Hello everyone and welcome to the chapter number 40 of this fic. Yes, 40! Impressive isn't it?

I have to day sorry again for having spent all summer without updating. In my defense I have to say that I've worked a lot of hours to make money to spend in my studies. Another thing that delayed this was that my computer broke. It's repaired for the time being, but it's not portable anymore. That means that I'll have to repair it again (I hope it doesn't take too long). Again, I''m very sorry.

Now before we can start... it's TIME WITH REVIEWS!

Shimo no ko: Yep cliffhanger! I know that Gold did, but I meant another one from other fandom. Since I don't want to spoil anything I'll keep it for me! I'm glad you liked the interaction, it's my favourite part of the chapter. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and thanks for the review!

Topaz: Thanks I hope I didn't take too long!

Guest1: Thanks for the praise, but I have bad news. I really think that this fic will have no continuation. I don't think it'll be good, too forced. This said I'll try to close the story as I can.

Comisure: You have some faith... let's see if you're right or not. Maybe they're like Greek gods... I don't know much of mithology. i don't really think it's one of the best fics, but I appreciate your opinion!

Guest2: You mean in the manga or here? if you mean here I don't know (or I do, but I don't want to tell you)!

Niche: I'm glad you want more. Here you have it.

Rubymagez: I agree with your opinion! It's the best pairing. That's for your review!

KingKagura: Ruby is my favourite character and Red is the second in this fic. In the manga I like Diamond better (than Red) since I feel that he's similar to me, but Red is definitely one of my favs. Ruby is the best always! Now you'll have the continuation!

And that's all with TIME WITH REVIEWS. I have to say taht this chapter came very close to the milestone of 250 reviews and surpassed the 100 of Favs. The number of followers is over 100 too so that's very, very good too. Thank you everyone, without iu, this would be very difficult to continue.

Before I allow you (or you have to scroll down further) LC5 wants to say something important!

What is up everybody? I'm LexClone5, and I've got my own news to tell ya'. Nintendo Gauntlet, my and my friend's Youtube channel is officially a thing. A few videos have been posted as of writing this, with more being edited right now as well. We are starting with Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, so if that's something you'd enjoy, then find my channel and subscribe.

DISCLAIMER: We don't own anything about pokemon or Niantic (Oh, how awesome would that be!).

READ and ENJOY!


Chapter 40: The Obsidian Terror

Giovanni's POV

-Seems like we have a deal then, Giovanni- was Michael's comment when he left his right hand out, for me to take it.

-We have a deal- I said stoic- but I'm not going to shake hands with you. We're only temporal comrades, nothing more.

-So this alliance won't last long, huh?- he asked mocking surprise.

-Of course not, your organization that doesn't even have a name, is Team's Rocket enemy for world domination- spoke Surge from his cage.

-I know I know... It's no surprise really- he commented- And for the record... It's true that our organization has no name, we're aware of that and it's on purpose. Everyone identifies Team Rocket and its members, but if you don't even know something as basic as the name of what are you fighting against...

-It feels like you know nothing about your enemy, and that subconsciously creates fear in people's hearts- added Koga from his meditating position with one eye opened- Sird's idea?

-Both Master Marchie and Sird decided it- I said.

-Master, huh? I guess he is now- I said then- It feels weird to call our disciple, or so I believed, some organization master. That's the Obsidian terror for you I guess.

-So, as I said- Michael explained- we have a deal.

-We do, but first… we would like to have our pokemon back- I said- since we can't really do anything that is useful to you without them.

Thump!

That was the noise that 4 bags made after being thrown into our cages. I didn't even need to look and see what was inside to know it.

-I found them on the upper level- he explained- now come with me and I'll tell you your mission.

(15 minutes later)

It felt weird, really weird. What felt like that? To feel free again. For the first time in 4 years I was able to walk freely. My pokeballs in their places inside my jacket felt heavy and strange though I could feel myself more comfortable with them. The pokemon felt exactly the same too. Looking around I could see that my 3 generals were having the same feelings as me.

-This is the 6th floor- was what Mike told us- This is where you'll ambush any fool that is able to come past the block we've created in the first floor. With the four of you, no one of them should be able to do it.

-You don't really need to tell us that, Michael- spat Surge by my side- Team Rocket was wrecking this world far before you even tried to do anything. We're not really beginners.

-Calm down Surge… This person rescued us- I said- whatever his intentions might be. Don't worry Mike, we know how to do our job.

-I really didn't want to offend you- he excused politely- I'll leave you to your work then. If you're half as good as the stories explain, this war is over.

With that we stood there waiting for him to disappear to the upper levels. When he did I looked through a window when an Altaria was flying like scanning the building with her master on top. I couldn't stay focused on that for long since my vision wandered past the pokemon to the mountains and landscape behind it. For the first time in 4 years I was free and it felt so magnificently good that words can not describe it. It was Sabrina's voice that took me out of my stupor.

-Are you sure that this is the best option?- she asked.

-You mean working together with a past enemy to achieve a common goal?- I asked solemnly- I think it's what we should do.

-Do you think Silver would approve it?- was Koga's voice this time.

-He said it himself: "I believe that some people are just bad people"-I explained- I'm sure he'll understand.

-They're coming boss- said Lt. Surge two pokeballs in hand.

I smirked at that. It was time to fight again, once again after four long years. I took two pokeballs in each hand.

-Then let's receive our guests.

Yellow's POV

The darkness around me was almost absolute. Or it would if it wasn't for Chuchu's Flash. The humidity wasn't pleasant nor was the fact that we were moving constantly. Oh yeah, I forgot to say where I was staying.

Walo, a Wailord. A single pokemon was the thing I was inside right now. I was inside the mouth of the whale pokemon kneeled on its hard and humid tongue. It was hardly a good enough place to be, but the pokemon was feeling a lot less comfortable than me. Even though that the huge whale wasn't complaining at all and was relaxing the best that it could given the circumstances.

-S-sorry- was the voice by my side.

This voice, almost a whisper, was done by none other than Sapphire, the owner of the biggest pokemon in our teams. I had dragged her here asking for her Wailord's help in order to stay in a place where no grunt could find us and the sea monster wouldn't be able to hurt us involuntarily. Not the rain nor the tsunamis were threats for us because floating in the sea, those things affected us in the same way they affected the boats floating in the surface. In other words, they didn't affect us at all.

This place provided protection, discretion and proximity to our enemies since we could move near around the bay being detected as only a huge pokemon and not a retelling of the Troya war. The other advantage that it provided is a quiet place for me to concentrate in healing our friend… and that's where everything took a turn for the worse.

I had focused on that task since we arrived her almost half an hour ago and it wasn't working. Healing humans is a much more difficult task than healing pokemon , but I've improved over the years. Since that incident with Team Rocket where I fainted just after healing Red I spent a lot of time alone trying to strengthen my powers and that had proved to be productive in the end. Even though that, right now I felt almost useless.

At first I was able to do what I wanted. A first examination of Sapphire's state showed me that she had some wounds in her body, almost everyone mere scrapes and little bruises. On her left hand she had 4 sharp cuts that I spent 3 minutes healing. It wasn't that difficult to heal, but she had lost some blood form it.

After that I tried to find more damage, but something weird was happening. All her wound should've been done more than one hour ago and the human metabolism don't take that long to start working, but her wounds were all opened completely like they haven't even begun to heal. She was breathing in low, unsteady manner. And she wasn't feeling well. Her body temperature was lower than normal, and it wasn't entirely for the fact that the rain had caught her a little.

In short, her metabolism was working a lot slower than normal.

As far as I know, this can happen when the person is extremely tired or has some injury or disease that is taking most of the individuals energy in order to heal. The injury was not an option, and as far as I'm concerned she hadn't been poisoned nor she had a bad disease so this wasn't the option either. That only left the first, fatigue.

I had searched for the consequences of this since they were easier to find that to cure itself and I found a lot of her muscles to be overly contracted. The ones in her arms and legs were the most affected. I quickly put my powers to work in order to take this stress of those parts and it was fairly quick. The only place I could do nothing to calm down were the strongest and more important muscles of the human's body, the brain and the heart.

While the first was surely overplaying some hurtful memories, as her sudden spasms and sad whispers were telling me, her heart was beating erratically. I was totally unable to help those two problems without waking her up, but that wasn't an option since she was put to sleep by an Hypnosis attack, that would still take more than one hour to fade. Even without it though, I wouldn't wake her up no matter what, since the only thing she needed more than calming down, was to sleep and restore her energy.

-Why?... I only… it wasn't… I'm sorry- was Sapphire's voice again.

If she was a pokemon I would've looked into her memories or even her dream to see what she was dreaming, but it was more difficult to do it in a human. Even if I knew exactly what she was dreaming of. Seeing that I was starting to be quite tired myself I decided to rest for a bit and restore my energies for any emergency that might happen. Sapphire was stable for now, but in her state any change could be for the worse. And I had to be prepared for that.

Norman's POV

-Okay, I understand now why we are the ones that have to go- I said- since we'll be battling the worst enemies that the Association and the Dexholders have ever faced. But that also means that we've got to come with a plan.

There was something in this whole procedure that didn't fit in the puzzle. I remember that Ruby said something, but… what?

-We've got no time for a plan- said Wallace- Our only plan is the total offensive and annihilation of our enemies as soon as we can.

-Wallace is right- was Winona's supporting words- As you said, there are others that need our assistance.

-Then Norman, Winona, Clair, Flannery- said the man who we all recognized as our leader, Wallace- take out your flying types… We've got to go.

I sent out my Flygon, while Winona took out her Skarmory and Altaria. Clair sent out her Dragonite while Flannery hopped on Altaria too.

-I know it's not the time, but you really have two great dragon types here- said Clair examining our pokemon.

It was really something to have our dragon types "certified" by one of the most renowned dragon specialists in the world. She would, undoubtedly, be our main attacking force since the strength of her dragon pokemon as widely acknowledged as, probably, the best of all the gym leaders out there.

-Thanks- I said- yours too.

-I hope so, what kind of dragon tamer would I be, if they weren't? - she said in a mocking serious tone before turning serious- We're ready !

-Let's go!- was the command that shouted Wallace on top of Skarmory along with Winona.

"Crash!"

That was the sound that we created when we burst through the glass windows into the 5th floor of the building. We all knew what awaited us so just after landing we withdrew our pokemon and send out a pokemon each. Vigoroth, Whiscash, Swellow, Torkoal and Dragonair stood in front of us.

-Do you think it'll be an ambush?- asked Flannery, the younger fierce battler.

-It should- I said.

-Then we'll…- she was about to command her Torkoal, but Clair stopped her.

-It won't be effective- she said- I'm the only one that has already battled against them, even if for a short time. I know that they won't ambush us, and that any distracting measure won't be effective. They are the elite, don't forget that.

-Then we better go up those stairs and see what we encounter- said Winona- be alert anyway.

I was a little apprehensive to do that, but I did as I was told. We started to go up the stairs, but as Clair predicted, nothing happened. When we arrived to the level we saw what was supposed to be a level full of offices. It still was, but all the desks , computers and wardrobes were on the borders of the whole level in a carefully designed position. A circular battlefield had been left in the arrangement.

BAM!

That was the sound of the door closing as we had just passed through it, blocking an easy way to escape to the lower levels. That gave us a clear message: "You can't go back". As we noticed that, the four persons made themselves known at the center of the place.

-Five of the strongest Gym leaders I suppose- said a strong voice- our ex-comrades.

-Don't lie Surge- said the most dangerous person in the room, Giovanni- we've got a mission.

-And what that might be?- asked Clair another pokeball in her hand.

-To reign- he said opening his hands- To be the rulers of the world. That was our first goal, and it's remained intact.

-Then why are you helping this organization?-asked Wallace- That's their aim too.

-The enemy of our enemy becomes my friend- said the woman, Sabrina- or in this case, just allies for a short time.

-I should've expected this answer- was Clair this time- seems like you're never going to change.

-We're criminals- said the only one in the room that wasn't standing up, Koga- deceiving is one of our strong points.

-But why? You know what are they trying to do?- I asked- What they are doing right now?

-Of course- Giovanni retorted.

-Then how can you even help them for this "short" time- I started- when they are attacking the Dexholders?

-The Dexholders were the ones who imprisoned us- said Surge spitting on the ground in disgust- It's one of the main reasons that we decided to cooperate.

-BUT SILVER'S YOUR…

-Rhyhorn, Horn attack!- was the voice that interrupted me.

-Vigoroth use Uproar to stop it!

That was the trigger that started our battle. The 3 elite members followed their leader's lead and attacked us with all they had too. Sabrina's Hypno and Kadabra where exchanging blows with Clair's Dragonair and Kingra. Koga was using his Ariados, Muk and Venomoth against Flannery's Torkoal and Magcargo and Winona's Swellow . Surge was battling against Wallace with his Electabuzz and Raichu while Whiscash and Walrein were holding up against them.

I was against the worse. Giovanni had soon put himself between me and my comrades using a good combination of attacks that were delivered by his Beedrill from the air and Rhyhorn from the ground. I don't know why, since I wasn't the strongest of our group, I was the chosen one to fight the strongest opponent. An even weirdest thing was that my opponent was the one that had chosen me.

All the battles were being fierce and equal. Winona and Flannery had the number's advantage, but while a flying type normally offers good maneuverability inside a building it can be difficult to control them. That's why Winona was the only one that had only one pokemon out. In front of the Koga had been specially trained in the ninja ways so that all his senses were more and more efficiently developed than ours. That allowed him to be able to command 3 pokemon without breaking a sweat. Also his Poison types were constantly trying to poison or paralyze their foes making this a very difficult battle for Flannery and her inexperience. It wasn't that she was that inexperienced, but we all had more than twenty years more than her on our backs.

Clair and Sabrina wasn't the first time that had exchanged some blows, but this was their first real battle against the other. It was no wonder why they had been called the strongest female gym leaders before Sabrina's betrayal. They took turns attacking and defending and even if Clair seemed to be taking an slight advantage Sabrina was calmer than ever evading and countering the attacks.

In the other battle Wallace was clearly better and stronger than the electric warrior that he had as an opponent, but the clear type disadvantage made it seem almost an equal battle. Surge was attacking fiercely and even if the water types were managing to avoid the damage they couldn't attack much. When Wallace turned the battle around it would be a matter of time before the battle could be put to an end.

And then… it came my battle.

-Rock blast!

-Slash throw it Vigoroth! Linoone Agility to dodge!

-Twin needle Beedrill! Megahorn!

-Vigoroth use Flamethrower to the Beedrill, Linoone use the Agility and then Mud slap!

-Stomp it! Beedril dodge and Twin needle!

Linoone was able to connect its attack to the Rhyhorn, but the tremendous force of the Stomp made it faint. That wasn't the only bad thing that had happened since as Beedrill had been able to effectively dodge my attack, it was also able to connect the Twin needle. That offered a good opportunity though, and I didn't let it pass.

-Grab one needle!- I commanded and after receiving 3 attacks it was able to grab the right needle of the bee pokemon- Now Flamethrower it!

This attack finished the bug type. It was nothing to be happy about since while the Rhyhorn hadn't received any damage, my pokemon had received some and it wasn't far from falling exhausted.

-Rhyhorn Mud Sport!

That was a move that I didn't understand at all. Why use Mud Sport inside a building when your pokemon are Ground types so they don't need it. I'd only met one person that had used this attack in a 1 vs. 1, Ruby. It had been the last time I had battled him not 2 months ago.

-Okay then. How could just a Mud Slap make so much damage?- I asked.

-You know, in contests there's a thing called combos. When you combine two water attacks or two attacks that increases their power, you are given more points- he explained, not looking at me- In battles you can combine two attacks to make them more powerful, so I combined the mud Zuzu was going to slap with from its own attack, with the one he received from the Mud sport he used on himself.

A combo! That was it! Inside a building the strongests ground type attacks would be far too dangerous, since an Earthquake or a Magnitude could be the cause that the whole building. That left his pokemon stuck with normal attacks like Stomp or Rock types like Rock blast. Covering itself in mud, a Stomp attack became a ground move.

-Vigoroth use Focus energy!

-A weird option, use Take Down Rhyhorn!

-Endure!

The clash was moumental and if it wasn't for that final attack, my pokemon would've been beaten. After the attack my pokemon was panting furiously still not ready to give up.

-Good reflexes, I'm impressed- my enemy said- but it won't last. Take down again!

-Flamethrower!

This was it, if luck was on my side I was the winner. If not... it was him. The flames soon covered the Rhyno pokemon that kept advancing throught the flames. It was only 4 meters away from Koing my pokemon. 3... 2... 1... Bingo!

-What?

-Reversal!

The flames had hardened the mud so much that had blocked the pokemon's movements just before colliding with it. The Focus energy had given just enough extra power to the attack to be able to do that. It was just then that my pokemon was able to side step and finally punch it with a supereffective attack that sent it flying backwards KOed. I had won.

-I still find it hard to believe that you were able to beat my pokemon in that state. But your plan worked like a charm.

-You used the mud to be able to use stronger Ground attacks and like this use the full potential of your pokemon... It was a good measure- I said- but it had a drawback. And I found it.

-Every plan has a drawback- he said- and I'm even more surprised than before. Maybe you'll be a good one to have in our side.

-I would never join an evil organization- I said then surprised- Never.

I just saw him smirk at me then and grab another pokeball. When he sent out his pokemon a Nidoking.

-C'mon Vigoroth, I just need a final effort- I asked, I knew it wouldn't really last long.

-Nidoking use Poison sting!

-Use Fury Swipes to reflect them!

-Sludge bomb!

-Agility to dodge! Then Fury Swipes!

After dodging and commanding my physical attack, when I saw that he didn't react, I knew I had lost my second pokemon. I then hoped than before the Poison point took effect my pokemon would be able to deal as much damage as possible. I returned my fainted pokemon before sending out my other Vigoroth.

-Oh, another one? You're not a fan of variety are you?

-Maybe not, on the outside- I said- Uproar!

-Screech! And then Sludge Bomb.

-Thunderbolt!

The electric attack made the residual bomb explode. The parts of the attacks were splattered all around us, but something strange happened. The separated parts never interfered in the other fights, just the same way that the others never bothered this one. The sludge that would've entered Wallace's battle collided with an invisible wall that I sure that Sabrina's Mr. Mime had previously created.

-Poison Sting!

-Thunderbolt!

I knew far too well that my electric attack wouldn't be able to do any damage, but it wasn't necessary. I didn't need it for that.

-Protecting using an electric attack... Strange, but effective- he said- Sludge bomb!

-Thunderbolt, full power!

When both attacks collided a small quantity of smoke was created… But it was just the amount of distraction I needed.

-Let's do it like we practiced… Attract!- I commanded- and Fury Swipes!

I knew far too well that my opponent wouldn't be one to fall for a common attack like Attract, but if I could rise the speed of those tiny hearts that could do so much damage… that was something else.

-Fury attack! Break them!

The Nidoking was something to be taken into account since it was able to breaks almost all the hearts with its strong paws. Key word of the sentence being… almost. When the eyes of that monster became hearts, I knew it was done for.

-It was a good move that one you pulled of- he said then- and I understand why you entered this pokemon to the battle. Why don't we do ourselves a favor and recall these pokemon and send another 2 out?

-What do you mean?

-The end of this battle will be a tie- he said- I don't want to have to heal another one if I can avoid it so…

-A tie? Your pokemon can't attack mine and you say it'll be a tie? I won't believe that.

-Ok… as you wish- he said with a smirk- Nidoking use Thrash!

-Crap! Vigoroth use Uproar!

Thrash is an attack in which the pokemon loses all control and attacks with everything it's got. It's so extreme that it confuses itself after a while, but in the mean time is able to do monstrous damage. While the Uproar was slowing down its movements a little and hurting the pokemon, my pokemon was suffering a severe beating from its foe. It was clear that it wouldn't last enough to actually end the battle in a tie. I grabbed another pokeball.

-Spinda use Psybeam!

As my second pokemon started to attack him, the attack entered the most furious phase where the pokemon doesn't care what he has in front of him… or it should be if my foe was normal. I don't know why, but, after some seconds of uncontrolled rage, Giovanni's monster was able to gain control of it and attack to both of my pokemon demonstrating chirurgical accuracy.

Even though that it was losing a lot of energy and after some moments and KOing my Vigoroth it fell to the ground. I then whispered something that could be useful alter on to my Spinda as, after a bit of struggling it fainted. Giovanni just moved to return his pokemon and send another one almost letting his pokeball fall. And it had been like that for the whole battle so far.

He stayed in the same position commanding his pokemon with simple commands unless he needed to add something important to them. Even that he never said more than necessary. The only thing that was out of character was that he was talking to me, a lot. Even that fact this behavior resembled that of someone I had battle not so long ago.

-You should've trusted my words- he said- but I understand why you wouldn't…

-Of course I can't trust you! How can someone trust a person that is helping the ones that are attacking his so…

-Rhydon your turn!- he said cutting my speech in half.

-Why do you keep interrupting me- I asked- Are you really that kind of people that would trade anything for their ambitions? Even their own…

-Rhydon use Take Down!

-Shit, Spinda dodge left and then use Psybeam again!

-Stop and Megahorn!

-Dizzy Punch!

It was unbelievable that such a huge pokemon was able to stop in its track in just 2 meters after running at top speed, but after stabbing his tail to the ground the Rhydon made it possible. After that it used its massive spinning horn to direct a mighty attack towards my little pokemon that after getting hit by it, was able to land a solid Dizzy Punch that let it have some distance between the two pokemon. The difference was that his pokemon was still ready to battle and mine was just an inch away from fainting. I only had one single chance to make this an even fight.

-Horn attack!

-Skill Swap!

As soon as the Horn attack made effect I sent out my next pokemon. For an instant both Slaking and Spinda were in the battlefield, but as soon as that happened Spinda fell down KOed.

-It's the second time you fight me 2 vs 1 even if just for a second- Giovanni said stoic in the same position- You really don't have any respect for this battle. I like it.

-Of course I don't- I answered- You're a criminal there's no being unfair when battling to you, the king of traitors.

-King of traitors… I kinda like this name- he said- it fits me. By the way, the sstrategy you use with your Slaking is very good. You change its skill with Spinda's, which normally is Tangled feet. Only this time its ability is Poison point!

I was surprised at that. He had seen right through my strategy without having never seen it before. From just that attack he figured out my whole strategy, making me lose my surprise factor. But I wouldn't surrender.

-Slaking, use Uproar!

- Rock Blast!

-Fury Swipes to destroy them!

-Use Take down!

-Slaking use Focus Punch!

-Tail!

My pokemon was able to take and destroy all the rocks, but it left iself open for an attack. He used the chance to attack with Take down knowing that it would avoid the recoil due to Rhydon's ability. Since I knew that my pokemon would be able to endure it I decided to attack with an attack that could finish the battle right here an then. When the attack collided with his strongest I knew that it was very difficult to lose this battle. In fact, what I did, was underestimating my opponent.

The Rhydon took the full damage of the attack and with its tail stuck on the floor it stayed put just centimeters away from my pokemon. It was panting, but suddenly I saw its drill start spinning and I feared the worse.

-Horn drill!

This attack almost never hits its enemy, but being only inches away I couldn't even react before the 1HKO attack made my pokemon faint on the spot. I had lost.

-Okay, that was enough for a trial- he said surprisingly- Sabrina, take out the barriers.

Just like that the sound of some invisible glass breaking was heard. As I looked at my sides I noticed that even if they were trying to remain calm, my allies were as surprised as I was.

-How did it go Koga?

-Good combinations, very good battle reflexes, a little too impulsive maybe- he said- Good enough.

-What about you Sabrina- Giovanni asked. He stayed quiet for almost a minute until he smirked- so it was a tie. Good enough too, what about you Surge?

When I looked at him, the one that was by mi side, I saw that he had withdrawn his pokemon while Wallace's Whiscash and Milotic were outside and almost untouched. They were tired though.

-He's good- he said sweating- Very good.

-Good, I expected no less from the strongest Gym leader- was Giovanni's comment.

To say that we were astonished would be the least you could say about us. No one understood a thing about what was happening in the moment.

-Can someone please tell me what's going on?- asked Flannery.

-I would very like that- said Wallace politely.

-It's very easy- said Giovanni- this was a test.

-A test?- I asked.

-A test for you to prove being or not worthy to fight by our side in this war- Sabrina commented- why do you thing we never ambushed you in the first place and let you fight us as equals?

-I already told you… I'm never going to fight by your side- he said- and you can't force us.

-That's the only problem here- said Koga- but I don't think it'll be much of a problem. We have a common enemy, and we need each other.

-What do you mean by a common enemy?-asked Clair.

-The Organization- said Surge still panting- is our enemy too.

-Of course it is, your goals are the same- I said.

-No there aren't- said Giovanni- Our goal is not to take over the world anymore.

-Would you be so kind to explain us what is happening here?- asked Wallace- but we don't have time to waste so please do it quickly.

-Okay- started the leader- let's start from the end then. We are your allies and we want to defeat the organization.

-Why?

-Because our leader's son is fighting on your side too- explained Sabrina.

I was about to talk when Giovanni raised his palm indicating me to shut up.

-Yes, Silver is my son and is fighting on your side- he said- You called me before, the king of traitors. I know I am, but even a king has limitations and I won't betray my son. He is battling these same enemies elsewhere and if I want to protect him, I have to beat them here.

-Even if that means cooperating with the ones that captured you- said Flannery.

-The Dexholders where the ones that captured us- said Surge- without them Team Rocket wouldn't have been defeated so easily.

-What about your daughter, Koga? She is a Gym leader- asked Wallace.

-She is her own person- he explained- I followed my savior and left her to lead the Gym alone she being just 14. As proud of her as I am, I have no right to call her my daughter. Even though I doubt I could ever battle against her. If fulfilling my savior's commands, I help Janine…- he said finally standing up- I'll give all I've got and more.

The atmosphere then was strange. For some reason I believed them, but at the same time what they had just done made no sense.

-So what now? You are on our side now and we live happily ever after?- I asked then- We passed your test, but at what price? I have only 1 pokemon left, Giovanni 2 at most and the others must be in the same position. We are more, but we have less pokemon to battle and we'll surely have to.

-Norman has a valid point- said Clair- I only have Kingdra able to fight right now.

-That won't be a problem- said Surge- boss has a lot of resources. Healing is just one of them.

With that all our enemies gave him their pokeballs for a single moment before they started to glow bright green. After that he released his Rhyhorn, Sabrina's Hypno, Lt. Surge's Raichu and Koga's Ariados. They all were perfectly fine.

-But, how? - Was Winona's voice.

It was understandable her reaction since she was probably the only one of us that wasn't aware of the existence of those powers.

-He's like Yellow, Winona- asked Wallace- he can also heal pokemon. He's like Yellow, but in a more advanced level.

-Correct… I was born in a place very near to the Viridian forest and seems like I inherited its powers- said Giovanni- We made you pass the test to see if you were strong enough both physically and mentally strong to withstand a battle against our enemy.

-We've been battling this organization for hours so of course we're prepared- was the instinctive response of Flannery.

-I'm not talking about the organization- he said- I'm talking about Sird or you may know him as the Obsidian terror which is the name that he created for himself.

-What's so important about him- asked Winona.

-Believe me, he doesn't need any help in order to capture an entire building of non-trained people- he continued- like he did in this one. He's the scariest individual ever been alive. Now tell me, are you going to battle him by my side?

Mr. Goodshow's POV

-So we have three digits already- said the man that was towering next to me- The first is 3, then 8 and then 7. Now would you be so kind to reveal me the 12 that follow?

-And cut our conversation so short? I feel quite comfortable speaking here knowing you can't torment anyone.

-I can torment you.- he spoke and everything went black.

I knew this would come and that it was approaching quickly. I don't know how, but Sird has always been able to get information from the strongest enemies we've had over the years. He never showed his methods, but I knows that he likes them. A lot.

As the room I was in disappeared from sight I was surrounded by a thick mass of darkness. I couldn't move my neck enough to see my body and check it. I could very well feel every part, but no matter how hard I tried I wasn't able to move them one inch. Not my arms or my legs were able to move in that darkness that was chaining me. And to my surprise I could feel the darkness keeping me in place.

-The first step is common, my friend- a voice I know too well said. Sird's- Darkness.

-What have you done to me?- I asked, my uneasiness rising each second.

Darkness is not something people are comfortable with. If you asked 100 people if they have fear of darkness, I'm pretty sure that the great majority would answer no. Even if that is true though… when people think about scary things they almost always happen at night, in a dark alley… they subconsciously associate it with that. I'm one of those people, but even if I didn't feel as comfortable in the darkness there was something else that made me more uneasy.

I was feeling like I could do anything to escape from it. Not only I was surrounded by darkness I could do nothing to escape it. This impotence was worse, much worse.

-There's not a place to run or escape Mr. Goodshow, not that you are able to- he said then, the voice coming from everywhere- Would you be so kind to tell me the other digits. I don't really want to lose much time, and believe me. You don't really want either.

-And why is that?- I asked then.

-Your cockiness will be your downfall- I heard him laugh and I gulped. I didn't like that tone one single bit- I don't have time for that. Will you give it to me?

-The fourth is "s" I conceded- I said- the next ones are a little foggy right now.

I was trying to buy time and I wasn't trying to hide it. If my calculations were right I'd been in that darkness for a little more than 20 minutes and my uneasiness was rising quickly. It was a race against time and I had the head start, I only needed to stall him until help arrived… to wherever I was.

-Don't worry I'll help you remember- he said with a dark chuckle- let's move to the next stage.

With that a purple flash could be seen for a mere second before the darkness began to feel more and more thick. Suddenly I became very scared. I saw myself in front of me. Something like a mirror was showing me what I was unable to see due to my immobility. I screamed.

-Stop it! What the heck is happening!- I asked- A "p"! the next letter is a "p"!

-Way to go, but I still need 10 more- he said then- let's start with an arm.

The image in the mirror made me gasp. A huge mass of darkness began to accumulate on my left arm and as this was happening a sharp pain cursed through it directly to my brain. When the darkness dispersed a little I wasn't able to see it, but I couldn't feel it either. The only thing I felt was the lingering pain from before.

-How about the other?- he said and soon another mass of darkness came to my right one.

-I'll talk, I'll talk- I said and the mass stopped- then following one is the number 6.

-Okay, moving on!

-No, stop!

As the pain ran through my body again I couldn't help, but to shout. It only took a minute before the pain stopped, or almost, and again I could nor see or feel anything where the arm had been. It didn't take long before my right leg took the same path as my arms.

-Another "6"!

My right leg took the same path not long ago as two tears fell from my eyes.

-Tell me the rest! And this will end- he told me.

-Wouldn't it be funny if everything I told you was a lie?

-I know it's not… You know me well enough to know what I would do if it really was- he said- And I can detect a lie when I hear one.

-I know… and as I said you'll be able to get that information- I explained- but you'll lose time in the process. Do you believe that I don't know? That this is not happening really? That it's an illusion?

-The fact that it's an illusion doesn't mean that's not happening- he answered- and that's what makes this method infallible.

-We'll see about that.

-Okay, we'll continue then- he said as the mass engulfed my torso as pain ran again through my body.

Unlike before the mass did the job in half the time than before which made the pain more accentuated and painful. Several tears escaped from my eyes then as I painfully shouted.

-Now I know that this is a hallucination- I said a pained smile adorning my face- There's no way I can be alive without my thorax.

-You say you know it, and that this is not real- he said confident- but what if this was only the warm ups?

- The warm ups?

With that said my vision was totally obscured by the black mass of darkness and suddenly, after a sharp pain that lasted three seconds the only thing I felt was air. Air colliding vertically to my body.

Looking around I saw a light that was illuminating the area from below. The other thing I noticed is that I was able to feel and see my body parts again. As I sighed in relief of that I noticed something else. I was falling and quickly.

-Humph!- that was the sound when I collided with something. It wasn't the ground since as soon as I touched it I started to turn in a fetal position down the mountain shaped structure. It wasn't until I arrived to the ground that I was able to notice my surroundings. Horror overcame me when I saw them.

I didn't fall on any structure. The mountain was main of dead bodies. The light wasn't just some light, it was fire. And the terrain is one that I see every single day, the Association's headquarters. Or to be more clearly what was left of them.

The North and South building were completely destroyed and only a mountain of rune in flames remained from it. From the west one remained the burning walls of two directions while the third was falling right now. Everywhere I looked I could see two things, fire and splattered corpses on the floor. As I rising my sight I noticed the main building in a not so much better condition.

Huge blocks had fallen from it and the building that was one of the tallest in the whole world, now had been destroyed in half. Tears fell again from my eyes. As I turned around it in order to evaluate its full state when something caught my attention.

It was the sound of battling. And they came from the East building. I tried to run towards the noises, but I soon stopped. I couldn't bring myself to do it. That couldn't be called a battle. They were 5 people fighting against dozens and dozens of them. It was being a massacre.

-We've lost, my friend- I heard from my right- no one will be, cough, able to do anything against them.

-Juan! Are you…- the question never fully came out the trail of blood flowing from his right side told me that he wasn't, and that he didn't have much time left.

-It's over… we've lost- he said before coughing some blood- no one could do anything against it. Not even the Dexholders stood a chance against that much enemies.

After that I saw two tears fall from his eyes and his eyes closed for the last time. I cried for my friend. So much that I failed to hear the steps of someone approaching me from behind.

-You don't like what you see?- asked Sird's voice.

-What's there to like?

-A lot, from my point of view of course- he said with a chuckle- The Dexholders have been reduced to two, Silver and Green. The 22 gym leaders have been reduced to 3… And the whole Pokemon Association is only rubble and fire.

-This, is not real- I managed to say between sobs- It can't be real.

-I understand that this can be tough… All you've worked, suffered for has been reduced to nothing by the one you thought would be the one to propel it even further- he said- And now… after so many years… our plan has been completed. And the world is ours. Or it will be after those 5 fall. Well it seems like it's only four now.

-Why are you doing all this? All this people killed, innocent people murdered by you and your organization.

-In a war there's no good or bad… only a winner. All of you opposed us so we erased every single threat- he said- and that meant all of your people.

I stood silent then as I saw a powerful beam being fired towards the 4 remaining fighters. After the smoke cleared I saw two lifeless bodies and the two that were trying to stand up never could. Their enemies never allowed them the chance as they attacked them again finally ending the massacre.

-Your leaders, but mostly the Dexholders sure were tough- he said them- they deserve our admiration. Never a group so small, of only 9 people, had been such a tremendous problem. It makes sense though, since we were the ones to train them.

I remained silent then observing silently my surroundings again. Those buildings had been the work of my life. Those corpses had been the ones that had worked for me, helped me and the whole Association arrive at its peak with their hard work. And now, none if it remained. Only fire and death surrounded me.

-What are you going to do to me?- I asked then.

-I'm gonna kill you, of course. A captain must always die with its boat- he said- here comes the great decision though… I can kill you slowly for the world to see or I can kill you here without delay and pain. That is… if you cooperate.

My life was over… I knew it as well as the lives of those that had devoted their intellect and time to this project. I took the easy decision.

-What do you want?

-Numbers and letters- he said then- And quick.

-What are those?

-Follow the sequence Mr. Goodshow- he said while he took a pokeball unleashing a Scizor- "387sp66…"

-a… g… 2… 4- I breathed as I started to feel a sharp pain-3k…1.

-Those are 14 digits- he said exhalted- I need one more.

-There's no more- I breathed as my mind began to blur- I swear.

-There's no time for games.

-I already told you- I said as my mind slipped completely- there's no more!

And as I whispered that last sentence, my mind drifted away completely and then I knew… I died.

Sird's POV

When I saw him crying on the floor of his office I knew that it was just a matter of time until he spilled everything. I could say that I don't like to torment the mind of people to get what I want, but… it wouldn't be the truth. Not at all. I like no… love the way people break emotionally when facing their most horrible fears, the ones that they have deep inside their minds. I make them feel them not just see and that makes them believe that it's really happening. And I like it even more when they do it after putting a brave façade before… it's the best.

With weak minded people like some of the people in this building fear paralyzes them making them easy to capture. With people with stronger mind the process takes a little longer, but since they haven't been trained for battle I could easily put them under my control. Mr. Goodshow had been an special case since I didn't want to break his mind quickly. I wanted to do it just after he gave me some information and then everything became more tricky. Wait too long and the mind will break before telling me what I want. Do it before and the person can be aware of my intentions and lie.

-Follow the sequence Mr. Goodshow- he said while he took a pokeball unleashing a Scizor- "387sp66…"

-a… g… 2… 4- I breathed as I started to feel a sharp pain-3k…1.

-Those are 14 digits- he said exhalted- I need one more.

-There's no more- I breathed as my mind began to blur- I swear.

-There's no time for games.

-I already told you- I said as my mind slipped completely- there's no more!

When I saw him go into a subconscious state and the smile he flashed just before I knew that I had underestimated him a little. All he wanted was to gain as much time as possible before finally telling me the whole code. Without giving me the final digit it would cost me even more time, but even that was something that couldn't stop me forever. There were 37 characters possible with letters and numbers so I just had to try 37 times at most to be able to get out. So I did that… I started trying.

And failing. I failed once, twice… for the tenth time… Then the twentieth… I had failed 30 times in a row and I finally arrived at the fail number 36. I used the "0" since it was the only one that had been left out, but much to my annoyance I failed again. What. The. Fuck!

I had tried each and every one of them, but none had been correct. I looked at the unconscious body on the floor and I had an urge to kick him again and again, but I refrained my instincts. I had to get out quick, I had spent way too much time inside this pokeball like room. Seeing that I turned to look at the command panel. There had to be something else, I'm very confident in my ability and that his words hadn't been a lie. What really bugged me was his final words.

-I already told you- I said as my mind slipped completely- there's no more!

I then noticed that aside from the letters, the Enter and the numbers there were two more buttons in the panel. An arrow that was pointing to the right and another one that was pointing left… A very bad feeling crossed my mind. He was not able to lie, but he never told me the complete truth. I never expected him to have such a strong will nor I expected him to come up with such an easy and, at the same time, confusing method. He really deserved some credit.

I quickly introduced the code again in the panel. The code was: "387sp66ag243k1_". The final digit was nothing. As I pressed the enter button a "Click" sound could be heard and after that the doors started opening automatically. The time I had lost inside that stupid room, almost 50 minutes… had been too much. And it showed in the scenario I saw when I came out of it.

Matt was on the side fighting two Gym leaders on his own while Michael was fighting Sabrina and Koga. As soon as I was wondering what was going on their battle was over and they were caged inside the invisible cube that Sabrina's Mr. Mime created. Then the four of them turned to see me as 5 more people appeared in the background. The Gym leaders that had been fighting Matt, Winona and Norman, and the other three, Flannery, Clair and Wallace.

From the other side Koga, Sabrina, Lt. Surge and the mighty Giovanni were opposing me. I took three pokeballs out then but held them behind me. I wasn't going to fight them equally, not while being alone. Even thought that, they weren't a thread. I opened just one pokeball. My Magcargo.

-Can I remark how foolish it is of you to oppose the 9 of us in a battle?- asked the always glamorous Wallace.

-I never would've thought that you and your three officials would betray me, when going against the ones who imprisoned you.

-I prefer them before you- he answered.

-I don't understand Giovanni… You never liked the Association, not when I was under your wing nor when I left- I said- and when I offer you the chance of revenge against the ones who took your dreams and freedom, you turn it down.

-It's just that I don't want revenge against the ones who beat me- he said- I was okay with spending those thirty years more in jail if he forgave me.

-He?- I asked, that was what I was searching for. A weakness.

-Not falling into that one- he said, but the damage was already done.

I then noticed a drop of sweat fall from my chin, and I wasn't the only one who felt it. The temperature had risen a lot inside the room. It was time.

-Then I'm very sorry to cut this conversation short… but I have more important things to do- I said with a pokeball in my right hand.

-Like what?- asked Clair, but I just smirked.

-Like win this war! Loudred use your strongest Roar!

The sudden outburst did the wanted effect on their pokemon and the trainers. All the pokemon were returned to their pokeballs while the trainers had to cover their ears. When that happened I instructed Loudred to use Hyper voice and I let another pokemon out. As the temperature kept rising I used Magcargo to use Heat wave and those trainers received the full stream of heat. Then time stopped.

-Loudred 2nd step!

When I did that, Loudred stopped his Hyper Voice and did another completely different thing. And a lot more complicated too, to amplify an existing sound wave. I ended the attack with Magcargo using Will-O-Wisp and the result was immediate.

One after the other, those 9 people fell on their knees before finally falling to the floor with clear spasms. Having been inside the Association and Team Rocket before this, I had access to the personal files of all the people that were attacking me and, therefore, I knew their weaknesses. Flannery still has both parents and a little brother. Winona don't, but it's no secret that she and Wallace would be wed next year. Clair has no family other than Lance, his cousin and Dragon master that left 7 years ago in order to become one of the greatest trainers in the world. And Norman, a normal guy that has a wife and a son that he loves.

Team Rocket's weaknesses were different, but the same at the same time. Koga had Janine and both Sabrina and Lt. Surge had been taken into Team Rocket when they had nowhere to go. They owed Giovanni their life so they would give it for him. The only one that I knew that had no weaknesses was Giovanni, that was… until a minute ago.

They wouldn't wake up until the effects passed and their mind recovered from the same shock that had shaken Mr. Goodshow. Only that this time I took the drastic, and therefore, more traumatic path of not even trying to prepare the mind. They would be 10 minutes in their Nightmare before their minds would shatter and they would fall unconscious. The only method that the brain could use to preserve some sanity.

That's why I was going to free Matt and Michael in the time it took them to fall into unconsciousness. Key word, I was going to.

-What… the heck… was that?- I heard behind me and I turned quickly.

One of them was standing up. In fact he was grabbing two pokeballs with his right hand as he finally and with much difficulty stood up.

-I asked you what the heck…- he said then between long gasps for air- was that.

-That was something you shouldn't have escaped from- I said- Norman.

-You did a mistake…- he said rage filling his voice- Free my allies now… or you'll pay for it.

-So you alone intend to fight me… very well then- I said, it had been a while since I had battled anyone- very well then. Let's dance.

-You asked for it- he said- Vigoroth, Linoone. It's time to battle!


And that's all for today's chapter!

I liked writing this a lot since I knew what would happen in it, but I had no idea hoow. I'll explain, I knew what had to be explained, but while explaining it I changed a lot of things since I found them very difficult to believe them. I hope it came out okay.

This said I apologise again for the loooong time this chapter to be done. And finally, the usual REVIEW and STAY TUNNED!

PD: If someone guesses the number of pages this fic is at the end of chapter 40, I'll include an OC with it's name at the epilogue!