Chapter 36 – The Few to Fight

That humid rain beat down outside of Twinleaf, ushering people indoors. Johanna's house was a makeshift clinic while people of the town tried to help one another. There was a local doctor, but he was clearly overworked, thanks to that device. Access to the lake was shut off, so Johanna had no idea what was going on there. All she knew was that there were people here who needed help. Their Pokemon as well. Most of the main floor space was taken over by people who had been injured by the earthquake. Upstairs, she and Barry's mother Dianne were taking care of the Pokemon.

All of this panic however, had Johanna on edge. She hadn't heard from Jill for some time now, nor was her daughter returning calls. Dianne was having the same issue with Barry. At least Palmer had been in contact though. He had informed them that all the Frontier Brains had been pulled by Cynthia to help stabilize the region. Whatever was happening, it was massive.

Only a few kilometres away, Lake Verity was a hive of activity. Lucas watched from the edges, dismayed. He wasn't strong enough to do anything, certainly not against the amount of people here. The massive crater in the land was just as unnerving for the young man. That all that water was simply gone was more than disturbing. It bespoke a terrible power that had been unleashed. Still he watched.

It seemed that everyone in the area was deferring to one person, the red-haired woman standing by what used to be the lakes edge. Just moments before, Lucas had seen some weird canister thing put into the transport truck. Now everyone seemed to be cleaning up. The only problem was that he was still alone.

Jill and Barry have been alone this whole time too, and they've fought these thugs a part of Lucas' brain whispered. His teeth clenched together. This was far bigger than just himself. Lucas was just a research assistant. Sure, he had raised some Pokemon as a part of his journey, but he wasn't sure he was ready for something like this. And hadn't the professor said to lay low? He didn't know about the mythical Pokemon getting captured by criminals either.

Wondering where his courage was coming from, Lucas strode out from the woods. Shouts went up when some of the grunts spotted him, but the woman who was commanding just smiled. Lucas shivered at the look. There was no warmth there, only malice.

"Where did you come from little boy?" the woman asked in a falsely sweet voice. Lucas took another look around himself. "Oh, don't worry about them my dear. They won't come close."

"What are you people doing?" Lucas asked shakily. The woman sneered at him.

"Poor lost boy, thinking he could take on Team Galactic by himself?" She laughed, a humourless sound. "Pathetic child, you can't do anything now." Lucas showed his Pokeball, releasing his Kadabra.

"Return the legendary Pokemon, please" Lucas said in a small voice. The woman shrieked with laughter.

"Boys, he said please! Best we return the legend!" A couple of the others began laughing as well as their commander, making Lucas feel even smaller. But still he stood his ground. The woman grinned maniacally, sending out her own Pokemon.

"I think you need to learn a lesson" she said, as she commanded her Purugly to attack.

"Thanks, Zuko" Barry said to his Infernape. The fire-type had kept close as soon as he had been released after Barry had been teleported in. "Gotta say, that teleportation isn't fun. Probably should fine that Lucian guy when I see him again." Zuko simply nodded while Barry shrugged into his coat. Lucian hadn't really left Barry any time to get ready for the far northern climate of Sinnoh, meaning when he had rematerialized, Barry was left shivering as the icy winds cut through his thin shirt and whipped snow into his face.

Barry began walking towards the lake. He had been teleported to the outskirts of the lake area, so as he walked through the trees, Barry found himself sheltered from the sleet that was falling. It took some time before he was suddenly walking in slush and bare grass. Walking out of the tree line, the blonde trainer found himself looking at remnants of the lake. His Infernape was chirping angrily when he came upon the scene. Barry could only frown and make his way down towards the bottom where he saw people working.

The young trainer rushed forwards, trying to stay as hidden as he could. To that end, he also recalled Zuko, simply because the fire type stood out, jumping from rock to rock. When he was finally close enough, Barry could hear yelling from the cave front.

"I don't care what you have to do, just catch it!" a woman's voice was shouting. There were also the cries of various Pokemon, clearly in battle. Barry jumped into action at once.

"What do you think you're doing?" Barry demanded. A few of the people closest jumped and whirled around. Barry was laughing at their reactions.

"Who do you think you are?" the woman demanded coming to the forefront of the group. Her pink hair made her stand out and Barry knew the suits they were wearing. This wasn't the first time he had come across Team Galactic. It seemed that everyone was right, these guys were trying to steal the legendary Pokemon.

"I'm the guy who's going to stop you!" Barry shouted still smiling. He was shocked however, when a golden blue streak shot out of the cavern and ended behind him. The tiny Pokemon was panting and looked exhausted. Barry surmised that it had been battling these goons by itself.

"You honestly think you can save the lake guardian?" the woman asked.

"You honestly think you can just steal it?" Barry countered. He was beyond angry that someone would ever attempt this.

"If you insist." The woman looked around at her squad. "Well? What are you waiting for?" she said. The men and women jumped into action sending out their Pokemon. Barry turned to look at the lake guardian hiding behind him.

"Don't you worry, I got this!" He sent out his entire team to combat Team Galactic. Zuko was first out, fists flying as he began tossing foes back. He was quickly joined by Barry's Heracross, Staraptor, Roserade and Floatzel. Together, they were taking down the Team Galactic Pokemon, with Barry issuing commands faster than the grunts could keep up to. The woman in pink hair however began smiling as she watched.

Floatzel was the first to be struck down. Barry took a second to notice and cried out in shock when he did. That slight pause was enough for Jupiter to counter and knock Roserade out. Jupiter's Stuntank was closing in for the kill when Zuko jumped forward and knocked the poison type back. The skunk hissed as Barry recalled his two Pokemon.

"That was cheap!" the blonde cried out.

"You thought we came here to play?" Jupiter shot back astounded. "You're laughably weak little boy, and I'm going to allow my Stuntank to play with you for as long as she wants. Even the lake guardian can't help you!" Barry gritted his teeth. Staraptor was still fighting but was suddenly overwhelmed by the grunts of Team Galactic. Looking around Barry realised that his plan may have been foolish and headstrong.

"I'm not going to let you take Uxie!" Barry said definitely.

"You don't have a choice!" Jupiter stepped forward and called for a flamethrower attack. Barry was taken aback by that, as was Hercross. The beetle was engulfed in flames so hot Barry had to flinch away. It was Zuko who shot in to save his friend. Tears sprang to Barry's eyes as he recalled yet another Pokemon. Only Zuko and Barry remained.

"Leave now boy, and perhaps I won't kill you" Jupiter threatened.

"No" Barry said in a low voice, thick with emotion. "I don't know what you plan on doing, but it can't be good. People don't just blow up lakes. They don't just kill innocent Pokemon. I don't care what you think but I'm not going to let you win! Zuko, brick break!" The Infernape jumped forward to strike the poison and dark type, who simply stood there. Before his hit could land however, Zuko was tossed back. Scrambling up, he looked around for the source. Jupiter had released her other two Pokemon. A Golbat and Bronzor were hanging in the air.

"Air cutter. Extrasensory." Jupiter's commands were curt and simple. But the effects were harsh. Zuko did his best, but the combined attacks were simply too much. Barry cried out and ran forwards. Jupiter was laughing.

"Put him out of his misery Stuntank" the Galactic commander said. Another flamethrower was aimed at the boy and his Pokemon. Barry looked up as the torrent of red flames rushed in.

His phone buzzed for a third time that day. Cyrus' cold grey eyes appraised the device as he lifted it to his ear.

"We have the Lake Acuity guardian sir." The woman's voice seemed a bit breathless.

"You're late" was the only reply.

"I apologize sir. The legend… it put up a fight. It also had some help." Cyrus frowned but it was unseen by Jupiter on the other end of the line.

"What do you mean it fought?"

"When we arrived at the cavern, the legend sir, it was awake." Jupiter's voice now was somewhat scared. She thought perhaps Cyrus was mad at her.

"Did anyone touch the being?" the Galactic leader asked.

"No sir. It was just far more powerful than we believed. And I'm not sure why it was awake."

"What help did it get?"

"Some boy sir. We took care of him." Cyrus nodded and ended the call. Then he leaned back and took a deep breath. The first part of his plan was nearing completion. These three lake guradians were necessary. It almost seemed regrettable, but world changing plans often had some sort of collateral damage. This was no different and would be set to rights when Cyrus had what he wanted.

They found the boy lying on the ground next to an Infernape. Both were seriously injured. Candice called the local hospital to get people there asap while Maylene attempted to do what she could to stabilize both Pokemon and trainer. Rain stung the cheeks of the two women as they waited.

"Cynthia was right. They were coming after the lake" Maylene finally said.

"How did he get here though?" Candice asked. Maylene was at a loss there. Some of the youth's blonde hair was singed off, and there were serious burns along his left shoulder and back. The Infernape looked as though he had been carved up. The rain wept red as it cleaned the soft fur off the fire type.

Finally, the two gym leaders heard a chopper and waved it in. Paramedics who looked exhausted rushed out to the young man and his partner. They began asking questions about the boy, who he was, allergies, medical conditions. Maylene answered what she could as they gingerly loaded the boy onto a stretcher and into the belly of the helicopter. The fighting type leader knew that she should call Palmer. The frontier brain would want to know that his son had been found. The two gym leaders let the helicopter leave and trekked into the cavern.

"All this destruction, and for what?" Maylene asked. While she had tried to help Flint all those months ago, she wasn't actually sure what had come of it.

"There are some legends about these lakes in our region. Well, perhaps myth is a more accurate term" Candice replied looking around. "Each lake has its guardian, a spirit who only shows itself to those it deems worth."

"I know the stories" Maylene said, not unkindly. "Uxie, Azelf and Mesprit. Beings of emotion, knowledge and willpower." Candice nodded along.

"If the myths are true, then perhaps that is what they came to the lakes for."

"But what do they want with them?" Maylene asked helplessly.

"I honestly don't know."

Lucas woke up to mud. He immediately began coughing, which racked his body in pain. But the pain that ripped its way across his chest almost left him unconscious again. Groaning, Lucas managed to roll over onto his back. Rain was still falling, but it was lighter now, cooler. It was a caressing touch, not a senseless fist. Another few coughs left the young man gasping. While he was in immeasurable pain, he could feel his Pokeballs under his right hip. At least they didn't take you he thought.

After a few minutes, Lucas attempted to sit up. The effort left him exhausted. Something was glinting at the edge of his vision. After a moment, the young trainer realized they were flashlights, racking their way back and forth, surveying the damage. Lucas attempted to yell and stand. That failed however, as he fell back into the mud crying with pain.

He wasn't sure what happened, but he opened his eyes again as he was being put into the back of a jeep or truck or something. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the rain leaving his face, but he finally saw a man and a woman sitting by him.

"You're gonna be alright son" the man said. There were tears in the woman's eyes as she moved Lucas' hair out of his face. He couldn't say anything though. It was as though his body didn't want to work anymore. And that scare Lucas more than he could say.

Johanna looked down at the poor young man. He was so pale and seemed small in pain. Whatever was happening out there had Johanna in tears. A region torn asunder by a few men and these children were attempting to take it upon themselves to fight these battles. She could only pray that Jill wasn't involved, but some part of her knew that her daughter must be out there somewhere.