Here we go again!

Chapter 28: Expository: VS Jon (3)

            Groudon immediately used another Fissure, luckily, Gyarados was in the air already. He spat out a hydro pump angrily, that pokemon shouldn't be here!
            Especially not in the hands of a regular trainer. That kind of power was dangerous! What was serebii trying to pull?

            Gyarados angrily used Hyper Beam on the trainer, not the pokemon, to see what would happen.

            Instead, Jon seemed to laugh as the energy hit. No damage.

            The announcer dropped his microphone in shock.

            Lance's eyes narrowed, as he began to calculate. If Groudon chose him, that means Kyogre is also out there. However, if it is simple mind-control, I can break that. Why didn't he receive any damage though? Even I lose magic…

            "That the best you can do, kid?" Jon cackled, showing teeth yellowed with disuse.

            Ash shuddered in spite of himself. This man… unlike Lance, who spread calmness, this person was a festering sea of corruption and pain…

            "Gyra! Dragon Rage!"

            Groudon took the attack, but instead of nothing happening, as with Gary, it staggered back.

            "What?" Jon demanded. "He's indestructible! You can't damage him!"

            "Dragon Rage again!" Ash called, also releasing his Lapras. The two mates immediately started using a combination of Ice Beam and Surf on the Groudon.

            Groudon used Fissure, but the attack missed

            "Impossible!" Jon gasped, as he started to feel pain. "I'm invulnerable! This can't be happening!"

            "Oh, but it is." Ash said, as the wearing down of the rocks began to affect Groudon. "Your ace is being dismantled."

            "I won't allow it!" Tossing another pokemon ball into the ring, Jon jumped onto his own Skarmory and charged Ash, the bird cawing madly.

            "Hey! That's against the rules! Seven pokemon!" An official yelled.

            "Stop the match!"

            It was a bit late though. Red closed his eyes and hung on as Gyarados began twisting around, avoiding the crazed strikes.

            "Go! Kyogre!"

            "Oh hell…." Lance said, getting severely pissed off. Why didn't Lugia tell me he had two…

            His eyes began to pulse with blue light as he started the summoning call.

            Come to me, my dragons…

            However, as soon as it saw Groudon, Kyogre began attacking angrily, joining forces with Lapras and Gyarados against its hated foe.

            The arena exploded in a burst of ground and water energy. When it cleared, to the surprise of all, a trio of Dragonites was holding Jon captive. Another group was subduing the mad Kyogre.

            Lance's eyes continued to shine madly. Well, it shall end now.

            Ash quickly escaped the ring before anything else happened.

            "End Match! Red wins!" The announcer called, not wanting to waste any more time. The crowd quickly escaped, not wanting to stick around.

            They all fled.

            Jon was struggling madly, trying to escape, but without much success. Lance reached around Jon's neck and yanked.

            A chain broke. On one end dangled the Earth badge.

            Leave now while you can. Lance called, as Groudon and Kyogre immediately escaped.

            Ash hid behind his friend, slightly terrified.

            That had been close…. He thanked the stars for whatever magic Lance had used, because in protecting him, it had obviously worked.

            He was still shaken, and so, he clung to the dragon master, his only confidant at the moment.

            "Very clever of you." Lance said, studying the badge. "So tell me. What did you sacrifice to gain this?"
            "Shut up!" Jon growled. "That's mine! Give it back!"

            "I think not.' The Dragon Master replied. "You were obviously not using it for the benefit of all."

            "So? It's mine!"

            Lance's eyes flashed bluely again, and suddenly, Jon was wracked with pain.

            "H-how is this possible! This body isn't even human!" Jon yelled. "What are you playing at?"

            "You could have destroyed the balance." Lance said. "Lugia's justice must be meted out in full."

            "Oh yeah? Like you?"

            Suddenly, Lugia appeared behind his Chosen. Finish it. This worm deserves not to live.

            I thought-?

            No, on reflection, if this information is revealed it would severely damage the child of light.

            Very well.

            Ash was staring in awe at the legendary pokemon.

            "Sugoi…"

            Lance's eyes glowed one last time, before the sword Red had seen earlier appeared in his hands.

            A blade of silver, a hilt of blue ice…

            Lance struck.

            It was so fast Jon could not even scream in pain.

            However, that was not it. His spirit tried to escape, but found itself tangled in a web of white threads.

            You think we would allow you to run free? Lugia mocked. No, a danger you are to us all, so we shall seal you forever.

            No pleading or begging would ever change the pokemon's mind.

            Jon's soul shrieked, before it was locked in a jar of glass, simple enough, but unbreakable.

            No lid, only a solid seam of refined sand.

            Lugia flew off, his work done.

            Lance simply held Ash as the child hurried into his arms, and waited.

End Chapter

Complete 4/2/04