Pokémon Police Force Chapter 54: No More Hiding
One Mystery Dungeon later and we were at the foot of Apex Mountain. The mountain, according to Jessie, was capped with plant life instead of snow. Each of us were just staring at the mountain, mentally preparing ourselves for the fight ahead.
"I'd say that was a successful test," said Keldeo.
"Indeed," said Sal, "I'm quite glad we didn't explode this time."
"Wait a minute. You didn't know if it was going to work?" Asked Snow, "did you say 'explode'!? This time!?"
"Science is always done with some risks," said Sal.
"Didn't you once think to warn us!?"
"That would've been no fun!" Said Sal.
"Sal, pass me a Cerebelomotion Seed," I said.
Sal handed me the seed. I held it up for all to see.
"Each of you, take a seed. If this goes south, feed one to Zygarde," I said.
Weavile grabbed me by the shoulders.
"Argyle's in there! If you feed him one of those-!"
"I know. It's better that one Pokémon suffers than the whole world," I said, "this will be a last resort. Only use it if no other option remains."
Weavile snatched a seed.
"Listen to me. We won't need these."
"I hope so."
Everyone solemnly grabbed a seed.
"All right, I think we should make a pact," said Slowbro.
He put his cannon-free hand out.
"We come back with Admiral Sneezy-"
"-or not at all," said Jessie, placing her hand on top of Slowbro's.
We all placed our hands on top of Slowbro's in turn. It was Sheriashuu's turn to talk.
"No one be a hero. No mistakes. No one dies here today," said Sheriashuu.
"RIGHT!" Said everyone at once.
"For Argyle!" Said Regalia.
"ARGYLE!"
With our pep-talk over, we all cautiously began climbing the Mystery Dungeon, Apex Mountain. Once we got to the leafy portion of the mountain, that's when the craziness began. The plants were all glowing brightly with some unknown energy and were swaying viciously, even with no discernible wind.
"I'm not sure I like what's going on with these plants," said Sheriashuu.
"I'm kind of new to this," said Regalia, who then pointed into the sky, "but is that supposed to happen?"
I looked up and beheld a swirling cloud of green, centered directly over the summit. It was crackling with blue lightning and seemed to be growing larger with each second.
"Nope. That's a red flag," I said.
"We can worry about that later," said Snow, "Argyle must be on the summit! Let's go!"
We nodded and began our trek up the mountain anew. No one dared speak as we forged ahead. The Pokémon here were even more aggressive and tougher now. They slowed down our progress significantly, but we still continued on. Finally, we eventually reached the summit.
Zygarde was all alone up here, sitting in its little shrine. Well, maybe not completely alone. We'd seen many different Cores and Cells gathered round about. Some were in physical form; the rest flew around as the green lights I'd grown so accustomed to seeing.
"So, you're finally here," said Zygarde, "I knew you'd follow this Sneasel right to your own deaths."
"Where is Argyle!?" Spat Regalia.
"Give me back my brother, right now!" Said Snow.
"He's just above you," said Zygarde.
True to its word, Argyle was hovering above us, wrapped in that familiar green energy. Only the places that would normally have that corruption were dancing with green fire. He didn't look to be breathing, he just floated there with his legs crossed and arms outstretched on either side in a crucifixion pose.
"Argyle!" Yelled Weavile.
"Release him right now or I'll pound your face in!" Said Regalia.
"Me too!" Said Sheriashuu.
"I have no intention to release the Sneasel. I have need of him yet," said Zygarde.
Zygarde began slowly padding towards us.
"In order to save everyone, I require all of my Cells. From every corner of the world. As it stands, there is no way of separating my Core from Argyle. So, he shall be absorbed too."
If you lay a single paw on Argyle-!" Growled Keldeo.
Zygarde stopped.
"With Argyle's cells, my hundred percent form will become even stronger than ever. You all will be spared from a paralyzed planet, but he will have to spend all of his time with only me for company," said Zygarde, "but you can ease his loneliness."
"What do you mean?" Asked Slowbro.
"There are nine of you. Allow me to bind my Cores to you, just like Argyle."
"So, either die to you or join you and destroy everyone ourselves!?" I said, "that's your proposition!?"
"Those are the only choices you have."
I looked back at everyone, who in turn nodded back to me. We were all agreed.
"How about option C?" I said, "we're taking Argyle back and stopping you. By force!"
I withdrew the stick from my tail, making it ignite with an even more intense flame than usual.
"Yes! My brother is a lot of things, but a planet-killer isn't one of them!" Said Snow.
Snow began freezing the air all around her, generating floating icicles.
"He's shown me mercy even when I didn't deserve it," said Slowbro, "a Pokémon like that deserves life!"
Slowbro took aim with his Minican and slipped a Blast Seed inside.
"I was the worst sort of cop, but with Argyle's help, I was reminded of why I joined the force to begin with," said Sheriashuu, "to serve and protect!"
Sheriashuu adopted her trademark battle stance.
"Argyle helped me through a dark time in my life," said Sal, "I shall repay that favor!"
Sal's body ignited in small and elegant flames.
"I used to think that Outlaws were nothing but bad," said Keldeo, "Argyle proved me wrong. I will not allow you to disgrace him so!"
Keldeo called upon Secret Sword and changed into his Resolute Form.
"You've taken my nephew," said Weavile, a poison in her words, "I owe it to my sister to pummel you!"
Weavile called upon Shadow Claw, extending her claws several times and enveloping them in darkness.
"Not once has he ever asked anything from me," said Regalia, "now he's getting my help whether he wants it or not!"
Regalia took an aggressive, powerful stance.
"Argyle sacrificed everything to save us, even when I haven't been the best girlfriend," said Jessie, "I owe him this much!"
Jessie began charging up Flash Cannon in her hands.
"Zygarde, you may be part of Argyle, but you are not fully him!" I said, "we will take him back, even if we have to rip you from him entirely!"
"You will die by your words, but I admire your resolve," said Zygarde, "as a reward, you get to die first. Cells! Converge!"
The cloud of green crashed into the mountain where Zygarde was, forming the biggest, most cataclysmic tornado I've ever seen.
"We have to stop this!" Yelled Jessie, "NOW!"
We all launched whatever moves we had against the transforming Zygarde. Flamethrower, Psychic, Psyshock, Solarbeam, everything I had was put into attacking Zygarde. Snow unveiled her new Ice Beam attack, but even that failed to stop the transformation. We had to watch helplessly as Argyle was absorbed by the beast. A massive tail emerged from the tornado and shot out over the horizon.
"That's not good," said Keldeo.
That tail seemed to have no end! It kept blasting its way out of sight. Whatever this transformation was, it was huge! Way bigger than anything Argyle ever transformed into.
"Here!" Said Sal, unscrewing the cap from a bottle, "Max Elixir! Something tells me we'll need it."
She poured out some white capsules into each of our hands. I swallowed mine without a second thought.
"Conserve your strength for now," said Weavile, "let's see what this hundred percent form looks like."
A rumbling grew louder and louder. Behind us, the tip of Zygarde's tail sped into view and back over the horizon.
(Please don't be that…)
I gazed into the flame on my stick. What I'd seen nearly stopped my heart. My worst fears have been realized.
"This is worse than I thought!" I said, "Zygarde is coiling itself around the entire planet!"
"You're kidding me!" Said Snow, "it's that big!?"
As the transformation continued, Zygarde's tail came into view a few more times. When the tornado of Cells dispersed, the face that greeted us was the most terrifying one I'd seen before in my life and since.
It was a serpentine face of hard, sharp brown scales. The rest of its body was made of scattered patches of the same scales and a long, thick body of the glowing green that we all associated with Argyle.
A green Z-like letter with a few squiggles falling off the bottom point hung in the air before Zygarde in a sphere of energy. Zygarde's entire body was surrounded with ribbons of energy. The look in its eye was one both of mercy and rage, of peace and malice.
"When I signed up for this, I wasn't expecting something that gigantic!" Said Slowbro.
"How do we fight something like that!?" Said Sheriashuu.
"DIE!" Roared Zygarde.
Zygarde gathered a massive amount of energy in its mouth. It took aim at us. This was it. The only way we could get out of this-
"ARGYLE!" We all yelled at the same time.
Then, we were overcome by a massive beam of earth-shattering power. The attack completely blew the top of the mountain off, reducing the foliage-covered portion to rubble.
My eyes shot open. I raised my head and struggled back to my feet.
(I'm alive? I'm alive!)
There were groans from all around as everyone else was coming to. I shook the gravel from my fur-dress as I glared at Zygarde.
(Everyone's fine!)
"HOW!? HOW ARE YOU ALIVE!?"
"It's Argyle. Argyle saved us," said Jessie, "I'm not sure how, but he did!"
"He's fighting with us!" Said Keldeo.
"I don't think it's quite like that," said Regalia, "Zygarde is Argyle now and Argyle would NEVER kill us!"
"Don't give up."
"Did you hear that?" I asked.
"Don't give up."
"Don't give up."
"Yes. Don't give up," said Sal.
"Don't give up!"
"That's right! Listen to me! Everyone!" I said.
"Don't give up! Don't give up!"
"Don't give up!"
"Don't give up! Don't give up! Don't give up!"
"Argyle's still in there somewhere! When history looks down on this moment, will they see the destruction of the world!? No! They shall see nine brave Pokémon fighting in the face of their own deaths! Zygarde will see the flash of our moves and it will know fear! Ladies, gentlemen. Let's bring Argyle home. For Argyle!"
My speech seemed to inspire everyone.
"FOR ARGYLE!"
"Fight! You must win!"
Our bodies began glowing brightly with a white light.
"WHAT!? WHAT IS THIS!?"
I could feel the hearts of every Pokémon on the planet. Their hopes, their faith. Every single prayer, I could feel them all.
"It's the hope of everyone," said Weavile, "their prayers are giving us strength!"
"Come on, Zygarde!" I said, "let's dance!"
I opened my eyes.
(How long have I been out?)
Everywhere around me was green and pulsing with energy.
(I must be inside Zygarde. I guess it wasn't able to fully absorb me. Well, time to leave.)
I tried to move my arms and legs, but they were unresponsive. My arms and legs seemed to be completely bound by a thick green membrane. The portion of my forearm that had the corruption, had a separate membrane attached to it. My face was probably the same way.
(Hopefully Emerald and the others are here. Please, don't stop. Don't give up.)
I'd lost track of how long we'd been fighting. I had blood flowing down my face and most of my body. Sheriashuu's left arm was broken. Snow had a large rock sticking out of her ribs and the others had various similar injuries. We were all just a few feet from death, but we fought anyway.
Regalia had pulled the rock from Snow and bandaged her wound. All in all, Keldeo was doing the best against Zygarde due to all his training with the Swords of Justice, but even he was wearing down. Eventually, Zygarde stopped fighting and just stared at us.
(What is Zygarde up to?)
(Am I really meant to do this? Was I only born to fuel the end of the world? Who am I, really?)
"Ze… a…"
(My mother isn't actually mine… who am I? Where did I come from?)
"Zeta…"
(I don't want to kill everyone.)
"Zeta!"
"What? Who said that?"
"Zeta!"
"That voice! Mom!"
As soon as I'd said that last word, a full-body apparition of my mother appeared right in front of me. She'd looked just the way I remember her, minus the malnutrition.
"Zeta, you have forgotten me."
"How could I? Not a day has gone by that I haven't thought of you… or that day."
"You've forgotten who you are. You are so much more than this criminal you have become."
"You don't understand. I'm about to kill everyone. My strength is waning. The little power I have is fading fast. I'm a… monster."
My mother's ghost floated up to me and smacked me across the face.
"Listen to yourself! I did not raise a monster or a quitter! You were born to be a hero! I could feel it when you were dropped off at my doorstep as an egg."
She grabbed my face with both hands and made me look her in the eyes.
"Even now, your friends risk everything to save you. Would they do that for a monster?"
"I guess you're right!"
"Of course, I'm right."
She released me and then floated away.
"So, what are you going to do?"
"This is my fight. I won't allow Zygarde to cause any more pain!"
She disappeared much the same way she appeared.
(I'm going to fight!)
Thus, did I begin my struggle.
"I don't care what Zygarde has planned!" Said Snow, "I'm ending this now!"
Something on Snow's neck began glowing. Suddenly, the temperature of the entire mountain dropped dramatically and giant icicles materialized all around us. Icy blue flames began enveloping her and her eyes shown with a fury I'd never seen before.
"Um, guys?" Said Slowbro, "how long has Snow had that Z-Crystal?"
(A Z-Crystal!?)
I looked at Sal. She nodded and began preparing her own Z-Move.
"SUBZERO SLAMMER!" Screamed Snow.
The icicles rocketed into Zygarde, freezing it upon impact. It was so frozen that ice crystals as large as gemstones appeared where the impacts occurred.
"INFERNO OVERDRIVE!"
Sal shot a massive fireball at Zygarde, which exploded upon impact and shattered the ice. Everything was obscured in smoke and steam. We had to wait until it cleared to see the damage. Five minutes later, and Zygarde emerged with barely a scratch on it!
"You're kidding!" Said Regalia, "that should've destroyed you!"
"Seriously!?" Said Keldeo.
"I HAD HOPED YOU'D PROVIDE ME SOME ENTERTAINMENT. YOU'VE DISAPPOINTED ME. YOU AND EVERYONE FIGHTING ME ALL OVER THE PLANET."
"We're not the only ones fighting?" Asked Jessie.
"NO IT APPEARS THAT NO ONE WILL JUST ACCEPT THEIR SALVATION. I BELIEVE THEY'VE WORN OUT THEIR WELCOME, DON'T YOU?"
"No…, you wouldn't!" I yelled.
"I WOULD AND SHALL. YOU'VE FAILED TO PROTECT THEM. TIME. TO. DIE."
Zygarde began charging up a huge amount of energy. Every green part of its body was glowing and spouting geysers of flame.
"NO!" I yelled.
I could feel Zygarde's every thought. This is the end. Luckily, I had already managed to free my left arm.
"I will not play host to this!"
I grabbed the membrane on my right arm and tore it in two, causing no small amount of pain for me. Then, I repeated the process with my face. Once they were free, I wrestled my legs free of the wall entirely.
"Don't give up now! I'm on my way!"
I pushed, shoved and ripped my way through Zygarde. There was no way to tell where I was or what direction I was headed, but I prayed that it was the exit. Zygarde apparently took notice of my attempted departure (or at least some of its Cells did) and attempted to restrain me once more with green tendrils. I bit, clawed and struggled my way through, continuing on in spite of Zygarde's attempted interference.
(I've got to make it!)
Back at the mountain, or what remained of it, Zygarde's power only seemed to be growing. It was too late. No one could stop this now.
Sheriashuu whipped out the Cerebelomotion Seed she took from Sal earlier. Quick on the draw, I stole the seed with my psychic powers.
"Emerald! What gives?" Asked Sheriashuu.
"I'm putting my faith in Argyle now," I said, "he'll pull through. Just you watch."
Suddenly, Zygarde stopped gathering power all together. It shrieked a heart-stopping shriek of pain.
"What?" Said Weavile.
"WHAT IS THIS!? WHY AM I IN SO MUCH PAIN!?"
Not only had Zygarde lost the energy it had gathered, but its natural glow seemed to be fading. The ribbons of energy disappeared and visible scars formed all over its body. The orb with the symbol inside turned solid and embedded itself in Zygarde's mouth. The size of it stretched Zygarde's mouth so wide that it began drooling red glowing blood.
"Okay, anyone want to explain this?" Asked Jessie.
Zygarde's body began changing once more. Directly over where its heart should be, it began splitting apart. A purple claw flailed out, followed by an arm and then a head.
"ARGYLE!" Cheered Snow, happily.
"I'm holding back much of Zygarde's power!" Said Argyle, "you must strike now!"
"But if we-!" Began Weavile.
"Forget about me! The world is more important!"
"YOU! GET BACK IN THERE!"
Tentacles emerged from Zygarde's body and closed in on Argyle.
"Not on my watch!" Said Slowbro.
Slowbro fired his cannon at Zygarde, landing a direct hit right in its eye. The tentacles stopped moving as Zygarde reeled from the blast.
"That's my admiral, Ziggy!" Said Slowbro, "by the way, I got my Minican working."
"Better late than never!" Said Sheriashuu.
"It would seem that Zygarde can't divide its attention well," said Sal.
"We should use that!" Said Regalia, "Emerald! Send me up there! I'm confident that with my strength, I can pull him right out! The rest of you distract Zygarde!"
"Not alone you won't!" Said Jessie.
Jessie reached into her maw and pulled out a small marble-like stone.
"Beyond evolution!" Said Jessie.
Jessie began glowing with rainbow-colored flames.
"Mega evolve!"
Jessie changed shape before our eyes. The bottom part of her dress-like body and her hands became pink and she grew a second set of maw-shaped horns.
"Jessie you… had a Mawilite this whole time!?" Said Keldeo.
"Yes!"
"And you waited until now to use it!?" Asked Sheriashuu in a slight annoyance.
Jessie started to say something, but she stopped halfway. She then scratched the back of her head and stuck her tongue out in the silliest "oops" face ever.
"I guess I kind of forgot I had it."
"…wow," said Snow.
"Um, better late than never?" Said Jessie.
"Let's worry about Jessie's iron-clad memory later," said Weavile, "I'm getting Argyle out too. He's my nephew."
"Then I'm going too!" Said Snow.
"No," Weavile said firmly, "too many and our strategy is worthless. Besides, you'd be put to much better use helping Slowbro."
"Could you argue later?" Asked Slowbro, "I'm running low on Blast Seeds over here."
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say that that's all Argyle keeps in his bag," I said.
"I don't like this," said Snow, "but if it's the best way to help!"
Jessie and Weavile grabbed on to Regalia. I used my powers to send them to Argyle's side. Then, the rest of us returned our attention to Zygarde.
(Come on! Just a little more! Would be quicker if Slowbro would go a bit easier on those Blast Seeds.)
"Argyle!"
Much to my amazement, I'd seen a Mega Mawile and Weavile riding on the back of a flying Nidoqueen!
"Yep, I am definitely going to stop drinking all that Clear Gummi booze."
"Argyle, we're here to save you!" Said the Nidoqueen as she landed.
"How did you get here so fast?" I asked.
"No time to explain," said Weavile, "let's get you out of here!"
Two huge tendrils tried to assault us, but Jessie bit them both completely in two.
"I'll cover you!" Said Jessie, "hurry!"
Regalia grabbed me by the free arm.
"Weavile! Free his other arm! I don't want to pull his limbs off," said Regalia.
"Yeah, that'd suck."
Weavile called upon Shadow Claw and began tearing into Zygarde. Since being weakened, Zygarde couldn't repair its injuries quite as fast, so she was making some real progress.
If I had lost my hope before, it was fully restored now. Between our relentless assault and Regalia and the others working on Argyle, Zygarde couldn't concentrate fully on either task. We had deduced that the best thing to do in this case would be to make Zygarde angry at us. As we've seen with Argyle, Zygarde is unused to emotions and since it has got Argyle in it, anger can and will cloud its senses. That will lead to mistakes.
The light around us has grown even stronger. Evidentially, everyone knows we're winning and that's enhancing their faith in us.
"One final push!" Yelled Keldeo, "give Zygarde everything we've got!"
Weavile freed my arm and now Regalia was trying to pull me out.
"This may hurt," said Regalia, "sorry."
"Do what you must," I said.
Weavile did her part by cutting away at Zygarde, trying to help ease the burden on Regalia. She occasionally turned her attention to helping Jessie when the latter started to get overwhelmed.
"He's almost out!" Said Regalia, "Weavile! Help me pull!"
I don't know how long we've been fighting nor what was happening with Argyle. We each had to take a few more Max Elixir doses. Keldeo and I were leading the charge and the others followed our orders without question.
"Energy missiles at three-o'-clock!" I shouted, "Snow!"
"On it!"
Snow stood firmly before the incoming missiles and shot an Ice Beam at them, fizzling them upon impact.
"Look! Something's happening with Zygarde!" Shouted Sal.
A geyser of green flame erupted from the side of Zygarde's face and then another from its neck.
"Jessie back to base! Requesting evac!"
(Must you be so dramatic?)
I turned in the direction of Jessie's presence and found Regalia once more. My psychic powers enveloped her and I pulled her away as quickly as possible.
"Heads up! Incoming delivery!" I said.
Sal and Sheriashuu were quick on the uptake and caught our visitors as they arrived. Jessie, Regalia, Weavile and even a white-furred Sneasel.
"Argyle!" Said Snow almost tackling him.
"Sorry about all this," he said, "good to see you again Snow."
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!? THIS PAIN!"
More geysers of flame erupted from Zygarde, followed by Cells being blasted away.
"Is that good?" Asked Slowbro, "for us, I mean."
Argyle tried to stand, but stumbled back down. Poor guy must be exhausted. I helped him back up and offered my services as a living crutch.
"This is going to hurt in the morning," said Sheriashuu, supporting her broken arm.
"When all of Zygarde's Cells are not in perfect unity, it can't call upon its full power," explained Argyle.
"That explains why it weakened when you emerged," said Regalia.
"As for this… Zygarde can only assume different forms when it gathers a specific percentage of its Cells and Cores. Any less is useless," explained Argyle.
"So, when you left, it lost the Core inside of you too!" Said Keldeo, "that means-!"
"Yes. It can no longer sustain this form."
The de-transformation of Zygarde continued as we watched on. We decided to use this time to nurse injuries and pop a few more Max Elixirs. Turns out, Argyle had no injuries, he was just tired. Anyone would be after the day he had.
"By the way," said Argyle, "how long have you had that Mega Stone?"
"Again, not enough time!" Said Weavile.
By the time the show had ended, Zygarde had shrunk to a much smaller size. It still dwarfed all of us, but the gap was a lot smaller now. It was still serpentine, but with five tombstone-like spines on its back and six small "arms" that remained stationary.
Sal took the Razor Claw off my neck and gave it to Argyle. He clutched it in his fist, still in no fit state to move much.
"HOW? HOW DID YOU DEFY THE HIVE MIND? A CELL CANNOT RESIST THE WILL OF THE BODY!"
"That's where you're wrong. Sure, I may have some of you inside of me, but I am not you! Well, not totally anyway."
"YOU BARELY HAD THE STRENGTH TO SCRATCH ME BEFORE. HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO DEFY ME NOW?"
"You may be able to control the Core inside of me, but you don't have dominion over my free will. That belongs to me and me alone."
I released Argyle as he stepped forward.
"You don't have power over me anymore!"
THIS IS-! HOW CAN YOU NOT ONLY RESIST MY COMMANDS, BUT FIGHT BACK AGAINST THEM AS WELL!?"
"You have a lot to learn about mortals," said Snow.
"I deal with voices in my head all the time, what's one more to me?"
"I think what Mr. Psychotic is trying to say is that you, with all of your power, have no clue what strength truly is!" I said.
"YOU MUST RETURN UNTO ME AT ONCE! WE CAN STILL SAVE EVERYONE!"
"You're scared, Zygarde," said Argyle.
"SCARED? OF WHAT!?"
"For the first time in your long existence, you've failed to prevent a catastrophe. You were born to carry out one task: to protect the planet. You've never known failure before and that scares you," said Argyle, "I know because I've felt your fear."
"I DO NOT HAVE EMOTIONS."
"You've partaken in me. You have my emotions now. Call it my parting gift."
Zygarde was silent.
"Mortals. We know our life is but a vapor, here one day and gone the next," said Weavile, "do we despair over it? No. We've taken it as a fact of life."
"I understand your fear. If the planet freezes in time, there's no telling what will happen to the two of us since our lives are linked to the planet's," said Argyle, "for the first time ever, you're scared for your own mortality."
"I AM NOT SCARED. HOWEVER, I WILL DEFEND EVERYONE FROM THAT DARK WORLD! WITHOUT YOUR HELP IF NEED BE!"
I placed my paw on Argyle's back and gifted him with the remaining hope that empowered me before. The others began doing the same.
"I feel sorry for you, Zygarde. You were born into this world, but you've never had a chance to truly be alive. You know nothing of joy, sadness, anger, hope or even jealousy. How can you call yourself the defender of the planet when you have no idea what you truly defend?"
Argyle became cloaked in an intense green flame, catching Zygarde completely off-guard. Then, Argyle's fist began glowing, right where he clutched the Razor Claw.
"You see, alone mortals are weak, but together we are strong!" Said Argyle, "I'll show you myself! The power a mortal can have when fighting for something he believes in! I BELIEVE IN PROTECTING MY FRIENDS! EVEN FROM MYSELF!"
The Razor Claw burst in an explosion of bright white light and Argyle was consumed by a huge column of green flame.
"Argyle!" Yelled Regalia.
"Relax," said Snow, "even I can see that this is Argyle's fight now."
The flames soon disappeared, mostly. What remained was a spectre of flame in the shape of Argyle. He was knelt over with his fist on the ground. The unclaimed Cells all shot into Argyle without warning, quicker than the eye could catch. Finally, Argyle stood up.
This form was something entirely different than anything we'd ever seen before. Argyle stood more than twice as tall as he had before. He was now a black silhouette with way longer arms and legs, viscous claws and a head-feather that extended almost the entire way down his back.
The silhouette was cloaked in softly burning flame and had furious-looking glowing green eyes that outshone everything else. We all stood in stunned silence as we stared at this new form.
[Pure Z form activated]
"WHAT IS THIS!? WHERE DID YOU GET THIS KIND OF POWER!?"
Argyle glared at Zygarde.
"This is gonna be good," said Sheriashuu.
"Kick Zygarde's butt, little bro," said Snow.
Pure Z Argyle took an aggressive stance. Then, in an instant, he was behind Zygarde with his claw raised. A set of scratches now decorated Zygarde's torso.
"WHAT!?"
(The attack was so fast! I couldn't even see it!)
Pure Z Argyle continued to say nothing, he just raised his claw in a threatening manner.
"NO MORE HEROIC SPEECHES? FINE! THOUSAND ARROWS!"
A cornucopia of Cells escaped from Zygarde's back, which it turned into a deadly hailstorm centered on Argyle. Argyle's face was impossible to read in this form and his mind was closed to me, so I couldn't tell what was about to happen. Needless to say, his next move surprised me.
He transformed into a single blob of green, then began running in a circle so fast you couldn't determine where he was. The blob never seemed to really end or even begin. The blob turned into a whirlwind which rebounded the Cells back into Zygarde before they ever even came close to the intended target.
"YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT INSULT! THOUSAND WAVES!"
Zygarde burst into all of its composite Cells and Cores. The beast exploded, sending shockwaves all around. Shockwaves of Zygarde's Cells overtook Argyle easily and smothered him completely.
"No! You've got this! You-?" I began.
Argyle emerged from the waves right as Zygarde began reforming. Only now, there were two of him!
"-got this?" I finished.
"Keldeo, what's going on?" Asked Jessie.
"What make you think I know!?" Said Keldeo.
"TWO!?"
One Argyle stood with his claws on his hip, the other had his arms crossed. They nodded to each other and turned themselves into arrows. The arrows blasted into Zygarde and shot right through him.
"GAAGH! I'M ENDING THIS RIGHT NOW! CORE ENFORCER!"
Zygarde fired a massive beam of fatally overpowering energy. The energy blasted both Argyles into a nearby mountain, leaving a huge crater in its side. Argyle wasn't down for long. Cells disassembled and reformed back in our own little mountaintop crater. Now there were four of him!
"HOW!? WHERE IS ALL THIS POWER COMING FROM!? HOW DO YOU KEEP MULTIPLYING!?"
The battle continued like this for some time. Eventually, Argyle gave up trying to dodge Zygarde's attacks. Every one that Zygarde destroyed only made two more appear. Zygarde was getting angrier as the battle went on.
"I AM GETTING REAL TIRED OF ALL OF THIS! I'M TAKING YOU ALL OUT RIGHT NOW!"
The mountain began rumbling. Geysers of green light began shining through the mountain underneath our feet.
"Oh no! It's going to destroy the entire mountain!" Said Sal.
Pure Z Argyle, all of them, didn't seem to be worried at all. Instead, they divided on their own, forming an entire army instantly. The Argyle army overwhelmed Zygarde and buried him, ending the attack prematurely.
"That's it," said Regalia, "each one of the Cells can become another Argyle!"
"That's just stupid," said Sheriashuu.
"Do you have an explanation, courtesan?"
"I guess I don't. Courtesan?"
"Getting off-topic again!" Said Weavile.
Eventually, Zygarde ran out of steam completely. All the Cells left it, leaving only the central Core behind. The other Argyles left as well, and the real one returned to his original form. Well, not entirely original.
"You've lost," I said.
"You. How did you do that?" Asked Zygarde.
I picked up the Core, which was kind of hard to do since I no longer had anything resembling a thumb.
"You operate following the mantra: all for one. The more Cells you consume, the more powerful you get. Mortals are different."
I turned to look at the others. They all seemed quite shocked. Show's over, what were they so stunned about?
"We know what it's like to rely on each other, to help those weaker than ourselves. United we stand. Divide and conquer. Both describe mortals. Even without your power, together, we would've discovered a way to defeat you."
"Evidentially, I have a lot to learn about mortals."
"We have much to learn from immortals as well."
"It must take a lot of strength to be mortal," said Zygarde, "but what about the planet's paralysis?"
"Something tells me that it's gonna be just fine."
"Would it be all right if I stalk you for a while? I want to know what it feels to truly be mortal."
"Sure."
Zygarde nodded and bounced down from my hand and off into some nearby bushes.
(Guess I'll have to get used to seeing Cells watching us all the time.)
What exactly happened to Argyle? He looked like a Sneasel, but twice as tall with limbs that looked disproportionate to the rest of his body. His foot claws grew much sharper and his claws extended down to his knees, and now he had four on each hand. The left ear disappeared and a really long feather took its place and extended almost to the ground. Finishing the look, the eyes didn't seem to open as wide, but the left one remained green.
Argyle was talking to something, probably the offending Zygarde Core. Eventually, he lowered his claw and looked at us.
"That was some battle," said Argyle, "but thankfully, it's all over now. What are you all staring at?"
"Argyle? Is that really you?" Asked Sal.
"What are you talking about? Of course, it's me!"
"You look different," said Slowbro.
"Yeah, I did notice my claws were longer. Probably nothing."
"Argyle, take a good look at yourself," said Weavile.
Argyle began examining his body. The realization quickly struck him that he'd changed shape.
"That's why you all look so tiny!" He said, "I must have evolved!"
"So that's what happened with the Razor Claw!" Said Snow, "but more importantly, where did all that insane power come from?"
"Honestly, I was just making crud up," said Argyle, "let's call that power a one-time thing for now."
Keldeo began circling around Argyle, taking in every detail.
"I remember seeing a statue of this species outside Pledge Hill. I'm pretty sure it's an extinct species now."
"Sneasler," said Argyle.
"What? Sneasler?" Asked Jessie.
"The name just popped in my head."
"That reminds me!" I said.
I dug into my tail and pulled out Argyle's mask.
"Your mask. I don't think it will fit you now though."
I handed the mask to him. He took it and just stared at it.
"Argyle? What's wrong?" Asked Emerald.
"This mask. When I started wearing the last one, my mother died. Was it really to hide the corruption?"
I held it up to the light, the sun shone through the half-face, leaving a disturbing image.
"All my life, I've been running and hiding. Was it really to escape the law? Or something else?"
I lowered the mask.
"I think I understand now. All the time I've been wearing this mask, I've been hiding. Not from the law, but from my past and the mistakes I've made. I realize now that I was only fooling myself."
I handed the mask back to Emerald.
"Well, no more mask. No more running. No more hiding. When we get back, I'm going to confess my crimes. I'll take whatever punishment I'm given. Time to make this right."
"I'll bail you out," said Regalia.
"Don't."
"This isn't up for discussion," said Regalia, "Sal, take us home!"
Sal and Keldeo began playing with some cards. I wasn't present when this was done before, so I was taken aback by the introduction of the Magnagate.
"You ready, Argyle?" Asked Emerald.
"That's not my name," I said, "my real name is Zeta."
Then, we stepped into the Magnagate. After a questionably warm and moist Mystery Dungeon, we were standing in the crossroads outside of Wigglytuff's Guild. No one seemed to be around, the town was quiet.
"I guess everyone took a vacation?" Said Slowbro.
Suddenly, Chatot hopped on into view. He approached us and said a word of greeting.
"Oh, hey guys."
Chatot took a turn and began walking to Spinda's Café. It took several seconds too long before it hit him like a Tauros stampede.
"You're back!" Squawked Chatot.
Chatot flew up and shouted.
"EVERYONE GET OVER HERE! EMERALD AND THE OTHERS ARE BACK!"
We were suddenly surrounded by Pokémon. They appeared way quicker than a rocket-powered turbo Sliggoo. Once we managed to calm down the crowd, Emerald and the others told them the entire story of the battle.
"I am deeply sorry for all the trouble I caused," said, looking at Skarmory, "not only for you, but to the whole world, and everyone else I've ever stolen from. I almost destroyed the world. I'm not going ask your forgiveness. I don't deserve it. I'll take whatever punishment you give me."
The crowd parted as Skarmory stepped forward.
"Well, Zeta. From what I gather, Argyle is the one who stole from me and he died on Apex Mountain."
"What?"
"You saved the world not only once, but twice. I'd be a terrible person if I was still worried about a little priceless gemstone."
"But I've stolen an Oran-"
Emerald stopped me by placing a paw firmly on my mouth.
"We are not listening to the full six days," said Emerald, "if someone offers you a pardon, take it."
"Yeah. I don't mind letting this Outlaw go unpunished," said Wigglytuff.
Everyone agreed, each with their own words. I was overwhelmed with everyone's well-wishes. That is, until a slow clap interrupted the moment. It was Jessie, with the smuggest look of satisfaction on her face.
"Well done, Thief of the North. I'd say that saving the world twice and confessing your crimes counts as a success."
"Um, what's up with the Mawile?" Asked Keldeo.
Jessie reached into her "sleeve" and pulled out a piece of leather. She opened it and showed everyone the contents. Her picture was on a card in the top, behind a clear plastic. The bottom had a golden badge proudly displaying the acronym H.A.P.P.I.
"Agent Jessie of the Helping Adventuring Pokémon Prosper Institute."
"Jessie!? You're with HAPPI!?" Said Zangoose.
"The Vice President of the Outlaw Reformation Corps to be exact."
"The Outlaw Reformation Corps?" Asked Bidoof, "by golly."
"Founded by Quagsire, our goal is to take criminals that we think can be reformed and work to turn them into model citizens. Did you really think that someone like me would ever lead a mafia?"
"Wait. You said you were kidnapped by a mafia leader and forced to do inappropriate things," I said, "was that a lie!?"
"Yes. We heard about you once you took your crime spree abroad. I had just joined HAPPI and took your case. As you can tell, I have a much softer touch than Quagsire."
"Jessie, you are really something," I said.
"You love me, I know."
Just then, a new arrival showed up in town, an Eevee with her head lowered.
"What's wrong with-?" Began Miltank, but I silenced her by holding my hand up.
I walked forward, leaving the crowd behind.
"Dusk?"
She looked up at the sound of her name. Tears were almost pouring out of her eyes.
"Argyle?"
She ran to me, and I embraced her.
"Argyle! Wolf, he-!"
"Shh… don't speak. It's okay, just let it all out."
I remained there in the crossroads, crouched and hugging the grieving Eevee. Time seemed to go on forever as she cried in my arms.
