Pokémon Police Force Chapter 41: Aftermath

We had just barely made it out of the collapsing tower in time. The Octagon now lay in ruin as a mountain of rubble.

"You just had to destroy the tower, didn't you?" Sighed Zangoose.

"Well, I had to get rid of the mind control device somehow!" I snapped.

"Next time, wait until we're out of the tower," said Virizion.

"Argyle," said Danté, "I know this doesn't change anything between us, but we weren't exactly helping Zarude with this."

"We just wanted to fight you again," said Pyra, "me more than him."

"Don't get us wrong. We're still not friends," said Danté.

Zarude ran up to me and started yelling in my face.

"Look what you've done! You ruined everything! Now, nothing can stop her!"

"What are you going on about?" I asked.

Then, the ground began shaking violently. The rubble where the Octagon once was began shifting.

"We woke up Yveltal early so that she could help me with my plans, but we were unprepared for her power and her rage. It was all we could do to contain her," said Zarude.

The ground began shaking even more and a few large pieces of the tower began floating in the air.

"We trapped her underneath the tower, but now that you've destroyed it, there's nothing to control her!"

The former tower erupted in a massive cloud of dust and a grand rain of stones. The feeling I got from the explosion was as if I fell in an open coffin in a new grave in the middle of the world's largest haunted graveyard in the dead of midnight. Skeletal hands emerging from the sides of the grave to hold you in as the coffin closes and you hear the sound of fresh dirt getting thrown on the lid. That feeling of extreme fear and helplessness.

The feeling that you're about to be murdered.

When the dust began to settle, I began to see a dark red aura peeking through. The color of blood. What hovered in the dust was a massive red wyvern with black markings. So massive that she probably dwarfed even the Octagon in size. With the two wings and equally large tail, she resembled the letter Y. It was Yveltal and she was Dynamaxed!

"Hey, look," said Sandslash, "we found Yveltal for you."

"Thanks, Sandslash, don't know what we would do without you," said Snow sarcastically.

"Admiral Sneezy, maybe you should break out that transformation?"

"But…," said Argyle.

He looked right at Sheriashuu. The look of fear was plain on his face.

"I understand your hesitation, we all do," I said, "but if you don't-!"

Yveltal began charging up some dread energy in her body.

"NO!" Yelled Argyle.

Yveltal extended her wings and fired a blood-red energy ray right at us. My entire life flashed before my eyes. Evidently, I spend way too much time working. A bright flash of light interrupted my thoughts. The beam had collided with something.

Argyle lay in a crumpled heap on the ground.

"ARGYLE!" I screamed.

We all ran to check on him, but I was first.

"Thank Arceus, he's still breathing."

Drapion and Weavile helped him to his feet.

"How are you feeling?" Asked Meloetta.

"Like I just got punched by a Metagross," replied Argyle.

"That must have been Yveltal's Oblivion Wing attack," said Cobalion, "normally it would kill its target instantly."

"Whelp, guess he really is immortal," said Jessie.

"Come again!?" Said Scyther.

"I guess I really have no choice here," said Argyle, "stand back."

Everyone backed away from him as Yveltal began charging up another Oblivion Wing. Unfortunately, Yveltal was already firing the beam before Argyle was even halfway done.

"No! Flamethrower!"

My move hit Oblivion Wing dead on, but failed to even slow it down.

"Ice Beam!"

"Venoshock!"

"Signal Beam!"

Team AWD's moves had the same effect.

"Come on! We have to help!" Shouted Keldeo, "Scald!"

"Flash Cannon!"

"Solar Beam!"

"Focus Blast!"

"Energy Ball!" Yelled Roserade.

"Rock Blast!"

"Psycho Cut!"

"Razor Wind!" Yelled Team Razor Wind.

"Focus Blast!" Yelled Sheriashuu.

"Shell Side Arm!"

"Hyper Beam!" Yelled Meloetta.

"Flash Cannon!" Yelled Jessie.

"Fire Blast!" Yelled Sal.

"I've still got nothing!" Said Snow.

The attacks met Oblivion Wing, but only served to slow it down a bit.

"It's no use," said Slowbro.

"BZZT! DON'T GIVE UP! CHARGE BEAM! BZZT!"

The other officers that could use special moves joined in on the efforts to stop Yveltal. They were joined shortly afterward by Team Charm and, surprisingly, by a few members of Team PWNK. Our combined efforts finally managed to halt the beam in its tracks.

"It stopped!" Said Snow, "keep it up! Push it back!"

"Easy for you to say!" Said Jessie, "it's taking everything I've got to keep this up!"

Yveltal began glowing a sickly red color and redoubled her efforts. The beam easily overpowered the counteroffensive and began surging towards us!

"ARGYLE! SAVE US!" I yelled in desperation.

There was a bright flash of green. Suddenly, I could feel the presence of many, many other energies like Argyle's. I forced myself to open my eyes. What I'd seen made my heart skip a beat. A wall of the emerald green beams of light had formed between us and Yveltal and was blocking the latter's move.

"Argyle saved us!" Cheered Snow.

I looked at where Argyle was standing. He looked just as flabbergasted as the rest of us.

"Um, yeah! Totally!" Said Argyle, "now, let's see how Mrs. Death Dealer handles the big guy."

(Okay, I have absolutely no idea how to do this.)

It had failed to occur to me before, but I've never actually managed to trigger a transformation on my own. Each and every time I've transformed before it has been due to grave injury or I was pushed to some breaking point. That last time I had only barely held on to my sanity through sheer force of will.

(I know I can do this. What's holding me back?)

My mind went back to every single time I've transformed before. I lingered on that dragon form. 80% Z I think it was called. Last time I used it, I killed someone. Ever since then, I see her lifeless body in my dreams.

(Is that why I can't do it? Fear?)

Yveltal had tried unleashing a few more attacks on us, but the cell wall kept blocking them.

(No. If I don't do this, nobody will. I will not let anyone else fight my battles anymore. If I fail, they die. The whole world dies. This world… I am tasked to protect. I… can't allow this to continue. I feel it slipping.)

"GAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!"

Argyle's roar came as a surprise to all of us, including Meloetta. The voice was not Argyle's alone. It sounded like millions of voices roared in anger with him, a dreadful chorus of rage. A blast of green energy came out of Argyle and hit everyone like a Golem using Giga Impact. Every veteran of Argyle's power, myself included, cast our gaze to the heavens. The sky gradually changed into that familiar shade of green. Countless beams of green light eclipsed the sky, even more than last time. The lights spiraled around each other and then shot down to the ground.

The resulting tornado consumed Argyle completely and then grew and grew and grew. We were all consumed by the raging whirlwind.

Inside the whirlwind was a small column of the green light, probably where Argyle was. The green tornado kept us completely enclosed, no chance of escape for any of us, but especially for Yveltal.

"So, this is what it looks like inside a tornado," said Terrakion.

Yveltal was blindsided by the wall that was protecting us. It had suddenly gone on the offensive. All other eyes were on the column of green light, which had long since transfigured into the shape of a Sneasel.

"Argyle?"

He looked at me. Then suddenly grew to monumental proportions. The light faded as soon as it had started, revealing a massive black-furred dragon with a single green tentacle on the right side of his face.

[Argyle 80% Z Activated]

"Argyle?"

"So, this is the power you were talking about," said Zebstrika.

"Amazing," said Rapidash.

"I'm having mixed feelings about this!" Said Sheriashuu.

"I think Argyle might be in control this time," I said.

Meloetta looked at Snow and began motioning toward Argyle.

"Sing away," sighed Snow.

Meloetta gave a happy "eeeee!" And floated toward the remaining musicians from Team PWNK. After giving some instructions, they looked ready.

"Are you the prey? No, we are the hunters!"

Team PWNK began playing a war song, complete with chanting. Honchkrow on drums, Mogrem on guitar, Purrloin on bass guitar, and a Scrafty and a Sableye doing backup vocals. Finally, Umbreon (the same one that was by Argyle's side in the tournament) and another Sneasel dancing.

(I never even knew Umbreons knew how to dance.)

Argyle and Yveltal approached each other and began wrestling.

Scrafty and Sableye began chanting "we are the hunters."

Yveltal hit Argyle square in the chest with a Dark Pulse.

"Flowers with their names forgotten. Trampled into dust, they've fallen."

Argyle grabbed Yveltal by the neck and threw her to the ground. Unfortunately, it wasn't long before she did a spiral and righted herself.

"Birds with broken wings are crying. Wind will never take them flying."

Yveltal rocketed forward and bit Argyle's arm. He roared in pain.

"Waste your precious moments praying. But God's not here and nothing's changing."

Argyle ripped Yveltal off and whipped her around by the tail.

"If you want to fix your fate then change it with determination."

Argyle threw her into the swirling vortex of Zygarde Cells.

"Pigs will sneer at the steadfast."

Yveltal emerged from the Cells with an angry screech. She fired another Oblivion Wing at Argyle.

"As we climb o'er the dead, keep advancing ahead."

Argyle merely shrugged off the blow and punched her square in the jaw. The two began wrestling again.

"Live your life in peace like you're just a sheep but wolves will never lose their freedom."

Yveltal used Flamethrower just as Argyle sent a stream of Cells after her. The two attacks missed each other somehow and ended up striking their respective targets. The force caused a shockwave that sent several of the smaller Pokémon tumbling back.

"Sick of the cage, that's just the beginning. We're a disgrace until we're winning."

Yveltal took to the air and dove right at Argyle.

"Over the walls like hunters, we're fighting. They're not the predators anymore."

Yveltal began savagely biting, ripping and tearing into Argyle's back.

"ARGYLE!" Screamed Snow.

"I'm sick of standing on the sidelines!" Yelled Keldeo, "I'm helping!"

Before I could stop him, Keldeo rocketed forward with Aqua Jet.

"Hungry to kill, you'll never forget this. Piercing the sky with scarlet vengeance."

Argyle burst into an explosion of Cells. The Cells soon reformed on top of her. He then began tearing into Yveltal with his claws.

Meanwhile, I was losing control as more of our friends and allies charged in to help.

(Am I the only sensible one here!? Oy vey. Guess I'll help too.)

"Bloody the bow and arrow in crimson and rally the hunters to war!"

Yveltal wrestled Argyle off of her and blasted another Oblivion Wing. Argyle avoided it by splitting into Cells once more. The Cells then shot forward like arrows and pierced Yveltal. Then, something amazing happened. Yveltal fell right to the ground and couldn't seem to get back up again.

Our group and the police and even a few of the others joined the fray at this moment, blasting her with our most powerful Moves. There was the sound of shattering glass and Yveltal began glowing a little less bright.

(A barrier. Of course.)

"Draw the bow now, chase the prey now don't you let it get away."

Sheriashuu mounted Keldeo and the two charged right at Yveltal.

"Secret Sword!" Keldeo yelled as he changed forms.

Jessie, Weavile and I mounted Virizion, Cobalion and Terrakion respectively. They all used the power of Sacred Sword. The others used their own methods to get close to Yveltal.

"Loose the arrow now, got it cornered now never let it get away."

Yveltal changed her focus to us. She began charging up yet another Oblivion Wing.

"String is tightening, arrow lightening. Bow is just about to break."

She would've killed us, had Argyle not chose this moment to reform. He thrust his tentacle into her throat.

(Still gross.)

"Endless volleying, hunters rallying 'till we execute the prey."

Yveltal bit on the tentacle as hard as she could. A roar of pain later, and Yveltal was flung to the ground by mouth-tentacle.

"It's not the weapon nor the skill that gives you strength to make the kill, no."

The faster ones of us began attacking our foe.

"You must be resolute, unbreakable and definite in will, oh."

Argyle stomped Yveltal's neck into the ground and held it there.

"We are the hunters," sang Scrafty and Sableye.

I brained Yveltal with a boulder and Terrakion with Stone Edge.

"Ever blazing like a fire."

Sheriashuu pummeled her with Close Combat and Keldeo with Secret Sword.

"We are the hunters," sang Scrafty and Sableye.

Jessie used Play Rough and Virizion used Sacred Sword.

"Ever merciless and cold as ice."

Weavile froze Yveltal's right eye and Cobalion followed up with a Flash Cannon to the eye.

"We are the hunters," sang Scrafty and Sableye.

The others joined us and renewed the assault.

"Draw yourself into the arrow."

With another screech, Yveltal raised her head up and opened her mouth.

"We are the hunters," sang Scrafty and Sableye.

She launched a mighty stream of fire at Argyle, making him release her and recoil in pain.

"Perseverant, we will pierce the skies!"

The two began to renew their wrestling match. Of course, the rest of us joined in. That is until the wall of Cells reformed in front of us dividing us from Argyle and Yveltal.

"What gives, Argyle!?" Spat Zangoose.

"The attack on the titans. The boy of yore will soon take up the sword," sang Scrafty in a surprisingly deep voice.

Yveltal pinned Argyle down and breathed a mighty Flamethrower in Argyle's face.

"ARGYLE!" Screamed Snow.

"One who despairs in his own helplessness cannot change the winds of fate, but the boy of yore will soon take up the dark sword," sang Sableye.

Argyle burst into Cells and reformed behind Yveltal once more. His body was brimming with pure energy, igniting it in green flame.

"Hate and anger are a double-edged blade," sang Scrafty.

Argyle rushed forward and pinned Yveltal against the wall of Cells. He then took her mouth into his.

"Is he seriously kissing her?" Asked Sal in shock, "right now?"

Then a plume of flame shot out of Argyle's mouth and into Yveltal's. The resulting flame consumed her entire head.

"The day will soon come when he bares his teeth against destiny," sang Sableye.

Yveltal pushes Argyle off and blindsides him with a surprise Dark Pulse.

"To those, reaching for a dream chasing after more than just your life."

The two of them march towards each other. Yveltal still seems unable to fly.

"If you ever will succeed you will have to make your sacrifice."

Yveltal got a surprise burst of speed and pinned Argyle against the wall of Cells.

"To think that any dream could be coming true if you never take a single risk."

(Did Argyle just smile?)

"So, step on up and take it, take it."

The Cell wall sprouted tentacles. The tentacles held Yveltal fast. Another of Argyle's Cell-powered about-faces took place.

"Fool's indecision, just an illusion. Maybe your reckless bravery."

Argyle broke apart once more and reformed into a giant fist.

"Seriously, is the author just making up powers at this point!?" Said Sheriashuu.

The fist punched Yveltal and then changed back into Argyle.

"Liberty's pawn they're pressing you on. The shackled will ride to victory."

Another of Yveltal's barriers shattered.

"That's it!" Said Gumshoos, "go in for the kill!"

"Sick of the cage, that's just the beginning. We're a disgrace until we're winning."

Yveltal blasted a dark shockwave, releasing her from the tentacles.

"Not sure if I like all the tentacles," I said.

"Over the walls like hunters, we're fighting. They're not the predators anymore."

The wrestling match was on once more.

"Hungry to kill, you'll never forget this. Piercing the sky with scarlet vengeance."

They eventually broke apart. Both Argyle and Yveltal looked extremely winded.

(This is it. The moment of truth.)

"Bloody the bow and arrow in crimson and rally the hunters to war."

The wrestling match turned into a full-on brawl. Both sides weren't giving an inch to the other. They continued until the music stopped.

When all had ended, Yveltal lay at Argyle's feet in, well, defeat. The dark red aura disappeared from her and she gradually shrank in size until she was about a tenth of her original size. That was still over ten feet tall, but still a lot smaller than usual. Argyle was still in his 80% Z form and glaring at Yveltal. So, we decided to wait even as all the other Cells left. Sure enough, Yveltal sprang up and took to the sky shortly afterward, hovering only a few yards from Argyle.

"HOW DARE YOU TOUCH ME," Yveltal said, her voice sounding like a bloodthirsty psychopath in an empty graveyard, "I AM THE GODDESS OF-!"

Argyle's head tentacle grabbed Yveltal by the tail. He began tossing Yveltal around, slamming her into the ground a few times. After thirty seconds of this, Argyle left her in a crater as all the Zygarde Cells had departed from him.

"Puny god," said Argyle.

We had all ran toward Argyle and began congratulating him on a job well done. After a few minutes of this, Yveltal emerged from the crater. She was a little worse for wear, but still alive.

"Do I have to kick your Mudbray again?" Asked Argyle with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"THAT POWER YOU POSSESS," said Yveltal, "ZYGARDE?"

Just then, the sky lit up with green once more. Several whirlwinds of green impacted the ground and cast everything in swirling green colors.

"Argyle? What are you doing?" Asked Sal.

"Nothing!" Replied Argyle.

When the whirlwinds dissipated, we all stood surrounded by several black and green Doberman-like Pokémon. There had to be seven of them, no wait, nine.

"You guys?" Asked Argyle in confusion.

"ZYGARDE?" Asked Yveltal, "WHAT'S GOING ON?"

The sky lit up with another flash. Now Xerneas stood in our midst.

"AND NOW THERE'S THIS GUY!" Spat Yveltal.

"CAN'T SAY I'M TOO FOND OF YOU EITHER," said Xerneas, "ZYGARDE FOR ALL THREE OF US TO BE HERE, ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO DO THIS TO HIM?"

"I can't see that we have any choice," said one of the Dobermans.

"Zygarde?" Asked Slowbro, "did the blue guy say Zygarde?"

"I forgot you all weren't with us," said Jessie, "Xerneas the god of life and the dogs are just one of the forms of Zygarde."

"PLEASED TO MAKE YOUR ACQUAINTANCE," said Xerneas.

"Argyle, you understand what must happen, right?" Asked Zygarde.

"Yeah. You said it yourself. Life and Death can't exist at the same time. We must seal Yveltal back up."

"Not just Yveltal. Xerneas too."

"Why Xerneas?" Asked Sheriashuu, "I'm kind of indebted to him."

"THE CYCLE MUST BE RESET," said Xerneas.

"I'M NOT QUITE FOR THIS PLAN AS I JUST WOKE UP," said Yveltal, "BUT IT MUST BE DONE FOR THE SAKE OF ORDER."

"I understand the why, but not the how," said Argyle, "I don't think I'm ready for this."

"You're not, but the core inside you is," answered Zygarde, "let it take over from here."

Argyle closed his eyes for a long while. When he opened them, both were green.

Argyle raised his corrupted arm, and both the corrupted areas of his body were ignited in a brilliant green fire. One by one, the Zygardes disintegrated and the composite Cells gathered around him in a sphere so thick, you couldn't see him. Finally, all the Cells shot away from Argyle and consumed Xerneas and Yveltal. The Cells lifted the two into the sky and far away from us, going in two opposite directions.

Once all was said and done, Argyle collapsed on the ground.

"ARGYLE!"

"Argyle…"

(Wha- what?)

"Argyle… Argyle…"

(That voice. No, there's two of them.)

"Argyle, wake up."

(I'm asleep? Let me try opening my eyes.)

I woke up in the Badlands, thankfully in one piece. There was no tower, no Zygarde, Xerneas or Yveltal, none of my allies. I was alone.

"Emerald? Jessie? Keldeo? Where are you guys?"

Suddenly two equine Pokémon materialized before me. One was a specter and the other a destrier made of solid ice.

"Who are you? Where is Sal and everyone else?"

"I am Spectrier and this is Glastrier," said the ghostly horse.

"We serve the king," said the icy horse, "the one whose crown you possess."

"Crown? You mean the Crown of Plenty?"

"The same," said Glastrier.

"When the spring equinox rolls around, take the Crown to the Harvest Temple," said Spectrier, "you'll be able to meet him."

"Come alone or he won't meet you," added Glastrier.

There was another bright flash of light and suddenly the two horses were gone and I found myself laying in Sal's lap.

"Sal!" I yelled and jumped, "what am I doing in your lap?"

"I'm cuddly," said Sal, "rawr."

"Is this going to become a recurring thing with us?" I asked.

"I hope so," she replied, "you look adorable like that."

"Are you feeling okay?" Asked Emerald.

"Yeah. Just a little tired," I said, "I just transformed twice in one day and sealed two legends away."

"Officer?" Said Zarude.

"BZZT! WHAT? BZZT!"

"I'd like to go to prison now."

Gumshoos chuckled at this.

"I think this turned out well for all of us," said Meloetta, "I got my own band."

"Argyle, your mask," said Jessie, holding out the smoky leather mask to me.

"The only casualty this time was the buckles," said Keldeo.

"They were cheap anyway," I replied, "I can replace them in town."

I looked around and noticed two absentees.

"Where'd Pyra and Danté go?" I asked.

"They said they were going to train their butts off and then pound your face in," said Sheriashuu.

"Glad to know I'm surrounded by people that love me."

"That raises some questions," said Arbok.

"Yeah, what's going on here?" Asked Sandslash.

"And how can I become a Klevor!?" Asked Scyther.

We all looked at Scyther.

"What? I know what my priorities are!"

"Anyway…," said Weavile, sticking her finger in my face, "as your aunt, I demand to know what just happened."

"Oh no you don't get to play that card," I said, "not until you tell me what really happened to my mother. As her son I have a right to know."

"You win," said Weavile, "I do not have a retort for that."

"Well?"

"Not here. It's much easier to show you. At your old home in the Narrows," said Weavile.