When everyone got outside they made their way through the crowd to see who they were facing. Wes had a hunch who was attacking. No doubt it was cipher looking to get more Pokemon for their Shadow Pokemon project. However when they saw who they were facing his eyes went wide with disbelief and he gasped in shock at who was standing in the center of several thugs who looked eerily familiar to him.
Wes found himself face to face with a large muscular man with a bald head black eyes. He hage huge eyebrows and an equally huge mustache. Wes felt sick to his stomach as he uttered a name he never thought to say again.
"G-G-Gonzap!?"
The man who was stared was equally surprised at the sight of the young trainer but that surprised turned into a smirk of pure evil.
"Hello Wes, it's been a while"
Wes dropped to one knee in complete shock. Rui shouted his name and knelt down to see if he was alright. However he couldn't hear her voice. The only thing he could hear was Gonzap's voice ringing loudly in his ears. He heard both the Gonzap that stood before as well the Gonzap who spoke to him n his memories. Eventually he came back to his senses and stood back right.
"So this is where you've been hiding at this entire time. I gotta say mate it's not a bad place. However I also gotta say this to ya, you look terrible." Gonzap said making a few of the men behind him laugh.
"Gonzap.." Wes said still in shock. "I-I thought I'd never see you again. I thought you had disappeared after what happened to the hideout."
Gonzap smile turned into a cold menacing glare that actually intimidated Wes a little bit.
"Yeah after you reduced the hideout to rubble I did disappear for a while, but even then all I thought about was you."
Eagun and Beluh as well as the rest of the village were confused as to the relationship between Wes and this man.
"Wes what is that man talking about!? How do you know him!? Who is he!?" Eagun asked desperately needing answers.
Wes tensed up everybody in the village was witnessing what was happening and there was no way he could get out of a confrontation about his relationship with the people in front of him. With a sigh he revealed what only a few people know about.
"His name is Gonzap and he's my former leader when I was with Team Snagem."
One huge gasped came out of every villager including Eagun and Beluh. Even though they already knew his secret it was still a shock to hear this revaluation about his relationship with this man.
Gonzap scowled at Wes before speaking.
"It's been almost three months since you betrayed us. We took you in, gave you a home, gave you your first Pokemon, and we practically considered you family. Yet after all we've done for you, you stab us in the back."
"Only because of what we were doing Gonzap!" Wes snapped. "We were stealing Pokemon from other trainers! That was something I couldn't do anymore! You know the bond someone has with their Pokemon and all we did was sever that bond! I couldn't stand seeing children cry when we stole from them! I couldn't stand being called a thief! I couldn't stand living the life I was living anymore!"
"I told you long ago that it was all part of the job!" Gonzap snapped back. "Whether you liked it or not you were in the club and you were meant to stay with us for life!"
"Well it's all over now because Team Snagem is dead." Wes said. "After I destroyed the hideout, I heard that almost every member had been found and arrested over these past few months. Only a handful remain free."
Gonzap smiled and began to laugh. It started as a small chuckle but grew into maniacal, almost crazed laughter. Many of the Villagers were now genuinely afraid of this man. Rui herself was growing somewhat nervous. She moved closer to Wes who was glaring daggers at his former leader and comrade.
"Y-You think that Team Snagem is dead!?" Gonzap said trying to catch his breath from laughing so hard. "I hate to burst your bubble mate, but Team Snagem is very much alive."
Wes shook his head.
"How stupid do you think I am Gonzap? Team Snagem is.."
"Before you destroyed our hideout you freed every last Pokemon we had captured. Those Pokemon were our source of business. I'll admit when you freed them and destroyed the hideout you destroyed Team Snagem but it was only for a moment. You see we are now comrades with a rather powerful group. A group that considers you quite a pain."
Rui gasped.
"You don't mean..."
Gonzap smiled at her and nodded his head.
"That's right love, We made a business deal with Cipher and we are there partners. Thanks to them Team Snagem is alive again."
Rui was trembling, two of Orre's most dangerous criminal regimes have joined forces. She looked at Wes who didn't looked shocked whatsoever.
"How typical of you Gonzap," He said. "Doing whatever you can to get money and stay out of prison."
"Yeah well it was thanks to them, I was finally able to track you down."
That sentence caught Wes off guard.
"How did they find out I've been staying here!?"
"Cipher's got eyes and ears all over Orre mate. You can't go anywhere without them knowing where you've been."
"Well now that you've found me, I suppose you're ready to finish me off?" Wes asked while taking out a Pokeball.
Gonzap surprisingly shook his head.
"I'm not gonna kill ya yet. I promised those guys Nascour and Evice that they could get their hands on you first. They said they would leave you alive when they were done with you though so I could finish you off."
Suddenly Gonzap reached for a Pokeball.
"However there is one thing I am gonna do now that I've found ya. I heard you've gotten a lot stronger since I last saw you. That's good to hear mate. I'll test your skill and see how strong you've truly become."
"So you wanna battle me!?"
"You're a right genius you are. You and me mate one on one. First knockout wins. I'll also throw you a bone as well If you win we'll leave this village and never come back."
"And what if you win?" Wes asked.
"Nothin' all I really want is your head but I'll be getting that later."
"Fine! I accept the challenge let's battle!"
Gonzap was a little surprised but no one could see it because of the smirk on his face.
"Your awfully confident with yourself. Have you forgotten or have you just chose to forgot that during your time in Team Snagem, I was the one guy you could never beat!? If you really have forgotten that then allow me to jog your memory! Go Skarmory!"
A large steel flying Pokemon appeared in front of Gonzap. Rui observed and gasped when she saw a purple aura around it.
"Wes! That Skarmory's a Shadow Pokemon!"
Wes stared at the Shadow Pokemon and shook his head to Gonzap.
"So you changed your own Skarmory to a Shadow Pokemon?" Wes asked. "And here I though you could sink no lower."
Gonzap smirked.
"If it means a stronger Pokemon I'll sink as low as the pits of hell if I have to."
Wes growled.
"You make me sick, Gonzap! Go Typhlosion!"
The fire Pokemon appeared in front of Wes and growled at Skarmory.
"Let's see what you've got mate! Skarmory use Air Cutter!"
The Pokemon flew into the air and cut through the air making sharp blades of wind fly towards Typhlosion.
"Dodge it Typhlosion!"
The fire tried to jump out the way but was too late. The blades of wind knocked backwards on his back."
"Typhlosion are you okay!?" Wes shouted with concern.
Typhlosion saw the concern in his masters eyes and nodded before getting back to his feet. Wes looked at him for one more moment before observing Skarmory.
"I've seen Gonzap use Skarmory several times in the past and it was never that fast." He said to Rui.
"It must be because it's now a Shadow Pokemon so it has a huge power and speed advantage." She replied.
"That's right love," Gonzap said with a smirk. "Wes was never able to beat him when he was a normal Skarmory so there's no way he's going to beat an improved version."
Wes glared coldly at Gonzap.
"Much has changed since then! Typhlosion flamethrower!"
Typhlosion inhaled and let out a large stream of fire from his mouth aimed directly at Skarmory but the steel bird Pokemon was able to dodge with great ease by flying upwards.
"Now Steel Wing!" Gonzap ordered!
While high in the air Skarmory slashed it's wings in an X like motion and two metal blades formed in the air and flew towards Typhlosion
"Quick Typhlosion Dodge it!" Wes shouted desperately.
However it was once again too late. Both of the Steel Wings hit Typhlosion in the chest. They glided across his skin diagonally and lacerated him. The wounds were deep and blood started to flow.
"Typhlosion!" Wes screamed.
He and Rui ran over to the falling Pokemon and Wes able to catch him in his arms just in time. Wes cradled the Pokemon and looked at the gashes caused by the Steel Wing attack. Wes thanked his lucky stars that the slash wasn't deep enough to be lethal but it was deep enough that Typhlosion couldn't continue the fight or else things could go from bad to worse
"You're not impressing me mate!" Gonzap said. "If anything you've gotten worse since you left Team Snagem!"
The men behind Gonzap laughed while their lead smirked victoriously.
Wes looked at the ground sadly he wanted to shut Gonzap up so badly but he looked at Typhlosion and saw that he was in no condition to fight. He then remembered back to what Rui had said about pushing his Pokemon too hard. If he let Typhlosion continued the fight he would be risking his life and Wes didn't want to lose any one else that he cared about it was bad enough to lose his parents and almost lose Rui. It would no doubt brake him if he lost one of his Pokemon.
A tear went down Wes' cheek he had been beaten and humiliated once again and even though he didn't want to admit his defeat the deal was that first knockout wins. Even though Typhlosion wasn't unconscious he couldn't continue. Ready to be a man of his word. Wes opened his mouth to admit defeat to Gonzap.
However before he could make a sound Typhlosion noticed the tear stream down his cheek and stood back on his feet it hurt him to do so but he refused to give and disappoint his master again.
"Typhlosion no! This fight is over!" Wes said sadly but sternly.
However the the fire Pokemon did not listen. Instead he looked at Skarmory high in the air. He then looked at the ground and inhaled as deeply as possible. He then began to breath smoke onto the ground that quickly began to form around him. Wes and Rui both got out of the way as fast possible so they didn't inhale the smoke. However they were confused and so was everyone else what was Typhlosion thinking.
The smoke continued to expand and rise into the air. Wes gasped and realized what his Pokemon was doing. He was making the smokescreen around himself and the higher and thicker it the harder it was to see him even if someone or something was in the air. Skarmory looked down at smoke cloud but it was so large and thick it could not see it's opponent. Typhlosion blew into the smoke and made a hole just big enough for him to see Skarmory who could still not see him at all.
Seeing an opportune moment to strike Wes called out and order.
"Typhlosion Flame Wheel!"
The fire Pokemon inhaled and shot out a wheel of fire that spun towards Skarmory. The attack burst out of the smoke at a rapid speed. Skarmory didn't know where the attack was coming from inside the Smokescreen and didn't have enough time to move. The attack him it head on and it was knocked out of the air. It fell back to earth and crashed in front of Gonzap. However he quickly got back to his feet and shook it's head.
"Clever, but it's not enough!" Gonzap snapped. "Skarmory finish this with Steel Wing!"
However Skarmory did not attack how was it supposed to finish the fight when it couldn't see it's opponent.
"Typhlosion use Swift and follow it up with Fire Blast!" Wes commanded!
"Skarmory use your wings and blow the smoke away!" Gonzap snapped.
Skarmory did just that and made short work of dispersing the smokescreen however it was too late and the too attacks Wes had order were heading right for the steel flying Pokemon. The first attack knocked Skarmory backwards then the Fire Blast hit it with full force and sent it flying backwards. Gonzap went wide eyed for a moment before jumping out of the way of the incoming Pokemon. The rest of Team Snagem did the same except for one man who Skarmory landed on top of.
"Yes!" Wes cheered.
The rest of the village cheered as well it looked like victory was about to go to Wes. However Rui quickly reminded Wes of Something.
"Wes that Skarmory is a Shadow Pokemon! You know what to do!"
Wes turned and nodded at her and grabbed a Pokeball and put it onto the machine. Skarmory began to get back to it's feet but it was weakened. Gonzap looked at his Pokemon and then at Wes when he realized what the boy was doing.
"Oh no you don't!" Gonzap snapped. "Skarmory go!"
Skarmory looked at it's master and saw him pointing at a certain target...Wes!
The Pokemon's eye's glowed red and he charged at the boy with incredible speed. Typhlosion saw the attac coming and stepped into to defend his master but to no avail. Skarmory went straight through Typhlosion knocking him unconscious to the side and went straight for his intended target. Wes' eyes went went wide when he saw the incoming beast. However there was no time at all to move. He didn't need to be remind that his body was still recovering from his run in with Nidoking's hyper beam. However Skarmory did just that by ramming it's head into his stomach. It's head was cannon ball and Wes felt his ribs crack and the wind leave him and he sword he could feel several wounds still recovering reopen.
"GAAAAAAAH!"
That was last thing that came out of Wes' mouth as he flew backwards and landed back first on the cold hard ground behind him.
"Wes!" Rui shrieked as she immediately ran to his side followed by Eagun and Beluh. Wes laid on the ground trying to catch his breath that he had lost. He tried to move but the he felt was to great. That attack had no doubt broken his ribs. However through the teeth grinding pain Wes began to struggle to get back to his feet.
"No Wes you've been injured again don't move!" Rui begged.
Wes simply stared at her before shaking his head.
"No! I won't let what happened last repeat itself!"
Gonzap could see his former comrade get to one knee and a large, wicked, and twisted smile came across his face. Wes was down and he was practically defenseless. This was the perfect opportunity to end his life.
"This is it!" He yelled! "This is end for you Wes!"
One of Team Snagem members quickly stepped in.
"Wait a sec Gonzap! You can't finish him now! We had a deal with Cipher!"
"Forget them! I'm gonna do what they should have done at Mt. Battle!" He then looked at his Skarmory who had come back to him. He then pointed at Wes once again.
"Kill him!"
Everything seemed to have have went silent when Gonzap shouted those words. Rui's eyes went wide and tears started to flow from. The boy she loved was going to die and she would never find the opportunity to tell him how she felt if she let it happen.
Without Realizing what she was doing she quickly dove in front of Wes and wrapped her arms around him acting like a human shield. It was reminiscent of what happened back in Phenac City during Makuhita's attack when he was a Shadow Pokemon.
Wes went wide eyed at what she was trying to do and tried to break free.
"Rui move or else you'll be killed!" He snapped at her.
However she shook her head in defiance as her tears flowed from her tightly closed eyes.
"I almost lost you once. I'm not gonna lose you again." She said softly to him.
Wes continued to struggle as Skarmory began to fly to towards them with it's razor sharp talons ready to stab right through them.
"Rui let go now!" He yelled desperately trying to break free only for her to tighten her grip on him.
Skarmory was a mere few feet away from them. It let out an ear piercing shriek as it's talons aimed right for Rui's back.
"RUI LET GO!" Wes yelled at the top of his lungs.
Rui braced herself for the impact but it never came. However there was a loud scream. Rui looked up and saw Beluh covering her mouth and tears flowing down her eyes and Eagun was starting to run their way as if he was thirty years younger.
Turning around both Wes and Rui gasped and Rui eventually screamed when she saw a familiar looking man standing in front of them with Skarmory's talons going through him.
"LEONE!" Eagun yelled at the top his lungs.
Skarmory's talons eventually came out of Leone's body and the elderly man fell backwards onto the ground. Wes, Rui, and her Grandparent's surrounded the man as the village looked on shock. He gasped and coughed as blood bubbled flowed the the holes the went through him and it also bubbled and flowed from his mouth.
"Leone! Stay with us! Leone!" Eagun said desperately to his dying best friend.
"Please Leone try to stay awake!" Beluh sobbed as her tears flowed free. "I'll make a remedy to heal you and you'll be back on your feet in no time!"
Everyone knew here words were false there was no way Leone could be saved. Skarmory's talons went straight through him. He only had a matter of seconds to live. However even with death on the horizon Leone smiled.
"Look's like it's time for me to go home and see my wife" He said. "Don't worry you two I'll be keeping a spot in our house In the sky warm for you both."
"Mr. Leone!" Rui sobbed as her tears fell from her cheeks like waterfalls. "Please don't go!"
Leone smile did not leave his face as he stared at Rui and then at Wes. The boy was frozen where he was he had tears coming from his own eyes as well. Leone couldn't die now Rui, Eagun, and Beluh needed him.
"Hey Wes could you hold Rui for me?" He asked as his voice began to break.
Wes dared not deny a dying mans request. He looked at the sobbing girl and wrapped his arms around her.
"That's what I like to see. You make Rui happy and now this old man can die happy knowing he saw her true smile again after ten long years. When your done saving the world, Take care of her as well as Eagun, Beluh, and the rest of the village. Could you do that for me lad?"
Wes nodded his head a broken sob escaped from him.
"Yeah but they still have you. You're gonna be okay I know you will." He sobbed.
He waited for a response from Leone however no response came.
"Leone? Leone!?"
Eagun shook him desperately but Leone laid limply in his arms with his eyes closed and a smile on his face.
"NOOOOOO!" Eagun screamed as he held Leone's body close to him.
Beluh fell to her knees and held both her husband and Leone while she cried.
Rui however turned and buried her face into Wes' shoulder. He held her tightly and let his own tears flow free. Leone's final wish was for him to hold and that's just what he was going to do.
Gonzap stared at the carnage he had caused and then stared at Wes who was distracted with trying to comfort Rui. He then looked at Skarmory who still had Leone's blood on his talons.
"I won't miss this time! Skarmory-"
"Gonzap stop!"
Looking back the leader of Team Snagem saw the same member who stopped him before grab his arm.
"Think about the consequences if you break our deal with Cipher! They have eyes and ears all over Orre! They might end our business relationship and hand you over to the cops as revenge for breaking the deal! Do you want to risk losing Team Snagem and going to prison!? Let's just get out of here before the cops come!"
Gonzap stared at his henchman and then at Wes he growled and grabbed a Pokeball.
"Return, Skarmory"
The Pokemon Disappeared into the Pokeball and he put it back into his pocket. He then saw Wes look up at him.
"Now that I think about it's still to early to finish you off. You better get stronger than you are now mate. I want you to be at your best when I kill you."
Wes began to shake and Rui looked up at him through tear stained. He was growling and breathing heavily. He began to foam at the mouth and had a murderous look in his eye. He broke his hold on Rui and got back to his feet. Despite the enormous pain he was feeling he was going to make Gonzap pay for what had just done.
"YOU ARE NOT GETTING AWAY!" He roared.
He began to run towards them albeit rather clumsy due to the pain he felt. Rui immediately got to her feet and chased after him with tears flowing down her cheeks.
"Wes Stop!" She shouted!
Gonzap and Team Snagem laughed as they walked back to their motorcycles and drove away. Wes ran to where they once and was eventually overcome by the pain in his ribs. He fell to his stomach and watched Leone's murderer drive into the horizon.
"Get back here Gonzap!" He screamed at the top of his lungs. "Don't you dare run away! Get back here and fight me like a man!"
Wes began to get back to his feet but Rui dropped to her knees behind him and wrapped arms around his chest to restrain from moving. He fought against her restraint like a wild animal but due to him being weakened Rui was able to overpower him.
"Wes Stop it!" She shouted at him desperately as she continued to cry. "Stop it please! "He's not coming back!"
Wes continued to struggle under grip but he eventually stopped. Rui released her grip on him. With his hung way low he closed his eyes and began to pound the ground in front of him.
"I hate him..." He growled as his voice got louder and louder. "I hate him, I hate Team Snagem, I hate Nascour, I hate Cipher!"
Rui could hear him sobbing as screamed at the top of his lungs with as much sadness and anger in his voice as he could muster.
"I HATE THEM ALL!"
Rui could do nothing but cry with as she wrapped her arms back around him much more softly than before.
"I know, I hate them too." She whispered to him between sobs. "We have to make them all pay. We have to."