroma of the violets. As they rested together, she felt an overwhelming sense of peace.
She lazily looked over at him. " So what made you go with The Pokeworld War?"
He glanced over. " I had to think of something. I couldn't announce myself."
" Good thinking," Missy said. He had relaxed. Missy cocked a brow he hadn't answered the question. " Why the Pokeworld War you could have been anyone?"
His brows raised. " During the conflict persian was a popular pokemon for combat. Their quite and fickle movements made them excellent for surprise attacks."
" So you're into history?" she asked.
" I often find myself learning about the conflicts of the past, it gives me insight."
Missy stared off into the sky. She had to admit for someone who was a criminal Giovanni had it together. He was one of the few humans she had ever met who paid attention to the past. It was so rare amongst the species. Her bowels churned causing her to cringe slightly.
The harsh sound of boots crunching the earth caused her to look over. Missy took immediate notice of Alexander. His attention was diverted from his men. His eyes were filled with sorrow. The trio of soldiers in his company shared similar looks. They split off from one another. It seemed as though they were searching for something.
Missy rolled over as she got up. The sight around her pierced her hearts. They were surrounded by the fossilized statues of people and pokemon.
Their final moments forever frozen in time. Their screams of agony, their terror, their tears, their fear, were locked in a single moment. It was a disheartening sight to see.
The weapon stood in the distance. The emerald crystal had lost its luster. The crystal had morphed into a dull grey stone. It was nothing more than a monument of destruction.
She shifted her focus back to Alexander. She watched him for a moment before he took notice of her. When he saw Missy his eyes lite up.
" Mistress!" he called out.
Giovanni hummed as he got up. He strolled past Missy. She dashed to his side. Together they approached Alexander.
He gave a weak smile. " The Gods do smile upon you."
" We are allies of Arceus, unfortunately, we couldn't stop the king," Missy explained.
" No one not even the Gods could." Alexander looked at the weapon. " When that floette flew away I understood the depths of his despair." Alexander looked over the field. " This is the price of war. I should hope that I never fight again."
" Not in your lifetime," Giovanni dryly said.
" That's reassuring..." Alexandre drifted off as he looked to his left. His eyes dropped at the sight of a petrified machoke. " Hopefully never like this again."
Missy glanced at the statue. The pokemon was running in the direction of the weapon. The fact that it was running to it made her question things. When they left everyone else was fleeing. This pokemon ran into battle. How long did it take for that weapon to fire?
She looked ahead. " Leave the conflicts of tomorrow for us. Alexander, I must ask you one thing?"
" What is your question?" he asked.
Missy peered at the weapon. " How long did it take for the weapon to fire?"
" When it fired the sun had nearly peaked in the sky," Alexander answered.
" That's about six hours after dawn." Missy diverted her attention ahead. " That's why your people returned?"
" Yes, to spite my orders they decided to attack along with so many others. Even the pokemon that once fought us in battle."
People and pokemon alike had gathered around the statues of the deceased. An eevee mourned near the statue of an umbreon. A gloom bowed it's head as it leaned into a stone blossom. A woman stood and stared at the statue of a soldier. Tears streamed down her face.
Missy tried to drown out the sounds of misery. As they walked through the fields her mood became morbid. Lysandre was intent on doing this to the rest of humanity.
She didn't like humans, but there is no honor in killing your own kind. Humans of Earth did unspeakable things to one another. As wretched as they were they never would go this far. How could anyone do this to their own kind?
They approached the darkened door of The Ultimate Weapon. Missy's boots dug into the scorched earth. As they neared the weapon the stench of smoke overtook the air.
She drew her screwdriver and scanned it. The smell derived from burning mithril. The device informed her that it was hot inside but not to a deadly degree.
" It's like a sauna in there," Missy coldly said.
" What gifts have the Gods bestowed upon you?" Alexander asked as he gazed at her screwdriver.
" Just a tool of God." She gestured ahead. " Let's go."
The trio approached the doorway to the weapon. They entered the dark hallway. Missy's screwdriver hummed as it lite up the path. The crystals surrounding them gleamed as they reflected the yellow light. Ahead of them was an ambient blue light. She could see a crystal filled room ahead.
Giovanni took her side. " Just a tool of God. How will these people remember you now?"
" As a true Champion of Arceus," she replied.
They entered the dimly lite room. Ahead of them was a control panel composed of many polished crystals.
Missy noted a vacant keyhole next to a red and blue button. On a pedicel before them was a small wooden coffin. The casket lay open and abandoned. With a flick of her screwdriver, she scanned the area. She looked into the crystal and frowned.
" The screwdriver tells me the weapon's core will burn for the next hundred years," she explained.
Giovanni frowned as he examined the console. " Damn."
" Let me guess you wanted to end this," Missy said with a sigh.
" That's our goal," Giovanni shot back.
Missy shook her head. " It's never that easy we could go ahead a hundred years and try to destroy it, but I don't think Lysandre would allow us to?"
He stepped over to the controls. " Do you think I would allow him to stop us?"
" No." Missy gestured to the door. " We won't stop him by fighting a war in the past."
His impatience brought an idea. Lysander had vampires as an ally. She wondered if he has positioned them at the weapon. The book Mythical pokemon and Legendary trainers might hold another clue. The vampires did wield pokemon after all. She wondered what other tales and myths that book might hold.
" Does that book of yours mention the Town of Geosenge?"
" The book does mention it..." he trailed off for a moment. " Now that you mention it there is a story inside the ghost of Geosenge and the Guardians of the Stones."
Missy watched him closely. Perhaps he had just forgotten. It was supposed to be a book about legendary trainers and mythical pokemon. The vampires that Lysandre had allied with fit the role well.
" You'll have to let me look at the book later."
" Alright, that story might give us insight. The more we know the better prepared we'll be, maybe if we're lucky we'll have a quicker solution," he said as he placed his hand on the controls.
" Sometimes the fastest path has the longest stretch," Alexander said as he marveled at the weapon.
Missy gawked at him. " Why would you walk the longest path?"
" I think he means to say it's less treacherous," Giovanni said.
" No, if my path is long it is safer. The shorter the path the faster I step into the unknown," Alexander explained.
Missy and Giovanni nodded in agreement. For someone who was so young. Alexander was insightful, perhaps it was his experience that made him so. She took note of his leadership capibilites before she resigned herself to the current matter.
Together they examined the rest of the weapon. The interior didn't hold much. Big enough for a large pokemon and few people.
At the center of the base was a platform encased in the glass it contained the coffin. Three orb shaped slots surrounded the center. The holes were large enough for a pokeball.
Missy climbed up to the platform and examined the slots. With the flick of her screwdriver, she was informed of nothing. She glared at the device and then to the holes.
The unown had informed them that Lysandre wanted the lustrous orb. This slot was designed for a sphere. She teleported the crown from the tardis.
" Lustrous Crown has the Lustrous Orb," she mused.
She eyeballed the orb in the crown. Comparing it to the size of the slot. It would have been a perfect match had it not been bound in the crown.
" It's a perfect match," Missy said.
" Any idea what he intends to do with?" Giovanni asked as he watched her.
" I'm not too sure. He helped build a weapon of mass destruction," Missy said. She made her way to the edge of the platform and hopped onto the floor. " Lysandre said he wanted a perfect world. I don't know what he's up to but he can't do it without this."
" Then we've halted his plans," Giovanni said.
Alexander stepped over to the platform and examined it. " A creation born from the monster inside of a man. Can you stop that from happening again?"
Missy looked over at him. " That's the plan."
" We have much to learn," Giovanni said as he eyed the crown.
Missy plucked at the orb. The clasp held it in well. She flicked her screwdriver over the crown. The device informed her that the orb was permanently bound to the crown. It could only be released by a certain pitch. She attempted to match the frequency. To spite her attempts she failed.
" How do we get the orb out?" Giovanni asked.
" Screwdriver says can only remove it with a specific frequency."
Alexander stepped behind them. He peered at the crown. Missy glanced at him, his eyes had widened in amazement. His focus was unbroken from the gleaming crown. After a moment his eyes darted away.
" What is a frequency?" he asked.
Missy let out a sigh, she knew he didn't know any better. She was annoyed by his ignorance. She shook off the feeling and turned to Alexander. She teleported the item back into her tardis. Alexander took a step back, he appeared frightened by her action.
" The gods took it," she promptly explained.
" Mistress the powers the Gods have bestowed upon you are tremendous," Alexander slowly said.
" What about the weapon ?" Giovanni asked.
Alexander began to pace looking over every aspect of the interior. " I think it would be best to bury this abomination to bring tranquillity back to the lands."
Missy and Giovanni looked at each other. She could tell he was in favor of the idea. She saw no reason to protest it. She nodded in agreement.
" The Mistress and I agree with that decision."
She stepped over to the weapon controls. She examined the keyhole. Missy draws her screwdriver and scans the keyhole. Missy turned to them.
" A key is needed for the weapon to fire again," Missy explained as she put her screwdriver away. " Alexander do you know anything about the Lustrous orb or crown?"
" The priest said in the begging Arceus created the world. When he created the world he created the gods, three beings to rule over it. The Gods of time, space, and the afterlife. They are known to us as Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina. He spoke artifacts that embodied their powers but he also said that these were not the affairs of men, " Alexander explained as he looked over the slots.
Missy glanced over at him. For a man of his time, Alexander was quite knowledgeable. She supposed that in order to be a real leader one would have to have deep insight. She peeked at Giovanni. He had pulled out his phone and began to type on the screen.
Missy nodded her head in appreciation. " Thank you for your wisdom and insight."
" I think it's best we return to the library," Giovanni said. His eyes followed the screen. " We'll have to be there before January, 1st, 1975. Cell phone says the tombs of creation were stolen just after the new year. We must be going farewell, Alexander. "
He turned to the hall and casually began to leave.
Missy smiled at Alexander. " The Gods call upon us once again. So long."
Alexander gawked. " Mistress and warlord, if you must go then go." His gaze was doubt filled. " Before you depart I must ask you, how can the Champion of Arceus not know the stories?"
Missy placed her hand on her hip. " Be it for good or for evil a true champion is defined by their cause."
Alexander was dumbfounded by the answer. It was like a burden had been lifted from him. His face lite up. Missy got the impression he understood.
He nodded. " Farewell champions."
Missy turned she nearly stepped into Giovanni. He gazed at her with a look of pure satisfaction. She rolled her eyes as she looked ahead. He followed her as she strolled down the hall.
" You didn't have to do that you know," Giovanni said.
She grinned. " It's never wise to leave loose ends. Humans will always search for answers."
" We have a tendency to hunt them down," he replied.
" You and him both."
They approached the sunbathed door. Her fingers danced across the digits as she entered the time and place. Canalave City Library, December 31st, 1974 7:47 pm.
The sunlight streamed inside the weapon. The rays came from the clouds highlighting the fields. As she looked out to the scene time seemed to pause. They stepped out into the sunlight and crunched the charred earth.
Missy prepared to travel. " Are you ready?"
Giovanni nodded, he took her hand and closed his eyes. She closed her eyes as she pressed the travel button. The chaotic winds of time ripped past them. In a matter of moments, they quieted. A second after that came the strong scent of dust resting on mahogany bookshelves.
Her eyes cracked open. In front of them was the vacant reception desk. A flyer of a piplup wearing a party hat and dancing in confetti was mounted on the desk. ' New Years Eve party at the Harbor Inn!' She and Giovanni disregarded the sign.
They walked past the aisles of shelves and climbed up the stairway. They rounded the corner and discovered a display containing five stone tablets. Missy watched as the words on the tablets. They were bathed in a golden light. As the glow faded it revealed the text of the tablets.
The Tombs of Creation
In the beginning, there was nothing. From a void came a single egg. From that egg, the great pokemon Arceus came to be. After his birth, the pokemon swam in the empty void. In that void, he created the world.
Not wanting to rule alone he created pokemon to rule with him. He pondered the detrimental aspects of existents and the important aspects of life. He created three rulers to oversee what he could not control alone. Dialga to rule of time, Palkia to oversee the dimensions of space, and Giratina as his opposite.
The newly created pokemon took pride in their positions. They lived in harmony on the first day. On the second they grew envoys of one another. On the third day, Giratina ended the peace. Jealous of his brothers he attacked in an attempt to take their powers.
A great battle was fought. As their quarrel raged it twisted the dimensions. As the fight persisted its effects drifted into his newly created world. When Arceus witnessed the battle he was angered by their irresponsibility. He separated the trio into kingdoms to force peace.
To create a balance, he gave each an artifact to limit their powers. Inside each of these items was an orb, an embodiment for each of their powers. Dialga the ruler of time was given the Adamant Staff to keep the hours in check. Palkia ruler of space and its endless bounds was given the Lustrous Crown to bind infinity. As punishment for his destruction, Giratina was given the Griseous Coller. Forever binding him to the twisted world of the distortion realm a place for the souls of the departed.
Missy read over the tombs twice remembering every word of the story. Giovanni took his phone from his pocket. He snapped a couple of pictures of each tablet. He closed his gallery and opened his web browser.
" Let's see what we can find out about Giratina," Giovanni said as he began to type.
Giovanni tapped on magnifying glass starting the search. In a matter of a second, a list of web pages appeared on the screen. They were arranged by popularity. He clicked on the first article on the list.
He growled with displeasure. " It's a ghost hunting blog."
The Distortion Realm
The Distortion Realm is often discussed by mediums. This world is believed to parallel to our own. It is said when a person or pokemon dies they travel to this land.
Many who have had near death experiences have told stories about the Distortion Realm. Some tell tales of hellish fire while others speak of a tranquil place. It is speculated amongst various religious organizations that our place in this kingdom is affected by our decisions in this life.
The ruler of the distortion world is widely believed to be Giratina. It is speculated that he holds total control of the realm. World-renowned medium and founder of the Akashic record theory, Edward Cayce once said he had visited all of the kingdoms. He said that the realm of distortion was the most elegant and disturbing of all.
It is rumored that ghost pokemon can visit this world of their own accord. This idea can account for ghost type being able to apparate as they please. It is spoken in old text Hallows Eve the gates of the distortion world open.
According to the ancient lore, the souls of the departed may return to the land of the living. It is thought that on that night the living can venture there as well. A portal to this realm is believed to be in or above Mt. Coronet.
It has long been speculated that a portal is hidden in turnback cave of Shinnoh. Should you wish to venture there this Halloween, heed my warning fellow ghost hunters, many have lost their lives in this cave. As always be safe and be prepared. Happy ghost hunting.
Giovanni clicked off the article. Missy pondered the blog. There was a ghost type. She wasn't a believer of such things. This world was different. She wondered if it was true could people travel to this realm. If it was possible then they would need a way to see the ghost. If that was possible then they could follow the spirits to the portal.
" Is there a way to see a ghost?" Missy asked.
Giovanni glared at her. " Yes, a girl with an umbrella took it from my grasp."
" Timelines," she muttered.
" Yes, when we first spoke, you were perplexing. I intended to inquire about the item but the course of our conversation was unplanned. Zager and I had speculated about time travel a great deal. We had thought time travel was not linear. I never thought it could be this chaotic," Giovanni explained.
" We have a very good use for it. Why don't you let your people take it?" Missy asked as she eyed him.
" Well if you hadn't taken it Zager would have dismantled it. Knowing him we wouldn't have a working silph scope in our possession. Let's get back to base. We have an operation to plan."
She punched in the coordinates for team rocket headquarters. They took each other's hand. With the press of a button, the books shelves in the library started to spin. The lights dulled as the scenery shifted. As they traveled through time Missy knew things were about to get interesting.
Author's notes: I just wanted you to know I'm revising. I've been at this for a while. I've had it on my profile, but I figured I just reach out. I'm trying to fix the numerous grammatical and tense errors. I had to rename Masterminds part two to Deal-breaker due to guidelines.
I'd like to thank all of you for sticking with me even tho the story was grammatically bad. It's good to know that I have an audience that appreciates the story for what it is. I'm doing everything I can to keep my presentation good. I'll see you guys in the next chapter.