~ Chapter 81 ~

Battle with Candice

"My battle with Candice was one of the fastest battles I'd had. It had thrown a surprise at me, being the first battle in the Sinnoh League that used four Pokémon as opposed to three Pokémon. But this far into the league, I should've expected it more than I did. Regardless of the number of Pokémon she threw at me, I'd had the advantage. Lucario had easily torn through her Sneasel and Piloswine. Sneasel's Ice/Dark Typing didn't stand a chance against Lucario's Fighting/Steel Typing. Piloswine wasn't fast enough for Lucario's Fighting moves either. To deal with Froslass, I swapped in Empoleon, an old favourite of mine. Empoleon brought the Ghost/Ice Pokémon down within minutes. I was left with my Rampardos against her Abomasnow. A truck versus a tree. What a match. In other news, my grandfather suddenly reappeared again for the first time since Lake Valor."

Candice was young, and only been a Gym Leader for a year, and was also, apparently, the Leader of Snowpoint City, High Priestess of the Snowpoint Tribe, and Chieftess of the Tribe, as well.

She was only a few years older than Sam and had inherited the positions from her grandparents recently.

There was no denying she was admirably strong, or that she was skilled.

But Sam needed to end this quick, and he needed to explain the situation to Candice.

There were many reasons he couldn't lose, the Pokémon League just one of them.

"Rampardos, Flamethrower!" cried Sam.

"Avalanche!" responded Candice to her Abomasnow.

The Pokémon roared, slammed its feet into the ground and caused the ice hanging from the ceiling of the gym to crash down into the field.

The Avalanche blocked the flames, melting them, causing a coat of steam to seep across the coat the field.

Just as Sam had hoped.

He sent his Rampardos in for a Zen Headbutt.

The Pokémon roared, stampeding across the field, shaking the ground as she charged towards Abomasnow.

Rampardos wasn't silent, but the steam cloaked her until it was too late.

Abomasnow managed to turn in time however, and grab Rampardos by the skull, stopping her dead in her tracks.

Snow and dust was kicked up as Rampardos shoved hard against Abomasnow, trying to shove through the impenetrable wall that was the Pokémon.

Rampardos was nothing if not persistent.

But Sam also had Abomasnow where he wanted her.

Sam called for a Flamethrower.

There was no time for Abomasnow to dodge at that close to her opponent, and Rampardos let her have a massive blast of fire, right in the face.

Abomasnow staggered, crying out in pain, as it stumbled back, trying to stamp out the flames on its body.

Sam had Rampardos go in for the proverbial kill.

First, an Ancient Power.

The move sent massive chunks of rocks at Abomasnow, stumbling the Pokémon back further. In fact, Abomasnow was sent sprawing across the ground, near the edge of the ring.

As the Pokémon tried to stand, Rampardos charged in at top speed, slamming a Zen Headbutt into Abomasnow's chest.

Rampardos finished the battle by lifting Abomasnow with its massive skull and slamming the Pokémon down into the ground by her side.

Abomasnow let out a low rattle and fainted.

The referee called the match in Sam's favour as Candice, slightly terrified by Sam's effective ruthlessness, recalled and thanked her Abomasnow.

Sam was petting his Rampardos like a Poochyena pup as Candice approached him.

"That was…effective," she said, unable to find the words.

"Thank you," said Sam, "I apologize for the…brutalility of it. I'm in a bit of a hurry…I'm also preparing for the Pokémon League and well—"

"Valentina isn't exactly easy going as an opponent," laughed Candice, "Learned that one the hard way."

"Oh yeah?" asked Alyssandra as she approached Sam and Candice.

Candice nodded. "I tried challenging her for the title a few months back…I thought I was strong enough. I sorely mistaken."

Alyssandra nodded. She knew her sister well enough to guess the swiftness with which she put Candice's dreams down—not cruelly like a villain, but swiftly like a prodigal trainer.

She was called the Second Coming of Red in Trainer's School.

Valentina even went on a three-month journey, closing down challenges to the Pokémon League, to go search for Red and try and challenge him for a battle.

She managed to find Blue Oak, grandson of Professor Samuel Oak, which she thought was a start, but apparently even Blue hadn't seen his friend and rival in years.

Red had been one of the few trainers to complete the Pokédex—even including a few Mythical Pokémon (like Legendaries but with more than one of a species existing)—and take one the Kanto League without a single loss. He had defeated the Kanto League and wiped through the Indigo Plateau in three months.

He had also filled the Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh and Hoenn Pokedexes, and had disappeared shortly before Unova was encountered and discovered a five years back.

Blue theorized that Red was in Unova, either getting stronger or catching more Pokémon but couldn't' confirm for sure.

"Well, I thank you for the thrilling battle," smiled Candice, handing Sam his Icicle Badge, "You've earned this. Truly. Now, if you don't mind I need to get my Pokémon to—"

"Can we talk to you, quickly and somewhere private?" whispered Sam, so that even Alyssandra could barely hear him.

Candice's face looked confused, even a little worried, but she agreed and took Sam and Alyssandra to the small back office just off the main room of the gym.

Making sure they were alone, and hopefully, not in a bugged room, Sam began to talk, softly, gently, not talking too loudly, but loud enough for anyone near him to hear.

"You've heard of the attack on Lake Valor?" asked Sam.

Candice nodded.

"Team Galactic is trying to attack Lake Acuity as well," started Sam.

"What?" asked Candice in disbelief, "That's not possible…the League would have told me about—"

"Someone's been intercepting your messages from the League asking for help," Alyssandra continued for Sam, "The only way we could get a message through was by sending a Write of Challenge for a Gym Battle and hope to catch you afterwards and explain."

"Well thank the gods you did," sighed Candice, "I can't believe there's a spy in the network, in the League. It just…doesn't seem possible."

Sam began to explain the full story—quickly, and promptly—and explained how there was currently a fortress that was likely going to come under siege soon, on the banks of Lake Acuity, waiting for reinforcements from Snowpoint, and praying they weren't overrun before Sam got back with them.

Sam explained why Team Galactic wanted the Lake Guardians, and what they were trying to do with them.

Candice looked horrified, especially as a High Priestess.

"That's…that's blasphemous, it's dangerous!" she cried, "They're messing with powers beyond even Nilama's understanding."

Candice looked at Sam, her face came to one of understanding, and perhaps panic. "Did Nilama give you…a gift?" she asked.

Sam suddenly realized what she meant, though he was noticeably confused at first. "I…you mean the Azure Flute?" he asked.

She nodded fervently.

"We were also gifted the Sacred Orbs…one for each of me and my friends," explained Sam.

Candice gave a deep sigh. "We can't stop Team Galactic at the lake…she knows it. Gods save us all…this will come down to The Creator and his will" Candice looked at Sam and Alyssandra. "But we can try and mitigate the damage. The explosion at Lake Valor can't happen here—they won't destroy Sinnoh on my watch. I'll gather my people, and I'll tell the Ruling Council to weed out that spy. Give me and hour and meet me by the entrance to Snowpoint Woods, we'll go together with my people to protect Lake Acuity."

Everyone nodded, agreed this was the best course of action, and Sam and Alyssandra walked briskly, but calmly, from the Gym, so no one was alerted to the sudden panic, and went back to the Pokémon Centre to gather their things.

"Things are going to get harder from here," warned Aurelio, appearing in front of Sam as he entered his and Alyssandra's room.

"Where the hell have you been?" demanded Sam.

Alyssandra mouthed "grandfather" as she noticed Sam was having a conversation with the air.

He nodded.

"Hello, Lyss," smiled Aurelio, "Good to see you."

"Don't change the subject," warned Sam, "You just…disappeared after Lake Valor. I could have used some advice and guidance."

Aurelio sighed. "I'm sorry I was…drawn away."

"What do you mean?" asked Sam, now slightly worried.

Aurelio shrugged. "I was needed elsewhere. Someone else's need was greater, I…I had some things to take care of. Death isn't exactly a basket of roses, I don't always get to choose where I appear and whom I appear to."

"Who else do you appear to?" asked Sam.

Aurelio didn't respond, just gave Sam a small, sad look.

Sam sighed, giving a small growl of frustration. Another dead end of answers.

"Just," started Sam, "Just…don't do that again when I need you. I don't always know what I'm doing, leading all these people, fighting Team Galactic, saving the universe, and helping God Pokémon!"

Alyssandra cut in, and hugged Sam, tight, and hard. Sam could've sworn he'd heard a rib crack somewhere.

She hugged him for what felt like hours, but as she pulled away, she planted a gently kiss on his forehead. "You are strong, you are brave. You've done nothing wrong. You don't need people to tell you what to do…sure advice is nice, but…I think you've done an amazing job with your instincts alone so far. Please, just breathe. Things are going to get tense, and we need you thinking clearly, Sam."

Sam sighed.

His mind was so focused on the coming battle that he didn't even registed Alyssandra's recent affection.

"That was the other way I stayed away," smirked Aurelio, "You could've used the alone time."

Sam shot a look at Aurelio who quickly turned his eyes to the window and started admiring the frost patterns on it.

Sam sighed, and turned back to Alyssandra. "You're right, thank you."

Alyssandra smiled. "We're going to be okay. You're not alone. You may lead us, but you don't fight alone. We're here, me and Niya and Jeremy. Our Pokémon. Your Pokémon. All your friends and family at the Lake right now, waiting for us! We stand beside you, not behind you. We follow you from your left and right, not from your rear."

Sam chuckled.

"I said rear didn't I," sighed Alyssandra, "Of course you'd laugh at that."

Sam smiled. "Sorry."

Alyssandra shrugged but didn't need to speak for him to understand her response.

"If it means anything, I haven't been able to be here, but I've been watching," started Aurelio, "I think you've done an amazing job."

"Thanks," muttered Sam to his grandfather.

He looked outside, down into the streets, where people were starting to mobilize, say goodbye to loved ones, and prepare to essentially go to war to defend the universe.

Had Candice told them everything? Did they know what was at stake? Or were they just defending the Lake Guardians in their minds?

Sam couldn't know from here, but he hoped they knew—maybe they'd fight a little harder.

"Let's get going," said Sam, "We'd better hurry. We don't have to meet Candice yet, but we can give people a rallying point. Start debriefing as they show up."

Alyssandra nodded, standing up, and standing beside Sam.

She grabbed Sam's hand, holding it tight, giving it a gentle squeeze, and motioned with her eyes towards the door.

She stood with him, just like she promised.

Aurelio placed a hand on his grandson's shoulder waiting behind in the room a bit as he watched his grandson walk towards the elevator.

"I knew she was the one," smiled Aurelio, who phased through the wall to catch up with them.

Cyrus, Charon, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars stood in a small meeting room, around a hardwood table, staring hard at a screen.

It was mostly darkened, the room projected on the screen, but they could clearly make out a shadowy figure with glowing eyes.

"I am glad you finally have things under control, Cyrus,' smiled the dark figure, "I was beginning to think the child and his friends were too much for you."

Cyrus smiled. "Once we figured out how to let them take themselves down, how to stay one step ahead of them, it didn't matter how many times they thought they 'interfered' or 'defeated' us, because in reality they were always one step behind."

"We were pushed out unceremoniously from Lake Valor, and we lost some good men that day," noted Saturn, "But we got the Pokémon, and that's all that matters."

"The grunts knew what they signed up for," scoffed Mars, "If they were dumb enough to get caught—"

The shadowy figure slammed his fist into the table on his end. "Respect your soldiers," he growled, "They have given everything for you and your cause. Respect them, thank them. Without them you would be nowhere."

Mars immediately went silent.

"How long before we capture the remaining Lake Guardians?" asked the shadowy figure, quickly changing his tone to a more jovial note, "What is your timeline Cyrus?"

"Our soldiers and machines are in place," explained Cyrus, "We're sending Jupiter and Mars out in the field after this meeting, and they'll begin the attack within hours."

The shadow figure gave a toothy grin. "Good," he said warmly, silkily, "Very good. I am pleased. And once you have the Lake Guardians, how long before you can create the Red Chain?"

Cyrus thought for a moment, going over some calculations in his head. Then responded. "Perhaps a few days. Three at most."

The shadowy figure smiled once more.

"And from there, how long before I can expect my dragons?" asked the figure.

"A week from today, at the latest," explained Cyrus, "We're already sending up equipment and soldiers and resources to the top of Mount Coronet. Thanks to the information we've tortured from the Old Professor, we've found the Spear Pillar. We're securing it as we speak."

"Did you receive the shipment from Kanto?" asked the figure.

Cyrus nodded. "They arrived yesterday. Please, thank our beneficiaries from Kanto for us, this is a truly magnanimous gift. And thank him again, for the gift of Spiritum Steel. I wasn't aware he had such ties to procure so much."

The shadowy figured nodded. "Of course," he smiled, "He promised the best, and if these new devices are as promised…there is no better. Our associate in Kanto is a smart and well-connected man."

Cyrus nodded and bowed.

"Very well," smiled the shadowy figure, very pleased with the progress of his underlings, "Begin your attacks immediately, I shall leave you so you can proceed. I am pleased with the progress. Thank you"

"My Lord?" asked Cyrus, tentatively and almost afraid.

The shadowy figure grunted.

"Once I deliver you the dragons…your promise?" he asked.

The shadowy figure smiled. "I am a man of my word," he chuckled, "If you deliver to me the Three Dragons, the Creator is yours. You may have the world that you seek, a world of your creating, where there is no Human Spirit, and you are its soul ruler. As long as it does not interfere with my land."

Cyrus nodded. "Of course not, sir." Cyrus bowed.

The shadowy figured nodded and disappeared, the screen going black as the feed was cut.

Cyrus's Commanders looked at him.

"Sir?' asked Saturn, "Do you truly intend on giving up the dragons to this man?"

Cyrus smiled. "Perhaps," he replied, "I may…but…once the dragons are in my hands, can he truly stop me? I'll have everything I need…"

Jupiter looked over at Mars, worried by the mad look on her boss's face.

Saturn, however, blindly saluted Cyrus along with Charon.

"Jupiter, Mars!" called Cyrus, "Depart at once. Give the attack order once you're close enough to assume command through telecommunications and deploy on to the battlefield immediately once you reach the lakes. No failures. Understood?"

Jupiter and Mars saluted Cyrus and departed without a word.

The wheels of fate turned quickly as they raced to their helicopters.

The final confrontation for the Lake Guardians was soon at hand.