Hey there people of fanfiction! I hereby present ou the 41st chapter of this fic.
Sorry everyone for the long wait, but there are some factor that slow my progress a lot. You all know that I'm an university student and a worker at weekends so that left very little time for me to write. With that and the fact that I want to make everything that happens in the fic be logical with the story, this slows me down as well. I have to reread lots of parts for not reviving a pokemon that was KOed three chapters ago and there's no way for it to be recovered, for example, which is something I find easily when it happens (it's something that I don't like, but I can easily detect). This said, thanks for your patience, I hope the wait will be worth it.
Before we start let's take our TIME WITH REVIEWS!
Shimo no Ko: Yep a cliffhanger, but you should be used to them by now. And yes Team Rocket is helping them... It wasn't thhat short, it contained lot's of battlesa and that makes it quicker to read. Thanks for your review!
KingKagura: I think you misunderstood something about the chapter (look at the final of the chapter AFTER reading it you still think tha same). Even though, thanks for your review and I hope that you like this one.
smile all of your days: Thanks for your kind words! I won't leave this story hanging, I'll finish it. Your guess was not okay, but well, thanks for playing the game! Thanks for the review!
Niche: Your bet was okay, look at the end of the chapter, maybe there's something about you. I hope you love this one, and that you still want moar after it!
GUEST: I'm not sure. If I have time I'l do it, but I don't know. There's a lot more probabilities of me doing a short fic of 2-3 chapter or a loooong One-shot than a long story. Thanks for the review!
Crazy Girl: Thanks for your motivation words. I hope you keep liking until the end!
PokeLover: There you have it, a fresh new chapter right out of the ove (and some head explodes due to the fact that this sentence makes no sense XD).
Archangel2462: I'm sorry for the mistakes you can find. I'm not english and writing its not my forte, that's one of the reasons I'm writing this fic in english and not in spanish for example. Even that I'm going to work extra hard to stop make so many and, like this, make LC's work a little bit lighter. On the other hand, thanks for your kind words I appreciate them a lot and that criticism too (if it's constructive). Thanks a lot!
After TIME WITH REVIEWS, I only have to say that before chapter 41 this story have almost 51k views! Thank you everyone for this, the 100+ Follows and Favourites and 250+ reviews. I'm happy to see that you like it that much, this is one of the most important things that help me write any time I can even if it's just 30 minutes.
Before the chapter our awesome editor LC5, has some things to say (he says that it's important).
What is up everybody, it's ya boy LexClone5, here to give his little introduction. It's good to have finally returned to this, after a difficult semester in Psychology, I'm finally back to training to be a pro gamer. Gen 7 came out, and my friend and I are actually in the middle of recording a Nuzlocke Run through it, where our character "JoJo" will fight his way to becoming the Champion of Alola, but not before trying (and more often then not succeeding) to get laid from every girl he meets, because no woman can resist the charm of a Joestar.
READ and ENJOY!
Chapter 41: Victory in defeat and defeat in victory
Norman's POV (10 minutes earlier)
I don't know what had surprised me more: seeing Giovanni fight alongside us or seeing his raw power right in front of me. He had beaten me before, but it wasn't the same. He wasn't fighting at full power back then, he was testing me. That doesn't mean that he had held back, but he just wasn't aiming to beat me with all he could. And believe me, it made a huge difference.
The enemies around us had accumulated, but even then they were totally unable to harm us in any way. Flannery's Torkoal, Sabrina's Alakazam, and Clair's Dragonair were our most important offensive forces, while Milotic, Electabuzz, and Altaria were our main defensive choices. Koga was both fighting with his ninja ways and with his pokemon, poisoning every pokemon they could. For my part, and as a part of the plan, I was just observing the battle ready to give assistance to any of those teams while Giovanni was doing nothing. Nothing aside from coordinating every move.
When someone is able to seem so powerful when he or she is not even fighting… that means that this person is something else. He had never fought alongside us, and I'm quite sure that he hadn't even thought about it until some minutes ago, but just with some testing and intel he was managing the team perfectly.
We didn't even need 5 minutes to reduce and imprison the Golden and the guy that was in even a higher position that had freed our former enemies. Two of us battling them while the others finished the last group of grunts that were still able to fight. That's why it was so surprising.
I wasn't sure before, as I had already said, what had been the most surprising thing. But it was clear now. The most surprising thing had been how a single man had been able not only to oppose us, he beat us in nothing more than 30 seconds.
I knew that something was very wrong the moment he came out and after observing the situation, that man smirked like nothing happened. When he made all of our pokemon return with that Roar it meant that his pokemon were extremely powerful. We never had time to even react when the Heat wave struck and sent all of us flying backwards. All we could do was try to get up before the only thing we could feel was heat and the only thing we were able to see was pure darkness.
With the sensation of being stuck in an oven running, I was sweating madly. This lasted for just some minutes until I could see some light coming from somewhere far from me. Like a mosquito in the night, I followed the path that led towards that light almost needing to get out of the darkness and probably the heat.
No matter what though, I couldn't get near the light. The more I advanced, the more seemed to be getting away from me. I started to run then, but I bumped into something and I fell. When I got up and looked towards what had been the thing I had bumped with, my eyes grew bigger than plates.
-Caroline?- and sure enough, my wife was there lying face down with a little blood trail falling from her mouth-CAROLINE!
As I shook her I noticed that she was bleeding from a lot more places. Just when I was expecting the worst, though, she began to open her eyes. I sighed in relief!
-Nor-Norman?- she asked- Is that you?
-Yes, Caroline… it's me. What happened- I asked her when she sat up. She then did something I didn't expect.
-Where were you? What the fuck were you doing?- she demanded, anger filling her voice- What ARE you doing here?
-What do you mean?- I asked perplexed- You are hurt. I'm trying to see if you're okay? I don't even know where I am now.
-This is our home, Norman!- she said.
As soon as she said that the darkness faded a bit. It faded just so I was able to distinguish the remaining of our home. It was completely destroyed.
-But what are you doing here? Where is he?- she asked then tars falling from her eyes.
-Who are you talking about?
-I'm talking about your son! Ruby, where is he?- she asked before coughing some blood.
-I don't know… why?
-How can you not know? He went to look for you!- she said- After that Salamence burnt down our house and he had saved me we went to look for you at the Gym.
I couldn't understand one word my wife was saying. 3 minutes before I was in the Association headquarters, but right now I was at home and everything had been destroyed. I knew, or wanted to believe that this was nothing more than my imagination, but I could feel the heat coming from the burning parts of my home. I could FEEL my wife trembling with fear as she told me what had happened.
-Don't keep standing here! Your son needs you!
At the sound of her words, my instinct reacted before I could even think of what to do. I was already running when I noticed it and in just a few minutes I was running through the streets I've walked across thousands of times. I didn't even need to think when I arrived at the place where my Gym was allocated. The sight of it made me gasp.
It was completely destroyed, but that wasn't the most strange thing. An army of blue and red dressed grunts were flying above the building while six pokemon were defending it. Six pokemon and a single person. He was doing a damn good job, but the odds were so against him that it hurt. It was a lost battle before even starting.
-Ruby! What are you doing? Get out!
-There's something I've got to do dad- he answered
-Something you've got to do?- I said- Don't be a fool, there's no way you can win.
-I'm a fool if I don't fight… and I'm a fool when I do it- he said without turning.
-You're against a lot…- but I couldn't finish before he interrupted me.
- You've never even tried to understand me.
Even if that was a fact and that it hurt. Now wasn't the time for that. My son had to understand that this was a lost fight and nothing was important enough to throw his life for it.
-It doesn't matter what are you trying to do… You'll die here- I said- you don't have to throw your life away for something…
-Someone, dad- he said- there wouldn't be an object or something material I would throw my life away for.
-What do you mean?
-You! You're their final goal dad. They're not targeting me, they're targeting the Gym leader of this town- he said finally turning.
After he said that a massive amount of attacks flew in his direction. He turned around only to be hidden from my sight from the explosions those attacks created. My hand went instinctively towards my belt to grab my pokeballs, but they weren't there. Seeing that I marched forward. Even if I didn't have my pokemon I could protect my son with myself.
CLANK!
That's what I wanted, but just a meter in front of me a glasslike invisible wall blocked my path. I wasn't able to go any closer to my son when I saw him be engulfed in flames in front of my eyes. My heart stopped for a second until they dispersed and he was still standing, yet barely. I tried so hard to get past the barrier, but I couldn't and just some meters in front of me, my son was still battling with all he got. It wasn't until his Ruru fainted that the wall disappeared. Seeing this I marched forward, but he made me a sign telling me to stop. But I wouldn't, since just after this his body plummeted to the ground.
His torso was burnt and blood was falling from it, his left arm was broken and he had bruises all over his back. My legs started trembling when I crouched at his side while looking into his closing eyes. I frantically searched from something to cover his exposed torso and when I put my jacket on him he took it away with his "good hand".
-But…
-I can't even endure the wind dad, it's too sensitive.
-Hang in there Ruby, I'll help you- I said, tears falling from my eyes-I promise.
-Don't lie to me- he said- I'm hurt and I'm dying. I was able to stop them all, but that Egg bomb was able to get through my defenses.
-Don't think like that, you'll live…
-Now that I think about it… it's not that bad- he said- It almost feels like a Dejavú.
-A dejavu?
-Yeah…- he said closing his eyes and smirking- It feels familiar, like… this had happened somewhere else before.
At that final sentence something flashed into my mind. And as it did I remembered something important. It felt familiar, because it was and it was familiar because it was real. Not here, in this reality I was living at the moment. In the other one, the real one. The one in which I was at the headquarters and Ruby was fighting at the Academy's town. One in which I knew that the outcome could be the same, but in which Ruby made me promise to finish my work before going to help him. The one in which I had agreed to respect it, to respect his decision and to fight so I could go help him as soon as possible.
As soon as I realized this Ruby and the gym disappeared. So did the enemies, the fire and the darkness… leaving a pure white colored space around me. That was, before I opened my eyes again.
I moved slowly to avoid the nausea, but it still powerful enough to make me feel dizzy for some seconds. When I finally looked towards the man who caused this war I saw him go free his allies and that was something I wasn't going to allow.
-What… the heck… was that?- I heard breathed out to catch his attention.
As I stood up I grabbed two pokeballs with my right hand while I was trying to get it of the nausea that still lingered in my body.
-I asked you what the heck…- I said then between long gasps for air- was that.
-That was something you shouldn't have escaped from- he answered with a cocky smile- Norman.
-You made a mistake…- I 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- he said in a cocky voice as well, this man wasn't used to be defeated. This man was dangerous- very well then. Let's dance.
-You asked for it- I said- Vigoroth, Linoone. It's time to battle!
Red's POV
-It's just like Rub said Gold…- I told him looking around towards the amount of people that would fight by my side trying to form a plan- We didn't imagine the size of the mess we're in.
-He is that strong, huh?- said Green by my side- Marchie, I mean…
-You have no idea Green… not only he is an exceptional trainer, but he's like Yellow- I explained- he's got the same powers as her, even if he can't use them at the moment.
-Why not?- Blue asked.
-Because it will drain his energy- I explained.
-And he needs the energy to keep controlling this monster- Silver reasoned from just in front of me.
-That's correct- I said trying to stand up, but falling yet again when an electric current passed right through it.
-What happened to your leg?- asked Crystal kneeling before touching it- Ouch!
The yelp had been because she had been struck with some of the electricity that was still in it. I heard a pokeball open and a great pokemon appeared before me.
-Woah, what's this Rhydon doing here?- asked Gold.
-Idiot… I've used this same pokemon just 5 minutes ago…- said Silver- Rhydon touch Red's leg with your horn.
After a grunt of approval the pokemon kneeled and did as it was told. When the metallic horn made contact with it, the whole pokemon became covered in electricity for a second before it disappeared. Then I moved my leg and even if I could still feel a lot of pain, no electricity ran through it.
-Your Rhydon has the Lightning Rod ability doesn't it?- said Green- That's why he could absorb the electricity so easily.
-Correct!
-But how did you get it?- said asked Blue.
-It's quite a long story…
-One that will be told after this is over- I said finally being able to get up- We need to discuss some things, and quick. The sea is calming down and Marchie won't take long before attacking again.
-Nor will their grunts- said one of the officers, the one that had spoken the most.
-Right now we are in the worst possible place to be- I said- but it's also the only one we can be.
-What do you mean?- asked Emerald.
-We're sandwiched by both Marchie from the sea, with his monster under his control- I started.
-And his grunts which exceed our numbers greatly from the city- ended Blue- that only leaves one option.
-To separate ourselves- said Crystal- and this time the groups are decided. Red, Silver, Emerald and I will defend the coast. Green, Blue and Gold, and the officers, will dispose of the grunts.
-And why those groups Crys?-asked Gold.
-Emerald, Silver and I battled Groudon- she said- and Red battled Kyogre. Plus the teams are quite balanced since both Yellow, Sapphire and Rub are not here right now.
-Yellow and Sapphire are safe- said Blue- it's Rub the one that worries me the most.
-We'll have to believe in him- said Green and I smiled.
-Who's this Rub you're talking about?- asked one of the officers- Is he another Dexholder?
-No, not yet- I said the last comment just a whisper- That's not important. We'll separate now… try to fight as far away as possible from here since we won't be able to focus entirely on Marchie if we have to worry about getting in the crossfire.
-Roger that boss!- said Blue in a mocking tone, while Gold let out a chuckle at it- Good luck, we'll be here in a moment.
-You better be…- said Crystal in a more serious tone- We don't know how we'll be able to hold him.
-Don't you worry, if you're in danger I'll come save you like the hero I am- said Gold in a mocking yet serious tone.
-As if I need you to save me- mocked Crystal- Last time I was the one who saved your ass.
-Okay, okay- said Gold in mocking defeat.
It was a wonder how much we've all grown in those years. Our situation was nothing less than critical, but we had a duty. This duty included saving people and a huge part of that is acting as if you had everything under your control, not showing weaknesses. All of us knew how bad the situation was, but voicing it out would only scare ourselves more than we already were, not to talk about the officers. They needed to know that their battle was one they could win.
I turned around seriously when they went to do what we had decided and looked at my three companions. Our eyes were those of scared people, people who knew that this wasn't a fight that could be won… this was a battle race against time.
-I want you to tell me what you've discovered in your battle against Groudon- I said when I noticed that the rain increased again, meaning that Kyogre was getting closer- I'll do the same. We'll need every single plan our minds can come up with to survive.
-Yeah, because this is a battle that we alone- said Silver- will never be able to win.
Green's POV
-Seems like you've turned 180º on Rub, huh?- I heard in a girly and mocking tone from my side- You have faith in him.
-It's not like we had any other choice before… and so far his plan has worked- I said- you were able to…
-I was able to rescue Sapphire because he saved me- she said, seriously this time- I think that had been his plan from the very beginning, though. And you haven't seen him battle.
-I would like to.
-Yeah, you totally would… he's amazing, maybe even better than some of us.
-He can't be that good- was Gold's voice then.
-He can Gold- was my voice.
-He is- was Blue's confident voice now- much more than what I had thought.
-Right now though- I said trying to dry my face even for a single moment before letting out all my pokemon, the same that everyone did- we need a plan. We know that our enemies will come from everywhere, trying to surround us and finish this as soon as possible.
I looked around only to see the places where they could come from and I saw that a total of 8 streets arrived perpendicularly to the shore. With 15 officers and the 3 of us I could only hope to make a total of 3 groups, each one of us being in charge of one. As we were distributing the groups, though we were interrupted. The interruption was caused by none other than my Golduck who blasted a Hydropump towards the sky surprising us slightly.
After he did though, we all followed the direction to the beam before we panicked… From the sky and obscured by the water huge rocks we falling upon us. Blocking some of them using our pokemon's attacks and dodging the others we were able to avoid the first wave. Then the second came. But it didn't come from the same side, since the first came from the right… these rocks were falling from the left.
-Scatter around!- I ordered, but the others were already doing it.
-They have to be attacking from the top of the buildings in the first line- said Blue, my thoughts exactly.
-We divide in two groups!- I said then- we fly and then…
-We can't fly Green!- said Gold then surprisingly- That must be their plan.
-What do you mean… watchout!- I said as we were able to block another wave.
The waves were taking a toll on us. The pieces of rocks had injured some of the officers and KO'd two of their pokemon. My Charizard had received a hit in the last one, but it was still okay enough.
-If we fly Green, they will hunt us down from the earth!- he said.
-They must've left some of the grunts in the ground- reasoned one of the officers surprising me- it's a basic, albeit a very useful, tactic that is taught everywhere. The two-headed snake.
-One group attacks from the air and the other waits in the ground supervising their position and attacking when they're vulnerable- said another.
-And it's the one they've been using all along- said Blue- Today and the day in the Contest's Hall too.
After this few words another wave came and we had to scatter again to avoid it. The next waves came with some Icicle spears, making the dodging more difficult. We had to do something quick to avoid more free damage, but we were almost out of options. As the waves kept coming one after the other we were suffering more and more. In the end our best resource was to use different layers of Protect upon us. It was a good measure to avoid the falling rocks, but it had drawbacks as we would soon discover.
After what seemed like a non-stopping wave our pokemon we tired, but the officer's ones were almost exhausted. Then, as a surprise, the wave stopped. At first I didn't know what to do, but I soon realized something. The pokemon on the buildings must be getting tired too.
-Heal your pokemon, quick!- I commanded and all the officers did as they were told.
It was unusual to get a break, but we soon discovered why. Our enemies were just waiting for us to heal our injured pokemon to attack again catching us of guard. The only ones who weren't healing the pokemon were Blue, Gold an myself. As the rocks began falling again we did our best to avoid the damage as well as protect our allies. We couldn't avoid all the damage though and this time it was our pokemon the ones who suffered.
Luckily the officers healed their pokemon even faster than what I had expected so some of them helped with the protection. I looked towards Blue.
-We have to do something Blue!- I said and she looked at me.
-Already on it- she said, but I didn't understand.
-More bad news guys!- was Gold's voice when some shadows appeared just in front of us.
I looked at the pokemon our group had and I saw an interesting group. Almost all the types were present on it, except Dragon types, so we would be able to defend quite well from an upfront attack. The problem was another. The numbers. They were more than the double of grunts with six or five pokemon each. With all the free damage they had obtained our power had decreased exponentially.
-Retreat for now!- was Blue's voice, a very wise decision- we have to regroup!
As we were doing that though, a massive wave of attacks pierced the sky again. The rocks, aside from being hurting us and our pokemon left a clear message: escape wasn't an option. With that clear, only one option kept being possible. And it was a very risky one, but hey… every plan in this situation was risky.
-We only have one option- I said- we have to march forward.
-You're nuts?- asked an officer- we'll be putting ourselves in front of their pokemon.
-It's the only way to avoid the attacks from the air- I reasoned- They won't attack an area where they can harm their own people.
Just then another wave came down on us and we had to disperse again. In order to show my allies that my plan was the only option I marched forward, but I couldn't take 3 steps before the ground beneath my feet was falling. How could the ground beneath me be falling? The answer was easy. A total of three Sand Tombs had been used in our area and with the help of the falling rain, the broken asphalt of the street had soon disappeared under the mud, the same we were doing at the moment.
It was then when I panicked. Looking up water entered into my eyes, but I could see it clearly. The next wave of rocks was coming and with all of us trapped inside the mud loops, there was nothing we could do to escape.
Norman's POV
-Magcargo, use Heat wave!
-Linoone, use Mud Sport!
-Loudred, use Uproar!
-You too Vigoroth!
I couldn't understand his voice due to the sound, but his face and expression told me what he meant: "Do you think you can compete with my Loudred when making noise?". As much as I wanted him to eat his words I knew it was true. My pokemon was losing the battle, but I had known that beforehand. My goal was to make as much noise as possible since it's one of the most effective ways of waking people up. Normally any sleeping pokmeon is awakened when using Uproar, but even if the windows have been long gone due to it… not one of my allies had even moved a muscle. Or they did, but they were only reflex movements signaling their nightmares.
-You tried a good option, but they won't wake up with just noise- he said- Not even if my pokemon evolved to an Exploud and used Boomburst they would even stir. There's no way to wake them up.
-You're lying.
-Maybe I am, but you'll have to find it… and let me tell you something- he said- You don't have much time to do it before…
-Before what?
-Before their minds break completely- he said- just the way yours should have ended. How could you even wake up?
-You attack people directly with what they fear the most- I said, not even comprehending how I could've been caught in that fake reality with it being so clear- Fear control people's minds. But it has a drawback.
-You're going to tell me that hope is the solution like in all the movies? Like in all the books?- he said- Don't you worry Miss, if you have hope in your heart nothing will be able to hurt you. Reality is not a Cliché. It has never been. Fear is the ultimate weapon, the strongest, the only one who can break the strongest man and make it fall to his knees. To make the strongest-willed woman cry like a baby.
-There's something worse than fear- I said- and that's what the problem has been with me. It's nothing you could've ever planned.
-Will you enlighten me?- he said his cockiness never leaving his voice, there was a point of curiosity, though- I'll make it interesting. I'll tell you one important thing if you do. Consider it my respects for you, the only one who's been able to get out of my technique.
-The only thing that's worse than fear… it's when this fear becomes reality- I said- My fake reality showed me my family, my wife… my son. My wife was injured, but okay. My son, though… was dying in order to protect what he holds dear.
-That's not surprising- he said, but I interrupted him
-This would've been able to break me into little pieces if it weren't for one detail-I sighed, why I was telling him this? I probably had no other choice- In this reality, my reality, the REAL one… he's dying to protect what he holds dear too. If my reality is worse than my worst fears and I can still fight… That nightmare could never break me.
-I understand. It really is something I could've done nothing about. Now your prize for teaching me that my technique is only 99.9% effective- he said- When you woke up, the time before a normal mind would break was that of 12 minutes and 35 seconds. Giovanni has let you join him since he knows that you are stronger than average so I estimate that right now, your friends have less than 11 minutes before they break- he smirked- You've got 10 minutes to find a way to wake them up, if you can't, they'll be unconscious for more than a day. As you know, in this time… the world will be no longer how they or you would recognize it.
Why share that information with me? Was he THAT sure that I wouldn't be able to win this battle, or find the way to stop his technique and wake up the others. It made no sense. I stopped thinking about it, I didn't have much time and I needed all to beat him.
-If that's true… then there's no time to waste- I said- Linoone Pin missile to Loudred, Vigoroth use Thunderbold on Magcargo!
-Heat wave and Uproar!
-Protect Vigoroth! Linoone use Extremespeed towards Loudred, then Magcargo!
Both of my attacks were able to act, Vigoroth effectively protecting himself while Linoone dashed towards its enemies being able to hit them both before the attacks hit him head on. The combination of Uproar and Heat Wave was that strong that my pokemon was propelled backwards until it fell just by my side. The damage he had caused wasn't that great and now it was very close of fainting… that hadn't been a smart move. I took my Flygon's pokeball and I tossed it revealing my dragon type.
-Flygon, use Sonic Bomb! Linoone, use Extremespeed again! Vigoroth, use Thunderbolt!
I was expecting to cause some more damage before I lost my racoon pokemon, but he did something I wasn't expecting. Tossing a pokeball he let out a massive Tyranitar that, with just activating its ability, made my pokemon faint. Since all of his pokemon were suffering too due to the Sandstorm, he deactivated it at will before using the sand scampered all around in one of the most effective Sand Attacks ever.
So with our failed attacks and with one pokemon less, I stood trying to find a way to beat him in the 8 minutes that still remained until my friends would succumb. But in those two minutes I had accomplished nothing at all. In fact, I was only losing more and more territory. Things were not going well, but I could remedy that. I tossed out another pokeball, releasing my other Vigoroth.
-You have three pokemon outside and two left- he said- and the time is running. Ice Punch Tyranitar! Loudred, use Sonic bomb!
-Vigoroth use Flamethrower! Flygon Dragon Claw!
-Magcargp use Heat Wave!
-Thunderbolt on him!
The clash of attacks was so great that it was difficult to keep track of what had happened. The flamethrower had melt the ice attack, but nearly did no damage to the monstrous pokemon. The Dragon claw had been more effective, but when the pokemon separated it was clear that this was so much stronger than the other ones. The thunderbolt had struck the Magcargo, hurting him pretty badly, but the Heat wave damaged all 3 of my pokemon. The image in front of me blurred for a moment when it distorted, but something was off.
From then on the battle was an all out. The Tyranitar imposed a lot and I had to get rid of him soon or he would wipe out my whole team with its power. I have to say that I was holding out quite well, not losing a pokemon. Just when I thought that I would be able to beat is Magcargo, he sent out a Blissey and healed him using a perfectly timed, Softboiled. Only 5 minutes remained and I couldn't gain any advantage.
-W-Winona…- I heard behind me…- No, don't go yet… it's not your time!
Wallace's voice echoed throughout the room and he smirked. I was utterly useless, I had already consumed half the time I had and I still hadn't been able to win him, much less find a way to end the nightmare my allies were into. Wait a moment… win? Why?
Why did I want to win so badly? Since the very beginning I knew that this hadn't been possible, just the same way in which I was unable to beat Giovanni just some minutes ago. They were stronger than me, much stronger. And since he told me the amount of time I had left all I had done was to charge blindly into the battle, trying to follow the shortest and yet impossible path, to beat him. I didn't need to beat him. I needed to wake my friends up and then, with our superiority in numbers we would be able to win. The only reason he had told me that, was to force me to act without thinking. And I would be damned if I said that it hadn't been effective.
I now knew what I had to do… In the best case I would lose this battle in order to win the war. In the worst one we were all doomed. Be it as it may… I knew what I had to do.
Gold's POV
-GET SHELTER!- was the only voice that could be heard when those large rocks came falling down on us.
BUMP!
One of them fell right into my right, just 3 meters away from me.
BUMP!
Another one fell this time it was far from any of us. Some seconds passed until the next wave, but this time was massive. A lot of them came falling down of us and one was going to fall just on top of me. I tried to move aside, but I couldn't. It was then that Poltaro, using Waterfall, got out of the sand trap and deflected the rock using Dynamic Punch.
With the rain falling heavily upon us, it was so difficult to see how the situation was. Even that I was able to see that the 7 officers I had around me were okay and that Blue had protected Green with her Blasty's Protect. I looked up again expecting to see some rock falling again, but I saw nothing. Seeing that I looked towards the pokemon that were trapping us in place.
-Poltaro, use Waterfall to the Dugtrio!- I commanded, but as I said this said pokemon escaped through the same hole he had used to come- Utaro, use Earthquake!
I was fully expecting the tremors to take effect and knock out the pokemon that was digging his way underground, but since the terrain in which we were battling was nothing more than wet mud, the tremors weren't as strong and the damage wasn't the one I needed. Even though, without the trap it was easier to move and to fight.
-What the hell?- was the voice of one of the officers who had talked to us- This ain't no normal rocks! They're pokemon!
I looked closely to the rock that Poltaro had deflected and sure enough it wasn't a simple rock, it was a Gome. Just the same as the other since two Golems, two Graveler, even an Steelix, a Probopass, four Cloyster's, and finally, two more Rhydons were splattered all around us in the ground.
-Blue?- asked Green, clearly demanding an explanation.
There wasn't any time for explanations since two bright lights appeared in front of us. As the lights faded an Alakazam and an Hypno, and what they did surprised us greatly. The Hypno threw some small things in our way that when they fell began to grow until the shapes of Cleffy and Jiggly, both fainted, were in front of us. As soon as this happened though, the Hypno also fell KO'd to the floor.
On the other hand Alakazam also threw something, but it was a cat-like pokemon, a Delcatty and it was also out for the count. As soon as the pokemon did that, he floated backwards until he was no longer visible.
-I had commanded Cleffy and Jiggly to get in the top of the left building and shrink using Minimize. Once there they would attack the Rock types and the ones who controlled them. Coco would do the same in the other building- explained Blue- And since I couldn't be prouder that they could accomplish such a difficult mission they suffered because of it.
-And that's not the worse- I said- There wasn't even one grunt controlling them. I'm sure the ones who commanded these pokemon where the two Hypno and Alakazam.
-No wonder why you're called the stronger group alive- said one officer- I was only trying not to die here, but you were able to protect and counterattack at the same time.
-It's truly impressive- said another.
-Maybe…- said Green, earning himself a glare from his girlfriend- but we've got more problems now. If there was no grunt there this means that all of them are here on the ground waiting for us… And we don't have time to make new plans…
-This will be an all-out- I said smirking- The only plan is to take out the leader first. The rest will be pure battles.
-If only the others were with us…- said Blue.
-That won't be possible Blue- said Green- it's ironic that we're the ones with the easy job here.
-You call that an easy job?- asked one of the officers- We're against the double of grunts.
-We're talking about a monster that was able to create a tsunami and change the weather at will and without breaking a sweat- said Blue- that's not something any pokemon is able to do. We need to finish this here and go help them.
-Oh I wouldn't really count on that- was a familiar voice behind us- You're not going anywhere.
The voice was from no other that the gold-ranked grunt named Zan that had tricked Green before. I could see Green's expression darken when,a s fast I can remember he commanded his Golduck to use Hydropump at him. I had never seen him attack to a human being directly and that was something that surprised me. What was more surprising though was that a blue-green barrier appeared just in front of him stopping and deflecting the massive water stream towards different directions. The man had used Protect!
-That was quick. I know that you hate me for some reason, but to hurt a person directly and repeatedly- he started- that's not something that I would expect the Pokedex holders to do.
-For some reason you say?- he was fuming- You come to us saying that you're Ruby, the friend we lost that day and that you want to destroy us and you…
He wasn't able to continue since Blue put a hand in front of his mouth from behind.
-Don't let it get what he wants Green- she said- Don't lower yourself to his level.
-He's no human being for me!
-That's right- he said- I'm no human. I'm just a boy of 20 years old that, right now, is a servant of a god. With Kyogre in our hands, not even the Dexholders or even the Association are a threat.
After he said, that a yellow creature got out of his cape. The pokemon was none other than an Ampharos and it seemed to be quite strong. After a nod from his master his tail started glowing a little before it let out a Flash attack. With our eyes used to the darkness that the clouds were generating the effect was even stronger and when I was able to see again… he had already disappeared.
-We're more than the double of people than your group, but you still desire to fight in order to win- he said- In fact I'm quite pumped up for this.
-I wouldn't be if I were you- I said, I was trying to raise my allies' spirits- since you're going to lose.
-I would like to see you try!
Norman's POV
-Vigoroths use Uproar!
-Tyranitar use Screech!
I knew that this fucking monster was strong, but I could've never anticipated it to be it like that. That attack wasn't able to overpower mine, but two Uproars to almost be cnacelled by just one attack… it's something impressive.
-Magcargo, use Flamethrower!
-You too Vigoroth! Flygon, use Dragonbreath!- I took another pokeball then… I had wasted enough time already I didn't have the luxury of just using half of them- Spinda, use Psybeam!
-Tyranitar get that final attack! Loudred Supersonic on one Vigoroth! Blissey use Egg bomb on Spinda!- he commanded then- You really think that you can beat me? Tyranitar is still unharmed and Blissey has been healing my pokemon repeatedly. You can't win!
I knew it and it hurt… I knew that this had been the truth all along, that I couldn't win no matter how much I tried, but WE could still win. Since Tyranitar had blocked my attack, Spinda wasn't able to move and received the full impact of Blissey's blast damaging him a lot, but that wasn't the most important part. The surprising thing happened when both Flamethrowers cancelled themselves after colliding midway. The collision generated such an amount of heat that I had to cover my head to avoid the hot gases and then was when I saw it again.
The heat disturbed my vision a lot, blurring it. The images had been distorted, but something caught my eye. In one of the far corners behind this man there was something strange. The image was disturbed, but there was a single place where it was even more disturbed, and what's more it seeming to be moving constantly for the three seconds that I was able to notice it.
I was sure that I wasn't just imagining things since it was the second time it'd happened in less than 10 minutes. That opened some more options, but I wasn't able to think about them since my Spinda had just fallen due to a well-directed and probably critical Megapunch delivered by his monstrous pokemon. That left me with only one pokemon in my repertory, my always strong, Slaking. Without the Skill Swap his power decreased significantly.
-You made a mistake letting your Spinda fight- he said- Now you'll never win. I search for my opponent's background and I know how you battle. And most of all I know your strategy. Slaking is your strongest and you're the best at using its power since you've practiced endlessly about new and more spectacular ways of using Skill Swap in him. But now what? Your Spinda is out and Slaking has the worst ability in this world. The end is closer now.
-Yes, that's right- I said then taking my final pokeball out- but I won't go down without a fight! Go Slaking use Hyperbeam!
-Magcargo use Flamethrower! Blissey use Protect on yourself!- he commanded.
-Flygon use Dragonbreath on Tyranitar! Vigoroths use Flamethrower and Thunderbolt!
-Tyranitar, use Crunch on Vigoroth! Hyper Voice Loudred!
-Endure!
This happened so quickly that I wasn't even able to take notice of everything. The Flametrowers and Dragonbreath collided with Magcargo's Flamethrower overpowering it and hurting it very badly. Blissey, protected himself from the explosion while the Thunderbold impacted on it. As it was still attacking the dark type striked at him with his jaws glowing dark as it delivered a massive attack to my ape pokemon who could only keep himself in the battle due to the Endure attack he had used. Even that, luck was not in my side since this one fell when the endure stopped making effect and the Hyper Voice was still hurting my pokemon. I wanted to think that his Loudred would've fallen due to the Hyperbeam, but that wouldn't be the case. Much to my despair the hurt pokemon, just when it seemed to be falling, started glowing white before changing its shape. Soon enough a massive Exploud stood by the man who was my enemy.
I was down to 3 pokemon while he still had every one of them and things weren't looking good at all. The time kept running and not more than three minutes were left.
-Vigoroth, use Slash on the Exploud!
-Exploud, use Screech to stop him!
-Tyranitar, use Crunch on it!
-Counter!
-Deflect it with Megapunch! Magcargo, use Flamethrower!
-Dragonbreath Flygon!
-Egg Bomb!
That round simply aggravated my situation, but it also had a good side of it. My Vigoroth received full force of the Crunch after being stopped, but it's innate bulk made him endure the hit and be able to hit back with Counter. That attack had been properly deflected by the Tyranitar, but I had anticipated that. The attack had been aimed at the only pokemon that would be KO'd from it… The newly evolved Exploud. After that the Egg bomb did its effect Knocking out yet another one of my pokemon.
The other good thing is that when the Flamethrower and the Dragonbreath collided the heat allowed me to see that transparent figure again. Since this time I kind knew where to look I was able to located easily. This ended when my pokemon was overpowered and received part of the damage. It didn't do much damage though, since Fygon's typing was able to absorb the damage. I didn't have much time, but only two pokemon so my only hope would be the plan that had occurred to me.
-Flygon we have to lower their vision, use Sand Storm!
-Did you forget that two of my pokemon are rock types?
-I don't care! Flygon use Sonic bomb! Slaking Bulk up again and again… - I commanded- Don't lose sight of the battle.
-Tyranitar use Screech again! Magcargo use Rock Slide on it!
-Dodge left and then use Faint attack on Blissey!
-Egg bomb on it!
Just as it seemed that the Egg bomb would make contact, he fainted right and attacked left, effectively dodging the incoming attack and attacking its rival.
-Tyranitar, Ice Punch! You use Rock Slide Magcargo!
-Sand attack on Tyranitar, then dodge!
Like Ruby's Nana had done to me almost two months ago, my pokemon threw sand to its foe's eyes before dodging the attack when the Tyranitar lost sight of him. He was struck with some of the boulders that the Magcargo had created, but was still good to continue.
"Two Bulk Ups" I thought when I saw my pokemon loafing around again, not losing sight of the battle, but not doing anything either.
-Tyranitar use Ice punch on it again!
-Melt the Ice with Dragonbreath!
-Rock tomb!
And after receiving a mighty, but iceless, punch my pokemon felt trapped by three boulders that covered all of the lateral escape ways. The only one possible was to fly, but that was what he was expecting. Like I taught Ruby so many years ago, the best way to get out of something like that, is from the front door.
"And three!"
-Hyperbeam Flygon!- just as he was preparing to attack my pokemon while we was trying to fly, he smashed the front boulder with a massive beam that struck on Blissey just after breaking the rock into pieces. He seemed surprised for a second and more when his pokemon fell with swirls in its eyes, but he then smirked when he saw my pokemon recharging its energy.
- Rock Slide and Ice punch!
I could do nothing to get away from the attack and this meant that I was down to 1 pokemon, but that was okay… I had him where I wanted him!
Sird's POV
I smirked when I saw my colossal pokemon closing in towards its foe. This would mean the end of the match since one pokemon could only go on for so long before falling too.
-Feint attack!- he yelled with all his power.
I was surprised, thinking that he had kept something hidden from me, but I relaxed when I saw that the Sand Storm disappeared after my pokemon had struck with its attacks. That had only been his final try before falling completely. I had to admire his determination.
-You had me scared there, for a second- I said.
-Maybe you should be- he said before something fell in front of my feet- What?
-Your Misdreavus…- he said- that's your ghost type… the one who was using Hypnosis and Nightmare on my allies. Now the spell should break. I've lost the pokemon battle, but I accomplished what I wanted. It's my win.
I looked at my fainted pokemon and then towards his Slaking that was just returning towards him. His final attack had been for the massive ape, not for the Flygon. He had taken a risk, but it had been effective. But that wasn't a problem… not when…
-So you discovered my plan and my hidden pokemon- I said- that's something impressive. You really have surpassed my expectations by a great margin, but… it's over.
-Yeah, it's over for you!
-Nah… you're the one that's done for- I said- I told you, didn't I? That you had 10 minutes before their minds broke? Well… I'm sorry to wake you up from you dream, but… and yeah there's a pun intended… it's been 16 minutes since then!
I looked towards the pile of knocked out humans just behind him, even if just to prove my point and I smirked when I saw no one moving even a muscle.
-You've gained my respect… You're very good- I said- and that deserves some kind of prize. I know when I meet someone impressive, and you are.
-Stop kidding… all that battle was just, for nothing?- he said in disbelief- No… Why? Fuuuuuuck!
-I'm almost sad for you, but it really was…- I said- but now for the prize. You could be an important addition to our ranks… but I know that you won't do it. Then my prize for you is the knowledge that before you died, you're the only person who knows my plan and how to counter it. And, therefore, the only one to ever beat it. Now though, I shall beat you.
Then I saw him fall to his knees, his Slaking in front of him in a protective manner, but his trainer was in no condition to fight anymore… the battle was over.
-Tyranitar, use Crunch on Slaking! Trap him with Rock tomb Magcargo!
As my attacks neared I saw Slaking trying to protect himself and its trainer, but when the rocks trapped him it was over. Without his trainer's command the ape tried to get out from the hole on the top, but then Tyranitar KOed it with his dark type attack. Norman never even acknowledged it since he was in such trance.
-I'm sorry… I failed- he said shaking all over- Wallace, Winona… everyone… Ruby. I'm sorry.
It was so sad to see the person who has been the closest to actually beating me after Marchie, who did it because of his powers, so destroyed. It was so sad that I actually enjoyed it! But the fun had to end… I had a war to win and I was just one step away from getting there. Just one.
-Tyranitar it's time to end this…
-Yep it sure is!- said another voice from behind Norman. Another grave and deep voice.
It was then that my Magcargo tackled me aside before a massive Megahorn sent him flying to the closest wall, effectively knocking him out. The pokemon that caused this was a Rhydon that when it tried to attack me again Tyranitar sent him backwards with Ice Punch, but not even this supereffective attack seemed to hurt him a little.
-When and how did you wake up, Giovanni?- was my question then.
-Just when you told him that the time was up- he said walking towards Norman and putting a hand in his shoulder and shaking him- and it's true… your time is up!
Giovanni's POV
-Get yourself together Norman… this is not over yet!- I said- It never is… You should know that.
I saw him came out of his stupor then. He lifted his head and scanned the room again when he noticed his fallen pokemon he took out a pokeball and returned it. Mumbling a great thanks to the item and the pokemon inside he stood up again. He then looked at my direction apologetically.
-Even that… it's because of you that I'm awake so- I said- you did well. Now take care of the others, it's my turn to end this.
-I would've never thought that you of all people would side with the Association, Giovanni- he mentioned- not after they fooled your plans.
-That's something that you couldn't control Sird- I said- the Association wasn't the one who won, it was the Dexholders.
-They're the same thing!
-They're not… I'm not siding with the Association- I said- I 'm taking my son's side, Silver's!
As I said that I opened my second pokeball releasing my Beedrill. With Rhydon and Beedrill out I had two different yet complementary types of pokemon. One that would easily beat his Pseudo-legendary pokemon, Tyranitar.
-So Silver is your son… I would've never expected that-he said- to know that your lost son is still alive and that is one of the people who beat your… How did it feel?
-It felt like someone finally opened my eyes- I said seriously- but enough with this chatter.
-I agree… tell you what, I was kinda expecting this battle!
BOOM!
As soon as he finished the sentence though a massive explosion was heard. Not only the explosion was enormous, but the whole building shook with incredible force. He just brought his hand from behind his back allowing me to see a remote-control device.
BOOM! BOOM!
Not five seconds after the first one, two greater explosions took place making the building shake even more violently. Not only it shook, but smoke entered the floor covering it completely. I looked towards my enemy and I saw him there, a smirk in his face.
-Just kidding- he said- although I want to battle you someday it is impossible that I win today. Not when you can heal your pokemon like my brother. I'll have to cut this short now… It's not the last time you hear of us, but hey… it's not like you won this war yet.
As soon as he said this a Gallade appeared by his side. I looked around to the cages Sabrina had created and I saw them empty. He had planned this for a while and there wasn't a thing I could do about it.
-Don't make that face- he said- I learned from you… I'm never fair! Gallade… Teleport!
BOOM! BOOM!
As soon as the pokemon Teleported away more explosions could be heard and the screams of the people were audible too. I looked towards where Norman was and I quickly approached him. He was letting out Sabrina's pokemon and asking them to Teleport the unconscious people to a safe place. I nodded towards him and quickly returned my pokemon before the last pokemon, Sabrina's Alakazam touched us and Teleported us away.
When we appeared at the outskirts of the Association's headquarters I was amazed at what I saw. The image that I had so strongly tried to create, the Association collapsing and burning was playing in front of my eyes. This said it was an image that wasn't as pleasant as I had expected.
-Fuck! It shouldn't have ended like that…- I heard Norman say- I'm sorry Ruby, but I won't be able to help you. We've lost.
And that's the end of chapter 41. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did writing it (when I was able to do it).
Something that some people didn't understand in last chapter (I'm sorry if you did, but I'll explain it anyway). The part in which Mr. Goodshow (in last chapter) and Norman (in this one), they meet Sird and they "teleport" into a different place with darkness, fire and things like the Pokedex Holders and Ruby dying, they are inside an illusion created by Sird. It should've been properly explained by the end of this chapter, but if it wasn't clear it is now.
The only one who guessed it right was Niche. It guessed more than 500 pages, but less than 600. The result was 603 pages up to chapter 40 so it was ALMOST correct. Even that you'll got that OC in the epilogue (but it won't have that much of importance, sorry).
This said thanks for your endless support and I hope I can uodate before January ends (I WILL!). Have a nice Christmas and an even better new Yeat, you're the best.
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