Hello everyone and welcome back to this fic after... more than 9 months.

Two new jobs, the end of college life and moving to a new country (reason for 2nd job change) are the reasons behind it (writter's block too). Actually I know it has been a very long time and that I don't have much of an excuse for it, but here are the good news. In this time I've actually written 2 chapters instead of one and this one will be out as soon as I finish the final details. So expect another update in the early September I hope. I have to apologize anyway for the long time you have to wait, but I hope I can make up for it in quality.

It´s TIME WITH REVIEWS!

Dark and Fluffy: I'm glad you liked it! I'm sorry it took so long ot be out, I hope the story can make up for it!

Poke fan 3: It took a while, I'm sorry. I hope you enjoy it!

smile all of your days: I'm glad you liked the action in the story, I try to make it intense, but believable at the same time adn it´s sometimes difficult to do. I hope the experience of studying abroad is as good as it was mine or even better. It was one of my best decisions in my life! Thanks for your kind words and support, it means a lot! Hope you enjiy this one too!

Abril: I'm so happy when I read reviews like yours. I don't think I am too good of a writer, but I try to be. I hope everything is better in your life, it makes me the happiest if this story was abel to cheer you up, even if it was a little bit. And please, NEVER be sorry about a long review! I enjoy them the most since they give me a lot of informations about what I am doing right or wrong! Thank you so much for this!

So this is it for today with TIME WITH REVIEWS! I'm so happy to see you want me to finish it. Be sure that reviews are part of the reason I have been able to continue it, even if it took really long to do so and not forget about it. I said I would finish it and I will. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do imagining and writing it! Now before the chapter, the best editor possible (that is able to put up with months of not knowing if I am alive, incredible) has some wrods for all of you

LC5 – Yooooo, we are back after a long sleep, and it's high time we get back to work. I don't really have much to say, I've been doing on and off streaming, looking to be back on at /LexClone5, come on down if you want. I'll try to be streaming most days at 5pm PST. Anyway, I won't keep all y'all waiting, so I'm signing off until the next one. SEE YA!

READ and ENJOY!


Chapter 46: The enemy in a friend

Sapphire's POV

-I'm sorry- he managed to say reaching his right hand towards me.

And with those words, his right eye became completely red as a powerful earthquake beneath us.

- I wanted to do it… bu-but… I'm sorry…- he said before smiling evilly- The boy lost.

That last part was not his voice anymore. It was deeper and way more frightening.

-Rub?-I asked then taken aback by that change.

-Wrong…- that same voice said- in more ways than one.

I didn't understand that, but I didn't have time either. As soon as those words left his mouth Groudon had prepared another attack. With Pilo's Chlorophyll ability, his speed had risen considerably, which allowed me to evade the attack.

-Rub, what's happening?- I asked.

-You, of all people, should know that!- the voice said.

With that, Groudon attacked us with a Mud Shot attack, but my energy was back, as was my agility. With Pilo able to dodge it, I jumped upwards, also dodging the attack while landing on top of Groudon's head, just next to my friend.

As soon as I got close though, Rub's body moved, sending a fist towards me, which I caught. When I did that something weird happened. In a flash I was not in the bay, on top of Groudon, I was in a weird, purple room, or area… the same one I had been before. I looked around so I could find Rub the way he did not so long ago. What I saw though… scared me.

He was there in the room alright, but he was not conscious. He was laying face down, in a really similar way as the one I found him that horrible night after the ball. I tried to keep those memories at bay as I went to help him. Or rather I tried to because as soon as I started to advance some of the weird purple substance grabbed me, making it impossible.

-You can not help him now- said the voice.

-Rub!- I said looking at him, when the sight scared me even more.

He was sinking… the purple substance was absorbing him, making him disappear. It was just what had happened to me, but backwards. Rub was sinking into it, which meant that Groudon's control over him was almost absolute.

-Rub! You have to fight it!- I yelled when I saw him sink even further, so much that only his head was still visible.- Rub!

-It's over, girl… you can not help him- the voice said- no one can!

-I was able to gain control again!- I said fighting against the substance that was holding me- he is way stronger than me! He is the strongest person mentally I've ever seen.

-I know… that's why it took so much time for me to finally take control of him- the voice said- even in his state.

As soon as I heard that I opened my eyes to find myself in the real world again. The pain I felt made me notice my neck, that was being strangled by Rub's right hind. The hold was strong and my trained reflexes sent a kick towards the face of the one that was strangling me. Rub caught it with its right hand, leaving me.

My training to be a Dexholder allowed me to kick his legs, making my attacker fall to the ground.

-Ah!- wait… that was Rub's voice, not Groudon's. And it was clearly in pain.

-Rub how are…- I started to approach him to see where he was hurt, but I was strangled again by his hand. A firmer grip this time.

-Rub, please… I can… not breathe- I said.

As I said that the hand's grip was stronger for a second before dropping me again.

-You must be very important to him… Even when unconscious- Groudon's voice said- he wouldn't let me kill you.

After that I was kicked in my stomach by a powerful foot. So powerful that it threw me out of the top of Groudon's head.

-Pilo!- I yelled and in less than 3 seconds my dinosaur like pokemon caught me in the air.

-Foolish girl… standing up against me again…- that horrible voice said- you're too weak to challenge me.

-I am not alone! We will beat you!

Gold's POV

As soon as the earthquake started, we knew that something was happening. We looked up only to see Rub strangling Sapphire with one hand. After that, we saw Sapphire try to kick him, and after that they sparred a little before Rub threw her off Groudon's head. We all gasped audibly before her Tropius caught her midair.

-I am not alone! We will beat you!

She yelled as she landed. I wanted to ask her what had happened and why did she want to beat Ruby of all things, but it became clear soon enough. The earthquake became stronger and we had to scatter around in order to avoid a massive crack that appeared. Our situation couldn't be more dire though, since our state was miserable.

We had very little pokemon left, Yellow was sleeping in Red's back… my leg was semi-broken and I had multiple bruises that hurt a lot, a concussion in Blue's side… and we were all both mentally and physically exhausted.

"You can not win, not in this state- Rub said with a harder and more vicious voice- your only option of winning everything was for me beating the fishy, and then you all beating me while this boy was still controlling me. He lasted a while, way longer than what I could have imagined, but it is over now… his body is mine to do as I please."

-Leave Rub alone!- said Sapphire- he is hurt as it is!

"You have no idea of how much- he said then- and since I cannot really move with all these bandages… I'll let you see it for yourselves."

-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!

That was the sound that Rub let out when he tried to break them by sheer force. Surprisingly, he was able to break his jacket letting us see all his torso with all those bandages. And it scared us… because the normally white bandages were of another color almost entirely, dark red.

But it didn't stop there… in an animalistic display I will always remember, he started using his good hand and his teeth in order to break the bandages, finally reveling the really state of his body.

-Was he that bad?- I remember asking Sapphire while waiting in that corridor the night of the ball.

- That bad? No! It was worse… You didn't get to see his body, his left side…-she shouted almost crying- that wasn't skin anymore! It was just blood! Just fucking blood slipping out of him!

I had thought that she was exaggerating a little back then. The events would have affected everyone's judgement, thus making her exaggerate at least a little bit, but… nope. Not at all. She was absolutely accurate. The sight before our eyes was a horrible one that I wouldn't forget for a long, LONG time.

His left side was a bloody mess, some cuts where the blood was slowly leaking and that long gash where… not so slowly. How he had been able to do all those things so far was not far from a miracle. I looked at my body again and I almost felt sorry for myself. He had been fighting for something like 6 hours in this state while I could even barely move.

Without even time to think though, the ground beneath us broke again and we had to dash out of our current spot. After regaining our composure, we took our remaining pokemon out again. Most of them were in no shape to battle anymore, but it's not like we had another choice really.

Without knowing what has happened you would say that we had quite the lineup, but even if we had like 15 pokemon, that meant nothing if they couldn't last against this monster we were fighting.

We didn't have a plan either, so we just attacked. It's been a long time since we've done something that pathetic really, but it was the only thing we could do. The only of us who had the energy to attack with some plan or safety measure was Sapphire and even that could do so much… And if what we were trying to do had been of any us, it became useless when Groudon stopped protecting itself and made Ruby do it. Like literally.

Ruby, with a puppet-like grin, positioned in front of the monster, between it and our attacks and acting as a human shield. Since we didn't want to hurt our friend that cancelled a lot of possible attacking directions and most of all, it prevented us from aiming at his grey torso. That was one of the only things that Crystal had shared, that Groudon's weak point was there.

I attacked out of impulse once, trying to defend from an incoming attack, but it was a mistake since it passed less than half a meter away from where he was standing. I immediately panicked and cancelled the attack, thus forcing me and Poltaro to dodge it.

-Gold, be careful!- said Sapphire, just flying above me.

-I'm trying!

It continued like that from some minutes, but we got nothing. We didn't receive damage, Groudon was not really trying to attack, but we were wasting energy and time, which was the same as losing. Every time we had a clear chance to strike, Rub stood in the middle, with made us stop or deflect it.

-Guys I have a solution- said Crystal suddenly- it's the only way to win fast.

-What is it?- I asked.

-We hop on Walo and get close to Kyogre and then…- she started.

-Sapphire controls Kyogre- said Green- and with it we will have the advantage.

-Exactly…

-Wait, we can't do that!- said Sapphire.

-You can do it, Sapph…- Emerald started, but he was interrupted.

-Maybe I can but what about Rub?- she asked.

-What about…. Oh?

-Groudon will use him as shield too, if one of our attack gets him he will be really hurt, but if Kyogre's one does…- said Red- he dies.

-That is the only way though- said Crystal- we'll have to create the perfect chance then, but please understand that we can not win without using Kyogre and we'll have to take some risks.

-You are asking me to risk him!- she said- I cannot do that…

-I know what I am asking Sapphire- Crystal said- and I know it's not fair… but it's either that or watch him die slowly from blood loss. If we succeed, we might be able to save him, but if we don't even try… he's done for. And maybe the whole world with him.

What Super Serious Gal had said had been true and Sapphire knew that. I could see that she knew and understood it perfectly, but in her face I saw fear too. We had to risk it, but what if we failed? Or even worse… what if she really did hit Rub? Then SHE would be the executioner. Not the one at fault, but the hand that would commit the action. It would destroy her. Actually it would destroy every single one of us if we were in her position, but she would take it worse than us. She loves Rub after all, even I can see that.

-Sapphire- was Blue's voice- I know it's hard, but we need you to do it. We can not fight against Groudon without Kyogre. What Rub said before is true. To battle this kind of monster there is only one way to do it. With another one.

-I'll… try- she said- There is no other way.

Crystal's POV

I know that we need Sapphire to control Kyogre and attack directly at Groudon if we want to end this quickly, but after saying the words, I don't know anymore. We managed to convince her, but it was clear that she was still doubting. Her hand glowed for a second when she focused in controlling that monster, but nothing else happened. Worse than that, Kyogre just laughed at her.

"You're just so full of doubts… there is no way a mere child like you can expect me to do their bidding- the monster said- Better people have tried to do so and failed miserably. And do you know how this all ends?"

After those words I saw a blue flicker all over her body and even in her eyes, and I panicked for a second. Until I saw Sapph shake her head in an angry manner.

-That won't happen again!- I heard her yell, while she closed her eyes and try again.

-Protect Sapphire!- I yelled and we all positioned around her in a defensive formation.

"Such pitiful pokemon can not defend Fishy's controller from my attacks"- said Groudon before unleashing a hellish Fire Blast our way.

Seeing that we all used our attacks, the ones available, in order to try and cancel the attack. The problem was, that the sun that had given us hope before, was giving us hell now. The attacks from our Water-types had some power taken away due to it and this Fire blast might be the strongest one I've ever seen in my life. Since Kyogre was not part in the combat, its ability was not working, thus giving Groudon the absolute advantage in the whole field.

After that another one came our way and we defended like in the first one, not really letting anything past us, but barely, just barely. I then saw Green and Red attack with Saur and Charizard, but again, Rub was placed in front of it, making them redirect their attacks upwards. The monster was playing a dangerous game, but he was in control the whole time.

He was not actually attacking that much comparing it with before, but he didn't really need to. Time was in his favor so it was up to us to try something. That's what we needed to do, and that's what we did… or tried.

-All the pokemon with Super-effective attacks will be on the offense- said Red- all the other will be on defense. Crys, use your Parasect to immobilize Rub like you did before. The others will attack with their best, without Ultimate moves. Be careful about Rub.

-On it!- I answered commanding Parapeon to create a mixture of Spore and Stun Spore.

-Now attack!

A barrage of attacks was seen then. From Solar Beams, to Hydropumps and even an Ice beam. Much to my dismay, Rub started moving around, and our pokemon had to be aware not to hit it. In some occasions our pokemon stopped their attack, only to start it again after he left the attack range, but in other occasions the pokemon changed their direction, thus making it collide with another attack, making both of them ineffective.

And that was not even the worst part. Groudon was not even defending. He defected most of the attacks with his arms, while the attacks didn't even leave a scratch on its impenetrable dark red skin.

"You foolish humans…- said the monster- these pitiful inferior creatures can not harm me in any way. I AM A GOD!"

-We also have a god in our side! - shouted Silver confident.

"Then use it! I want to beat it again."

-Sapphire, anytime now would be perfect- said Emerald with fear in his voice.

It was understandable, the fear I mean. In our lives as Pokedex Holders we had faced my hardships and tough enemies, but not like this one… This monster was not something we could beat by ourselves. WIthout Groudon there is no way we could've beat Kyogre and the same applied now. If Sapphire was unable to do it, we were probably done for.

-Silver!- I heard Sapphire yell when, again, an attack had passed really close to Ruby's body.

-I know!- he yelled back- I'm doing the best I can!

-We have to create an opportunity!- I yelled and I started to think.

-Crys! Look out!-was Blue's voice.

As I rose my head to see what had happened I met Ruby's approaching me at an incredible speed. As I reacted to avoid the collision he sent a right punch towards me. As part of our training we had been subjected to a physical and hand to hand combat training. I still shiver when recalling the hours spent at Chuck's and Brawly's Gyms training. Not all things are bad though, since my mighty kicks were born from those trainings. For these reasons was not difficult for me to evade it or even fight back. Ruby only had a hand and both legs and it was clear that he lacked coordination.

I stand corrected, Ruby or the one controlling him was using both hands to fight. In a really bizarre way, he was moving the clearly broken arm to send punches to me with a force way greater than the ones we possess.

-Crystal leave him to me- was Red's voice then positioned between us- you think of the way to create Sapphire's opening.

-Red!- was Sapphire's voice then.

-I will only defend Sapphire!- he said- I don't plan on hurting him.

-Like you can do that- were Rub's voice, or Groudon's voice coming from Rub.

Red, Sapphire, Silver and I, are the ones that excel the most in hand to hand combat, so Red was also able to repel Rub's attack without much worry. But then it clicked me… we should worry and a lot. What Rub had accomplished was not hurting me, he had stalled. And now he was going to stall one of the best battlers in our group.

Plus, with all the movements he was doing, more and more blood kept dripping and more stress was being supported by the body, which had the same effect. He was making us loose time. This precious time.

-Everyone concentrate on Groudon no matter what happens- I yelled- we have to create an opening for Sapphire!

As I said that, we all commanded our pokemon to attack and defend. Now that Ruby was not being used as a shield things were a little bit easier, but not easy. And my exhaustion was more visible than ever since I could not think of the simplest plan.

-What… is Red… doing?- I heard a voice behind me now.

As I looked there I saw Yellow gain consciousness in Blue's back. As soon as she said the though, Red turned to see her loosing sight of Ruby for a moment and allowing him to tackle him to the ground.

-RED!- was Yellow's yell.

-Not to worry, I'm okay- said Red whipping some blood from his cheek. But it was not his blood, it was Ruby's. Time was ticking fast.

Red rose to his feet with a split second before Rub separated from him. Red was about to follow him, but then Rub turned around and sent a kick to his face followed by a punch with his left hand. When Red stopped the punch a loud crack was heard. Upon hearing this Red separated now, while Rub's left arm was now clearly dislocated, slightly bent in a really weird angle.

-I am sorry…- said Red, looking towards Rub.

I couldn't believe what was happening, the 9 of us were looking at that "battle". Our mind was so tired that we could not separate our worry, from our task anymore. Think Crystal, THINK!

It was then that Groudon decided that the quietness had lasted long enough and, after raising his massive foot, he slammed it down creating an immense earthquake. The ground beneath us broke and we had to scatter again.

The earthquake was so massive that three of the buildings that were still standing fell down completely, creating another smoke cloud. It was at that point though, that Groudon decided that the battle was going to end soon. And no, it did not attack again with another earthquake, Fire Blast, or stronger attacks. It was his voice.

"I have to admit that you humans have been of some entertainment- he said- And I must admit that this boy has done a better job controlling me than most of the better men that have tried to… but this ends now."

-Just try it if you dare- was Gold's threat.

"Oh I won't try, I will end this- the powerful voice said- Your only hope is that Fishy's controller is able to do so and attack me, but she will not be able to."

-As Rub said, Sapphire's willpower is limitless- yelled Blue- she was able to gain control of it before and she will do it again. She is THAT strong.

"Maybe, but her mind is also fragile… she cares for this boy, my controller. And he cares for her, so much that he was able to prevent me from killing her even while being unconscious. Love I think you humans call it- if we hadn't been in a life or death situation against a monster that could kill us at any moment, that could've been a really nice thing to hear- But at the same time, he feels a deep regret and remorse and this will be the girl's downfall."

-What do you mean?- asked Sapphire, while I panicked. Some of us did.

-Don't listen to him, Sapph, he is trying to deceive you- I said- Focus on controlling Kyogre.

-It might be preparing another attack- said Green then- We can not fight him here.

-Then hop on the Wailord- added Silver- we'll fight from the sea while Sapphire controls Kyogre.

And that's what we did, hoping on the massive pokemon again, who could carry all of us easily, we approached the giant monster, who had not moved an inch from when we defeated its earlier controller.

Groudon followed our movements and positioned like before, when he was facing Kyogre with its back facing the city. That was another thing we intended, since when facing the sea Rub could not be used as a shield anymore than what he had already done. But the most important thing was to put as much distance between them as we could. Kyogre had said that he knew Sapphire's weaknesses, and Groudon had stated the same about Rub, about Ruby. And his intentions were clear to us. He wanted to end the fight without fighting. But why? He was strong enough to destroy us, he was way more powerful than us and our pokemon… unless, he wasn't anymore!

Looking back at what has happened until Rub was controlled, Groudon has performed less than 10 attacks, while continuously controlling Rub. Maybe he is not sure that he can win, and even less with Kyogre as its enemy. He fears that if Sapphire is able to do it, he may lose.

"Getting away will not help!- said the voice loud and clear- Me and Fishy have a deep connection that our controllers also share. If I want them to hear me, they can not avoid it and vice versa. She will hear what I have to say."

-Attack now!- was Green's voice.

At that point most of us had guessed what was the message Groudon wanted to tell, so when Green commanded the barrage all of us followed suit. I looked at Sapphire then, but what I saw scared me a little. She was not focused on trying to control Kyogre, she was focused on our attacks and making sure that Ruby was not caught in them.

-Focus Sapphire- was Red's voice now next to Yellow- we know that we can not hurt Rub. We need you to do it, to control Kyogre.

-I am trying…- she said then closing her eyes for a moment.

-We need you to try harder then- were Silver's words.

I understood their feelings, and I know that the situation was dire. But that might've been another mistake we made. Due to our exhaustion, I'm sure, but a mistake nonetheless. The same way she was more focused on Ruby's health, we were too focused on her, putting all the pressure on the fight on her shoulders. Is she strong enough to hold it? Yes, but we had our part to do and we weren't doing it neither.

-Leave Sapphire to concentrate and focus on giving her an opportunity- were Blue's words then, mimicking my thoughts-climb on top of Kyogre like Marchie did. And relax, you can do it.

-Yeah Sapph will be able to do it- was Emerald's comment then- For now Sceptile, charge a Solarbeam!

-You too Saur! Pika use Charge!

-you too Chuchu!

-You too Mega, we'll combine the 3 of them- All the other poekmon protect our beams, they have to get on target! Fire!

At that point our 3 beams, charged under the sun, became massive like half our ultimate attacks, Frenzy Plant. I was not expecting to beat the monster with them, but I was expecting it to be hurt while make him focus on un and not on Sapphire. Groudon used a Massive Fire Blast to stop the attack, but our other attacks reppelled it. Pika's and Chuchu's Thunder after Charge were really strong, while Hydropumps from Feraligatr, Poltaro, Silver's Red Gyarados and Rub's Swampert? Yeah Rub's Swampert was on our side trying to beat the monster that was controlling his trainer. And we succeeded.

The 3 beams were able to collide with Groudon in one of its weak areas. It was just next to his arm where it struck, but it had been effective. The giant monster had to stomp strongly in order to avoid falling and when he did that a massive tremor shook the entire city. Not only that but a torrent of magma appeared in front of it, and when it dissipated, Rub was standing atop its head again. And after regaining its footing, he attacked us.

Stomping again he created another torrent of magma, but in the sea in front of us. This lava created an enormous amount of steam to be created, while massive boulders were falling from the sky, created by the solidification of magma. This created a lot of problems for us, thus worsening our already precarious condition. Silver's Gyarados was hit by two boulders thus KOing it immediately.

Green's Scizor placed in front of us cutting the ones that came our way, but when it cut the 5th one, he met the 6th one head on which made it lose consciousness. Emerald's MR. Mime created numerous barriers around us to protect us with Parapeon using Fury cutter to the small rocks that were able to go through them. The loss I suffered the most though, was the when we saw that after this attack Groudon had followed up with another Ancient Power and some more boulders were coming.

Some were able to break through those barriers, since they had been really worn out, and impacted on both Parapeon and Arcapeon, who took Scizors position to try and break or deflect as much of them as it could. The only good thing about that last attack is that Groudon hadn't got a boost like Kyogre did before

"Pathetic- said Groudon's voice after the attacks- is that the best you can do? The first two attacks in which I really try to hurt you and you are down to half of the small fries that you sent out to battle me. I expected no less though… only Fishy over there is a worthy opponent for my power."

-Shut up! Don't look down on us…

"But you are disappointing you friend over here- the monster said- You've been through so much together and he thinks really highly of all of you. The best team that there's ever been, that what he thinks you are. And you…- directing its eyes to Kyogre's head and Sapphire- he thinks that you're the best of them, the girl with unlimited willpower. The girl who was a crying mess at that dungeon 5 years ago and transformed into one of the best battlers on the planet. And you're letting him down, you're letting down the only person that has always believed in you,"

-Do not listen to him Sapphire, he is trying to prevent you from concentrating- I said, he was so close to telling everything, we had to stop it somehow- we need you to do it now Sapph.

-But…

-No buts! We will create an opening now- I said then- everyone prepare your ultimate attacks!

-But Crystal, we do not have all of them- Yellow said.

-I don't care!

"What you're trying now is totally useless girl…"

-We attack at the count of 10!

"What if you hurt the boy?"

-9!

"What if it dies…

-8!

"Will you really risk…

- 7!

"Killing him again?

-6!

-I won't work-Silver said.

-We don't have any other choice. 5!

"For real this time?"

4!

-What do you mean by that?- were Sapphires voice then.

3!

"This boy lied to all of you!"

2!

"For all these months that he's been here with you!"

-Wha…

-1!

"His name is…."

-Fire!

Sapphire's POV

I was trying, really. The first time I did it, controlling Kyogre I mean, I did so without even trying to. I suddenly felt some tingling in my hands, and they shone. That had happened in a very dire situation, I was not even expecting to achieve it, but I tried. And to accomplish it I only saw remember two things, thinking about getting the sphere and after I got it, I just focused everything into stopping Kyogre.

No flashy attempts, or magical words, nor any surge of massive energy… just a tingle and some shinning lights and I was able to make it do what I commanded. But that was the trick wasn't it? Just some massive focus.

And that was the problem, the focus. I couldn't focus at all on the task. When it happened my mind was clear into only one thing since what I was trying to accomplish would only be beneficial, for me and for everyone I cared. Now this was not the case. I knew what I had to do and I knew that it was the best option for everyone if it went well, but it didn't… he was weak now, he wouldn't survive a hit like that.

-Focus Sapphire- said Red- we know that we cannot hurt Rub. We need you to do it, to control Kyogre.

-I am trying…- I defended and closed my eyes, I needed to clear my mind from this.

-We need you to try harder then- were Silver's words.

They were really not helping. I had to forget that and concentrate. I had to keep Rub out my mind for some moments, if I was able to do that… maybe I would be able to archive my purpose.

-Leave Sapphire to concentrate and focus on giving her an opportunity- were Blue's words then, mimicking my thoughts-climb on top of Kyogre like Marchie did. And relax, you can do it.

-Yeah Sapph will be able to do it- was Emerald's comment then- For now Sceptile, charge a Solarbeam!

-You too Saur! Pika use Charge!

-you too Chuchu!

-You too Mega, we'll combine the 3 of them- All the other pokemon protect our beams, they have to hit on target! Fire!

Then the attacks were able to hurt Groudon, but its comeback was strong and knocked out almost half of the pokemon that were still in our side. After that Groudon started speaking, I heard its voice in my head, loud as thunder. There was no way I could concentrate. He was right, staying away from it had not helped I could still hear everything he was saying.

"Pathetic- said Groudon's voice after the attacks- is that the best you can do? The first two attacks in which I really try to hurt you and you are down to half of the small fries that you sent out to battle me. I expected no less though… only Fishy over there is a worthy opponent for my power."

-Shut up! Don't look down on us…

"But you are disappointing your friend over here- the monster said- You've been through so much together and he thinks really highly of all of you. The best team that there's ever been, that what he thinks you are. And you…- directing its eyes to Kyogre's head and Sapphire- he thinks that you're the best of them, the girl with unlimited willpower. The girl who was a crying mess at that dungeon 5 years ago and transformed into one of the best battlers in the whole world. And you're letting him down, you're letting down the only person that has always believed in you,"

And then suddenly Crystal started the countdown, I saw confusion in all the others faces, but they soon prepared it like she ordered. She said she was giving me an opening, while Groudon kept talking and trying to lower my confidence, and I'm sorry to admit it… it was working. But I couldn't really assimilate all the insults either, the battle had become a countdown that no one was prepared to face.

I was not prepared for it, I still couldn't get my head around how I was going to do my job, so I tried one last time. All the energy I had left was used in order to do one thing, the simplest one… to get Kyogre to use Hydropump on Groudon . Not fancy plans or anything, just one single attack that could turn the tides in our favor.

"Use Hydropump on Groudon"- I thought closing my eyes, isolating myself from the exterior-"Hydropump that monster".

-8!

"Will you really risk…

- 7!

"Killing him again?

-6!

-I won't work-Silver said.

-We don't have any other choice. 5!

"For real this time?"

4!

-What do you mean by that?- I unconsciously asked then.

3!

"This boy lied to all of you!"

2!

"For all these months that he's been here with you!"

-Wha…- I started, but I was unable to finish it before…

-1!

"His name is…."

-Fire!

As I saw those 8 beams be launched I made a fist with my hands, and I tried again. And for a brief moment I saw those blue lines appear and a surge of power began to rise, but it suddenly stopped. And for a good reason.

Those beams had started to fuse in midair, three red, three green and two blue beams that were twice as massive any Hyperbeam could be. But then it happened, the blue side started winning over the red, which was doing the same with the green and the same for the green and blue. Like the three elements in which they were based, they were overpowering the one they had next to it, thus creating a rotation motion, that made it even more menacing. The beams seemed to be in perfect synchrony, but suddenly… those beams separated again.

That massive one had been dispersed into the 8 that formed it and took out all the power from it. Two of the beams finally missed the target and while 6 ultimate attacks were able to make contact, Groudon targeted the most dangerous ones and defended from them using either his arms or a Fireblast on the grass types ones.

I saw Crystal and Blue fall to their knees then seeing the failure so I knew I had to try one last time to at least make their effort not be in vain. And try it did. Closing my eyes I formed fists again, waiting for the same effect as before. I needed it to happen now! Not in a minute of half of it or even in the next 10 seconds… Now!

"You'll never control me if that is how you try to do it- was Kyogre's voice then, it was clearly aking fun of me from the tone it sid it- not with those half assed tries."

And then Groudon retaliated. Using a mixture of Eruption and Ancient Power, Groudon created a massive barrage of attacks. With our best pokemon unable to move the others tried to protect us and them. All the pokemon knew that aside from Kyogre, the "starters" may be the only hope we have left. That is why half of the pokemon that could still fight were knocked out protecting them.

Even Pika and Chuchu used their ultimate attacks, Volt Tackle, on their own to protect them. The y jumped from each side with an amazing speed and, together, they broke three of the most massive boulders that were coming that way. After that they fell on sea clearly out. After Red and Yellow, and the others retrieved all of the fallen pokemon, only 10 pokemon remain. Pilo, Walo and the starters.

But just when they thought that it was over, another wave of attacks came crashing down on them.

-Protect Walo!- was Green's command.

With that, all the available pokemon started using their attacks in order to protect their trainers and the Wailord. I saw Pilo dodge and brake some of the fiery boulders with Solar beams, but the others were not that lucky. I saw Rub's Swampert break two using Hydropump before using Protect for a long as he could before the 3rd one crashed down on him KOing it. Similar things were happened with the others, but they kept falling one after the others. When the attack ended the only pokemon awake was Pilo, Walo, who was using rest to at least get some health back, and Emerald's Sceptile.

It had been a massacre, and I just looked. I could not help them, since even when I tried, Kyogre refused to listen to me. And, the other Dexholders were still fairly okay, we had no options to win against him.

"Do you understand now humans?- was Groudon's mocking voice- Now it's over. You could never do anything to prevent it. The only one who was strong enough to do it was your friend. The one who controlled me for more than two hours. From the moment I gained control of him you lost."

-It's not over until we surrender… and that will never happen- I said.

"Oh, but you will- he said- There are three ways. You are unable to control fishy and I beat him, which mean I won. Or Fishy can control you and we resume our battle, which will have the same result. Or you control Fishy and then try to beat me."

-It will be the 3rd!

"Will it? Are you going to risk him?- he started- The one who saved you all from that cell? The one who saved you from that Salamence? Will you risk killing Ruby?"

-What do you mean?- I asked. I must've misunderstood something.

"What you hear girl. This boy here is my controller, Ruby."

-His name is Rub!

"That is only a half truth- it said- this boy is the same that was in that prison with you, and he is the one that saved you from that Salamence. HE told you so many lies in those past months, starting by his name. Ruby."

-That is a lie!- I said- Ruby is… dead. He died protecting me.

-Sapphire…- I heard from my left side where I saw the others looking at me.

I knew that look, it was the same look that they had always given me when I went into my rampages. That time with Green when I thought they were trying to replace him and all those other times before those, they looked at me like that. But in their faces I saw no confusion, no doubts. They were believing those words.

-Guys, don't tell me that you believe those words! - I said- It's impossible that he is alive!

-Don't listen to those words, he is only trying to confuse you. You are its only threat he has!

There was no doubt in their eyes or faces. They were all looking at me, visibly worried. It made no sense. This is impossible, too crazy to be true. Too crazy for them to be so calm about it. Unless…

-No…

"So you finally see it eh?"

Unless it is true… But it can't be, can it? So many things were going through my mind that I could not really keep track of them all. But one stood out. It was Marchie speaking to us before he kidnapped me.

-It was quite ironic, actually- Marchie said- It's said that the Sea monster's skin is made of shining Sapphires, while the Earth one's is made of Rubies.

-So you mean that the other one was…

-Yes, Sapphire, you're the only controller left- he answered- because your hero, Ruby, was the other.

-You're lying! That story is just a fairy tale, such powers doesn't exist!-I spat back.

Yeah Marchie said that, but he might be wrong right? He might've been mistaken…

-He was right- said Kyogre's voice in my head- Only one controller for each appears every 500 years. One and only one."

It was difficult to process this information. It couldn't be true… I saw him fall, from the sky, we were flying really high and he didn't have any flying type. How? And why didn't we try to look for him?

I then looked at the others, who kept looking at me. Their faces showed some kind of sadness, but there was no surprise in them. How? Not Red, Green, Gold or Emerald… They were just looking at me. And then a though went through my mind. They knew it.

-Did you know about that?- I asked , with more rage in my voice that I intended.

They were just looking at me and in their facial expressions I saw doubt, but also fear. No one reacted when I asked the question, like they hadn't heard me at all. My mind was a massive turmoil of emotions. I was both happy, confused, angry and most of all disappointed?

-Did you know about that? Is it true?- I asked my friends then, with a louder voice.

What I saw confirmed it. They all evaded their eyes from me. From Emerald, to Blue and even Yellow.

-Answer me damnit!- I asked then shaking with rage- Did you know? Is it true?

-Yeah…- was Red's voice then, the only one that was looking at me directly- It's the truth.

-I… I…- I started to say, but the words wouldn't leave my mouth. I was shaking. I didn't know what I was feeling anymore…

Ruby, the guy that was my hero and died protecting me was alive, and he had been for the past five years. All I had suffered, all those days crying, all those nightmares… he was alive the whole time! And he'd come to the Academy, been friends with us… without telling us! Without telling me!

And not only that my friends knew. For how long I don't know, but they knew it. They knew that the guy I loved, the one that saved me back then was alive and they didn't tell me. Why? Just why?

-Why?

"Tricky question- was Kyogre's voice now- What do you mean? Why did he hide that he was alive? Why did he came back without confessing it? Or… why didn't your friends tell you?"

-We didn't know for long Sapphi, in fact…

-I DON'T CARE!- I yelled then. I was crying and shaking more than before. I fell on my knees-I thought we were friends… that he trusted us, ME! I THOUGHT YOU CARED ABOUT ME!

Blue's POV

-But Sapph let us explain…- I started before Lightning pierced the sky and the following Thunder did the same with our ears.

When I looked around us I saw something that scared me again… The sea level was quickly increasing, and clouds were forming in the sky. Not only that, but Sapphire's hands were glowing from the fingers to her neck. The lines were glowing more and more and rising from her neck towards the face.

-I know you are angry Sapph… we can explain it- I said- just don't let Kyogre control you!

-We only discovered today Sapphire!- was Yellow's voice- we didn't have the time to tell you.

-You did!- she shouted towards her- We were in the same place for almost two hours, you had plenty of time to tell me!

-But Sapph…

-SHUT UP!- she yelled- I don't want to hear anymore from you!

And as soon as she said that, the lines across Kyogre shone. Sapphire was not looking at us anymore, but it was easy to deduce what had happened. Using here rage, Kyogre had been able to control her again. It soon started to rain, more furiously than before, while the sea evel continued rising.

"Now that's more like it- said Groudon's voice- I've been waiting for this… Control her at once! I am going to beat you!"

-Hah, it will just end like last time- was Kyogre's voice.

The sea level had increased massively. Sapphire was being controlled more and more clearly visible in her posture. Just like it had happened before in her cell, she was not standing anymore, she was on all four on top of Kyogre, but she was not being controlled completely again.

Kyogre was not attacking and even if the tension was really high, the battle that seemed to start at any minute was not starting. That's when I realized something. She was fighting still, She was on all four, but the lines in her body were not advancing and even on all four I could see her shaking. And… crying.

No one of us would be able to understand her feelings. Sure we had lived something similar, but it was not the same. Neither of us had the same connections she had with Ruby, and neither of us had the same connection with Rub like she did either. It was like her two best friends, or loves, had betrayed her at the same time. And we had not told her anything either.

That was when the standstill ended. Groudon opened his arms and immediately charged a Solarbeam. I thought that Kyogre would retaliate, but it didn't… and received the attack head on. I panicked for a moment then, but when everything calmed down, Sapphire was still on top of Kyogre.

-I know it's not what I should think… but the situation is still the same- said Silver then surprising us- We can not beat Groudon and if it beats Kyogre its over… but if Kyogre takes control of Sapphire and wins… it's also over.

-So what can we do?- asked Gold.

-We have to understand something guys…- was Red's voice this time- we can't do anything right now. We've always been in the middle of the fray, but right now… we can just watch. Sapphire and Ruby… it's in their hands.

At that point Groudon prepared another attack, another Solarbeam. Opening its big arms he charged in a Split second before sending the massive green beam towards Kyogre and Sapphire. I was about to warn her when Kyogre spun a little in order to avoid it, but it could not do it completely. The beam hit it in the right hand-like fin hurting it pretty badly.

Sapphire was still gripping its head on top of it, not moving an inch. We all called for her, telling her to defend at least, but she ignored us. Ruby on the other side was being completely controlled by it, moving in complete synchrony with Groudon, moving his body and mouth the same way Groudon did, just as a mere puppet.

"I really wanted to fight you Fishy, but your controller is too strong for you. You will not attack if she doesn't want you to- spoke Groudon- and she is way too confused to decide anything right now. I really wanted to show you how better I am, but… I am not waiting anymore. If she doesn't want to attack or defend, it's her choice… I will win no matter what. And then, I'll be the strongest being."

"I will not allow you to do that- was the quick reply- hey girl! Get it together! If you can control me, do it and let me beat this red lizard. If not, just let me fight it!"

-Shut up!

At that point it seemed that Groudon had really had enough of this and prepared his final attack. Instead of just sending the massive attack right away, he stopped and charged the attack. An extra charged Solar beam is a really strong, but unstable move, almost impossible to master for any normal pokemon, and even for us it only worked around 20% of the time. But Groudon is not a normal pokemon and we knew that as soon as he fired it, it was over.

So as soon as we saw Groudon open its arms again after charging it, we started yelling at Sapphire. IF that attack got her, I couldn't see her surviving it. But it was useless and then Groudon launched the attack that would beat Kyogre and any hope we had to save Ruby or Sapphire. Except it didn't… launch it I mean.

Just as he was about to do it the energy scattered around and Groudon stopped moving. I already knew that the attack was unstable, but it seemed too convenient that it had failed at the last second. That's when I also noticed that Groudon's feet were underwater. The level had risen a lot and not even Groudon's ability had been able to prevent it.

"What the hell?"

-What happened?- asked Green.

-Groudon is not moving an inch!- said Emerald.

-How?- I asked then, but the next words that were heard took away the mystery.

-Sapphire… Look at me!

A voice that I didn't think I would hear anymore today and maybe ever again… Ruby's voice.

Sapphire's POV

Nothing. I was in the middle of a war, but I couldn't care less about it. The only things that I could feel were the tears travelling through my face until they fell. I felt so… destroyed. So betrayed. So angry that I couldn't help shaking, but at the same time I didn't even have the energy to get up. And it was at that point that I heard those words.

-Sapphire… Look at me!

That voice, the one I had longed to hear for some time, almost felt painful to my ears. But even that, I couldn't help, but look up to him. And shiver when I saw the state he was in. Blood was falling from all his wounds, but he stood on top of the monster, his arms opened, but his hands backwards, like he was stopping Groudon.

-I should be disappointed in you, but I am not!- he yelled- I expected nothing else.

I was confused by his words. They really could be misunderstood. My anger did not subside, but my curiosity arose a little bit, making me keep looking at him.

-You want to know why I never told you who I really am?- he asked, getting my complete attention- Because I knew you would react like that, that you couldn't take it! I knew you were not strong enough to understand, nor brave enough to face the truth!

-Wha…- I couldn't believe his words, and my confusion kept rising, along with my anger.

-You're weak… that's why the others never told you!- he yelled- they knew who I was! I told them two weeks ago, but you… It was for the best, we all agreed on that. At some point I hoped, I though you would be able to take it, but you couldn't. I guess I really am disappointed after all.

I couldn't believe those words, all the times Rub or Ruby had spoken to me, all of them I could feel warmth and affection of some sort. Even when he scolded me or shout me earlier before there was an unmistaken tone behind it. But not now… And then I felt it… my anger winning.

How could he say those words? He was the whole cause I was like that! He had been the one I had tried to make proud for all those past five years. He had been the one that had not been fair, he had played with me! Made me believe he was dead for 5 years and then coming back without telling anyone.

"Good… let it be Sapphire- I heard Kyogre say- and make him pay for what he has done to you!"

-Shut up…

-Not even brave enough to fight?- was Ruby's voice again- Another disappointment! You would let everything fall because you're scared of being controlled again? I will say it again… You ARE WEAK!

At that point my blood was boiling more than ever before. He had no wright to say that, not after what he had done. Not after deceiving me for so long, not after betraying me. Not after breaking all I had been working for the last five years! When I felt another tug on my mind, meaning Kyogre was trying to take control over me, I simply pushed it aside.

-I will not accept these words coming from you!- I yelled with all the malice I could muster.

-Then fight! Attack me, use all the rage you have and use it against me!- he yelled- Do it if you can!

And then I exploded. All the emotions inside me tried to get an outlet and they found it. This last mockery had been the one that made my mind shut down and all my emotions explode at once.

-Primal Pulse!

"Gladly".

As soon as I closed my eyes and I yelled the attack, Kyogre started to accumulate water in a massive sphere in front of its mouth. With water all around us it was easy to create the most massive one I've ever seen in my life. I fully expected to see Groudon prepare one of its own, but as soon as Kyogre unleashed the massive beam I saw something weird. Ruby smiled. At me.

And that's when I understood everything. Those words… were not real. He didn't mean them at all. They had been there just to tick me, to make me attack. To make me beat Groudon, even at the cost of his health. While he spoke, Groudon never moved, never talked, never did anything. He was preventing Groudon from doing it, so he made me attack, using the most hurtful words someone has ever told me. And he knew, he knew that I would attack, he knows me too well.

And sure enough the beam connected on Groudon's most vulnerable area. The attack was so strong that it immediately knocked Groudon down, while Ruby was propelled upwards before falling towards the sea. As soon as Groudon fell down, all went black while the rain increased again. But I didn't even care. I had jumped towards the sea already, just as the beam connected.

Since the water level had risen a lot, almost all the beach had been covered by it, so Rub did not fall on the Ground. started swimming as fast as I could then trying to figure out where his body might have fallen.

-I need to find him! -I thought to myself- Please let me find him! Let me save him!

He was in no condition of swimming so it was unlikely that he had been able to surface, so I looked down. But with no light it was impossible to find him. I surfaced to grab some air, but as soon as I dove again a very strong current pulled me backwards towards the bay.

I tried to swim against it, but it was way to strong to fight it and I felt my body be pulled in random directions. That is why, when I opened my eyes to search for anything that could help me I saw light again coming from the surface. That lasted a very short time since I saw a shadow cover me and I closed my eyes.

-Cough! Cough!- As soon as I opened my eyes I couched out some of the water I had swallowed. I was soon blinded by the sun again and when I looked around I found myself sitting in one of Groudon's hands, with his eyes looking at me directly.

-Sapphire! Are you okay! Get out of there!- I heard Blue's voice then coming as fast as they could atop Walo.

I then looked up and I saw Groudon look at me for a second before looking towards the sea. There I could see Kyogre, who was also looking our way. The monster then rose its head a little and I could see that something was on top of it. Ruby was on top of it. Searching around for the last pokeball that was still okay I sent Pilo out, who carried me at top speed towards the monster who had the boy lying flat on top of it. And then I saw it.

At last, after more than two months, I saw his head without a hat. His hair was black, not curly or afro or anything weird, just a straight black hair with a lock of hair that even wet, tried to stand on its own. But what impacted me the most was the side of his hair, where two massive scars were visible.

-I am sorry…- he said between coughs- I didn't mean…

-We need to get you to the hospital Rub- I said then seeing his poor state and sitting next to him.

-Use… my name… please- he said.

-Do not talk, save your energy…

-Na… my name…- he said with a tiny voice

-Ruby?

He let out a small chuckle then, only interrupted by a cough.

-Ruby- I said then when I noticed his eyes closing- Ruby! No don't fall asleep now. Stay awake!

-I should've… I wanted to…- he said rising his right hand to touch me- I'm sorry.

And just after that word… his arm fell.

-Ruby!


And cut! A cliffhanger again, but don't worry the next one is comming really soon. I hope you all enjoyed the battle as much as I did imagining it and writing had to be epic AF so I hope I was able to deliver.

Thank you all for the reviews and support that this fic has received. YOU, readers/reviewers/followers/Editor of this fic, are the best!

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