Interlude Six: Within the Remnants of a War Zone

The sun set at the tip of the horizon, leaving a distinct orange glow hovering over the very top of the water. Vermilion City was surrounded by water and the sun continued to reflect all around the sparkling surface, the last light of the sun seeming like a reminder of the explosions that had occurred, and almost perfectly reflecting the fires that were about to be put out.

Steven Stone stood at the very edge of the harbour, staring towards the scene in front of him. It was heart wrenching staring around the blackened and broken concrete, watching as fire fighters and their army of Water types moved around, putting out any remaining blazes, but most were beginning to pull away the wreckage, trying to find answers. In the very middle was a twisted pile of melted and broken metal, only a few hours ago a wall of colourful containers, full with goods and ready to be shipped out. Now it was only a metre taller than Steven, the bow of the container ship visible above it. The other half had fully submerged alongside the ferry, which suffered a hole to the hull from flying metal, but the bow remained above as there didn't seem to be any room left in the water. The second crane had ended up collapsing, knocking half of the remaining one down with it, and the fire fighters were trying to secure it before it crushed the workers below.

Steven couldn't even bear to think about what was behind him, finding the destroyed ships and metal more reassuring than the ruined city behind. Three apartment buildings had collapsed, killing hundreds and severely damaging the surrounding buildings and the streets below. Hundreds more had died from explosions in other buildings, but they thankfully remained. Many more people had been injured from falling and flying debris, and patients were being transferred to other medical centres in Celadon, Fuchsia, the Sevii Islands and Johto to make room for those injured.

However, in his many years on this planet, Steven had seen this all happen before: as the wars and battles built up, the more lives got lost and the more wreckage was left behind. He had lost count of how many events he had seen, but after Sinnoh Steven had hoped this period of peace would continue for many years to come. Yet here he was, watching as containers that hadn't been destroyed had the burnt remnants of their cousins heaved inside to be taken away, whilst floating cranes moved out towards the sunken vessels. It was a harrowing sight as it always was, and Steven could only wonder how much more of this would occur before Gideon or Buzz got their ways.

There was a muffled roar high above, and Steven only glanced up briefly to confirm it was who he had been suspecting before turning back to the sight. A moment later, a large Charizard landed with a thump in front of him, sending dirt and wreckage into the air as he flapped his wings. Steven shielded his eyes, but managed to see Red as he slid expertly down from the Fire types back.

"Thanks for that," Red said, pulling a PokeBall out. Charizard nodded, but Red paused, slipping the PokeBall away. "On second thought, can you go and see if there is anything you could do to help?"

"Zard," Charizard roared and pushed himself back into the sky, but remained lower and moved towards some fire fighters.

"Obedient Pokemon," Steven said with a nod. "I sent Metagross to help clear away some rubble to see if there was anyone trapped below. There isn't much I can do personally: I don't have the strength of my youth."

"You could come with me to the hospital later," Red said, moving alongside and staring off into the distance. "An ex-Champion would definitely help with morale."

"Possibly, but I think the current Champion would get more of the attention," Steven said with a slight smile before following his gaze. It felt weird standing alongside the young man and speaking those words: it was getting to a time where the older generation was going to have to step aside and let the new breed take over properly. Steven could already see Daisy Oak replacing her grandfather and wondered who would be replacing him in a few years time. The thought of leaving his life behind and retiring seemed depressing to Steven, but he had bigger fish to worry about.

"Surge agrees about the girl," Steven said. "He said she has character and strategy, but is too rash and doesn't have complete control over her Pokemon just yet. He thinks she has the potential to stop Gideon, but it would take some serious training to get her up to scratch. And it doesn't help that doesn't want anything to do with it."

"Misty and Brock agree?" Red asked.

"Indeed," Steven replied with a nod, but suddenly let out a sigh. "I am wondering if this is the right thing to do. If Alaska is unwilling to get involved, how can we trust her to act the way we want her to when the situation arises?" Red sighed as well, nodding along with his older counterpart.

"I feel the same way, but the league thinks it is best," he added. "They know sending me, Leaf or anyone else I know is a risk that we can't afford to take, and Alaska has gotten herself involved, so they've decided she can just… well, stay involved. I don't think it is right, but from what I gathered about Gideon during the times we met is that he will stop at nothing to achieve his goals and tie up all loose ends as long as it benefits him, and I think fighting Alaska is something he wants to get involved with." Steven let out a longer sigh and nodded, knowing Red was right but not happy with it.

"But how much longer can we allow her to go without proper guidance or leadership?" The old man said. "I don't think she knew that it was a Porygon-Z blowing up the town today, and none of us know what Gideon has planned next. How are we supposed to keep an eye on her?" Steven looked to Red for his answer but was stunned to see the Champion was smiling.

"Don't worry Steven," he said, beginning to walk off, "I've found a way to keep an eye on her." Steven was stunned, but suddenly the pieces clicked together in his mind: of course Zapdos and Suicune's appearances hadn't been a lucky coincidence. Steven would have laughed it hadn't been the wrong situation, and instead found himself staring once again at the scarred landscape in front of her: no matter whether he liked it or not, the battle was being put on Alaska's shoulders. As he walked off to join Red once more, Steven simply hoped she was ready.


High above the dockyard, Latios stared down at the damaged city.

He stared down at the harrowing site below, feeling torn and disappointed in himself: the Eon Pokemon had felt a disturbance throughout the city and should have acted faster, possibly being able to prevent the explosions from happening and Porygon-Z's subsequent attack. Latios should have tried to protect the city once it began, but he had a duty to Alaska he had to stick to.

Latios found it funny how he had this duty due to Steven standing far below, but as he invaded their minds and listening to the conversation, the Psychic Dragon found that it was the ex-Champion who was playing a role in attempting to stop Alaska. Latios could only wonder how things may have worked out if he had answered his call earlier: in the week since leaving the Dragon's Den, the Eon Pokemon had visited the path Alaska had already gone across, and had even been able to fix the brain-switch problem that had arisen. The powerful use of his Psychic abilities had drained him, only allowing Latios to move against the previous night and causing a major disruption in his plans.

The day had not gone well for Latios: he was worried about Alaska and what she would make of his warnings, and already felt drained from connecting himself to her in order to heal the wound. The Eon Pokemon felt tired even though he wasn't meant to be, but he knew he had to keep going: there was no time to stop.

A breeze suddenly rose up from behind him, and Latios was puzzled: the wind had been coming from the sea a moment before, after all. It took only a few seconds to wonder what it could be, and Latios smiled as purple energy began to form in his striped grey palm.

It must be very difficult to be subtle, Suicune, when the wind changes with your movements, Latios thought, before turning around. The trees and bushes behind him rattled and he clapped his hands together, unleashing a Dragon Pulse that spread across the field of grass around him. There was a shout and a bang, and Latios smiled as Suicune and Zapdos emerged from the foliage, looking fairly irritated.

I am not going to fight you, Latios said, putting his hands down. I only did that as a warning. I have my own mission to deal with and I don't need Red's servants trying to get in my way.

"Cune Sui Suicune Cune Cune Sui," Suicune said, staring angrily at Latios.

I have my own mission, I am not going to help you with yours! Latios said firmly.

"Zaaaap Dooos Zapdooos!" Zapdos called, and Latios foully turned around, not wishing to face them anymore.

You can watch Alaska if you wish, but I would rather she left this mission before she ends up dead because your league wants her to fight for them! Latios growled. Do not expect me to join in protecting her until she nears her death sentence: I will stop this quest if it is the last thing I do! Latios began to float into the sky, seeing the conversation as being over.

"Suicune Cune!" Suicune called. Latios suddenly came to a halt, stunned by what the Aurora Pokemon had said. Against his better judgement, the Eon Pokemon turned around to face the Water beast.

My sister? What of her? Latios asked, wondering if the power was slipping back to them, but he had not seen Latias for so many years.

"Cune Suicune Sui Cune Cune," Suicune explained.

"Dooooos Doooos Zaaaap Doooos," Zapdos added, and Latios was stunned: his sister had been captured four years ago? How had he not properly sensed this… or was this the feeing Latios had had some time ago? It was difficult to tell the time when inside a rock, but, thinking back, there had been a time when he had experienced discomfort. Latios could see his fellow legendaries seemed happy, but he wiped the smiles of their faces with a burst of blue lightning from the sky, blasting a bush apart.

I will go and see if what you say is true, Latios said, pleased that they had been stunned but not pleased at upsetting them. Than I will get back to my journey once I have this nagging pain at my heart settled. Latios tucked his arms and legs together and spread out his wings, and within a flash he was off into the air. He knew it was a foolish idea to leave his plan at the moment, but he needed to see where his sister was, possibly her love helping to make his own strength grow stronger. It shouldn't take long, especially with his speed, and within seconds Latios was flying over Saffron City.

The Johto League Champion was about to get a visit.

Sorry if the part was a bit iffy, but I was more answering some long standing questions within this part, so sorry if it sucked writing wise :P That is the last of 8ES for a few weeks as I work on a new Galactic, but it will be back next month! Feel free to check out The GalacticVerse community to see other stories that will be involved as in the next few arcs a lot of these old stories are going to play huge roles.