Hi everyone and be wel...

PLEASE! Before you either kill me in a fire, drowning in the sea or stabbing me a lot more times than necessary (some know what I mean for sure), let me explain. I know it's been a month and a week since I last updated, but please look at the calendar. All students have had a lot of exams, reports, and work to do these days and I am no exception of that (I had to do all of that plus my part-time job). In fact I could only start writting this chapter after the 13th of June and well it still took longer than expected. I'm sorry you all had to wait that long... Now if you want to kill me you can, but at least you know my reasons.

Before you do it though, I'm going to do the TIME WITH REVIEWS section:

paradoxsteel: As you suggested I took my time (a lot more than expected)... I hope it's worth it.

12courtney12: Well I try to, but in this case I couldn't do that as well as before... Well if that's what you think... maybe you'll be roght or maybe not. I hope your eye's are okay. Thanks for the review!

sapphire53: I'm glad you liked the previous one, and I really hope you love this one!

smile all of your days: Well if you believe that last chapter was intense... read the next one. And don't worry he already know and acknowledges your concern. Thanks for everything.

Valerie: Well... I realy hope your helth is okay. I'm going to update sooner for sure next time. And well that part... will happen in its time. Thanks for the review.

Guest: Thanks for your words, the both of us really appretiate them. We're trying to get paid, but at the moment no one is interested in that so we're doing it for free XD. Have fun reading this one.

comisure: Well I'm happy you liked it. I also hope you like the next one.

Jean: Well thanks for your review. Since I also explained most of the things of that review directly... I tried here to use a different approach int eh Braille thing. i hope it's better. no go ahead and read the chapter. I hope you both love it.

And that's the end with TIME WITH REVIEWS. I know I said it last chapter, but we arrived at the 300k words last chapter and I'm only 15 reviews away from the 200. I can only say thank you to everyone because you all together raised the number of views to the 27,700, which is totally amazing. Thank you for everything. You all are part of this. Now before we start, I also want to pass the word to my editor LC5. he has some things to say.

How's it going everybody, LexClone5 here with my intro. I just wanted to say thank you for all the support you guys gave me regarding what had happened last time. There has been a lot of confusion between my Optometrist and Ophthemologist, one said my eye problems were from a torn retina, while the other stemmed from just a mere prescription issue. WELL, I got new contacts, so my eyesight is much better. But still, Rubyspe has his reasons for taking so damn long... SO BURN HIM AT THE ST- I MEAN... Be kind to him, he's under a bit of stress from not being able to write this.

DISCLAIMER - we do not own this, have never owned this, and probably will never own this franchise for as long as we live.

This said... READ and ENJOY!


Chapter 33: The Earth Titan

Silver's POV

-Hey look out!- exclaimed Emerald and I turned my head. My eyes widened at what I saw.

-What's happening?- I heard Crys ask.

-Crys… I have two things to say,- I said- Whhich do you want first?

-Just tell me what's happening!

-The first one is that we can't go on- I explained- there's a wall with another inscription.

-And the second?

-We're not alone!- said Emerald- Mantine, Sceptile, stand by for battle!

-Feraligatr, Kingdra! It's your turn- I said when Emerald ended the call.

In front of us a large group of pokemon had appeared. To say that they seemed hostile would be an understatement. Not only that, but they seemed to be very strong. We had a dozen of pokemon in front of us, all of them ground type pokemon. Two Camerupts, 3 Gravelers, and an Onix, stood proud next to three Rhyhorns, one Donphan, and a Sandlash. Behind the group of pokemon, a Rhydon stood expectant analyzing their rivals, therefore, us two and our pokemon.

The Rhydon was surely the whole group's leader because after a quick snort the whole group surrounded us. The Donphan and the Gravelers used Rollout at first while the two Camerupts attacked with Eruption. Onix used dig in a split second.

-Leave me the Rollouts!- Emerald said and I nodded, he had battled enought battles against Sapphire and Dono to know how to counter them.

-Okay then- I said- Kindra start using Hydropump to those Eruptions, Feraligatr you too.

-Sceptile, use Detect and then Agility!- he yelled- Mantine, use Water Pulse from the air!

At first our plans went perfectly , but then Onix rose up from the ground knocking my Feraligatr from its feet while the Ryhorns started to use Rock Blast at our pokemon. Sceptile was able to dodge them all, but Mantine couldn't. I soon felt one of those rocks impact on my arm, signaling that the pokemon weren't only aiming at our pokemon.

-We have to act quickly Emerald- I said- No point in making this last.

-Okay, Sceptile use Agility again and then use your double Leaf blade on the Gravelers! Mantine you use Confuse Ray on the Ryhorns!

-Feraligatr use Blizzard on the Onix, Kindra Hydropump towards the Camerupts!

But one Camerupt dodged while the other was able to withstand the attack. The Onix also suffered from the attack, but after that attacked with a good Rock Throw that hurt my Feraligatr a little bit. Two of the Gravelers fainted, but one of them was able to strike at the Sceptile sending him back. Luckily for us one of the Rhyhorns became confused and started to use Rock blast to attack at every direction, hurting his companions multiple times. After that the Donphan and the remaining Graveler used a combination of Rollout and Rock blast to take out the Mantine, but his Hydropump overpowered those two attacks and defeated them.

-Kingdra use your Water Pulse to the Rhyhorns while they're being attacked!- I commanded- Feraligatr use Surf towards the Onix!

The Onix was able to dodge while using Dig, but The Rhyhorns fell under the power of my attack and their companion's one. I smirked then looking at the ground and motioning to my Kindra to enter the hole after the Onix. With only this pokemon, two Camerupts, and the confused Graveler remaining Emerald took charge of the two fire and ground types.

- Sceptile use Quick attack to get close and then use Bullet seed!- he ordered- Mantine cover him from the air.

And it was a good method because as soon as the gecko pokemon approached his two foes, he was attacked by two powerful Flamethrowers. Before he got hit though, a Water gun deflected them to the sides creating an opening in the middle of it for the pokemon to continue. At the very last moment one of them stopped its attack and dodged the bullets, but the other one could do that and fell victim of Sceptile's attacks. The Graveler finally snapped out of confusion and found himself in the middle of the battlefield almost alone. He tried to strike then towards the Mantine with a Rock Throw and succeeded using the fact that we weren't aware of him.

-Feraligatr use Blizzard on the Graveler! Kindra use Waterfall!- I asked.

The Graveler was tired from all the attacks that he had used and couldn't avoid the attack being frozen in the process. Then, with a mighty cry, Onix rose up from the ground covered with water from my Kindra's attack.

-Mantine use Hydropump on the Onix, Sceptile Bullet seed on the Camerupt!- commanded my short friend. He then looked at me expectantly.

The Bullet seed attack wasn't effecting the volcano pokemon as it was too fast, but it was directing him towards my pokemon. Using Mantine he was able to take the rock serpent out while the Camerupt was going directly towards a trap. When the pokemon noticed that, it was too late.

-Water gun, both of you- I commanded.

Before my attack touched him, he was able to use Flamethrower to counter them, but when he did that, he stopped moving, causing the Bullet Seed to finally connect with him. With the pain of that attack, his own stopped causing 3 very effective attacks to get to him at once. That could only end it the defeat of one of the fastest pokemon I've ever seen. That's when the Rhydon moved. He approached us calmly while observing the two of us from head to toe before nodding. He then approached the wall and signaled at it.

There we could see the same paintings as we saw before we entered and they were marvelous. It showed a clash of powers of 2 huge pokemon, one red bipedal and the other seemed a giant blue fish, and in the very middle a scripture like the one we encountered at the entrance was sculpted in the rock. I looked at the pokemon who was looking at me expectantly before sitting in front of the wall with its eyes shut. With that the Will-o-wisp disappeared, but Emerald commanded another one right away, one so powerful that was able to illuminate the whole room and some of the stairs we had arrived from. As going back wasn't an option, I took out my Pokegear and dialed Crystal's number.

-Silver?- was her voice on the other side- What happened?

-We got attacked by a horde of pokemon, but we could handle it- I explained-Now we got another problem…

-What is it?

-The path is blocked, there's a wall with another inscription and I can't read it- I explained.

-Describe the points and I'll try something- she said- is it very long?

-No, it's shorter than before- I answered- only two sentences.

-Okay…- she said- then spell me what you see and I'll translate it.

-Sure- I prepared- The first symbol consist in 4 points. Only the point of the bottom right and the one at the top left part are not there. Did I explained it well enough?

-Yeah, keep like that.

-Then the next is…

(10 minutes later)

-And the last one is just like before, three dots in the left- I finished explaining.

-Okay- said Crystal- now let me decipher it. I'll hang up for the moment.

-How's it going Silver?- was Emerald's voice, while he was still inspecting all the place.

-Crys is translating it… have you discovered anything?

-Yes and no… there are just pictures on the wall and I believe that shows the fight between those two monsters, but the only thing that changes is the weather.

-What do you mean?

-I mean that in one of the three it's raining, in the next is sunny and finally in the next one it's happening both- Emerald said- that and the attacks change. In one the blue one is attacking, the second is the other way around and finally their attacks clash. Those people didn't really work too much with the storyline.

-I don't think that the storyline is what matters… I believe that they only sculpted what happened- I reasoned dumbfounded.

-Yeah… maybe you're right- he said scratching the back of his head- I need to think more sometimes.

-Yeah, you really do- I responded with a chuckle when my PokeGear vibrated again- Yeah, Crys?

-Yeah it's me… I've resolved the scripture- she said- and again it's commanding you to do something.

-What it is this time?- inquired Emerald.

-The script says…- she started.

"To meet the titan on the earth

use the help to dig through this wall"

-And that's everything- she said- now I really think that this one is easy.

-Yeah it's really commanding us to use dig on that wall- said Emerald- take out your Weavile and get over with this.

-I don't know…- I said.

-What do you mean Silver?-asked Crystal from the other side of the device- It's in the script to use dig.

-I know, but this seems too easy, last time it was like telling us to use Flash and in the end that wasn't it- I explained- and what's that thing of the help. What help do we have?

-I don't know that- was Crystal's voice- I'm not there.

-Wouldn't it mean that Rhydon? It hasn't moved from there since we beat those pokemon- he reasoned- and not once he tried to attack us.

-That seems to be a good option. Why not trying to scan it with your Pokedex?

-Sure- I said getting my most precious item from my pocket and pointing at the Rhydon- It says the following…

"Rhydon, the Drill Pokemon. Rhydon's horn can crush even uncut diamonds. One sweeping blow of its tail can topple a building. This Pokémon's hide is extremely tough. Even direct cannon hits don't leave a scratch.

This pokemon knows the moves: Megahorn, Horn attack, Stomp, Earthquake, Horn drill, and Rock Slide."

-That's everything it says- I explained.

-It doesn't know Dig either- said Crystal- but it says that it's horn can crush almost everything.

-We just need a strong enough attack with its horn- said Emerald. But what one? Megahorn is very powerful.

-That's an easy decision- said Professor Birch- I've seen with my bare eyes a Rhydon defeat a pokemon with a single hit using its most powerful attack. I would use Horn drill.

-I agree, almost every pokemon can use Dig, but only a few know this move- I reasoned- Now Rhydon, we need your help.

It was the first time that said pokemon rose its head. He just looked at me expectantly, like waiting for an order.

-Use Horn Drill on that wall- I commanded and he then analyzed me from head to toe again, he then nodded and stood up.

His horn began to spin more and more quickly, before the pokemon slammed his horn into the wall. It struggled a little, but after a minute of sparks falling from the point connecting the spinning and the polished surface, the pokemon let out a massive roar before the surface broke leaving an entrance to another section free. The pokemon then just entered leaving all of us behind.

-I don't believe that dig would've worked- said Emerald when my PokeGear was starting to make some nasty sounds- What's happening?

-I don't know, but it started when the wall broke- I said- maybe something is messing with those waves or something.

-We'll have to just enter and see then- were Emerald's words before he entered the hole with me close behind him.

When we passed the hole a whole new scenario was there to be seen. Only a very narrow passage was there until it turned to be a circular plaza in the center of the room. Room to call it something because the stance was huge and it was really, really hot. Walking from near the edges of the passage we could see a great cliff there and the bottom of it the only thing that was to be seen was rivers of almost liquid magma, explaining the hot temperature. At the other side of the platform was another huge cliff and yet another magma river at the bottom. After it a huge wall appeared blocking every path. But to arrive and see what was there we first had to overcome the obstacles that we had in front of us.

In front of us stood two Pokemon. One was the Rhydon that had helped us and the other was a huge Claydol. And looking at their poses… they were there to fight!

Gold's POV

-Call Rub- I asked and the sound of a call in process started to sound through my headphones.

-Rub here, what's up?- I heard from the other side.

-Rub it's me, Gold-I said.

-What's the matter? Did you finish the job I gave to you?-he asked from the other side, the sound wasn't very clear though.

-Of course I did, everything is very well organized- I said- I talked with the Mayor and 3 of his counselors and we were able to form a good plan.

In fact, I never thought I would be able to do a work like that. To organize something as important as the evacuation procedure of a town was something hard, and that's why I spent 1 hour or so doing it.

-So what's the plan?

-Uhm let me see… It was decided that there would be two safe zones that needed to be protected. One is the hospital and the other is the Academy.

-Why the Academy?

-Because that's where the evacuation will lead the people – I explained- we needed a huge and safe place and the Academy seemed a very good option.

-It was a good idea, but how will the people go there? Who will lead them?

-We've asked both Mr. Fuji and the Police officers of other near towns to help us with that- I said- I've just talked to Mr. Fuji and he immediately agreed.

-Good…- but something was odd, the sound I heard didn't seem ones of a hospital room it seemed that someone was running.

-Rub are you outside?

-No, why would you ask that?- he answered quite convincingly.

-Because it's quite noisy where you are.

-Of course it is! We've just declared war to an enemy organization!- he responded- I bet that in the town everything is a mess.

-Let's say that I've seen worse. But yeah… quite a lot of people are scared- I said.

And it was true. From to the Academy I had to use Togetaro's Extremespeed because going by foot would've been far too slow. Some people were in the streets getting ready to leave the town. The offices buildings next to the beach were now empty since they heard Marchie's contestation after that monstrous submarine had surfaced. Panic had spread among the people, that was a fact.

-Hey wasn't that a door that opened?- I asked him, it really had sounded like that- Are you still in your room?

-Of course I am… A nurse just came to check on something- he said.

-O-okay… The teachers will help along with the people that were working on the Contest's hall for now until the reinforcements arrive-I explained- Now tell me what to do.

-I don't really know what you can do now- he confessed.

-WHAT? WHY?- I asked angrily- You said that after this I would be able to join the fight!

-Why do you want to join the fight so badly?- he asked me then.

-I just want to help, I can't sit down while my friends are fighting!- I exclaimed- It was just a lie wasn't it?

-What do you mean?

-I mean this. You never included me in your plans- I concluded- You too think that I'm just going to be a nuisance.

-Nope that's not it.

-Then what is it? Why can't I go with a group and help them?- I said- Why I'm the only one who is safe? Red, Green and Yellow are creating an opening for Blue, who is ALONE trying to retrieve Sapphire. Silver, Emerald and Crys… they are trying to awaken a monster. You're injured, but commanding us with your own strategy. But I'm not doing anything!

-You are… If your plan goes well you've just saved a lot of people!

-But I can't help my friends! I'm okay with helping people, I like to do that…-I said sending Togetaro out and getting on it- but I want to fight alongside my friends too.

-Tell me what are your weak points Gold- he said surprising me- and don't leave anyone.

-Why?

-Just do it- when he said I knew it was an order.

-I'm reckless, I never think before entering a battle. I'm also a little arrogant while battling, always wanting to battle the best one with my own hands even if I know that there are better people to do it-I knew them all too well to make a mistake- Those are my weak points.

-Wrong!- he said more surprisingly- Now tell me your strong points.

-I'm a good battler and my battle reflexes are quite good, I have a varied team- I said- And maybe my backup plans.

-Wrong again, or at least partly.

-What do you mean?

-Your recklessness is not a weak point, braveness used in the right time can be the best weapon on your arsenal…

-I don't understand- "yet Red and Ruby said the same…".

-You only have one weak point Gold… and I know it because it's similar than mine… You have no confidence in yourself.

-Of course I have confidence in my..

-No you don't! People far weaker than you have told you again and again that your recklessness will be the reason you'll lose someday and you believe them, when it's just the opposite- he explained, I didn't understand- Your qualities used in the proper time can mark the line between victory and defeat.

-But…

-Red is the best fighter, Green is the one with the best trained pokemon, Yellow is the healer, Blue is the stealth master, Crystal is the most intelligent, Silver is the defensive power, Emerald is the most adaptable one and Sapphire is the one whose willpower has no comparison- he said, when he said Sapphire's name his voice softened noticeably- And in this case… I'm the strategist.

-And what am I?

-You… are the perfect backup- he said - or as a lot of people call it… the hero.

-The hero?

-The one who arrives just at the last moment to save the day , the one with the mentality of acting before thinking that in the desperate moments is the one the group needs- he said- don't sell yourself and my analysis so short. You can do that because you're battle reflexes are impressive, you don't have fear at the most important times and no one really knows what you'll do in a certain moment. You're the perfect backup because you're a double backup, your plans of the last moment are something very difficult to predict…

-Well yes, they sometimes work, but…

-Gold you are one of the 9 Dexholders and you'll be useful in this fight- he said- My next mission for you is to decide who will you be helping of the three groups. Crystal's, Red's, or Blue's? Think about your characteristics.

- I'll help Red's- I said- I've always been better at destroying things that retrieving them.

-Then go there and observe the fight for a complete half an hour- he said- Analyze your enemies and your friend's state and then enter the fight. I want you to send me messages every five minutes explaining the current situation. After the sixth message you can enter the fight and be as reckless as you want, just make sure that you come out okay. Crystal will kill me if you don't.

-She will kill me first- I chuckled- Okay, I'll do as you ask… And you know… thanks.

-For what?

-For what you told me… No one has told me anything like that for a very long time…- I said- Not even the Dexholders.

-They know it too… but they are afraid of what would happen if something goes ultimately wrongbut they know and value this- he said- You should've seen them at Sapphire's birthday party. When you fought with her, all of us were always expectingsomething new, even your rival. And when you battled against and with Crystal too.

-I didn't know that… but I like it- I said.

-So you know your mission now…- he said- I'm going to hang up. Take care!

-I will Rub, and don't do anything stupid yourself- I advised- You're in no condition to fight.

-I know that- he said- Bye.

And then he hung up… I was sure that it wasn't just my imagination. The sounds I heard wasn't the ones that would happen in a hospital room, and he never agreed to do anything stupid.

Norman's POV

I could see it at last. After an hour of flying at top speed I was able to see the Pokemon Association's headquarters, just in the middle of the Indigo Plateau. I was still five minutes away from it, but I could already see that things weren't normal there. I could see some smoke clouds in between the Association's building all around the principal one. The tall main building at the centre and in every one of the cardinal's points , another great building stood.

The north one was the department of Pokemon science, where the best laboratories with the better equipment existed. In this department, almost all the items to heal pokemon were developed and the curative methods to heal them in the Pokemon centers too. The one at the south is the one that organizes the events and merchandising. It was by far the tiniest one, but one of the most useful of them all. Inside it also was the platoons of the main television channel.

The East was the one I belonged to. It's the one that controls the Association's man and Pokemon power and therefore, all the 25 Gym leaders. The Dexholders would also be part of that, but since they're still in the Academy a little building was built to have better communication with them halfway from the Academy and the headquarters. Finally the building at the West is the one that focuses in the development of new devices for the pokemon trainers. New types or Pokeballs, new items for the trainers just like the shoes I gave to Ruby as a present and many more things have been developed in these labs for a very long time.

It was between the North and West department and also with the help of the most recognized Professors at that time, which one of them was Prof. Oak, which gave birth to the rarest and most valuable item in the world. The Pokedex.

In the center of it all, though stands the most important building, where all the economists, lawyers and head of every departments had its office. Of course the chairman also had his office in highest room of this building.

As I was approaching the place, I saw more and more signs of battle. I could see the security from the headquarters trying to battle the blue and red clothed attackers from entering the different buildings. The East building was visibly damaged and the West one also showed some cracks at the fence, I suppose that there were done by those grunts attacks. The security was stronger on the middle in order to protect the main building.

The number of foes was by far greater than the number of allies. The enemy had three lines of people, one attacking the defenders of the buildings, another one protecting themselves for the enemies that attacked from behind and finally a long range line of attacks to disperse or beat any foe that tried to break in their lines. It was an Ice ball launched from those people, that made me and my Flygon dove to avoid being hit by the super effective attack .

Just as we ducked though, another 3 Ice balls came for us in little intervals that proved to be difficult to dodge. Luckily my pokemon could do it, but I decided that I would be more secure on the ground for the time being. I had to reunite with Wallace as well before I knew what to do.

As soon as I landed though I heard a female voice call up to me.

-Watchout!- she said and when I turned I saw a crack on the floor coming right to me.

I just jumped out of the way then and while on the air I sent out my Linoone and asked him to use a barrage of Pin missiles while taking shelter behind a huge rock.

-You must be Norman, huh?- asked the red headed girl- The Gym leader who uses Normal types.

-That's me…- I said inspecting her- And you must be Flannery, the Fire type Gym leader.

-Yeah, how did you recognize me?

-I've seen you battle many times- I explained- You're very good for your age. Do you know where Wallace is?

- Yeah, I was going to take you to him…- she said- he commanded me to take any Gym leader that arrives to him. He's giving orders to the ones he has available.

-Take me to him- I commanded and she nodded and then used her Torkoal to use Smokescreen to give us time to move- How many of us has arrived?

-With you here only two more have to arrive…- she explained- You know Tate and Liza? The Psychic twins?

We were going in the opposite direction from the actual battle, where some huge rocks where moved to act as a barrier. Brock's Rock types and Jasmine's Steel pokemons helped secure the place from the attacks that where flying not so far from here.

-I've battled them twice- I said- their team play is one of the best I've ever seen.

-Look we're here!- she said and indeed I could see the Water master in front of me talking to Winona, Blaine, Clair, and Price.

-Norman… it's good that you're here- he said turning all the other heads to me- We have to plan this and quick. Their numbers are impressive and they will be able to barge in the main building in less than 30 minutes if we don't help them.

- Right now we are 21 here, with both Tate and Liza still to arrive, but we don't have more time to lose- said Pryce- we have to strike hard and now.

-Then what are we going to do?- I asked impatient- we have more things to do too.

-What do you mean?- asked Blaine.

-You still don't know, but there are other people that need our help- I said- this is not all the power that this organization can muster. In fact I highly doubt that this is anything more than the half of it.

-Explain Norman- was Winona's command, Wallace's wife I must add.

-You all know the Dexholders, and some of you even personally- I explained and I saw Misty, Brock, Flannery, and Whitney nod.

-What's the matter with them?- asked Misty.

-You know that they are still studying in an Academy, don't you?- more nods- They've worked for the Association for five years, and personally with some of you. They're true idols everywhere for all they've done with some of our help too. What we can't object though… is that they probably are the strongest team in the world.

-That's perfectly true- said Wallace- Along with Kimberly and the Professors, Master Juan was one of the people who supervised their training. He always told me that same thing.

-You surpassed me, but you still call me master…- said a guy with French accent then- so what's the matter with them and this organization.

-I know it's a must to win this battle, but we have to be as quick as possible- I said calmly at the outside - they're fighting too against them, but with a lot less people to battle. They're only nine- 10, but they don't need to know that.

-That's another thing to take into account then- said Winona- We don't have time to lose!

-Okay, then let's divide ourselves- said Blaine.

-Wallace, Winona, Blaine, Clair, and Norman will lead our groups- said Juan.

-I will fight from the air with Falkner and Bugsy while Brock covers us from the ground- said

Winona.

-I will take Tate and Liza when they arrive plus Flannery and Pryce. We'll attack the East building- said Clair- as soon as we free them, we'll get out all the security that's still inside to defend it and we'll try to attack the main building attackers.

-Sounds good- said Wallace- I'll attack the South building. I'll need Morty, Brawly, and Whitney.

-Then with me we'll attack the West building- said Blaine directly- Roxanne, Jasmine, Misty, and Chuck.

-Then my group will attack the North building- I said- Along with Juan, Wattson, Erika, and Janine . That's the place we can heal our pokemon so it's one of the most important places.

-That's right- said Wallace- Winona, you must attack from the air when we all are into position. Then we'll all attack using the distraction.

-Okay- she said- then let's go. Remember, we must be quick and unnoticed, otherwise we won't be able to attack using the surprise advantage.

-And remember… we have people waiting for us too- I said seriously- We have to win for the Pokedex Holders too.

-It's like Norman said- said Wallace grabbing a pokeball in his hand- Now go and fight.

It was a silent nod that meant the same as a loud warcry what we all did to show our acknowledgment. After that the teams were made and we started to move to our attacking places. It had just been 8 or 9 minutes since I arrived, but the atmosphere was way tenser than before. Using both Jasmine's Steelix and Brock's Onix Sandstorm, Janine's Weezing and Flannery's Torkoal Smokescreen, and Wallace's and Juan's Milotic's Mist created a great cloud of those varied elements covered great part of the battlefield, which we used to go towards our position. The place we were discussing was quite near the East building so I didn't need to go that far either. When I arrived though and all the group members were around me almost waiting for orders… my phone rang.

I was very tempted hung up, but when I saw that the ID was my wife I got the call right away.

-Norman?- was her voice, but something was extremely odd. Her voice was never that distressed.

-Yes, it's me… what's the matter?- I asked quite concerned.

-It's Ruby…- she said- he was interned in the hospital.

At that I froze. I had discovered that he had been there, but I never told her. It was wrong, but I only wanted her to be happy since our son was okay. He had been in a very problematic situation, but he was alright so I had little reasons to tell her.

-Well I know… he had to go the Sunday of last week- I explained- but he's…

-I don't mean that time- she said and I froze again- He entered again on Saturday night! He was almost killed!

Blue's POV

I had been stealthily venturing more and more into the submarine. I spotted quite a lot of grunts, but either using Ditty to hide or just turning a good corner I was able to make me unnoticed. I had passed quite a lot of endless corridors, some went down, while some went up again. Strangely enough the place I entered from wasn't the lowest level, because there were still two more levels below mine.

Almost an hour had passed since I entered, but with the constant movement of the grunts, my advance was very slow. I had to search to learn where she was kept and that also slowed me down. I had gone quite far, but I still knew nothing about her whereabouts.

Since my earphones were damaged by the salty water when I entered and my Pokegear didn't work correctly either, I couldn't warn Red, Yellow, and Green that the grunts were approaching them from behind. Then again, going back just to warn them would make our only option to rescue Sapphire to be lost, and I wouldn't let that happen.

That's when I had to hide again behind some door when I saw two grunts, one male and another female, patrol the corridors. As they passed though, I heard what they said.

-Are you sure that those two will come?- asked the boy, probably as young as me.

-Believe me that they will… before we reconverted this thing to the submarine that it is now, when they were our prisoners- she started explaining, this green haired girl was probably 25 or so- Silver, Blue, and Ruby were able to sneak out of their cage, grab the pokeballs for all of them and then escape. Not a camera or comrade was able to spot them while doing it.

-But the boy's dead, that means that they will only be two of them- answered the boy again- that means less people and less opportunities to free the prisoner.

-And less options to catch them- she scolded- don't be so confident. That's what made us lose them five years ago. If it happens again, Marchie will feed us to his Sharpedo.

That was the last thing I could hear until they were out of sight. That was some interesting thoughts. Like Rub said they were expecting both me and Silver for the retrieval mission and while that meant that more people were designed for that purpose alone, it also meant that it was more difficult to be seen. The other and more important thing was that comment about converting something to this submarine. With that information could only guess that the organization converted that flying base to a submarine one. That also gave me an option…

I knew by experience that Marchie is a person who liked and knows how to play with the human mind. He liked to make people feel insecure and fragile like he did with Sapphire when he captured her, just for having more control over the whole situation.

He wouldn't dare, would he?

No… Of course he would.

He would love to wake up all those horrible nights and moments that Sapphire and all of us spent in this base, in that cage in this prison. He's love to see the face one of us would make after realizing that we were in the very same place that we spent all those horrible days.

With this clue as where Sapphire was… I started to walk, trying to find some familiar corridor that could lead me there. After five years my memory of the place was still clear, but I couldn't remember all the corridors. I remembered clearly our room, the battle grounds where we practiced, the labs where they experimented on us… but not everything.

I then went back to where that boy and the woman were patrolling and decided to go in the direction they came from. I saw two cameras then on in the middle of the corridor and two more at the other end of the corridor. I was about to advance cautiously when the whole submarine shook violently. That lasted for 10 seconds before it suddenly stopped. I suppose that the submarine had been damaged by Green or Red's attacks.

At first I was still cautious by that, but soon I started advancing again. I was able to sneak under those cameras without being spotted and continued my path. I found a door that lead to a room that seemed to be the center of the submarine because I could see two corridors that went up and down each while another one in front of me leaded me towards the other side of the building. I had to hide then, when I saw the shadow of a group of five grunts come up of the stairs. I quickly used Ditty to hide using him as cover. This time they only passed in front of me without noticing me.

It was then that another greater shaking enveloped the place again. I almost fell down then, but I was able to stay still thanks to the wall that was behind me. That attack had been stronger than before. This was made clear when an alarm started to sound. I had to hide again then because I immediately saw that two groups of seven people ran through where I was in the direction I came from. I even heard someone saying that they needed to stop the flooding that occasioned that last attack. As soon as they passed I returned Ditty again and sighed.

-It's way too soon to sigh like the worst is over, don't you think?- asked a voice I somewhat knew in front of me.

-Who are you?- I asked the man dressed in those red and blue robes. He also had Golden belts around his arms, meaning that he was a golden rank. He had also blonde hair and his left part of the face was burnt.

-My name?- he asked- My name is Malcolm and you're the children that ruined my life.

-What do you mean, ruined?

-When you escaped, you almost set the whole base on fire- he said maliciously- I was sleeping then when one fuel tank exploded and made me like I'm really now.

-You kidnapped us…- I said grabbing my pokeballs with my hand- You didn't really expect to stay there quietly and not try to escape do ya?

-I don't care about that… I only care of getting my revenge!- he said- I was one of the most important people in the organization before your escape… but with the time I spent recovering I also lost all the advantage I had and lower rank grunts arrived at my level. Now I'm not even in the top 5 of the strongest and when you defeated me in the Contest's Hall I utterly lost the master's confidence.

-It's not our problem if karma is a bitch- I said angered, he had really no right to even try to make us feel guilty. I clenched my fists tightly. They kidnapped us so they should pay the consequences, much like we paid ours when Ruby sacrificed himself without doing anything wrong- you guys killed one of us, you killed our friend! I'm never going to forgive that.

-I'm going to get back the Master's confidence again when I capture you!- he said taking out two pokeballs- but then again… Why not make it a fair game? 2 vs. 2 without substitutions. What do you say?

A fair battle from an enemy. Did I dare to believe him? He could be lying for all I know, but then again… A match with only two pokemon would be much better for me… A difficult decision.

-I… accept- I had little time to lose battling- Go Nidory and Jiggly!

-Quagsire! Metang you're up!- he said before smirking- I know that it's polites to let the ladies go first… but I'm not polite. Quagsire use Hidropump on the Nidoqueen! Metang use Metal Claw on the Wigglituff.

-Wigglituff use Double-Slap to counter it!- I commanded- Nidory use Fury attack to cut through it!

-Stop right now Quagsire- he commanded when he saw that Nidory was advancing without getting much damage, while both Jiggly and his Metang were fighting toe to toe- Use Mud shot! Metang use Metal Claw again!

-Jiggly Defense curl and then Rollout! Poison sting Nidory!

Then battle was nothing spectacular. I couldn't use my pokemon strongest attacks because they would attract more grunts and he couldn't either because it would be dangerous for the submarine's structure to use moves like Magnitude or Earthquake. That limited both our options, but I couldn't do anything about it. When our attacks collided though I saw him smirk when some smoke was formed due to the collision.

-Metang use Psybeam on Nidornan! Quagsire use Water Pulse!

-Jiggly counter with Tri-attack!- I commanded- Nidory stay behind and use Helping hand!

With that I saw him smirk again before we were surrounded by a thick smoke Using the power gained from Nidory's Helping hand the Tri-attack gained a lot of power to counter the two attacks that came at once. Being an attack that uses 3 elements means that this attack can counter a lot of different ones. I acted as soon as I was engulfed with that thick smoke.

-You're done for girl…- he said from the other side and I smirked when I saw the feet of his Tyranitar behind me- You're too naïve… You should never trust your enemies Blue.

-And who said I ever trusted your words- I said then- You should never underestimate an opponent that is never fair at all… not even with her friends!

-What do you mean?

-Ditty use Whirlwind as a beautiful Altaria!

I said and the smoke cleared in a matter of seconds. It was true that Nidory and Jiggly were still in front of me, the same as his Metang and Quagsire. It was also true that he could sneak his Tyranitar behind me, but that wasn't the only thing that happened. While he had 3 pokemon out I had all of them. Blasty was just behind me, covering me from his rock type, while both Bull, with his Crunch attack prepared, and Cleffy, ready to use another Tri-attack, where behind him. A proud Altaria stood between his pokemon and him.

-Recall your pokemon- I commanded- it was your worst idea to try to use these tricks with me. Now be a good grunt and surrender.

-I'll never surrender- he said then- Maybe I've been cought in one of my traps, but you don't really know your position. You're here to find that girl, Sapphire. What you don't know is that you'll never be able to rescue her.

-You're underestimating me again- I said then.

-No…- he said taking out what seemed a remote controller from his pocket before pulsing it- you are!

As soon as he did that I commanded both Cleffy, Ditty and Jiggly to use Sing to make him and his pokemon sleep, but it was far too late. They did, but as soon as he pressed the button an alarm sound resonated inside the submarine again, only this time it said: "Intruders detected on level minus 2" again and again. Seeing that my successful sneaking into the submarine I started running towards the direction I hoped that was the good one. I had no time to lose.

Emerald's POV

They weren't going down. They were no pushover because these two pokemon were way stronger that the whole horde that had attacked us before. The Rhydon was something impressive either in defense or attackand so was the Claydol. Of course my Dusclops was way quicker, but still the Psychic type could resist my attacks.

The start of the battle had been surprising. They only stood and using Claydol's Psychic they let out all of our pokemon. When they did that they positioned in front of the pokemon they wanted to battle. Claydol chose my Dusclops, while Rhydon chose Silver's red Gyarados.. Both of them chose a pokemon to whom they were in a clear disadvantage, but still they were being difficult to beat.

The Claydol had used some Barrier attack to separate the two fights so we couldn't help each other, but I still could see Silver at the other side. His water attacks such as Water Pulse and Hidropump had been super effective, but the Rock type could stand through them or repel them using his Horn Drill to break the stream of water. Silver even tried to use rain dance, but it never worked. Silver was trying everything to make this pokemon fall, but the other was countering and attacking as well.

Rhydon had been able to strike using Rock slide a number of times, and it was quite effective due to the Flying type of his pokemon. A Horn attack here and another Megahorn too, was the other attacks that had touched and damaged him.

In my case things weren't much different. He also used his Hyperbeam attack, but not always against my pokemon. I myself had to dodge the beam twice while the other times he aimed at the area in front of my pokemon. Since the Hyperbeam would just come through my pokemon he aimed towards the floor when the rocks that were thrown towards us were able to hit and damage it highly. His Psychic also deflected my Shadow ball a number of times, some even getting it back to me. The only move I clearly damaged him with was Shadow punch, but even that didn't seem to do an spectacular damage.

At that time my right sleeve wasn't there since the rope had been stuck in one rock while trying to avoid the Hyperbeam coming at me. Silver seemed to be good enough aside from that bump on the right shoulder due to that Rock blast earlier.

-Emerald!- yelled Silver- We can't afford to lose more time!

-I know, but they won't go down!

-Then we'll just have to speed up a little- he said- We have to go all out!

-Dusclops use Will-o-Whisp!- I commanded- Guide it using Psychic.

The pokemon obeyed my command and even if he failed at first, then it was able to trick it burning him. That seemed to anger him a lot and after a moment receiving the pain he used Extrasensory.

-Use Shadow Punch and then Confuse ray!- that last attack had never affected him, but when he was going to dodge it, its burns glowed hurting him. He was unable to avoid the attack.

My moves then seemed to have awakened something inside him because for the first time it really cried in pain. The pokemon grabbed his head before shooting Hyperbeams everywhere. Rocks where broken and I had to crouch to avoid another attack like that. When I avoided it the beam impacted with the same Barrier that the half Psychic type had put and broke it easily.

-What the…- was Silver voice when the beam passed just in front of him, avoiding him by centimeters- What's the matter?

-The Claydol's gone nuts? I don't understand… I just confused it- I said.

-It was a good move, but this pokemon is very strong and totally out of control now. We have to do something or it will make all the cave collapse!

It was true… After some Hyperbeams, the pokemon also used Extrasensory again which made all the debris and rocks go directed to the foe. This time though, since the pokemon was confused the rocks impacted with the walls and even the platform we were battling in. The plaza was quite wide where we were standing, but it didn't take a genius to see that it was way thinner at the bottom. If the platform fell, we would probably fall with it.

-Emerald we have to do something about it!-Silver said when the Pokemon, suddenly used Eartquake with all it and everything started to shake a lot. The platform wouldn't last very long.

-Dusclops Disable!- I commanded then, but I failed at first and the whole thing continued to shake.

-Gyarados use Twister to stop it!

It was only then that my Pokemon was able to focus in him and it immediately stopped the attack. Its attacks didn't seem to stop though because it started to use Hyperbeam and Psybeam again damaging more and more the different walls and floor of the platform. Things didn't seem good.

That was when something unexpected happened. The Rhydon just came behind the Psychic pokemon and grabbed it with both arms and looked directly at us. After a few struggles it was clear that the pokemon was physically stronger than Claydol, but even that wasn't enough to make it stop. The tied pokemon used Extrasensory again, but this time all the rocks went directly towards Rhydon who received all of them. The last one though was huge and made the pokemon flinch. This was the opportunity that Claydol looked for because just after that it was able to break free and launched a Hyperbeam directly towards him striking its stomach directly. The force of the attack was so high that the Rhydon was sent flying towards over the border of the platform. We instantly rusher over to him when the Claydol started using Extrasensory again.

When we arrived at the border we saw the Rhydon trying to stop his fall using all the methods he could. The pokmeon had its horn, claws and even the tail stuck in the rock trying to stop its fall. The pokemon was very desperate and it wasn't estrange… he was falling directly towards the magma river below him. I then came to a resolve… There was only a thing to do in order to try to save it. To capture it. I then took out my bag and from there I took out my Pokeball launcher. Just with the arm power we had it was impossible for us to be able to reach where he was, and couldn't fail either, we only had one pokeball to try.

Then again the other problem was Claydol. It was attacking everywhere and that could only mean that it would only do more damage. Since I was the one to confuse it, I was feeling guilty about everything that had happened so far… That's why I came to a resolution.

-Silver use this- I said handing him the Pokeball launcher, a pistol like artifact that launches pokeballs further than any human, aside from Sapphire could- It's my Pokeball launcher. Use it to capture Rhydon because otherwise it'll die.

-But you made it… you should be the one to…

-I'm also the one who confused Claydol- I said- An you have more accuracy than me either way. Capture it while I keep Claydol from destroying everything.

-Okay then- he said grabbing the item.

Then I just went in front of the rampaging pokemon. I had very few ideas about what to do, but I knew I had to buy him time.

-Mr. Mime it's your turn now!

Silver's POV

I grabbed the item with my hands when I noticed three barriers covering my sides. I knew that it was Emerald who did this, but I had more things to take care of. The Rhydon wasn't slowing down at all and all that it would find was the death in that magma river. What Emerald said was true… I really knew how to fire a gun since we had to learn how to do it, when we lived alone with Blue. Luckily we never had the opportunity to put it into use, not even when we were kidnapped, but I still had that touch.

I had to aim quite a lot below him in order to do it correctly, but I was confident that I would be able to.

-Honchcrow! Fly towards him to catch the pokeball when I fire- I commanded when I got my last breath before…

BOOM!

Another Hyperbeam was able to break my concentration just when I fired the launched. My aim had been right until the last second when I aimed a little too high missing it for some inches. Since it was the final pokeball, everything seemed lost… but it was too soon to give up.

-Honchcrow, Steel wing on the Pokeball aim at the Rhydon!- I was hoping that it would be right, it was our last opportunity to save the pokemon that had risked itself to protect the whole room and our safety too.

That's when the crow pokemon kicked the ball with its wing going directly and the pokeball got back at the rock type hitting it square in the centre of the abdomen. Then the pokeball fell and after 3 shakes, it made the sound that indicated that the pokemon had been captured. Then Honchkrow grabbed the Pokeball with its peak before looking at me proudly.

BOOM!

That was the second time that this sound broke me from my thoughts when I felt my body fall to the void. I looked back only to see that the Claydol had used Hyperbeam on the floor effectively breaking the platform where we stood. With my pokemon so far from me all suggested that I would fall in the place of the pokemon that I had just saved ten seconds ago.

I tried to ask for Honchcrow's help, but even I knew that it would be futile since he was so far from me. I was about to give up, when a hand yanked me and I stopped completely midair. I looked up only to see Emerald in top of his Mantine holding me with both hands.

-Seems like for one I'm the hero here, huh?- he said when I saw Claydol floating far away from use after just snapping out of the confusion. Now he really seemed confused about what had happened when he didn't know what he was doing, ironic huh?

-Seems like it- I said- your launcher saved Rhydon and you saved me, this must be your lucky day.

After that I climbed on his Mantine with him when my second pokemon ever came to me with the Pokeball and handled it to me. Then he rubbed himself in my arm before I thanked him for everything and I recalled him inside the pokeball. I looked at the pokemon at my other hand. Strangely enough we came here with 6 pokemon each and we were going to get back with another one and the Titan of the earth.

-Look Silver! On that wall in front of us- said Emerald pointing in front of us- It's another inscription like the ones we saw before!

And sure enough another inscription was there. This time though it was only one word the one that we had to decipher. One word of 7 letters:Four points forming an square at the top; 4 more forming a triangle with the vertex at the right; 3 points changing from left, right and left in different levels; on point at the left and high corner with two more points at the bottom; a 3 point triangle at the upper right corner; the same as the 3rd letter; and finally, the same as the fifth, but with one point and the lowest left corner.

-We need Crystal again,but the PokeGear is not working- he said with the item at hand- What do we do?

-Don't worry Emerald… This time we don't need her- I said- The word that need to be said is this … GROUDON!

And as soon as I said the word everything began to shake violently. It wasn't a problem for us because we were flying, but then, slowly, the whole wall began to turn. It seemed impossible, but an aperture was being left more and more visible. As it was turning the inside of that room began to be revealed when we saw rivers of magma flowing inside too.

That was when we saw a silhouette that made us shiver. In the middle of the stance, between all the rocks and magma an enormous figure stood. It's height might be around the height of half a skyscraper. The silhouette was of a shining red color that glimmered from the light the magma was emanating. All around the red body had several blue lines shinning that were the same as the ones that had led us to the door of the Pyramid. The front of his body though, was a dark shade of gray just like the rock we had been standing and battling.

The fear we felt only increased when after the wall had turned completely, leaving the aperture completely open, the almighty monster opened his sinning blue eyes at first, before they became completely red. He looked around as if not noticing us before extending his enormous arms as everything started to shake brutally.

GROUDON!

Sapphire's POV

Only a color, just and anything else than a color. That was all that was around me for the moment. My head wasn't hurting anymore and the only thing that was different were my arms. Shinning blue lines went from my hands towards my collarbones. I was floating in a sea that wasn't made of water, it was just the color Blue. I looked around to see where I was, I even tried to shout, but no voice came out. It was like I was isolated from everything. I then heard a sound, but it wasn't one I made. It seemed to be an alarm sound, but I couldn't be sure… it was so far.

I was only able to see two points that seemed different from the omnipresent color. I slowly tried to advance to them only to find that they let towards the outside. I could only see blue wherever I looked, aside from those two points. When I peeked at that apertures the sound became cleared and I could confirm that I was indeed hearing that sound. My eyes widened then and I gasped silently looking directly at the place I could see.

The place had several beds in the middle while at the front some cage bars imprisoned the person or people inside. That was the place that I had so much memories, both good and bad after being there for almost 3 months. What had changed though, was that outside the cage, there was a rather large room with only a corridor to enter to it. The walls were all white, but something seemed extremely odd about them. I could swear that I heard people talking at the other side of those walls. I then heard another sound that made my sight focus towards the entering corridor.

It was the sound of some running steps and it seemed to be approaching. I gasped silently again when I saw Blue emerge out of the door. She then stopped for a moment to observe everything when she looked my way and then started running again.

-Sapphire! Sapph!- she yelled when she arrived at the metallic bars at the other side of the cage- Are you okay? Sapph? C'mon Sapphire answer me!

Why was she looking my way and asking me if I was alright? She couldn't see me being as big as she was through that little hole I was in.

-Sapphire?- she asked again when no one answered- Damn! I have to take you out!

It then downed on me… The reason why I was seeing these things was because I was looking through my eyes! And she was trying to save me! But as much as I wanted to move, the only thing that moved was that little body of mine inside of that blue colored sea. I couldn't utter a sound, I couldn't move!

-Of course you can't!- said that powerful voice all around me- this isn't your body anymore.

I then heard another sound, a laughter and it came from the other side of the walls too. I knew them, I recognized some of them. Then I looked at Blue who was trying to open the cage's door with some tool when behind her two groups of 5 grunts appeared.

"Blue! Turn around! It's a trap!- I wanted to tell her, but I couldn't utter a sound- I'm only a bait to attract you! It's an ambush!"

But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't warn her.

-Well, well, well…- said a voice coming from the door of the corridor again- seemed like the mighty Blue was outsmarted too.

-Malcolm!- was Blue's voice when she turned around and saw what was in store from her.

-Yes… me and well… 20 more of us- he said- Even if Silver was here, it wouldn't change a thing. Not even you two could win us.

-We'll see about that!- she said defiantly and grabbing some pokeballs- I'm not going back without Sapphire.

"Run Blue… you still have an option to escape!"

-You're not getting out either!- he said making a sign that deformed his burned face- let's show her what it really means to lose!

-HAY!- was the warcry that the other grunts shouted while letting out two pokemon each.

Blue found herself surrounded by 3 times more pokemon than the ones she has. I don't like to be pessimistic, but things couldn't be worse for her. I fell on my knees crying silently. She would be captured because of me… trying to save me. It happened again, my incompetence would be the end of one of my friends. I saw she let out all her pokemon then, but while doing so… she turned to look at me.

-I'm sorry Sapph… I'm sorry Rub- she said with a weak smile and two tears fell from her eyes- And I'm sorry Green… I failed everyone.

-Nah… you didn't fail.

That was a male voice we heard when a white light started to shine just besides Blue. Soon enough a Gardevoir appeared there with someone else grabbing her left hand.

- Good job Ruru- said that voice that made my tears stop, before returning the pokemon- We'll take it from here!


And that's the end of this chapter. I hope you all liked it, because I had a lot of fun writing it. It was difficult at the beginning to get back the touch I had lost in that month that I couldn't write, but meh... I'm satisfied with it. I also love the fact that you liked the previous one even when I didn't like it that much so I believe that you'll have fun reading this.

I know that some part of these chapters can be a bit confusing so I'm open to explain everything that can be explained without spoilers to anyone. Past things, things from the chapters and random questions... if you have one questio you can ask.

This said I only have to thank you all for your patience and the common...

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