Author's Note:
Here it is, the third part of the aqua & magma arc and the big climax. Firstly, sorry for the late update, I still plan on the four uploads for November but I wanted to link them up with the release of Scarlet & Violet, I hope you understand. Expect things to get tense and dark. Remember when I said Hoenn would have one death? Well, I lied. We've got a few and this is the chapter where. Consider this your warning. We also get another evolution; this one is one I've very much been looking forward too because I love the Pokémon in question and not in a DeviantArt way either (heh). Oh, and we got legends, so this is surely gonna be fun. Not much else to say, I just really want to start this one so don't forget to vote in the poll and with that, let's begin
Chapter Seventy-Three: Aqua & Magma - Sky Pillar
Ash smiled as the Togetic lead them up onto a more stable floor of the tower. It felt like they were walking up the spiral staircase for an hour, but he really didn't have a clock to confirm his suspicions. Zinnia continued to lead the way over the floor.
"Hey Salamence." The pseudo next to him turn with a flicked-up eyebrow. "Why can't you just... fly us up to the top? I know why we need to be inside but surely, we could-"
"From here on out, there's barely enough room for me to walk, let alone fly. If I were to do that, I'd cause substantial damage which could bring the tower down," he replied, "I'm no builder but last thing I'd want is destroy the one place we could feasibly contact the dragon of the sky."
"So, what were the Togetic about?" he asked. "I know they're rare, but I never thought I'd see them here of all places."
"Togetic's are commonplace in a lot of legendary meeting points," Salamence commented. "Due to their natural empathy, they make good judges of character, so they work well for the legendries as judges to keep themselves protected. It became common place after Ho-Oh tower was burnt down by humans."
"I remember hearing the story when traveling Johto." He nodded. "Heh, despite having a Togetic myself, I never thought about his place in the wild."
"You have a Togetic?" His eyebrow flicked up. As if to prove the point, he pulled out his Pokegear. Sliding through the photos on the device, he found several of the little happiness Pokémon from both before his evolution and after. "I suppose my gut was right to trust you. But from what you said, I must ask how you-"
Before he could respond, he felt the floor below him crumble. He barely looked down as gravity kicked in and he started to fall back down.
His breath stuck in his throat as a familiar sensation surrounded his body. Being pulled back by ESP, his stomach landed in his chest.
Kirlia stood where he landed with her arms crossed. An unamused look in her eyes before sighing and turning to continue her walk forward.
"That is also why," Salamence added, "you see, this place is built to test the visitors. So, I can't interfere with yourself or Kirlia's challenges."
Standing back up, he found Zinnia across the with a massive pout. She grunted something and pointed to the side where some of the flooring seemed to be cracked and weak. She turned and skilfully lept over the floor, easily clearing the room with a show of her acrobatics.
Dusting himself off, he carefully stepped forward. Making sure to avoid the more cracked tiles on the floor as the pseudo hovered next to him.
"As I was saying, I must ask how you came to meet your Togetic," he replied.
"I was gifted his egg which was found on an island. I don't much about his journey before then, but I hatched him and-" He blushed slightly at the words which also left his mouth. Smiling, he realised it was silly to be embarrassed by the truth in this place. "-and he's kinda like a son to me."
"A... son?" Salamence asked. "And here I was under the impression humans took longer to think about that sort of thing."
Sighing in defeat as his cheeks heated up, he tried not to focus on the implications. An awkward silence filled the area as they continued forward, meeting both Zinnia and Kirlia by the staircase up to the next room. Their mindless chatter continued as several floors past. Each one with more crumbling tiles than the previous, some with holes already present. With more help from his psychic fairy type, they quickly made more progress up the tower.
"Now that section of the tower is over, you should be prepared." Salamence warned. "Our next challenge will be a literal battle. Some of the residence shall decide based on your current partner we'll need to defeat them in order to continue."
"We?" he asked.
"While myself and Zinnia are no strangers to this place, since we are accompanying you, we're not exempt from the trials," he replied, "this our sixth... maybe seventh time taking on this challenge, but it never gets any easier."
Upon reaching the next floor, he stepped out and found Zinnia stood to the side. The area was totally open with a high ceiling to the next floor. Across the room, he saw the next staircase but stood between them and the destination was two Pokémon one being a Mawile, although slightly bigger than May's and with a far more aggressive expression on her face. Although his attention turned to the second Pokémon, which he vaguely remembered from somewhere.
He had a roundish grey body with two stubby legs. The body appeared to be split into segments which overlapped. A single red eye and three tooth-like projects made up the face. With two wispy, light grey growths coming out of the shoulders and one on top of the head. Light grey hands appeared at the front of the body but without any arms attaching them. His eyes widened as he remembered one from the circus where they met Jirachi. He used his Pokédex for a quick refresher:
Dusclops, The Beckon Pokémon. An evolved form of Duskull. There are rumours that peeking inside its bandage-wrapped body will cause one to get pulled in through the gaps between the bandages, never to return. While staring into the red eye shall cause you nightmares
Part of him briefly wondered when his own Duskull would evolve but shook the thought away. While far from lazy, he wasn't exactly a big battler, so it made sense he took a little longer. He never even talked to his ghost type, maybe he's like Pikachu and just doesn't want to. None of that matters right now and he watched as Salamence and Kirlia took up a position in front of them.
"Man... kinda wish I brought Crawdaunt or-"
"It wouldn't matter who you picked as your partner." Salamence cut him off. "They always pick the best counter available to test you. And substituting isn't an option either. Try it and the rest of the residence will outnumber and force you out. I believe Mawile is my opponent so shall we get to this?"
Without waiting for an answer, the mighty dragon charged forward. Fangs flaring with flames as he swooped down onto the steel fairy type.
Mawile lept up and avoided the move. Landing on his back, a pink outline surrounded her body as she stomped around.
The duo flew away to another section of the room. Zinnia wasted no time following in a haste. Leaving him and Kirlia to face down the ghost type opponent.
One of the floating fists clenched shut, glowing with a semi-transparent-purple tint. Shooting forward across the air with incredible speed.
His psychic fairy type took off and performed some spins in her leaps. Multicoloured leaves shot out and struck the incoming shadow punch.
Sliding down on her side, it sailed just overhead. Kicking back up into a running motion, she continued forward to the beckon Pokémon. Waving his hands in front of his body, a wall of dark type energy materialised. Kirlia, however, made a leap, glowing with a bright pink light.
He had to shield his own eyes as the payback and dazzling gleam smashed together. As the lights faded, he found Dusclops but not his own Pokémon.
She slid between his legs, avoiding the collision and now out of his range. Spinning as she ended up on one knee, she smirked.
Holding her hands out in front of herself, she shot a multicoloured beam into the back of his leg. The ghost type fell down onto one knee.
Charging forward, she ran up his slightly curved back as his hand swung around. Leaping over head, she jumped off, going high over his body.
Sinking into the floor, a shadow formed on the floor. Slivering away as a moonblast crashed down where he once stood. Kirlia landing shortly after.
Leaping out of the ground behind her, another fist came flying over the room. Striking her back, she went flying.
Dusclops appeared next to the fist and his two hands burst a flame. Delivering a quick double-fire punch before she touched the ground. Crashing into a pillar in the room, she slide down and frowned. Muttering something he shouldn't repeat, her body glew with a mystic healing light.
"Let's try a hypnosis combo!" He called out.
Pushing herself up, she took a deep breath. Blue waves of ESP radiated out of her head and straight towards the ghost type.
His singular eye flashed bright red. A black, zigzagged beam shot out and pierced through her hypnosis.
Kirlia dived to the side, landing on one knee as the night shade sailed past the pillar. Blue fireballs came flying towards her in quick succession.
Diving backwards, she closed her eyes for a brief moment. Soon multiple versions of herself formed around the beckon Pokémon.
Clenching both his fists, the purple aura surrounded them both. Launching them off, the two projectiles rocketed around the room.
Eliminating the copies, he smirked as the real Kirlia charged straight into the pure ghost type. His eye narrowed in response and both fists turned back.
"Focus Blast!" He hollered.
Forming a ball of fighting type energy in her hands, she threw it straight into her opponent. As expected, it passed through Dusclops without even the slight bit of hinderance. Using the open hole herself, she jumped through and ended up behind him as he fully formed his entire body.
The two fists crashed into his front and knocked their opponent back. Crashing into the floor right in front of her, Kirlia smirked.
Crossing her legs and entering a sitting position. She started levitating off the floor, glowing with a psychic outline as she embraced calm mind's boosts.
"Disarming voice!" He shouted.
Letting out a loud, high-pitched screech. The soundwaves were tinted with pink, fairy type energy, struck the beckon Pokémon in the back.
He cried out as she started floating around, keeping up her combination. A blue outline surrounded his body and a massive force expanded on the room.
Kirlia lost her stance, falling down onto the floor. Dusclops sank back into the floor and shot over to her. Climbing out behind her, she ended up trapped in his hand. Struggling against the new restraints, she was lifted up to his eye which glew just like when he used night shade.
"Dazzling gleam!" He shouted.
Her body glew bright and his hand let go. Dropping her onto the floor, he stumbled backwards, covering his eye.
She quickly recovered and formed a purple ball in her hands. As his vision returned, she tossed the shadow ball straight into his eye.
A red beam shot out of his eye and struck her as the ghost type projectile hit his face. She seemed to freeze as the outline covered her body.
"Great... they just disabled our best move," he muttered under his breath.
Dusclops body began leaking a purple mist and it quickly covered his entire body. A large face seemed to emerge from within the cloud.
His psychic fairy type took a deep breath and closed her eyes. He flicked his eye browl up as he tried to determine what she was up to. It soon became apparent as her body glew bright white. Her shape seemed to change, and he realised she was finally evolving.
The light faded and he took in his newly evolved Pokémon's form. His mind instantly flicked back to the most recent gym battle and smiled. She stood high over him and with a strong posture. Her arms waving in an offensive manner as he pulled out his Pokédex:
Gardevoir, The Embrace Pokémon. A final evolved form of Ralts. Gardevoir has the psychokinetic power to distort the dimensions and create a small black hole. This Pokémon will try to protect its Trainer even at the risk of its own life
Type: Psychic / Fairy
Ability: Trace
Hidden Ability: Telepathy (Note: This hidden ability is currently unlocked)
Gender: Female
Nature: Calm (Note: This is unlikely to change because the Pokémon is fully evolved)
Move(s): dazzling gleam, moon blast, misty terrain, healing wish, charm, growl, disarming voice, hypnosis, draining kiss, teleport, psybeam, life dew, wish, calm mind, psychic, heal pulse, dream eater, future sight, recover, magical leaf, psyshock, shadow ball, hyper voice, focus blast, ally switch, double team
Putting the device down, he felt a familiar tingle of ESP surrounding him. His bag unzipped and one of the mega stones he got when 'catching' her hovered out and over to her. As her hand grasped the item, he felt the power surge through them both. His keystone heating up from the position.
"I-I don't think going mega will help us right now," he called out. "We can win this without it."
His newly evolved Pokémon turned back to face him with a quizative stare. It seemed to take like ten seconds before her expression relaxed and she gave a small nod. While she didn't offer to return the item, she took up a stance against the ghost type energy wall.
"Let's try misty terrain and throw blow that hex away!" He hollered.
She felt every part of her body ache as she tried to move. The rough rubble under her scratched as she tried to move. Pulling her arms under herself, she coughed on the dust in the air. Shaking her head, she weakly opened her eyes to find herself in a much smaller cavern.
She's barely able to sit up and kneel as large rocks surrounded themselves. Right in front of her, she found Brock in a huddled position. He too started to move as he came to his senses. Closing her eyes, she sent out a weak mental blast to try and locate the others. Brock weakly replied, shuffling slight as he tried to sit up, his Marshtomp beneath. Delphox responded next, revealing she used her own psychic shield to protect herself and Vigoroth from the rock fall. Froslass floated out of a nearby wall, covered in sweat and looking ready to faint. She collapsed down onto the floor and hurled up some nasty looking vomit.
"I think being this close to the volcano's finally getting to her," Brock muttered.
"N-no. It's not that." She looked up and her eyes were welling with tears which trickled down her cheeks. "I... I tried to find-"
She threw up once more and Serena's heart stopped. Eyes widened and she frantically looked around for some the others in the room. Sending out another pulse of ESP, she spread it as far as she could muster. "Courtney?! Are you there?"
"I-it's what I'm trying to say..." Froslass wept. "I tried to find her b-but... the explosion. It caused a wall to collapse, and the magma consumed her. I barely pulled myself through the wall... her laughter as she was consumed-"
"Y-you mean she's-" Serena felt her stomach drop. A sickening pool festered as she placed a hand on her stomach. The image of the purple haired girl, laughing manically as her skin burned off her body. Heaving at the thought, her eyes stung with tears.
"We need to get moving," Brock muttered.
"She's dead." A cold chill shivered down her spin. Everything else in the world seemed to disappear. Her laughed echoing through the empty void.
"I know... but we can't stay here. We don't know how much the explosion weakened the structure," he explained, "I say we return everyone who's not immediately useful and-"
"Cou-Courtney-"
"I'm sorry, Serena, but we don't have time for this." He moved slightly and took off three Pokéballs. Recalling his Vigoroth and Marshtomp, he clipped them both back to his belt before holding out the third device, releasing his Lairon onto the ground in front of them. "Can you help us dig our way out?"
Giving a small nod, the steel rock type turned around. Heading off into the rocky crumble which blocked their way out.
"W-wait... what about her Pokémon?" she stuttered. "W-we should-"
"They're gone too," Froslass muttered. "All were back in the Pokéballs when... The magma completely filled the room and engulfed everything."
"B-but the fire types could-"
"Serena..." Brock sighed. "They would've been destroyed by the flooding. Even if opening to release those inside, there'd be no space to materialise, and the magma would consume the unmaterialised energy. None of them could've survived."
She felt her stomach cry out at the thought of not only the young girl but her team meeting their fate in the room. Walking up beside her, Delphox offered a hand and pulled her to her feet. Wrapping an arm around each other, they slowly started walking behind Brock and Lairon. Her starter supporting each step.
She was barely a few years older than herself and was manipulated into the scenario by an overbearing, scientist... it's how she could've turned out had her mum never took her away from her father. When she connected their minds in the past, she saw some of the memories of how Maxie indulged her and others into his cause. As one of the 'lessons' flashed in the front of her head, she had her own memories of her Colress trying to study her own powers.
A light caught her attention as Lairon tackled his way through one of the large rocks. Breaking back into the outside, the forest mountain side of Jagged Pass became their new location. She stumbled a few feet with her starter as a seismic tremor shook the ground. Collapsing down, they grabbed onto a tree.
"Wh-what's causing the earthquakes now?" Brock asked as he latched onto Lairon.
"Groundon!" Her eyes widened as a loud echoed roared from behind. Glancing up to the top of mount chimney, she saw blobs of lava spewing out with the thick black smoke covering the sky. Her breaths turned to panting from the hot, humid air.
She gasped as a blur shot down in front of her. Blinking. She found her disaster Pokémon, landing and looking a little roughed up.
"Wh-where have you been?" she gasped, her face flooding with sweat. Something landed on her lap, and she found a water bottle curtsy of Brock. As quick as she could, she unscrewed the lid and started gulping down the warm-ish fluid.
"After the first attempt to erupt this volcano, I spent weeks digging out pathways to direct the lava to the ocean and away from civilisation," he explained, "I needed to make sure they were still useable and ensure no Pokémon moved into the planned pathways."
"S-so you knew... knew there'd be another eruption?" she asked. "Knew that this would happen?"
"I knew the possible outcomes-" he retorted.
"So, we could've saved her?!" She tried to jump to her feet, but another rumble echoed out. Tears stung her eyes. "W-we could've-"
"For Courtney, nothing could be done," he replied, "she was set on completing her task. Nothing could've saved her from this fate-"
"But what if we-"
"Serena... there were only three possible outcomes from this event." He sighed, walking up to her side. "First we don't make it on time. She blows up the cave and wake up Groundon. In the eruption, nearly everyone on the mainland is killed. Maybe those at the water's edge could escape in time. She dies in the same way though. Then you could've tried to go full mind control. Force her out but given the resistance, it would've left you both in the blast zones. Neither of you would've made it. Last being what happened. You distracted her long enough to allow me time to sort of the routes. Thousands of people are safe... for now."
"What do you mean for now?" Delphox asked.
"We still have the king of continents waking up. His presence alone would demolish this island back into the prehistoric times," he replied, "we need to hope for a miracle but since you calmed him before maybe-"
"It wasn't just me... it took both myself and Ash a-and-"
"The danger magnet..." Absol muttered under his breath. "He isn't here but you are... if we don't act now then it'll be too late."
"I hardly think this is the time for berating her." Delphox stepped up to him. "I thought the only way to calm both situations going on was with that dragon girl. And fetching the dragon of the sky or whoever they flew off to get."
"True, the one known as Rayquaza shall settle them, but we need time," he replied, "I get the stress but just think of Courtney for a moment. A young girl lead into a dangerous situation. Now multiple her by ten-fold. How many more Courtney's are currently at risk from Groundon?!"
She squeezed her eyes shut. Images of her journey around Hoenn filling her head. From the bustling cities like Rustboro and Slateport to more rural places like Foretree or Littleroot. Everyone they've encountered or just seen in the streets. Everyone they've made friends with on this adventure, from gym leaders to locals like the flower shop sister, trick house staff or even the Winstrate family. The countless Pokémon who they've seen on the road.
"Please Serena... I don't need you to convince Groundon..." He paused. "Just stall. Buy all the people a few more moments. Moments Courtney never got."
Her eyes burst open, flowing with ESP. Her sight tinted by the power overwhelming and coursing through her veins. The ground started shaking but the thought of Torkoal flashed in front of her eyes. Placing a hand on the floor, she sent out her own shockwaves through the earth. Blue lights of her powers creeked through the unstable ground and she felt her presence echoed across mount chimney.
Blackness engulfed her vision before the image of a Pokémon emerged, surrounded by an orange-red glow. She found herself eye to eye with a massive bipedal Pokémon covered in red, segmented plates of thick, earth-like skin. With a grey underside and large white spikes which ran along the sides of their head, body, and tail. Each hand had four claws on each, four dozer-like blades flicked up on the end of the large, flat tail which seemed swaying loosely behind. Three claws stuck out of each foot. Blue stripes glew through the inside of the plate armor.
"I see you've returned, chosen, but I'm afraid this won't be like before." His voice boomed. "Soon I shall escape this place."
"You can't!" She cried out. "Thousands will die. Millions even!"
"Regrettable but nothing can be done," he replied with a matter-of-fact tone, "you've seen what the oceans beast is doing! I am needed to prevent her from flooding this world. You say millions will die but if I don't then billions will."
"N-no they won't!" She stomped her foot down. "A-Ash is-"
"I'm afraid neither yourself nor the chosen of spirit could match either of us, let alone together," he replied, "whatever he's attempting with Kyogre will fail and that is why I must intervene. I mean no harm to the people or Pokémon of this land but sometimes needs must."
"What about the millions which'll get hurt in the oceans if you fight?" she asked.
"None of my concern," he replied, "they're aligned with her who I must stop. I understand your position, but this isn't personal."
Her eyes widened as she remembered Absol's plea. While she could negotiate until she's blue in the face, it wouldn't help but he just needed to buy them time and the perfect way to do that flicked in her head. She inwardly smirked as she refocused on the legendary in front of her. To her side, she saw Gengar materialise with an old-fashioned type writer in front of her.
"Don't worry, Clifford over there can't see me. The author just thought you could use a little help." She whispered before typing something and handing her the sheet of paper. She frowned as she read the line before realising the idea and locked onto the ground type once more.
"Feels kind of personal, not gonna lie!" She retorted.
"My apologises but again I'm just doing what I must," he replied, "now if your finish I'll-"
She read the new page in front of her and smiled. "Hang on, Fireman Sam called. He wants his fire truck back."
"Seriously?" Groundon deadpanned.
"Hang on, it's a little cool in here. Mind turning up the heat?" she asked.
"My patience is quickly running out."
"Better go catch it then!" She laughed.
"I'm ending this non-sense-"
"Now hold on, if your gonna fight Kyogre then you should take some tips." She read Gengar's line. "Or if you like, we can put the whole thing in."
She gave Gengar an unamused side-eye. Her ghost type simply held up a sign with the word 'giggidy' written on it. A new page formed in front of her.
"Seriously though, I think I might have a way for you to win." She read "There's an old saying. Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for the day but if you poison the water supply then he'll eat for life."
She felt a massive shake and found herself jerked to the side. Groaning in pain, her eyes blinked and found herself back on Jagged Pass. Pushing herself up, she glanced around and noticed cop cars driving towards them. Everyone else in their group was looking up the mountain and she turned.
Lava was spluttering out of the top of the volcano. Colouring the black smoke and ash flowing into the air. Soon the cops reached them as the shaking settled.
"What're you kids doing here?!" She glanced to see a man with purple hair, some sort of mark over his eye and a ditto on his shoulder. Although his outfit strangely resembled that of Lance of all people, cape included.
She couldn't bring herself to answer and he didn't push the matter. As another shockwave rumbled over the ground, he pulled the back doors open and ordered them inside. Her started helped both herself and Brock into the vehicle and they recalled all their Pokémon once inside.
As soon as the aftershock stopped, the man jumped in. Taking off, he pulled a u-turn and continued down the mountain and picked up a radio. "Sargent Brodie. I've found some civilians and getting them off the mountain. Have medical teams on standby and the others should continue the search."
"Wha-what are you searching for?" Brock asked.
"Now what, who." He sighed. "A magma admin by the name Courtney. She's causing this in mount chim-"
Hearing those words once more, she felt the weight of the situation hit her once more. Sobbing, she tried cover her mouth, but it did little to restrict her emotions. They flowed out and she squeezed her eyes shut. Tightly gripping her golden shirt, the image of the girl filled her head.
"You're not gonna find her," Brock sighed as his hand gripped her shoulder. Rubbing it in a soothing manner. "She died. Exploding the rocket fuel at the heart of mount chimney."
"How do you know this?" the man asked.
"We saw her... tried to stop her." He explained. "She went in the blast and is somewhere under the molten magma."
"...we're too late." The man muttered as he picked up the radio once more. She blocked out his new information as he related it to his team.
May's eyes wept with tears as she held the water type close to her chest. Her bottom lip trembled as she spun him around, feeling his small arms wrap around herself as the rain continued to pour down on them. After the moments of pure bliss, she opened her eyes to see the same grim situation.
"How are you Manaphy?" she asked, lifting him up to her eye level.
"Mana," He nodded with a smile. Her heart bubbled at the sight and a wide grin overtook her lips. Her eyes glanced to the side where Max stood with his team of three Pokémon.
"Thank you, Max, you really saved Manaphy!" She beamed.
"Hehehe, it was nothing. Shade and Skitty deserve the credit." He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "But erm... what should we do now?"
She turned to glance over to the far side of the boat. It seemed the battle had turned back into their favour as Pokémon started to ferry both crew members and arrested grunts over to the large pirate ship. Turning to the side, Misty was still in her battle against Archie, but she seemed to be getting the upper hand.
"Max, head back over there and get a ride over to the ship," she instructed.
"What about you and-"
"I'm gonna help Misty," she replied, "and if you let Steven and Drake know, then they won't just leave us either."
"Alright," he sighed. Taking off across the boat, his three Pokémon either floated beside him or rode on his shoulder.
Her cheeks dimpled as she tilted her head to the side. She felt tears trickle down her cheeks from her moist eyes. While she never wanted to go on a journey with him, she couldn't deny that she's really glad he came. If not for her little brother, Manaphy would still be trapped, and they'd have no-way to get him out.
As he reached the adults on the other side, she sighed and relaxed. Narrowing her gaze, she turned back to the orange-haired friend. While most of her team seemed to have a handle, the main issue was Pelipper. Keeping height over them all, he fired down attacks to double up on Misty's Pokémon.
"Skitty use blizzard!" She declared, pointing up to the water bird.
Running forward, her normal type performed a leap. Spinning forward through the air, she stopped and let out a massive icy breath.
Freezing the rain which fell through her attack. The powerful blizzard struck the water flying type, knocking him down to the deck.
A series of tentacles curtsy of Misty's partner came in. Wrapping around the stunned opponent to prevent a rebound.
Her normal type landed beside her, and she focused on the large man. His eye twitched up and he started bouncing up and down in anger. His cries couldn't be heard over the storm swirling around them. Frowning herself, she took off across the deck towards the man who hurt the pure water type.
"This is for Manaphy!"
She charged with one of her fists out and struck the muscular man square in the jaw. He slipped on the wet metal, spitting blood as she stumbled to a stop whilst shaking her hand extending all her fingers, she cried out in pain without making a noise.
Holding her aching hand as she glanced around, she noticed several of the ship's crew escorting arrested aqua grunts back to the ship. Both Salamence and Metagross were assisting the transportation as the elite four member and champion ran towards them.
"What're you kids doing over here?!" Steven gasped.
"Saving... Manaphy..." She tried not to let on to the pain in her hand.
"We told you it wasn't safe." He paused, pinching the bridge of his nose, letting out a long sigh. "We don't have time for this now. Just get to the other side and we can discuss this more on the ship. We'll handle Archie from here."
"Noooooooo!" She felt a tug and stumbled back as the large man bolted towards her. He flicked his wrist, revealing a pocketknife. "No way are you taking the prince of the sea. I need him to control Kyogre!"
With both members of the elite four in his way, with a Scizor and Magnezone out in front of the man, she turned and followed Misty across the freighter. The rain hardened to something more like bullets and she almost slipped as the water type in her arms tried to break free.
"Wh-what's wrong?" She gasped.
"I think he can sense Kyogre, like Archie was saying!" Misty exclaimed. "We should return our Pokémon to save on trips. Then we can deal with this on the other boat!"
Nodding in agreement, they each recalled their respective teams. As both pseudo's landed back on the freight, a roar of thunder silenced the area. Glowing red lights could be seen under the water's surface. Her attention locked on the three men on the opposite side of the freighter.
Archie was stood with his knife pressed up against his neck. Hysterical laughter bellowed out of the Aqua leader as he climbed onto one of the cabins roof.
Both the champion and elite four member ran back as Misty climbed onto the dragon. Hearing all three call out, she spun and joined her friend on the red-winged beast. He instantly took off as Metagross charged over to the two men. Using his psychic abilities, both of them were picked up from the ground.
She had to hold on tight, to keep both herself and Manaphy from falling off the side of the dragon. Squeezing her eyes shut, the winds rushed past and threatened to blow them off. The cries from the poor water type seemed to stand out over the other chaos around them. Whispering words of comfort to the seafaring Pokémon, she tried not to let her own fear show.
Soon a heavy thud shook her body. Peeking out, she found herself back on the deck of the other boat. A small sigh of relief escaped her lips.
Sliding off the dragons back, she clutched tight onto Manaphy as she walked to the edge of the boat. Her eyes glowed on the freighter as massive waves smashed against the side. Cracks of lightening helping to keep the crazed Archie in sight as he continued to laugh in hysterics.
A shadow lept out of the water. Red lines glew within the storms darkness. Lightning struck down and the aquatic creature smashed down onto the deck, taking the ship with it. Her breath stuck in her throat as she watched the metal contraption get dragged... and the aqua leader along with it.
Squeezing her eyes shut, the image of the beast filled her head. It seemed to be a typical, large fish Pokémon shape with two big pectoral fins, each with four white square-shaped nails. The body was a deep blue but with a white chin area, with two small spikes protruding from underneath. Above each eye were two white, oval-shaped spots. Red stripes around the chin, eyes, fins, and body, which glew in the darkness. The final part of interest was the large, tattered tail with four partings, the inner ones being smaller than the outer. Burning yellow and black eyes seemed to stare at her as it sunk the freighter.
"Mana?"
Shaking her head, she glanced down to see the pure water type squirming around. His arms and head antenna failed around as the gem on his chest glew bright red. Her eyes widened and she tried bouncing him up and down, whistling a soothing tune. "Wh-what's wrong Manaphy?"
"May?" She turned to see Misty approaching. "It's time."
"Time for what?!" She asked, stomping her foot down.
"You need to let Manaphy go," she uttered, "Kyogre showed up to rescue him-"
"But we're not the ones who hurt Manaphy!" She cried.
"I know." She sighed. "But Kyogre doesn't. You just saw how she took out the freighter and Archie. If you don't let him, go now, she'll do the same to this-"
Her friends voice drowned out among the sounds of the storm. Tears stung her eyes as she tightly gripped the young Pokémon. She only just got him back from team aqua. How could they expect her to let him go again? What if Kyogre just wants to hurt Manaphy or the young one gets lost. What if she never-
"'old onto yer jolly loot, kids, we've not 'ad a fight like this here in a jolly few years!" Drake shouted from behind his wheel. A large jolt through the boat to the side and she fell. Squeezing tight to prevent the little one escaping once more.
"Please May," Misty grunted as she held onto the rails. A fierce cry erupted all around them. Her eyes sealed shut as the first tears escaped down her cheek.
Something soft rubbed against them as her heart seemed to explode. Forcing them open, she found Manaphy's antenna wiping her tears around. "Mana... love you... May."
Her bottom lip dropped and trembled as she saw the red marks glowing on top of the water. Another roar echoed around them. Her entire life flashed before her eyes. Squeezing them shut, the red, glowing lines continued to haunt her darkness.
"... I love you too." Her arms loosened and a coldness filled the void where Manaphy once lay. She tried to swallow but a raw soreness refused to let her as her body curled up together. Despite the chaos surrounding them, she could've sworn she heard the plop of the little water type back into the ocean.
More tears escaped down her cheeks as she sobbed in the pooling deck. The bitter cold and emptiness engulfing her entire body.
He smiled seeing the ghost type slump down in front of them before bowing. Sinking into a shadow once more, he moved out of the way. With a wide smile on his face, he ran over and embraced the newly evolved team member in a hug.
"That was great, Gardevoir," he replied, "you're really strong now."
"What do you mean now?" she asked with a stern tone. A nervous sweat flooded down his forehead, but her giggle helped him relax slightly. "I'm kidding but given this new strength from evolution, I can't wait to experience going mega."
"I... don't think this is the right time to test it," he replied, "remember the rules around accessing it and-"
"My mother's a champion and we just came from both a champion and elite four member," she replied, "I intend on getting certified as soon as possible."
"I hate to interrupt but we need to keep moving," Salamence explained, walking over with Zinnia on his head. He noticed the Mawile slumped against the wall.
"Why?" he asked. "Will more challengers show up if we-"
"I believe his urgency has something more to do with the two legends disrupting weather patterns and putting Hoenn at risk." Gardevoir cut him off. "But that's just a guess a guess on my apart."
"Right." He offered a mareepish grin, scratching the back of his head. Zinnia lept off her pseudo, leading the charge up the tower once more.
Heading up the corridor, he frowned as he studied Gardevoir who went ahead to keep an eye on Zinnia. She seemed rather upset that he wouldn't just jump at the chance to test this new form. It's not like he's against her using mega evolution but she only just evolved. He's more than familiar with Pokémon being thrown off by power surges and the last thing he'd want to do is endanger her by forcing this transformation so soon.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Salamence asked.
"Hmm, its nothing," he muttered.
"No offense but you're not good at hiding your true thoughts," he replied, "maybe voicing your thoughts will help them work out."
"I-it's just..." His voice died in his throat as his eye wondered up the walls either side. Lines making out some sort moral or story as they travelled up to the top. It was difficult to make out specifically what, but it seemed to be a massive battle depicted. It seemed rather familiar, but he couldn't place it either.
"This shows how our world came into existence. Two legends were created to design this planet. One to create land masks and one to fill the worlds waters but as the planet took shape, the two legends found themselves at odds," Salamence explained, "they'd clash at every opportunity to completely control the layout of the world. A third legend, the original dragon was created to cease their fighting. Sending both of them into a deep slumber. Out of respect for the great dragon, the Pokémon who lived back then worked to put this tower together. It's the oldest structure still standing on this planet because the Pokémon who live here take great care to preserve it."
"How did he settle them?" he asked.
"Forcing them to exert all their energy, they took on a more dormant form." He continued. "Similar to what you might call mega evolution, he siphoned their excess power into two orbs, which have been lost to time. Should the legends of land and sea find their respective orbs, they'll retake their original forms and undergo a process called primal reversion. Putting every being on this planet at risk of their inevitable battle."
"So, if he stopped them before, why not now?" he asked, "surely he can see what's going on?"
"For the great dragon to see their devastation, it needs to get far worst," he replied, "Rayquaza usually lives high in the atmosphere. Watching out for extra-terrestrial objects which might threaten our world."
While not too happy with his answer, he couldn't deny it made sense. Wiping his forehead, he wondered just how long they had been climbing this tower.
They came to a stop in front of a large staircase. The whistling of air indicated this being the last inside portion of the tower. With a deep breath, he went to step up but a grunt across the room caused him to stop. He turned to see Zinnia stood against a wall which had a round circle in the middle and lines indented around them, leaving a weird pattern over the wall.
"This is the way for chosen to make contact with Rayquaza." Salamence informed. "While the staircase is a more open way to pay respects. Given the urgency of the situation, I suggest you take your specific route given the circumstances."
"What about you and Zinnia?" he asked.
"We're not chosen and shall pay our respects atop the tower before making our way out. Only one of the chosen can open it and legend says you'll have a direct contact too the original dragon." He continued. "We'll wait for you on the bottom floor. Thank you for this, chosen."
"I-its Ash." He blushed at the form gratitude. With a deep breath, he approached the wall. Zinnia quickly scurried back over to her pseudo partner.
With a deep breath, he stood in front of the weird looking wall. Feeling his aura flood through one of his arms, it's like something was drawing it out. Raising his arm, he reached out and pressed the circle on the wall. It flashed bright blue. Yellow lights extended out over the wall through the indents.
Flashing a few times, he stepped back and took in the sight. A rectangle formed in the wall, with the circle at the centre. It slide down, revealing a dimly lit hallway which had a small light on the other side. Glancing to the side, he noticed only Gardevoir remained, who nodded. Taking a deep breath, they stepped forward. Entering the tight corridor, he shivered as a cool breeze shot down through them.
The cold thin air embraced his body as they stepped out into the new room. The roof was mostly destroyed or crumbling above them. The far wall was completely removed, allowing a sight out across the Hoenn region but only a sea of clouds were visible so impossible to know how high they climbed. He felt each cool breath awaken his throat. Stepping forward next to his newly evolved psychic fairy type, she held an arm out to stop him.
"What's up?" he whispered.
"We're not the only one's up here," she muttered.
A dead silence expanded around them, and he could've sworn he heard a pin drop. Glancing around to the mostly broken pillars decorating the room, he sunk his teeth down into his bottom lip. His hand fell into his pocket, and he ended up gripping the key stone in his hand. Rolling it through his fingers.
He could feel his heart thump against his chest as his eyes glanced to the side. A lot of places was in almost complete darkness due to the lack of complete sunlight or any light. As his foot stepped forward, he could've sworn he saw something move from within the shadows.
"Gardevoir?" he whispered.
Seeing the look in her eye, he instantly knew what she thought without a single word. He clutched his key stone and squeezed his eyes shut. The sound of something hitting a rock and said rock crumbling echoed. Snapping his head in that direction, he saw something else move in the shadows.
His heart stopped as a green blur charged towards them. Opening the large mouth, he roared over them, massive drops of saliva flying out. Rows of razor-sharp fangs poked out of the gums with two discernible fangs extending further from the upper jaw. It took a moment for his breath to resume as the creature lowered back down, locking eyes with his own. Despite being small for the actual head, they were big enough for him to make out the yellow with black pupils. The head had two long, flat, horn-like structures on the head, with two shorter horns along their jawline. Chancing a glance behind, he noticed the long, scaley, reptilian body which surrounded the entire room, knocking over many pillars as it twitched. Red tipped, rubble-like wings on the would-be shoulders and down the body were shaped similarly to the patterned fins on the tip of the tail. Yellow ring-like symbols run across the length of the body and had an additional yellow ring on the top of their head. Two arm-like limbs clutched the ground with three clawed fingers on each. Stabbing through the ground.
"How long has it been... chosen?" A male voice hissed.
"This... this is our first encounter-" He stuttered out.
"It is not you that I speak to, but your blood." He hissed. "The blood of the chosen who betrayed my kind."
"I-I don't know but we really need your help," he replied, "will you listen to the reason why we came?"
"There is no need. I already know what your kind wishes to do-" He hissed. "Begone from this place. Aura users are not welcome here. Chosen or not."
"But we need your help!" He raised his voice, stepping forward.
That seemed to be the wrong move as he raised his head and let out another earth-shattering roar. A portion of the roof crumbled and fell, revealing more of the cloud-sea. A good ten seconds after, they heard the unmistakeable sound of rocks splashing into the ocean.
Gardevoir took up a defensive stance, pushing him back slightly. His hand clutched the key stone and a rays of light shot out from both his stone and his psychic fairy types mega stone. A cocoon of light embraced her body before breaking out, revealing her mega form. She was almost completely white; only her hair remained green, while it was shorter and curled. The bottle section grew longer and wider, resembling a bridal gown. Her arms were slightly thicker with pointed extensions above the elbow, resembling gloves. Ash slowly moved to her side and noticed she now had larger facial spikes and were curled upwards. She now had two red thins sticking out of her chest, extending to either side.
"Hehehe, you honestly think this one could stop me?" He asked with an amused chuckle. "You don't even realise I've been capable of utilising infinity energy in this manner for longer than any other being on this rock."
"Wh-what do you mean?" he stuttered.
"You don't know the story? Long ago, in the time of the previous chosen trinity there was a war. One which the creatures of this world haven't seen before, and I believe one which they won't see again." He lowered back down. "It was the reason the chosen trinity were awakened, and some humans tried to win by weaponizing this energy. It devastated the land which was struck, destroying all within the vicinity and killing those nearby. As for the Pokémon fighting the war? Their DNA infused with rocks through the radiation, leaving those stones in the wake. As for myself? I was the first line of defence. Tackling the blast headfirst to prevent it wiping out the planet entirely. Infinity energy leaked straight into my very being. Should I wish, I could utilise the same transformation right now. Without the need of things which others might require to experience the same."
"B-but-"
"Then after the war, when everyone was in mourning for those lost and the planet was in a state of devastation." His claws clutched the ground with an audible thud. "And your kind, humans who utilise the gift of aura. Lead by the treacherous Aaron, invaded the recovering civilisations. Took advantage of their weakened state and built an empire on what little remained. When called out and challenged, he didn't even have the courage to face me."
"But I'm not Aaron!" He cried out "And we need-"
"Your still his blood." He hissed. "And you've encouraged the growth of the empire by partaking in their hostile invasion. Now leave before I-"
"Kyogre and Groundon are fighting!" Gardevoir yelled.
The serpents head snapped in her direction; his pupils dilated with the would-be eyebrows raising up. Narrowing them down, he seemed to be assessing her for a moment before closing his eyes. It took a total of five seconds before they open.
In a blur, he spun, and his body crushed move of the pillars. A psychic shield came up as a gust of wind knocked them over.
The large legend shot off into the sky, but the room started to crumble around them. He jumped to his feet but noticed that the entrance in which they came into the room had been blocked by rocks. He quickly looked around for some sort of exit, but none existed as the entire cavern began to crumble.
Gardevoir quickly embraced him in a hug. A bright flash blinded his eyes as every part of his body tingled.
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